Here is a bit about the VKF, why we exist, what our purpose is, and the ideals we hold dear. This is here to help you decide if the VKF is the right Fleet for you. We believe that the choice of a Fleet is very important, and shouldn't be taken lightly. We've all known gamers who flit from Fleet to Fleet (or guild to guild) looking for the right fit. We hope to help you avoid this pattern. While we are currently focused on Star Trek Online, we have members with interests in other games, and will likely expand our guild/Fleet activities into them, if/as our membership wishes.
So why do we call ourselves the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet? Well, first of all, the VKF is logic-based - we value and prize the use of logic in all our dealings, both in-game and in our lives. Most of us have followed the Star Trek TV series and movies for many years (some of us for many decades!), and we were fascinated by the character of Spock and the race of Vulcans. That's not to say that the VKF is only for Vulcan gamers in STO - we have players of all races - even Borg! The point is that logic and analysis is a common characteristic of our membership. Hence the term "Kolinahr" which is the Vulcan discipline to purge all emotion from oneself. Although we've taken a bit of poetic license - in 2409, we have learned that with logic controlling emotion, we can improve our performance in battle - tightly controlled rage can be quite devastating!
This doesn't mean that we don't have fun! We engage in light role-playing, and engage in lots of friendly banter and chat - both in the in-game text chat window, and in our own TeamSpeak 3 server for voice chat. The goal of the VKF is to help each member get the most enjoyment out of playing STO - no small task! So we listen to our members, and try to provide what they want and need. This includes plenty of discussion and information sharing on our forum and in-game, teaming opportunities for us to help each other gain experience in missions and battle, Joint Fleet Operations where we team with other STO Fleets for major actions (such as the Crystalline Catastrophe) that take the coordinated effort of many players, and a well-stocked Fleet Bank with in-game items that our members can use to improve their capabilities - both for their ships and themselves and their Bridge Officers. We have members who like to farm and craft uncommon items, we have members who like to breed Tribbles, and we have members who simply want to occasionally team with others, but often like to fly solo.
We respect Real Life - always. There's no minimum posts in the forum, no required teaming activity in-game, or other participation rules you'll find with other Fleets. If you are out of the game and not available to chat or post on the forum for long stretches, no worries! We won't drop you from the Fleet. We recognize that RL can keep you busy from time to time. So know that when you return to us, we'll still welcome you.
We are logical, therefore there's no place in the VKF for drama. We have had our share of disagreements, but since we exist for the membership in total, the needs of the many takes precedence over any personal agendas. If you like high drama (other than in RP!), then you may want to give us a pass - we keep things cool.
We like to make friends. We have over two dozen alliances with other Fleets in STO, and welcome new relationships always. We even go so far as to establish "Embassies" for our guest Fleet diplomats - sub-forums that are private to them and us and allow us to negotiate alliances, treaties and pacts, to coordinate JFAs, and just to deepen our personal relationships with other gamers. For our membership, we encourage anyone who wants to affiliate themselves with the VKF to join our ranks. We do not discriminate on any basis of race, religion, creed, geographical or temporal location. Our membership is spread across time zones around the Earth, yet we still often get the chance to play together - divergent schedules and time zones don't seem to be a big issue.
The analysis side pushes us to gather Intel and knowledge (some might say wisdom) about STO - the game mechanics, the best builds, how to do our best on missions, etc. We use our forum to share this information with each other, and to build on each other's work for the use of everyone. We've found tons of nuggets of really good info all over the place, on the STO forums, in-game experience, wikis, etc. We mine that info and then organize it on our forum to help you get the info you need without spending tons of time on research. We share much of that knowledge with our allied Fleets as well.
You may notice that our Fleet Emblem on this forum includes the IDIC (that's the symbol inside the gold hand), which is called "k'lalatar prkori k'lalatar". The English is also spelled out on the lower half: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations". The IDIC is the basis of Vulcan philosophy, and here at the VKF we treasure diversity throughout the universe, in STO, and within the VKF. We have learned that diversity is the key to thriving in all things, and we all gain from the individual characteristics that each of our members bring to the Fleet - this makes us stronger and leverages our skills with those of our Fleet mates to bring about devastating defeat for our enemies and quick victory for our teams. Our Fleet Emblem also includes the laurel wreath for the pursuit of peace, and six stars to represent our command structure. The Vulcan hand sign is of course our wish for all who we meet: Live Long and Prosper. Lastly, the base of the laurel wreath has our Command Chevron - you will see variations of it on all our rank insignia.
And finally, we are not in a race - not with each other, and not with other Fleets in STO. We simply want to enjoy the gameplay to the max. It doesn't matter what in-game rank you hold, we've got members playing lots of different characters on both the Fed and KDF sides, and we're always up for teaming in-game. And on a personal note, teaming with Fleet mates is way better than teaming with a pickup group!
So we encourage you to spend a bit of time researching potential Fleets before you sign up for one. We hope that if you value the characteristics discussed above, you'll realize that logic dictates your affiliation with the VKF - for a long-lasting and enjoyable relationship. Live long and prosper!
We are a military organization, and have decided for ourselves that a matrix-management method works best for us. While no member of the VKF is required to serve in any position of responsibility or leadership, we certainly encourage our members to help out in any way.
Our first matrix is the hierarchical leadership, aka the chain-of-command. Most Fleets in STO are headed by the Fleet Admiral, and we are no different. However, we do have some extra layers:
For overall strategic direction, we depend on the Vulcan High Command. This is headed by our Grand Admiral Keysailor and is made up of selected members of the Fleet who've proven their loyalty and pledged long-term commitment to the VKF. Membership is by invitation only. The Vulcan term we use in-game for the VHC is V'Ket. This body is served by our Speaker for the Vulcan High Command, T'Kota - who provides the voice for the V'Ket.
A subset of the Vulcan High Command is our V'Shar - our "Keepers of the Fleet". This is a permanent and small group of members who are charged with preserving and protecting the VKF - forever.
For day-to-day operational and tactical direction, we depend on the Fleet Admiral and his/her Executive Officer, and the chain of command underneath them:
We have two Wing Commanders, one for Operations and one for Administration.
In Operations, we have the PVP Wing Commander, the PvE Wing commander, our KDF Wing Commander, and our VELA SNR Exploration Wing Commander. They are supported by Battle Group Commanders (for PvP) and Task Force Commanders (PvE). Under them are the Strike Force Leaders (PvP) and Patrol Team Leaders (PvE).
In Administration, we have the Chief Engineer, the Chief Scientist, and the Chief Tactician, who oversee and organize the in-game career progression for each career field. We also have our Kevet-dutar or Fleet Ambassador with his/her diplomatic corps, our Chief Recruiting Officer, our Chief Supply Officer, and our Chief Personnel Officer, all of who have staff positions to help support each of their missions.
So on one side of the matrix, you may report to a Patrol Team Leader, who reports to a Task Force Commander, who reports to the PvE Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
On another side, you may report to the Chief Science Officer, who reports to the Administrative Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
So you would report (i.e., work) through the chain of command depending for the activity that you engage. Dealing with Fleet Bank issues? See the Chief Supply Officer. Interested in a job in VKF management/leadership? See the Chief Personnel Officer. It works pretty well for us.
In the Fleet, we also have military ranks for members to progress (if they choose). While they roughly correlate to standard military ranks, they have no relationship with your in-game character's rank, but are simply a way to allow our Fleet members to progress within the Fleet regardless of whether they take on management/leadership jobs - although doing so is an easy and quick way to rank up in the VKF! These ranks are (from lowest to highest):
LIST=1]
[*] Ne-lan (this is the lowest cadet or recruit rank, think of it as similar to the tutorial level of STO)
[*] Ot-lan (this is the basic rank of a VKF member, think of it as similar to the Lieutenant rank)
[*] Tra-lan (this is an advancement rank, similar to Lt. Commander)
[*] Zhel-lan (this is the next level, similar to Commander)
[*] Khart-lan (this is our top rank below admiralty, similar to Captain)
[*] Nik'el-lan (this is our first admiralty rank, similar to Rear Admiral)
[*] Shaltra-lan (this is the next admiralty rank, similar to Vice Admiral)
[*] Halitra-lan (this is the top admiralty rank, similar to Admiral)
[/LIST]
We have special designations for certain members that either match or exceed the above ranks. These include the F-rel-barr (or Grand Admiral), our Pid-Trensu (or High Executive Officer), our Speaker for the VHC, our Ton-Barr (or Fleet Admiral), and our Qang (or Chancellor of the KDF Command) positions.
In-game, we have the seven ranks that are used for Fleet permissions. They are (from lowest to highest):
Ang'jmizn - Starship Captain (new members)
Kadvin - Commissioned Officer (members who've passed the Ne-lan rank)
Pelq-ari k'puu - VDF Captain, 3rd Rank (members who've accepted their first position of responsibility and/or demonstrated their loyalty to the Fleet, long-term)
Pelq-ari lik'rt - VDF Captain, 2nd Rank (members who've worked in more than one position of responsibility)
Pelq-ari - VDF Captain, 1st Rank (demonstrated leaders who've worked in multiple positions of responsibility and proven themselves 'fit leaders')
V'Ket - VDF Leadership (our top leaders of the Fleet and the Vulcan High Command)
V'Shar - Keepers of the Fleet (our permanent long-term protectors of the Fleet)
These ranks allow us to manage the Fleet permissions for all our members in-game (such as withdrawal permissions from the Fleet Bank).
Of course, any member may communicate with any other member, rank or position notwithstanding. Same for teaming, helping out or helping each other, etc... These ranks and positions are simply a way for each of our Fleet members to find their own niche, participate however they choose to for their own enjoyment.
And finally, we do have an accolade system in place, that awards ribbons for exemplary action or conduct, both in-game and elsewhere. Some of these ribbons are tied to in-game activities, and some are for service to the Fleet. You'll see these accolades displayed on this forum beneath the avatar of the Fleet member (at the left of their posts or on their profile). Our goal is to recognize any and all accomplishments of our members, and celebrate their achievements.
Welcome to the VKF! The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet is a group of avid Star Trek Online gamers whose goal is to enjoy STO to the fullest. We may engage in some role play, and certainly work in the PvE and PvP environments. Some of our members are either Federation or Klingon, but quite a few have characters on both sides. In RP there may be conflict, but our overarching objective is for us to enjoy STO.
We have also been hard at work developing forum accolades - medals and ribbons our members earn. Along with new rank insignia and a new Fleet Banner, we are looking quite good! Visit us at www.vulcankolinahrfleet.com and see the new VKF - just in time for 2410!
