A Guide for GMs

Thank you so very much for choosing to GM for us here on Star Trek: Frontier. Taking on the role of a GM is a daunting prospect for even a seasoned GM, and can feel overwhelming for new ones. That's why we came up with a simple writing guide for GMs to help get started.

1. Understand the Universe: Familiarize yourself with the Star Trek universe, including its history, major factions, and technology. Watch the TV series, movies, and read related materials to gain a solid understanding of the setting.

2. Define the Theme: Decide on the overarching theme or concept of your adventure. This could be exploration, diplomacy, conflict, or a combination of multiple elements. The theme will help shape the story and guide the players' experiences.

3. Establish a Central Conflict: Every adventure needs a central conflict to drive the narrative. Determine the core challenge or problem that the players must resolve. It could be a diplomatic crisis, a scientific anomaly, or a threat from a hostile alien species.

4. Plan the Plot Structure: Outline the major story beats and plot points for your adventure. Consider introducing an inciting incident, escalating tension, and a climax. Leave room for player agency and improvisation while keeping the narrative on track.

5. Develop Engaging Characters: Create compelling non-player characters (NPCs) that the players will interact with. Provide each NPC with a distinct personality, motives, and goals. This will add depth to the story and encourage meaningful interactions.

6. Design Memorable Locations: Craft diverse and visually stimulating environments for the players to explore. Whether it's a mysterious alien planet, a bustling space station, or the iconic bridge of a starship, detailed descriptions will immerse the players in the Star Trek universe.

7. Balance Challenges: Strike a balance between offering challenges and allowing players to overcome them. Provide opportunities for problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. Tailor the difficulty level to ensure both new and experienced players can contribute to the story.

8. Incorporate Moral Dilemmas: Star Trek often explores ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions. Include moments where the players must grapple with tough choices, forcing them to consider the consequences of their actions and align with Starfleet's values.

9. Encourage Roleplaying: Roleplaying is at the heart of a tabletop RPG experience. Encourage players to fully embody their characters and engage with the story. Foster an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable exploring their roles.

10. Embrace Player Agency: Allow players to have agency and influence the direction of the adventure. Incorporate their character backgrounds, goals, and decisions into the narrative. Adapt and adjust your plans based on their choices, creating a dynamic and personalized experience.

11. Maintain Consistency: Pay attention to the established canon of the Star Trek universe to maintain consistency within your adventure. While you can introduce new elements, ensure they align with the established lore and adhere to the rules and principles of the universe.

12. Provide Resources: Offer supplemental resources, such as a briefing document or player's guide, summarizing important information about the setting, major factions, and character creation guidelines. This will assist players in understanding the universe and creating their characters.

13. Seek Feedback: After each session or adventure, encourage feedback from your players. Ask for their thoughts on the story, pacing, challenges, and overall experience. This feedback will help you improve your GMing skills and tailor future adventures to their preferences.

Remember, the most important aspect of being a GM is to create a fun and immersive experience for your players. Enjoy the journey, be flexible, and embrace the collaborative storytelling nature of tabletop roleplaying games.

Starship Combat

Starship combat in the Star Trek universe is an exhilarating and action-packed experience that can add excitement and tension to your roleplaying adventures. Here are some guidelines to help you effectively portray starship combat and build suspense in your writing:

1. Set the Stage: Begin by establishing the scene and providing a clear description of the environment. Describe the location of the battle, the characteristics of the starships involved, and any other relevant details. Consider the spatial layout, celestial objects, and potential obstacles to create a vivid and immersive experience for your readers.

2. Engage the Senses: Bring the battle to life by engaging the senses of your readers. Describe the sights, sounds, and even the vibrations felt aboard the starship during combat. Include the flickering lights, the hum of energy shields, the blaring of alarms, and the intense maneuvering of the starship. Utilize descriptive language to evoke the tension and chaos of the battle.

3. Utilize Technical Details: Star Trek is known for its technological intricacies. Incorporate technical details to enhance the authenticity of the combat scenes. Mention specific weapons systems, shield frequencies, and tactical maneuvers employed by the starships. However, strike a balance between technicality and storytelling, ensuring that the narrative flow remains engaging and accessible to all readers.

4. Character Perspectives: Switch between different character perspectives to provide a variety of viewpoints during combat. Show the reactions, thoughts, and emotions of the bridge crew, including the captain, helmsman, tactical officer, and other key personnel. By exploring different character perspectives, you can offer diverse insights and highlight the impact of the battle on individuals.

5. Tactical Decision-Making: Depict the tactical decision-making process aboard the starship. Highlight the captain's strategic planning, the crew's coordination, and the teamwork required to outmaneuver and outwit the enemy. Incorporate discussions about shield modulation, weapon targeting, and sensor analysis to demonstrate the complexity and strategic depth of starship combat.

6. Building Suspense: To build suspense, introduce elements of uncertainty and tension into the narrative. Create obstacles and challenges for the starship, such as damaged systems, unexpected enemy maneuvers, or internal conflicts among the crew. Use cliffhangers, unexpected twists, and strategic setbacks to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

7. Emotional Impact: Show the emotional impact of combat on the characters. Describe the stress, fear, and determination they experience. Explore the moral dilemmas they face, the sacrifices they make, and the camaraderie that emerges in the face of danger. Connect readers with the characters' emotional journey to deepen their engagement with the story.

8. Consequences and Aftermath: Address the consequences and aftermath of starship combat. Explore the physical damage sustained by the starship, the injuries to the crew, and the emotional toll taken on individuals. Show the process of regrouping, repairing, and recovering from the battle. Use this opportunity to further develop character arcs and explore the long-term impact of combat.

Remember, starship combat is not just about the technical aspects, but also about the characters' experiences and the emotional impact it has on them. By balancing action, technical details, suspense-building techniques, and character development, you can create compelling and immersive starship combat scenes that will captivate your readers and enhance their roleplaying experience in the Star Trek universe.