Step 1: Who is your character?

When playing a roleplaying game, it's important to know the person you intend to play. What are their motivations, their goals, their passions, their greatest success and failure, all of it. You don't need all of it right off the bat, but you do need to have a fundamental understanding of who it is your character is meant to be, and how you intend to play them.

To that end, we'll go over a few basic questions to ask yourself that will help when we get to actually building your character sheet.

The Basics: Species, Gender, Age, Family, and Home Planet

Before you can get too deep into who your character is, there are a few basic fundamentals you need to grasp about them before they can go very far. The very first step is to consider what species your character will be. Head over to the Species Guide and look through the brief write-up about each species, and also take a look at the Memory Beta page about them for more reading, as the official sources over on Memory Alpha can sometimes be a bit short. The reason for choosing your species first is because not all species have the same notion of gender or sexual identity. Andorians, for example, have four distinct genders, and it affects your character's genetic disposition towards the universe. A Klingon is fundamentally more aggressive than a Human, who in turn is more aggressive than your average Vulcan. So, consider your options and think about what this means for your new character.

With your species and gender out of the way, we need to consider your age, as not all species age the same way Humans do. The Ocampa, who aren't in this game but will serve as our example, only have a lifespan of approximately 5 to 7 years, and are considered adults after only 1 year. Vulcans, while becoming adults at 18 similar to Humans, tend to live on average to around 180 years old, and often won't reach retirement until they're at least 100 years old. Your character's age also plays a role in how old your character will be at various stages of their career, as Starfleet often promotes based on Time in Grade. An Ensign might get their first promotion after only a year, but may spend two or three years as a Lieutenant Junior Grade before reaching Lieutenant. Not sure what age you need to be? Consult staff and we'll be glad to assist you or consult the Lifepath Generator (Feature coming soon!)

Now that you've established your species, gender, and age, it's time to consider your character's family. What did their parents do? Are they still alive? Did your character become enamored by their life choices or did they rebel and run off to Starfleet despite their objections? Did your character even know them? Some species lay eggs and just abandon them, while others are polyamorous and have multiple parents and guardians. What about your character's siblings if you have any? All of these things shape your character and what makes them who they are. Only children will have a different childhood than the oldest or youngest of several siblings. With so many species, family dynamics can be anything and everything.

And finally, let's consider the world your character calls home. Did your character grow up on your species home world? On a distant colony? Maybe the home world of another species? Or perhaps they grew up on a space station or on a star ship, roaming the galaxy. Home is where the heart is, and not only can leaving home be a thrilling adventure, everyone has home sickness at some point. Does your character dream of the fields of pink grass under a brilliant golden sky? Or maybe they yern for the glowing pressure domes under a dark brown sky. 

Appearance

So why did we wait until after the basics to start determining what your character looks like? Well, not only does each species look different in various ways, the basics help flesh out your character and how they appear. While each person's personal aesthetics for their character varies wildly, there are things to consider when it comes to specifics. For example, Humans have several genotypes from genetic drift as Homo Sapiens spread across the planet, which has led to different facial structures, heights, skin tones, and other changes. Most of these changes are purely cosmetic, but it's still worth consideration. There are also numerous cultural aspects that could result in fun cosmetic appearances, such as acceptance of facial piercings, tattoos, hair length, body paint, and so forth.

So when you're choosing your character's appearance, do keep in the back of your mind not just what your species is, but small changes that could add subtle but interesting facets of your appearance. Perhaps you're a Bolian who decorates their facial ridge with an insert that makes it glimmer in the light? Or you're from a culture that wraps their arms in colorful cloth during certain times of the year that represent their faith? The sky's the limit, so feel free to think of fun and interesting additions that can be fun and interesting to include.

What's in a Name?

While it's a pretty safe assumption that your character has a name by this point, it should be noted that the possibilities when it comes to names are near endless. Western cultures here on Earth tend to structure names as Given First Name, Given Middle Name, and Family Surname, but there are exceptions such as in Scandinavian countries, which for a period had Given Name, Parent's Given Name, such as John-Son or Emily-Daughter. Those eventually became surnames themselves such as Johnson. Even most surnames are derived either from places or the person's role in the community, which is why Smith is such a common name, as a blacksmith was a very important role in the community and thus they tended to marry and have children.

But that doesn't mean that everywhere is the same. Asian cultures tend to put the family surname first, emphasizing that family comes before the individual. Plus, over time the marrying of different families has led to some places having an over abundance of one family name, despite being so distantly related they might as well be strangers. If everyone has the same surname, then it starts to lose its meaning and instead emphasis falls on a person's given name at birth.

