New: DSX Excalibur (free, open-ended, email, human, space, rpg, abstract)

From: donotreply@pbm.com (PBM List Autoposter)

Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:13:01 +0000

Name:		DSX Excalibur
Costs:		Free
Frequency:		Daily or every 2 days
Email:		sharlene79 zat mindspring.com
Type:		Space Opera, Exploration, First Contact
Last-Update:		2006Sep11
Keywords: free, open-ended, email, human, space, rpg, abstract

Description:

DSX Timothy is a human GM guided adventure.  It is NOT a cooperative
writing Star Trek sim.	It is set in the early days of space exploration
in a rather dark future of the Earth.  These are the early days of space
exploration.  This game is inspired by such movies as Blade Runner, Lost
in Space, and Starship Troopers � as well as TV series like Babylon 5,
Dark Angel (1st season), Sea Quest � and yes, Star Trek.

The first Terran manned interstellar mission departed in 2058.	It was a
12-year mission that resulted in the discovery of 27 planets, one of which
was marginally habitable.  By 2090, over 200 worlds had been charted and
still, only 3 marginally habitable worlds had been discovered.	By the
early 22nd century 24 marginally habitable worlds have been discovered, as
well as 3 habitable ones.  One of those worlds was co-discovered at the
same time as a feline race called the M�tarans.  The result of that
encounter was an uneasy truce which had followed 8 years of war with the
M�tarans.  That colony has been co-colonized by a select few and is
codenamed Bast after the Egyptian goddess of cats.  While none of the
habitable planets discovered thus far are quite Earthlike, the three
habitable ones offer a chance for the human race to avoid extinction.

As of 2128, there are 28 colonies connected to Earth by a hypergate, the
three habitable ones, and 25 others.  Most of those worlds are only
marginally inhabitable, requiring processing of the atmosphere to survive.
 A few can only support life by dome or L5 station.  But those are worlds
rich in minerals much needed by Earth.	Travel by warp drive without a
gate is a very slow process.  Only the newest generations of ships are
able to cross the vastness of space in anything resembling normal time �
without coldsleep.  The Terran Exploration Fleet is madly searching for
inhabitable planets and resources.  Earth is a dying planet.  Too late
Mankind began to try to save its environment.  Its ozone layer is rapidly
failing.  Farms can no longer support the teaming billions.  Only
hydroponics has managed to save them.  Mineral wealth is now heavily
dependent on recycling technologies.  And those can scarcely keep up.
Population control has been taken over by a martial law approach.

Politically Earth has finally united, but is still heavily factioned much
as seen in the TV series, Sea Quest.  Players may come from many different
cultures.  However, English has been adopted as the lingua franca.  The
DSX Excalibur falls under the jurisdiction of Star Fleet, formerly a mix
of TDF (Terran Defense Forces), IP (Interstellar Patrol), Interstellar
Survey and Diplomatic Corps, BOSS (Bureau of State Security), and BRINT
(Bureau of Military Intelligence), Space Marines, and Star Force.  While
all of these divisions still exist and have departments in various nations
on Earth, they are reorganized under Star Fleet � finally.

The DSX Excalibur is a deep space explorer (light cruiser class) assigned
to search for new worlds that are fit for habitation and technology that
will help save Earth.  All crewmembers are part of the Fleet.  They must
be age 18 to 30, meet Fleet physical and mental standards (military), have
completed High School (or GED), 4 years Academy (officer types),
University (Science or Engineering types), or Military (Space Marine)
training.  Even the non-combat lab rat types will have to meet these
requirements and go through a 6 month training program for skills like
zero G maneuvering, vac suit training, and ship emergency drills.  And
once they sign up, they are Fleet Officers, with all the responsibilities
that go with the job.  This does mean that everyone will be age 22 to 30.
Time spent at a Fleet academy or military institution will be treated as
Fleet service for the purpose of determining rank.  (There will be a few
exceptions to these rules.  The DSX Excalibur sports all new technology.
And much of that technology was paid for by civilians �)

The senior command positions will be manned by NPC�s.  This includes the
Captain, Chief of Security.  Those positions have specific roles best
filled by NPC�s.  (Pilots/helmsmen tend to remain with their ships, not go
gallivanting across a planet.  Bear that in mind.)  The purpose of the
PC�s will be to serve in Survey Teams.	PC�s will be expected to survey,
establish First Contact, preserve artifacts, etc.  Yes, the Fleet also
fills a military role and one of police action.  But with so few ships
equipped for exploration, that would be a waste of the Excalibur.  Just
the same, the Excalibur will need to return to the outer colonies for
supplies and R & R from time to time.  And when they do, local officials
will do their best to make use of a Star Fleet vessel.	It never hurts to
maintain good relations with colonies.

As military as I make this sound, there is room for eccentricity � within
Star Fleet limits.  Getting a starship assignment is extremely
competitive.  So even if the character is eccentric, it is a good idea to
curb just how much so.	The Excalibur is commanded by a female, Lt. Cmdr.
Danielle Redeagle.  She is rumored to be a by the book hard-nosed captain,
with a history of losing crewmembers to space disasters.  Those of you
considering a career in Security, make out your wills.

[ This is a new entry for the PBM List. You can find the list
itself, and instructions for adding games or comments, at
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/pbm_list/ -- greg ]