Active Officer University Programs for Star Trek: The Role-Playing Game (FASA)

Starfleet wants the best people, right? A highly trained officer with fleet experience should be able to continue their education? The Next Generation Officer's Manual says Starfleet sends active officers for more training at universities. No rules were included. So, I made my own.

GM's be warned: Beyond here there be dragons. Rules like these and others have the potential of making super-powerful characters. Use them wisely.

Rules:

Engineers, Science Officers, Counselors, Medical Officers are the most likely to attend an active officer program. But, a case can be made for other officers. Make your story good. Be creative. If you want your character to get extra training create a good back story. GM's love that stuff.

The six month program is good for characters that end up with an even number of cadet cruises. As you may know an even number of cadet cruises means the character's age is something like 36.5 or 42.5 which is a bit awkward. By allowing a player this option helps with their furstration. Players always hate when they fail the cadet cruise no matter how many times the GM tells them that it's not a problem. So if a character fails a cadet cruise tell the player not to worry he'll get some more skills.

Limit the number of programs a character can attend to two. But any combination is fine: two one year programs, two six month programs or one of each.

A player can choose any university he wishes.

Active Officer Programs

Six Months

One Major 20
One Minor 10
One New Skill 10

Advanced Training INT/2 then /10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

One Year

Two Majors 20
Two Minors 10
Two New Skills 10

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

University Skill System for Star Trek: The Role-Playing Game (FASA)

This is a system created for the Star Trek: The Role-Playing Game (FASA). It gives players more freedom during character creation.

In the rule book it mentioned some characters could have gone to university before they entered Starfleet Academy. I became fascinated with this because it said supplements were coming with rules. Those never appeared, so I created my own system to allow characters to attend university.

WARNING TO THE GM: There is much power here for players to become drunk with. Don't allow players to go crazy. Use common sense and a few rules to keep characters from becoming all powerful.

Rules:

The most common characters that would have attended university are Engineers, Science Officers, Ship's Counselors and Medical Officers. For other characters it would be rare, but if the player can think of a good background story by all means let them be creative.

The university system considered to be a four year doctorate that is pursued prior to the characters entrance into Starfleet. So, any character who has attended university will be 22 when they enter Starfleet.

A player can choose whatever university and program they wish.

The following are just a few of the unversities a character can attend. Use the base system to create your own (or just change the name). I'll be posting a Betazoid unviersity soon.

Universities

Astronautics University of Edinburgh

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Electronics Tech 10
Computer Tech 10
Mathematics 20
Mechanical Engineering OR Computer Science 20

Five Outside Electives 10 (Must be new skills)

Player must choose ONE Track

Engineering Track

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Space Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Physical Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Physical Sciences)
Divide 30 between any Two “Technology” Skills

Science Track

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Small Equipment System Operation 20
Small Equipment System Tech 10

Both Tracks receive Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)


Vulcan Science Academy

(Non-Vulcans can attend, but must put all 15 of language into Vulcan)

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15 (At least five of the 15 must be in the Vulcan Lyre)
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Computer Science 10
Investigation: Research 20
Vulcan Culture/History 15
Vulcan Law 15

Five Outside Electives 10

Program

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Small Equipment System Operation 20
Small Equipment System Tech 10

Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)


Zakdorn University of Tactics and Strategy

(Non- Zakdorns can attend, but must put all 15 of language in Zardorn.)

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Gaming: 3-D Chess 10
Gaming: Strategema 20
Instruction 10
Leadership 20

Five Outside Electives 10 (Must be new skills)

Program

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Instruction OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Instruction OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Economics OR Political Science OR Law 20
Any Trivia OR Any Culture/History OR Psychology 10

Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already possessed)


The University of New Paris

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Great Galactic Literature 20
Great Galactic Music 20
Any Two Culture/History Skills 10

Five Outside Electives 10

Player must choose ONE School

School of Science

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social
Small Equipment System Operation 10
Investigation: Research 20

School of Medicine

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Medical Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Medical Sciences OR Life Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Medical Sciences OR Life Sciences)
Small Equipment System Operation 10
Investigation: Forensics 20

School of Diplomacy

Negotiation/Diplomacy 40
Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Law 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Administration 20
Value Estimation 10

School of Law

Federation Law 40
Negotiation/Diplomacy OR Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Economics 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Administration 20
Investigation: Research 10

School of Mining

Mining 40
Geology OR Metallurgy 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Physical OR Planetary Sciences OR Trade and Commerce OR Economics)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Mining System Ops 20
Mining System Tech 10

