A Different Kind of Star Trek RP

vancious23

Hello, Trek fans! Or at least I'm assuming a vast majority playing STO are. I've searched the good old internet a few years ago for a Star Trek MMO, or something along those lines, for a very long time. One that was different. Not a typical style of playing. After days of searching I had finally found it.

It's an old style of playing a game. PBEM = play by email. It's odd at first but when you get used to it gets pretty easy and entertaining.

The particular PBEM I'm talking about is 'Star Trek Borderlands.'

I've been playing for almost three years and have found it quite a good place to play especially if you're a writer and a Star Trek fan.

'Borderlands' spans multiple places called 'Duty Stations.' Me? I'm currently stationed at Starbase Horizon. I play two characters. CPT Jarrod Dells and 2LT Vance Sellers. Both men are marines on Horizon.

If anybody is interested here's the link to the main Star Trek Borderlands site: https://sites.google.com/site/startrekborderlands/home

Also, if anybody is interested in Starbase Horizon, here's the link to that DS: https://sites.google.com/site/startrekborderlands/home


Honestly, it's a good chance to be a part of the Star Trek universe and helps with your writing skills. Everybody I've talked to and have written with are all a great group of people and are always coming up with ideas and storylines.

Thanks for taking time out of your day and reading this. I hope to see a few walking amongst the corridors of Horizon. Who knows. Maybe you'll even get drunk with Dells or Sellers!!!! Everyone knows the Marines throw the best parties!

marcusdkane

Wow, I'll be applying for sure, once a new character comes to me I absolutely love the new uniforms and comm-badge designs :cool: In fact, any future uniform descriptions I make in the LCs here will be using those uniforms as standard :cool:

shpoks

Oh, this brings back some nice memories Although not with "Starbase Horizon", but I'm quite familiar with this type of Star Trek experiences.

I highly recomend it to people who are real Star Trek fans, Sci-Fi enthusiasts or interested in writing and broadening their writing skills.

bortjinx

I've just applied to join the DFA. My character choice was easy - the next host for the Jinx symbiont

Also, I'd like to agree with Marcus... Love the uniforms and comm badges.

vancious23

Yeah it's great fun. Glad you guys caught the interest! I'm awfully excited. And also there's not just Starbase Horizon. That's just the Duty Station I've been assigned.

marcusdkane

bortjinx wrote: »

I've just applied to join the DFA. My character choice was easy - the next host for the Jinx symbiont

Also, I'd like to agree with Marcus... Love the uniforms and comm badges.

Badlands takes part in current timeperiod, does this mean that Jinx is going to be meeting an unfortunate accident? :eek: I'll be applying within the next few hours, depending on household chores... :cool:

bortjinx

marcusdkane wrote: »

Badlands takes part in current timeperiod, does this mean that Jinx is going to be meeting an unfortunate accident? :eek: I'll be applying within the next few hours, depending on household chores... :cool:

I was basically keeping them as seperate characters, so the STO timeline doesn't impact on the Badlands timeline, at least so far as my charcaters are concerned.

Besides, Jinx has already met several unfortunate accidents, the accumulation of which means I could retire his current host at any time without a problem. Unfortunately, I've not finished writing Jinx's tale yet, so no-one here knows about them... D'oh!

If you want to know more about one of Jinx's unfortunate accidents, play my foundry mission - The Empty Shell Shuttle Incident (searching for empty shell finds it). I've been using the foundry to build aspects of Jinx's life into a 'holodeck simulation'. This is the first one I've made, but will be the second of three missions when they are all complete.

Come and join the DFA!

vancious23

I'm glad that you guys are interested. I've been wanting to create a fleet for Borderlands in STO also, but finding the people is difficult, but maybe it's me.

marcusdkane

bortjinx wrote: »

I was basically keeping them as seperate characters, so the STO timeline doesn't impact on the Badlands timeline, at least so far as my charcaters are concerned.

Besides, Jinx has already met several unfortunate accidents, the accumulation of which means I could retire his current host at any time without a problem. Unfortunately, I've not finished writing Jinx's tale yet, so no-one here knows about them... D'oh!

