Shortly after Voyager returned home from the Delta Quadrant the Iconian's gave am Iconian gate with key strategic locations throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrant to species 8472 (now known as the Undine)
The Undine proceeded to eliminate key figures in several governments and replace them, this plot was discovered by the Klingons and they used this as an excuse to take over the Gorn and various other races as well as break ties with the Federation. The newest chancellor also declared war on the Federation. Meanwhile the Klingon Ambassador B'Vat learns of the existence of Mirial Paris and begins plans to create a stable time loop so that she can cure the affliction that besieged the Klingons only a few centuries earlier.
Shortly after this the Federation declared the Borg a non-threat causing the defection of Worf to the Klingon Empire and Seven of Nine to the Bertram Institute.
Many skirmishes were set out between the Federation and the Klingons with no ground being met by either side, then came two massive events that tipped the scales in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
The first was the destruction of Romulus and the simultainious lose of the biggest vulcan supporter for peace between the Vulcan and Romulan people, Ambassador Spock. With Spock gone and the Romulans looking for someone to blame Sela took the role of Empress declaring a campaign of conquering the known universe in revenge for Romulus's destruction.
Following this was the return of the Borg who had travelled from Delta Quadrant in order to set up a new transwarp network so they could invade the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, these first stragglers are who you come in against in the tutorial.
Whilst this is happening a rebellion occurs on Bajor alongside several of the Link coming through the wormhole to start a new collective. The Terran Empire is also taking advantage of the confusion and is attempting to scavenge our technology as well as that of the Borg.
Fortunately people have not sat by, seeing the Borg invasion in the tutorial, one Klingon approached both the Klingon High Council and the Federation for permission to set up the Omega Squad, a force made up of KDF and Federation members to combat threats on the scale of the Borg. The Omega Squad was also granted the use of MACO forces by Starfleet and the Honor Guard by the KDF. In order to accommodate Omega Squad a formal cease fire is in effect on DS9.
Moving on to Season 7
Both the Klingon Empire and Starfleet see the strategic advantages in New Romulus, not only is it rich with resources, but it sits between both Federation Space and Klingon Space, in order to satisfy their new potential allies both sides have agreed to a cease fire on the planet and both are offering their aid to gain favour with the Romulans.
The Undine found Iconian technology in fluidic space, and were being attacked by Iconians I believe. This caused the Undine to falsely believe that our entire galaxy outside of Fluidic Space had declared war on the Undine, which caused them to infiltrate both the Federation and the Klingon Empire to start the war.
Ok my mind is trying to compensate for this complication. So we are at war with the Iconians due to no fault of our own? And the Undine are pawns in the Iconian arsenal?
Every other war is a result of this misconception on the part of Iconians?
Shortly after Voyager returned home from the Delta Quadrant the Iconian's gave am Iconian gate with key strategic locations throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrant to species 8472 (now known as the Undine)
The Undine proceeded to eliminate key figures in several governments and replace them, this plot was discovered by the Klingons and they used this as an excuse to take over the Gorn and various other races as well as break ties with the Federation. The newest chancellor also declared war on the Federation. Meanwhile the Klingon Ambassador B'Vat learns of the existence of Mirial Paris and begins plans to create a stable time loop so that she can cure the affliction that besieged the Klingons only a few centuries earlier.
Shortly after this the Federation declared the Borg a non-threat causing the defection of Worf to the Klingon Empire and Seven of Nine to the Bertram Institute.
Many skirmishes were set out between the Federation and the Klingons with no ground being met by either side, then came two massive events that tipped the scales in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
The first was the destruction of Romulus and the simultainious lose of the biggest vulcan supporter for peace between the Vulcan and Romulan people, Ambassador Spock. With Spock gone and the Romulans looking for someone to blame Sela took the role of Empress declaring a campaign of conquering the known universe in revenge for Romulus's destruction.
Following this was the return of the Borg who had travelled from Delta Quadrant in order to set up a new transwarp network so they could invade the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, these first stragglers are who you come in against in the tutorial.
Whilst this is happening a rebellion occurs on Bajor alongside several of the Link coming through the wormhole to start a new collective. The Terran Empire is also taking advantage of the confusion and is attempting to scavenge our technology as well as that of the Borg.
Fortunately people have not sat by, seeing the Borg invasion in the tutorial, one Klingon approached both the Klingon High Council and the Federation for permission to set up the Omega Squad, a force made up of KDF and Federation members to combat threats on the scale of the Borg. The Omega Squad was also granted the use of MACO forces by Starfleet and the Honor Guard by the KDF. In order to accommodate Omega Squad a formal cease fire is in effect on DS9.
