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Post by BSC RPG on Apr 30, 2005 13:10:36 GMT -6
This is the Frequently Asked Questions section. I. General Callisto Information II. Joining the Callisto/Membership III. Ranks and Regulations IV. Role Playing Game V. Miscellaneous I. General Callisto Information 1.1 What is the Battlestar Callisto? The Battlestar Callisto is a fan-created online club which was formed by a collection of fans to celebrate the original Battlestar Galactica television show originally created by Glen A. Larson in 1978 and shown on the ABC television network. Founding members first met in 1998 while posting to the Sci-Fi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica Forum BBoard. We currently help spread the word about this great show by posting to online BBoards devoted to the show, maintaining this web site and having fun by engaging in what we call a “lite” Battlestar role playing game. 1.2 How was the Battlestar Callisto formed and why? The Callisto was originally formed as an online chapter of the short-lived International Battlestar Galactica Fan Club run by Drew Michaels. Although there were no provisions for an online-only group in the club, permission was granted and thus, the founding members who had gathered on the Sci-Fi Channel BBoard formed Gold Squadron to become the Fan Club’s first online chapter on November 10th, 1998. The members first formed Gold Squadron because fan club rules stated that we needed at least twelve members to form an official Battlestar and we fell just shy of that number. Once the required number was achieved, we petitioned the club for official Battlestar status and chose the name Battlestar Callisto. Our main purpose is to keep the memory of Battlestar Galactica alive. Due to the great demand and number of people joining in those early days, on May 10th, 1999, the members decided to add Black Squadron so new members would have a choice as to which squadron they could join. 1.3 What was the role of the Callisto in the BSG revival? The Battlestar Callisto wholeheartedly supported the revival efforts of actor Richard Hatch, who played Captain Apollo in the TV series. Members were urged to do whatever they could to help in the revival efforts to get BSG back on the air. However, once Richard’s attempt to bring back our beloved show with a continuing storyline utilizing original actors, characters and themes had failed, we are now concentrating on spreading the word of the original show which can still be seen on television now and then. Other ideas may be writing fanfic, submitting photos, CGI renderings, reports of convention attendance and role playing in the updated version of Richard’s “Second Coming” trailer project. We do NOT support the “remake” or “reimagining” of the series on Sci-Fi Channel. 1.4 Now that Richard Hatch’s revival is over, what will the members of the Callisto do? As mentioned above, the members of the Callisto are invited to engage in our Role Playing Game to further the ideas of Richard Hatch’s vision for what an updated BSG would have looked like. We will also make sure to spread the word of the original series about what a great show this really was. 1.5 Is there an online presence of the Battlestar Callisto? Yes, there is only one way which members maintain an online presence. There is a Battlestar Callisto website and can be located at battlestarcallisto.freehostia.comThe members of the Callisto post daily to the Battlestar Callisto Role Playing Game, bscallisto.proboards20.com/index.cgi hosted by Proboards. Official Callisto business is handled by posting on there and all role playing takes place there as well. Archived information can be found at bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.php/1/5/836?1.6 Is it true that Anne Lockhart (Sheba) is associated with the Callisto? Yes, it’s true! In the summer of 1999, the idea was circulated among the members to ask Anne Lockhart herself if she would accept the title of Honorary Commander of the Callisto. In October 1999, she accepted the position and took honorary command of the Callisto with the rank of Commander. Anne’s greeting to visitors at the website is the first thing people hear when they access the site (yes, that really is her!). Anne occasionally provides us with behind-the-scenes information on current projects she is working on and has answered personal questions which Callisto members submitted to her.
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Post by BSC RPG on Apr 30, 2005 13:11:46 GMT -6
II. Joining the Callisto/Membership
2.1 How do I join?
All someone has to do to join is have a love for the original Battlestar Galactica. If you have any interest in the show and the characters and like to talk about it, then you will fit right in! We do ask that you look over the Callisto website (http://battlestarcallisto.freehostia.com)first to get acquainted with the site, who we are and what we do. Then, once you have made up your mind, send an e-mail to battlestarcallisto@hotmail.com to let us know that you intend to join. In that e-mail, please send along your real name, your username and the squadron you wish to join. You will receive a welcoming e-mail to let you know that you have been accepted. An announcement will then be made on the Battlestar Callisto Role Playing Game BBoard announcing your arrival onboard shortly thereafter. That’s all there is to it!
2.2 Does it cost anything to join or to participate?
The Battlestar Callisto is totally free to join and no dues will ever be assessed to any of the members. Unfortunately, this also means that we do not receive membership cards or other goodies. Occasionally, the members may vote to have special items made such as t-shirts or squadron patches, etc. and whoever wants to participate may do so by sending in the money required. However, participation in these special cases is totally voluntary and no one will ever be forced to participate or provide money for anything they don’t want.