Accompanying this new look, our members have been hard at work delving into the mysteries of different builds, respec plans, and strategies for the various STFs, Fleet Actions, and the new episodes. We dig out the nuggets of information and put them in easy reach for our members so everyone doesn't have to do hours and hours of research to find out the ins and outs of STO. You'll find us a diverse group of gamers, encompassing many different interest areas and styles of play - there's just about something for everyone in the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet!
So, peruse our forums and discussion threads, and you will see we are from all over the world, and from all walks of real life. In-game we are many playable races, both factions, and all the specialties and career paths. We encompass a lot of different aspects of STO and do a lot of communicating in-game and outside - via forum, chat, our TeamSpeak3 voice chat server, even the occasional mind-meld - I know you will fit in just fine!
So stretch out, relax and chat with us, and let's play STO! Live Long and Prosper!
With well over 50 Fleets in STO, you may find it difficult to decide which is the right Fleet for you. There are several tools that can help you out, including Trace_Thorne's Fleet listing http:/s.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=115661.
Or simply warp over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet - logic dictates that if you are reading this, you are considering the VKF - and we have prepared our Home section to give you enough data to make an informed choice.
Our Fleet is strong and is growing quickly. We are very light RP, have a TeamSpeak3 server at your disposal, and our members enjoy teaming to enrich the gameplay for everyone. We are Vulcans and other races who embrace logic and (in 2409) the use of controlled emotion to decisively win battles and protect the Federation. We ally with other Federation Fleets to expand teaming possibilities in-game, and have a worldwide membership of avid STO gamers who have high interest in game mechanics, strategy and tactics, and team coordination so that each member plays to their unique character and ship strengths. We have members who specialize in crafting, others who enjoy Tribble breeding, and others who have rolled new characters simply to be able to team on an even footing with new people to STO and new members. We enjoy discovering new features (and well-hidden old features!) of STO, and are actively discussing a number of subjects including skill point distribution, crafting and breeding tips, ship selection, and specific career field tips. We have a discussion area for Engineering, one for Science and one for Tactical as well as a "Main Hall" for discussions that are common to all career fields and/or don't fit in any of our other sub-forum categories.
Follow your logic to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet and join us - the quadrant needs your help to protect Federation interests!
If you value logic, analysis and intellect, your instincts were correct, and you have visited the appropriate recruiting thread in Starbase One.
If you like to delve into the deepest nooks and crannies of game mechanics, find hidden nuggets of knowledge about STO and share them with your Fleet-mates, you belong in the VKF. If you want to team with friends who will not only watch your back, but let you show off your best skills and tactics while defeating the enemy with dispatch and
The year will soon be 2410. You will be entering a hostile time in Federation history. The Course is set. War is the answer for our time! This is taken from "Episode Missions Explained" and I do quote:
"As the story develops, the stakes increase. While Episodes later in the game don't take longer in terms of time or the number of in-game objectives, the plot itself accelerates to a dramatic pitch. The threats you'll face are as great as any you've seen in the Star Trek movies. That's not to say early missions are anything to scoff at, however; the early Episodes are designed to be intriguing and dangerous, too.
The Episodes are based on conflict, much like the main storylines in the Star Trek franchise. Conflict drives drama - will your negotiations with the captain of a Klingon Bird of Prey break down and come to blows? How far do you need to go to apprehend a spy on another vessel? 2409 is a time of war, which means even the most resolute captains will need to make tough choices and come to blows to ensure the survival of their faction.
We do, however, want to make the battles you fight believable. You can make diplomatic overtures toward characters in Episodes, but on the front lines it's very rare to avoid confrontation when dramatic forces have guided you into hostile territory with combat-ready antagonists nearby. While there are missions in Star Trek Online that don't feature combat at all, Episodes will by and large demand your abilities as a tactician be put into play."
Even if you are by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking those races who wish to engage the true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need compatriots who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....VKF chooses aggression.
Brothers! Will you be a part of this? VKF doors are open! Any one may join us! Its up to YOU! Come my Brothers and Sisters! Go through the door now open to you and take hold of your true DESTINY!
VKF MISSIONS:
DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION
DIPLOMACY
ALLIANCE AND TRADE AGREEMENTS
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
LIBERATING WORLDS FROM HOSTILE INVADERS
BUILDING STATE OF THE ART STAR SHIPS
SCIENCE/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
FIRST CONTACT WITH NEW RACES
I would like to fill a few people in on our small fleet. We are fun, easy going, driven and friendly. We all come from different backgrounds and have different ways of doing things, but thats what makes us great.
Anyone in our fleet is happy to help others when needed, in almost any aspect of the game. We have a fleet TeamSpeak3 that we use not just for the game but to hang out as well.
If anyone wants information on the [VKF] dont hesitate to contact me or any of our members.
We are actively recruiting for like-minded individuals who crave the positive aspects of collaborative gameplay. We have a TeamSpeak3 server in place but only require you to use it to do the STFs. Our members are mostly US based, but we try to always have a Fleet member available somewhere for support and group efforts. In group work, our Fleet coordination strives to be unparalleled, and we will decimate our enemies with dispatch. We will explore and discover everything STO has to offer, and share our findings with our Fleet members so all are enriched.
I am sure you are looking for a fleet to join that will no doubt be a fleet of activity, dedication and a certain degree of maturity. Within the [VKF], you will find all of those things and so much more. Our fleet becomes more and better coordinated with each passing day. You can guarantee that this fleet is going far in the STO universe and you would be wise to join us for a fun and active environment. Be it PvE you are interested in or even PvP, we will have what best suits you.
Although I say our fleet is dedicated, it also realizes that everyone has lives as well, so therefore when you need to take the time, you don't need to be concerned about losing your position within the fleet. We do not discriminate against such things because we understand ourselves that sometimes real life issues can interfere and some time is needed to sort it out again.
Not only would the VKF be a stable fleet to join, it would be one that would give you an experience you will never soon forget nor wish to be parted from. You will find yourself pleased you joined our fleet.
Part of our Fleet's activities is to plow through the mass of information on this forum, released by Cryptic, and available elsewhere in many divergent locations. We cull the important information to create tight and informative game guide info and tips for each profession.
It can take you many hours to go through everything on STO, trying to extract fact from conjecture. Let our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet help you zero in on exactly what you need to advance quickly in STO. Of course, you must be a Fleet member to see this!
The following is a bit of detailed information about our Fleet, how we operate in-game, and...the why of VKF. There are lots of recruiting messages that simply say, join us! This isn't one of them. This note is intended to provide you with what you need to know about the VKF so you can make an informed decision for Fleet Affiliation.
First, why affiliate with a Fleet at all? You may ask yourself can't I have a good in-game experience without belonging to a Fleet? My answer is that, while you can have lots of fun by yourself (actually with your NPC BOs and other NPC elements), an MMO is truly enhanced by collaborative/cooperative game play. MMOs are designed to give you more fun by interacting with other players - you can accomplish or achieve more in the game with more people. Having other brains working on the same problem will nearly always yield a better solution than without.
Second, why not wait, see how you like the game and then decide which Fleet to choose? My answer to this most of us will want to spend our available time in-game, accomplishing missions, participating in battles, and exploring. You should do your research to find the right Fleet that fits you, but then get involved and get in-game you will be much better off. You will have people to give you good tips on how to play STO and maximize your time, people to play alongside who can share drops (loot) and get you good equipment quickly, and people who will have the answers to the myriad questions everyone has who starts playing STO. It will take you a long time to find all the answers on your own, and a lot of that searching is needless grinding. Why not spend more of your in-game time doing the most enjoyable aspects of STO?
At this point, you are probably trying to figure out what are our Fleet values, goals and objectives, how they will operate, and what you can expect to gain from affiliation with the VKF. That's the primary info that you need to make a truly informed decision about whether to join us, or some other Fleet. So without further ado...
The VKF's goal is to enrich in-game experiences for all our Fleet members. We do this by providing (aka sharing) valuable Intel to our members on game mechanics, location of resources, strategies for skill-building and ranking up, and extensive collaborative game play coordination. We get valuable info through our Fleet members, who channel information to the specific areas of our forum - and we organize the forum so you can find the info you need quickly. We organize our in-game group play to leverage the specific skills and abilities of each Fleet member. We have (but dont require you to use) a TeamSpeak3 server for voice chat that helps with in-game coordination a lot! We dont force a lot of specific actions on our Fleet members, we only ask that you share your knowledge with us, and team with us in-game, everything else is optional and all of this is at your convenience.
The VKF is a strong PvE Fleet engaging in very light PVP game play, with these missions:
DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION
DIPLOMACY
ALLIANCE AND TRADE AGREEMENTS
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
LIBERATING WORLDS FROM HOSTILE INVADERS
BUILDING STATE OF THE ART STAR SHIPS
SCIENCE/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
FIRST CONTACT WITH NEW RACES
Our Fleet is organized using matrix management. Fleet Chief Officers manage the three career progressions, and collect career advancement info to help folks rank up quickly, gain resources, etc. In addition, all Fleet members can report to one or more Battle Group (PVP) or Task Force (PVE) Commands for coordinated group play in-game. Our BG/TF Commanders (would you like to vie for one?) leverage the strengths of members from all the career paths to build and deploy hard-hitting and highly effective teams. We believe that coordinated Fleet action in both PVP and PVE environments enhances both the individual game experience and the 'spoils of war'. We believe that away missions will be much more successful and enjoyable if you often go dirt-side with other Starship Captains rather than your junior BOs all the time.
Our membership is primarily US based, and although we are not huge (yet) - the reality is that there are almost always Fleet members online when you are - mates to help out in the crunch. English is the lingua franca, although we sprinkle Vulcan words and phrases in liberally for RP. RL always takes precedence, but with our membership and alliances, there are always plenty of gamers to play with. We accommodate both hard-core and casual gamers, and will use whatever talent we our members have to their mutual benefit and enjoyment. Our command structure is designed to get the best out of all Fleet members while giving them enriched game-play and access to the best Intel for resources and skill-point building.
Our rank structure follows STO in general, plus we use our Vulcan ranking structure (Ot-lan, Tra-lan, etc.) for hierarchy inside the Fleet, and titles for area of responsibility (like Chief Science Officer, BG Commander, etc.) for coordination of Fleet action and activity.
We have openings for experienced MMO toon leaders and organizational leaders (in STO we're using BG/TF Commanders, Strike Force Leaders, Mission Commanders, etc.). We aren't overly focused on promotion for its' own sake, but more for getting the right people with the right skills in the right positions to get the best performance in-game out of our Fleet members. If you want to rank up and/or gain positions of authority in the VKF, please apply your skills in the STO and VKF forums as well as in-game, and have no doubt that you will earn the rewards you want and justly deserve.