Moving on to Season 7
Both the Klingon Empire and Starfleet see the strategic advantages in New Romulus, not only is it rich with resources, but it sits between both Federation Space and Klingon Space, in order to satisfy their new potential allies both sides have agreed to a cease fire on the planet and both are offering their aid to gain favour with the Romulans.
ah hell. going to have to read this 4 times before responding.
Ok my mind is trying to compensate for this complication. So we are at war with the Iconians due to no fault of our own? And the Undine are pawns in the Iconian arsenal?
Every other war is a result of this misconception on the part of Iconians?
We, being the federation and klingon pcs in the game, just recently found out about the Iconians. While it might be 3 years in our time it's only been a few weeks in sto time. Every mission we have done in the game has taken place in a single year of sto time.
Er, is there a way to experience this story inside the game? Does the game explain this convoluted plot?
Did star trek tell you all its history in the series? Things going on in TNG seldom had any connection to what was going on in DS9; and neither was conntected to Voy in any way. It seems like you are looking for some grand connection that even the IP never had.
The story itself makes sense. But if you want to learn the 30 year history as to how it got there you need to read the Path, or the novel.
ah hell. going to have to read this 4 times before responding.
It's worth the read. It does follow the logic of the story and goes along with a lot of the episodes in the game.
If this synopsis is accurate, it points up a plethora of potential storylines that have been left virtually untapped by STO to this point. Hopefully Season 8 will see some of this potential truly tapped (although Season 7 was supposed to be focused on "story" and seems to have only touched upon it).
Perhaps this synopsis will provide some ideas for Foundry authors as well.
The real question is what is your story?? First Kirk you are a foundry author - now disillusioned by the game and are trying to see if others actually know this game is not really about a story and is really just an endless grind?
So is this your story/Question?
The flip side to the coin is that this game is no story but a grind- but you make it a personal story of what you do?
I am going with the first part - you are disillusioned with STO and want to see if others are as perplexed by the no-story endless grind for no real point - as you are!
I've been on and off playing this game now for nearly 3 years. I would really, really like it if someone out there can explain to me, in one concise paragraph... what, exactly, is the story of this game?
What is going on with Federation in the year of 2409? And, why should I care?
Please, just one concise paragraph that explains what this game is about. What is the main plot? Who are the main actors in the plot? What... er... is the plot?
What is the plot of Star Trek Online?
Thanks!
The Iconoans have subverted the quadrant in bliztzkrieg style marketing campaign to overthrow the Federation firstly and the rest of the powers that be, if the profits are enough, by selling every "thing" star trek they can to the federation up until its too late.
For them too realize the truth.
like I said, they pulled elements from alternate time lines and puked out this game. the JJ Abrams Star Trek movie, to my knowledge, is the only thing out side of this game that mentioned Romulus exploding (and subsequently, the loss of Spock). The DS9 arc with the return of the 2600... someone had to think it was a good idea. Don't get me wrong, it was an interesting mini plot, just... wtf is all i'm saying.
Everything about this game is combat centric. The feds are fighting against... lets count em up... the borg, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Orions, the Tholians, the mirror universe, the Hirogen, the True Way (Cardasian and Jem'Hedar), and im sure im forgetting someone. I wouldn't be surprised if Risa attacked the Federation next.
From what I can remember off the top of my head, that's 8 different enemies with 8 different agendas. Not all of them are large like the borg or Klingons, but... come on, that's a bit much, ya think?
If you're looking for some kinda deep well though out story, I promise you it doesn't exist in this game unless you make it up yourself. This game is what it is, Star Trek IP. I'm sure if Roddenberry were still around, he would prolly march over to china and slap the pwe execs around... well maybe not but im sure the way this game has turned out, he wouldn't approve.
How did the Klingons know about the Undine? Did they know about the Iconians? I don't remember hearing a single thing about Iconians until fairly recently. So the Klingons attacked us because they didn't want to present us with evidence of something. I remember something kind of like that in an early mission, sort of like a klingon saying, "TRIBBLE you, we will kill you rather than present our findings."
The Undine where not used as a excuse for war for the KDF. The rebuke of we where only jumping at shadows from the Federation and starfleet when the KDF tried to make the Undine threat known is at the heart of the war. We went to an ally with an issue and where treated as less than valid in it.
The second is all KDF though as we are also at war because of the retaking of several romulan held ancient Klingon systems after the chaos of the super nova.
Its not nearly just the "Angry Klingons just want to fight" BS some would have you think.
Though they have actually done little with the Path to 2409 backstory to the point most feds dont know why we are at war even though they have mission that try to set-up the idea and most KDF may not know at all becuase we have nothing that really sets-up why we are once again at odds with the federation.