School of Criminal Justice

Federation Law OR Security Procedures 40
Investigation: Criminal 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Investigation: Forensics OR Interrogation OR Psychology OR Social Science)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Investigation: Forensics OR Interrogation OR Psychology OR Social Science)
Holodeck Interrogation 10
Surveillance 20

School of Archeology

Archeology 40
Anthropology OR Sociology 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Geology OR Exobiology OR Any Trivia 10
Investigation: Research 20

School of Language

Two Language Majors 40 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Two Language Minors 20 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Communication System Ops 10
Any Culture/History OR Psychology 20

School of Economics

Economics 40
Trade and Commerce OR Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Law 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Accounting 10
Value Estimation 20

School of Arts

Two Majors 40 (Any Artistic Expression)
Two Minors 20 (Any Artistic Expression OR Trivia)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Artistic Expression OR Trivia)
Instruction 20
Any Trivia OR Language 10

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

(Player must work with GM to create this program by combining two of the above Schools)

Two Unrelated Majors 40
Two Unrelated Minors 20
Two Other Unrelated Fields at 10
Divide 30 between two other skills

All Programs receive Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

Trek Radio Interviews Rod Roddenberry

The son of Star trek creator Gene Roddenberry talks about carrying on the legacy of his father. This is only short piece.

FASA Star Trek Role-Playing Game

I love this game. I got my first copy when I was 11 and it was awesome. It took me a while to figure out how to make a character, though. Unfortunately, there were a number of typos and unclear items that made it difficult. But still it is great. It does a great job of capturing the spirit of Star Trek. I still play it when I get a chance.

More information:
Wikipedia
Memory Alpha

Leonard Nimoy Interview

Leonard Nimoy turned down producing Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Hear about that and much more. Check out this massive interview with Mr. Nimoy. It's wide-ranging, covering most of his career, tons of stories and little known facts. Normally, I'd just post a link to the video, but not this time. The page contains an index so you can search through the interview as well as links to clips of old movies or TV shows that Mr. Nimoy worked on. Link below.

"The camera can capture thought in a away that's quite surprising and shocking. You can become very simple and minimal in your work and communicate a lot with just a finger or an eyebrow, or a look, or a glance."

Click here for the Interview

Star Trek Radio

Do you have a fever? And is the only prescription is more Star Trek?

If so, check out TrekRadio. Yes, it's an Internet radio station dedicated to all things Star Trek. You can experience interviews, news and 80's rock around the clock with a Star trek twist.

Star Trek 2011: A Preview of the Future

From the official Star Trek page comes an update on what 2011 holds for Trek fans. Cool article, read it

Star Trek 2011: A Preview of the Future

No Khan?

It seems Khan will not be appearing in the sequel to Abrams' Star Trek. All I can say is that I'm pleased. I don't want Khan rebooted. Check out the article here. Oh, and give me a break that Star Trek is equal to The Wrath of Khan.

James Horner on Star Trek II Score

Yeah, so this moive is my favorite. Yes, I like it more than any other movie ever made. Why? Because it's awesome! It is a finely crafted film that is also exciting and tremendous fun. Here's James Horner talking about the score which happens to be some of the best music for a movie ever.

Star Trek Meets The A-Team

Ran across this today and thought it was good.

Le Wrath di Khan

Robot Chicken has created the best thing ever. It's Star Trek II. It's opera. It's awesome. Watch it now.

Star Trek vs. Batman

Here's a crazy fan film that combines two classic 60's shows.

Star Trek Online: Box Art and Stills

This game scares me. I'm serious. I'm afraid of it. If I play it I'm afraid I'll lose my soul. My life on this planet will end and I'll forever be inside a computer-generated world.

Find out more at the official site, if you dare!

My Top 10 ST:TNG Episodes

I became aware watching Star Trek: The Original Series. I enjoyed Star Trek: The Motion Picture. I nearly worshiped Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I loved Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Then when I was 13 Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered. I was hooked. Every Saturday night at 10:30pm, I was in front of the TV. I watched each episode carefully noting the title, the writers, directors and even guest stars. Here are my favorites.


1) The Inner Light

Picard lives an entire life on an alien world in twenty five minutes. A moving story about memory.


2) The Ensigns of Command

Data has to convince settlers that they will be slaughtered if they don’t relocate. Finely acted, finely written and finely directed.


3) The Measure of a Man

Data is put on trial to see if he has the right to choose. Powerful and thought-provoking this episode is capped off with a tour-de-force performance by Patrick Stewart.


4) Q Who?

Q introduces the Enterprise to the Borg. And nothing will be the same again. A terrifying challenge to human arrogance.


5) Conspiracy

Homage to 50’s sci-fi paranoia, this episode was scary when I first watched it. Parasitic aliens almost undo the whole of Starfleet.


6) Brothers

Simply excellent. An expertly crafted story of two sets of brothers trying to figure out what being brothers mean. Brent Spiner plays three roles to perfection.


7) Contagion

Picard rushes to solve a mystery that destroyed his friend’s ship and crew. An exciting adventure that leads the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone and to a world with remains of a people long dead.


8) A Matter of Honor

Riker serves aboard a Klingon vessel and has to face the Enterprise in battle. A nice glimpse into Klingon culture featuring the wonderful guest star, Brian Thompson.


9) Heart of Glory

Another great episode about Klingons. A fantastic look at Worf’s character early in the series with several cool fight scenes.


10) Tin Man

What’s with all the Tin Man hate? A Google reveals people all across the internet saying that this is a bad episode. Have they not seen The Game or The Royale? Or any episode in seasons six or seven (except Lower Decks)? The story is exciting and unique. It also features a musical score that is haunting and adds immensely to the atmosphere.

Honorable Mentions:
Reunion, The First Duty, Deja Q, Legacy, Datalore and Home Soil

R2-D2 Cameo in New Star Trek Movie?

Yup, here it is:

Image from Science Fiction Stuff.

J.J. Abrams Interview

TrekMovie.com has a huge interview with J.J. Abrams, the creative force behind the new Star Trek film. Star Trek comes out on DVD and Blu-ray tomorrow.

Star Trek III Posters

The Search for Spock usually gets labeled as one of the bad Star Trek movies. This, however, is not true. It got sandwiched between the best Star Trek movie ever made (and one of the finest film ever made) and the franchise's highest grossing film until First Contact. As a result it gets lost in the mix. It has an exciting and well crafted story. And as Star Trek villians go, Christopher Lloyd's Kruge is second only to Khan.

My Top 10 ST:TOS Episodes

Every fan of Star Trek has their favorite episodes, so I thought I’d throw out mine. I don’t like to mix series, so all of these will be from Star Trek: The Original Series.


1) A Taste of Armageddon

I’m breaking with tradition here. Usually, The City on the Edge of Forever is ranked as the best episode. But there is something about this episode that stands out. This was made when science fiction still had an edge. This episode cuts deep and makes you think. What TV show can say that? The message: only the horrors of war teach us the pleasures of peace.


2) Balance of Terror

Essentially, a World War II story set in space. This episode teaches us about prejudice and foolishly seeking glory.


3) The City on the Edge of Forever

Usually, number one pick this episode is certainly a well crafted and moving story. Love and time collide forcing us to remember that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.


4) The Devil in the Dark

Given a hard time for dated special effects this episode still raises above many others. The arrogance of man is coupled with the fear of the unknown. Something lurks in the dark mines. Is it friend or foe? Or do we even ask?


5) Operation: Annihilate

An underrated gem this episode is a classic science fiction tale of terror. Alien parasites destroy all life, including Kirk’s own brother. In a battle for survival only one side can win.


6) Space Seed

Two words: Ricardo Montalban.


7) A Piece of the Action

A send up to gangster movies, this episode proves to be a rowdy good time.


8) Amok time

A look into Vulcan culture as Spock’s dark, illogical side emerges. An arranged marriage goes sour and Spock is forced to fight Captain Kirk to the death.


9) The Trouble with Tribbles

A hilarious romp that doesn’t let up for a second complete with Klingons, fuzzy alien creatures, barroom brawls and spies. What else do you need?


10) Journey to Babel

A visit from Spock’s parents is complicated with an assassin on the loose.

Honorable Mentions:
Court Martial, Arena, Mirror, Mirror and The Galileo Seven

Watch most of the ST:TOS episodes at CBS.com for free.

Unaired Verison of ST:TOS Pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before" Discovered

New verison of "Where No Man Has Gone Before"? Bring it on! It will be included on the ST:TOS Season 3 Blu-ray.

From the press release:

This version of "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was completed in 1965 and features archived footage that was not included in the pilot episode ultimately broadcasted. Never-before-aired, this newly recovered version is believed to be what was originally screened for NBC, and the basis for their decision to broadcast STAR TREK®. ... "When we first discovered the original film print existed, we jumped at the chance to give STAR TREK fans the opportunity to add this never aired pilot to their collections," said Ken Ross, executive vice president and general manager of CBS Home Entertainment. "It will be a real treat for fans to see and hear how it all could have begun."

Here's a clip:

Trek Writers Interviewed

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, writers of the new Star Trek film, were interviewed over at Crave Online.