Even if you are new to MMOs in general, or group play, the VKF has a place for you, and will help you go much further and faster than you could on your own. Our objective is for every member of the VKF to have the most fun and engaging game experience possible. We dont require everyone to take on Fleet responsibilities, just enjoy playing STO with your Fleet-mates.
You should by all means check out other Fleets if you want to really make a truly informed choice. We think that if you've read this far, you've probably already looked a few over, and with the info above, should be ready to make a choice. Choose VKF!
Feel free to visit our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. Once you join our Fleet, you will have access to (and will contribute towards) salient information that you and we all need to enjoy STO to the fullest. Live Long and Prosper!
Then consider the VKF, we are looking for individuals who can lead others in STF/PVE or PVP action in-game. Please read some of our recruiting posts and see if the VKF is right for you - it would be logical to assume yes, if you answered Yes to the subject question.
If the answer is No, and you would rather just be in the ranks, the VKF also needs you, and you can benefit greatly from the help your Fleet-mates will provide. Leaders and players, we all work together to get the most out of STO. Consider your options, and then choose VKF!
Do you want to have mates who will watch your back and help you when you need it?
Do you want a rich experience in-game?
Do you want to fast-track your character, and find resources quickly?
Do you want a team to help you through the new STFs?
Do you want to know what traits, skills and equipment are best for your character/career?
Part of our Fleet's activities are to plow through the mass of information on this forum, released by Cryptic, and available elsewhere. We cull the important information to create tight and informative game guide info and tips for each profession. It can take you many hours to go through everything on STO, trying to extract fact from conjecture. Let our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet help you zero in on exactly what you need to advance quickly in STO. Of course, you must be a Fleet member to see this!
With Free2Play now here, we are again actively recruiting for like-minded individuals who crave the positive aspects of collaborative gameplay. We have a TeamSpeak3 server in place, our members are world-wide, and you will always have a Fleet member available somewhere for support and group efforts. In group work, our Fleet coordination will be unparalleled, and we will decimate our enemies with dispatch. We will explore and discover everything STO has to offer, and share our findings with our Fleet members so all are enriched.
Join us and move into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch. Live Long and Prosper!
Good morning. I hope you will take a moment and consider the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. We are a small but great fleet. We are easy going, dedicated and friendly. We all come from different backgrounds and have different ways of doing things, but thats part of what makes us great.
Anyone in our fleet is happy to help others when needed, in almost any aspect of the game and in some cases RL. We have a fleet TeamSpeak3 server that we use for voice chat not just in-game but also to hang out as well and get to know each other better (not required, just available). Many of us are located on the East Coast and Midwest (USA), Europe and now even parts of the Middle East.
Although I say our fleet is dedicated, we also realize that everyone has lives as well, so when you need to take the time, you don't need to be concerned about losing your position within the fleet due to RL too. We do not discriminate against such things because we understand that sometimes real life issues and problems can take time to resolve, and that some time is needed to sort things out.
So please, think about joining and moving with us into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch.
We are actively recruiting for like-minded individuals who crave the positive aspects of collaborative gameplay. We have a TeamSpeak3 server in place, our members are world-wide, and you will always have a Fleet member available somewhere for support and group efforts. In group work, our Fleet coordination strives to be unparalleled, and we will decimate our enemies with dispatch. We will explore and discover everything STO has to offer, and share our findings with our Fleet members so all are enriched.
Join us and move into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch.
Don't forget that we are also looking for allies in what is sure to be treacherous journey ahead into the vast and open space. For any questions relating to recruitment and/or being allies with VKF please contact us via our forums. Leave us a message and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
The VKF is not just a Fleet of Vulcans, but a Fleet of individuals who value logic in the performance of STO missions, PvP action, and teamwork with other STO gamers. VKF members are known to be honorable and supportive team-mates with anyone, and both honorable and fearsome enemies to those who oppose the Federation.
We have learned from the people of Earth the value of controlled emotion, we have learned from the Klingons the value of honor in battle, and we have learned from ourselves to prize our logic and intellect as we forge through 2410 with our allies and our Fleet-mates.
We are the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet, made up of Vulcans and other races who value logic and analysis, who are light RP and very organized around our central concept: To enhance and enrich the STO experience for our members. We help each other with info and game items (shared in our Fleet Bank), we don't require our members to do much more than share info and Intel, and we respect RL - always. We have members on odd schedules and our membership is worldwide - there will always be at least one VKF member around to team with, and often more. Away missions are real fun with a group of players coordinating on TeamSpeak (faster than the chat box), and space battles are...epic!
If you value logic, analysis and intellect, your instincts were correct, you belong in the VKF. If you like to delve into the deepest nooks and crannies of game mechanics, find hidden nuggets of knowledge about STO and share them with your Fleet-mates, you belong in the VKF. If you want to team with friends who will not only watch your back, but let you show off your best skills and tactics while trouncing the enemy with dispatch, you belong in the VKF.
So head over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet and learn about how we are organized, how we operate, and how we socialize.
If you were intrigued by Spock, you'll be fascinated by the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. We are a group of Vulcans and non Vulcans alike planning for the most enriching in-game experience possible.
If you want to fast-track your character in-game, you need to know where the resources are, where and how to gain the skill points needed to rank up quickly, and what traits, skills and equipment are best for the various situations.
You'll benefit from the help we can give you both in weapons and skills. You need the support of loyal Fleet-mates and who could be more loyal than Vulcans!
Even if youre by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking Vulcans and non-Vulcans alike who wish to engage their true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need those who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....
I am Phoenix_Lord, High Executive Officer (in-game 1st of Many@Phoenix_Lord) of the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. I would like to welcome you to the VKF and invite you to consider joining our Fleet. We are worldwide, and enjoy teaming with each other along with other fleets in space and ground teams, especially STFs.
We have a Fleet Bank with items that can upgrade your armament, shields, or other items. We devote time to making sure our Fleet Forum has good information and Intel on game mechanics, resource locations, mission tips and other good stuff to help our members progress in their career field and ranking in STO. We offer opportunities for leadership positions in both fleets for members interested in such. And we offer camaraderie and kinship as we forge through 2410 in STO.
If you wish to join the VKF, you simply need to post your intent in the Recruiting Center threads as soon as you can. By posting in the Recruiting Center, you will be applying for a commission in the VKF and when we accept your application and grant your commission, we will change your username to add a prefix [VKF], so the next time you log in (after applying), you should log in with the username [VKF]<your name here> (we will not change your password, and cant view it anyway). Once you are a member of our Fleet, you will have access to much more of our Fleet forums.
Also, if you can include in your application your in-game character@handle so we can invite you to the Fleet inside of STO, that would help us get you integrated into the Fleet quickly. I am available on the forum to assist you with orienting you to the Fleet, and will be contacting you within the Fleet Forum.
If you are a diplomat from another Fleet and wish diplomatic status at the VKF, please visit the forum and post in the Foreign Relations sub-forum, so our Fleet Ambassador can grant you the appropriate access and status.
Feel free to email me directly, pm, or post in our forums if you need any additional information. I hope you will consider the VKF for your Fleet!
If you are intellectual, analytical, logical, and quite assertive, the VKF is the Fleet for you. We team to accomplish missions beyond our individual capabilities. We share information to help our members new to the game advanced quickly. We share weapons, shields, and other technology that gives you an advantage over your enemies and allows you to succeed in missions with less time spent grinding. We share information so you know what to do, where to do, and when to do. We work together to enrich each of our members' in-game experience - give you more enjoyment, more loot, more satisfaction, and more exhilaration in everything you do in STO.
If you've read the reviews of STO, you know that it is a work in progress. VKF can help you bridge the gap between 'just another MMO' and a fun and engaging experience that will have you at the edge of your seat, raring to go for another mission, and feeling the surge of adrenaline as you work with your Fleet-mates to succeed in missions beyond your current grade.
Join the VKF and experience STO as both Cryptic and we believe it to be - the most awesome MMORPG ever!
If you were intrigued by Spock, you'll be fascinated by the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. We are a group of Vulcans and non Vulcans alike planning for the most enriching in-game experience possible.
If you want to fast-track your character in-game, you need to know where the resources are, where and how to gain the skill points needed to rank up quickly, and what traits, skills and equipment are best for the various situations.
You'll benefit from the help we can give you both in weapons and skills. You need the support of loyal Fleet-mates and who could be more loyal than Vulcans!
Even if youre by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking Vulcans and non-Vulcans alike who wish to engage their true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need Vulcans who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....
We see lots of posts by players who are looking for an active fleet. I'm guessing that what they are looking for could be one or more of the following:
people online when they are, who they can chat with in-game.
people online when they are, and there's a Ventrilo or TeamSpeak server so they can voice chat with them.
people online when they are, and available to team up for missions or PvP.
Just about all fleets will affirm that they are active, but they may be responding to only one or two of the above indicators, or with another rationale entirely. For example, they could be active on their forum (i.e., lots of recent posts and discussion going on), or they have a dedicated group into one or more specific activities (such as role-play).
Fleets work hard to maintain a good activity level. Some fleets try to maximize their in-game activity by focusing on one playtime range (or they may focus on one time zone, and you can assume that the evening hours in that time zone are the most popular playtime range).
Some fleets go for maximum numbers of members, so that there's a better chance there will be a good number of members online at the same time.
Some fleets focus on making sure there are a few dedicated and hardcore players online all the time, so there's always someone to talk to (think duty officer).
And some fleets encumber their members with check-in and/or participation requirements to help make sure there's always someone to talk to or team.
Of course, this is all quantitative, not qualitative. Here at the VKF, we focus on qualitative. We're not interested in being the largest fleet, or having the most players lined up for a photo shoot, or even fielding a ton of members for joint fleet actions, We are interested in attracting other gamers who share our core values, and who want to have friends like us. We may fly solo sometimes, we may fly together. We may chat with each other, we may remain silent. We do what each of us wants to at any point in time, and don't enforce specific activity on each other.
The VKF is a group of gamers who play mostly STO, who value logic and intellect in gameplay, and who treasure both diversity and the freedom to do what we want, when we want. There are enough of us so that there's usually someone to chat with, at least some parts of every day. There's often someone to team with, at least some parts of every day. And we have a TeamSpeak server for any whom wish to use it - when they want to. And we engage in a little light role-play now and then - when the mood strikes us.
We have an active forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet where we share information and game tips, chat on (we have a live chat box) about whatever we want, and in general, spend time together as friends. We often find ourselves chatting and posting on the forum, and also chatting and playing in STO at the same time. I find most days there are 3-5 people on during the daytime and evening hours (US), and often late into the night and early in the morning there's often one or two around.
