GFC Winter Bi-Annual Ball 2014/15

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Comman....I mean, Captain Sophie Johnson reporting. "Captain" is a rank I'm never going to get used to. You find yourself standing up at the podium, presenting your acceptance speech and the awards and promotions don't quite sink in straight away.

A lot of time and effort was put into this year's Winter Bi-Annual Ball. You had people from across the fleet providing assistance wherever they could - a joint effort of talent to create a masterpiece that everyone could be proud of. After all, the masterpiece represents all the hard work that each individual puts in every day; that's why the Bi-Annual Ball is such a fantastic event to be at.

Although, you can't forget the men and women behind the scenes of the event - making sure it runs smoothly. Without their cooperation and attention, the Ball wouldn't have been a big of a success as it was. The doors opened at 1pm SLT, with the ball starting promptly at 2pm.

Pre-Dance Event organized by Social Events!

Admiral Snapper Desade and the Social Events team put together a big pre-Ball Dance event in the Galaxy Plaza outside the Roddenberry at 10am SLT. Anyone and everyone could come along, grab their dancing shoes; a partner and dance away until the main event. Over the coming hours, members and guests flooded into the Plaza in their attire and relaxed with friends and colleagues until it was time to step up.

As you stepped through off the turbolift inside the Roddenberry, a chime could be heard from the doors at the end of the corridor as you approached them. As they chime open, you become exposed to a mixture of excitement and nervousness. A fantastic ball scene - built by the miracle workers in Engineering - based around the theme the people voted for: Orions!

Orions sweep the room!

RoBo....I mean, Terzon and his "groupies" announced the start of the main event. In an attempt to take control of the Ajax, Terzon offered to give Vice-Fleet Admiral Mechanique a dance in honor of the friendly relationship between the Syndicate and the Federation. Unable to resist the luxurious women before him, he provided the Orions with access to his ship.....or did he? Allowing the Orions time to believe they have control of the flagship, the Vice-Fleet Admiral turned the tables by pointing the ships weapons at this very location - backed into a corner, the Orion women questioned the Vice-Fleet Admiral about the situation. He revealed that Terzon contacted Starfleet about the active Syndicate cell on the planet and that it had already been taken care of.

An amazing roleplay to kickstart what would be a great event for all!

Special Thanks to:

Cobramax Mechanique who played himself

RoBobby McMillan who played Terzon and creator of the storyline

Langy Moorlord who played the Admiral's entourage (last-minute!)

Debbydo who played Mendora

T'Lara Ek'Tal (melodyparis) who played Variel

LKG01A Duke who played Sterova

As the roleplay finished, each participant joined the rest of the attendees at tables built and provided by Merky (richmerk). The scene itself reminiscent of the typical Orion scenes seen around the Star Trek TV franchises seen broadcast. An excellent replica built by Merky and his Engineering gnomes! A big thank you must go out to them for their hard-work so that the Ball could take place!

Fleet Admiral Katrina Bixby and Vice-Fleet Admiral Cobramax Mechanique took their places at the head of the room, people were called up in alphabetical order in groups of ten at a time to accept their awards and/or promotions and present their speeches.

Officers bow down in front of the Admiralty as they prepare to give their speeches!

Over the passing hours, many brilliant officers gave their inspiring speeches to the rest of the audience. Words that were spoken were ones of solitude and meaning - heartfelt words that officers of the fleet understood and reciprocated. The Bi-Annual Ball is an emotional time for the officers of the fleet, rewarded for their hard work and exceptional effort over the previous six month and the day comes when they're allowed to kick back and enjoy themselves.

After the awards and promotions were collected, everyone gathered outside for a sublime fireworks show put together by newly promoted Admiral TimoL McMillan! Now is was time for the dancing and celebratory drinking to commence!

Fantastic fireworks display by TimoL McMillan to send the dancing away!

The list of officers who received awards and promotions is listed below.

•• Galaxy Star ••
Ai Kikuchiyo - Strategic Operations
Cobramax Mechanique - Strategic Operations
Debbydo - Engineering, Command, Social Events, Galaxy Radio
Falatapus - Social Events, Galaxy Radio, Recruitment
Iceman (iceman.nirpaw) - Tactical
Isilmeriel - Tactical
Jailan - Research
Jamie089 - Recruitment
JD Matova - Command
Jez Enzo - Recruitment
Katrina Bixby - Command
Moonglow (shanna.oxygen) - Command, Strategic Operations
Nathen Rexen - Tactical
Penelopeperil - Strategic Operations
Richardjrn Weatherwax - Galaxy Radio, Research, Command
Richmerk - Library, Galaxy Radio, Command, Recruitment
RoBobby McMillan - Command
Rsd58 Congrejo - Recruitment
Snapper Desade - Command, Galaxy Radio, Recruitment
Songlord - Strategic Operations
TimoL McMillan - Command
Wolferein Foxdale - Engineering, Library, Tactical

•• Legion of Merit ••
Ai Kikuchiyo - Medical
Andromeda Quonset - Command
Angelis Bourne - Command
Benjamin Brougham - Engineering
BunE Rabbit - Strategic Operations
Debbydo - Tactical
Falatapus - Galaxy Radio, Recruitment
Iceman (iceman.nirpaw) - Tactical
Isilmeriel - Tactical
JacieIslander - Strategic Operations
Jamie089 - Recruitment
Jez Enzo - Recruitment
Kendra Mollsen - AAC, Recruitment
LdnG - Recruitment
LKG01A Duke - Tactical
Melodyparis - Medical, Strategic Operations
MJ Mathy - Social Events
Monkeyman Firethorn - Strategic Operations
Moonglow (shanna.oxygen) - Social Events, Command
Nathen Rexen - Tactical
Penelopeperil - Medical, Strategic Operations
Phedre Aonifall - AAC
Razor Indigo - Strategic Operations
Richardjrn Weatherwax - Social Events, Galaxy Radio
Richmerk - Library, Galaxy Radio, Recruitment
Rsd58 Congrejo - Recruitment
Sereana Westland - AAC, Strategic Operations
Snapper Desade - Galaxy Radio, Security, Tactical, Recruitment
Songlord - Strategic Operations
Sophie Johnson - Security, Strategic Operations
Tailsy Dash (tails8) - Strategic Operations
Tatiana (paradox0013) - Strategic Operations
Tod Vlodovic - Strategic Operations
Wolferein Foxdale - Social Events, Library, Tactical
Yaz (batlhtlhutlh) - Strategic Operations

