I'll Tell You What I Want, What I Really, Really Want

I am currently running three campaigns. 

One is a bi-weekly game of Star Trek Adventures that my players and I have titled Star Trek: Prosperity. This campaign has been going on for nearly twelve years of real time. It features four players, plus myself as Gamemaster, and is set in a version of The Original Series Era that has run considerably longer than the first Star Trek TV series lasted on television. 

I love this campaign. My players appear to love it. It just keeps going.

The other two are, as mentioned the other day, Superhero games;

One is My Hero Academia: Hero Helpline; basically the premise of the video game Dispatch set in the universe of My Hero Academia. I'm using a Japanese fan-made TRPG called 'Plus Ultra'.

The second is The Legion of Superheroes: Legion Outpost, a Champions 4th Edition campaign following an expansion team of DC Comics' 31st Century Superheroes, The Legion of Superheroes. 

These two are fun. Definitely fun. There are ideas in both of them that I think are interesting to explore. That said...are these the games I really want to be running? Well...

Allow me to start by saying, I don't mean for this post to imply I'd rather be running one of the following campaign concepts instead of any of the ones I'm currently GMing.

OK...wait. No, that is kinda what I'm saying. The RPGs below are what I'd really love to be running if I could run anything I wanted and had people who wanted to play them. Except Star Trek: Prosperity. I would want to run one or more of the campaigns I'm about to discuss in addition to continuing with Star Trek: Prosperity. That doesn't mean I am unhappy with the games I'm currently running, just that these are my current 'dream campaigns'. 

The problem is...I don't know that the games I want to run are ones my current groups of players want to play, especially for a prolonged period of time. They might say yes to a one-shot and truly have a great time with it but I don't think they see the ongoing potential of the ones I'm going to talk about. 

Maybe some do. Hmm. OK. With that...

Ghostbusters

Yeah, I've definitely been slimed by the news of the upcoming Netflix animated series Night Shift but a desire to run a long term Ghostbusters campaign always haunts the back of my mind. 

I love the idea of characters who aren't exceptionally adept or particularly professional facing off against foes beyond their 'pay grade'. At the same time, the PCs do have some special skills and gear to level the playing field (pun intended) and the wits and determination to take down far more powerful adversaries. 

I'm also particularly found of the system I've homebrewed to run Ghostbusters, really a kitbash of the original WEG RPG, InSpectres, and the Year Zero mechanics from Free League's ALIEN game. Add in some of the customizable elements my groups and I have added over the years  - things like unique Proton Packs, alternative Ecto Vehicles, and the PCs' Headquarters - and I really think the game, and the players, would get the most out of an extended campaign, instead of just the occasional one-shot.

The Adventures of Horai Academy!!

This is a game near and dear to my heart that I honestly haven't run in roughly 30 years. And to be clear, even back then I only ran 6 sessions. I'd never run it before that and I haven't had the opportunity to run it again since. どうしたの？

Not only do I love the premise, best described by my friend Ray as, 'Crazy Japanese High School - The Roleplaying Game', but I also feel it has simple, interesting rules that make it a breeze to run while maintaining a certain amount of mechanical depth. Not too much mechanical depth I suppose but just enough to keep me engaged and allow for the kinds of stories and actions the game intends to create. 

Man, I have to do a dedicated post on this game. It's history and current incarnation are absolutely fascinating.

Anyway, I am once again in an Anime/Manga mood and this game would absolutely satisfy my craving for Japanese pop culture and fandom influenced gaming. 

The Smurfs

I haven't run or played The Smurfs Roleplaying Game in a while now and I REALLY miss it. Moreover, I desperately want to produce an ongoing campaign. Not only have I been eager to do this for some time now but I have so many ideas for putting one together that they're burning a hole in my smurf!

In addition to exploring the fun characters that players keep coming up with, I want to continue expanding the world/setting, bring in both new and classic adversaries, and incorporate the base-building element of developing your Smurf House. 

I seriously think a long term Smurfs campaign could be the best Medieval Fantasy RPG you're going to get from me. Hopefully I'll get the chance. Smurfs crossed.