2.3 How do I communicate with others?
The main way that members aboard the Callisto officially communicate with each other is by posting on the Battlestar Callisto Role Playing Game Bulletin Board. Members may also contact others by private e-mail, but any official business will be posted on the Bulletin Board.
2.4 What do I do to get started?
After you have sent in your first e-mail letting us know you want to join, confusion may set in. No one contacts you and you never get anything in the mail. Some do not know what to do. The first step is to register your username. Once you have done that (which you should have already since you need one to let us know who you are when you join), you should go check in at the Battlestar Callisto Role Playing Game BBoard. Post a nice note saying “hello” and see what happens! Now that the members are role playing on the BBoard, it will be even easier for new members to get right into the swing of things. All you do is read the posts and jump right in!
2.5 What do I need to do in the Role Playing Game?
The RPG is a neat feature that members began participating in early in 2001. Several key command personnel (called Core Command) come up with a major storyline and then present it to the members by narrative posts on the BBoard. Although the main story is somewhat fixed, a lot of leeway is given for individuals to get into character and add to it by posting from their characters’ point of view. Not too much is given away, however, so each person can add to the story at their convenience. A slow pace is guaranteed by Core Command so that all may take part. If anyone misses anything, they can immediately jump back in at any point since it is slow going. This is a really fun way to interact on a daily basis with the other members and really expand your character in the world of Battlestar Galactica. Several personal storylines are always taking place so even if your character is not involved in the main stories, there’s no limit to what your character can do!
2.6 What do I get out of my membership?
As the saying goes, “you get out of it what you put into it,” and never more does that saying hold true than aboard the Callisto. Some members join and then never show up again. Some post every once in awhile but are still watching from afar. And some are there every single day experiencing it all. It’s up to you how involved you want to be, but I can say that it is much more fun if you’re there almost every day or couple of days. That’s the best way to get the most out of your membership. Also, when election time comes around in the squadrons, those who are most active will have the best chance of getting elected to a higher command.
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Post by BSC RPG on Apr 30, 2005 13:13:07 GMT -6
III. Ranks and Regulations
3.1 Why do we have ranks aboard the Callisto?
As in any club, a ladder of success is often beneficial to provide motivation and achievement of greater glory. In the military, ranks are necessary to establish a chain of command. Therefore, since members who join the Callisto are joining the (fictional) Colonial Military, they are subjected to the same (relatively) rank structure as seen in Battlestar Galactica. Generally, new members start at the very bottom and work their way up. With individual initiative, they may be elected to higher command positions by their peers during squadron elections or, in exceptional cases, they may be offered a promotion by Core Command for action and services above and beyond the call of duty combined with time of service. However, this is very rare and is only offered to those individuals who have shown exemplary devotion and duty to the cause over time.
3.2 What are the ranks aboard the Battlestar Callisto?
The ranks for members aboard the Callisto are listed below:
Ensign
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lt. Colonel
Colonel
Commander (reserved only for Cmdr. Sheba)
Other ranks such as enlisted personnel (sergeants, flight sergeants, etc.) and Cadets are used in the RPG but are only given to Non-Player Characters (NPC).
3.3 What rank am I when I join?
When you join the Battlestar Callisto you are commissioned a Warrior in the Colonial Military with the rank of Ensign. The date which you first sent your e-mail will be noted on the Callisto’s official membership records (kept private) and six months afterward, Ensigns will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
3.4 How do I get promoted?
You do not have to do anything special to get promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, it is automatic after a six-month period.
3.5 What is the procedure for being promoted to higher command positions?
Once the rank of Lieutenant is attained, there are two possible ways to be promoted to higher ranks. 1) Be elected by your squadron peers to the position of Squadron Leader
2) Be recommended at election time by the outgoing Squadron Leader for promotion for service above and beyond the call of duty.
The outgoing Squadron Leader will recommend a maximum of two Warriors to be promoted after which Core Command will approve the promotions. Promoted Warriors will advance one rank level. Those Warriors who win their squadron elections to become CO of their squadron will be promoted in rank by one level only. Ex: if a Lieutenant wins the election, they will be promoted to the rank of Captain. If a Captain wins the election, they will be promoted to Major. But if a Major wins reelection, they do NOT get promoted any longer!
3.6 What are the squadron elections and when are they held?
Every year, both squadrons aboard the Callisto hold elections from their own members as to who will be the Squadron Leader for the following year. Terms are for one year and there are no term limits. The week before the election, a list is published as to who is eligible to run for higher positions. Every member from that squadron as well as all Bridge personnel and Med Lab personnel may make one nomination from those eligible Warriors within the squadron. Members may nominate themselves. The day before the election, the list of nominees is posted to the BBoard and then only members from the squadron may vote for their candidate. The Warrior receiving the most votes is elected the new Squadron Leader for the following year. If there is a tie in the voting, the election will be given to the Warrior with the longest service time aboard the Callisto. Terms begin immediately after the announcement.
