Guidelines for Running a Sim in Theta Fleet
1) Starting a New Sim (Or Bringing In An Existing Sim)
A) A CO can pick his or her own ship type and name. However, both of these need to be approved by Theta Fleet first. This is to ensure that we don't have too many of any one type of ship and we don't have ship names that are Trek canon, have been used in the fleet, or can be considered offensive.
B) No super ships. For example, no ships that can fly through planets, single-handedly out gun a Borg cube, have enough firepower for an entire fleet, or have the best of the best in EVERY department. (Yes, we've had ships that violate this rule. We've had ships that started out fine and then over time drastically changed their specs so they became both implausible and non-Trek--while claiming to be Trek canon.)
C) Task Force 23 is set in the Roddenberry timeline. All sims in this Task Force should be plausible within the framework of this canon. We also recognize that we sim 20 years after the end of the Dominion War and some things have changed.
D) Alternate Universe sims, the 2009 and later movies, and TV series, should be plausible within their Star Trek canon. Those that follow their own Trek or other timelines should also be plausible within their universe. They will be part of Area 51. All non-Trek sims also fall under Are 51.
E) Theta Fleet does not mandate what TYPE of sim you run. You can do Play By Email, Forum Board, Discord, or Nova. However, each ship's website should contain:
a. Crew roster (personnel) with bios.
b. Open positions.
c. A couple of recent posts for people to read. (Nova can be set to list the last three posts, or you can go to the sim page under missions and look at mission posts there.)
d. Ship class and specs.
e. List of sim rules.
f. A link to Theta Fleet.
F) We follow the RPG Rating Website https://rpgrating.com). Sim ratings are between 0/0/0 and 2/2/2. No sims can have a 3 as that is basically anything goes. See the rules on sim ratings.
2) Player Applications
A) COs can accept or reject applicants to their sim as they wish. Command will not interfere unless the bio is flagrantly out of line with fleet rules. By the same token, a CO can remove a player for just cause without issuing strikes, warnings, or informing command.
B) Please be careful about accepting an application that does not comply with fleet and sim rules. (We strongly discourage superhero syndrome and Mary Sue characters.) There can be exceptions if the character has balanced weaknesses and can be trusted to keep a balance.
C)Please check over the bios of both PCs and NPCs from time to time as players tend to edit them. This is generally not a problem, but every now and then a player will forget the rules and make some...unique...modifications.
D) New species are fine as long as they fall within the general guidelines.
3) Starting Up A Sim
A) When starting a new sim, it is a good idea to write 1 (one) establishing post. This can be the CO coming aboard or getting his/her orders. This lets potential players see that there is activity and it gives them a good idea who the CO is. Wait until there is a mission started and a second player on the sim. The second player should do a coming aboard post and meet the CO post.
B) When a sim has four players/users (including the CO), it is considered "active." Start coming aboard posts, meeting the CO posts, and settling in posts. Get to know the other characters. When a sim has six players/users, it is considered "operational." This means there are enough "staff" to run a skeleton crew.
4) What Constitutes a Post?
A) A post is defined as a completed log, a mission post, or character development post. Individual tags to a post do not count, only the completed post itself. You get one post count for every person in the completed post. (Nova does this automatically). So, if you have a post with 5 players, the one post would count as five. On the other hand, if it is a solo post or a personal log, it only counts as one. If a ship has 50 posts for the month and 10 players, their monthly average would be 5 posts per player. Each player (user) counts as one. Not each PC and NPC. So, if a player has one PC and two NPCs in one post, that only counts as one. We acknowledge that other fleets count a complete post as 500 words, but we would rather have more meat in the posts and so prefer double that length. It makes the posts more fun to read. If a player posts something that is far too short, feel free to pull it back to saved and ask for it to be extended.
5) Sim Activity.
A) While we would like to see one or two posts per player each month, there are no mandatory posting levels in Theta Fleet. As long as the CTF (Commander, Theta Fleet) is aware of what’s going on and the posting requirements are in the sim rules.
B) Sims can go on hiatus if the CTF is aware and the crew is okay with it.
C) If the CO needs help, we have a Director of Recruitment, TGCOs, TFCOs, and the command staff who will help, if requested.
D) If the CO disappears without informing command for several months (at least three), the CTF or TFCO will attempt to make contact. If there is no response to emails, DMs or other forms of contact, the CO may be removed or the sim closed.
D) The CO should lead by example. Log in to the sim once a week. Every other week if your sim is slower. Tag posts, start posts, and be an active player on your own sim. If you have RL issues, your XO can do this as well. (We do recognize that there are times when this is not possible. Have someone designated to keep things going and inform command.)
6) CO Leave of Absence
A) If a CO needs to take a leave of absence (one to two months), he or she must inform the XO, TGCO, TFCO, and CTF. If nothing else, the CTF should be informed.
B) A CO can request an ELOA (more than three months) if the XO, TGCO, TFCO and CTF are aware of it and there is a legitimate reason.
C) If a CO disappears for more than two months without advance warning, they may be removed from their command.
D) If a CO goes on LOA or ELOA, returns but does not return to full activity (as in the CO posts once or twice and leaves again), it does not count as a new LOA/ELOA.
E) If a CO disappears without notification, he or she may be removed in as little as two or three months.
F) This policy applies to players.
7) Recruitment
A) Theta Fleet will aid sims in development and promotion. In return, the sims will maintain a level of quality and plausibility that reflects Theta Fleet standards. (No, we are not going to become the Quality Police, but we expect you to mentor players who need extra help and kindly inform them of the rules when necessary.)
B) There is an area in the Theta Fleet Discord for promotions. There are also a number of Discord channels and Facebook pages for advertising.
