RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 3

Day 3-Where the heck are we?

The Star Trek: Prosperity campaign has covered a lot of ground over the past dozen years and by ground, I mean space of course. A lot of outer space. The PCs have visited dozens upon dozens, perhaps hundreds of planets, time/space anomalies, derelict ships, and space stations across many hundred of light years.

After years of successful missions that resulted in the ship getting upgraded and its crew receiving more responsibility, prestige, and choice assignments, the vessel operated out of the then newly completed Deep Space 5 and explored Sectors Sierra-12 and Tango-8 (Season 7 and 8). At present (as of this post), they are operating out of Deep Space 4 and trying to both explore and re-establish safe travel and trade in (primarily) Sector Tango-9.

Federation Outposts Deep Space 5 and Deep Space 4

"The frontier borders of Federation Space and those of the Romulan Star Empire meet at the Space Sectors of Sierra-12, Tango-8, and Tango-9.

Sierra-12 is in the Alpha Quadrant, while Tango-8 is in the Beta Quadrant. Those borders and designations are used by us, we sentient starfaring beings, to aid in describing where we are, where we came from, and where we're going. In practice, starships move between these quadrants and sectors without much fanfare. 

This part of space is quite the paradox, containing well established, long standing civilizations, and yet there are a good number of unexplored worlds. Due to its proximity to Romulan Space, the focus of the UFP and Starfleet efforts in Sierra-12 and especially Tango-8 were to aid and protect Federation member worlds and bases. 'Exploration would come later' was the thought while expanding into the area. In fact, that is exactly what happened and here we are. That's where the Prosperity and other Starfleet vessels come in.  

As abstract 'lines in the sand' that truly matter go, one need only look to the Romulan Neutral Zone. That area is marked by numerous patrols and outposts, both manned and unmanned, on both sides of the border, constantly watching to insure no one breaks the established political agreement to not venture into each others backyard.

Unfortunately, that zone is violated more than you'd think.

On a personal note, this was one of the shocking things I learned when I left my planet and traveled out into the void. My homeworld of Cheron is...or rather was...located in Romulan Space. For all I knew we, the Cheronians, regardless of which side was black or white, we the center of the galaxy. We weren't though. We were one island surrounded by a vast sea designated 'The Romulan Star Empire' on maps.

I remember...

I learned astrogation, astrometrics, and Stellar cartography largely on my own. My world was isolationist and my species more than a little xenophobic, since they considered themselves superior to the 'monochromatic' peoples of the galaxy and didn't want to fratenize with 'lesser' species.

My schooling was limited, since 'my people' were considered inferior and not worthy of a fully realized education. I had always loved the stars though; every night I dreamed of leaving Cheron behind to travel among the distant lights in the endless darkness. One day, I did. 

I found navigating space to be easy but navigating the politics and social dynamics out here much harder. I've only come as far as I have thanks to my captain, the crew...my friends."

Ensign Shae smiles a little awkwardly, takes in a deep breath, and continues.

"Tango-9 is a particularly interesting region. Prior to the Earth-Romulan War it was controlled by the Romulan Empire. When the Romulans lost the Ectair system, a key source of Romulan Ale production, the Romulan people dropped a good deal of their enthusiasm for the war. 

As the Andorian Imperial Guard and their fleet were vital to that particular win, the planet Ectair and a few other locations in the region were given over to the Andorians. Today the system, renamed Mozinphar's Star, is a joint Human-Andorian colony that produces some of the best Andorian Ale offworld of Andor itself.

Roughly one year ago (as of this post), the planned disbanding and incorporating of the Andorian Imperial Guard into Starfleet almost resulted in an Andorian Civil War. Thanks to the diplomatic and military efforts of Captain Ann Fletcher and Commander Tha'ar Bhoth (himself an Andorian and former Imperial Guard member) of the Prosperity and those of General Barath Bhoth (decorated military leader and Commander Bhoth's father), wiser choices prevailed. 

Reorganizing the Imperial Guard into Starfleet means that many of the Andorian Ships that patrolled and protected the Tango-9 Sector are now no longer there. Orion Pirates (specifically Blue Orions or OR-ee-ons) have attempted to take advantage of this. In addition to their standard duties and operations, Starfleet vessels in the region have to be ready to offer aid to Federation citizens in the sector and extra vigilant against opportunistic scoundrels."