Gold Squadron holds their election on the anniversary of its founding on November 10th of each year. Black Squadron holds their election on the anniversary of its founding on May 10th of each year.
The elected leader will be commissioned with the rank of Major. If a Squadron Leader with the rank of Major is reelected to additional terms, no promotion is given in rank, but they can still recommend two Warriors for promotion as per Question 3.5 with each election cycle.
3.7 What are the qualifications for being elected?
To be eligible to run for Squadron Leader, a member MUST be commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant on or before the election date.
3.8 What positions are there aboard the Callisto?
Most Warriors who come aboard the Callisto want to be Viper pilots and choose to serve with one of the squadrons (Gold or Black). However, there are various specialties that members can request. If a Warrior so chooses, they can request to serve on the bridge with the Command branch. These Warriors are not assigned to a specific squadron, they are deemed to be bridge personnel. They ordinarily wear the blue command uniform and serve as launch coordinators, weapons analysts or computer specialists.
One other exception is the Medical Staff. If someone has medical experience they can choose to be assigned to the Med Lab. Dr. BKJ is the Chief Medical Officer aboard the Callisto. Anyone assigned to the Med Lab would be under her supervision and primarily work on a daily basis in the Med Lab. Med Lab personnel would not be assigned to a squadron, but they can serve as a Med Tech on away missions.
Finally, a Warrior can choose to serve in the Science Division. The Science Lab is under the supervision of a Non-Player Character named Solon who is used by Core Command members when needed in the storyline. Again, Science Lab personnel are not assigned to a particular squadron.
3.9 What happens once you get promoted beyond Squadron Leader?
Once a Warrior attains the rank of Major and either steps down as Squadron Leader or is voted out of office, they are transferred to the bridge and given other responsibilities. They would then be designated as bridge personnel. Once a Warrior is voted out of office, they have the choice of being reassigned to the bridge and assume other duties aboard the Battlestar, OR they may continue to serve in the squadron but are no longer squadron CO. (Keep in mind that this could result in a Major being a part of the squadron under a Captain's command!)
3.10 Are there other special ranks?
The title of “Doctor” is given under special circumstances to those exceptional Warriors who have shown expertise in either the field of Medicine or Technology/Science. Keep in mind that these instances are VERY RARE and are not likely to be conferred again to others aboard the Callisto. Dr. BKJ holds the title for Medicine and Dr. Curemode holds the title for Technology/Science.
3.11 What regulations do we have to follow?
There are no published regulations that we must follow, this is after all for fun; however, keep in mind that others who have attained high rank aboard the Callisto have probably been here for quite a while. Therefore, proper etiquette and behavior is to be expected when addressing them in the RPG. You should act for the most part as you would if you were really aboard a Battlestar in time of war according to the television series. Most of all, have fun with the universe and enjoy!
3.12 What are the rules for the RPG?
There are several basic rules for game play during the Role Playing Game. They will be discussed in the next section.
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Post by BSC RPG on Apr 30, 2005 13:14:35 GMT -6
IV. Role Playing in “The Callisto Chronicles”
4.1a. What are the rules for the Role Playing Game?
The following is a list of basic rules when undertaking a role in the RPG:
This is purely a Lite Role Playing Game. There are a few hard and fast rules. What this means is:
1. All Callisto members are welcome to participate. The warrior character must be 18 yahrens old to join the Colonial Military and 20 yarhens to drink in the Officer's Club. Subject to the age limitations noted, a Callisto warrior character can actually be younger or older than the Callisto member portraying the character.
2. Sometimes information will be passed to warriors by private e-mail. Warriors are to pass this on to the fleet in their character’s words as they see fit according to their specific situation.
3. Core Command (Col. Charybdis, Maj. Brie, Maj. Lucian and Maj. JustinB,Captain Amy or Captain Hawke) will generally be copied on private communications noted in item 2 for game reasons only; however, such information CANNOT BE USED AS THE BASIS FOR ACTION by Core Command unless it is made known through the Board in regular character interaction.
4. If you want to participate with a private message, please feel free to send a message to those in Core Command. E-mail addresses will be provided through the BBoard.
5. We want everyone to have fun and be creative, but it is important to remember that there is a general outline. Please DO NOT INTRODUCE MAJOR PLOT TWISTS without approval of Core Command. That means you don't run into a group of 20 Cylons and blast them all while on patrol, etc. Also, please, DO NOT INTENTIONALLY endanger your characters, such as flying into a star. Any such actions will be interpreted on the board as a bad dream and Doc will be by your bunk in no time with the proper tranquilizer.
6. IMPORTANT!: Please do not alter actions of other characters without clearing it with them first or leaving the situation open for them to respond.
