Difference between pages "Guide:USS Columbia" and "Melkot"

	Melkot
	Basic Information
Major Species	Melkot
Homeworld(s)	Unknown
Founded	Unknown
Warp Capable	Unknown
	Political Information
Governance Type	Unknown
Military Branches	Unknown
	Template:Government

Revision as of 14:07, 21 March 2024

The Melkot are a xenophobic species and minor power with territory in the Alpha Quadrant. Historically xenophobic and deeply territorial, they have long jealously guarded their borders and resisted encroachment or even peaceful visitation by any outsiders. The Federation made a fraught first contact in 2268, with the USS Enterprise earning permission to enter Melkot space. Since then, relations between the Federation have been cordial at best, non-existent at worst. There are rarely interactions between the two powers; Starfleet ships may not approach or enter Melkot space without permission, and the Melkot have only communicated with the Federation in times of dire need for either side. In those times of necessity, however, contact has been possible, and the Melkot wary of engagement but open to discussion.

Melkot Species and Culture

The Melkot themselves are non-humanoid and powerful telepaths. They have bulbous bodies without limbs, which appear to float through unknown means, and have bright, round eyes. They are capable of projecting telepathic illusions that are indistinguishable from reality to the recipients, especially in non-telepaths. These illusions are so potent that experiencing injury and death can cause sufficient psychic trauma to hurt or even kill. Other telepathic species, such as Vulcans, have proven capable of resisting the illusions with varying degrees of success.

The only confirmed survivors of a telepathic illusion intended to be lethal for the victim was the crew of the Enterprise in 2268. They were immersed in an illusion of the Old West and were expected to be killed in a gunfight. It is believed that the Melkot identified an experience, setting, or period that the crew associated with violence, where death would be an inevitable outcome. It was through resisting this expectation of violence, when Captain Kirk refused to kill an illusory opponent, that the Melkot became curious enough about humanity to make contact.

Little else is known about the Melkot people. The Federation highlight their xenophobia and territorialism, but also point to the fact that they were stirred by unexpected mercy from those they viewed as invaders. Starfleet presumes the Melkot border policies to be dictated by fear, and thus strives very hard to follow the example of mercy and compassion set by Kirk in all their dealings with them.

Border Defences

The Melkot leave warning buoys at the edge of their territory, which all communicate a message directing anyone approaching to leave. Those ignoring such warnings are treated harshly, with the Melkot demonstrating their xenophobic tendency to view such outsiders as 'aliens' or even 'disease'. Most ships which ignore the warnings meet a grim fate, the Melkot sentencing them to death. Either technological defences repel encroaching ships or, if possible, the Melkot kill the crews through their telepathic illusions.

Ships which need to approach Melkot space are advised to establish a communication link with a warning buoy, state their business and identify themselves as part of Starfleet, and await further contact. If no response is heard, no ship has permission to violate Melkot territory.

