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What is a Star Trek PBeM?
= Star Trek PBEM — Play by Email Since 1997 =


===PBeM===
Join one of the longest-running Star Trek PBeM games. Create your Starfleet officer, join a ship crew, and write collaborative missions via email. Free, beginner-friendly, and running continuously for 28 years. Also called [[Play-By-Email|Play-by-Email]] or a [[Email-Game|Star Trek email game]]—it's all the same collaborative storytelling format. New here? Read [[Why-Star-Trek-Freedom|why Star Trek: Freedom]] or [[How-To-Join-Star-Trek-Pbem|how to join]].
PBeM is an acronym that stands for "Play By e-Mail". The basic idea is to simulate the experience of a face-to-face role playing game by using e-mail. There is a game master (or multiple game masters), and a group of players. Instead of verbally telling the game master (and the group) what a player's character is doing, the player emails a description of his or her actions to a mailing list. The concept is the same, but the medium is different.


As a result of the different medium, the game is more descriptive in nature. Most posts are written to not only describe the actions a character is taking, but what s/he is thinking, feeling, or experiencing. In this way, it is an even more immersive experience than face-to-face role playing.
== Why Choose Star Trek: Freedom? ==


Another benefit to the PBeM paradigm is the lack of a vast time commitment. If you want to role play face-to-face, you usually have to coordinate the schedules of eight or more people, find a time and place where they can all get together and be sequestered for hours at a time. With PBeM, you can play anytime you have a few spare minutes to check your email and do a bit of writing. So long as you're able to work a handful of such sessions a week, you have all the time you need.
Established Star Trek PBeM community with proven track record.


===Star Trek===
=== 📅 28 Years Running ===
Our particular PBeM is set in the Star Trek universe. Therefore, it certainly helps to know some background information about that fictional setting. Our game is based on information provided in the original series, the movies, and the more recent series: Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. A potential player need not have seen every single episode, or even a majority of them. He or she needs only to have seen enough to have an understanding of how things work in the fictional setting of the United Federation of Planets, circa 2400 A.D.


===How it All Works===
Founded in 1997, we are one of the oldest continuous Star Trek PBeM games. Established universe, deep lore, and experienced community.
So you may be asking, how does all of this work? Well, the organizational structure of the game fairly closely mirrors the actual structure of Starfleet. The overall game consists of a number of duty stations, which can be either a stationary outpost (like a Starbase or a research facility), or a Starship (like the Enterprise, or Voyager). Each duty station is its own self-contained game, has its own storylines, and its own set of characters, independent of any other duty station.


Each duty station has a Commanding Officer (CO), and a First Officer (FO). These two players are usually very experienced with the game, have been playing for quite a while, and know the ins and outs. They are the game masters for that particular game, in that they come up with the plot and are responsible for guiding the progress of the game, as well as dealing with any player-related issues that arise.
=== 🚀 Active Fleet ===


Everyone else on a duty station is a player in the game. They each have a fictional character which they created at the time they applied to join the game. Their character will belong to a department within the ship (e.g. Security, Engineering, Science, Medical). Their character will also have a rank, which will not only affect their in-game status, but will also reflect their time and accomplishments in-game. Players start at Ensign (junior grade), but can eventually work their way all the way up to Captain, or even higher!
Multiple starships with active crews: USS Hades, Starbase Freedom, USS Exeter, USS Republic, and Mars Defense Perimeter. New missions start regularly.


===Posting===
=== 👥 Supportive Community ===
The single most important aspect of the game is posting. A post is an e-mail containing a description of a character's (or group of characters') actions. Therefore, posts are what make the game go. Each post takes place in the context of a "mission", which is a storyline that the game is generally following. Missions are roughly analagous to an episode in the sense of the TV series. A post contains the following information:


What character is this post centered around
Academy staff help new players with character creation, posting examples, and mission guidance. Veterans mentor newcomers.


Where the post takes place
=== 💰 Always Free ===


When the post takes place
No fees, no subscriptions, no microtransactions. We have been free since 1997 and always will be. Supported by community passion.


What characters the action in this post will require a reply from
== How Our Star Trek PBeM Works ==


Generally, the CO of a ship will start a mission with a fairly long post which will set up the storyline. After that, it is largely up to the players and their imaginations to keep the story going via a series of interconnected posts. This continues until some goal or series of goals have been reached; these goals are usually known only to the CO and FO initially, and are revealed to the players gradually as they reach them via their posts.
Simple process from character creation to active mission participation.