7. Please don't rush the game. Let others have plenty of time to respond prior to continuing with additional actions.
8. If you have brief ideas, feel free to forward them to Core Command for possible incorporation sometime later in the story.
9. We play the game according to the established values and beliefs of the original television series and have updated it according to Richard Hatch’s “The Second Coming” movie trailer. Unless approved by Core Command and the rest of the members, please do not incorporate unknown values, beliefs, phenomena and paranormal activities into the game play.
10. If any player wishes to change the character they play in the RPG, they must retire their old character (by having them 'fade away' or by killing them off) and any new character must start at the beginning as if they were just joining the group for the first time...
11. Players may use NPCs occasionally when warranted by their storyline; however, players must keep in mind that there is only one Commander, one Colonel, and very few other high ranking officers aboard the Callisto at the present time. Every other NPC (aboard the Callisto) must be below the rank of Lt. Colonel. Please check the official Callisto NPC list located on the website. Do not just create new characters!
12. No player shall secretly join the game under another username and play another character as if they were two separate persons. This is unfair to all other players and their characters and joining the group under false pretenses is just pure felgercarb!
13. If a player forgets his/her ID/password on the RPG board contact Captain Hawke and he will straighten the problem out.
4.1b. Guidelines
1. Stay out of another character's head -- Of course there has to be interaction between characters, but write what YOUR character is thinking and feeling, not the person with whom you're working. It's up to each of us to decide how our character thinks, feels, and acts.
2. You don't know what you can't know -- Just because someone posted something on the board doesn't mean that your character knows about it. YOU have read it, not your character. If your character hasn't seen or been told something, your character probably doesn't know about it.
3. If you're not sure what's intended, don't make a big change in something someone else has started, or end something that someone has left open -- We all have ideas in our minds when we start to write something. If you would like to join in on what someone is working on, e-mail them and maybe you can work on it together. Or maybe not, not everything involves everyone.
4. Try not to create too much dialog for another character if you have a 'scene' together -- keep the conversations simple and give the other person a chance to join in. If too much time passes and you're left there hanging, continue, but make sure that it would be something that the other person would say. And remember, we're an international group, and we're all on different schedules. Be patient.
5. Read the other posts -- this is really the only way you can know what is going on, who is doing what within your story and others. You just might be surprised at how exciting our overall story can be!
6. Make sure you know who and what is involved in your current story -- this goes back to the previous point. We're all responsible for our own story, so keep yourself informed.
7. Don't move someone else's character -- most of us have had a time when our character was supposed to be in two or more places at one time. It's annoying if you think you're asleep in your bunk, only to discover that someone else has you sharing drinks in the Officer's Club.
8. Contact each other -- this is the only way to keep continuity in our stories, and there won't be any surprises. And who knows, you might just make a friend.
9. Accept the consequences -- you can't slap someone in the face or disobey orders and expect to get off easily. If your character breaks the rules don't be upset if your character is punished.
10. Don't be offended or upset if something you write has to be changed -- sometimes two people post at the same time, going in opposite directions. Other times things are posted that aren't even close to what is going on. Things are said or done that someone's character would never say or do. Don't be upset if something you said needs to be changed, it's nothing against you. And if someone makes your character do something you don't agree with, don't be afraid to change it yourself.
11. If your character has been gone for an extended period, please make sure you catch up on what has been happening. Jumping in and "doing your own thing" isn't always possible, because your character may have been temporarily used as an NPC or something may be going on that doesn't fit with what you're saying. For example, you can't leave the Callisto in the middle of a jump. Please contact your squadron leader to find out where you should be. If you're not in a squadron you can contact any member of Core Command.
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Post by BSC RPG on Apr 30, 2005 13:15:31 GMT -6
V. Miscellaneous
5.1 Why does the Callisto donate to a charity?
When the Callisto became an Official Battlestar in the International Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, one of the requirements for joining was to select a charity for humanitarian purposes. We chose St. Jude Children’s Hospital. No one is required to donate any money; however, now and then we try to hold a pledge drive to give what we can and help our fellow children out.
5.2 Where can I find the squadron rosters, history of the Callisto and Med Lab articles?
All information about Callisto members, history, Med Lab articles and links information and more can be found under the appropriate section on the website. We encourage all members to go by the website on a regular basis (http://battlestarcallisto.freehostia.com)
5.3 What do I do if I want to leave the Callisto for good?
If for some reason you need to leave the Callisto for good, we ask that you please just post a message on the BBoard indicating your desire to leave. In this way, we can know whether or not you will be returning.
5.4 Why do I have to give my real name and will it ever be used for other purposes?
We record your real name on a paper copy kept by Col. Charybdis in complete security. It is only for recordkeeping purposes and so we can get to know the real you! Rest assured, no one’s name, e-mail address or any other information will ever be shared, sold or used online outside of official Callisto business.
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