Next up, a map of the recent and current campaign regions. 

Ensign Shae is very excited. 

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Barking Alien

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 2

Day 2-About your Tour Guide

"Hello and welcome! I am Ensign Shae, Chief Navigator of the United Federation of Planets starship USS Prosperity. On behalf of Starfleet Command and the UFP Council, I am honored to take you on this guided tour of Sectors X and Y in the Milky Way Galaxy's Beta Quadrant.

My commanding officer, Captain Ann Fletcher, has charged me with this task and I consider it a privilege to be able to assist visitors in better understanding this area of space.
Let's see what's out there!"

Ensign Shae of Cheron
Chief Navigator, USS Prosperity, NCC-1587
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets
Stardate 7690.2

Shae is an NPC first introduced into our campaign in an advenure in Season 4, around 2018 I believe, entitled 'The Battlefield That Time Forgot'. She is, as you can see, a Cheronian, the visually distinctive aliens from the original Star Trek Season 3 episode, 'Let This Be Our Last Battlefield'. 

Well before the events depicted in 'Let This Be Our Last Battlefield', Shae's parents were murdered by the Cheron Commission on Political Traitors as criminal dissidents. Shae was able to steal a small spacecraft and escape the planet, living on the run from that point until meeting the crew of the Prosperity. 

The Prosperity was investigating a Time/Space Anomaly when they found a single lifeform living on the moon of a planet in the star system. It turned out to be Shae, having survived on her own for a number of years, traveling from planet to planet, hiding out when Commission Officers from Cheron came looking.

Unfortunately, her latest makeshift abode came under attack from large, very strange aliens of previously unknown origin who were searching for a relic Shae had discovered. She was trying to figure out what it was when the PCs discovered her. Moments later, the aliens attacked and the PCs teamed up with Shae to fend them off. (Season 4, Episode 7, 'The Battlefield That Time Forgot'). 

This was the first part of a three part 'arc' which reveals much about the hostile aliens, their connections to a time lost Romulan ship, and the PCs being able to close the paradox loop thanks to help from Shae's knowledge of the region, as well as her expert Stellar Cartography and Navigation skills. 

Shae remains with the Prosperity as it travels back into Federation space in hopes of learning more about Starfleet and the UFPs culture. She and one of the PCs, the Andorian Chief Engineer Lt. Commander Bhoth, enter the beginning of a romantic relationship (subplot).

A few episodes later, while taking Shae back with them to Starbase 25, other Cheronian survivors show up and demand she be turned over to them. According to their leader, Commissioner Modei (pronounced Mo-Dee), they require her presence as they are a species facing extinction and she's got, um, fully functional plumbing. This doesn't sit well with Shae (surprise, surprise), nor Captain Ann Fletcher. After some conflict between the two parties, both physical and verbal, Capt. Fletcher and Lt. Commander Bhoth give her the option of Political Asylum. She takes it and essentially 'defects' to the UFP. 

Instead of being dropped off at the starbase however, Shae requests she stay on and enlist in Starfleet, taking courses to catch er up on Starfleet protocols, technology, etc. After a season or two she is Crewman Shae and then later still Ensign Shae, having completed the proper  Starfleet Academy graduction requirements. Finally she gets Bridge Certification and becomes the Prosperity's Chief Navigator (like Chekov in the original series). 

Bhoth and Shae eventually break-up, a mutual decision based on wanting and needing different things in life. They remain very close friends however and have a strong connection that continues to the current 'episodes'. She interacts with the other PCs more often now and has friends about the rest of the supporting NPCs. 

Our most recent adventure (as of this post), Season 9 Episode 3, 'A Battlefield Worth Dying On', sees the PCs and their ship invited to the struggling colony of 'New Cheron' to discuss giving them aid in exchange for them sharing their advanced technological knowledge. Shae is asked to come along by the Captain and has moments with each of the PCs who let her know they 'have her back' and stand with her given her previous negative experiences with her own people. New leadership on the colony gives the Prosperity's crew hope, though Shae remained suspicious. 