•• Commendation ••
Debbydo - Academy
Emilie DeSantis - AAC
LdnG - Academy
LittleReta Strikes - AAC
Marystuart4 - Security
Melodyparis - Strategic Operations
Michaelandrew.quan - Academy
Michel Rosenstrauch - AAC
Monkeyman Firethorn - AAC
Penelopeperil - Academy
Renari.Ishtari - Academy
RoBobby McMillan - Academy
Rsd58 Congrejo - Medical
S'Age Ein'veh (zhengli) - Medical, Academy, AAC
Sereana Westland - AAC
Silke Horten - Security
Tailsy Dash (tails8) - AAC
Tatiana (paradox0013) - AAC

•• Red Crest ••
Debbydo - Engineering, Command
Falo Priestman - Command
Gokyu Ugajin - Command
Kylie Shergood - AAC
Nathen Rexen - Tactical
Richmerk - Engineering, Command, Library, Tactical, Recruitment

•• Achievement ••
Braxx Juventa - Library
Kendra Mollsen - Library
Kizna DeAllura (kizna.oh) - Tactical
Melodyparis - Medical
Razor Indigo - Medical
RoBobby McMillan - Library
Sunshine Hotshot (sunshine.yatsenko) - Tactical

•• Meritorious ••
Debbydo - Academy
Gimonia Horten - Security
Rsd58 Congrejo - Medical, Security
S'Age Ein'veh (zhengli) - Academy

•• Promotions ••
Ai Kikuchiyo - Lt. Commander > Commander :: Medical, Strategic Operations
Benjamin Brougham - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Engineering
BlueAgate - Lieutenant > Lt. Commander :: AAC, Medical
Braxx Juventa - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Library
BunE Rabbit - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Command
Cobramax Mechanique - Admiral > Vice-Fleet Admiral :: Recruitment, Command
Debbydo - Captain > Commodore :: Engineering, Command, Social Events, Galaxy Radio, Tactical
Isilmeriel - Lieutenant > Lt. Commander :: Engineering, Tactical
Jailan - Commander > Captain :: Research
Josh Eun - Ensign > Lieutenant JG :: AAC
Kendra Mollsen - Commander > Captain :: Library, Recruitment
Kizna DeAllura (kizna.oh) - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Tactical
Langy Moorlord - Lt. Commander > Commander :: Engineering, Social Events
LdnG - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Academy, Recruitment
LKG01A Duke - Lt. Commander > Commander :: Tactical
Melodyparis - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Medical, Strategic Operations
Michel Rosenstrauch - Captain > Commodore :: AAC, Communications, Security
Monkeyman Firethorn - Commander > Captain :: AAC
Moonglow (shanna.oxygen) - Ensign > Lieutenant JG :: Command, Strategic Operations
Nathen Rexen - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Tactical
Penelopeperil - Lt. Commander > Commander :: Medical, Academy, Security, Strategic Operations
Renari.Ishtari - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Academy
Richardjrn Weatherwax - Commodore > Rear Admiral :: Engineering, Command, Social Events, Galaxy Radio, Tactical, Research
Richmerk - Lt. Commander > Commander :: Engineering, Command, Library, Tactical, Recruitment
RoBobby McMillan - Commodore > Rear Admiral :: Library
Rsd58 Congrejo - Commander > Captain :: Security, Recruitment, Medical
Snapper Desade - Vice Admiral > Admiral :: Engineering, Command, Galaxy Radio, Tactical, Recruitment
Sophie Johnson - Commander > Captain :: Security, Command, Strategic Operations
Tailsy Dash (tails8) - Ensign > Lieutenant JG :: AAC
Tatiana (paradox0013) - Ensign > Lieutenant JG :: AAC
Thatgirlccl - Ensign > Lieutenant JG :: AAC
TimoL McMillan - Vice Admiral > Admiral :: Command
Tod Vlodovic - Lieutenant JG > Lieutenant :: Medical
Wolferein Foxdale - Lieutenant > Lt. Commander :: Engineering, Library, Tactical

Now, I'm not sure about the rest of you but I'm *pretty* sure that I've left people out. Don't get me wrong, the Ball is a special time of year that only happens twice a year - but we can't forget those who worked behind the scenes to make the Ball happen. My special thanks goes to the following:

Debbydo, Merky (richmerk), Wolfie (wolferein.foxdale), Snapper Desade, Cobramax Mechanique, Richardjrn Weatherwax, Kendra Mollsen, Social Events, Engineering, the Command Division and many many more!

Let's go make sure we have another fantastic six month, folks!

=== ENDING DATA LINK ===

Winter Ball 2014-15 Pictures by Snapper Desade - Link Here
Winter Ball 2014-15 Preparations - Link Here
Summer Ball 2014 - Link Here

Debbydo is awesome!

New look to reading RP logs and info

There has been various ways of recording for prosperity what has happened in GFC rps. Back in the early days many rps logs were copied onto a notecard, thrown in a prim and left in some room for members to access.  Reading logs or summaries from a notecard in a virtual world can be tiresome at best, sometimes it wasn't easy to find the one you were looking for and a pain searching in your inventory for them.

The GFC forum can also be used to post roleplay activities, though the problem with that is only members can access the forum which limit distribution to others who maybe interested in reading what happens in our rps.

Some of those members running roleplays created their own blogs to post summaries which opened up access to a much wider audience as just about anyone who can use the internet can read it.

More recently we've created google drive directories to post logs and summaries in, the advantage there is its public, easy to do and uses resources most of us are already using in the group. Problem was if you wanted to look through a list of role play logs the drive interface wasn't the most pleasing and the way it initially opened a file is very clunky, but its a good way to archive logs and summaries because 1. They are public and 2. you can represent them in a variety of ways like embedding in other sites easily which was always the long turn plan for using it.

Strategic Operations programme to start placing a nicer interface to access these logs has started with the USS Malta RP being the first to be given a makeover. Using google sites, we were able to put together a simple, nice looking and easier to navigate site to view logs and information, its still early days and we are still testing what feels nice and more info is due to be added, but it makes giving information about rps not only quicker but more pleasant to look at with wider options to add other items.

Other GFC rp's will be getting the facelift as well. The cool thing about this is nothing those running their rps requires them to change what they have been doing for the last months and years, all the logs are pulled from the Google site directories and embedded in the page so use the exact same source material. When there are any updates needed to already linked documents the updates appear there regardless of the access the person has to the site itself.

Check out the new USS Malta RP site HERE

New RP "Escape from Hell". The adventures the starship Summer Breeze

Its always great when a new Role-play is launched in the GFC, such a event happened last Wednesday when the first episode of "Escape from hell" ran its maiden voyage. The role play event has been set up slightly different to how most RP's run at the GFC. Here the RP is structured as a six parter, the mission commander of  the Starship Summer Breeze sent a message over subspace

"Escape From Hell

Episode's 1 -6

Starting: Each Wednesday from 1 to 2pm when everyone is ready:

Episode 1 May 14 Wednesday

Episode 2 May 21 Wednesday

Episode 3 May 28 Wednesday

Episode 4 June 4   Wednesday

Episode 5 June 10 Tuesday

Episode 6 June 11 Wednesday

Assignment, Orders and Character:

are all in your Character notes so read them carefully

What you have to do:

Be Yourself but Play the Character and attitude you are assigned Remember you might be the one to end the RP so pay attention to this.

Note:

There are 6 Chapters and the roles will rotate from chapter to chapter.

Read your Episode card.

Like in RL you will not know what the other person will do or say so you have to play off of them.

in one or more chapters you will play a Romulan, a Bounty Hunter., Mercenary, a Lawyer or a Judge. The First and last Chapters you will play the Same character.

Mission Commander & Contact :  Moonglow (Shanna Oxygen)"

Listen out for in-world announcements in the GFC and don't forget to make space in your diary or contact Shanna Oxygen for more details.

USS Magis+er bridge unvailed

A new bridge set has been introduced to the GFC by Strategic Operations newest games master Langy moorland. Part of a games masters job is to create new concepts for roleplaying in the group, within his first week in the position he's started by creating a bridge which doesn't just have the usual buttons you press which go bleep and make sounds, but he's included the ability to add random elements of chance to events which can happen in the rp.

Normally in an rp members would add to the story as they roleplay, if they add a scenario like the aliens aren't friendly and the captain wanted the aliens to be friendly, you'd have a dilemma, or if your ship gets hit, how much damage would you take or would you even be fired on in the first place.

By using elements of chance, like true or false, rolling numbers between 1-10/1-100 you can an add these to the roleplay and change the outcome to an extent, even the mission commander of the roleplay may not know how it pans out, which gives a fresh feel to rping in the group. It also allows for the opportunity to have an rp which ends in your mission being a failure, so your not sure how successful your going to be when you start.

Also the set gives a good opportunity to teach members about rping, what stations are available on the bridge and how to rp at them, Langy is putting together a tutorial for rpers to learn from.

A few of us have already tried out the set and played with the random elements and found the whole experience fun and a breath of fresh air and look forward to seeing how people rp on the set in the future.

More pictures HERE
(click to see all photos when selected)

Extra

Just for laugh we recorded a fun video of a few of us  cluelessly rping deliberately badly in the set, hope it puts a smile on your faces, we had fun doing it.

Catching Up On The Newer Roleplays At The GFC

It has to be said we have missed reporting some of the newer rps which have been running at the GFC lately, though if you look regularly at the rp menu under rp logs you would have noticed them creeping in there in the dead of night like a ninja.

Below is basically a recap of what the newer rps are about and when they are on. Its always a good idea to keep an eye on the rp logs and description menu info to see what's new and also to remember older rps are still running so you should check those out if you haven't already.

Mission is to knock out federation outpost along the neutral zone,real mission is to steal information for warp tech.

Morlasasi Stelam RP  

(Formally Romulan RP)

Tuesday, 8:00PM – 9:00 PM SLT

Following a Decade filled with War... Starfleet has finally begun to recover what was lost to the Dominion and the Borg. Renewing it's Commitment to Peaceful exploration and diplomacy, a new wave of starships were launched. The USS Kalyke, NCC 80115 is one of those ships. Built as a Newer Luna Class Vessel, the Kalyke will once again go where no man has gone before.

USS Kalyke

Friday, 6:00PM – 7:00PM SLT

 Pending a refit of the aging U.S.S. Trafalgar, and a review of her captain's actions in the Neutral Zone, The Crew has been Reassigned to the U.S.S. Tiamat. Tonight is her Shakedown Cruise.

Join us in the Aeon RP Center for a brand New RP, With a Brand New mission, and that brand new Starship Smell!

USS Tiamat

Wednesday, 7:30PM – 8:30PM SLT

Intrepid Class being sent out to give officers of any rank or experience more field experience.

USS Malta

Monday at 12pm - 1pm SLT

The Klingon's RP Experience

The Klingon's The Most Hostile Race Ever!! Killer of Tribble's and Ruler of The Galaxy. But the Question Remain's??? What Will Happen to them In The Future Well Let's Find out!!

GFC Reporter Shark Flew to The Klingon Homeworld Today AKA Kronos. To Find the Social Scene Incredible. A Entire City of This Species. It was 1 Person's Dream Coming To Life thanks to Rich Merk and Langy Moonlord. Just Above Our Soverign Station, 200 Light Year's to 80 Meter's a Full Scale Recreation of Kronos!! Yes That Right Kronos A 24/7 Klingon Zone is Under Constuct. Were As Quoted " People Can Form House's and Enact a Real Klingon Experience" Kendra One of GFC's Most OutStanding Member Created This Amazing Idea to Bring The Klingon World To You In The GFC You Can Experience Many Thing's From Space Piloting, to RPing on Distant Ship's To Living on a Station, But Now You Can Experience and Live The Life of a Klingon. From A Ever Continuing Journey Through Klingon's

To Learn More Visit The Library Contact Kendra(Koreeah Resident) For More info
If you have a Secondlife Account
Click Here to Go Visit Kronos
Click Here to Go Visit The Library

Making RP logs more available and how

As more rp's logs go online at the GFC Snapper Desade talks about the process of transferring classic documents from the groups forums into Google docs and the possibility of other formats.

New RP Launches this Wednesday

Join the U.S.S Galaxy as it warps to the stars on an adventure of a lifetime through the cosmos. Its mission to travel to  Andromeda to examine and catalog the galaxy.

With transwarp drive,  a new form of travel as allowed the federation to  discover new
Space and Species.

The crew travel with no backup, no help, on their own in the vast expanse of  space sporting new technology called "Replication", their food supply may be endless but will this be as true of their luck?.

Join Us Every 

Wednesday 4pm SLT/PDT

To Join the Venture to The 

Undiscovered Country. 

Contact the ships Captain

 Johnathan Shark 

(Grooveshark101 Resident)

Location --> HERE

The Duckian Culture and Laws - Part 2 (Command Structure)

IDA Command Structure, Duties & Methods

    The IDA is a robust, purely voluntary private military organization. While it’s name, Imperial Duckian Army suggests they have a ground based role, they are by no means limited to infantry operations. They have there Naval fleet, ship yards, arms factories, research and development shops all in support of whatever their missions may be. The labor for these factories comes from mostly from the civilian sector of the factions they protect but in some instances, such as secret projects the labor comes from entirely IDA members.

    As a voluntary private force, appropriate incentives must be made available to it’s members in order to retain numbers. There is no enforceable contract which can require anyone to stay in for any length of time. The IDA is sworn to uphold the Duckian One Law, and to impose such contracts would be a clear violation of those principles. So one may leave the IDA at any time for any reason with no consequences other than potential loss of compensation, or property equipment loaned to the member from the IDA.     Getting back loaned equipment is a problem, since force cannot be used to regain property which was not taken by force, so loaned equipment should be hard to take or inexpensive. Ideally, the member should own his own equipment.

 Acquisition of capital is essential to keeping a well maintained force equipped with up to date gear. Possible income resources could be from the following:

Contract agreements with factions for help with enforcement of the One Law.
Profitable peacetime projects.
Use of IDA fleet in trade routes.
Sale of surplus capital.
Individual member’s investment.
Spoils of war, or looting those not under the One Law.

    Contract of enforcement of the One Law is simple, IDA members disperse themselves into the populace, walk around and act if they see a violation of the One Law. After-the-fact violations are not investigated nor acted upon. It is an expensive proposition, and morally shaky ground. Collection of evidence, and a process in which to accuse the offender and force a solution has little to do with enforcement of the One Law.
    The law was not created to punish the wicked, but to allow the innocent to defend themselves or intervene on someone’s behalf as such in the moment of the violation. An IDA member is trained to know how to intervene without becoming a violator himself. In an incident it is entirely at their judgment as to how much force is necessary, including death to stop the violator as he commits the act.
    An IDA could shoot someone stealing an item from a market cart in order to recover the item to its owner. An extreme example, the application of justice of the One Law is far from perfect, but at least it is not controlled by a small few and almost never punishes the innocent so long as enforcement is not after the fact. For these services, Factions will give the IDA resources in exchange for the protection. Factional areas are all intermixed into geographic areas like overlapping bubbles of ‘influence’. (except for collectivist factions) It is possible that non-paying faction members benefit from the IDA’s presence, so the IDA cannot rely on this alone for maintaining itself, as most likely only the largest Factions will sign an agreement. Even so, IDA’s are to maintain the One Law weather the factional area they are in has a contract or not. Reputation is important.

    Profitable peacetime projects is what the IDA should be doing when not at war and only maintaining the One Law. It can be big projects intending to create infrastructure for client Factions, bridges, roads, etc. The success of client factions is also the IDA’s success.

    Selling surplus capital, the IDA could trade weapons and other equipment in the free market or use the Imperial Syndicate’s faction’s centralized bartering system. Care must be taken not to break the rules of any client faction. In the IS for instance, the IDA may not sell on the free market the weapons and gear it produces in factories operated by IS members in bulk. Instead it must trade the items through the IS system in order to maintain the contract. Contracts with other Factions may be subject to other restrictions.     Any contract may be broken at any time, the One Law ensures this can happen without violence or other disadvantages other than what benefits there was maintaining that client.

    Individual investment means an IDA member himself donates something to the IDA to use or trade, in exchange he gets to barter for a higher rank, with it comes more prestige in the outfit and a better chance to get in on future profitable projects the IDA does. As such, if individual investment is to become a major factor for acquisition of capital for the organization then it should be the only way to gain rank outside a war-time situation. Thus it should be encouraged that individual members, use what IDA resources they have, owned or loaned out to them to embark on profitable enterprises on their own.     It is not seen as a ‘conflict of interests’ by Duckians. The meaning of the term would actually be absurd to them! The idea being that if the IDA allows loaned equipment to be used to gain more capital will benefit the IDA since the member may purchase a rank with it or use it to buy the loaned equipment. (providing the member does not run off with the equipment). The ranking system also becomes a means of measuring integrity within it’s members, the higher the rank the more that member has ‘invested’ in the IDA cause and less likely to rip the organization off which would spoil any benefits he received.

    Spoils of war. Fairly simple really. The IDA goes to war when the ‘Empire’ is threatened, meaning all Factions in compliance with the One Law, bound by a loose alliance to come to each other’s aid when one exile faction uses force to take over, or there is a threat from another species. Since the IDA is contracted to many Factions with in the Empire, they are best suited to meet the threat, and duty bound to act according to their contracts. In the case of purely Duckian factions who threaten the One Law, the 'war' is quite bloodless as Duckians can't kill one another. The leader of the faction is plucked of his feathers and all operating capitol of that faction's syndicates are looted by the enforcing agents. With other species, it can get a lot more messy.

    A few problems exist, without the mass delusions of ‘patriotism’ as it applies to ‘nationalism’ an IDA member cannot be expected to take the greatest risk there is – their very lives without substantial compensation. War being an expensive proposition indeed, the IDA is only to fight defensive, necessary conflicts. Because the IDA’s can quit at any time – even just before the start of a major conflict, compensation must outweigh the personal risk involved OR the risk of inaction must be greater than action. I.E. Wolves attack the Duckian city where many IDA families live.. etc.
    The actual capital to provide the incentives could be from varying factors, the IDA could promise to give over the loaned equipment for keeps after the conflict, also, they would allow the IDA’s to loot and take capital from defeated enemies. Care must be taken in this allowance as to not let the IDA’s loot innocent civilians not in direct support of whomever the IDA’s enemy was at the time, only the ones doing the actual fighting and those commanding the enemy and whatever political connections they have.
    Optional wars or small localized wars may be initiated by the IDA if a Faction or some other entity is deemed a habitual offender of the One Law, and currently in violation by it’s vary nature but isn’t threatening the Empire as a whole. It’s possible small groups of IDA may start something if they feel personal risk is low, and personal gain is high (the loot taken from the foe). The IDA command would tolerate such actions so long as by doing so, they are merely enforcing the One Law and the foe are violators. However, they probably will not support a full-scale effort for such endeavors.

Structure, Rank and missions:

    Ranks are as follows, they follow a mix of Army / Navy rank traditions but are differentiated according to the method of service almost as if there were different branches of service. Also rank determines the amount of independence each member has, influence and sway over ‘subordinates’. In a voluntary, quit any time service there is no such thing as a true ‘subordinate’ as we would know it. In the IDA, cooperation is what is required.
    This comes willingly in the same manner as would a higher rank to his ‘subordinates’ naturally because the higher ranks have more ‘toys’. Also more influence who gets the sweet jobs and etc. So rank in the IDA is usually about leveraging benefits to costs, and how the higher ranker can increase the benefits to those who would serve under him. While this sort of liberty and negotiation between higher and lower ranks is not preferable in combat, these relationships should be well established before combat arises building trust and rapport between the commanders and the commanded.
    Autonomy, decentralized leadership create a force that can’t just be stunted by taking out the ‘leader’. IDA’s pride themselves by being as independent as they can be while at the same time working in conjunction with the rest of the organization. Since the IDA’s general goals of One Law enforcement and acquisition of capital are pretty much open ended, it’s hard to do something which doesn’t benefit the organization, as well as your self. In many ways, the IDA is like a franchise business, they provide the tools and know how to get the job done, you go do it however you want, but if you fail then the loss is on you. While it’s true, the losses of individual ventures are shared by the IDA to some extent, so are the successes so it balances out.

    In peacetime, mostly what happens is some IDA’s are used to maintain contracts for client factions. The duty cycle rotates on this – after that duty you are free to do whatever. Usually that ‘whatever’ could be some of the economic activities using IDA equipment and resources, usually the application of large scale resources are determined and controlled by the higher ranks, as they are trusted more. But they also need labor, this is where the masses of the IDA get to work.
    They can choose a peacetime mission and select a commanding officer. This would be like picking your unit. Of course there may be competition, and limited slots, etc. It’s up to the officer to decide who gets in. You do work, gain benefits and dispose of them as you see fit, or invest for higher rank which, eventually gains you to be able to determine missions and hire soldiers yourself! But then the rewards multiply since you are the supplier for the starting capital.

    In war time, if something happens to which the IDA must mobilize fully. A priority one mission is posted on the IDA mission posting boards, all peacetime units selected must report for duty or quit the IDA. This means that whatever peacetime unit is selected is fixed the way it formed under peacetime. Usually IDA’s will settle into one unit and stay there so they would feel comfortable with their comrades in combat in case this happens.
    In combat, each unit acts independently according to whatever general order was issued before the fight. The IDA officers are trusted not to make decisions that do not compromise the mission. At the top, a Supreme General dictates initial strategy, then it’s ‘hands off’ with the exception of his own personal unit’s actions, under his direct command.
    A Supreme General’s job in the IDA is to take into account all the disadvantages they might have with whatever the initial strategy is and essentially makes it so they don’t matter. For instance, if he feels a certain number of units will turn tail and run – which he expects them to do if the situation is that hopeless, then he will not even start the fight unless he has superior firepower or numbers.

    The advantage is the IDA can be at times, unpredictable in combat, which would make enemy intelligence useless. It can also be a disadvantage as well. But the main advantage is no centralization of leadership, in many wars the death of generals turned the tide in combat. This cannot be the case with the IDA.

Written by Jason Determann (Draken Duck)

The Duckian Culture and Laws - Part 1

 

One of the newest recruits to join the GFC is part of a Duckian race, no, i never heard of them either so we sneaked in and was able to get hold of some information about this new resident to our part of the universe.

=/\= Computer Log =/\=

Duckian culture is largely shaped by their basic nature, which is mostly characterized by their instincts not to harm or kill one another (the most they can do is wrestle and pluck feathers). By in large this is true except in very rare cases of insanity. The ones who are not insane, usually end up becoming doctors since often times a doctor must hurt you to heal you, as such competent healers are always in short supply, many times having to rely on other species for these services.

    As a natural result, violence as a tool for political power is simply out of the question. As such the social political structure resembles that of a highly organized Libertarian or Anarchistic society. To break it down, organization is built around a free market. Duckians form groups for mutual economic advantage and specialization of labor, called syndicates. A syndicate may be thought of as a 'company'. Groups of syndicates may form to create a Faction. A Faction facilitates free and fair trade among it's own syndicates and represents all the goods and services they produce on the free market to trade among other factions.

    The Duckian free market, is truly free. Anything goes so long as it does not violate the One Law, which will be mentioned later. Fraud, scams, debt default, and all manner of schemes are legal, and accepted as the order of the day. Hence the need for all syndicates to band into Factions to make sure the dealings among themselves is truly fair. Each faction may have it's own rules, violating the rules may get you kicked out and deprived of your access to that Faction's own protected market. Banishment from one's Faction is the greatest punishment legally accepted under the One Law.

The One Law:
ARTICLE 1: Everyone must obey the One Law.
ARTICLE 2: No one shall require anyone to do anything, from under threat of physical force.
ARTICLE 3: Anyone who deals with these things: Water, medicine, food or land may not monopolize it to such an extent he may threaten the denial of these basic resources in exchange for unfair terms of labor or political influence.
ARTICLE 4: No other law except this one may be enforced, using physical force.
ARTICLE 5: Physical force should only be used to stop the violation of the preceding articles.
 
    Types of Factions: There's hundreds if not thousands of Factions within the Duckian culture. There can be fundamental differences in each one depending on the rules laid out in them. Each one has a slightly different interpretation of the One Law. For simplicity I will only explain the main types.

Individualistic Factions: The most capitalistic faction there is, it caters to the most extreme individual ambitions as allowed within the One Law. It recognizes that the only one with a right to private property is the individual. To take that property is always a violation of the One Law unless it was taken by means of fraud or cheating. (since the victim is 'tricked' not forced.)

Collectivist Factions: The most communistic factions there is, they value the common good over individual ambition. Resources are shared and none is recognized as having private property. The land and resources are considered to be shared equally by all members of the faction.

Mixed Factions: These factions balance the needs of individuals and the common good as best they can, sometimes leaning more towards individualistic or collectivist tendencies as the situation dictates.

    All types of factions can organize how they please, democracy, dictator, monarch, republic and so on. All Factions that accept the Way, are considered apart of the 'Empire', and are held responsible for upholding the One Law. All leaders must obey the One Law or they are considered exile. If a Faction violates the one law, every other Faction declares 'war' (bloodless if all Duckian, violence if a non-Duckian faction that's within the 'Empire') on them and all capital of that faction is looted.

    Borders, political boundaries, jurisdiction: None really exist, Factions overlap in areas of influence as do their members, all living intermingled with one another. The only determining factor is which markets you have access to. Factions are best described as having 'Asymmetric Sovereignty'. It also means that one who was banned from a faction may continue to live next door to you! The one exception is that because collectivist factions regard private property the way they do, they tend to wall off their common areas and only allow their members inside. Often times whole communities are behind walls as to avoid any confusion that that property within, belongs to the Faction. The One Law is held to be universal, and has unlimited jurisdiction as far as most Duckians consider it.

    Private property: This is something not clearly defined by the One Law, so there is always a great debate on this among Duckians. The results of years of conflict over this has formed a kind of general consensus on how things should be. One thing that is universally agreed upon is that stealing, in the real sense of the term is a violation of the One Law. Example, someone breaking into a house or taking an item from someone else kind of stealing.
    Intangibles such as ideas, works of writing, or inventions are up for grabs. There's no copyrights or patients, everything which is made known is subject to replication by the free market. Land is recognized as not being actual property in as much as the amount of capital you have improved on it to be considered yours (houses, fences, gardens, etc.) Land in it's 'natural' state is subject to claim by anyone, as would be any improved property which is abandoned. Many factions offer 'house holder' services to hold your claim while your away from your house, so no one can walk in and claim it. In Duckian society, there is little who are homeless if at all.

    Other species relations: This will tend to vary, Factions have formed on the very basis of their stance regarding other species who do not seem to obey the One Law. Some think the One Law does not apply to other species, and they can do what they wish to non-Duckians. Others feel that other species are not violators per-say, but need to be brought under the One Law as soon as that culture allows. Others prefer more aggressive conversion methods. Either way, adaptation of other species into the Empire has met with mixed results.

Written by Jason Determann (Draken Duck)

=/\= End Computer Log =/\=

USS Legend RP Launches into Space

Its been a busy few weeks with the Klingon and TOS rps launching and now a new roundabout has been added into the mix. The USS Legend officially went into service and was introduce in a new RP timeslot.

We all know we can't trust the romulans so starfleet and the klingons have created a fragile alliance to keep and eye of the more violent descendants of the vulcan race. Out in a listening post the federation and klingon empire have been monitoring any traffic from them, but with little effect until a ship stealthily lands and informs the listening post that orders have been sent to see what the Romulans are doing at close quarters.

Inside the Federation & Klingon outpost, Admiral Cobramax Mechanique gives a guest appearance.

The outpost crew are alarmed to find all they have is a danube based runabout to use on the mission as some regard it as suicide, even the klingon contingent don't think this ship will be a good day to die in, but orders are orders, if for the federation or the empire.

Both factions boarded their home for their new mission and ventured into romulan space.

Outpost crew goto the Runabout ready for travel into Romulan space

The USS Legend will be permanently placed at this location.
Regular crew will be supplied with the appropriate uniforms.
Its will be a totally "In Charactor" area so if your interested in joining the crew then please contact.


rigs mccallen (ship Captain)
Sadbrb Resident (Ship XO)

The area will be of a 24/7 nature so RPing there will be constant with a main RP to cement there story every week on Sunday 5pm SLT (PDT). So, come join the crew throughout the week or on Sundays.

*secondlife time.

More pictures -- > HERE

New TOS RP announced "The USS Valiant"

A new Star Trek Original Series based RP has been announced and will be winging its way to the RPCentre this week.

This USS Valiant will make its maiden voyage with its Captain Ai Kikuchiyo-Stine  & XO Rae so join in Thursday Nights from 5-6pm SL time for an all new Roleplay as the USS Valiant with her new captain and crew leaves space dock for the first time, on an emergency mission...

Find out more this Thursday at 4:45 pm at the Aeon RP centre  for the pre-briefing.

Contact:
Ai Kikuchiyo-Stine
(ai kikuchiyo)  (ship Capt.)
or
Rae
(razor indigo) (Ship XO)

To view and rezz some of the groups RP sets Visit The RP Centre 

RPing The Klingon Way

One of the favorite races in star treks are the klingons, where else can you be abusive to your fellow crew members without being thrown in the brig.

On sundays at 4pm SLT (PDT) the good ship IKS LaQ from the Klingon Empire scouts the galaxy bringing their own brand of adventure to the universe. Be prepared for Battles, snarling, name calling, Bloodwine drinking, Betleth wielding RPing.

A new bridge set has been created for this RP made my Langy Moorland.

If you think your tough enough to play a Klingon or stand up to the Empire listen out for chat group announcements or contact Kendra Mollsen (koreeah Resident).

More pictures can be found HERE

"Qapla"

Keep up with Mondays Medical RP

Mondays 6pm PDT * you will find the medics of Phoenix Space Station battling Nano's, alien infections
and all out mayhem in the Medic EMS Monday RP. You can catch  the latest stories if you missed any with an online logs area which has been created to stored all their latest adventures and any other info they'd like to place there.

Visit and bookmark this place to be uptodate with the latest entries in their medical logs

For logs Click HERE
Click here for Teleport location to rp or to visit the medical area HERE
* Same as secondlife time

Medical Monday RP - The Rejoining

Summary:

As the episode opens, the Trill Ambassador's ship has returned, after the Ambassador suddenly suffered a traumatic symbiotal rejection. The ship performs matching protocols and then and the symbiote is teleported into the holographic recreation of a symbiote healing pool temporarily erected in the isolation lab. The host is teleported directly into the stasis tank.

The emergency surgical team works quickly to detect and correct enzyme imbalances that might have resulted from the forced rejection and prepare to rejoin the host to the symbiote.

Suddenly alarms go off, warnings sound. "Security breach. Engineering and Medical levels have been penetrated. Intruder alert. Hostiles positively identified as Borg."

A Borg penetrates the Isolation Ward screen and approaches the surgical team. Security is summoned and a pitched battle ensues as the doctors work to complete the rejoining. The Borg intruder finally falls to the concerted weapons of the security team and the rejoining can be completed. The nanite infection scans of the area indicated that airborne nanites were released by the attackers. In Engineering and elsewhere, the battle continues.

The rejoining is touch and go, but the medical team finally stabilizes the joined Trill and she begins to recover strength.

Suddenly she spasms violently and sits up rigidly.  The biosigns jump and she leaps off the table at Doc Songlord, screaming, "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!"

A PROBLEM ON THE TABLE, ROMULAN WEAPONS IN THE SUPPLY CLOSET

A BORG TRILL AND A MEDICAL OFFICER AT RISK

A STATION UNDER SIEGE

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT WEEK

SAME BAT-TIME, SAME BAT-CHANNEL

Previous Medical Monday RP Log links ---->  HERE

Doc Songlord - 2013-02-20

Mesh Rigging Gone Wrong

The Task was to rig a mesh object for an RP

The Result

Something which looked like a transporter accident.

New Library Lead and Klingon RP

Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah Resident).

Its been a good week for our regular klingon Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah Resident).

At the weekend she was sworn in as the new GFC Library lead position and starting her new Klingon RP on Sundays.

A message was send through the empire to rapturous applause, out of tune battles songs and enough blood wine to down a zoo full of Targs.

The IKS LaQ is a War an Scout ship for the Klingon Empire. the crew of the IKS LaQ are bold an strong warriors hand picked from the empire to seek out , conquer , scout new planets an territories and return with honor.

Lead by the Honorable Captain: K'Ehleyr
 

If you are interested please send a message to Kendra Mollsen (koreeah) to get set up with RP times an to get your armor.

Every sunday at 7:00pm SLT in the RP center in Aeon

If you have a Secondlife© Account 

Location to the RP Centre is Here

To that we say a healthy "Qapla".

First Crew of the  IKS LaQ

GFC Bi-Annual Winter Ball 2012 (held Jan 19th 2013)

Its that time again to dust of your dress uniform, write your speech and prepare for the GFC Bi-Annual ball, the biggest event the the groups calendar.

In previous years we have seen themes like "Search for Spock", "Fair Haven" and "Captain Proton" for the event. This Bi-Annual Ball theme was "Engineering" focusing on the tagline "Warp to the Future", which was a way for us to look ahead to what 2013 will hold.

At around 12 noon onwards people started appearing at the Roddenberry center in Galaxy Sim, for some it was their first glance at the set which was created specially for the ball, the lead builder on the set construction was Richmerk Resident who did a fantastic job conveying an engineering design mixed in with a areas for members to sit in front of specially made console styled tables.

Pictures of star trek engineers were placed across the walls at the back of the room where the warp core stood, with nice touches below being the cooling turbines just under the core, giving it a modern yet retro feel. This area was use for the post ball dancing at the end and RP which was to follow the award ceremony.

The head table at the other side of the room was where Fleet Admiral Katrina Bixby and Admiral Cobramax  Mechanique sat in 60's sci-fi style egg shaped chairs. Either side of them were strips for those coming up to collect their awards and promotions to stand before reading their speeches out at the podium in front. It gave those receiving awards the opportunity to be standing close to the group leaders.

Once people had settled down and found their seats it was time for the proceedings to start.

First event on the schedule was a Quiz, A large board behind the admirals gave instructions on how to register by simply clicking on the board. Richardjrn Weatherwax who created the quiz device, came up to the podium and set the quiz rolling. Once you had registered a drop down menu appeared on your screen with a list of multiple choices, you had 20 seconds to answer 20 questions which were a mixture of star trek engineering style brain teasers and ones about GFC general information. Sereana Westland won the quiz so congratulations to her and a big thanks to Sophie Johnson for writing much of the quiz questions.

The Fleet Admiral Katrina Bixby and Admiral Cobramax Mechanique  had recorded a short message which was played over the land stream. In the message they talked briefly about the underlying theme of the ball "Warp into the future", what it meant to them and to the group as a whole. They also express the direction they would like to see the group follow in the coming year.

Below are links to watch a slides show of photo's from the ball with the message with captions (click bottom part of video and caption button to toggle it on and off), a link just to listen to the audio from this page or ones that can be passed on which should play in a browser window.

 

 You can listen to just the audio below and page link HERE

No sooner had the echoes of the admirals voices dissipated it was time for the main event, the award ceremony. The culmination of recognizing what members have done for the last 6 months. unlike previous GFC Balls, where awards and promotions were given separately, this year members just came up the once to receive  their accolades.


People were called up in alphabetical order and lined up either side of the admirals table. When it was time for them to deliver their speeches, they walked up to the podium to address the crowd listening intently.

Many member said what an honour it was to be given there awards, some were generally surprised at the recognition, other were deeply emotional. The general feeling was how nice to see those who have work so hard and contributed to the running of the group be acknowledged for their hard work.

After the medals and promotions had been handed out there was some commotion at the back of the hall as the medical RP headed by Songlord sparked into action read RP log HERE

Unable to stop the core breach members were ordered to evacuate the hall and ushered outside as they jettison the core. Those outside were welcome to a firework display arranged by Timol McMillan, as we stood back and watched the night sky lit up once again with a shower of lights, bangs and an assortment of coloured particles.

When the sky had finished being set a blazed it was back to the hall set to party the night away around the warp core, dancing, joking, reminiscing  about what had just passed.

More pictures can be found HERE

Promotions 

Angelis Bourne - Commodore
Dave Fearguis - Captain
Debbydo - Lieutenant Commander
Emilie DeSantis - Commodore
Gimonia Horten - Rear Admiral
Gokyu Ugajin - Commander
JD Matova - Vice Admiral
Jens (Jailan) - Lieutenant Junior Grade
Jin Tao - Commander
Kal Aie - Commander
Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah) - Lieutenant
Lillian Aries - Captain
Mexes Snowpaw - Lieutenant Commander
Michel Rosenstrauch - Lieutenant Commander
monkeyman8290 Firethorn - Lieutenant Junior Grade
Richardjrn Weatherwax - Captain
rsd58 Congrejo - Lieutenant Junior Grade
Snapper Desade - Rear Admiral
Songlord - Lieutenant
Sophie Johnson (Hydregion) - Lieutenant
Thomas Aker - Commander

Galaxy Star

Angelis Bourne, Cobramax Mechanique, Dave Fearguis, Dustin Sunflower
Debbydo, Jens (Jailan), Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah), Langy Moorlord,
Lillian Aries, Richardjrn Weatherwax, Richmerk, Snapper Desade,
Songlord, Sophie Johnson (Hydregion), Timol McMillan,

Red Crest

Dolamite Giffen, Farodin Rhiadra, Sereana Westland,
BunE Rabbit (TheRabbit1971)

Legion of Merit

Andromeda Quonset, BunE Rabbit (TheRabbit1971), Cain Zarco,
Damien Avedon, Dave Fearguis, Debbydo, Dustin Sunflower,
Emilie DeSantis, Ethan Muldoon, Gokyu Ugajin, Hoshi Tamura,
Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah), Snapper Desade, Sodak Xeltentat,
Sophie Johnson (Hydregion), Stones Petty

Commendation

Blackrose Phantom, BlueAgate, Da5id Weatherwax,
Gimonia Horten, JD Matova, Kevin Ballard, Lillian Aries,
littleastro, marystuart4, Michel Rosenstrauch, Miku1,
monkeyman8290 Firethorn, PenelopePeril, Richardjrn Weatherwax, rsd58 Congrejo,
Sereana Westland, Snapper Desade, Sophie Johnson (Hydregion),
Taurik Xaris, T'Eiren (Bibliophile83), Thomas Aker

Achievement

Andy Ketterley, Ebitsu Cliffhanger, Ethan Muldoon, Gokyu Ugaijn,
Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah), miku1, Razor Indigo, Richardjrn Weatherwax,
Tiem Sturges,

Meritorious

Batista Robbiani, BlueAgate, Debbydo, Dustin Sunflower,
Emilie DeSantis, Ethan Muldoon, Gokyu Ugajin,
Jimmy vehrous, Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah), littleastro,
Michel Rosenstrauch, Miku1, monkeyman8290 Firethorn,
Noshoes Baran, Richardjrn Weatherwax, Robobby Mcmillan, Sereana Westland,
Snapper Desade, Songlord, Sophie Johnson (Hydregion), PenelopePeril

Special thanks should goto those who help put this ball together.

Social Events Lead

Debbydo

                     
Building/Textures/Scripts
(Engineers)   

Rickmerk 
Wolferein Foxdale
Lithian Kross     

Richardjrn Weatherwax

LittlesAstro

Snapper Desade

Quiz

Sophie Johnson (Hydregion)

Richardjrn Weatherwax

Medical RP

Songlord

Lillian Aries

Taurik Xaris

Nitro Landar

Ai Kikuchiyo

Sereana Westland

T'Eiren (bibliophile83)

Ball Message (audio)

Katrina Bixby

Cobramax Mechanique

Fireworks/Assets

Timol McMillan

Dress Uniform

Kendra Mollsen (Koreeah)

Posters/Ads

JD Matova

Snapper Desade

Post Ball Host

Snapper Desade

Angelis Bourne

As they say at the end of every bond film.

"The GFC Ball Will Be Back"