You've been here a while (or maybe not so long!), and you've settled in a little. You will have noticed a few things by now. First, there are story arcs, or plots, going on almost all the time. Most of the time - though not always - the Command staff, your CO and XO, are de facto moderators of those large plots that involve all players Somebody has to be aware of what's going on and to make sure everybody gets involved and has fun.

But there are other plots going on, too, aren't there? Little stories, that usually involve only one or two players, maybe one or two NPC's, that have little or no bearing on the main plot. These subplots are usually used for character development, or just as experimentation with situations: Romances, mysteries, long-standing arguments, technical research, and general mischief.

You may want to try this yourself (or you may be approached by another player, to take part in his subplot). Congratulations! This is going to be fun! Do you have an idea? Maybe your character is going to have a tragic romance, either with a PC, or with an NPC. Maybe he's going to discover the cure for some dread disease, or come up with a new bit of gadgetry that will revolutionize the world.

Step One: Write it out. It doesn't have to be a formal outline, but you should at least write up a synopsis of who's involved, what actions are going to take place, and what the final outcome will be (if you know already). Also specify if you see this as a short-term or long-running subplot. For example: "Joe Blow is going to start work on a thingamabob modulator; he'll seek help from Ellen and Tim on this. They hope to increase the energy output of the warp engines. The subplot will probably take a month or so to play out."

Step Two: Show it to the Command Team. They may have suggestions, ideas, or changes they want to make, depending on whether your subplot will interfere with any major plots going on or coming up. Now, generally, for a simple romance or research story, one that doesn't involve a lot of PC's, you don't really NEED Command approval. But it's better to have it in hand, than to get into a subplot and have Command cut it off because of some factor you didn't know anything about.

Step Three: The fun bit. Play it out. Get other players involved if you can (playing NPC's, maybe), and have a good time exploring your character.

Running a plotline for your duty station can be an exciting and frightening prospect. You're no longer in charge of only one or two characters' actions: you're an overworked puppeteer, influencing the actions of every player on your duty station and any NPC's you may need for the story to work. DON'T PANIC! It can be done, and should prove to be one of your most rewarding efforts in your game. These guidelines have been written to help you through your first efforts.

THE OUTLINE:

Congratulations! You have a great idea, one that will thrill your fellow players, torture their minds and endanger their bodies. Wonderful. I guarantee your CO/XO are going to love you for this. They love the help with plot-writing, and your fellow players will love the change of pace and perspective.

Write an outline. Do it now; I'll wait.

It doesn't have to be a formal outline (like the one you learned in English class), though those work, too. But you should at least have a written list of events, in chronological order, possible side-trips characters may make, and a conclusion. Stick in all the sneaky bits that you plan to surprise players with, and perhaps guesses as to where those surprises might lead. Any necessary information descriptions of new races or technology, biographies or backgrounds of NPC's should also be included.

If you think of something, either from a GM's perspective, or a possible development that might work but can't fit cleanly into the outline, make a note of it. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. Better to write too much and have to cut than to rack your brain for that cool idea that escaped.

When you have the outline, save a copy and look at it often. You WILL need it. Now, submit a copy to your CO and XO. They must approve any plot, so they have to see it all, even the sneaky bits. You can surprise your players, but you can't surprise Command; they have to know what's going on. Your CO and XO may have suggestions or changes. These are never malicious; they only want the game to be enjoyable for all the players. You should work with them to find compromises suitable to everybody.

When the outline is approved, your CO and XO may ask you, "How long will this plot run?" If they don't ask, then you should ask them. This question is very difficult to answer, since it depends not only on your efforts but on surprise turns the plot may take and the speed of other players' responses, which can be wildly variable. Rather than try to come up with a number, ask the Command Team how much time they want to allot to the plot. Then make your best effort to develop an outline of events likely to fill two weeks or two months or whatever the allotment is. Do NOT -- I repeat, DO NOT -- start running your plot until this step has been taken, and a (relatively) firm deadline is in place.

Once the plot is underway, keep an eye on the deadline. If you're lagging, speed things up or subtract unnecessary plot elements. If you're ahead of schedule, add new plot elements or develop interesting angles that have become evident during play. Flexibility is essential -- remember that the outline is not the Ten Commandments, but a fluid guide. Change it as needed or desired, with the approval of the Command Team.

Remember, too, that the deadline is probably flexible. If players are excited about a plot, it would be foolish for you or the Command Team to cut it off too soon. On the other hand, some players will inevitably feel your plot is dragging on. One commander remarks that she has never yet seen a plot that pleased everyone -- such a miraculous beast probably doesn't exist! This doesn't mean your plot has to end. Command may suggest ways to move it along. But it's the challenge of command to find ways to draw all players in to the main plot or, alternatively, to allow uninvolved players sideplots that complement the main plot, or that at least don't interfere with it.

PLAYING THE PLOT:

This is the fun bit. Everybody in the game is hanging on every word you type. Scary, no? Don't be intimidated. It's not as hard as it sounds.

If your duty station is a starbase, you undoubtedly have civilian characters or NPC's in the game. You must make an effort to include them, and usually they're more than willing to take your lead and run with it. Let the villain take a whack at them (always for a logical reason), or let one of the civilians be the hero of a scene or two. Remember that non-military characters have this advantage: they don't have to always obey Starfleet regs, and can get creative in their problem solving.