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Barking Alien

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 17

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

"Once again we're looking back into the history of this area of space. 'Knowledge of the past informs the present' one might say. Thankfully I've had a great deal more time to research this subject, as well as briefings as part of recent missions impacted by these historical events.

I am happy to pass on what I've learned..."

The Earth-Romulan War

A four year long conflict between the space navies of the United Earth and the Romulan Star Empire that occurred (roughly) one hundred year ago (prior to the first time its mentioned in our campaign*).

Approximately a year before the start of the war, the United Earth and its allies formed a loose alliance known as the Coalition of Planets. When Romulus declared war on Earth, the other members of the Coalition agreed to lend aid but they would not engage the Romulans in direct combat.

In the later half of the war, Earth received increased assistance from these allied worlds, with additional ships supplied by the Andorian Imperial Guard. Earth eventually handed the Romulans a humiliating defeat, the war culminating at the Battle of Cheron. (Yes, that Cheron). With the Earth-Romulan War concluded, the Coalition of Planets moves to become the United Federation of Planets. Among the UFP's first acts is to establish the Neutral Zone between themselves and the Romulan Empire. 

The entire war was fought by opposing starships in space and communications were by subspace radio, audio only. It wasn't until an incident involing Captain James T. Kirk and the USS Enterprise (Constitution Class, NCC-1701) in 2266 that Starfleet and the Federation had visual confirmation of the Romulans' appearance and connection to the Vulcans.

Emblems of the United Earth (Top),

The United Earth Space Probe Agency - 22nd Century (Bottow Left)

The United Earth Space Probe Agency Starfleet - Late 22nd to Mid 23rd Century (Bottom Right)

The Battle of Dinom II 

Near the end of the war, the Romulans received intelligence on a previously unknown strategic target and launched a small fleet to take out said target. Learning that the intel on their hidden base had been leaked, the United Earth Space Probe Agency Fleet sent out a group of ships to prevent the Romulans from reaching their destination.

The two fleets met at Dinom II, a tidally locked planet constantly baked by its blue-white giant star, making the world terribly hot and barely Class M. The battle was short but brutal, with every ship involved being destroyed. No survivors to anyone's knowledge. Vessel wreckages and other debris is scattered across the surface of the planet's North Eastern hemisphere (Please reference the DAY 7 log entry for additional information of Dinom II). 

While on a diplomatic mission, the Prosperity's captain, members of the command crew, and a few others crashed landed on the planet. Using their survival skills, mechanical and technical knowledge, and sheer determined resourcefulness, the team was able to salvage enough components and make their way to a spacewreck with a repairable communication array/distress beacon. Additionally, there was some evidence that a couple of Romulans may have survived some time on the surface before falling victim to native fauna. 

The Ectair Campaign

A series of battles during the final month of the Earth-Romulan War in which the Earth forces fought to take the Ectair Sector, a major source of economic strength and stability for the Romulan Empire. With the help of the Andorian Imperial Fleet, Earth was able to gain control of the many worlds within the sector, including Ectair itself, capital of region. 

Ectair was the largest producer of Romulan Ale outside of Romulus itself and losing it was not only an economic loss but it also lowered the morale of both the Empire's common citizens and many of its fighter forces. Before the Siege of Ectair, the Romulan people were behind the war with all their hearts and minds but after...well...not so much. Things continued to fall downhill for the Romulans from that point forward, leading - as noted above - to a final defeat at the Battle of Cheron. 

When the war was over and the UFP was being established, Earth's leaders and diplomats offered many of the worlds in this area, what is the Tango-8 and especially Tango-9 sectors today, to the Andorians for colonization and development. As noted previously, the Ectair System became Mozinphar's Star and the same soil so perfect for raising the blue grains used in Romulan Ale were repurposed for the blue barley in Andorian Ale. 

The Vault War - The Khelayan-UFP War

The Siege of Khelaya 

After numerous small but intense engagements across the Coreward-Trailing areas of the Sierra Super Sector (mostly in Sectors Sierra-10, 11, and 12), Starfleet approved Captain Anne Fletcher's plan to take the fight directly to Khelaya in an attempt to access their command center known as 'The Vault'.

Khelaya (Rura Kel IV) and 'The Vault', Vault Mountain, Mid-Northern Hemisphere.

