General Report January '24
Posted on 03 Feb 2024 @ 10:49pm by Commander Calliope Zahn
JAN ‘24 GENERAL REPORT
Total Crew: 9
Active crew: 7
total word count: 34,546
OF Post count: 69
9.87 posts/ active player
CURRENT ROSTER (9 players)
Markus/ Sep & DeHavilland
Nikki/ Zahn
Polar/ Steiner & HaiRoa (ELOA)
David/ Rubens
Tara/ Haille
Spiral/ Brek
Sara/ Wagner
Endia/Leblanc
Em/ Ovim (LOA)
POST TRACKER SPREADSHEET
OBSIDIAN COMMAND DISCORD SERVER
OVERVIEW OOC
January was a slight uptick in activity, post-holiday. We had a Reflection over 2023 activity and achievements in the Discord. Members are busy writing and plotting and chatting, all the good stuff we like to see.
David has inspired us to take on a writing challenge for the month of February, consisting of word pledges for solo entries in the month of February. Details are in the Discord server, but so far most players have put their pledges in (more or less). We will have a weekly progress check every Sunday, and we'll post the results in next month's report!
CREW UPDATE
We have a new player! Endia joins us with the character of Lt Cmdr Christophe Leblanc, filling the role of Chief Engineer and making himself right at home in his new office. Endia has made a splash, going right for joint posts and character drama. It’s been fun to welcome him to the crew.
NEW RESOURCES
Tour of Engineering
Endia submitted a tour item for Engineering with a visual and some helpful description.
Sim Timeline
In our Wiki, I’ve added a Timeline for the Sim, which takes into account key canon Trek historical events, sim background canon history, and maps out our Missions thus far up to the current IC Time (January 2398). It was necessary to stretch some things out in the beginning of our sim’s writing history to make this work out and I didn’t audit any bios to make everything fit, so players may adjust if they want to or handwave it if they don’t care for the headache. I tried to leave the timespan of M3 alone, but it did get pushed out later into the IC year. From here forward, I will try to maintain this timeline and peg our gameplay to it loosely (probably roughly by month and year, not so much by exact date)
RECRUITMENT
Accepting applications!
If you know someone you love to write with is looking for a new game to try, please do invite them to apply.
Key Roles Available:
~Chief Security Officer - (LtCmdr or Senior Non-Com)
~Chief Science Officer (LtCmdr or Senior Non-com)
~Chief Support Craft Pilot (Lt-LtCmdr or Senior Non-Com)
~Many varied specialists in multiple departments
~Civilians - all sorts
~And possibly unique, balanced character concept pitches
If a prospective player has some questions about applying, please do not hesitate to join us in our discord and ask away!
OBSIDIAN COMMAND DISCORD SERVER
GENERAL STORY SUMMARIES (IC)
January consisted mostly of character development. Please read the short summaries:
Individual Post Summaries January ‘24
FLYING SOLO CHALLENGE
Spiral is the Paper Crown holder for the Month of January!
Combined January Solo word counts:
Spiral 3,962 (3 posts)
Nikki 2,650 (2 posts)
Endia 1,574 (1 post)
Tara 1,353 (1 posts)
Total solo word count (Jan): 9,539
AWARDS
Sim Feature Post
Reverse Housewarming: Scoping Out the Scene - by Nikki
Nominated by Spiral - There’s a party and anyone is invited. Almost anyone.
Sim Feature Post
As From Within - by Nikki
Nominated by Spiral - Ibis encounters Brek’s newest art installation and it provides her an unexpected self-insight.
Sim Feature Post
Successor’s Dilemma - by Endia and Nikki
When LeBlanc goes to move into his new office, he discovers it still occupied by the outgoing Chief Engineer. LeBlanc finds an indifferent reception and the transfer of power goes smoothly enough, but a small detail leads to a not so small misunderstanding, and sows the seeds for the conflict of egos.