If you want to know more about one of Jinx's unfortunate accidents, play my foundry mission - The Empty Shell Shuttle Incident (searching for empty shell finds it). I've been using the foundry to build aspects of Jinx's life into a 'holodeck simulation'. This is the first one I've made, but will be the second of three missions when they are all complete.

Come and join the DFA!

Ahh, that's fair enough, I was planning on doing a similar thing with my application, by creating a breakaway character who I could either play on Badlands, or if not accepted, simply add to my current crew to shift the dynamic a bit I'd willingly play the mission, if I was actually able to play the game, but PC problems are still preventing it >_<

marcusdkane

vancious23 wrote: »

I'm glad that you guys are interested. I've been wanting to create a fleet for Borderlands in STO also, but finding the people is difficult, but maybe it's me.

I think it could just be that they are very different types of interaction... As above, PC issues have prevented me from even playing STO, and my laptop can't even handle the download, let alone run the game However, I really like the vibe here, and love the literary challenges, as they force me to stretch my writing, rather than just writing whatever I want to Badlands would certainly satisfy my love of writing, and although this isn't part of my application, I have a self-created alien race, as well as a unique piece of technological hardware, so I see potentially two awards already :cool: It's been a very hectic day for me, but I'll get my application in within 48 hour...
[Edit]
I'll do it now

vancious23

I think it could just be that they are very different types of interaction... As above, PC issues have prevented me from even playing STO, and my laptop can't even handle the download, let alone run the game However, I really like the vibe here, and love the literary challenges, as they force me to stretch my writing, rather than just writing whatever I want to Badlands would certainly satisfy my love of writing, and although this isn't part of my application, I have a self-created alien race, as well as a unique piece of technological hardware, so I see potentially two awards already It's been a very hectic day for me, but I'll get my application in within 48 hour...
[Edit]
I'll do it now

Well, I'm glad you're joining the Borderlands family. As to the self-created alien race and technological hardware I'm not too sure, but I'm sure a couple of the CO's or XO's will take a liking to it. You never know unless you try.

I just stuck with having two Human characters since I'm familiar with being Human. And both are marines since I'm familiar with being a soldier myself. I could've done something outside what I know, but I figured I'd stick with something I'm familiar with. Experience with both fields have helped me out lol

marcusdkane

vancious23 wrote: »

Well, I'm glad you're joining the Borderlands family. As to the self-created alien race and technological hardware I'm not too sure, but I'm sure a couple of the CO's or XO's will take a liking to it. You never know unless you try.

I just stuck with having two Human characters since I'm familiar with being Human. And both are marines since I'm familiar with being a soldier myself. I could've done something outside what I know, but I figured I'd stick with something I'm familiar with. Experience with both fields have helped me out lol

I'll see how the application goes, and then bring them up and see I also stuck with a Human character for similar reasons, even though I'm no fighter pilot I posted the application entry here as I enjoyed writing it so much, but thus far, no critiques

bortjinx

marcusdkane wrote: »

... as well as a unique piece of technological hardware...

I was thinking about bringing over the Portable Transporter Buffer, since I love that piece of tech.

I'm setting up my Badlands character as a transporter specialist engineer though, if I'm accepted, so hopefully I'll be able to develop it in game

bortjinx

vancious23 wrote: »

I just stuck with having two Human characters since I'm familiar with being Human. And both are marines since I'm familiar with being a soldier myself. I could've done something outside what I know, but I figured I'd stick with something I'm familiar with. Experience with both fields have helped me out lol

Heh, this is much the same reason I've gone for Joined Trill again. I've done a lot of research on the Trill background, so know them well. And playing a new host for an older symbiont I've been playing for a few years now means I already know the character well.

marcusdkane

bortjinx wrote: »

I was thinking about bringing over the Portable Transporter Buffer, since I love that piece of tech.