8) Fleet Command
A) Theta Fleet is not going to tell you how to run your sim outside of the established rules. You pick the missions, you approve the characters, etc. If the sim strays too far from the rules, we will work with the CO to help find an amicable solution.
B) TGCOs and TFCOs are there to help and mentor COs. If you have a question, you can ask them. They may occasionally look over your ship, ship logs, and bios and make suggestions if necessary or requested.
C) Questions can be asked on the Commanders mailing list, the Commanders Chat on Discord, or by contacting a TGCO, TFCO, or CTF directly.
9) Sim Promotions and Awards
A) Sim-based promotions and awards should be given out based on merit, not time served. That being said, EVERY player deserves recognition from time to time if they are active. Be mindful that people like to know they are doing a good job. It's also good to tell your crew that you appreciate them.
B) COs can choose what awards to give members of the crew, based on merit. Only the monthly, Quarterly, and Annual awards are given out by Command.
C) COs generally start at Commander or Captain. After the first mission, the CO can promote himself or herself to Captain. The rank of Commodore is rare in Theta Fleet.
10) Be Respectful & Lead By Example
A) COs and XOs are expected to follow the Rules for Players & Characters in Theta Fleet. You cannot expect your players to follow the rules if you aren't doing so yourself. (This goes for all TF rules.)
B) As many people look at the ships in Theta Fleet as a representation of the fleet as a whole, do not put any content on your ship that could have a negative impact on potential players. Basically, anything that is mean-spirited, hateful, or offensive that will cast a bad light on the fleet as a whole is prohibited. No real-world politics, causes, or issues will be permitted. No banners, images or flags outside of your sim's world should be on your sim--unless it is for a banner exchange with another sim. We deal in science fiction and fantasy. Your sim should reflect the world of your sim, not the world we live in. We welcome all players. The sim is NOT a place to make political or personal statements about real life.
C) That being said, a banner or image for Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Summer Solstice, Halloween, or other holiday celebrations are acceptable for that holiday.
D) We all have different opinions on how a sim should be run and we occasionally disagree with each other on various subjects. However, as a CO in Theta Fleet, you are expected to be polite and respectful of your players, the other COs the command staff, and on Discord. Do not post your grievances about the Fleet or its COs on a board, chat, public forum or public mailing list.
E) The TF CO list and CO meeting is not considered “public.” You can also talk it over in voice or with a close friend. Just don’t air it in public. If you have a problem, you can bring it to the CTF, DCTF or JAG and we will do our best to help resolve it.
F) If you have any questions or problems, feel free to talk to your TGCO, TFCO, DCTF or CTF. All are willing to listen and do what they can to help. The CTF is online a lot and generally easy to reach.
11) Monthly Commanders Meeting, Reports, & Fleet Awards
A) There is a monthly commanders meeting held the first Saturday of each month on Discord in the General Voice Chat. This meeting is not mandatory. It is for COs and XOs, but anyone is welcome to attend. Notes are emailed after the meeting for those who cannot attend.
B) Monthly CO reports are due between the first and fifth of each month in the Theta Fleet Forums. These are not mandatory. They help command track sim progress, and let the COs nominate players for writer, player, and post of the month. Only sims that file reports are eligible for the monthly awards.
C) The monthly fleet awards are given out by the CTF, DCTF, and TGCOs. It is possible for no award to be given.
a) The monthly Unit of Distinction Awards are based on Post Per Player Average (PPPA as long as the posts are generally well-written and deal with character development or mission progression. Posts should not be excessively short. (Solo posts should be at least 400 words. Joint posts should be at least 800 words. Splitting posts should be in 1000–1500-word segments or more. Personal logs should also be at least 400 words. Only sims that file monthly reports are eligible for this award.
b) Writer of the Month is for the body of writing by one player in a given month to recognize quality, creativity or just plain entertainment value. It is chosen from nominations given in the monthly reports.
c) Player of the Month is for a player that goes above and beyond in a given month. This can be in character, out of character or both. It is chosen from nominations given in the monthly reports.
d) Post of the Month Award is for the best post on a sim in a given month. It is based on nominations given in the monthly report.
d) TGCO Award of Merit is an award given by the TGCO for the sim in his or her task group that he or she believes deserves the award that month. It is up to the discretion of the TGCO.
e) Admiral's Choice Awards are for recognition that doesn't fall under the above awards.
12) Privacy Policy
A) Theta Fleet values the privacy of its members. To this end, we do not condone webmasters and system administrators (including COs) using their access to read private messages sent on their sim/s or private emails sent from their site without just cause. (This does NOT include saved mission posts or forum posts.) Just cause includes suspected illegal activities or harassment (as long as they have a valid reason for such suspicion).
B) The first time a Sysadmin is caught invading the privacy of someone on a sim they will be given a warning. The second time, disciplinary action will be taken. The third time, they will be kicked out of the fleet.
C) If a Sys Admin himself violates the privacy of a member of the fleet for malicious or vindictive reasons, they may be removed immediately.
D) Any web host caught invading the privacy of members of Theta Fleet will no longer host any TF sites unless they, too, can show just cause.
E) If a CO has a forum or chat on the sim, he or she can monitor that forum or chat for rules violations as long as the rules are posted for players to read.
13) Number of Sims a CO Can Run.
A) A CO who is active on his or her sim and has an active crew may, at the discretion of the Command Staff, start up a second sim in Theta Fleet. The first sim must be at least two months old, preferably six, and not suffer from the addition of another sim.
B) If a CO has two active sims in Theta Fleet and a third either independent or in another fleet and has shown that he or she can run all three; and if there comes a time that said CO must leave the other fleet, an exception can be granted by Fleet Command to allow said CO to bring the third sim into Theta Fleet.
