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Greetings, Potential Player!

First on behalf of the Federation Role-Playing Game I would like to thank you for your interest in this Star Trek writing forum. For nearly ten years, the FRPG has developed and encouraged the imaginations of writers from all over the world, and of all ages. Through the years we've evolved into a family of very adept writers, whose individual skill and creativity interacts with one another to create one of the most detailed and fantastic universes stored in electronic format.

Though we would like to accept everyone who shows interest in the FRPG, the players themselves have decided to set the bar high; not just on writing skill, but the *potential* skill inherent in each applicant. Out of this line of though, the FRPG has embraced a three-tiered entrance program, which are both outlined below. In summary, they are the Cadet Biography, Entrance Application and Advanced Command Training.

The first, the Cadet Biography, is simply your character. This biography will be reviewed to insure it does not violate any rules of the game or copyright laws concerning Star Trek material. The second, the Entrance Application, is more of a first post which will be reviewed to see your writing abilities. And the third, Advanced Command Training, is actual RPing. During this mission you will be trained on various aspects of the game including format, rules and behavior.

THE CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY

In order to write in the FRPG forum, a player needs to create a "character." A character is your representative in the game, a person that you will watch grow and prosper. First, consider what type of character you want to play.

Is he or she human? If not, what race is your character? Remember you can choose from the plethora of races available in the Star Trek universe.

How does your character look?

How does your character act? You should develop your character so that he or she (or it) is interesting and a person you'd like to write about for quite some time.

One of the most important considerations in determining your character is the current state of the FRPG universe. Remember, the Federation Role-Playing Game is set approximately 45 years into the future from the events as recrded in Star Trek: Nemisis. For a fresh perspective on the FRPG universe, we urge you to visit the Starfleet Intelligence section of this website before creating your character.

Now that you have an idea of what your character is, take a look at the Cadet Biography Template. After reading it thoroughly, fill it out with regard to the character you envisioned. Please pay close attention to the instructions on the bio template while providing the required information. A heavily annotated version of the template can also be found in the FRPG Online Guide, along with more helpful information on the game as a whole. If, at any time during the application procedure, you require additional help, please don't hesitate to ask.

ENTRANCE APPLICATION

Once you have completed the description of your character, you will have to write an application story that involves the character you created. This story should be 500 words long and can be about anything in your character's past, including his or her (or its) time at Starfleet Academy. The Advanced Command Training Council (ACTC) will review your EA on the following criteria:

1. Basic Grammar: The ACTC will look to see if you, as an applicant, have enough basic grammar (spelling, punctuation, etc.) to allow you to be a viable player in the writing forum.

2. Character Detail: Your Entrance Application story will be examined to determine how detailed your description of your character is.

3. Environmental Detail: Another observation will be made of your Entrance Application to determine how well you are able to convey imagery and describe the world in your post.

4. Creativity: Finally, the Entrance Board will be looking at your creativity. This final point is given the most importance, allowing the applicant to impress the ACTC with his or her imagination and intelligence.

500 words may seem too short to you for accomplishing all of the above, but it can be done. It should actually be more of a scene that a full-fledged story, an "appetizer" that will make your audience want to read more about your character.

Please note: There is no requirement of knowing Star Trek lore. This has been done intentionally. Knowledge of Star Trek lore, while helpful, is not a requirement of the Entrance Application. It is assumed that since you, as a writer, are interested, that you have some basic understanding of the Star Trek universe. That is all that is needed!

Once you have your Character Biography and your Entrance Application completed, copy and paste both onto an E-Mail, title the E-Mail "FRPG: Character Application" and sent it to the following addresses:

paspinall@blueyonder.co.uk
writing_rules@yahoo.com
If at least three of the four members of the ACTC approve your Entrance Application, you will be allowed to pass into Advanced Command Training. In the event that your Character Biography requires some "streamlining" in order to be suitable for the FRPG environment, you will get the chance to make any necessary changes prior to the evaluation of your application by the ACTC.

ADVANCED COMMAND TRAINING (ACT)

ACT classes are scheduled on a regular basis and will usually run for a duration of four to six weeks. This portion of the entrance program will familiarize potential players with the special formatting rules of the FRPG. Please remember, the FRPG is not a real-time game. It is a Play By E- Mail (PBEM) role-playing game that involves some modification that you would not normally see while reading a book. These formatting modifications are relatively minor, however. The primary reason for ACT is to see how you, as a writer, will do in our universe.

Once you have been assigned to Advanced Command Training, the Director of ACT (DACT) will assign you to an instructor who will take you on a "mission" in the holodeck. This mission is to simulate the feel and format of missions run in the fleet proper. At the end of this mission, you will be evaluated by your instructor or instructors. If you fail, you have the option to retry the ACT course. If you pass, your character will be handed over to the Chief of Operations (COO) for assignment to the fleet.

I hope this answers any questions you have about the Federation Role-Playing Game's entrance program. If you have any questions, feel free to forward them to the Director of Advanced Command Training.

Again, thank you for your interest, and I hope to see you in the fleet soon! Begin playing now and click on the link below.

Commodore Morelia Amethystina
Director of Advanced Command Training