Even with their Janissary/Precursor boosted weapons and defenses, and a greater number of ships, the Khelayans were no match for the superior experience, tactics, and overall quality of Starfleet's squadron, with Captain Fletcher serving a Fleet Captain for the operation. 

Starfleet Vessels of Operation: Safecracker

While the Janissary technology was quite powerful, the Khelayan ships themselves were largely refurbished Klingon, Orion, and Federation civilian vessels, many in poor repair or outdated. Additionally, when Commander Solok used the psychic 'virus' passed on to him by the Vulcan Su, all that amazing Janissary equipment destroyed itself, rendering the Khelayan's advantage null and void.

Khelayan Fleet defends Khelaya from the Federation's 107th Fleet. 

The Continuous War of Garadius IV

Not a single war but the collective name given to the regularly reoccurring military conflicts between the two governments that share the fourth planet in the Garadius System. Of course 'share' isn't exactly the right word.

(L) Garadius Authority of Might  and  (R) Genius Council Garadius

For over two hundred years the two nations of Garadius, The Garadius Authority of Might and The Genius Council of Garadius, have challenged each other at every turn and can not agree on...well...anything. Occasionally...Often....this drives them to come to blows. The GAM wins nearly every ground combat purely by their physical prowess. The GCG wins anytime the conflict becomes a question of tactics or superior gear. 

The United Federation of Planets has an interest in Garadius for a number of reasons. For one thing, the system is strategically located within a parsec of the Romulan Neutral Zone. For another, Garadius is an excellent source of the ingredients of Vitaimpenicil, a very powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic. As Garadius is a warp capable society, it is likely that either the UFP will make peace overtures to the planet or one or both of the governing bodies will call the Federation in as arbiters between them. 

"Next, one of my favorite subjects...travel and how you do it?"

*This entry details some of the biggest differences between established canon from the Star Trek episodes and films and 'My Star Trek Universe'. 

Specifically, the canon history and details of the Earth-Romulan War, the early formation of the Coalition of Planets, the UFP, etc., are definitely not the same as they are in my campaigns. I tried to stay as close to official canon as possible but where I needed to make adjustments I did.     

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Barking Alien

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 11

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

"This is the Final Frontier. Adventure is everywhere."

To be perfectly honest, I didn't include this one for me. It's in here for the Dungeon Master/D&D types who see Adventure locations and Non-Adventure locations as two separate things. 

That's not the case in my games and Star Trek: Prosperity is no exception. We've had entire sessions where we never leave the ship but still have an adventure and ones where we leave the ship for Shore Leave and mostly deal with the characters' personal lives and something like the Hopper Race mentioned in past posts.

Just like I don't separate Combat and Non-Combat sequences, basically everything the PCs do and say is part of 'the adventure'.

"As Starfleet Officers, my crew and I don't go on 'adventures'. We definitely have adventures but they are usually not sought out. The ship might be assigned to a mission by Starfleet Command. We might have detected a strange energy reading that the Captain deems is worth investigating. It's possible we've received a distress call and we are responding to render aid.

Any or all these situations might lead to adventure but it isn't our duty to 'find adventure'. We don't go out of our way to face danger for no reason, nor are we searching for treasure or the like. If that is what you're after I wish you well but please be very, very careful. As I've noted, adventure is everywhere in outer space but without training, study, experience, and the proper gear, you're unlikely to survive long enough to tell your harrowing tale. 

I do enjoy a harrowing tale but I'd rather enjoy one with you than hear how you disappeared into a black hole or perished fighting a ravenous alien beast. Enjoy the galaxy but stay sharp, be smart, and know your limits."

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Barking Alien

A Happy Birthday to my friend, the late, great Dave Cotton. Gone roughly 6 years now, not a day goes by where I don't miss this dude. Thinking of you on your special day brother. 

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 10

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

"Start with a sonic shower, put on a fresh uniform or set of comfortable clothes, have a good breakfast, go over your plan and/or schedule for your trip, and then...honestly its hard to choose. There is just so much to do and see!

