An online role-playing game is a text-based role-playing game in which gamers interact via creative writing.

Game Type

Play by Nova

Project Longshot is a Play-by-Post Star Trek Roleplaying Game set in 2439 and hosted on the Anodyne Productions Nova platform. The Game Master initiates a plot, and players contribute to the narrative by logging into the game's website. To assist all players in knowing when a post is awaiting their response, players in a particular scene will receive an email copy of the current storyline and can read ahead before posting their reply.

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Game Participants

Game Master

The Game Master (GM) is responsible for running the game. They set the storyline and ensure participants are actively contributing their characters' additions to the plot. When an action of substance is taken by a character (such as firing a phaser or scanning an anomaly), it is the GM's responsibility to post the outcome. A Game Master may injure a character, but they will never kill a Player Character without explicit approval from that character's player.

Player Character

A Player Character (PC) is a character played by a real person. This character may be based on the player or be the complete opposite. All new PCs must complete the bio application process and receive official GM approval before making their initial post in the main story. For details on bio requirements and specs, please consult the Character Creation guide.

Non-Playing Character

A Non-Playing Character (NPC) is a character not regularly played as a primary PC and generally lacks the same story protections. Created for narrative purposes, NPCs may only appear for a single storyline as supporting cast or extras. We utilize two distinct types of NPCs:

• General Non-Playing Characters: These characters are less developed than PCs, intended for short-term use, and usually do not exist beyond a single mission. Any player can create a General NPC; however, General NPCs should not hold flag rank or command authority over the main crew without prior GM approval.
• Protected Non-Playing Characters: Owned by a specific player, Protected NPCs can be used for short- or long-term storylines. They typically require GM approval, and their rank cannot exceed that of the owner's primary PC.

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Setting & Lore Standards (2439 Era)

Project Longshot is established within the political and technological landscape of 2439. Players should familiarize themselves with the campaign timeline and specs before posting to ensure writing aligns with 25th-century Starfleet standards:

• Technology Level: Tactical and exploratory systems reflect 2439 Starfleet advancements. Avoid retrofitting historical limitations (e.g., 23rd or early 24th-century tech delays) unless specifically written into a scene or temporal anomaly.
• Political Landscape: Refer to the established 2439 galactic political landscape for current diplomatic relations, treaty boundaries, and regional threats.

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Game Style & Policies

Due to the number of participants in Project Longshot, posts are written in third-person narrative format (third-person limited) to maintain fluid story flow and character depth.

Posting Expectations & Activity

• Activity: Players are expected to post a minimum of one comprehensive post per week in the active main storyline.
• Tag Responses: Replies to direct character tags should be posted within three calendar days. If a player tagged in a time-sensitive group scene cannot respond within 3 days, the GM or scene lead may move the scene forward with minimal passive movement for that character.
• Leaves of Absence: Real life comes first! If you expect to be away or unable to post for more than a week, please notify the GM or post in the Discord #leave-of-absence channel. Unexcused inactivity exceeding 3 weeks may result in your character being written out of the active scene or converted to an NPC.

Game Rating & Content Boundaries

Project Longshot maintains a PG-13 narrative baseline. Explicit sexual content, gratuitous gore, or real-world hate speech are strictly prohibited. Romance should remain "fade-to-black" and violence should align with Star Trek television standards.

Reading & Context

Before writing, always read every entry posted since your last reply. Pay attention to environmental changes, character movement, and major events. While exploring your character's creative reactions, remember their established history and limit their awareness strictly to what they would realistically know.

Writing, Tagging & Command Structure

Your post should capture your character’s actions, thoughts, and sensory interactions with the environment. Keep actions believable, consistent, and give other players room to participate—not every post needs to make your character the center of attention.

When assigned to an Away Team or tactical detail, the designated team leader's posted orders set the scene's immediate objective. Subordinates should write their characters reacting to and executing these orders unless roleplaying intentional insubordination.

If someone tags your character (speaks to or interacts directly with them), you may respond directly at that point in the scene. If a minor action or conversation occurs strictly between two PCs without impacting the main plot, the resolution can be coordinated directly between the involved players off-list or via tags. Always leave actions open-ended so the receiving player can determine the outcome.

This format allows Riley's player to decide if Korok succeeds, and lets Sarah's player determine if Sovok's nerve pinch lands. Assuming immediate success against another player's character is known as character hijacking. Collaborating off-list or drafting joint posts together is a great way to handle complex interactions smoothly.

Joint Posts (JPs) Protocol

When collaborating with other players off-list or via Discord to write a Joint Post (JP), please observe the following workflow:

• Select one player as the designated Scene Lead to compile and edit the finished draft.
• The Scene Lead posts the complete JP to the Nova site, ensuring all participating characters are tagged in the Nova posting form so each player receives proper posting credit.

Main Plot & GM Resolutions

If an action directly impacts the overarching storyline—such as killing a major antagonist, destroying an enemy vessel, or making a critical scan discovery—the Game Master determines the outcome.

Tag the GM in these instances so they can post the result based on story needs. Outcomes are determined strictly by narrative design—never through favoritism. Embrace unexpected results; some of the best storylines come from unforeseen twists!

Promotions, Subplots & Character Transitions

In-game rank promotions are awarded periodically at GM discretion based on player activity, quality of writing, and narrative contributions. Players should not self-promote their characters without prior GM authorization.

Players are welcome to explore subplots ("side quests") involving multiple characters, provided they coordinate with GM staff to ensure side stories do not conflict with the main plot. To keep characters growing, all players are required to complete at least one subplot post or Personal Log monthly. Note that active main-mission posts count toward your overall posting requirements, but monthly logs or subplots provide crucial dedicated character development outside of primary action scenes.

If at any point your current character role no longer feels like a good fit, please reach out to the Game Master. Players are welcome to request a transfer to another open post, reassign their active character, or retire their current character in favor of a new concept without losing their standing in the game.

Avoid Character Hijacking

Taking control of another player's character and writing dialogue or major actions from their perspective without permission is strictly prohibited. Minor passive movements to keep a scene moving are acceptable, as is assuming crew members follow direct orders from a commanding officer during tactical situations.

Additionally, telepathic or empathic characters must respect in-universe boundaries: non-consensual reading of another PC's thoughts or deep emotions is prohibited unless authorized in-story by proper orders or explicit permission from the player.

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Out of Character (OOC) Discussions

Out-of-Character (OOC) communication covers real-life discussions outside the game narrative. Project Longshot strongly encourages building friendly relationships among players. We maintain an official Discord server where players can chat, coordinate scenes, ask questions about the game or lore, and hang out.

We ask that all OOC discussions across all channels remain respectful, welcoming, and appropriate for our community.

Project Longshot is a non-profit fan-created roleplaying campaign. Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. / Paramount Global. No copyright infringement is intended.