I'm setting up my Badlands character as a transporter specialist engineer though, if I'm accepted, so hopefully I'll be able to develop it in game

The piece I had in mind, is something I came up with a few years back: A minaturized Type I phaser, wrapped in evasion polymers, to be kept in an officer's bootheel, which uses an electrodynamic fluid as the powercell instead of sarium krellide. The idea is that the fluid is inert until extrememly violently agitated, where upon it would build enough of a charge for a few shots, but would otherwise be undetectable to scanners :cool:

bortjinx

marcusdkane wrote: »

The piece I had in mind, is something I came up with a few years back: A minaturized Type I phaser, wrapped in evasion polymers, to be kept in an officer's bootheel, which uses an electrodynamic fluid as the powercell instead of sarium krellide. The idea is that the fluid is inert until extrememly violently agitated, where upon it would build enough of a charge for a few shots, but would otherwise be undetectable to scanners :cool:

Not a bad idea, although I'd not like to be wearing those shoes whiel having to run somewhere. You might accidently blow your foot off

I'll be completely honest about my peice of tech - I stole it from the game Elite Force.

marcusdkane

bortjinx wrote: »

Not a bad idea, although I'd not like to be wearing those shoes whiel having to run somewhere. You might accidently blow your foot off

I'll be completely honest about my peice of tech - I stole it from the game Elite Force.

The phaser has to be VERY violently agitated (like when a tattoo artist will shake a bottle of ink to blend it properly prior to pouring) for 10 seconds to build the charge, even the most strenuous workout wouldn't affect the fluid powercell :cool: I figured anyone running from their enemy prior to capture might be scanned upon capture, so it needs much more kinetic input to power up (the idea is that it has absolutely zero stored power until agitated, and even then, only develops enough of a charge for maybe a few shots on level one, or a single shot at level 4, before needing re-charging) as would have to read as inert plastic unless it was actually in use

Hee hee, not sure if borrowed ideas will qualify for the new tech award I saw

bortjinx

Not having any tattoos, I'm not sure how violently an artist shakes their bottle before starting, but from what you have said, I now have this image in my head of a Starfleet officer running from someone shooting at him, diving into cover, then removing his boot and furiously shaking it before pointing it out of cover and opening up at the enemy. Brilliant

I don't mind if I don't get the new tech award for the PTB. I have plenty of other ideas. My friends and I have often sat around chatting about Star Trek and how we would abuse... erm, utilise, the advanced technology.

marcusdkane

bortjinx wrote: »

Not having any tattoos, I'm not sure how violently an artist shakes their bottle before starting, but from what you have said, I now have this image in my head of a Starfleet officer running from someone shooting at him, diving into cover, then removing his boot and furiously shaking it before pointing it out of cover and opening up at the enemy. Brilliant

I don't mind if I don't get the new tech award for the PTB. I have plenty of other ideas. My friends and I have often sat around chatting about Star Trek and how we would abuse... erm, utilise, the advanced technology.

Awesome mental image, but the officer would take the phaser out of their hollow boot heel first I guess if you were to shake something in your hand, moving your hand about an inch up and down as hard and fast as you can, that's the kind of agitation the powercell would require to build a useable charge, anything below that ie running, it would remain inert The idea was that this would literally be a last resort tool to maybe blow open a cell door, and stun the guard, before then taking their weapon for extended use (Or indeed having to keep ducking from cover and building the charge up again) But essentially, the idea is that if scanned, it would simply register as an inert piece of plastic, so indistinguishable from the rest of the material of the boot heel

vancious23

As the awards go I know a few of the DS's still use them. But just remember that there is a chain of command we use in game and OOC. As to creating the tech that also all depends on the CO of the station. Just ask him/her if it's okay and they'll give you the go or no-go.

Also another piece of information: You guys can have multiple characters on multiple DS's.

takeshi6

I checked out the site, both the main one and a few of the Duty Stations sites. Looks interesting.

I might try creating a character, and I'd definitely try for Starbase Horizon if I did. I won't bring in any of my STO Characters, though--while they will exist, they're busy having adventures in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

Instead, if I do join, I'd create a brand new character--most likely a Fighter Pilot testing out a new, experimental fighter design--the Messiah-Class Starfighter (heavily inspired by the VF-25 Messiah from Macross Frontier).