Alright, let us assume you're starting out from Deep Space Station K-12. I would definitely get breakfast at one of the two major restaurants and have a cup of your biologically compatible preferred morning beverage. Personally, I really enjoy Coffee, a popular Earth drink usually served hot in the morning. I always have to order mine adjusted for the water's alkaline content. The water on Cheron and in a Cheronians body has a different level of acidity from that of Earth and Humans. Its never been an issue though, thankfully. 

Then, if I were you, I'd beam to the surface of the planet below if at all possible and see the sunrise of HD 132648 from the Victory Mountains, just South of the hills that serve as the starting area for the annual Hopper Race. It's a lovely view and I understand the colors of the sky are not unlike those of sunrises on Earth. 

After that...the nebulas! Yes! Definitely one of the nebulas!

These regions feature some of the most breathtaking nebulas I have ever seen. Some are huge and dense, like the massive Typhon Expanse, and others wispy and gossamer like the webs of a Deltan Sprite Spider. 

As impressive as it is, I recommend avoiding the Typho Expense itself. That is to say, it is best viewed at a distance. Time/Space Anomalies have been detected within it and it's best to leave travel through the Expanse to the professionals. 

The USS Prosperity and USS Persistance investigating the Typhon Expanse

Two nebula that are smaller than the Typhon Expanse but no less amazing are the Ryton Nebula near Beta and the Taurus Nebula just past the Taurus Pulsar [if you coming from Station K-12).

All of these spectacular clouds of dust and stellar gases and, in the cases of these particular nebula, can be hazardous or have hazardous space phenomena associated with them. Be careful and travel with a skilled helmsman in a dependable craft before undertaking sightseeing of this kind.

If you are interested in history and/or archeology, don't miss the ancient ruins on Yed Prior and Rho Gruis III. Both host sites of incredible lost civilizations that are very different from each other.

The planet Yed Prior I has a fascinating set of structures and sculptures combining the art and architecture of the people of Earth's ancient Eqyptian and Roman Empires. In truth it is neither of these but an entirely new, extraterrestrial aesthetic either inspired by those aforementioned Earth cultures or simply coincidentally similar to them. There are approximately a dozen statues, buildings, and other points of interest to investigate. Many have secret or hidden chambers that once held highly advanced technology. That technology has been removed and is being studied by Starfleet Science, the Vulcan Science Academy, and The Daystrom Institute. Much of this machinery was previously or potentially dangerous. 

Some of the most noteworthy are the Great Colossus of Yed, the Leader's Fortress (which has numerous mosaic fresco depicting various heroic events - including the Earth-Romulan War!), and the Arena of Yed. The climate around these structures is warm and tropical. There are a number of lovely beaches if that is of interest to you as well. 

The Colossus and Arena of Yed

Two of the dozen intriguing structures on the surface of Yed Prior I

A very different experience is had on Rho Gruis III, which I am told is much more like Andor, icy cold and covered in snow. Here the ruins are a city of stone buildings easily two thousand years old. The more curious element are tall, cyclindrical stone columns, all about 30.5 meters in height, their purpose unknown. 

There are Starfleet and UFP studies going on and theories of course; a Civilian Special Advisor named Mr. GLEE, a specialist in the Xenoarcheology and Xenoanthropology of the great Tango Super Sector, believes the native species was Psychic and the tower-like structures helped to focus and enhance their abilities. This turned out to be correct, at least to some degree, as when the Prosperity invested the crash site of a Mazzulan colony ship they discovered that the psionic resonance of The Beacon of K'atrahal was been absorbed and fed back to the object by these cylinders.

The Pillars of Rho Gruis III

My final recommendation would be ending the day with the majestic natural beauty and unparalleled potations of Mozinphar's Planet, the third world orbiting Mozinphar's Star, formerly known as Ectair (original star system catalog designation GL 667). 

This beautiful planet, covered with vast fields of blue grain, snow-capped mountains, and interesting cloud formations (partially created by Weather Manipulation Technology interacting with the natural conditions of the atmosphere), was once a Romulan controlled world where some of the finest Romulan Ale was made. They lost this world and its surrounding territory to the Earth and its allies in the Earth-Romulan War. 

Afterwards, the system was awarded to the Andorians as thanks for their assistance in claiming this region, once known as the Ectair Sector. Today it is the key producer of Andorian Ale, including the largest and most acclaimed brand outside of Andor itself. The Endilev Family of the Clan of Provisions is in charge here. Note that a large population of Humans also live on Mozinphar's Planet, as well as a smaller number of other Federation species. 