This same is true of certain groups of Starfleet personnel, and you should hold them in mind when you write your outline and begin playing. Engineering and Science personnel don't usually get involved in shoot-em-ups or command decisions. They can get left out. Make provisions for them in your story, and, again, they'll be glad to meet you halfway.

FAIR WARNING: Your CO and XO are plotting against you. Okay, I'm just teasing. But they have two responsibilities. First, they must make sure that all players are involved and that the pace is neither too fast (confusing) nor too slow (boring). Second, they should be throwing surprises into your plot from time to time, so the game is exciting for YOU, too. Think of them as the wild cards in the game.

There. I've blown their secret. Oh, well. Expect it, be ready for it, and have FUN with it! But don't let command surprises get away from you; in a complicated game, they can take on a life of their own. If they get complicated, pencil them into your original outline, give them shape, and don't let them take over (unless they're really fun!). Communicate with the Command Team, especially if you're confused about turns they have given the plot or if you disagree with the route into which their additions will send the action. Both sides must be open-minded and tough-skinned here. The plot designer has the right, once his plot has been approved, not to have it gratuitously tampered with. The Command Team has the responsibility to keep the game, as a whole, running smoothly, with fun for all.

Second FAIR WARNING: no matter how dramatic a scene it would make, you may NEVER kill off somebody else's character without his/her permission. Also, if you're planning to have something life-altering, humiliating, or sensitive happen to a character (pregnancy, rape, maiming, personality change, possession by an alien), you MUST discuss it with that character's player BEFOREHAND! He is as attached to his character as you are to yours, and he may not want that character so altered, possibly made unplayable in his mind. If he says, "No, I don't want that to happen to my character," you say thank you, and you move on to somebody else.

Or set up an NPC to be the required victim or turncoat or whatever. Note that some NPCs are strongly associated with one player. She may have created that NPC or may play it frequently, even exclusively. All the above warnings apply to such "dedicated" NPCs. NPC's CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PLOT, SUCH AS VILLAINS

I know: you want to have absolute control over your villain and every other special NPC in your plot; you are God AND Mammon. But unless you're prepared to conduct a symphony with your hands tied behind you, this is a bad idea. You will have more than enough to do with your own character and the plot. Keep control of the head bad guy, if you must. But don't be afraid to hand off NPC's to other players. They WANT to take part, and writing another character can be fun for them, too. Not only does this take some of the burden off you, it gives you a few new surprises to enjoy.

Backchannel a prospective helper, and ask them if they want to run an NPC for you. If they say no, say thank you, and move on. If they say yes, you need to send them all the details they will need, even the entire outline. Be prepared to do a lot of backchanneling with your new helper; they will want input from you, and you will want to advise, request or question various activities.

It's a good idea to leave as much of the NPC design to your new helper as you can. Tell him what you need, and let him do the rest. He's the one who has to actually crawl inside this character's head, after all. Let him name him, figure out what he looks like, his motivations and interior life. You'll be pleasantly surprised, I guarantee it.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

While running your plot, be prepared to write as many or more backchannel emails as actual posts. You will want to remain in communication with your Command Team and any helpers. They will want to ask questions, make suggestions, and be kept posted on what's coming next. Bear in mind that, if there are any problems or complaints from the players in general, they are going to go to your Command Team, not to you; you'll want to be able to address them immediately.

It's a good idea to write an update periodically and to forward it to everybody involved in running your plot. It doesn't have to be terribly involved; just a "Hi, the game feels like it's working, is everybody having a good time, this is what's happening next, does anybody have questions or problems or ideas?" And be prepared to accept the answers you get.

And sometimes, those answers are not going to be happy. Not everybody is as enthused about your plot as you are. Not everybody understands, and not everybody has seen your outline. You are going to get complaints. They're NOT a criticism of you (though some may sound that way), and, though they may be worded undiplomatically (some people don't think before they type), the writers are not trying to hurt you.

Go ahead and curse your computer, and throw a few dishtowels, get your mad spell out. Go on, we'll wait.

Feel better? Good. Now, address those concerns. If Joe Blow says your plot is boring, find out why. Maybe his character is not as involved in events as he would like. Talk to your CO/XO (do NOT write to the player, particularly if you're upset), see if you can't work Joe's character in somewhere. Maybe he is impatient to get to the end so he can run his own plot. Then perhaps you should move up your deadline, or let him begin his plot early (so the two are running simultaneously). Your Command Team will have ideas and suggestions. Listen and try to accommodate them. This is supposed to be fun for everybody.

However, you shouldn't have to accept mere rudeness or impatience. And this is where the commanders earn their "pay" -- it should be THEIR job to mediate, not yours. Communicate with them whenever you have a problem or a question. That's what they're there for. If they are forced to make a ruling -- even against you -- you must abide by that ruling. They do have final call on any disputes, and, in the end, they want what you want: for the game to be fun.

That's it. If you try to remember these suggestions, your moderating experience should be fun for you, and for everybody else. You will be a hero, the great purveyor of plots, and everybody will be waiting with bated breath for you to do it again. Which I have no doubt you will do.