So yes, I call that active, but it's likely not nearly as active as some of the fine, larger Fleets in STO. I'm not knocking them either; there are some great fleets out there! But we feel the VKF has found its niche, and we seem to continue to attract people who share our values, and our friendship pool is continuing to grow. We've been around since before Launch Day, and will be around...well perhaps forever is pushing it, but I can count at least a handful of members who will remain with us for as long as they can click a mouse button (myself included).
Before you make a choice for joining a Fleet, please take my advice and research your choices carefully. Make sure the fleet you join is the one you'll be happy with. Imo, a bad decision up-front can sour you on some of the best aspects of STO for a long time to come. You might as well take enough time to make an informed choice that fits you. If it happens to be the VKF, that's great! If it's another Fleet, then I'm sure we'll see you in the quadrant from time to time, we do quite a bit of joint fleet activity, and have alliances with lots of other Fleets in STO.
Regardless of where you go in STO, know that the VKF members will act honorably in battle (thanks to learning from the Klingons), will use our logic and intellect to control the power of emotion (thanks to learning from Earthlings), and will answer all Federation or Klingon hails & distress calls.
Here is a bit about the VKF, why we exist, what our purpose is, and the ideals we hold dear. This is here to help you decide if the VKF is the right Fleet for you. We believe that the choice of a Fleet is very important, and shouldn't be taken lightly. We've all known gamers who flit from Fleet to Fleet (or guild to guild) looking for the right fit. We hope to help you avoid this pattern. While we are currently focused on Star Trek Online, we have members with interests in other games, and will likely expand our guild/Fleet activities into them, if/as our membership wishes.
So why do we call ourselves the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet? Well, first of all, the VKF is logic-based - we value and prize the use of logic in all our dealings, both in-game and in our lives. Most of us have followed the Star Trek TV series and movies for many years (some of us for many decades!), and we were fascinated by the character of Spock and the race of Vulcans. That's not to say that the VKF is only for Vulcan gamers in STO - we have players of all races - even Borg! The point is that logic and analysis is a common characteristic of our membership. Hence the term "Kolinahr" which is the Vulcan discipline to purge all emotion from oneself. Although we've taken a bit of poetic license - in 2409, we have learned that with logic controlling emotion, we can improve our performance in battle - tightly controlled rage can be quite devastating!
This doesn't mean that we don't have fun! We engage in light role-playing, and engage in lots of friendly banter and chat - both in the in-game text chat window, and in our own TeamSpeak 3 server for voice chat. The goal of the VKF is to help each member get the most enjoyment out of playing STO - no small task! So we listen to our members, and try to provide what they want and need. This includes plenty of discussion and information sharing on our forum and in-game, teaming opportunities for us to help each other gain experience in missions and battle, Joint Fleet Operations where we team with other STO Fleets for major actions (such as the Crystalline Catastrophe) that take the coordinated effort of many players, and a well-stocked Fleet Bank with in-game items that our members can use to improve their capabilities - both for their ships and themselves and their Bridge Officers. We have members who like to farm and craft uncommon items, we have members who like to breed Tribbles, and we have members who simply want to occasionally team with others, but often like to fly solo.
We respect Real Life - always. There's no minimum posts in the forum, no required teaming activity in-game, or other participation rules you'll find with other Fleets. If you are out of the game and not available to chat or post on the forum for long stretches, no worries! We won't drop you from the Fleet. We recognize that RL can keep you busy from time to time. So know that when you return to us, we'll still welcome you.
We are logical, therefore there's no place in the VKF for drama. We have had our share of disagreements, but since we exist for the membership in total, the needs of the many takes precedence over any personal agendas. If you like high drama (other than in RP!), then you may want to give us a pass - we keep things cool.
We like to make friends. We have over two dozen alliances with other Fleets in STO, and welcome new relationships always. We even go so far as to establish "Embassies" for our guest Fleet diplomats - sub-forums that are private to them and us and allow us to negotiate alliances, treaties and pacts, to coordinate JFAs, and just to deepen our personal relationships with other gamers. For our membership, we encourage anyone who wants to affiliate themselves with the VKF to join our ranks. We do not discriminate on any basis of race, religion, creed, geographical or temporal location. Our membership is spread across time zones around the Earth, yet we still often get the chance to play together - divergent schedules and time zones don't seem to be a big issue.
The analysis side pushes us to gather Intel and knowledge (some might say wisdom) about STO - the game mechanics, the best builds, how to do our best on missions, etc. We use our forum to share this information with each other, and to build on each other's work for the use of everyone. We've found tons of nuggets of really good info all over the place, on the STO forums, in-game experience, wikis, etc. We mine that info and then organize it on our forum to help you get the info you need without spending tons of time on research. We share much of that knowledge with our allied Fleets as well.
You may notice that our Fleet Emblem on this forum includes the IDIC (that's the symbol inside the gold hand), which is called "k'lalatar prkori k'lalatar". The English is also spelled out on the lower half: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations". The IDIC is the basis of Vulcan philosophy, and here at the VKF we treasure diversity throughout the universe, in STO, and within the VKF. We have learned that diversity is the key to thriving in all things, and we all gain from the individual characteristics that each of our members bring to the Fleet - this makes us stronger and leverages our skills with those of our Fleet mates to bring about devastating defeat for our enemies and quick victory for our teams. Our Fleet Emblem also includes the laurel wreath for the pursuit of peace, and six stars to represent our command structure. The Vulcan hand sign is of course our wish for all who we meet: Live Long and Prosper. Lastly, the base of the laurel wreath has our Command Chevron - you will see variations of it on all our rank insignia.
And finally, we are not in a race - not with each other, and not with other Fleets in STO. We simply want to enjoy the gameplay to the max. It doesn't matter what in-game rank you hold, we've got members playing lots of different characters on both the Fed and KDF sides, and we're always up for teaming in-game. And on a personal note, teaming with Fleet mates is way better than teaming with a pickup group!
So we encourage you to spend a bit of time researching potential Fleets before you sign up for one. We hope that if you value the characteristics discussed above, you'll realize that logic dictates your affiliation with the VKF - for a long-lasting and enjoyable relationship. Live long and prosper!
We are a military organization, and have decided for ourselves that a matrix-management method works best for us. While no member of the VKF is required to serve in any position of responsibility or leadership, we certainly encourage our members to help out in any way.
Our first matrix is the hierarchical leadership, aka the chain-of-command. Most Fleets in STO are headed by the Fleet Admiral, and we are no different. However, we do have some extra layers:
For overall strategic direction, we depend on the Vulcan High Command. This is headed by our Grand Admiral Keysailor and is made up of selected members of the Fleet who've proven their loyalty and pledged long-term commitment to the VKF. Membership is by invitation only. The Vulcan term we use in-game for the VHC is V'Ket. This body is served by our Speaker for the Vulcan High Command, T'Kota - who provides the voice for the V'Ket.
A subset of the Vulcan High Command is our V'Shar - our "Keepers of the Fleet". This is a permanent and small group of members who are charged with preserving and protecting the VKF - forever.
For day-to-day operational and tactical direction, we depend on the Fleet Admiral and his/her Executive Officer, and the chain of command underneath them:
We have two Wing Commanders, one for Operations and one for Administration.
In Operations, we have the PVP Wing Commander, and the PvE Wing commander, which are supported by Battle Group Commanders (for PvP) and Task Force Commanders (PvE). Under them are the Strike Force Leaders (PvP) and Patrol Team Leaders (PvE).
In Administration, we have the Chief Engineer, the Chief Scientist, and the Chief Tactician, who oversee and organize the in-game career progression for each career field. We also have our Kevet-dutar or Fleet Ambassador with his/her diplomatic corps, our Chief Recruiting Officer, our Chief Supply Officer, and our Chief Personnel Officer, all of who have staff positions to help support each of their missions.
So on one side of the matrix, you may report to a Patrol Team Leader, who reports to a Task Force Commander, who reports to the PvE Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
On another side, you may report to the Chief Science Officer, who reports to the Administrative Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
So you would report (i.e., work) through the chain of command depending for the activity that you engage. Dealing with Fleet Bank issues? See the Chief Supply Officer. Interested in a job in VKF management/leadership? See the Chief Personnel Officer. It works pretty well for us.
In the Fleet, we also have military ranks for members to progress (if they choose). While they roughly correlate to standard military ranks, they have no relationship with your in-game character's rank, but are simply a way to allow our Fleet members to progress within the Fleet regardless of whether they take on management/leadership jobs - although doing so is an easy and quick way to rank up in the VKF! These ranks are (from lowest to highest):
Ne-lan (this is the lowest cadet or recruit rank, think of it as similar to the tutorial level of STO)
Ot-lan (this is the basic rank of a VKF member, think of it as similar to the Lieutenant rank)
Tra-lan (this is an advancement rank, similar to Lt. Commander)
Zhel-lan (this is the next level, similar to Commander)
Khart-lan (this is our top rank below admiralty, similar to Captain)
Nik'el-lan (this is our first admiralty rank, similar to Rear Admiral)
Shaltra-lan (this is the next admiralty rank, similar to Vice Admiral)
Halitra-lan (this is the top admiralty rank, similar to Admiral)
We have special designations for certain members that either match or exceed the above ranks. These include the F-rel-barr (or Grand Admiral), our Pid-Trensu (or High Executive Officer), our Speaker for the VHC, and our Ton-Barr (or Fleet Admiral).
In-game, we have the seven ranks that are used for Fleet permissions. They are (from lowest to highest):
Ang'jmizn - Starship Captain (new members)
Kadvin - Commissioned Officer (members who've passed the Ne-lan rank)
Pelq-ari k'puu - VDF Captain, 3rd Rank (members who've accepted their first position of responsibility and/or demonstrated their loyalty to the Fleet, long-term)
Pelq-ari lik'rt - VDF Captain, 2nd Rank (members who've worked in more than one position of responsibility)
Pelq-ari - VDF Captain, 1st Rank (demonstrated leaders who've worked in multiple positions of responsibility and proven themselves 'fit leaders')
V'Ket - VDF Leadership (our top leaders of the Fleet and the Vulcan High Command)
V'Shar - Keepers of the Fleet (our permanent long-term protectors of the Fleet)
These ranks allow us to manage the Fleet permissions for all our members in-game (such as withdrawal permissions from the Fleet Bank).
Of course, any member may communicate with any other member, rank or position notwithstanding. Same for teaming, helping out or helping each other, etc... These ranks and positions are simply a way for each of our Fleet members to find their own niche, participate however they choose to for their own enjoyment.
And finally, we do have an accolade system in place, that awards ribbons for exemplary action or conduct, both in-game and elsewhere. Some of these ribbons are tied to in-game activities, and some are for service to the Fleet. You'll see these accolades displayed on this forum beneath the avatar of the Fleet member (at the left of their posts or on their profile). Our goal is to recognize any and all accomplishments of our members, and celebrate their achievements.