In the end, after action, adventure, and an exploration of madness and nihilism, she asserted that she got a brand new lease on life aboard the Prosperity; she is looking at the possibilities of future and not her tragic past. The Cheronians should, regardless of past sins, be given the same opportunity. "Make the most out of it. Do better."

Ensign Shae's Character Sheet:

"I look forward to showing you around Sectors T8 and T9. It's a interesting area of space with its own unique character. Ah, our Scout Ship has arrived! All aboard!

Are you ready to 'go boldly'?"

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Barking Alien

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 1

Welcome to the first day of the first annual RPG Campaign Tour Challenge! 

I've decided to give you the grand tour of Star Trek: Prosperity!

Day 1-Campaign Introduction and Overview

Star Trek: Prosperity is a Star Trek Adventures Roleplaying Game campaign that follows the voyages of four core player character serving the command crew of the Starfleet vessel USS Prosperity, NCC-1587, a Ventura Light Cruiser, set during The Original Series era of the Star Trek universe [and franchise].

Star Trek: Prosperity is the longest running and most consistent campaign I have ever Gamemastered, lasting approximately 12 years of real time as of this writing. I consider it a great success and I am incredibly proud of it and the player participants. 

Our player characters are Dan as Captain Ann Fletcher, Alex as First Officer/Chief Engineer Tha'ar Bhoth of Andor, Leo as the young Chief Helmsman Lt. Charlie Wilder, and Arthur as Chief Science Officer Lt. Commander Rhys Carr. 

When the campaign began [approximately 12 years ago], Leo was the First Officer and Chief Science Officer Commander Solok. Solok remained First Officer until late April or early May of 2024 when he takes a short leave of absense from Starfleet to marry Prosperity's NPC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Margaret 'Maggie' Hanover. Alex's Lt. Commander Bhoth was Chief of Security in the very beginning. Arthur's Lt. Carr was our Communications Officer and later our Security Chief. As the campaign went on the PCs changed positions and raised in rank over the course of its [now] nine 'Seasons'. 

Other players and PCs have came in and out of the campaign periodically and some of their PCs remain NPC supporting characters up to the present. Others moved on to other Starfleet  assignments I suppose. 

Premise: The campaign is about a Starfleet vessel and its crew exploring the 'Final Frontier' of deep space during the Original Series era of Star Trek. While there is a lot of focus on the player characters and their personal reasons and long terms goals regarding being in Starfleet, there is a shared objective of going where no one else has gone before.

It's classic, straightforward original series Star Trek with a little more attention given to internal consistency and continuity. What makes Star Trek: Prosperity distinct are its 'conceits'. 

Conceits: The early Seasons of the campaign, speicfically the 1st through 3rd, had the theme of underdogs trying to prove themselves:

A young female Captain trying to overcome a dicey past and make a name for herself, not for the fame and glory but in order to earn the respect of her fellow Captians and the Admiralty so she could make real change in the Galaxy. A Vulcan Science Officer from an overachieving family trying to find a way to make a name for himself and find out what that name stands for. An Andorian traded to Starfleet from the Andorian Imperial Guard, possibly to not embarass his famous General father, only to seriously butt heads with his first Human Captain. A former Starfleet Intelligence Cryptoanalyst who wanted to apply his codebreaking and language decoding talents to bringing people together instead of taking down enemies.  

The ship itself shared this same atmosphere and feeling. As a Ventura Class Light Cruiser, the Prosperity is seen as dependable but out-of-date. Once top-of-the-line, the Prosperity was launched about 15 years prior to Constitution Class starships such as the USS Enterprise (no bloody A, B, C, D, E, or anything else). Being an older vessel viewed by much of the Starfleet top brass as 'past its prime', the ship was relegated to support operations, testing new equipment, and other vital but less glamorous activities. 

Overview:

Together, this motley but professional crew and has-been vessel proved themselves time and time again, earning not only respect but admiration from Starfleet, the people of the UFP, and even their enemies. 

Over the course of the game's decade plus run, the themes and conceits have changed so much it's impossible to sum it all up in a since post. The characters have evolved and the setting has greatly expanded. The Ventura Class itself went from being in danger of being completely mothballed to redesigned and modernized by the Prosperity's Chief Engineer and now the first new Venturas in 44 years have come out of the shipyards at Mars' Utopia Planitia. 

