ABOUT  PYTHON FLEET

A Brief History Of Python Fleet

     In the spring of 2001,  a group consisting of two crews from Bravo Fleet left that already long-running fleet to form a new fleet that would focus on quality as opposed to quantity of writing.

What is an online RPG?

     An online RPG is essentially the same as a 'pen & paper' role-playing game.  You have a group of people you play with on a regular basis and you have campaigns that you play in.  We call our campaigns 'missions' and these can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.  Missions are managed by the game master, who we call the 'Commanding Officer' of the sim.  The CO is usually a player in the sim well, and maintains command of the ship you play on, or some leadership position within the sim.

     Where the difference between a traditional RPG and an online RPG becomes apparent is that we do not use dice, we do not physically meet, and we make use of either message boards or e-groups for role-playing.  For a further explanation of game play, please refer to "How do I play?" listed below on this page.

Who can play?

     Originally, Python Fleet membership was open to any and all who bore an interest in Star Trek.  We, at the time, were only running stories based on canon Trek, but have since greatly relaxed our standards.  Currently, we are a multi-genre simming group and accept any player that is 13 years of age or older do to the mature themes in many of our sims.  All sims are in English and all sims are free to join.  You will be required to have a working knowledge of posting guidelines in order to be able to interact with a sim.

     There are currently two ways to join a sim:

• Join and attend Python Fleet Academy and have the opportunity to become an officer.  Here, you will learn how to function as a member of Python Fleet.  You will learn the rules & regulations and what will be expected of you as a member of the fleet.  You will learn how to flesh out your character and learn how to interact with other players.  Upon graduating the Academy, you will be placed in the sim where you are needed the most, or you may request a sim specifically.

• You may opt to join a sim directly as a civilian or as enlisted military.  This assumes that you already know how to play.  Perhaps you've put in time in one of our sister fleets or somewhere else all together.  Joining in this route allows you to get into the sim you want straight away without spending time at the academy.  The only drawback is that you will not have the benefit of specific PF training and you will not be an officer if you are joining a sim as Star Fleet.  To become an officer, you may either be awarded a commission as a warrant officer based on the discretion of the sim's CO, or you may be awarded a field commission, again based on the discretion of the CO or the Fleet Staff.

How do I play?

     To play, you need to join a sim and their message board or e-group.  PF prefers the use of message boards as it allows for a more close-knit community to be established.  Once you are a member of a sim, you'll be directed to get up to speed on the sim's current storyline and then you'll need to figure out how your character will fit in.  It is likely that your sim-mates and the sim's leadership will aid you on getting started in the storyline.  Once you are started, though, you will be expected to make a personal post at least once a week, based on the requirements of the individual sim.  This may also include joint posts.

     Please remember!  A sim only exists because there is a group of players that keep the sim alive.  If posting drops off, or if members with a critical position or task in the sim go missing or stop playing, it will affect the ability of the sim to continue on and force the CO to come up with a contingency plan should this happen.  Even if you are playing a below decks enlisted person, you are every bit as important to the success of the sim as the Commanding Officer is.

     If you run out of ideas, talk the CO, talk to the XO or your sim-mates.  Find out what you should be doing, or help figure out a direction.  Use the message boards to speak up for yourself as well.

How do I affiliate with Python Fleet?

     Python Fleet would like to help you out.  Star Trek is in its decline and you may be finding it difficult to recruit new players or find new resources.  Star Trek websites come and go on a daily basis, as well as sites of other genres.  Python Fleet has staying power and has been in action since Spring of 2001. 

     We accept affiliates who will agree to share 50/50 on cross promoting both PF and your fleet.  We will post your banner on our site and allow you permission to post advertisement and openings for members on our SBP message board.  We are asked to be allowed to do the same on your main forum.

     Affiliate status is important to be maintained and we conduct random inspections of our affiliates.  If we find that our banner does not appear on the main page or affiliate page of your site, we will contact you regarding the status and possible suspension of affiliation.

     Affiliates will not have access to our academy.

     To discuss becoming a Python Fleet Affiliate, please contact the Fleet Commanding Officer at fco@pfrpg.org.

How can my sim join Python Fleet?

     Python Fleet is currently looking for independent sims of any genre to join Python Fleet.  There are no minimum or maximum requirements for your sim to join PF, and your sim will be placed into an appropriate division once you join.  You will be asked to conform to Python Fleet rules & regulations, and you will be required to display your membership status with Python Fleet on your site.

     As a PF member sim, you will have access to our Academy resources to better train your players, you will be able to draw on the expertise of the fleet staff and will be able to use, without permission, any material on the Python Fleet website with the exception of anything pertaining to "The Alliance Chronicles" which is subject to special circumstances.

     To discuss becoming a Python Fleet member sim, please contact the Fleet Commanding Officer at fco@pfrpg.org.