Branch Officers and particular circumstances

Alright. In my campaign I have the following characters:
-Male Cairn Ship's Counselor
-Male Half-Human/Half-Betazoid Conn Officer
-Male Zakdorn Science Officer(In a hoverchair)
-Male Human Security

Alright now here is my problem, what do I do if say a security officer wants to become XO and stay in the security branch? I've seen Beverly Crusher commanding the U.S.S.Pasteur on the show wearing a blue uniform so got me thinking. And what happens if the Cairn decides he wants to command? He can't even speak to anyone.

Do disandvantages stop/slow down the ability to reach higher ranks? Enlisted personnel may only have 6 pts of disadvantages to go the Officer command school, would that apply to the line officers?

This group is playing very well, they've only failed one mission and learned alot from it. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions/threats about this group?

Wait a second... if you're speaking of "All Good Things," Captain Beverly Picard was wearing a red uniform while in command of the U.S.S. Pasteur, not blue.

mactavish out.

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Originally posted by Lt.Khrys Antos:
Alright. In my campaign I have the following characters:
-Male Cairn Ship's Counselor
-Male Half-Human/Half-Betazoid Conn Officer
-Male Zakdorn Science Officer(In a hoverchair)
-Male Human Security

Alright now here is my problem, what do I do if say a security officer wants to become XO and stay in the security branch? I've seen Beverly Crusher commanding the U.S.S.Pasteur on the show wearing a blue uniform so got me thinking. And what happens if the Cairn decides he wants to command? He can't even speak to anyone.

Do disandvantages stop/slow down the ability to reach higher ranks? Enlisted personnel may only have 6 pts of disadvantages to go the Officer command school, would that apply to the line officers?

This group is playing very well, they've only failed one mission and learned alot from it. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions/threats about this group?

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The Security Officer would transfer to Command if he became XO. Cairn can command... there is an example of a Cairn Captain given in the Player's book where the race is introduced.


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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain

Even though Dr. Crusher wears the science-blue uniform, she was in command during nightwatch a few times in the show. She and Deanna Troi both got bridge officer or command certificates or something like that. AND in the 'Genesis Wave' novel (part one) Beverly is given command of the Defiant class USS Neptune.

That doesn't turn out well, though http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/wink.gif. ('ll have to buy part two to find out what happened exactly...)

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'Who would have thought... A brave Ferengi!'
Gowron, to Quark, son of Keldar.

I remember Spock being XO and serving in the ( blue ) Science Department.
However, anybody who wants to command a ship has to pass the Bridge Certificate ( like Troi ) or who wants to hold a command postion, i.e. from Commander upwards has to pass the Command School, although they may stay in their old department ( its in the Player's Guide )

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"I am a great one for rushing in where angels fear to tread." - Cpt. Kirk, Star Trek VI


www.farrealms.de

Besides, the USS Pasteur is an Olympic-class medical ship...Most of the crew are probaly doctors...Even command. She would be more akin to a hospital administrator or hospital chief of staff. Also, the security chief is usually in the chain of command, albeit a ways down the line, but still capable of taking a command postion. Although he would probaly have to wear the red uniform. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

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Originally posted by Lt.Khrys Antos:
And what happens if the Cairn decides he wants to command? He can't even speak to anyone.

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I know what it says in the Species Template. But the episode 'Dark Page' which introduces us to the Cairn actually doesn't gel with this at all.

During the episode, while it is stated that the Cairn have no need for Linguistic communication, they do actually have no compulsion with using it when dealing with species that are unable to communicate telepathicaly.

I mentioned this a while back, and it was suggested that the 'non-speaking' distinction was just window dressing for the species.

But for your campaign, its entirely up to you if you choose screen vs. LUG book canon...



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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"
http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

In the ep where the Cairn are introduced ('DarkPage'?), they are learning to speak english/federation standard.

As well going to the academy they would be taught fed std.

Thus he could XO and still talk, just uses his images sometimes.

And unless its a small ship say size 6 and below then the XO almost has to be a cmd (red) officer and cannot be another dpt hd.


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AKA: SirPostalot
AKA: The MapMaker
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I'm more of a screen canon type, although I do like the novels and material inside the lug manuals.