Even having an abundance of naming options on Earth, there are several fun ways to play around with a character's name. It might be that in a particular culture, the individual chooses their given name once they become an adult, and perhaps even have a naming ceremony when they officially pick their name. Or they might have a public name for identification but have a secret, private name they only share with close friends and family. There are numerous ways to play around with names and concepts, so feel free to explore and get creative.

Psychology

Now that you have some of the basics of your character, it's time to go into detail about your character's thought process by discussing events in your character's life and their experiences that has led to them wanting to join Starfleet, and the easiest way to do that is to consider the major events in their life.

The Good

Everyone has moments of good even in the darkest life, and your character should be no different. What is something your character looks back on and smiles? Was it a fishing trip with their grandfather on a beautiful lake and they caught their first big fish ever? Maybe it was winning the big sporting event that let the team win a major championship? There can be lots of good moments, but think about the ones that truly stand out and make your character proud. Those are the ones that help define the good aspects of their psychology.

The Bad

Now that you've established the good, it's time to think of the bad. What is something that has left a lasting scar on your character and makes them sad even after several years? Did your character walk out after an argument with their parent and the last thing they ever said was something along the lines of "I hate you," only to have that parent die before they could make amends? Did your character cause an accident that ended with someone severely injured or possibly even killed? What is it about that event that has left its impression.

The Ugly

With the two extremes out of the way, it's time to do a little self reflecting. There are ugly parts of ourselves that we don't like to just reveal to the world, and your character is no different. What deep secrets do they keep from everyone that even a Betazoid would have trouble discovering about them? What are those dark inner thoughts that they tell no one and feel guilty about? It doesn't have to be perverse or illegal, but maybe a bad experience has left them with a negative bias against another species, or they get frustrated easily and wish to work alone because they secretly feel superior to everyone, or at least feel they can't rely on others. These thoughts and feelings can be worked through in time, so don't feel like you need to make your character a bigot or racist, just that they have flaws like all people.

A Note on Disabilities

While we like to encourage each character be unique and special in their own way, we would be remiss if we didn't discuss disabilities and how they might affect a person serving in Starfleet. The 24th century has had numerous advancements in the science and technology of biomedical accommodation of disabilities, such as Geordi LaForge's visor. These advancements help people overcome the limitations of their bodies in ways that seem almost magical to us in the modern world.

However, in our quest to make unique characters, we should also keep in mind the real world disabilities around us, and how we can unintentionally cause harm to others by trivializing their disabilities and issues. A real blind person might not enjoy listening to someone claim their character is blind but can see thanks to future technology and acting as if blindness isn't a legitimate struggle. Most people would understand that this is a game and that no harm is intended, but it might still occur that someone feels hurt due to how a disabled character might be played. So all we ask is that you put careful consideration into how your character acts and try not to trivialize someone else's pain.

Augmentations

On the flip side of that coin is augmentation and improving the human body. Humanity of the 24th century is very, very hesitant to conduct research into augmentation, either as artificial augmentation or genetic. Without getting too deep into the lore, Humanity faced the horrors of genetically modified super humans in the late 20th/ early 21st century that were further exacerbated by Colonel Green's campaign of terror and performing eugenics on populations in North America immediately after World War III. During this dark period, warlords and dictators used combat drugs and other means to control soldiers and inspire horrific acts of violence on the general population.

While Humans have conducted research into improving the species, it is done so with tight scrutiny and supervision to avoid another Eugenics War. Even after the Federation was founded, cases of eugenics and the terror caused by tampering with the human genome have left a sour taste in the mouth of most people when it comes to augmenting their bodies, and it is often a case of only enough to make them equals, not superiors. If your character requires augmentation for whatever reason, be it a replacement limb, a cloned organ, etc., such augmentations may be deliberately curtailed to keep your character's abilities in line with everyone else. In the infamous words of Khan Noonien Singh, "Super ability leads to superior ambition".

Major Divisions of Starfleet

Starfleet is broadly divided into three main branches of service, each with their own roles and responsibilities.

Command & Tactical

Command Officer:

The Command officer is responsible for overseeing the overall operations and functioning of a starship or starbase. They serve as the ultimate authority on board, ensuring the crew follows protocols, maintaining order, and making critical decisions. The Command officer coordinates with other departments, manages resources, and upholds the mission and values of Starfleet. They are skilled leaders, capable of making tough choices, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew.

Tactical Officer:

The Tactical officer is responsible for the defensive and offensive capabilities of a starship or starbase. They oversee the weapons systems, defensive shielding, and combat operations. The Tactical officer coordinates with other departments, formulates battle strategies, and ensures the ship is prepared for potential threats. They analyze sensor data, assess enemy capabilities, and engage in combat when necessary. The Tactical officer is skilled in weapons technology, combat tactics, and is essential in safeguarding the crew and the ship from hostile forces.

Both the Command and Tactical officers work closely together to maintain the safety, security, and functionality of a starship or starbase. While the Command officer takes charge of overall operations and decision-making, the Tactical officer provides critical support in defensive and offensive operations. Together, they ensure the ship's effectiveness in various missions, whether it be exploration, defense, or diplomatic encounters. Their collaboration and expertise are vital in upholding the principles of Starfleet and the Federation's mission of peace, exploration, and cooperation.

Engineering & Operations

Engineer Officer:

The Engineer officer is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and optimization of the starship or starbase's systems and infrastructure. They oversee the engineering department, ensuring the ship's power systems, warp drive, propulsion, and other vital systems are functioning optimally. Engineer officers troubleshoot issues, conduct repairs, and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the ship's continued operation. They also collaborate with other departments to provide power and resources as needed.

Operations Officer:

The Operations officer serves as a key coordinator and facilitator of the ship's day-to-day operations. They manage various logistical aspects, such as crew assignments, shift schedules, resource allocation, and communication systems. Operations officers ensure smooth coordination between different departments, track inventory, and manage internal shipboard functions. They also handle external communications, coordinate away missions, and provide support during critical ship operations, such as docking, beaming, and shuttle operations.

Both the Engineer and Operations officers play critical roles in ensuring the functionality and efficiency of a starship or starbase. The Engineer officer focuses on the technical aspects, ensuring the ship's systems are operational, while the Operations officer oversees the logistical and administrative aspects, keeping the ship running smoothly. Their collaboration is essential for maintaining the ship's operations, supporting the crew's needs, and enabling successful missions and explorations.

Science & Medical

Science Officer:

The Science officer is responsible for conducting scientific research, data analysis, and exploration missions aboard a starship or starbase. They utilize advanced sensor systems, research equipment, and laboratory facilities to study celestial phenomena, gather data, and expand the frontiers of knowledge. Science officers analyze sensor readings, conduct experiments, and collaborate with other departments to interpret scientific findings. They contribute to the understanding of the universe, identify potential dangers, and make discoveries that benefit the ship and the Federation as a whole.

Medical Officer:

The Medical officer is responsible for the health and well-being of the crew aboard a starship or starbase. They provide medical care, diagnose illnesses and injuries, and develop treatment plans. Medical officers also conduct routine check-ups, monitor crew health, and oversee the medical department's operations. They work closely with other departments during emergencies, providing triage, stabilization, and medical support. Medical officers are skilled in various medical specialties, including surgery, emergency medicine, and diagnostics, ensuring the crew's physical and mental well-being.

Science and Medical officers play critical roles in maintaining the health, safety, and scientific exploration of a starship or starbase. They contribute to the ship's mission by expanding knowledge, ensuring the crew's well-being, and providing valuable scientific insights. Their expertise, research capabilities, and medical skills are vital in advancing the frontiers of science, discovering new phenomena, and ensuring the crew's overall health in the vastness of space.

Life at the Academy

Upon admission, cadets undergo a rigorous program that combines classroom instruction, hands-on training, and immersive simulations. They study various disciplines, including engineering, science, tactical operations, command, and more. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of starship operations, scientific exploration, and the principles that guide Starfleet's missions.

Cadets also participate in practical exercises and simulated scenarios, preparing them for real-life situations they may encounter during their careers. They undergo physical training to maintain fitness and endurance, as well as leadership development programs to cultivate their command abilities. The Academy fosters teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, all essential qualities for Starfleet officers.

Throughout their time at the Academy, cadets are mentored by experienced faculty members and interact with officers from various backgrounds. They engage in collaborative projects, participate in extracurricular activities, and form lifelong friendships with their fellow cadets.

The final years at the Academy focus on specialization, allowing cadets to delve deeper into their chosen fields of study. Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned as ensigns and embark on their careers within Starfleet, serving aboard starships, starbases, or other vital installations.

Overall, a cadet's time at Starfleet Academy is a transformative and challenging experience, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to serve as officers in Starfleet. It instills a sense of duty, exploration, and dedication to the principles of peace, progress, and cooperation that define the Federation.