Resolution 0423: Creation and Award of new Award Ribbon

Drafters: Jerome McKee (CO USS DISCOVERY), Sarah Albertini-Bond (CO GS1)
Priority: Normal

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Proposed Award: Calnarian Conflict Ribbon
Proposed Awardees: The crews of the USS DISCOVERY and GATEWAY

Description of Ribbon:
Red ribbon, flanked by two gold stripes, with a sky-blue delta shield at the centre. The red symbolises Calnarian aggression, the delta-shield represents the Federation defending itself, and the two gold stripes represent the DISCOVERY and GATEWAY.

Body:
From October 12th 2003 to June 19th 2004, a period of just over 8 months, two RP units (the DISCOVERY and GATEWAY) participated in the most ambitious non-FWE story arc in the FRPG's history. It was called the SAVAGE STARS trilogy, and dealt with a conflict (not a war) erupting between the Federation and a Beta Quadrant power called the Calnarian Solar Empire.

The DISCOVERY made the first contact with the Calnarians as part of her mission focus (exploring the unknown Beta Quadrant), and it was a disastrous one. Calnarian society (a document proposing them to be introduced to the FRPG is currently under development) is caste-based and driven by militarism, and they are the Federation's first serious challenge to expansion into the Beta Quadrant.

The DISCOVERY crew were captured and subjected to numerous depravities before escaping in their battered ship. In desperation, they made for GATEWAY station - to where they were followed by a Calnarian fleet. In the ensuing battle for the station, the Calnarians were thrown back by the combined crews. A hastily-assembled Federation fleet, led by the DISCOVERY, pursued the fleeing Calnarians back to their home port and forced an end to the conflict by blockading it to surrender. A non-aggression pact was signed between the Federation and the Calnarians, who agreed to allow Federation shipping to pass peacefully into and out of the Beta Quadrant.

That, in a nutshell, was the SAVAGE STARS trilogy. To commemorate the conclusion of this long storyline, and to reward the players of both RP units who participated in it, it is proposed to create a new ribbon for the FRPG website's awards page, named the Calnarian Conflict ribbon. None of the existing medals and awards are, we feel, truly compatible with the reach and specific nature of this story arc, and we ask that the Council rewards the 20 players on both RP units who participated in this epic adventure by approving the creation of this ribbon.

Note: This resolution was dealt with in the ExO Council.

Outcome: This res passes 7-0-0.

SD 2.40712.2122