With all that's happened is it extremely difficult to sum it up in a single post but thankfully, I don't have to! This is just Day 1; merely the beginning of the Campaign Tour Challenge.

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Barking Alien

Barking Alien's RPG CAMPAIGN TOUR CHALLENGE!

Tim Knight has gone and done the unthinkable. He's given me...an IDEA! 

Get in loser, we're checking out people's campaigns!

Buckle up Buttercup...

Frustrated with some of the TRPG internet 'challenges', I have decided to make my own and I'll be doing it myself next month. Next month?!? That's so soon!

That's right, in February 2026 I will be undertaking the RPG CAMPAIGN TOUR CHALLENGE!

What is that you ask? Well...

The concept is simple; give your readers/viewers a tour of your current (or favorite or in-development) campaign setting using the prompts provided below by yours truly. Imagine the Challenge as a kind of 'travel guide' to the setting of your game.

It's a great way to show off your World-Building chops or to help develop them by thinking about the prompts and answering the questions they present.

Day 1-Campaign Introduction and Overview

What is your campaign called, what system does it use, and what is it all about?

Day 2-About your Tour Guide

Introduce us to a character who can serve as our guide through your campaign and its setting.

Day 3-Where the heck are we?

What is the campaign's location and where is that location in related to other important places. 

Day 4-Is there a Map?

Give us a visual! Show us a map of your setting! Don't have one? WHY NOT?!?

Day 5-Can you tell us about the campaign's history?

In the real world and within the universe.

Day 6-Where shall we start?

Where did the campaign begin and/or where should a traveler to the region start their journey through it? 

Day 7-What's the weather like today?

Is there a particular climate or weather that's prominent in the region of the campaign? Does it vary? What is it like and how bad does it get?

Day 8-Tell us about the local peoples and their cultures.

Describe the people and their Species, Nationalities, and other identifying features. 

Day 9-Who's in charge here?

Who are the major movers and shakers in the campaign?

Day 10-What's the first thing we should do? 

When heading out on a trip through the campaign setting (even just the 'starting area'), where should you go first? 

Day 11-Where would we go to find 'adventure'?

We've left the relative safety of the starting area and now we're looking for action! 

Day 12-What do people do for entertainment around here?

Music? Theatre? Sports? Gambling? What do the adventurers in your campaign do on their 'day off'? What is there for tourists to spend money on?

Day 13-Where can we get a drink and a bite to eat?

Give us a few of your most notable restaurants and bars in the campaign setting. Tell us something about these places and what makes them distinctive.

Day 14-What to order to 'Eat like a local'.

Are there any foods unique to the campaign setting? If so, what are they like?

Day 15-What are some things in the setting that are best avoided?

Dangerous terrain, haunted places, angry natives, and even unpleasant beverages; name some elements in your campaign that should be given a wide berth.

Obviously these are beings and things in the setting the tourist should avoid but which Player Characters would likely run towards. 

Day 16-Are there any direct threats?

Who or what in your campaign actively means the people in it - including the PCs -

 harm?

Day 17-Can you tell us about any famous battles or wars?

Tales of conflicts and combats abound across the multiverse! Any interesting ones in your setting we should know about?

Day 18-Forgot to ask; How do we get around?

What modes of transportation are available to people in the setting. 

Day 19-Any 'Must See' sites?

Are there any places or things a visitor to the setting just has to check out?

Day 20-Are there any mysteries as yet unsolved?

Legendary tales, lost civilizations, or cryptid creatures; does the setting have anything for the amateur detective?

Day 21-What are the major organizations of the campaign? How do they deal with visitors? 

Corporations, guilds, secret societies; what groups with influence exist in the campaign and how do they interact with the setting and its denizens? 

Day 22-Tell use about notable Flora and Fauna! 

Take us on safari around your campaign and its setting. What are some of the unique and/or unusual creatures and plants in your game?

Day 23-What are the major exports of the region?

A campaign can be big and different places within it will be known for different products. Pick a few of the best sellers or most interesting things and tell us about them.

Day 24-What are the major imports to the area?

What is it your campaign region needs but doesn't have and how do they get it? Maybe it's not a need but a want? Some other place has the very best something and the people of your campaign desire some of that action.  

Day 25-Where can I do some shopping?

I want to buy some souvenirs from this trip and maybe snacks for the voyage home.

Day 26-Are there any dramatic events from the campaign you can share?

Tell us about a moment of exciting action or tense thrills that has happened during your game. When and where did it take place?

Day 27-Do you have any amusing anecdotes from the campaign?

Forget dramatic, tell us about a moment that made everyone laugh out loud.

Day 28-Is there anything else we should know before we head home?

Any parting knowing you want to leave us with that didn't fit anywhere else?

***

Inquiring minds want to know what makes your milieu special! I want to know!

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Barking Alien

Incidentally, how about a warm Barking Alien welcome for Woofia, Barkley's cousin, who will be helping out around the blog from time to time.

Welcome aboard Woofy!

Getting Into Character

No response here or on Facebook regarding my continuing with the 31 Day / 31 Characters Challenge so I guess I'm done. Since this series of posts isn't grabbing anyone's attention or interest, I'll just bow out and go one to discuss other things.

Next year I'll get back to posting memorable characters from campaigns [and one-shots] of the past.. 

In the meantime...

I've been thinking analytically and introspectively about why I don't like Character Creation in most Tabletop Roleplaying Games. In some ways its pretty easy to comprehend, I think...

When I create a character, it's a concept in my head. The character is simply an idea for a component of the adventure, setting, or whathaveyou. It is envisioned as serving a purpose; they are an obstacle, an ally, a love interest, comedy relief, or an example of 'local color' to give the game...well, um...character. 

As I tend to GM far more than I play as a Player, my 'Gamemaster Brain' is at the forefront of my approach to characters. When I want or need a character that does X or serves X purpose, I create them. I make them as interesting as I can so that the players in my game get invested in said character and their role in the campaign, whatever that may be. I'm aware that some GMs have been known to roll up their NPCs in systems with random generation and the very idea is baffling to me.

Why? You need a bandit, you stat up a bandit. You need a wise and powerful Jedi Master, you give them more dice where you feel they need it. Do you really want to roll up a handsome and seductive spy just get a really low Charisma/Comeliness score? That's...well...dumb IMHO. 

As a player, my outlook is not so different. Say I need to come up with a character for a Star Trek game set during The Next Generation Era. OK. What is everyone else playing? I see...no Doctor or Science Officer yet, huh? I do love playing the Science Officer when I get the chance. As for a Species, ooh, so many options.

In any game where non-Human Player Characters are a possibility, there's a very good chance I will play a non-Human. Hmm, I've never played a Kasheeta, a matriarchal dinosaur-saurian species that first appeared in the Federation Council chambers of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Yeah, that'll be interesting. I love seeing TOS and TOS Movie Era Aliens in later periods. The Kasheeta can seem arrogant, aloof, and off-putting but aren't really. It's a cultural thing I can creatively expand on and add my own twist to. I like it. 

The point it, I didn't roll this character up. This is an idea for a character that I came up with and can now extrapolate from and build upon. What I want now is a rules system that allows me to make this character in the game.

Therein lies the key to why I like or dislike a game's Character Creation. I don't want a system that gives me a character and tells me what they can do. I like creating a Character outside of any system and using an RPG's mechanics to make that character to the best of my [and the game's] ability. This is why I like Champions, Smurfs, Star Trek Adventures, Star Wars D6, and why I don't like D&D and 'Playbook' games like Blades in the Dark and Apocalypse World. Don't tell me who my character is and what abilities they are allowed to have. Tell me all the options available and I'll pick the ones that fit my character. 

This dynamic is a big reason why I don't like playing most Fantasy RPGs other than Ars Magica, which I love. Most Fantasy games have hard and fast Classes that give you particular skills and abilities and Races that only have or do specific things. Ars Magica says, here are a variety of different kinds of characters that fit the setting. They're all made of points. Here, I'll give you that amount of points so you can make what you like. There isn't a Wizard Class, there are characters who can have any combination of talents and skills including casting spells and we call that person a Wizard (or a Mage in Ars Magica proper). 

That's it for now. Onward...

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Barking Alien