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Star Trek: Celatum

Game Master Lapyd

The year is 2369. The fresh Miranda-class science vessel USS Inopia is assigned to its first archaeology exploratory mission in the Yinaya-7 alien colony at the Beta quadrant in Federation controlled space. The Inopia is comandeered by Captain Jay Pasteur, a middle-aged officer whose entire career happened behind a desk until some months ago when he received the letter assigning him to the new ship. The entire new bridge officers, crew and passengers of the ship - totaling around 450 people - don't very much look forward to their 5-year mission, especially considering Jay's fame for being slow, indecisive, bureaucratic and risk averse. But nothing is truly risk free in this galaxy, is it?

Pre-Read:

Below is a summary of everything written on the pads; assume hundreds of pages of reports with numbers and graphics. If you have questions, feel free to ask by the discussion board and if it's something that the reports would bring, I will answer there.

Yinaya-7 It's a class-K planet and the seventh celestial body on the Yinaya star system, not in terms of distance to the star, but in terms of size. There are nineteen celestial bodies in the system, but only Yinaya-4, Yinaya-5 and Yinaya-7 are inhabitable. Yinaya is a very irregular star with roughly oval shape and composed of different materials that generate different gravitational fields - making the orbit of the celestial bodies constantly shift. At any given time, only two of the three inhabitable planets actually have acceptable temperatures due to the distance to the star, so roughly every couple hundred years the population of the planet that will become uninhabitable somehow migrates to the other planets. Yinaya-7 is about a decade from going through such process, as Yinaya-4 is slowly becoming inhabitable again. These planets have no satellites, and their temperatures are high, varying from 130 to 160 Fahrenheit. The vast majority of the Yinaya planets is covered by oceans with very acidic pH water, and rains are constant. The entire surface - bottom of the ocean and islands - is crystallized with several micro sharp-edges. For most aliens, the only way to survive in the Yinaya planets is by using special suits that protect against the heat and acid, filters the air, and is hard enough to deal with the sharp crystals. The Yinaya system is in the border of the Romulan space, but it's considered "Fleet" space.

Yinayans There are several species of plants and animals, but the intelligent species on the system planets is called the Yinayans. They resemble very thin and tall humanoid with ophidian features and no hair. Not much is known about them, but their bones seem to be flexible and malleable, they have impressive regeneration skills, are amphibious and their bodies are fully adapted to their environment. While they don't actually have warp technology, they don't do by choice; they already proved to be very advanced technologically, beyond the majority of the Fleet's planets, to the point that they basically contacted the Fleet to be asked to be left alone and without interference. Their entire technology seems to be an absurdly advanced understanding of biology, including things like cloning and "bioteleportation". They aren't aggressive at all, preferring to stay neutral to galactic conflicts - the absence of rich minerals or materials on their system makes it easy to do so. They agreed to allow the Fleet to send an archaeological expedition to study their crystal formations and society, in exchange for similar material being provided about the class-M planets of the Fleet.

Rumors Things that truly interest the Fleet about Yinaya is the belief that their people are completely connected to a strange sort of hive mind; the Yinayans even argue that the star itself is part of the hive mind. There had been too few interactions to prove if it's real or just a pure religious interpretation. All the biotechnology of the Yinayans also seems to be way beyond the understanding of the Fleet scientists; they seem to work only with natural elements, and don't have metals on their environment. Some scientists proposed that the Yinayans may be truly "magical", in the sense of owning technology and materials beyond understanding that could only be interpreted as such.

Yinayan Linguistics:

The linguists of the Federation weren't able to fully translate the language yet. It's a pleasant sounding, non-nasal language, and the tone you pronounce words may change their meaning completely. It doesn't seem to have relation with any other known language. Gestures aren't common at all. The few Yinayans the Fleet met appeared to have difficulties speaking their own language, as they argue they can telepatically communicate with each other (although they haven't shown the same capability when communicating with other species). The Fleet seems to have enough data for the most basic words, like greeting someone, thanking, or asking to be excused. Any kind of progress in translation or linguistics techniques will likely be received very well.

Yinayan Behavior and Mannerisms:

Yinayans are reserved people. They move slow and don't gesture. They dress usually in very long robes with dull colors like grey or beige, and don't seem to use jewelry or tattoos. Their apparent "conjoined" minds create some fascinating effects - they all seem to react the same way, at the same time, when surprised or happy with something. When interacting between themselves, they mostly just stay grouped silently, barely moving any muscles. When interacting with other species, they alternate freely who's speaking, trying to usually give priority to the Yinayan that is closer to the audience.