They have been too busy saving the game or selling the game. I get confused at that point :-P
Oh, and Gene would have most likely been happy with STO since its making money.
From what I can remember off the top of my head, that's 8 different enemies with 8 different agendas. Not all of them are large like the borg or Klingons, but... come on, that's a bit much, ya think?.
ive said with all the ppl the Fed's are at war with should they even still be here ? think about the real dominion was to much for the Feds and KDF they and by they sicko and garrick had to trick the romulans in to the war and even then that still was not enuff to me with all thes ppl we are at war is it not a bit hard to eat?
The Fed-KDF "war" is just really a big joke - there is no war - 90% of the fighting now in game you can do side by side - you fly through each others space and wave - "hey I'll see you at the bar in DS9 or Drazona"
The whole idea is insane and crazy - you don't fight side by side one day then against each other the next and meet at the pub later for chat and drinks - then fight some other baddy together the next day and then say wait were at war - but can I just fly by your homeworld to get to colonize a local star cluster before we get back to fighting?? Why sure Frenemy!! If I feeling fine I might even give you a boost to you driver coils so you can get there faster - thanks frenemy!!
what was the story line in any of the star trek shows really.
what was the story to deep space 9? it was basically a sitcom in space.
each episode is apart from the other. the main story line is as they all are. to seek out new life and new civilizations and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
No t war is not just a big joke. Cryptic is using a common technique of theirs to tell a story: your (character's) story. No to much for hte Klingons, but mainly for the Federtation right now. (Hopefully the KDF will get their 1-50 level episodic content in the near future).
You begin the story with your character as an Ensign on a ship. The Federation has been at war with the KDF for a couple of years. The KDF has taken some old Empir eholds back from teh Federation and the RSE. The KDF isn't going for the throat in terms of the conflight which the Federation is thankful for. The Federation is having issue with the True Way in around DS9. And are trying to help the remnenats of the RSE Teh Federation and Starfleet are stretched.
Jm'pok isn't going into all out war with the Federation. The Federation on full war footing is a formidable foe. He doesn't want to waken the Federation like like a sleeping grishnar cat. Jm'pok has is own difficulties. His KDF Alliance isn't as firm as the Federation as an organization. His hold on power is too dependent other houses especially the House of Duras. Jar'rod, as the head of the house of Duras, is gaining power and influence of his own. Jar'rod is starting to be displeased with Jm'pok's polical dealing. Jm'pok cannot afford to be fighting the Federation and rival Klingon Houses.
As you level up, you rise in rank and having adventures in fidffernet parts of teh Federation. At the start or your career the Borg has returned via the Vega Colony. AS time goes on the danger of the Borg and the Iconians make the Federatio and KDF realize that fighting each other only weakens them against the greater foes. So while the war is not ended hostilities are suspended bcause they have to. And the Federation and KDF begin to work together via Admiral D'Vak and the Omega Fleet. As Kang once said "...only a fool fights in a burning house."
Edit: Stahl has mention that they will resolve the war after they have resolved the Iconian story line. Would it not be glorious for content to be focused on the KDF. An entired feature series featuriing the KDF. Jar'rod beginning to challenge Jm'pok for power. The Great houses making and breaking alliances in their efforts to be on the winning sides. The House of Duras shifting their allienace from the house of Jm'pok to the House of Martok and Worf. Jm'pok gather his allies. And the questions that follow": Will the Orion Syndicate react? How will teh Gorns reacts? What will the Federation do as their have to sit on the side-lines as this is clearly an internal Klingon Empire issue? What will the other forces of the galaxy do? Will the True Way try to cause even more chaos. Wha of the Tal Shiar? Will they throw fuel on the fire in order to destroy a foe?
theres something that's always bugged me about this game. the rank system. Ya, in the first part of the game on a new toon they say pretty much OMG WE'RE SCREWED! ENSIGN TAKE COMMAND!
But realistically, Ensigns would never be given command of a ship. Furthermore, all the Admirals out there? rarely will you see a 1 or 2 star admiral out on the front lines of combat, much less a 3 star. To quote Edington "People don't enter Starfleet to become Commanders, or even Admirals for that matter. It's the Captain's chair that everyone has their eye on."
I realize the game design is severely limited in that capacity to have a true rank/reward structure for Starfleet Officers or even KDF Officers for that matter, but again, just garbage puked out to suit the game. Like I said, this game is what it is, Star Trek IP. Nothing more.
Er, is there a way to experience this story inside the game? Does the game explain this convoluted plot?
In fact, it does. If you actually paid attention to the dialog in the missions, you would know what was going on in the actual game (even the STF's and Fleet Actions have a plot!). Absolutely nothing new has gone on plot-wise since The 2800. The Iconian background has been in place for even longer - the whole plot of both the Romulan and Undine episodes are that the Iconians are behind it all!
