Rules
USS Ithaca Rules and Policies
By signing up as a player on the USS Ithaca, you agree to follow and respect the rules and policies set out by the Command Team.
These rules cover:
Character and Application Rules
Posting Rules
Code of Conduct
Promotion and Demotion Policy
Leave of Absence Policy
AI Use Policy
Character and Application Rules
• Players must be at least 18 years old to join the USS Ithaca.
• Characters must be your own original creation. Canon characters, such as Captain Kirk, or characters copied from another sim, are not permitted (unless you own that character and it does not conflict with other sims).
• Character biographies must be completed properly, with all required fields filled out in reasonable detail. A sample post must also be provided with your application.
• Characters must not possess god-like powers or abilities. Each character must be fairly balanced and have a good mix of strengths and weaknesses.
• Augments, members of the Q Continuum, Species 8472, and other hostile races are not accepted as crew on the USS Ithaca. Applications using these species or backgrounds may be rejected.
○ Android, holographic, or custom race characters may be used, provided that they are well thought out and balanced.
• All characters are subject to Command review before acceptance, and edits may be required.
• A character’s rank must not be higher than the current Department Head’s rank when applying. If applying for a Department Head position, the maximum starting rank is normally Lieutenant Junior Grade.
• Rank and position may be discussed with the Command Team during the application process, depending on biography quality and player experience.
• No character, whether primary, secondary, or non-playing, may outrank the Commanding Officer or Executive Officer.
○ Exceptions can be made if that character is vital to the story or a character that does not usually interact with the story (extended family, etc.).
○ Prior Command approval is required; do not create a character and then ask for permission. Unauthorised characters may be removed from the sim.
• Non-playing characters must have a basic biography. They do not need to be as detailed as primary characters, but they must still include enough information to be useful.
• No player may use another player’s primary character or linked non-playing character without the owner’s permission.
• Characters must be realistic. Starfleet officers must have attended Starfleet Academy, and enlisted personnel must have gone through the Starfleet Enlisted Corps Academy.
• Officer characters must usually be at least 22 years old. Enlisted characters must usually be at least 20 years old. Exceptions may apply for characters’ children or civilian dependants.
• Characters must not have direct involvement in major canon events. For example, your character did not command the USS Enterprise, though they may have served aboard a canon ship in a junior or background role.
• If creating an NPC or secondary character in a department other than your own, permission must be gained from that department’s playing Department Head. If there is no Department Head, permission must be gained from the Commanding Officer.
• Characters that are removed or deactivated will remain on the Inactive Manifest for archive purposes.
• The Commanding Officer/G.M. has final say on all character-related discussions. While this may seem harsh, it is the job of the C.O/G.M to ensure a fun and cohesive experience for all players
Posting Rules
• Mission posts must be written in third person, using “he said”, “she said”, or similar narration rather than “I said”.
• Posts must be at least 150 words long. Shorter posts may be returned to saved status, and the writer may be asked to expand them.
• Posts must be written in clear English. Other languages may be used in-character, provided a translation is included where appropriate.
• Posts must remain realistic. Characters should not be able to solve every problem alone or perform impossible actions without consequence.
• All members of the USS Ithaca are expected to post at least one mission post or personal log every three weeks to maintain activity.
• Joint posts should clearly show where another writer needs to respond using tags such as “TAG - Character Name”. Open tags may also be used where appropriate.
• Personal logs must be written in first person, as they are treated like a diary or log entries.
• Each post you participate in must be signed with your character’s name, rank, and position. This also applies to non-playing characters.
• Posts may be moderated by the Command Team if a player needs guidance, if a post is unsuitable for publishing, or if timing needs to be adjusted.
• Unfinished posts should not be published. Any unfinished post may be moved back to saved status until complete.
• Published posts must not be edited without permission from the other writer or writers involved and the Command Team.
• Mild swearing is permitted. Offensive, hateful, or excessively violent language is not acceptable.
• The USS Ithaca is an inclusive sim. Racism, discrimination, or hate speech will not be tolerated in posts or out-of-character spaces and may result in immediate removal.