Yinayans Medical:

There is very few details about the Yinayan physiology. They're apparently reptilian, being very tall and lean humanoids with ophidian features. They're amphibious, and have flexible bones that the Federation scientists estimate make them great swimmers and capable of squeezing through small spaces like snakes. They have light white scales through their bodies, but it's unknown how resistant they are. The Federation never had access to a hurt, diseased, or deceased member of the species, but the Yinayans themselves revealed to have highly developed regeneration capabilities. Despite the very high temperatures and acidic nature of their environment, their bodies seem fully adapted, and have not shown signs of discomfort while in other Federation controlled environments (the few ships they have been onboard). The Star Fleet would consider an incredible accomplishment to learn more about them.


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Joseph T. McCoy wrote:
Htun Zeyar wrote:

[ooc]Presumably, the lieutenant won't reply to that (though I have no idea what you're planning for this character), at which point Zeyar will send him an incredulous message WHY YOU NO REPLY TO ME????Q)#$*#)*$)#!!!!

Not sure if the lieutenant you mention is Joe or Cavallera ?

We got too many Lieutenants to keep them straight easily :)

Cavallera.

I'm playing him as a fish-out-of-water character like 7 of 9 who's slowly humanized, but right now makes a not so good impression. I'm not just trying to be intentionally disruptive, and I hope it's not coming across that way.
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical
Sebecloki wrote:


Cavallera.

I'm playing him as a fish-out-of-water character like 7 of 9 who's slowly humanized, but right now makes a not so good impression. I'm not just trying to be intentionally disruptive, and I hope it's not coming across that way.

Edited as I gave spoilers in my answer

long winded explanation:

Mostly my frustrations are born of timing. Brollo informs Joe 'this guy is a problem' and Joe goes to tend to see Cavallera. No sooner does he step to the door out the cargo bay when he gets a call from the Lt. Commander, who quite understandibly, wants to know where his helmsman is. Joe keeps going and talking and explains he's on the way to sickbay to check on him and talk with him. Joe's Turbo lift must be very slow, because by the time he makes it to the medbay, the Captain is coming up without a helmsman...

So Joe talks to the Doctor Fin, who tries to cover for Cavallera if I read him right (Though Cavallera may or may not be doing a mind hooey on the medical staff). Joe explains he KNOWS the guy is hung over, and that he needs to talk to him at least a bit if possible. Lt. Commander calls AGAIN because the Captain is on his way. From my perspective, this is all in less than five minutes since Chief McCoy stopped talking to Brollo. Hence my thought the turbo lift Joe used needs repair and why Joe chuckled as everything was snowballing over what SHOULD be a simple 'check on your underling' situation.

The Doc kindly revives Cavallera. Security Chief McCoy tries the nice approach, because he's wondering if the guy has a drinking problem. Cavallera suddenly is everyone's best friend, and down plays not just his condition but his leaving the Bridge in a lurch. Joe starts to feel like he wants to BUY the guy a drink, then remembers those pesky facts and his own professional ethics. He may like Cavallera, despite just having met him, but he can't cut slack because someone is charming.

Realizing he was this close to being unprofessional , Joe explains more firmly to Cavallera the problem, and dismisses him to go to the Bridge.

NO sooner does the Chief of Security do that.. Lt. Zeyar comes in, ignores him, and talks to Cavallera about how Cavallera could be crucial to communications and would he be okay dokey with that...when the guy's superior is right there. Chief McCoy explains to Lt Zeyar that it might be arranged and Zeyar doesn't even nod to him and zooms off. Disruptive, little bit but Joe remembers that Zeyar also had trouble with protocols with the Captain so I Hope took it well ICly.

I wasn't completely joking about a ship's counselor. At this rate, Joe has good reason to plop himSELF down on the couch and ask the Counselor "Is there anyone on this ship that is going to let me do my job my way? Started with Brollo taking liberties or initiative depending on how you look at it, and then went nuts from there. Or am I imagining things?"

So no, I don't think you're intentionally disrupting anything, but taken ALL that together, it's gotten a bit frustrating for me OOCly. ICly, Joe has a thicker hide than I do so I play him as mostly as darkly amused (And a bit worried about the chance his emotions are tampered with ) and he carries on.

But it's not anyone's fault. You guys are all playing IC without hostility, our GM just wants to keep things moving; it's just the end result is like.. 'GAH!'

But it's a timing thing, not a Zeyar thing :)

Hopefully we'll fall into the right rhythm

I actually didn't get all that context because I'm not reading the spoilers for the other departments -- are we supposed to?
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical
Sebecloki wrote:
I actually didn't get all that context because I'm not reading the spoilers for the other departments -- are we supposed to?

That's from the stuff I was allowed to see I think... Sickbay and Security.

A lot happened in 10 minutes for Lt. McCoy
Joseph T. McCoy wrote:
Sebecloki wrote:
I actually didn't get all that context because I'm not reading the spoilers for the other departments -- are we supposed to?
That's from the stuff I was allowed to see I think... Sickbay and Security

I've only been reading the communications ones with the assumption I'm not privy to anything else.

Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical
Sebecloki wrote:
Joseph T. McCoy wrote:
Sebecloki wrote:
I actually didn't get all that context because I'm not reading the spoilers for the other departments -- are we supposed to?
That's from the stuff I was allowed to see I think... Sickbay and Security
I've only been reading the communications ones with the assumption I'm not privy to anything else.

Well, sorry for the spoilers on my end but I was trying to give context and assure you that Zeyar didn't majorly disrupt anything.

Joseph T. McCoy wrote:
Sebecloki wrote:
Joseph T. McCoy wrote:
Sebecloki wrote:
I actually didn't get all that context because I'm not reading the spoilers for the other departments -- are we supposed to?
That's from the stuff I was allowed to see I think... Sickbay and Security
I've only been reading the communications ones with the assumption I'm not privy to anything else.
Well, sorry for the spoilers on my end but I was trying to give context and assure you that Zeyar didn't majorly disrupt anything.

No worries about spoilers -- I'm just trying to give context for how I'm playing my character and that I didn't read any of that before I posted, so I wasn't aware of your character's frustrations.

Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical
Sebecloki wrote:


No worries about spoilers -- I'm just trying to give context for how I'm playing my character and that I didn't read any of that before I posted, so I wasn't aware of your character's frustrations.

I think your approach of letting Zeyar become more socially aware should be quite the journey

Would you guys prefer if I create a bunch of profiles for the NPCs? Would it make it better/more fun?

I hope you guys are enjoying so far. We're barely at the early, early, early stages of the game, a lot more still to happen - some of them truly groundshaking.

You mean aliases for when they're talking?

I've done that before and it's certainly cool and helps to differentiate who's talking, but it's a lot to keep up with, so I'd say do what you're comfortable with.

I'm interested to see where this goes -- the NPCs are really well done, and I'm intrigued by the comparison of the yinayans to the yuan-ti, which makes me think they're neither peaceable or harmless.
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical

Up to you on how many profiles/Alias you want, they can fill up fast for PCs , NPCs doubly so. I'm good either way.

And I am very curious about the Yinayan
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical

Still here.

Hey team! Should I try to recruit more people? It seems some of us are having difficulties keeping up with the posts, so I'm hoping we can keep it moving healthily. Thoughts?
The Exchange
Male Human Lt Commander, Chief Engineer

A science officer main and one or two more folks would I think put the post rate where we could all feel a part. I am trying to include all and work with the crew so my next work after take off is the Doctor to create a bridge console.
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical

I don't know if it would slow us down or speed us up to have more people. So I guess whatever you decide

I created a new recruitment to see if I can attract some more officers to the ship! You guys are welcome to give you feedback if anyone decides to apply there. :)
Male Human Lt. Security/Tactical
Lapyd wrote:
I created a new recruitment to see if I can attract some more officers to the ship! You guys are welcome to give you feedback if anyone decides to apply there. :)

Someone asked what positions were already filled. I gave a list of who the current PCs were . I hope I didn't overstep there.

Not a problem at all, man! Thanks for the help. You guys are all welcome to post there and help me find us some more bodies :) I mean, officers...
The Exchange
Male Human Lt Commander, Chief Engineer

Responded to the PM, GM!

Hi mates,

Posting it on all my games - unfortunately I will have to take a hiatus due to some complications at work. I'll be extra busy for the next 6 to 8 weeks, and instead of limiting myself to a single post or two per week, I will instead just fully take a break from the forums and some other activities.

My profound apologies to GMs and my fellow players, as well as the players from the games I host. This came today a little out of nowhere (talk about mondays) as a push for the last quarter of the year. Please, feel free to bot my characters, replace if I can be waited, whatever you see fit. I hope we get the chance to play again in the future no matter what!

Always wishing you have the most fun,

Lapyd

Best wishes -- I'll keep my profile active, ready to resume if you want to come back to this.
The Exchange
Male Human Lt Commander, Chief Engineer

Will wait here and looking forward to picking this back up
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