===Sample Posts===
* '''Create Your Character (10 minutes):''' Choose a department (medical, tactical, science, engineering, etc.) and create your Starfleet officer's background. Our character guide walks you through step-by-step.
Here is a sample post from one of the current games in Star Trek : Freedom:
* '''Join a Ship Crew (Immediate):''' Get assigned to an active starship based on your preferences and openings. Meet your crewmates via email introduction.
* '''Receive Mission Scenarios:''' Your commanding officer emails mission details—diplomatic crisis, scientific anomaly, tactical emergency, etc.
* '''Write Your Posts (1-3 per week):''' Show what your character does, thinks, and says in response to the mission. Typical posts are 200-400 words and take 20-30 minutes to write.
* '''Story Builds Collaboratively:''' As each crew member posts, the mission evolves. You might negotiate with aliens, repair critical systems, or treat casualties—whatever fits your role.
* '''Complete Missions, Start New Ones:''' Missions typically last 2-6 weeks, then your ship starts a new adventure.
=== 💡 Posting Tips ===


(USS Discovery - Bridge - CO Captain Tardek - Day 2 - 2405.10.29.0750)
* Write what your character observes, thinks, and does
* Include dialogue with other characters when appropriate
* Show your character's personality and expertise
* Advance the scene or add new story elements
* Read recent posts before writing to stay current
== Our Active Starships ==


Mission: Three's Company, Twelve's a Crowd, Day 2
Join one of these ships and start your first mission.
Stardate 2405.10.29


Tardek looked up as the doors to the turbolift parted to admit him to the bridge. He saw that Commander Matthews was already there, getting things prepared for launch. He also noticed Tore'Len'Chi over near one of the science consoles. Other members of the crew were scurrying around, performing last minute checks and calibrations.
=== 🚢 USS Hades ===


Quietly he stepped down into the center of the bridge. He had no desire to have anyone make a big deal out of his arrival, but as soon as his footstep echoed off the deck plating at the center of the bridge, a crewman turned and spotted him. "Captain on the bridge!" he called, and everyone turned towards him and stood at attention.
Akira-class tactical cruiser. Combat missions, border patrol, and tactical operations.


"As you were," said Tardek quickly. He turned towards Matthews. "Commander, this is your bridge, not mine. Consider me merely an interested observer."
=== 🏛️ Starbase Freedom ===


(reply Matthews)
Fleet headquarters. Diplomacy, medical, research, and fleet coordination.


Tardek nodded and took a seat in the chair usually reserved for the FO, leaving the command chair open for Matthews. He sat back and watched the preparations, waiting for the order to be given for the ship to launch on the new mission.
=== 🚀 USS Exeter ===


(reply Matthews, Tore iyw, any on the bridge, any)
Constitution-class explorer. Deep space exploration and first contact missions.
(posted by Aaron)


Notice that the first thing in the post is a header, describing where we are, who is posting, and what day/time it is. It also includes the current mission and stardate. Stardates are written by YYYY.MM.DD format, so 2405.10.29 means October 29th, 2405.
=== ⚔️ USS Republic ===


The post then goes on to describe what Captain Tardek does when he enters the bridge. Note that it not only describes what he does and what he sees, but also what he is thinking (not wanting a fuss made over his arrival). It also specifies a place for another character (Matthews) to insert a reply in a future post. At the end, it announces everyone who is expected to post in response to this post, and who wrote the post to begin with.
Galaxy-class flagship. Diverse missions from diplomacy to combat operations.


Now, here's the reply from the player who posts for the character Matthews:
=== 🛡️ Mars Defense ===


(USS Discovery - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr. Dallas Matthews - Day 2 - 2405.10.29.0750)
Planetary defense and Sol system security operations.


Mission: Three's Company; Twelve's a Crowd, Day 2
Ship assignment based on your preferences, character background, and crew openings.
Stardate 2405.10.29


Matthews patched several more power grids through the right areas quickly, his eyes already moving to the next item on his list. The impulse engines had a problem in the startup sequence and had resulted in some shorts along the way. Dallas had been working on and off on it all night and was finally getting something to work with it. It would just take a few more switches and reports from Damage Control and they would have impulse engines again.
== Frequently Asked Questions ==


If they didn't short out first. Sighing to himself, he made his way to the front of the room. The Main Viewscreen needed a quick adjustment and as he did so, he heard the doors of the turbolift open. He hoped it wasn't someone important, as Matthews had his shirt pulled up on his arms and was a bit unkempt. Just a bit.
=== What is Star Trek play by email? ===


"Captain on the bridge!"
Star Trek play by email (PBeM) is a collaborative RPG where you write your Starfleet officer's actions in mission scenes sent by email. Star Trek: Freedom has run this way since 1997—no downloads, no real-time sessions, typically 1-3 posts per week.