• Pornographic writing is not permitted. Romantic content may be implied, and appropriate displays of affection, such as hugging or kissing, are acceptable, but explicit sexual content will be removed.
• Posts must not include canon Star Trek characters or characters from related franchises. Copyright infringement will not be tolerated.
• Posts must not include inappropriate, illegal or immoral content, including abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or similar material, unless specifically approved by the Command Team for story purposes.
• Most importantly, players are expected to enjoy writing together on the USS Ithaca.
Code of Conduct
• All members of the USS Ithaca are expected to follow these rules. Breaking them may result in disciplinary action.
• Players must treat each other with respect and kindness. Out-of-character arguments, harassment, or hostile behaviour are not acceptable.
• Problems should usually be raised through the chain of command. Players report to their Department Head. Department Heads report to the Second Officer. The Second Officer reports to the Executive Officer, and the Executive Officer reports to the Commanding Officer.
• The chain of command may be bypassed in serious situations. In such cases, the Commanding Officer may deal with the issue directly.
• Website access must not be abused. Department Heads may only use access permissions for their own department and the players within it. Abuse of access may result in permissions being revoked.
• No player may access, use, or interfere with another player’s account without permission from that player and approval from both the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer.
• Any behaviour considered unacceptable or inappropriate will be reviewed by the Command Team and may result in disciplinary action.
• Players are expected to respect the chain of command and listen to their superior officers.
• In-character Starfleet personnel are expected to follow lawful orders unless a refusal is part of an approved story. Failure to do so in-character may result in in-character consequences.
• The Command Team reserves the right to remove any player or character deemed unacceptable or inappropriate. If a player believes they were unfairly removed, they may file an appeal.
• The USS Ithaca operates a three-warning policy. A first offence will result in a warning. A second offence will result in a final warning and an email from the Command Team. A third offence may result in removal from the sim.
Promotion and Demotion Policy
• Starfleet officers joining the USS Ithaca will normally start at a maximum rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade or equivalent, unless special circumstances are approved by the Command Team.
• Promotions are awarded to players who participate actively and contribute good-quality writing during missions.
• Promotions are earned through contribution, conduct, and story involvement. They are not given simply because a player asks for one.
• No character may be promoted to a rank higher than the Executive Officer or Commanding Officer.
• Demotions may be used as a disciplinary measure for violations of the Code of Conduct. The severity of the demotion will depend on the seriousness of the issue.
• The Command Team may demote or move a character from a senior position if the player becomes inactive.
• Department Heads may recommend promotions or demotions within their department, but these must be approved by the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. A valid reason must be provided.
• Players may adjust the rank of their own non-playing characters where appropriate, but may not promote or demote their primary character without approval.
Leave of Absence Policy
• A player may request a Leave of Absence at any time.
• Players may take a Leave of Absence for a valid reason. Taking leave simply because of boredom or lack of interest in the current mission may not be accepted.
• A standard Leave of Absence may last up to four weeks from the date it is approved.
• An extended Leave of Absence may last up to eight weeks from the date it is approved.
• The Command Team reserves the right to deactivate any player or character who has been on Leave of Absence for more than eight weeks.
• Players must inform the Command Team when they return from Leave of Absence so they can be returned to active duty.
AI Use Policy
• The USS Ithaca recognises that AI tools can be useful aids for writing, planning, and creative development.
• Players may use AI to help develop and plan character biographies, mission ideas, personal logs, joint posts, or to refine grammar, structure, and wording.
• AI should be used as a support tool, not as a replacement for the player’s own creativity, judgement, or writing.
• All character concepts, story ideas, and posts must include meaningful personal input from the player.
• Writing should feel natural, character-driven, and human. Players should review, edit, and adapt any AI-assisted content before submitting it.
• Fully AI-generated posts, biographies, or mission content with little or no personal contribution are not acceptable.
• Players remain responsible for anything they submit, including accuracy, tone, continuity, and compliance with the USS Ithaca’s rules.
• AI-generated content must not be used to copy another writer’s style, reproduce copyrighted material, or create content that breaches the sim’s Code of Conduct or Posting Rules.
• The Command Team may ask a player to revise content if it appears overly automated, impersonal, inconsistent with their character, or unsuitable for the sim.