The way the Cairn species evolved is that their entire planet has psionics. From the lowly plants to the Cairn they all use psionics, now if their evolution granted them the ability to use their minds effectively, the creation of vocal cords may not have happened. Their society would be rather devoid of the theologies as written in the players guide as lack of ability to show abstract thought would render them pointless.

All Cairn possess the ability to speak amongst each other normally(no need to roleplay the images). While those who understand the Cairn language may also understand, although they would need to be psionicists also.

As for them learning the Federation Standard language, to me they've learned the language, but can't speak it(no vocal cords). They understand orders and can read it, otherwise they don't ever speak.

Any thoughts on this?

Some kind of voice synthiezer could be implanted.

I thought that in the episode with the Cairn. The one actually spoke to Troi.

Hey Tom Whuuuuz Up! I think Vinnie should not be alloud into the Chain of Command since his character is not able to speak, It is not your problem he picked to be that type of Character. I will not allow him anywhere within the chain of command during my series only people which can actually talk will be, sice it is easier to interact between the crew and its superior officers. Just imagine a captain showing an image to all of its crew on the bridge during a tense battle. To show them what to do, like what to fire and where to target the opposit ship, also not to mention the flight patterns in which to evade them and also the power resources . Just a laughable captain.

Thx for the correction on the uniform, i get confused with all these episodes.
I know that Cairn can be command, I don't see how they would make effective command officers though. I know that all species get an equal chance in the Federation, however, during a tactical maneuver, how will the Cairn tell them he wants to use a specific pattern of flight? How would he get about giving orders or even initiating a self-destruct? I don't think Starfleet wants its officers trying to guess their captains orders.

If a Cairn has succeeded in getting to captain, the only way I see he could effectively command is if he receives a senior staff composed nearly entirely of cairn speaking telepaths.

I don't want to limit my PC, but I don't see how I could allow him to go into the command branch in the event he wants to.

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Originally posted by Lt.Khrys Antos:
Thx for the correction on the uniform, i get confused with all these episodes.
I know that Cairn can be command, I don't see how they would make effective command officers though. I know that all species get an equal chance in the Federation, however, during a tactical maneuver, how will the Cairn tell them he wants to use a specific pattern of flight? How would he get about giving orders or even initiating a self-destruct? I don't think Starfleet wants its officers trying to guess their captains orders.

If a Cairn has succeeded in getting to captain, the only way I see he could effectively command is if he receives a senior staff composed nearly entirely of cairn speaking telepaths.

I don't want to limit my PC, but I don't see how I could allow him to go into the command branch in the event he wants to.

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Why are you worrying about how the Cairn can be a starship commander? Let the player figure it out. Tell him that his PC will be given command when Starfleet figures out how to overcome these problems, then tell him he's Starfleet... when he comes up with a solution you like, use it.

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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain

Some officers will be promoted and remain i their department. A captain may be an engineer, heading the engineering of a starbase, or cheif engineer of a development project (Scotty and the Excelsior). A councilor may be promoted to captain, and head the Counciling Section of Starfleet Command. Some officers will be promoted to Captain and give up engineering, ect. and simply command. Depends on what your players want for their character; and what works for your game.

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Originally posted by redwood973:
Some officers will be promoted and remain i their department. A captain may be an engineer, heading the engineering of a starbase, or cheif engineer of a development project (Scotty and the Excelsior). A councilor may be promoted to captain, and head the Counciling Section of Starfleet Command. Some officers will be promoted to Captain and give up engineering, ect. and simply command. Depends on what your players want for their character; and what works for your game.

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In my campaign officers don command red when they take charge of a multi-branch unit, or are special staff to command officers.

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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain

I like the idea of letting him figure out a new method of communication. Thx.

Everything said up to now is how I've been running my campaign, except for that multi-department head idea...I like it...I like it alot http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif. I'll probably include that in my campaign.

Anyone have a take on the disadvantages and if they slow down progress of a character?

Hey Eric...So what if Vinnie picked a Cairn? Ever heard of equal opportunity and freedom for all?

I talked to him and he said he'll stick to ship's counselor. I told him he has to figure out a new method of communication with the crew. And Eric remember Psi abilities, if the other psionicists take the Cairn language they can speak to him psionically.