~Oh, why of all the times...~
=== What is a Star Trek play by email RPG? ===


Quickly, the FO pulled out, knocking his head a few times on the way and finally stood up and saluted Tardek, a bit of grime on his face.
A Star Trek play by email RPG is a text-based role-playing game where crew members email collaborative mission posts instead of playing in real time. Star Trek: Freedom has run this format since 1997 with active USS Hades, Exeter, Republic, and Starbase Freedom crews.


"As you were, Commander, this is your bridge, not mine. Consider me merely an interested observer."
=== What is a PBEM RPG? ===


Smiling slyly, the newly made First Officer grinned.
PBEM RPG means play-by-email role-playing: you write scene posts by email, other players respond, and the story builds over days or weeks. Our free Star Trek PBEM RPG expects about 1-3 posts per week—no app, download, or subscription required.


"Aye sir. I'll take her for what's she worth. We should be ready soon. Just a few kinks."
=== What is a Star Trek PBeM game? ===


There was a spark as Tore'Len'Chi was working off to the side. Quickly, Dallas moved to the area and scanned. A few conduits were misaligned, nothing major. With a tap of a few buttons, he had the problem solved. He turned to the multi tasking scientist in front of him and raised an eyebrow, letting a small smile out.
A Star Trek PBeM (play by email) game is collaborative storytelling where you roleplay a Starfleet officer and write mission posts via email. You receive scenarios from your commanding officer and write 1-3 posts per week showing what your character does.


"Keep it up. You're keeping us on schedule."
=== How active is Star Trek: Freedom? ===


With that, the First Officer turned to the center of the bridge and bounded up to the Center chair and ever so slowly sat down in it. It felt good, after sitting in various chairs over the years, to finally sit in the center chair and actually be allowed to. Looking around the bridge, he spotted the new Second Officer working already. He liked her and so far it seemed he got along with most of the crew.
Very active. We have been running continuous missions since 1997 (28 years). Multiple starships have active crews posting regularly, with new missions starting every 2-6 weeks.


This was but the first day. And first days were always the worst. Rule number 23 in the Matthews Handbook. Always.
=== What posting frequency is expected? ===


"Matthews to all crew, this is your First Officer. This ship will be departing in...5 minutes. I would like status reports from all stations. Ops, go to yellow alert and stanby. Helm, plot us a course and hold. Let's get to it!"
Most players write 1-3 posts per week, typically 200-400 words each. You can write whenever it fits your schedule—mornings, evenings, or weekends. No real-time commitment required.


(reply all)
=== Can I join if I have never done PBeM before? ===
(posted by sulu)


Notice that not only does this post incorporate the relevant part of the post to which it is replying, but it advances the storyline beyond the initial post, giving other players nearby an opportunity to add their own parts to the story.
Yes! Our Academy provides step-by-step guidance for new players. You will see example posts, get character creation help, and have mentors guide your first mission. Many current players started with zero PBeM experience.


===More Information===
== What Our Writers Say ==
More information about how Star Trek : Freedom works can be found at the Documents page. You can also email the CO of Star Trek : Freedom for more information.


Real members on collaborative storytelling, flexibility, and the Freedom community.


[[Category:Database]]
""You hew-noms, you never learn. You let your women go out in public, hold jobs, wear clothing, and you wonder why your marriages fall apart." Quark to O'Brien DS9/ "Fascination""
 
"Life in Starfleet is simple: Do your job, take your chances when adversity arises and ride the adrenalin rush!"
 
""Friendship must dare to risk, Counselor, or it's not friendship." Picard to Troi TNG/ "Conspiracy""
 
== Join Star Trek: Freedom Today ==
 
Start your Star Trek PBeM adventure. Create your officer, join a crew, and begin writing missions.
 
[[Category:Pbem]]
 
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Synced from [https://startrekfreedom.com startrekfreedom.com] by [[User:STFWikiBot|STFWikiBot]].

Latest revision as of 11:14, 24 May 2026

Star Trek PBEM — Play by Email Since 1997[edit]

Join one of the longest-running Star Trek PBeM games. Create your Starfleet officer, join a ship crew, and write collaborative missions via email. Free, beginner-friendly, and running continuously for 28 years. Also called Play-by-Email or a Star Trek email game—it's all the same collaborative storytelling format. New here? Read why Star Trek: Freedom or how to join.

Why Choose Star Trek: Freedom?[edit]

Established Star Trek PBeM community with proven track record.

📅 28 Years Running[edit]

Founded in 1997, we are one of the oldest continuous Star Trek PBeM games. Established universe, deep lore, and experienced community.

🚀 Active Fleet[edit]

Multiple starships with active crews: USS Hades, Starbase Freedom, USS Exeter, USS Republic, and Mars Defense Perimeter. New missions start regularly.