Welcome to the VKF! The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet is a group of avid Star Trek Online gamers whose goal is to enjoy STO to the fullest. We may engage in some role play, and certainly work in the PvE and PvP environments. Some of our members are either Federation or Klingon, but quite a few have characters on both sides. In RP there may be conflict, but our overarching objective is for us to enjoy STO.
We have also been hard at work developing forum accolades - medals and ribbons our members earn. Along with new rank insignia and a new Fleet Banner, we are looking quite good! Visit us at www.vulcankolinahrfleet.com and see the new VKF - just in time for 2410!
Accompanying this new look, our members have been hard at work delving into the mysteries of different builds, respec plans, and strategies for the various STFs, Fleet Actions, and the new episodes. We dig out the nuggets of information and put them in easy reach for our members so everyone doesn't have to do hours and hours of research to find out the ins and outs of STO. You'll find us a diverse group of gamers, encompassing many different interest areas and styles of play - there's just about something for everyone in the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet!
So, peruse our forums and discussion threads, and you will see we are from all over the world, and from all walks of real life. In-game we are many playable races, both factions, and all the specialties and career paths. We encompass a lot of different aspects of STO and do a lot of communicating in-game and outside - via forum, chat, our TeamSpeak3 voice chat server, even the occasional mind-meld - I know you will fit in just fine!
So stretch out, relax and chat with us, and let's play STO! Live Long and Prosper!
With well over 50 Fleets in STO, you may find it difficult to decide which is the right Fleet for you. There are several tools that can help you out, including Trace_Thorne's Fleet listing http:/s.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=115661.
Or simply warp over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet - logic dictates that if you are reading this, you are considering the VKF - and we have prepared our Home section to give you enough data to make an informed choice.
Our Fleet is strong and is growing quickly. We are very light RP, have a TeamSpeak3 server at your disposal, and our members enjoy teaming to enrich the gameplay for everyone. We are Vulcans and other races who embrace logic and (in 2409) the use of controlled emotion to decisively win battles and protect the Federation. We ally with other Federation Fleets to expand teaming possibilities in-game, and have a worldwide membership of avid STO gamers who have high interest in game mechanics, strategy and tactics, and team coordination so that each member plays to their unique character and ship strengths. We have members who specialize in crafting, others who enjoy Tribble breeding, and others who have rolled new characters simply to be able to team on an even footing with new people to STO and new members. We enjoy discovering new features (and well-hidden old features!) of STO, and are actively discussing a number of subjects including skill point distribution, crafting and breeding tips, ship selection, and specific career field tips. We have a discussion area for Engineering, one for Science and one for Tactical as well as a "Main Hall" for discussions that are common to all career fields and/or don't fit in any of our other sub-forum categories.
Follow your logic to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet and join us - the quadrant needs your help to protect Federation interests!
If you value logic, analysis and intellect, your instincts were correct, and you have visited the appropriate recruiting thread in Starbase One.
If you like to delve into the deepest nooks and crannies of game mechanics, find hidden nuggets of knowledge about STO and share them with your Fleet-mates, you belong in the VKF. If you want to team with friends who will not only watch your back, but let you show off your best skills and tactics while defeating the enemy with dispatch and
Comments
So why do we call ourselves the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet? Well, first of all, the VKF is logic-based - we value and prize the use of logic in all our dealings, both in-game and in our lives. Most of us have followed the Star Trek TV series and movies for many years (some of us for many decades!), and we were fascinated by the character of Spock and the race of Vulcans. That's not to say that the VKF is only for Vulcan gamers in STO - we have players of all races - even Borg! The point is that logic and analysis is a common characteristic of our membership. Hence the term "Kolinahr" which is the Vulcan discipline to purge all emotion from oneself. Although we've taken a bit of poetic license - in 2409, we have learned that with logic controlling emotion, we can improve our performance in battle - tightly controlled rage can be quite devastating!
This doesn't mean that we don't have fun! We engage in light role-playing, and engage in lots of friendly banter and chat - both in the in-game text chat window, and in our own TeamSpeak 3 server for voice chat. The goal of the VKF is to help each member get the most enjoyment out of playing STO - no small task! So we listen to our members, and try to provide what they want and need. This includes plenty of discussion and information sharing on our forum and in-game, teaming opportunities for us to help each other gain experience in missions and battle, Joint Fleet Operations where we team with other STO Fleets for major actions (such as the Crystalline Catastrophe) that take the coordinated effort of many players, and a well-stocked Fleet Bank with in-game items that our members can use to improve their capabilities - both for their ships and themselves and their Bridge Officers. We have members who like to farm and craft uncommon items, we have members who like to breed Tribbles, and we have members who simply want to occasionally team with others, but often like to fly solo.
We respect Real Life - always. There's no minimum posts in the forum, no required teaming activity in-game, or other participation rules you'll find with other Fleets. If you are out of the game and not available to chat or post on the forum for long stretches, no worries! We won't drop you from the Fleet. We recognize that RL can keep you busy from time to time. So know that when you return to us, we'll still welcome you.
We are logical, therefore there's no place in the VKF for drama. We have had our share of disagreements, but since we exist for the membership in total, the needs of the many takes precedence over any personal agendas. If you like high drama (other than in RP!), then you may want to give us a pass - we keep things cool.
We like to make friends. We have over two dozen alliances with other Fleets in STO, and welcome new relationships always. We even go so far as to establish "Embassies" for our guest Fleet diplomats - sub-forums that are private to them and us and allow us to negotiate alliances, treaties and pacts, to coordinate JFAs, and just to deepen our personal relationships with other gamers. For our membership, we encourage anyone who wants to affiliate themselves with the VKF to join our ranks. We do not discriminate on any basis of race, religion, creed, geographical or temporal location. Our membership is spread across time zones around the Earth, yet we still often get the chance to play together - divergent schedules and time zones don't seem to be a big issue.
The analysis side pushes us to gather Intel and knowledge (some might say wisdom) about STO - the game mechanics, the best builds, how to do our best on missions, etc. We use our forum to share this information with each other, and to build on each other's work for the use of everyone. We've found tons of nuggets of really good info all over the place, on the STO forums, in-game experience, wikis, etc. We mine that info and then organize it on our forum to help you get the info you need without spending tons of time on research. We share much of that knowledge with our allied Fleets as well.
You may notice that our Fleet Emblem on this forum includes the IDIC (that's the symbol inside the gold hand), which is called "k'lalatar prkori k'lalatar". The English is also spelled out on the lower half: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations". The IDIC is the basis of Vulcan philosophy, and here at the VKF we treasure diversity throughout the universe, in STO, and within the VKF. We have learned that diversity is the key to thriving in all things, and we all gain from the individual characteristics that each of our members bring to the Fleet - this makes us stronger and leverages our skills with those of our Fleet mates to bring about devastating defeat for our enemies and quick victory for our teams. Our Fleet Emblem also includes the laurel wreath for the pursuit of peace, and six stars to represent our command structure. The Vulcan hand sign is of course our wish for all who we meet: Live Long and Prosper. Lastly, the base of the laurel wreath has our Command Chevron - you will see variations of it on all our rank insignia.
And finally, we are not in a race - not with each other, and not with other Fleets in STO. We simply want to enjoy the gameplay to the max. It doesn't matter what in-game rank you hold, we've got members playing lots of different characters on both the Fed and KDF sides, and we're always up for teaming in-game. And on a personal note, teaming with Fleet mates is way better than teaming with a pickup group!
So we encourage you to spend a bit of time researching potential Fleets before you sign up for one. We hope that if you value the characteristics discussed above, you'll realize that logic dictates your affiliation with the VKF - for a long-lasting and enjoyable relationship. Live long and prosper!
Live Long and Prosper!
Our first matrix is the hierarchical leadership, aka the chain-of-command. Most Fleets in STO are headed by the Fleet Admiral, and we are no different. However, we do have some extra layers:
For overall strategic direction, we depend on the Vulcan High Command. This is headed by our Grand Admiral Keysailor and is made up of selected members of the Fleet who've proven their loyalty and pledged long-term commitment to the VKF. Membership is by invitation only. The Vulcan term we use in-game for the VHC is V'Ket. This body is served by our Speaker for the Vulcan High Command, T'Kota - who provides the voice for the V'Ket.
A subset of the Vulcan High Command is our V'Shar - our "Keepers of the Fleet". This is a permanent and small group of members who are charged with preserving and protecting the VKF - forever.
For day-to-day operational and tactical direction, we depend on the Fleet Admiral and his/her Executive Officer, and the chain of command underneath them:
We have two Wing Commanders, one for Operations and one for Administration.
In Operations, we have the PVP Wing Commander, the PvE Wing commander, our KDF Wing Commander, and our VELA SNR Exploration Wing Commander. They are supported by Battle Group Commanders (for PvP) and Task Force Commanders (PvE). Under them are the Strike Force Leaders (PvP) and Patrol Team Leaders (PvE).
In Administration, we have the Chief Engineer, the Chief Scientist, and the Chief Tactician, who oversee and organize the in-game career progression for each career field. We also have our Kevet-dutar or Fleet Ambassador with his/her diplomatic corps, our Chief Recruiting Officer, our Chief Supply Officer, and our Chief Personnel Officer, all of who have staff positions to help support each of their missions.
So on one side of the matrix, you may report to a Patrol Team Leader, who reports to a Task Force Commander, who reports to the PvE Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
On another side, you may report to the Chief Science Officer, who reports to the Administrative Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
So you would report (i.e., work) through the chain of command depending for the activity that you engage. Dealing with Fleet Bank issues? See the Chief Supply Officer. Interested in a job in VKF management/leadership? See the Chief Personnel Officer. It works pretty well for us.
In the Fleet, we also have military ranks for members to progress (if they choose). While they roughly correlate to standard military ranks, they have no relationship with your in-game character's rank, but are simply a way to allow our Fleet members to progress within the Fleet regardless of whether they take on management/leadership jobs - although doing so is an easy and quick way to rank up in the VKF! These ranks are (from lowest to highest):
LIST=1]
[*] Ne-lan (this is the lowest cadet or recruit rank, think of it as similar to the tutorial level of STO)
[*] Ot-lan (this is the basic rank of a VKF member, think of it as similar to the Lieutenant rank)
[*] Tra-lan (this is an advancement rank, similar to Lt. Commander)
[*] Zhel-lan (this is the next level, similar to Commander)
[*] Khart-lan (this is our top rank below admiralty, similar to Captain)
[*] Nik'el-lan (this is our first admiralty rank, similar to Rear Admiral)
[*] Shaltra-lan (this is the next admiralty rank, similar to Vice Admiral)
[*] Halitra-lan (this is the top admiralty rank, similar to Admiral)
[/LIST]
We have special designations for certain members that either match or exceed the above ranks. These include the F-rel-barr (or Grand Admiral), our Pid-Trensu (or High Executive Officer), our Speaker for the VHC, our Ton-Barr (or Fleet Admiral), and our Qang (or Chancellor of the KDF Command) positions.