As far as how we got to 2409 from 2379 (Nemesis), there's a daily on both sides (identical) that you can do from either Academy that shows you The Path to 2409. Someone above did a poor, mixed-up summary of events, but it's all available in-game. If you don't want to take the time/EC to do it, the wiki has all of it here.
theres something that's always bugged me about this game. the rank system. Ya, in the first part of the game on a new toon they say pretty much OMG WE'RE SCREWED! ENSIGN TAKE COMMAND!
But realistically, Ensigns would never be given command of a ship.
Perhaps not, except in cases of extreme emergency. But you will note that you are actually promoted to Lt. when you get your own ship. And it isn't unheard-of, especially in times of war, that a Lt (or even LTJG, which is skipped over in STO) getting command of a smaller vessel.
Furthermore, all the Admirals out there? rarely will you see a 1 or 2 star admiral out on the front lines of combat, much less a 3 star.
They don't mine dilithium on some asteroid, either They do, however, lead fleets, and in times of war said fleets would be on the front lines, and in major actions their fleet commander would go with them (see Adm. Ross, a three-pip admiral). I see all those ships that you have filling up your ship slots as your fleet, which are either with you or out doing your bidding (someone has to be flying your doffs around, after all ).
Perhaps not, except in cases of extreme emergency. But you will note that you are actually promoted to Lt. when you get your own ship. And it isn't unheard-of, especially in times of war, that a Lt (or even LTJG, which is skipped over in STO) getting command of a smaller vessel.
They don't mine dilithium on some asteroid, either They do, however, lead fleets, and in times of war said fleets would be on the front lines, and in major actions their fleet commander would go with them (see Adm. Ross, a three-pip admiral). I see all those ships that you have filling up your ship slots as your fleet, which are either with you or out doing your bidding (someone has to be flying your doffs around, after all ).
I'm a navy vet myself, and yes this is true to a point, however, the sheer amount of admirals is a bit overwhelming. Personally I think the game should have started at Lt. Cdr and stopped at Captain, or maybe Rear Admiral Lower Half. While its true Admirals do sometimes go out on the front lines, like you said, they're commanding fleets, not a specific ship.
Starfleet (or the Navy for that matter =p) wouldn't realistically promote that many admirals. My first boat, my CO was a Commander, my 2nd was a full bird Captain. In the middle east, smaller patrol ships are captained by Lt. Cdr. Big decks like carriers, are captained by a full bird Captain, and the strike group admiral will embark onboard that ship typically, however he/she will command the strike group, not the carrier itself. The point is officers that are given command have a level of command experience, not just... here ya go, enjoy your new ship. Don't get it blowed up plx.
The point is officers that are given command have a level of command experience, not just... here ya go, enjoy your new ship. Don't get it blowed up plx.
To be a little fair, the US Navy hasn't been in full-on War mode since WW2. Even Vietnam was somewhat limited. (It was, and is, different for the Army and Marines, of course.)
But I have a had time believing that this Klink war is far worse than the Dominion Invasion. And I don't think even in WW2 the Navy was giving command of PT boats to LT's fresh out of the academy (who got a "field" commission directly after their first commission, as well; your toons that go through the tutorial at least have some time in as an ensign, as well as a little bit of command combat experience, before getting command of a century-old clunker).
I'm a navy vet myself, and yes this is true to a point, however, the sheer amount of admirals is a bit overwhelming. Personally I think the game should have started at Lt. Cdr and stopped at Captain, or maybe Rear Admiral Lower Half. While its true Admirals do sometimes go out on the front lines, like you said, they're commanding fleets, not a specific ship.
Starfleet (or the Navy for that matter =p) wouldn't realistically promote that many admirals. My first boat, my CO was a Commander, my 2nd was a full bird Captain. In the middle east, smaller patrol ships are captained by Lt. Cdr. Big decks like carriers, are captained by a full bird Captain, and the strike group admiral will embark onboard that ship typically, however he/she will command the strike group, not the carrier itself. The point is officers that are given command have a level of command experience, not just... here ya go, enjoy your new ship. Don't get it blowed up plx.
Yes, however judging by Starfleet's previous track record for competent and honourable Admirals, it does make sense that they would promote us to that rank. We've all surely violated Starfleet's guiding principles enough to warrant our promotions to Vice Admiral! :P
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Every plot line is basically putting other powers in their place. By the end you've humbled every mainstay civilisation in the universe and Starfleet is the most deadly military force ever known, even more powerful than The Borg (and due to the number of Fed players, probably even more powerful than the KDF).
And that whole Iconian/Undine thing? They are the last line of defence against the Federation. Their allies have all fallen and it is only a matter of time before they need to intervene in full force!
Long live the Empire! *laughs like a maniac*
...
Seriously though, it is an interesting perspective no?
Dunno if someone answered with a clear answer, read a lot of troll and jokes.
SPOILER HEAVY (obvious)
Iconians want to make a come back, they want to destroy/conquer the whole galaxy. They are the STO reapers, the ultimate bad guys. And no ghostly kids to stop them. Unfortunately, when they did that ages ago, the whole galaxy united and kicked their a**. They learnt they can't face a united galaxy. So what do they do ?
-They made a plot so the Undine think the Feds are trying to attack them. Undine strike back, and infiltrate both Feds and KDF. KDF and Feds start waging war as a result. Also, the Gorn-KDF war was initiated by Undine. Or because of their presence.
-Iconians take control of the Tal Shiar and try to destroy the Empire from within. They destroy the Romulan homeworld (several years before STO), and then they "give" the Empress to the Borg, where she is absorbed. For the rest of the Romulan, her fate is unknown. The player ally him/herself with Obisek, a Reman revolutionary. They successfully crush the Tal Shiar, and they are in disarray. Unfortunately (or fortunately ?), the new Empress Sela is captured by the Iconian. Her fate is still unknown.
It seems Sela hated Feds, and wanted war with them, but she wan't an ally of the Iconian, while the Tal Shiar are Iconians allies and puppets.
The player finally capture Taris, the main Iconian agent. Unfortunately, she break free from her prison in the end of the actual storyline. She is still missing.
The Romulan front is obviously just beginning, and news of Sela and Taris to come.
Anyway, in the end, the Romulan lost their homeworld, their Empress, then their fleet, their new empress and the Tal Shiar. Also, they have rebellious Remans in their hands. Needless to say, their empire is in bad shape.
Also, dunno if it's related, but Romulan are eager to obtain Borg technology, and very close to do that.
-Borgs try to attack (again) the galaxy. But it seems "something" else push them to attack us. You'll meet an Iconian ship during a borg mission, and it seems they are once again behind the scene, pushing the borg in one way or another. It seems they are using Undine to attack the borg, because the Undine are "immune" to borg assimilation. The borg finally assimilate an Undine, but you are there and destroy everything before the rest of the Borg learn about the process.
Also, Romulan try to take Borg stuff. You choose to let them do, or stop them. Iconians show up in the end. Maybe there is something about that, or not, we'll see.
-Tholians seems to be used by Iconian to attack the galaxy. But we don't know much about it.
That's the "main" storyline. You have a storyline with devidians and Klingons for feds, and devidians and houses for KDF, but it doesn't seems related to Iconians. Also, the cardassian front is not related to them, but to a changeling, who want to mess with the fed/KDF.
As a result of the Iconian plot :
-KDF/Feds war
-Undine infiltration in fed/kdf/romulan.
-Undine-borg war
-galaxy vs borg war
-romulan empire almost destroyed, and not a force to be feared. They are deep in civil war.
-Tholians attack the galaxy
To be a little fair, the US Navy hasn't been in full-on War mode since WW2. Even Vietnam was somewhat limited. (It was, and is, different for the Army and Marines, of course.)
But I have a had time believing that this Klink war is far worse than the Dominion Invasion. And I don't think even in WW2 the Navy was giving command of PT boats to LT's fresh out of the academy (who got a "field" commission directly after their first commission, as well; your toons that go through the tutorial at least have some time in as an ensign, as well as a little bit of command combat experience, before getting command of a century-old clunker).
It's not a single war though. There's two main fronts(KDF and Borg) and tensions on others(Romulan, Breen, Cardassian, etc..).
Truthfully I'm not too worried about having the story fully explained. You can never actually finish writing a story for an open universe.
Comments
Shortly after Voyager returned home from the Delta Quadrant the Iconian's gave am Iconian gate with key strategic locations throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrant to species 8472 (now known as the Undine)
The Undine proceeded to eliminate key figures in several governments and replace them, this plot was discovered by the Klingons and they used this as an excuse to take over the Gorn and various other races as well as break ties with the Federation. The newest chancellor also declared war on the Federation. Meanwhile the Klingon Ambassador B'Vat learns of the existence of Mirial Paris and begins plans to create a stable time loop so that she can cure the affliction that besieged the Klingons only a few centuries earlier.
Shortly after this the Federation declared the Borg a non-threat causing the defection of Worf to the Klingon Empire and Seven of Nine to the Bertram Institute.