Meritorious Newcomer Award Endia/ Leblanc
For the depiction of an outgoing CEO, a stark contrast to his predecessor. Leblanc’s writer has not only brought a new style of writing - with a French twist - to O.C, he also managed to launch several entertaining JPs as soon as he arrived. -nomination by spiral
While it's tempting to join a sim and introduce a character in an easy, fresh-page-turning manner and ignore what went before, Endia sees messy pre-existing story items as potential and goes for the jugular in building character drama, scene tension, and conflict in big and small ways. This roleplayer is definitely a *writer* first and has jumped into the game with gusto. A wonderful addition to our crew. -nomination by nikki
Introspective Star - Tara/ Aiden Dhow
http://command.obsidianfleet.net/index.php/sim/viewpost/745
For the realistic description of Oly as he ventures, undercover, on Planet Obsidian and explores Kalara City in search of a room he could rent.
Wordsmith Medal for Descriptive Writing - Nikki/ Zahn
This is to reward Nikki, a natural storyteller, who has a way of using effective and immersive descriptions to reveal how her characters feel. From angst to hope or joy, the readers discover enjoyable scenes that are like ‘emotionscapes’.
Constellation Prize -Spiral/ Brek
For the clever gallery installation of canvases that display a representation of the viewer’s mood and the wonderful twist explained in follow on posts that the installation artist is in fact a stoic Vulcan! A creative idea that invites others to visit and enjoy as Brek tries to off-load the work and line his pockets with a bit more latinum. (Primary post reference: “A Tough Crowd”)
OBSIDIAN COMMAND NOMINATIONS
FOR OBSIDIAN FLEET’S END OF THE YEAR AWARDS VOTE 2023
Additionally, here are the OC Nominations for OF’s 2023 End of the Year Awards Vote. While OC didn’t take home any of the awards, it was a privilege to get to see our nominees in the listings.
As Sep has said, “You’ve all won, to me.”
You guys are a cut above and I had a very good time crafting these well deserved nominations. All of these will be entered in our Awards System as Nomination Commendations.
Brek- Obsidian Command
Here’s a real character… The perfect balance between laugh-out-loud stereotyping (Brek’s a Ferengi business owner) and heartfelt relatability (he’s driven to earn his fortune to become a potential suitor to a secret love and also lives under the expectations of an overbearing grandmother). Brek often finds himself being charitable, even though the word charity itself makes him so sick that he refuses to pronounce it. Although his art gallery has its good days and its bad, out of character, Brek has a posting ledger well in the black filled with enjoyable storytelling! Character of the Year would suit Brek well, and one way or another, he’d find a way to profit off the title. A grade A character and a good investment. (Tell Brek I sent you. I want my discount.)
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Chief Deputy Marshal Ridge Steiner- Obsidian Command
More than one simmer has thought: “What would the US Marshal’s service look like working in concert with Starfleet, on the cusp of the 25th century?” Wonder no more! Meet Marshal Ridge Steiner of the FMS. Integrated with Security on Obsidian Command, Steiner and his Deputies help watch over the promenade, track flight risks, seek out fugitives, investigate shady arms deals, help misplaced persons find their way, and occasionally get roped into away missions way beyond their typical jurisdiction! Steiner is a resourceful stripe, employing practical tactics in surprising ways, such as railgun harpoons and expanding sticky foam designed to hold off potential boarding parties, as well as using non-lethal crowd suppressant tactics to knock some sense into an opposing force, turning the tide of battle. Ultimately nothing, not even a direct order, can keep Steiner from rendering aid to a federation citizen in danger.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Major Porter John Wallace- Obsidian Command
A revived legacy character, Wallace was previously a staple aboard Obsidian Fleet’s USS Nimitz, serving as MCO over a decade ago! Back then you would have read of a hellbent and bitter man, a tortured soul who had lost everyone he loved and everything he dreamed of while fighting in brutal ground combat during the Dominion War. But as it turns out, life wasn’t through sifting Wallace. When reprised this year on Obsidian Command, we learn he has been wasting away under nine years of imprisonment and hard labor on an alien world, but even as his physical strength fades, his heart rekindles and he finds a new reason to live, and a new family to fight for. Wallace as a character is one of the most satisfying complete arcs out there, and this year has been graced by Wallace’s thematic portrayal of the Power of Love.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Atif Ibn Sharjar – Obsidian Command
A simple unassuming merchant, some might say smuggler, makes a trading circuit on Loki III, aka Planet Obsidian, and takes us along for the ride as he befriends a small tribe in the distant reaches of the desert, where inclement weather means it’s either raining shards of black glass or roasting you with deadly solar flares. He learns to ride a giant beetle and is invited to observe the ancient rites of the tribe, learning of the planet’s oldest maintained legends, and prophecies of the future. The human-bajoran man is tenacious and, with his own roots to dry climes, is no stranger to deserts, but Loki tests him through wind, fire, and blood. This character’s tales, more than any other this year, have breathed fresh life into the lore of Planet Obsidian, and reading his posts places us right there in the action with him!
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Lt Cmdr Maurice Rubens – Obsidian Command
Maurice Rubens thrives in the spaces between worlds. Himself a child of multiple cultures (Vulcan, Trill, and Human), his perspective gives him insight to others. But peacemaking for this diplomat can include subversive tactics, and he has a reputation as a wild card in his field. As an introduction to Obsidian Command, instead of first approaching the planet’s elders most sympathetic to Starfleet through which business has always been done, Rubens went to the leader most opposed to the Federation’s presence in the system, turning a decade of past approaches on their ear at his very arrival. In his personal life he builds a relationship with his current fiancée, and yet the echoes of past relationships also have ripples into his present. He’s nuanced and well written with a depth of story and personality that keeps the reader curious.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Captain Corvus DeHavilland- Obsidian Command
Is anyone ever prepared for Command? Or is it truly a case of rising to the occasion? Having ironically made her mark as a pilot, Corvus was chosen to head up the Stardock Class Station, Obsidian Command, at a time when the region is in disarray and hundreds of thousands rely on her. In each scenario that arises, sometimes acting may lead to dire consequences, and yet hesitation can be just as deadly. It’s not surprising that a new Captain would struggle with the hot seat. Answers rarely come easily and Corvus turns inward, afraid of losing control of any situation. But when she’s forced to rely on others, she’s reminded what leadership is about. She still talks out of turn with Admirals and can be dense with her friends, but there’s hope for her yet as she learns to trust, personally and professionally.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Character of the Year 2023)
Markus / Sepandiyar Obsidian Command
Markus is ever reliant as a GM and centered on what matters most for a game- providing a haven for writers and leading by demonstrating the craft of writing, quality characterization, and strong storytelling himself. This year especially saw him collaborate extensively with the sim’s active contributors, and simultaneously provide central plot while accommodating many player led story developments.
He maintains an informative, clean, and pretty nova site, manages setting and timeline with clear documents and is always available for communication. When it comes to his scope of activities and responsibilities, he puts his sim first and it shows in the quality and number of posts the players are inspired to write, thanks in fair part to the environment he’s cultivated.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Game Master of the Year 2023)
David K- Obsidian Command
It’s a total joy to write and storycraft with David. It always has been, but after cultivating our lives outside of simming for a decade, we discovered the collaborative spark is even brighter. It’s as if time and perspective has made pretense and uncertainty surrounding the cooperation melt away! Able to brainstorm and organize well, and manage multiple threads, David is eager to involve anyone he can and to play out both his ideas and the ideas of others, to support the sim’s plot and to build on the settings and lore — all in harmony! He’s also personally invested in supporting OC’s community with sim-level award nominations and conversation, and helped with site content and our sim award system revamp. I didn’t know how much I missed writing together, and I’m so thankful these stars have aligned again.
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Player of the Year 2023)
Spiral – Obsidian Command
Spiral is a breath of fresh air, offering a genuine and fun loving spirit to simming with quick wit, playful solo storylines, and amusing PCs and NPCs. She’s so unassuming, making her an understated gem of a player, who prefers to put the polish on others! Every month she faithfully recommends things to feature and awards for her fellow writers, building up the game and growing everyone’s confidence, and more often than not, she jumps in on invitations for joint posting or a collaborative thread, volunteering to play supporting characters with others. She’s a faithful reader, giving attention to her fellow players and motivating us to tell our stories, because she cares. It’s players like Spiral that make simming a fun and enduring hobby and every game needs the kind of spirit she brings in order to thrive!
(Unelected Nomination for OF’s Player of the Year 2023)
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