👥 Supportive Community[edit]

Academy staff help new players with character creation, posting examples, and mission guidance. Veterans mentor newcomers.

💰 Always Free[edit]

No fees, no subscriptions, no microtransactions. We have been free since 1997 and always will be. Supported by community passion.

How Our Star Trek PBeM Works[edit]

Simple process from character creation to active mission participation.

  • Create Your Character (10 minutes): Choose a department (medical, tactical, science, engineering, etc.) and create your Starfleet officer's background. Our character guide walks you through step-by-step.
  • Join a Ship Crew (Immediate): Get assigned to an active starship based on your preferences and openings. Meet your crewmates via email introduction.
  • Receive Mission Scenarios: Your commanding officer emails mission details—diplomatic crisis, scientific anomaly, tactical emergency, etc.
  • Write Your Posts (1-3 per week): Show what your character does, thinks, and says in response to the mission. Typical posts are 200-400 words and take 20-30 minutes to write.
  • Story Builds Collaboratively: As each crew member posts, the mission evolves. You might negotiate with aliens, repair critical systems, or treat casualties—whatever fits your role.
  • Complete Missions, Start New Ones: Missions typically last 2-6 weeks, then your ship starts a new adventure.

💡 Posting Tips[edit]

  • Write what your character observes, thinks, and does
  • Include dialogue with other characters when appropriate
  • Show your character's personality and expertise
  • Advance the scene or add new story elements
  • Read recent posts before writing to stay current

Our Active Starships[edit]

Join one of these ships and start your first mission.

🚢 USS Hades[edit]

Akira-class tactical cruiser. Combat missions, border patrol, and tactical operations.

🏛️ Starbase Freedom[edit]

Fleet headquarters. Diplomacy, medical, research, and fleet coordination.

🚀 USS Exeter[edit]

Constitution-class explorer. Deep space exploration and first contact missions.

⚔️ USS Republic[edit]

Galaxy-class flagship. Diverse missions from diplomacy to combat operations.

🛡️ Mars Defense[edit]

Planetary defense and Sol system security operations.

Ship assignment based on your preferences, character background, and crew openings.

Frequently Asked Questions[edit]

What is Star Trek play by email?[edit]

Star Trek play by email (PBeM) is a collaborative RPG where you write your Starfleet officer's actions in mission scenes sent by email. Star Trek: Freedom has run this way since 1997—no downloads, no real-time sessions, typically 1-3 posts per week.

What is a Star Trek play by email RPG?[edit]

A Star Trek play by email RPG is a text-based role-playing game where crew members email collaborative mission posts instead of playing in real time. Star Trek: Freedom has run this format since 1997 with active USS Hades, Exeter, Republic, and Starbase Freedom crews.

What is a PBEM RPG?[edit]

PBEM RPG means play-by-email role-playing: you write scene posts by email, other players respond, and the story builds over days or weeks. Our free Star Trek PBEM RPG expects about 1-3 posts per week—no app, download, or subscription required.

What is a Star Trek PBeM game?[edit]

A Star Trek PBeM (play by email) game is collaborative storytelling where you roleplay a Starfleet officer and write mission posts via email. You receive scenarios from your commanding officer and write 1-3 posts per week showing what your character does.

How active is Star Trek: Freedom?[edit]

Very active. We have been running continuous missions since 1997 (28 years). Multiple starships have active crews posting regularly, with new missions starting every 2-6 weeks.

What posting frequency is expected?[edit]

Most players write 1-3 posts per week, typically 200-400 words each. You can write whenever it fits your schedule—mornings, evenings, or weekends. No real-time commitment required.

Can I join if I have never done PBeM before?[edit]

Yes! Our Academy provides step-by-step guidance for new players. You will see example posts, get character creation help, and have mentors guide your first mission. Many current players started with zero PBeM experience.

What Our Writers Say[edit]

Real members on collaborative storytelling, flexibility, and the Freedom community.

""You hew-noms, you never learn. You let your women go out in public, hold jobs, wear clothing, and you wonder why your marriages fall apart." Quark to O'Brien DS9/ "Fascination""

"Life in Starfleet is simple: Do your job, take your chances when adversity arises and ride the adrenalin rush!"

""Friendship must dare to risk, Counselor, or it's not friendship." Picard to Troi TNG/ "Conspiracy""

Join Star Trek: Freedom Today[edit]

Start your Star Trek PBeM adventure. Create your officer, join a crew, and begin writing missions.

Synced from startrekfreedom.com by STFWikiBot.

Retrieved from "https://www.stf-wiki.com/index.php?title=Pbem&oldid=73195"