Many skirmishes were set out between the Federation and the Klingons with no ground being met by either side, then came two massive events that tipped the scales in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
The first was the destruction of Romulus and the simultainious lose of the biggest vulcan supporter for peace between the Vulcan and Romulan people, Ambassador Spock. With Spock gone and the Romulans looking for someone to blame Sela took the role of Empress declaring a campaign of conquering the known universe in revenge for Romulus's destruction.
Following this was the return of the Borg who had travelled from Delta Quadrant in order to set up a new transwarp network so they could invade the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, these first stragglers are who you come in against in the tutorial.
Whilst this is happening a rebellion occurs on Bajor alongside several of the Link coming through the wormhole to start a new collective. The Terran Empire is also taking advantage of the confusion and is attempting to scavenge our technology as well as that of the Borg.
Fortunately people have not sat by, seeing the Borg invasion in the tutorial, one Klingon approached both the Klingon High Council and the Federation for permission to set up the Omega Squad, a force made up of KDF and Federation members to combat threats on the scale of the Borg. The Omega Squad was also granted the use of MACO forces by Starfleet and the Honor Guard by the KDF. In order to accommodate Omega Squad a formal cease fire is in effect on DS9.
Moving on to Season 7
Both the Klingon Empire and Starfleet see the strategic advantages in New Romulus, not only is it rich with resources, but it sits between both Federation Space and Klingon Space, in order to satisfy their new potential allies both sides have agreed to a cease fire on the planet and both are offering their aid to gain favour with the Romulans.
Ok my mind is trying to compensate for this complication. So we are at war with the Iconians due to no fault of our own? And the Undine are pawns in the Iconian arsenal?
Every other war is a result of this misconception on the part of Iconians?
ah hell. going to have to read this 4 times before responding.
Er, is there a way to experience this story inside the game? Does the game explain this convoluted plot?
The story itself makes sense. But if you want to learn the 30 year history as to how it got there you need to read the Path, or the novel.
It's worth the read. It does follow the logic of the story and goes along with a lot of the episodes in the game.
If this synopsis is accurate, it points up a plethora of potential storylines that have been left virtually untapped by STO to this point. Hopefully Season 8 will see some of this potential truly tapped (although Season 7 was supposed to be focused on "story" and seems to have only touched upon it).
Perhaps this synopsis will provide some ideas for Foundry authors as well.
So is this your story/Question?
The flip side to the coin is that this game is no story but a grind- but you make it a personal story of what you do?
I am going with the first part - you are disillusioned with STO and want to see if others are as perplexed by the no-story endless grind for no real point - as you are!
The Iconoans have subverted the quadrant in bliztzkrieg style marketing campaign to overthrow the Federation firstly and the rest of the powers that be, if the profits are enough, by selling every "thing" star trek they can to the federation up until its too late.
For them too realize the truth.
R.I.P
Everything about this game is combat centric. The feds are fighting against... lets count em up... the borg, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Orions, the Tholians, the mirror universe, the Hirogen, the True Way (Cardasian and Jem'Hedar), and im sure im forgetting someone. I wouldn't be surprised if Risa attacked the Federation next.
From what I can remember off the top of my head, that's 8 different enemies with 8 different agendas. Not all of them are large like the borg or Klingons, but... come on, that's a bit much, ya think?
If you're looking for some kinda deep well though out story, I promise you it doesn't exist in this game unless you make it up yourself. This game is what it is, Star Trek IP. I'm sure if Roddenberry were still around, he would prolly march over to china and slap the pwe execs around... well maybe not but im sure the way this game has turned out, he wouldn't approve.
The Undine where not used as a excuse for war for the KDF. The rebuke of we where only jumping at shadows from the Federation and starfleet when the KDF tried to make the Undine threat known is at the heart of the war. We went to an ally with an issue and where treated as less than valid in it.
The second is all KDF though as we are also at war because of the retaking of several romulan held ancient Klingon systems after the chaos of the super nova.
Its not nearly just the "Angry Klingons just want to fight" BS some would have you think.
Though they have actually done little with the Path to 2409 backstory to the point most feds dont know why we are at war even though they have mission that try to set-up the idea and most KDF may not know at all becuase we have nothing that really sets-up why we are once again at odds with the federation.
They have been too busy saving the game or selling the game. I get confused at that point :-P
Oh, and Gene would have most likely been happy with STO since its making money.