I'm still thinking about it, though--and I'll post here first if I do decide to join. :cool:

vancious23

I checked out the site, both the main one and a few of the Duty Stations sites. Looks interesting.

I might try creating a character, and I'd definitely try for Starbase Horizon if I did. I won't bring in any of my STO Characters, though--while they will exist, they're busy having adventures in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

Instead, if I do join, I'd create a brand new character--most likely a Fighter Pilot testing out a new, experimental fighter design--the Messiah-Class Starfighter (heavily inspired by the VF-25 Messiah from Macross Frontier).

I'm still thinking about it, though--and I'll post here first if I do decide to join.

Well if you do I hope to walk with your character through the corridors of Horizon. Great group of people and we just ended our current plotline. Also, keep in mind that Star Trek Borderlands and STO have nothing in common what so ever. Both are different games with different playing styles.

It's nice to see you guys coming up with stuff too. Just keep in mind that not everything gets the green light and it all comes down to the chain of command. They have the real say on what is created and what not. At least to my understanding.

takeshi6

vancious23 wrote: »

Well if you do I hope to walk with your character through the corridors of Horizon. Great group of people and we just ended our current plotline. Also, keep in mind that Star Trek Borderlands and STO have nothing in common what so ever. Both are different games with different playing styles.

It's nice to see you guys coming up with stuff too. Just keep in mind that not everything gets the green light and it all comes down to the chain of command. They have the real say on what is created and what not. At least to my understanding.

I know they have nothing in common, but if I do join Borderlands, I'd at least have it so that they're in the same continuity, which is why I wouldn't use my STO Characters.

Like I said, though, I'm still thinking about it, and I'll let you know here first if I do decide to join. Also, how does the application process work? Do I apply on the main Borderlands Site first and then go apply on the Horizon Site? Do I simply apply on the Borderlands Site and request to join Horizon in my Comments? Or do I just apply on the Horizon Site?

If I decide to join, I'll need to know how to join. :cool:

takeshi6

takeshi6 wrote: »

I know they have nothing in common, but if I do join Borderlands, I'd at least have it so that they're in the same continuity, which is why I wouldn't use my STO Characters.

Like I said, though, I'm still thinking about it, and I'll let you know here first if I do decide to join. Also, how does the application process work? Do I apply on the main Borderlands Site first and then go apply on the Horizon Site? Do I simply apply on the Borderlands Site and request to join Horizon in my Comments? Or do I just apply on the Horizon Site?

If I decide to join, I'll need to know how to join. :cool:

Actually, there is a chance I might treat Borderlands as a separate continuity from STO, and thus use an AU version of one of my characters.

How likely this is would depend on the answer to a single question:

Does the galactic timeline in Borderlands include the destruction of Romulus in 2387, and if it does, how badly was the Romulan Empire hit by the destruction of their homeworld?

vancious23

When I joined a few years ago I was on the main site and applied there, but if you're willing to join Horizon you should probably do it on Horizon's site or request it.

As to the timeline, I believe so. Some of the more experienced players that have been around since the beginning would have the answer to that. After all, Borderlands has been around since 1993.

takeshi6

vancious23 wrote: »

When I joined a few years ago I was on the main site and applied there, but if you're willing to join Horizon you should probably do it on Horizon's site or request it.

As to the timeline, I believe so. Some of the more experienced players that have been around since the beginning would have the answer to that. After all, Borderlands has been around since 1993.

Thanks. I'll probably make my application on the Horizon Site, if I decide to join.

And thanks for the info, as well. I'd like to know for sure before I even plan my character, AU or not, so if you could ask some of those more experienced players for me and either PM me the answer or post it here, I'd appreciate it. I'd also like to know what the status of relations between the Federation and the Klingon Empire is in Borderlands--since the Feds and Klingons are at war in STO, the state of their relations in Borderlands is actually the biggest determining factor as to whether I would go AU or not. :cool:

bortjinx

I received my acceptance today, so I'll be joining the DFA Cromwell-B as an engineer sometime over the next week or so

I've asked the Captain about introducing the Personal Transporter Buffer as a personal project, and we'll see what he says.

takeshi6

Just realized that there's some more info I need.