In-game, we have the seven ranks that are used for Fleet permissions. They are (from lowest to highest):
- Ang'jmizn - Starship Captain (new members)
- Kadvin - Commissioned Officer (members who've passed the Ne-lan rank)
- Pelq-ari k'puu - VDF Captain, 3rd Rank (members who've accepted their first position of responsibility and/or demonstrated their loyalty to the Fleet, long-term)
- Pelq-ari lik'rt - VDF Captain, 2nd Rank (members who've worked in more than one position of responsibility)
- Pelq-ari - VDF Captain, 1st Rank (demonstrated leaders who've worked in multiple positions of responsibility and proven themselves 'fit leaders')
- V'Ket - VDF Leadership (our top leaders of the Fleet and the Vulcan High Command)
- V'Shar - Keepers of the Fleet (our permanent long-term protectors of the Fleet)
These ranks allow us to manage the Fleet permissions for all our members in-game (such as withdrawal permissions from the Fleet Bank).Of course, any member may communicate with any other member, rank or position notwithstanding. Same for teaming, helping out or helping each other, etc... These ranks and positions are simply a way for each of our Fleet members to find their own niche, participate however they choose to for their own enjoyment.
And finally, we do have an accolade system in place, that awards ribbons for exemplary action or conduct, both in-game and elsewhere. Some of these ribbons are tied to in-game activities, and some are for service to the Fleet. You'll see these accolades displayed on this forum beneath the avatar of the Fleet member (at the left of their posts or on their profile). Our goal is to recognize any and all accomplishments of our members, and celebrate their achievements.
Live Long and Prosper!
We have also been hard at work developing forum accolades - medals and ribbons our members earn. Along with new rank insignia and a new Fleet Banner, we are looking quite good! Visit us at www.vulcankolinahrfleet.com and see the new VKF - just in time for 2410!
Accompanying this new look, our members have been hard at work delving into the mysteries of different builds, respec plans, and strategies for the various STFs, Fleet Actions, and the new episodes. We dig out the nuggets of information and put them in easy reach for our members so everyone doesn't have to do hours and hours of research to find out the ins and outs of STO. You'll find us a diverse group of gamers, encompassing many different interest areas and styles of play - there's just about something for everyone in the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet!
So, peruse our forums and discussion threads, and you will see we are from all over the world, and from all walks of real life. In-game we are many playable races, both factions, and all the specialties and career paths. We encompass a lot of different aspects of STO and do a lot of communicating in-game and outside - via forum, chat, our TeamSpeak3 voice chat server, even the occasional mind-meld - I know you will fit in just fine!
So stretch out, relax and chat with us, and let's play STO! Live Long and Prosper!
Or simply warp over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet - logic dictates that if you are reading this, you are considering the VKF - and we have prepared our Home section to give you enough data to make an informed choice.
Our Fleet is strong and is growing quickly. We are very light RP, have a TeamSpeak3 server at your disposal, and our members enjoy teaming to enrich the gameplay for everyone. We are Vulcans and other races who embrace logic and (in 2409) the use of controlled emotion to decisively win battles and protect the Federation. We ally with other Federation Fleets to expand teaming possibilities in-game, and have a worldwide membership of avid STO gamers who have high interest in game mechanics, strategy and tactics, and team coordination so that each member plays to their unique character and ship strengths. We have members who specialize in crafting, others who enjoy Tribble breeding, and others who have rolled new characters simply to be able to team on an even footing with new people to STO and new members. We enjoy discovering new features (and well-hidden old features!) of STO, and are actively discussing a number of subjects including skill point distribution, crafting and breeding tips, ship selection, and specific career field tips. We have a discussion area for Engineering, one for Science and one for Tactical as well as a "Main Hall" for discussions that are common to all career fields and/or don't fit in any of our other sub-forum categories.
If you like to delve into the deepest nooks and crannies of game mechanics, find hidden nuggets of knowledge about STO and share them with your Fleet-mates, you belong in the VKF. If you want to team with friends who will not only watch your back, but let you show off your best skills and tactics while defeating the enemy with dispatch and
The Episodes are based on conflict, much like the main storylines in the Star Trek franchise. Conflict drives drama - will your negotiations with the captain of a Klingon Bird of Prey break down and come to blows? How far do you need to go to apprehend a spy on another vessel? 2409 is a time of war, which means even the most resolute captains will need to make tough choices and come to blows to ensure the survival of their faction.
We do, however, want to make the battles you fight believable. You can make diplomatic overtures toward characters in Episodes, but on the front lines it's very rare to avoid confrontation when dramatic forces have guided you into hostile territory with combat-ready antagonists nearby. While there are missions in Star Trek Online that don't feature combat at all, Episodes will by and large demand your abilities as a tactician be put into play."
Even if you are by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking those races who wish to engage the true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need compatriots who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....VKF chooses aggression.
Brothers! Will you be a part of this? VKF doors are open! Any one may join us! Its up to YOU! Come my Brothers and Sisters! Go through the door now open to you and take hold of your true DESTINY!
DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION
DIPLOMACY
ALLIANCE AND TRADE AGREEMENTS
INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
LIBERATING WORLDS FROM HOSTILE INVADERS
BUILDING STATE OF THE ART STAR SHIPS
SCIENCE/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
FIRST CONTACT WITH NEW RACES
Anyone in our fleet is happy to help others when needed, in almost any aspect of the game. We have a fleet TeamSpeak3 that we use not just for the game but to hang out as well.
If anyone wants information on the [VKF] dont hesitate to contact me or any of our members.
I am sure you are looking for a fleet to join that will no doubt be a fleet of activity, dedication and a certain degree of maturity. Within the [VKF], you will find all of those things and so much more. Our fleet becomes more and better coordinated with each passing day. You can guarantee that this fleet is going far in the STO universe and you would be wise to join us for a fun and active environment. Be it PvE you are interested in or even PvP, we will have what best suits you.
Although I say our fleet is dedicated, it also realizes that everyone has lives as well, so therefore when you need to take the time, you don't need to be concerned about losing your position within the fleet. We do not discriminate against such things because we understand ourselves that sometimes real life issues can interfere and some time is needed to sort it out again.
Not only would the VKF be a stable fleet to join, it would be one that would give you an experience you will never soon forget nor wish to be parted from. You will find yourself pleased you joined our fleet.
Part of our Fleet's activities is to plow through the mass of information on this forum, released by Cryptic, and available elsewhere in many divergent locations. We cull the important information to create tight and informative game guide info and tips for each profession.
It can take you many hours to go through everything on STO, trying to extract fact from conjecture. Let our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet help you zero in on exactly what you need to advance quickly in STO. Of course, you must be a Fleet member to see this!
Live long and prosper!
First, why affiliate with a Fleet at all? You may ask yourself can't I have a good in-game experience without belonging to a Fleet? My answer is that, while you can have lots of fun by yourself (actually with your NPC BOs and other NPC elements), an MMO is truly enhanced by collaborative/cooperative game play. MMOs are designed to give you more fun by interacting with other players - you can accomplish or achieve more in the game with more people. Having other brains working on the same problem will nearly always yield a better solution than without.
Second, why not wait, see how you like the game and then decide which Fleet to choose? My answer to this most of us will want to spend our available time in-game, accomplishing missions, participating in battles, and exploring. You should do your research to find the right Fleet that fits you, but then get involved and get in-game you will be much better off. You will have people to give you good tips on how to play STO and maximize your time, people to play alongside who can share drops (loot) and get you good equipment quickly, and people who will have the answers to the myriad questions everyone has who starts playing STO. It will take you a long time to find all the answers on your own, and a lot of that searching is needless grinding. Why not spend more of your in-game time doing the most enjoyable aspects of STO?
At this point, you are probably trying to figure out what are our Fleet values, goals and objectives, how they will operate, and what you can expect to gain from affiliation with the VKF. That's the primary info that you need to make a truly informed decision about whether to join us, or some other Fleet. So without further ado...
The VKF's goal is to enrich in-game experiences for all our Fleet members. We do this by providing (aka sharing) valuable Intel to our members on game mechanics, location of resources, strategies for skill-building and ranking up, and extensive collaborative game play coordination. We get valuable info through our Fleet members, who channel information to the specific areas of our forum - and we organize the forum so you can find the info you need quickly. We organize our in-game group play to leverage the specific skills and abilities of each Fleet member. We have (but dont require you to use) a TeamSpeak3 server for voice chat that helps with in-game coordination a lot! We dont force a lot of specific actions on our Fleet members, we only ask that you share your knowledge with us, and team with us in-game, everything else is optional and all of this is at your convenience.
The VKF is a strong PvE Fleet engaging in very light PVP game play, with these missions:
- DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION
- DIPLOMACY
- ALLIANCE AND TRADE AGREEMENTS
- INTELLIGENCE GATHERING
- LIBERATING WORLDS FROM HOSTILE INVADERS
- BUILDING STATE OF THE ART STAR SHIPS
- SCIENCE/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- FIRST CONTACT WITH NEW RACES
Our Fleet is organized using matrix management. Fleet Chief Officers manage the three career progressions, and collect career advancement info to help folks rank up quickly, gain resources, etc. In addition, all Fleet members can report to one or more Battle Group (PVP) or Task Force (PVE) Commands for coordinated group play in-game. Our BG/TF Commanders (would you like to vie for one?) leverage the strengths of members from all the career paths to build and deploy hard-hitting and highly effective teams. We believe that coordinated Fleet action in both PVP and PVE environments enhances both the individual game experience and the 'spoils of war'. We believe that away missions will be much more successful and enjoyable if you often go dirt-side with other Starship Captains rather than your junior BOs all the time.Our membership is primarily US based, and although we are not huge (yet) - the reality is that there are almost always Fleet members online when you are - mates to help out in the crunch. English is the lingua franca, although we sprinkle Vulcan words and phrases in liberally for RP. RL always takes precedence, but with our membership and alliances, there are always plenty of gamers to play with. We accommodate both hard-core and casual gamers, and will use whatever talent we our members have to their mutual benefit and enjoyment. Our command structure is designed to get the best out of all Fleet members while giving them enriched game-play and access to the best Intel for resources and skill-point building.
Our rank structure follows STO in general, plus we use our Vulcan ranking structure (Ot-lan, Tra-lan, etc.) for hierarchy inside the Fleet, and titles for area of responsibility (like Chief Science Officer, BG Commander, etc.) for coordination of Fleet action and activity.
We have openings for experienced MMO toon leaders and organizational leaders (in STO we're using BG/TF Commanders, Strike Force Leaders, Mission Commanders, etc.). We aren't overly focused on promotion for its' own sake, but more for getting the right people with the right skills in the right positions to get the best performance in-game out of our Fleet members. If you want to rank up and/or gain positions of authority in the VKF, please apply your skills in the STO and VKF forums as well as in-game, and have no doubt that you will earn the rewards you want and justly deserve.
Even if you are new to MMOs in general, or group play, the VKF has a place for you, and will help you go much further and faster than you could on your own. Our objective is for every member of the VKF to have the most fun and engaging game experience possible. We dont require everyone to take on Fleet responsibilities, just enjoy playing STO with your Fleet-mates.
You should by all means check out other Fleets if you want to really make a truly informed choice. We think that if you've read this far, you've probably already looked a few over, and with the info above, should be ready to make a choice. Choose VKF!
Feel free to visit our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet. Once you join our Fleet, you will have access to (and will contribute towards) salient information that you and we all need to enjoy STO to the fullest. Live Long and Prosper!
If the answer is No, and you would rather just be in the ranks, the VKF also needs you, and you can benefit greatly from the help your Fleet-mates will provide. Leaders and players, we all work together to get the most out of STO. Consider your options, and then choose VKF!
- Do you want to have mates who will watch your back and help you when you need it?
- Do you want a rich experience in-game?
- Do you want to fast-track your character, and find resources quickly?
- Do you want a team to help you through the new STFs?
- Do you want to know what traits, skills and equipment are best for your character/career?
Part of our Fleet's activities are to plow through the mass of information on this forum, released by Cryptic, and available elsewhere. We cull the important information to create tight and informative game guide info and tips for each profession. It can take you many hours to go through everything on STO, trying to extract fact from conjecture. Let our forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet help you zero in on exactly what you need to advance quickly in STO. Of course, you must be a Fleet member to see this!Join us and move into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch. Live Long and Prosper!
Anyone in our fleet is happy to help others when needed, in almost any aspect of the game and in some cases RL. We have a fleet TeamSpeak3 server that we use for voice chat not just in-game but also to hang out as well and get to know each other better (not required, just available). Many of us are located on the East Coast and Midwest (USA), Europe and now even parts of the Middle East.
Although I say our fleet is dedicated, we also realize that everyone has lives as well, so when you need to take the time, you don't need to be concerned about losing your position within the fleet due to RL too. We do not discriminate against such things because we understand that sometimes real life issues and problems can take time to resolve, and that some time is needed to sort things out.
So please, think about joining and moving with us into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch.
Live Long and Prosper!
If you would like additional information on the [VKF] please dont hesitate to contact me or any of our members.
Join us and move into 2410 armed with the best Intel, the most specific and targeted body of knowledge about STO, and a group of Fleet-mates who will be there with you in the crunch.
Don't forget that we are also looking for allies in what is sure to be treacherous journey ahead into the vast and open space. For any questions relating to recruitment and/or being allies with VKF please contact us via our forums. Leave us a message and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
So why not take at look at us at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet
Live long and prosper!
We have learned from the people of Earth the value of controlled emotion, we have learned from the Klingons the value of honor in battle, and we have learned from ourselves to prize our logic and intellect as we forge through 2410 with our allies and our Fleet-mates.
Join us and experience the best that STO can offer. Visit The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet
Check us out at www.vulcankolinahrfleet.com/forum.php and see if we are what you want. Live Long and Prosper!
So head over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet and learn about how we are organized, how we operate, and how we socialize.
If you want to fast-track your character in-game, you need to know where the resources are, where and how to gain the skill points needed to rank up quickly, and what traits, skills and equipment are best for the various situations.
You'll benefit from the help we can give you both in weapons and skills. You need the support of loyal Fleet-mates and who could be more loyal than Vulcans!
Even if youre by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking Vulcans and non-Vulcans alike who wish to engage their true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need those who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....
Live Long and Prosper!
We have a Fleet Bank with items that can upgrade your armament, shields, or other items. We devote time to making sure our Fleet Forum has good information and Intel on game mechanics, resource locations, mission tips and other good stuff to help our members progress in their career field and ranking in STO. We offer opportunities for leadership positions in both fleets for members interested in such. And we offer camaraderie and kinship as we forge through 2410 in STO.
If you wish to join the VKF, you simply need to post your intent in the Recruiting Center threads as soon as you can. By posting in the Recruiting Center, you will be applying for a commission in the VKF and when we accept your application and grant your commission, we will change your username to add a prefix [VKF], so the next time you log in (after applying), you should log in with the username [VKF]<your name here> (we will not change your password, and cant view it anyway). Once you are a member of our Fleet, you will have access to much more of our Fleet forums.
Also, if you can include in your application your in-game character@handle so we can invite you to the Fleet inside of STO, that would help us get you integrated into the Fleet quickly. I am available on the forum to assist you with orienting you to the Fleet, and will be contacting you within the Fleet Forum.
If you are a diplomat from another Fleet and wish diplomatic status at the VKF, please visit the forum and post in the Foreign Relations sub-forum, so our Fleet Ambassador can grant you the appropriate access and status.
Feel free to email me directly, pm, or post in our forums if you need any additional information. I hope you will consider the VKF for your Fleet!
Regards,
Phoenix_Lord
High Executive Officer
If you've read the reviews of STO, you know that it is a work in progress. VKF can help you bridge the gap between 'just another MMO' and a fun and engaging experience that will have you at the edge of your seat, raring to go for another mission, and feeling the surge of adrenaline as you work with your Fleet-mates to succeed in missions beyond your current grade.
Join the VKF and experience STO as both Cryptic and we believe it to be - the most awesome MMORPG ever!
Live Long and Prosper!
If you want to fast-track your character in-game, you need to know where the resources are, where and how to gain the skill points needed to rank up quickly, and what traits, skills and equipment are best for the various situations.
You'll benefit from the help we can give you both in weapons and skills. You need the support of loyal Fleet-mates and who could be more loyal than Vulcans!
Even if youre by nature a peaceful race, you will be engaged in this time period. There is no neutral ground. You must choose your destiny. VKF is seeking Vulcans and non-Vulcans alike who wish to engage their true essence in their blood. To be the best in the sciences, research and War! We need Vulcans who do not fear the edge or the unknown. Logic dictates what action we must chose....
Live Long and Prosper!
Fleets work hard to maintain a good activity level. Some fleets try to maximize their in-game activity by focusing on one playtime range (or they may focus on one time zone, and you can assume that the evening hours in that time zone are the most popular playtime range).
Some fleets go for maximum numbers of members, so that there's a better chance there will be a good number of members online at the same time.
Some fleets focus on making sure there are a few dedicated and hardcore players online all the time, so there's always someone to talk to (think duty officer).
And some fleets encumber their members with check-in and/or participation requirements to help make sure there's always someone to talk to or team.
Of course, this is all quantitative, not qualitative. Here at the VKF, we focus on qualitative. We're not interested in being the largest fleet, or having the most players lined up for a photo shoot, or even fielding a ton of members for joint fleet actions, We are interested in attracting other gamers who share our core values, and who want to have friends like us. We may fly solo sometimes, we may fly together. We may chat with each other, we may remain silent. We do what each of us wants to at any point in time, and don't enforce specific activity on each other.
The VKF is a group of gamers who play mostly STO, who value logic and intellect in gameplay, and who treasure both diversity and the freedom to do what we want, when we want. There are enough of us so that there's usually someone to chat with, at least some parts of every day. There's often someone to team with, at least some parts of every day. And we have a TeamSpeak server for any whom wish to use it - when they want to. And we engage in a little light role-play now and then - when the mood strikes us.
We have an active forum at The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet where we share information and game tips, chat on (we have a live chat box) about whatever we want, and in general, spend time together as friends. We often find ourselves chatting and posting on the forum, and also chatting and playing in STO at the same time. I find most days there are 3-5 people on during the daytime and evening hours (US), and often late into the night and early in the morning there's often one or two around.
So yes, I call that active, but it's likely not nearly as active as some of the fine, larger Fleets in STO. I'm not knocking them either; there are some great fleets out there! But we feel the VKF has found its niche, and we seem to continue to attract people who share our values, and our friendship pool is continuing to grow. We've been around since before Launch Day, and will be around...well perhaps forever is pushing it, but I can count at least a handful of members who will remain with us for as long as they can click a mouse button (myself included).
Before you make a choice for joining a Fleet, please take my advice and research your choices carefully. Make sure the fleet you join is the one you'll be happy with. Imo, a bad decision up-front can sour you on some of the best aspects of STO for a long time to come. You might as well take enough time to make an informed choice that fits you. If it happens to be the VKF, that's great! If it's another Fleet, then I'm sure we'll see you in the quadrant from time to time, we do quite a bit of joint fleet activity, and have alliances with lots of other Fleets in STO.
Regardless of where you go in STO, know that the VKF members will act honorably in battle (thanks to learning from the Klingons), will use our logic and intellect to control the power of emotion (thanks to learning from Earthlings), and will answer all Federation or Klingon hails & distress calls.
Live Long and Prosper!
Live Long and Prosper!
So why do we call ourselves the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet? Well, first of all, the VKF is logic-based - we value and prize the use of logic in all our dealings, both in-game and in our lives. Most of us have followed the Star Trek TV series and movies for many years (some of us for many decades!), and we were fascinated by the character of Spock and the race of Vulcans. That's not to say that the VKF is only for Vulcan gamers in STO - we have players of all races - even Borg! The point is that logic and analysis is a common characteristic of our membership. Hence the term "Kolinahr" which is the Vulcan discipline to purge all emotion from oneself. Although we've taken a bit of poetic license - in 2409, we have learned that with logic controlling emotion, we can improve our performance in battle - tightly controlled rage can be quite devastating!
This doesn't mean that we don't have fun! We engage in light role-playing, and engage in lots of friendly banter and chat - both in the in-game text chat window, and in our own TeamSpeak 3 server for voice chat. The goal of the VKF is to help each member get the most enjoyment out of playing STO - no small task! So we listen to our members, and try to provide what they want and need. This includes plenty of discussion and information sharing on our forum and in-game, teaming opportunities for us to help each other gain experience in missions and battle, Joint Fleet Operations where we team with other STO Fleets for major actions (such as the Crystalline Catastrophe) that take the coordinated effort of many players, and a well-stocked Fleet Bank with in-game items that our members can use to improve their capabilities - both for their ships and themselves and their Bridge Officers. We have members who like to farm and craft uncommon items, we have members who like to breed Tribbles, and we have members who simply want to occasionally team with others, but often like to fly solo.
We respect Real Life - always. There's no minimum posts in the forum, no required teaming activity in-game, or other participation rules you'll find with other Fleets. If you are out of the game and not available to chat or post on the forum for long stretches, no worries! We won't drop you from the Fleet. We recognize that RL can keep you busy from time to time. So know that when you return to us, we'll still welcome you.
We are logical, therefore there's no place in the VKF for drama. We have had our share of disagreements, but since we exist for the membership in total, the needs of the many takes precedence over any personal agendas. If you like high drama (other than in RP!), then you may want to give us a pass - we keep things cool.
We like to make friends. We have over two dozen alliances with other Fleets in STO, and welcome new relationships always. We even go so far as to establish "Embassies" for our guest Fleet diplomats - sub-forums that are private to them and us and allow us to negotiate alliances, treaties and pacts, to coordinate JFAs, and just to deepen our personal relationships with other gamers. For our membership, we encourage anyone who wants to affiliate themselves with the VKF to join our ranks. We do not discriminate on any basis of race, religion, creed, geographical or temporal location. Our membership is spread across time zones around the Earth, yet we still often get the chance to play together - divergent schedules and time zones don't seem to be a big issue.
The analysis side pushes us to gather Intel and knowledge (some might say wisdom) about STO - the game mechanics, the best builds, how to do our best on missions, etc. We use our forum to share this information with each other, and to build on each other's work for the use of everyone. We've found tons of nuggets of really good info all over the place, on the STO forums, in-game experience, wikis, etc. We mine that info and then organize it on our forum to help you get the info you need without spending tons of time on research. We share much of that knowledge with our allied Fleets as well.
You may notice that our Fleet Emblem on this forum includes the IDIC (that's the symbol inside the gold hand), which is called "k'lalatar prkori k'lalatar". The English is also spelled out on the lower half: "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations". The IDIC is the basis of Vulcan philosophy, and here at the VKF we treasure diversity throughout the universe, in STO, and within the VKF. We have learned that diversity is the key to thriving in all things, and we all gain from the individual characteristics that each of our members bring to the Fleet - this makes us stronger and leverages our skills with those of our Fleet mates to bring about devastating defeat for our enemies and quick victory for our teams. Our Fleet Emblem also includes the laurel wreath for the pursuit of peace, and six stars to represent our command structure. The Vulcan hand sign is of course our wish for all who we meet: Live Long and Prosper. Lastly, the base of the laurel wreath has our Command Chevron - you will see variations of it on all our rank insignia.
And finally, we are not in a race - not with each other, and not with other Fleets in STO. We simply want to enjoy the gameplay to the max. It doesn't matter what in-game rank you hold, we've got members playing lots of different characters on both the Fed and KDF sides, and we're always up for teaming in-game. And on a personal note, teaming with Fleet mates is way better than teaming with a pickup group!
So we encourage you to spend a bit of time researching potential Fleets before you sign up for one. We hope that if you value the characteristics discussed above, you'll realize that logic dictates your affiliation with the VKF - for a long-lasting and enjoyable relationship. Live long and prosper!
Live Long and Prosper!
Our first matrix is the hierarchical leadership, aka the chain-of-command. Most Fleets in STO are headed by the Fleet Admiral, and we are no different. However, we do have some extra layers:
For overall strategic direction, we depend on the Vulcan High Command. This is headed by our Grand Admiral Keysailor and is made up of selected members of the Fleet who've proven their loyalty and pledged long-term commitment to the VKF. Membership is by invitation only. The Vulcan term we use in-game for the VHC is V'Ket. This body is served by our Speaker for the Vulcan High Command, T'Kota - who provides the voice for the V'Ket.
A subset of the Vulcan High Command is our V'Shar - our "Keepers of the Fleet". This is a permanent and small group of members who are charged with preserving and protecting the VKF - forever.
For day-to-day operational and tactical direction, we depend on the Fleet Admiral and his/her Executive Officer, and the chain of command underneath them:
We have two Wing Commanders, one for Operations and one for Administration.
In Operations, we have the PVP Wing Commander, and the PvE Wing commander, which are supported by Battle Group Commanders (for PvP) and Task Force Commanders (PvE). Under them are the Strike Force Leaders (PvP) and Patrol Team Leaders (PvE).
In Administration, we have the Chief Engineer, the Chief Scientist, and the Chief Tactician, who oversee and organize the in-game career progression for each career field. We also have our Kevet-dutar or Fleet Ambassador with his/her diplomatic corps, our Chief Recruiting Officer, our Chief Supply Officer, and our Chief Personnel Officer, all of who have staff positions to help support each of their missions.
So on one side of the matrix, you may report to a Patrol Team Leader, who reports to a Task Force Commander, who reports to the PvE Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
On another side, you may report to the Chief Science Officer, who reports to the Administrative Wing Commander, who reports to the Fleet Admiral.
So you would report (i.e., work) through the chain of command depending for the activity that you engage. Dealing with Fleet Bank issues? See the Chief Supply Officer. Interested in a job in VKF management/leadership? See the Chief Personnel Officer. It works pretty well for us.
In the Fleet, we also have military ranks for members to progress (if they choose). While they roughly correlate to standard military ranks, they have no relationship with your in-game character's rank, but are simply a way to allow our Fleet members to progress within the Fleet regardless of whether they take on management/leadership jobs - although doing so is an easy and quick way to rank up in the VKF! These ranks are (from lowest to highest):
- Ne-lan (this is the lowest cadet or recruit rank, think of it as similar to the tutorial level of STO)
- Ot-lan (this is the basic rank of a VKF member, think of it as similar to the Lieutenant rank)
- Tra-lan (this is an advancement rank, similar to Lt. Commander)
- Zhel-lan (this is the next level, similar to Commander)
- Khart-lan (this is our top rank below admiralty, similar to Captain)
- Nik'el-lan (this is our first admiralty rank, similar to Rear Admiral)
- Shaltra-lan (this is the next admiralty rank, similar to Vice Admiral)
- Halitra-lan (this is the top admiralty rank, similar to Admiral)
We have special designations for certain members that either match or exceed the above ranks. These include the F-rel-barr (or Grand Admiral), our Pid-Trensu (or High Executive Officer), our Speaker for the VHC, and our Ton-Barr (or Fleet Admiral).In-game, we have the seven ranks that are used for Fleet permissions. They are (from lowest to highest):
- Ang'jmizn - Starship Captain (new members)
- Kadvin - Commissioned Officer (members who've passed the Ne-lan rank)
- Pelq-ari k'puu - VDF Captain, 3rd Rank (members who've accepted their first position of responsibility and/or demonstrated their loyalty to the Fleet, long-term)
- Pelq-ari lik'rt - VDF Captain, 2nd Rank (members who've worked in more than one position of responsibility)
- Pelq-ari - VDF Captain, 1st Rank (demonstrated leaders who've worked in multiple positions of responsibility and proven themselves 'fit leaders')
- V'Ket - VDF Leadership (our top leaders of the Fleet and the Vulcan High Command)
- V'Shar - Keepers of the Fleet (our permanent long-term protectors of the Fleet)
These ranks allow us to manage the Fleet permissions for all our members in-game (such as withdrawal permissions from the Fleet Bank).Of course, any member may communicate with any other member, rank or position notwithstanding. Same for teaming, helping out or helping each other, etc... These ranks and positions are simply a way for each of our Fleet members to find their own niche, participate however they choose to for their own enjoyment.
And finally, we do have an accolade system in place, that awards ribbons for exemplary action or conduct, both in-game and elsewhere. Some of these ribbons are tied to in-game activities, and some are for service to the Fleet. You'll see these accolades displayed on this forum beneath the avatar of the Fleet member (at the left of their posts or on their profile). Our goal is to recognize any and all accomplishments of our members, and celebrate their achievements.
Live Long and Prosper!
We have also been hard at work developing forum accolades - medals and ribbons our members earn. Along with new rank insignia and a new Fleet Banner, we are looking quite good! Visit us at www.vulcankolinahrfleet.com and see the new VKF - just in time for 2410!
Accompanying this new look, our members have been hard at work delving into the mysteries of different builds, respec plans, and strategies for the various STFs, Fleet Actions, and the new episodes. We dig out the nuggets of information and put them in easy reach for our members so everyone doesn't have to do hours and hours of research to find out the ins and outs of STO. You'll find us a diverse group of gamers, encompassing many different interest areas and styles of play - there's just about something for everyone in the Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet!
So, peruse our forums and discussion threads, and you will see we are from all over the world, and from all walks of real life. In-game we are many playable races, both factions, and all the specialties and career paths. We encompass a lot of different aspects of STO and do a lot of communicating in-game and outside - via forum, chat, our TeamSpeak3 voice chat server, even the occasional mind-meld - I know you will fit in just fine!
So stretch out, relax and chat with us, and let's play STO! Live Long and Prosper!
With well over 50 Fleets in STO, you may find it difficult to decide which is the right Fleet for you. There are several tools that can help you out, including Trace_Thorne's Fleet listing http:/s.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=115661.
Or simply warp over to The Vulcan Kolinahr Fleet - logic dictates that if you are reading this, you are considering the VKF - and we have prepared our Home section to give you enough data to make an informed choice.
Our Fleet is strong and is growing quickly. We are very light RP, have a TeamSpeak3 server at your disposal, and our members enjoy teaming to enrich the gameplay for everyone. We are Vulcans and other races who embrace logic and (in 2409) the use of controlled emotion to decisively win battles and protect the Federation. We ally with other Federation Fleets to expand teaming possibilities in-game, and have a worldwide membership of avid STO gamers who have high interest in game mechanics, strategy and tactics, and team coordination so that each member plays to their unique character and ship strengths. We have members who specialize in crafting, others who enjoy Tribble breeding, and others who have rolled new characters simply to be able to team on an even footing with new people to STO and new members. We enjoy discovering new features (and well-hidden old features!) of STO, and are actively discussing a number of subjects including skill point distribution, crafting and breeding tips, ship selection, and specific career field tips. We have a discussion area for Engineering, one for Science and one for Tactical as well as a "Main Hall" for discussions that are common to all career fields and/or don't fit in any of our other sub-forum categories.
If you like to delve into the deepest nooks and crannies of game mechanics, find hidden nuggets of knowledge about STO and share them with your Fleet-mates, you belong in the VKF. If you want to team with friends who will not only watch your back, but let you show off your best skills and tactics while defeating the enemy with dispatch and