R.I.P
ive said with all the ppl the Fed's are at war with should they even still be here ? think about the real dominion was to much for the Feds and KDF they and by they sicko and garrick had to trick the romulans in to the war and even then that still was not enuff to me with all thes ppl we are at war is it not a bit hard to eat?
system Lord Baal is dead
The whole idea is insane and crazy - you don't fight side by side one day then against each other the next and meet at the pub later for chat and drinks - then fight some other baddy together the next day and then say wait were at war - but can I just fly by your homeworld to get to colonize a local star cluster before we get back to fighting?? Why sure Frenemy!! If I feeling fine I might even give you a boost to you driver coils so you can get there faster - thanks frenemy!!
what was the story to deep space 9? it was basically a sitcom in space.
each episode is apart from the other. the main story line is as they all are. to seek out new life and new civilizations and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
the end.
You begin the story with your character as an Ensign on a ship. The Federation has been at war with the KDF for a couple of years. The KDF has taken some old Empir eholds back from teh Federation and the RSE. The KDF isn't going for the throat in terms of the conflight which the Federation is thankful for. The Federation is having issue with the True Way in around DS9. And are trying to help the remnenats of the RSE Teh Federation and Starfleet are stretched.
Jm'pok isn't going into all out war with the Federation. The Federation on full war footing is a formidable foe. He doesn't want to waken the Federation like like a sleeping grishnar cat. Jm'pok has is own difficulties. His KDF Alliance isn't as firm as the Federation as an organization. His hold on power is too dependent other houses especially the House of Duras. Jar'rod, as the head of the house of Duras, is gaining power and influence of his own. Jar'rod is starting to be displeased with Jm'pok's polical dealing. Jm'pok cannot afford to be fighting the Federation and rival Klingon Houses.
As you level up, you rise in rank and having adventures in fidffernet parts of teh Federation. At the start or your career the Borg has returned via the Vega Colony. AS time goes on the danger of the Borg and the Iconians make the Federatio and KDF realize that fighting each other only weakens them against the greater foes. So while the war is not ended hostilities are suspended bcause they have to. And the Federation and KDF begin to work together via Admiral D'Vak and the Omega Fleet. As Kang once said "...only a fool fights in a burning house."
Edit: Stahl has mention that they will resolve the war after they have resolved the Iconian story line. Would it not be glorious for content to be focused on the KDF. An entired feature series featuriing the KDF. Jar'rod beginning to challenge Jm'pok for power. The Great houses making and breaking alliances in their efforts to be on the winning sides. The House of Duras shifting their allienace from the house of Jm'pok to the House of Martok and Worf. Jm'pok gather his allies. And the questions that follow": Will the Orion Syndicate react? How will teh Gorns reacts? What will the Federation do as their have to sit on the side-lines as this is clearly an internal Klingon Empire issue? What will the other forces of the galaxy do? Will the True Way try to cause even more chaos. Wha of the Tal Shiar? Will they throw fuel on the fire in order to destroy a foe?
But realistically, Ensigns would never be given command of a ship. Furthermore, all the Admirals out there? rarely will you see a 1 or 2 star admiral out on the front lines of combat, much less a 3 star. To quote Edington "People don't enter Starfleet to become Commanders, or even Admirals for that matter. It's the Captain's chair that everyone has their eye on."
I realize the game design is severely limited in that capacity to have a true rank/reward structure for Starfleet Officers or even KDF Officers for that matter, but again, just garbage puked out to suit the game. Like I said, this game is what it is, Star Trek IP. Nothing more.
In fact, it does. If you actually paid attention to the dialog in the missions, you would know what was going on in the actual game (even the STF's and Fleet Actions have a plot!). Absolutely nothing new has gone on plot-wise since The 2800. The Iconian background has been in place for even longer - the whole plot of both the Romulan and Undine episodes are that the Iconians are behind it all!
As far as how we got to 2409 from 2379 (Nemesis), there's a daily on both sides (identical) that you can do from either Academy that shows you The Path to 2409. Someone above did a poor, mixed-up summary of events, but it's all available in-game. If you don't want to take the time/EC to do it, the wiki has all of it here.
Perhaps not, except in cases of extreme emergency. But you will note that you are actually promoted to Lt. when you get your own ship. And it isn't unheard-of, especially in times of war, that a Lt (or even LTJG, which is skipped over in STO) getting command of a smaller vessel.
They don't mine dilithium on some asteroid, either
I'm a navy vet myself, and yes this is true to a point, however, the sheer amount of admirals is a bit overwhelming. Personally I think the game should have started at Lt. Cdr and stopped at Captain, or maybe Rear Admiral Lower Half. While its true Admirals do sometimes go out on the front lines, like you said, they're commanding fleets, not a specific ship.
Starfleet (or the Navy for that matter =p) wouldn't realistically promote that many admirals. My first boat, my CO was a Commander, my 2nd was a full bird Captain. In the middle east, smaller patrol ships are captained by Lt. Cdr. Big decks like carriers, are captained by a full bird Captain, and the strike group admiral will embark onboard that ship typically, however he/she will command the strike group, not the carrier itself. The point is officers that are given command have a level of command experience, not just... here ya go, enjoy your new ship. Don't get it blowed up plx.