The "Station Specifications" Page on the Horizon site mentions several different fighter types. Can I have some stat pages for each of these fighters, and maybe an image of what each one looks like? I'd like to know what the existing fighters are capable of before I decide whether to make a special prototype for my character to pilot or not. (If I do make such a special prototype, it will be based either on the VF-25 Messiah from Macross Frontier [including Transformation abilities and Equipment Packs] or the F/A-18E Super Hornet)

And I am definitely considering joining, and doing so with an AU version of my STO Main, Takeshi Yamato (Because I'm sort of under the impression that the Starfleet of Borderlands is still allied with the Klingons, and STO has the two groups at war).

vancious23

takeshi6 wrote: »

Just realized that there's some more info I need.

The "Station Specifications" Page on the Horizon site mentions several different fighter types. Can I have some stat pages for each of these fighters, and maybe an image of what each one looks like? I'd like to know what the existing fighters are capable of before I decide whether to make a special prototype for my character to pilot or not. (If I do make such a special prototype, it will be based either on the VF-25 Messiah from Macross Frontier [including Transformation abilities and Equipment Packs] or the F/A-18E Super Hornet)

And I am definitely considering joining, and doing so with an AU version of my STO Main, Takeshi Yamato (Because I'm sort of under the impression that the Starfleet of Borderlands is still allied with the Klingons, and STO has the two groups at war).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starbase_horizon/photos/album/513512674/pic/757116456/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

That link is the picture of the Valkyrie fighter.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starbase_horizon/photos/album/513512674/pic/757116456/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

And that one is the Banzai.

If you can't see or get to those link's I will do my best to provide you some pics. As to the specs of them there's only one and that's for the Banzai. All I can do is download it so I can't give you the link.

As to the Klingon-Federation deal, since all the DS's are located in the DQ I'm pretty sure there is an alliance in AQ and BQ. All I really know is that since Borderlands has been around since the early 90's we don't really follow STO.

Hope that info helps at all. Keep up with the questions ladies and gents and spread the word. We're always looking for awesome writers and players.

vancious23

I believe that there's a chance you won't be able to see the links if you aren't part of the group which is a sad face situation. Hmm....

This should work:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AhvuurJDw2Rks6NOKh8i8ZqbvZx4?fr=yfp-t-900-s&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=star%20trek%20valkyrie%20fighter

And here's the Banzai pic:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oG7jlcwydRgEcACzRXNyoA?p=bazai%20fighter&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-900-s

That should do it.

takeshi6

vancious23 wrote: »

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starbase_horizon/photos/album/513512674/pic/757116456/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

That link is the picture of the Valkyrie fighter.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starbase_horizon/photos/album/513512674/pic/757116456/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

And that one is the Banzai.

If you can't see or get to those link's I will do my best to provide you some pics. As to the specs of them there's only one and that's for the Banzai. All I can do is download it so I can't give you the link.

As to the Klingon-Federation deal, since all the DS's are located in the DQ I'm pretty sure there is an alliance in AQ and BQ. All I really know is that since Borderlands has been around since the early 90's we don't really follow STO.

Hope that info helps at all. Keep up with the questions ladies and gents and spread the word. We're always looking for awesome writers and players.

vancious23 wrote: »

I believe that there's a chance you won't be able to see the links if you aren't part of the group which is a sad face situation. Hmm....

This should work:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AhvuurJDw2Rks6NOKh8i8ZqbvZx4?fr=yfp-t-900-s&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=star%20trek%20valkyrie%20fighter

And here's the Banzai pic:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oG7jlcwydRgEcACzRXNyoA?p=bazai%20fighter&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-900-s

That should do it.

Thank you very much.

I have to say that I like the look of the Valkyrie, so if and when I join I might start out in that.

I probably will eventually come up with a prototype fighter based on the F/A-18 Hornet, but I can at least start with the Valkyrie.

And sorry for taking so long to respond--I've been taking a break from STO and the STO Forums to play Champions Online.

I think I'll come back to STO today after they finish their Maintenance, though--and the info you provided will help me greatly in designing a character for Borderlands. :cool: