Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What kind of RPG is the Federation Role Playing Game?

Play-by-email (PBEM). No dice, stats, score keeping or programming skills needed here! We write stories (called posts), contributing in round-robin style to a mission prepared and sent out to the crew of each ship by its Captain.

2. Does it cost anything to play?

Not a thing! All you'll need is consistent email access and enough time to write posts (1-2 a week).

3. How often do I need to contribute?

As often as you like, the more the better. There are no set maximums, but as a guideline, the minimum is 1 - 2 times a week.

4. How long should each post be?

Again, no set guidelines. But you need to write enough to contribute in a valid way to whatever's going on. Too short and nobody will relate to you or your character very well, thus we ask that every post be of no less than 500 words.

5. Am I allowed to play more than one character at a time?

Technically, yes. But even most of the experienced players find two characters a stretch. Focusing on one character is better, and that is what we advise. Occasionally, even for ourselves. This said, there are set regulations regarding the obtaining of a second character, and should you fulfill these requirements and desire to do so, a second character will be granted to you.

6. How much do I need to know about Star Trek to play?

A basic familiarity with the ideas and concepts of Star Trek is always helpful, and of course, the more you know the better. But you don't have to be an expert; knowledge comes over time. The main thing is that you like Star Trek, and you want to be here exploring it.

7. How do I become a Captain?

If you're hoping for an easy ride to the big chair, look elsewhere! Captaincies have to be earned, and there's something of a waiting list. But it isn't all it's cracked up to be; it comes with a lot of responsibility and administrational duties, which frequently get in the way of playing. It takes a lot of personal skill to manage a crew, much more than simply being the best writer!

8. How good a writer do I have to be?

Well ... we're not expecting the next Tolstoy to show up. Or the next Michael Crichton. But we do need people who can spell reasonably well and put together basic stories with a decent mix of plot advancement, dialogue, interaction with others, and occasionally, character development.

9. What special requirements does the RPG environment create?

Because our stories are shared we also need someone who can be part of a team, and not hog the entire story for him or herself (We call this 'grandstanding'. Big no-no!). Basically the most pressing requirement is the entrance examination written by each applicant. The Advanced Command Training Council then reviews the EA (a short story) and votes on whether that person should be admitted. Although there is a limit on the amount of times a player may retrain, there is no limit to the number of EAs each person can submit. Often a "try and try again" approach results in the birth of a very skilled writer.

10. What do I get out of it?

We have a number of players whose first language isn't English, and not only has playing helped their English to improve, it's helped our view of the world expand a little more too. For those of us who claim English as our first language, the big reward is watching our writing skill and style develop in leaps and bounds. Most of us also develop close friendships, despite the distance. It's something special to know there are people on the other side of the world who care about you - even if you've never met!

11. Where do the people in the FRPG come from? What are they like?

Anywhere in the world that has email access. The base of our players come from Canada and the US with a fair spread from Europe and the UK as well. At one stage we had quite a few from Sweden. We also have players in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand.

The average player age seems to fall in the early twenties, although we have people well into adulthood and quite a few in the early stages of adolescence. Most of us started here seriously while going through university, but there are others who are also in the workforce. We even have a couple of people who are - wait for it - writers! Or rather, trying to be professional writers.

12. Do you people just do email? Or do you stay in contact other ways too?

Mainly email, but quite a few of us have ICQ as well. It's a good way to socialize, hang out, waste time... or talk shop. The FRPG has it's own politics as much as any other organization.

13. Wow! You people sound pretty close!

It varies, but those of us who have been here a while are, for the most part. Some would argue we have no lives... actually, that's probably true for a few people I can think of, but for the most part, we do have busy, active lives outside of cyberspace. Our interest in maintaining this little universe stems predominantly from a love of writing, a love of Trek, and a desire for people from across the globe to experience life together.

Interested? Want to join? Want to leap in the air, yell 'hallelujah, I've found my promised land?' Well... maybe not. But if you think this game sounds like you, click the link below to go to the "How To Join" pages.

Commodore Minurrva Ranirre
Director of Advanced Command Training (DACT)
Starfleet Academy