To be a little fair, the US Navy hasn't been in full-on War mode since WW2. Even Vietnam was somewhat limited. (It was, and is, different for the Army and Marines, of course.)
But I have a had time believing that this Klink war is far worse than the Dominion Invasion. And I don't think even in WW2 the Navy was giving command of PT boats to LT's fresh out of the academy (who got a "field" commission directly after their first commission, as well; your toons that go through the tutorial at least have some time in as an ensign, as well as a little bit of command combat experience, before getting command of a century-old clunker).
Yes, however judging by Starfleet's previous track record for competent and honourable Admirals, it does make sense that they would promote us to that rank. We've all surely violated Starfleet's guiding principles enough to warrant our promotions to Vice Admiral! :P
Commanding Officer: Captain Pyotr Ramonovich Amosov
Dedication Plaque: "Nil Intentatum Reliquit"
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Every plot line is basically putting other powers in their place. By the end you've humbled every mainstay civilisation in the universe and Starfleet is the most deadly military force ever known, even more powerful than The Borg (and due to the number of Fed players, probably even more powerful than the KDF).
And that whole Iconian/Undine thing? They are the last line of defence against the Federation. Their allies have all fallen and it is only a matter of time before they need to intervene in full force!
Long live the Empire! *laughs like a maniac*
...
Seriously though, it is an interesting perspective no?
Maybe there was supposed to be, but if there is... It's pretty well hidden.
SPOILER HEAVY (obvious)
Iconians want to make a come back, they want to destroy/conquer the whole galaxy. They are the STO reapers, the ultimate bad guys. And no ghostly kids to stop them. Unfortunately, when they did that ages ago, the whole galaxy united and kicked their a**. They learnt they can't face a united galaxy. So what do they do ?
-They made a plot so the Undine think the Feds are trying to attack them. Undine strike back, and infiltrate both Feds and KDF. KDF and Feds start waging war as a result. Also, the Gorn-KDF war was initiated by Undine. Or because of their presence.
-Iconians take control of the Tal Shiar and try to destroy the Empire from within. They destroy the Romulan homeworld (several years before STO), and then they "give" the Empress to the Borg, where she is absorbed. For the rest of the Romulan, her fate is unknown. The player ally him/herself with Obisek, a Reman revolutionary. They successfully crush the Tal Shiar, and they are in disarray. Unfortunately (or fortunately ?), the new Empress Sela is captured by the Iconian. Her fate is still unknown.
It seems Sela hated Feds, and wanted war with them, but she wan't an ally of the Iconian, while the Tal Shiar are Iconians allies and puppets.
The player finally capture Taris, the main Iconian agent. Unfortunately, she break free from her prison in the end of the actual storyline. She is still missing.
The Romulan front is obviously just beginning, and news of Sela and Taris to come.
Anyway, in the end, the Romulan lost their homeworld, their Empress, then their fleet, their new empress and the Tal Shiar. Also, they have rebellious Remans in their hands. Needless to say, their empire is in bad shape.
Also, dunno if it's related, but Romulan are eager to obtain Borg technology, and very close to do that.
-Borgs try to attack (again) the galaxy. But it seems "something" else push them to attack us. You'll meet an Iconian ship during a borg mission, and it seems they are once again behind the scene, pushing the borg in one way or another. It seems they are using Undine to attack the borg, because the Undine are "immune" to borg assimilation. The borg finally assimilate an Undine, but you are there and destroy everything before the rest of the Borg learn about the process.
Also, Romulan try to take Borg stuff. You choose to let them do, or stop them. Iconians show up in the end. Maybe there is something about that, or not, we'll see.
-Tholians seems to be used by Iconian to attack the galaxy. But we don't know much about it.
That's the "main" storyline. You have a storyline with devidians and Klingons for feds, and devidians and houses for KDF, but it doesn't seems related to Iconians. Also, the cardassian front is not related to them, but to a changeling, who want to mess with the fed/KDF.
As a result of the Iconian plot :
-KDF/Feds war
-Undine infiltration in fed/kdf/romulan.
-Undine-borg war
-galaxy vs borg war
-romulan empire almost destroyed, and not a force to be feared. They are deep in civil war.
-Tholians attack the galaxy
You get a shinney space ship = pew,pew, pew - blow up some stuff - rinse and repeat - and Cryptic hopes you buy some stuff - end of story.
Truthfully I'm not too worried about having the story fully explained. You can never actually finish writing a story for an open universe.
My character Tsin'xing