These Are The Voyages: The Star Trek: Mariner Pitch

On October 11, 2161 representatives from Earth, Tellar, Andoria, and Vulcan signed the constitution of the United Federation of Planets.  This agreement declared their shared vision and purpose to the galaxy as a whole, heralding the birth of the Federation.  In accordance with this agreement military and exploratory forces of all member states were placed under the aegis of Starfleet.  By years end Starfleet Academy was founded and by September 8, 2166 Admiral Douglas delivered the commencement speech at the first Academy class graduation.  This is where the story of the USS Mariner, a newly commissioned Columbia class cruiser begins.

Launched in 1801 Mariner was a 12 gun brig.

Welcome to the Star Trek: Mariner, my Trek sandbox to build and explore what I like best about the Star Trek Universe.  Mophidius's Star Trek Adventures RPG was released more than a year ago so I am late to the party.  I picked up my copy on release last summer and laid the foundation for the basis of my campaign.  I went to work building digital play aids as well as documenting preliminary plot lines.  Then the hard drive crashed and I ended up losing the majority of it.  My frustration got the better of me and any efforts at an electronic project died on the vine.  I was still pretty psyched about the story though, and continued to plug away old school with pen and paper. 

HMS Mariner (J380) was an Algerine class minesweeper that survived the Second World War.

I considered setting the campaign in the TOS era because it, like TNG seemed destined to enjoy a comprehensive treatment.  It wasn't long before sentimentality overruled practicality so the starting point was moved to the Rise of the Federation period.  Enterprise was my favorite Trek and Archer, my favorite captain.  While gaming material may have been in short supply Christopher L. Bennett's  Rise of the Federation novels suggested a background to work from.

USAC American Mariner, a liberty ship recommissioned as a naval research vessel

2166 is also a, "non-canon" period in franchise history that remains largely undocumented.   Players have the opportunity to build their legacy without living in the shadow of an Enterprise and her crew.  As the Game Master it allows some latitude concerning persons, places, and things that might be scrutinized by astute fans of more clearly realized eras of play.  As a final incentive to utilize the setting I was also looking at the possibility of a legacy campaign.  If Season 1 went successfully it could be used as history later in the timeline.  Engaging players revolves around them feeling like their actions matter.  Star Trek Adventures suggest legacy as a trait among storied vessels that share the name so I think it would be a satisfying for returning players to step onto the bridge of a newly commissioned constitution or galaxy and remember their earlier adventures on a ship called Mariner.

Mariner 2 made the first successful interplanetary space flight in 1962.

SETTING:

Era:  Series starts 2166
Region:  Local space and regions beyond the limits of the newly founded Federation
Technology:  22nd century, Starfleet

Mariner is a broad canvas named to evoke the Age of Sail.  The era offers a full and diverse range of mission types while much of space remains a mystery.  The main departures from canon 22nd century technology are shields and transporters.  By 2166 Federation science has moved on from polarized hulls and developed deflector technology.  Transporter technology exists and is in place on Federation vessels but since the the early 2160s medical science had discovered a link between genetic disorders and extended transporter use.  At present transporters are to be used in only the most dire of circumstances.  This is a closely guarded secret that only the captain and a tight group of confidants would be privy to on ship.

I liked the flightsuits and decided to keep them.

CREW:

Organization:  Starfleet
Composition:  Multispecies.  Human, Andorian, Vulcan, Tellarite, Denobulan
Ship:  Columbia Class Cruiser,  USS Mariner NCC 10

I set the start date of the season/campaign to leverage the new recruits graduating Starfleet Academy.  This is a huge window of opportunity for building dynamics and relationships within the ship's company.  How would a new graduate relate to officer who has served under one of the pre Starfleet services?  How would they get along with a veteran of the Romulan Earth War or earlier voyages?  For species choices I allowed all Federation member species at the time and Denobulans.  

USS Mariner NCC 10

CONFLICT:

Threat and Opposition: Various by episode
Crisis and Disaster:  Various by episode

Adversity is relative to missions the crew of the Mariner will be involved in.  The early Federation period interests me because out of the ashes of the Romulan War there is a rebirth.  A period of hope and a new dawn of exploration.  There is also an uncertainty both in what might be found and in the reliance on technology.  The rugged nature of the Enterprise era has a frontier feel that requires a measure of independence and self reliance on the part of the crew.  With exploration come the need for science and diplomacy.  In all of Trek science is driven by a desire and curiosity and a means of understanding the universe.  Diplomacy in the young Federation is another matter.  Starfleet officers are still required to act as ambassadors and diplomats but don't have the weight of history on their side.  The Federation has much to prove before it will be recognized as a galactic power and paragon of it's own values so her ship's crews have a great responsibility.