In Play

The Melkot are a deeply inhuman and unknowable species encountered in one episode of TOS, who are also deeply isolationist. This combination gives writers only limited storytelling opportunities with them, as it is inconceivable Starfleet would not leave them alone unless they had no other choice.
With the right level of emergency or accident, Starfleet ships may still have encounters in or near Melkot space. It is up to the writer if the Melkot would accept any request for access, or how indulgent they would be of transgression, especially intentional. This might be an opportunity for intense and difficult diplomacy, or a story of a crew trying to survive an encounter with Melkot telepathic illusions such as those seen in TOS: Spectre of the Gun.
Melkot telepathic illusions feel real to all but the most disciplined of minds or powerful of telepaths. If your crew is hit by one, it's entirely up to you how much Vulcans, Betazoid, or others are affected, or how much they can affect the illusion in turn. The Melkot are clearly very powerful, but it's up to you decide what's best for your story.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The '''[[USS Columbia|USS ''Columbia'']]''' is an ongoing open sandbox for members of Bravo Fleet. Open to everyone holding the fleet rank of midshipman and above, this space is meant to provide people with an opportunity to write character development stories and organic plots without relying on direct game manager intervention like a traditional RPG.
+{{icons|bfc}}{{Government
+| name = Melkot
+| image =
+| species = Melkot
+| homeworld = Unknown
+| founded = Unknown
+| warp = Unknown
+| language =
+| currency =
+| government = Unknown
+| leader =
+| advancement =
+| military = Unknown
+}}
+The '''Melkot''' are a xenophobic species and minor power with territory in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. Historically xenophobic and deeply territorial, they have long jealously guarded their borders and resisted encroachment or even peaceful visitation by any outsiders. The [[Federation]] made a [[ma:Spectre of the Gun (episode)|fraught first contact in 2268]], with the USS ''Enterprise'' earning permission to enter Melkot space. Since then, relations between the Federation have been cordial at best, non-existent at worst. There are rarely interactions between the two powers; [[Starfleet]] ships may not approach or enter Melkot space without permission, and the Melkot have only communicated with the Federation in times of dire need for either side. In those times of necessity, however, contact has been possible, and the Melkot wary of engagement but open to discussion.
-Set on board a Galaxy-class starship, the Columbia provides members with the full writing flavour in an environment similar to Star Trek: Lower Decks. It focuses primarily on the lower decks characters set in the departments of command, engineering, operations, security/tactical, science and medical.
+== Melkot Species and Culture ==
+The Melkot themselves are non-humanoid and powerful telepaths. They have bulbous bodies without limbs, which appear to float through unknown means, and have bright, round eyes. They are capable of projecting telepathic illusions that are indistinguishable from reality to the recipients, especially in non-telepaths. These illusions are so potent that experiencing injury and death can cause sufficient psychic trauma to hurt or even kill. Other telepathic species, such as Vulcans, have proven capable of resisting the illusions with varying degrees of success.
-Unlike SBB and Avalon, this sandbox allows members to collaborate with other members in a set time to complete a sub-storyline/plot within a main mission arc.
+The only confirmed survivors of a telepathic illusion intended to be lethal for the victim was the crew of the ''Enterprise'' in 2268. They were immersed in an illusion of the Old West and were expected to be killed in a gunfight. It is believed that the Melkot identified an experience, setting, or period that the crew associated with violence, where death would be an inevitable outcome. It was through resisting this expectation of violence, when Captain Kirk refused to kill an illusory opponent, that the Melkot became curious enough about humanity to make contact.
-Before you proceed, please read the [[Guide: USS Columbia Rules|USS Columbia Rules]].
+Little else is known about the Melkot people. The Federation highlight their xenophobia and territorialism, but also point to the fact that they were stirred by unexpected mercy from those they viewed as invaders. Starfleet presumes the Melkot border policies to be dictated by fear, and thus strives very hard to follow the example of mercy and compassion set by Kirk in all their dealings with them.
-== Initial Character Creation and Joining ==
+== Border Defences ==
-Any Bravo Fleet member with the rank of midshipman or up can join the USS Columbia.
+The Melkot leave warning buoys at the edge of their territory, which all communicate a message directing anyone approaching to leave. Those ignoring such warnings are treated harshly, with the Melkot demonstrating their xenophobic tendency to view such outsiders as 'aliens' or even 'disease'. Most ships which ignore the warnings meet a grim fate, the Melkot sentencing them to death. Either technological defences repel encroaching ships or, if possible, the Melkot kill the crews through their telepathic illusions.
-Everyone’s Character Rank will be Ensign. Like on the USS ''Cerritos'', the [[USS Columbia Command Crew|Senior Staff]] of the USS ''Columbia'' are only around for cameos (usually at the start of a mission, maybe introducing a twist in the middle and possibly at the end to wrap things up). They are NPCs with their set guidelines.
+Ships which need to approach Melkot space are advised to establish a communication link with a warning buoy, state their business and identify themselves as part of Starfleet, and await further contact. If no response is heard, no ship has permission to violate Melkot territory.
-You need to create a full biography for your character, as this allows other members to understand your character before you collaborate. You should create a character on the BFMS, set it to Story Mode and assign it to USS Columbia. Then [https://bravofleet.com/apply?cmd=86162 click here] to fill out the application. The character biography should be complete (though you can still expand and develop it further later), and your application should include a writing sample of at least 250 words - this could be your first post on the ''Columbia'' if you like. Details of your assignment should be included as a separate paragraph in the writing sample field.
+== In Play ==
-== What to write and how ==
+* The Melkot are a deeply inhuman and unknowable species encountered in one episode of TOS, who are also deeply isolationist. This combination gives writers only limited storytelling opportunities with them, as it is inconceivable Starfleet would not leave them alone unless they had no other choice.
-For each mission, ideas for each department will be shared for members to explore with others. One mission will last for two months OOC. During this time, members will engage with the plot. This means that any stories covered would contribute to the overall mission. If a story isn’t completed, the mission will not be paused; the sandbox will move on to the next mission.
+* With the right level of emergency or accident, Starfleet ships may still have encounters in or near Melkot space. It is up to the writer if the Melkot would accept any request for access, or how indulgent they would be of transgression, especially intentional. This might be an opportunity for intense and difficult diplomacy, or a story of a crew trying to survive an encounter with Melkot telepathic illusions such as those seen in TOS: Spectre of the Gun.
+* Melkot telepathic illusions feel real to all but the most disciplined of minds or powerful of telepaths. If your crew is hit by one, it's entirely up to you how much Vulcans, Betazoid, or others are affected, or how much they can affect the illusion in turn. The Melkot are clearly very powerful, but it's up to you decide what's best for your story.
-The Columbia staff will create a mission every two months OOC. You can directly post in this mission, on your own or with others. Requesting a joint post with someone before you start the post is considered polite, so reach out on Discord.
-Remember that ''Columbia’s'' content is also restricted to 111 on the RPG Ratings scale in accordance with our [[Content Policy]].

Melkot
Basic Information
Major Species	Melkot
Homeworld(s)	Unknown
Founded	Unknown
Warp Capable	Unknown
Political Information
Governance Type	Unknown
Military Branches	Unknown
Template:Government