Sunsets here are something special. Thanks to the crisp, clear air, Andorian Weather Control, and the planet's distance from its Red Giant star, the sky seems to catch fire as evening approaches. A local custom is to gather around a fire pit, cook food over the flames, and drink a glass (or mug) of Andorian Ale. Absolutely memorable experience. 

The Blue Grain Fields near the captial city of Emerath

In my personal opinion, that would be a wonderful way to start your trip. Now that day one is over, head back to your quarters and get some rest for tomorrow. That was just the start..."

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Barking Alien

*Mozinphar's Star comes from the FASA Star Trek RPG Module, 'A Doomsday Like Any Other'. In that story the planet is own and operated by the Orions and is very different from what I've described here. I changed the location and details surrounding the adventure when I ran the original module [or least my version of it]. Therefore, I had the name 'Mozinphar's Star' left over so I ran with it and created this. My apologies for breaking non-canon canon. 

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 5

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

The campaign began as a one-shot of The Star Trek Roleplaying Game by Last Unicorn Games I ran at a New York CIty gaming convention called RECESS back in 2014. You can see more about that here. My players and I consider this the first 'Pilot Episode' (it's not counted as being among the 9 seasons of the series).

This was followed by a host of one-shots with the same 'core cast' and a rotating series of supporting players. Eventually, after a bit of reworking and a conversion from LUG's Star Trek RPG to Modiphius' Star Trek Adventures, we firmly established Star Trek: Prosperity as an ongoing bi-weekly campaign that is still active [as of this entry].

"Computer, access Memory Alpha Historical Archive Records on USS Prosperity, NCC-1587. Display Historical Synopsis with Highlights."

"...WORKING..."

The Ventura Class Light Cruiser first entered Starfleet service in 2228, roughly 12-15 years prior to the launch of the Constitution Class. When launched, it was touted as one of the most advanced, dependable, and durable designs of its day. 

The USS Prosperity itself was launched in 2230. Prior to Captain Anne Fletcher taking command in 2266, the vessel had an   if unremarkable run.

A year and a half into Anne Fletcher's captaincy, Starfleet decided to use the vessel to test out a Rear-Facing Photon Torpedo. The ship was overhauled and fit with the device which turned out to be very effective in battle but not without its drawbacks. 

This is where our ongoing campaign [truly] begins.

Season 1

How it started.

Captain Anne Fletcher is the Commanding Officer. Commander Solok is First Officer and Chief Science Officer. Lt. Commander Tha'ar Bhoth is Chief of Security. Lt. Commander Rhys (pronounced Reese) Carr is Chief of Communications.

Other PCs include Ross as Chief Medical Officer, Lt. Commander,  Dr. Jemm Paker and Saul as Chief Helmsman, Lt. Stephen LeBrock. 

Many of the major Command Crew NPCs are established as regular supporting characters, such as Asst. Chief Engineer Lt. Gravph (a Male Tellarite), Asst. Chief Science Officer Lt. T'Sora (a Female Vulcan), and Asst. Chief of Communications Lt. JG Hitomi Kikaeda (Female Human).

Most missions are following up on prior endeavors of Constituition Class starships and Starfleet Scout vessels. This leads to a series of adventures that all deal with Precursor Artifacts, including the Light Dams of Hesparagorta and a Doomsday Machine. The PCs unravel the mysterious connection between all these objects and gain knowledge about the Precursors, their language, and their iconographic writing.

Conflict occurs with Romulans when they team up with Prosperity to stop the Doomsday Machine but double cross them to take advantage of the situation. The Romulan Sub-Commander forcefully relieved her superior of Command when his actions endangered their ship. Going forward, this Sub-Commander would be a re-occurring Romulan character the PCs could actually reason with.

Season 2

Bhoth switches to Chief Engineer.

Melissa joins as Lt. Anara Datiri, a Female Deltan Helmsman. Lt. LeBrock is gone. Ross departs but Dr. Paker is now an NPC.  

Additional Prosperity personnel are fleshed out, particularly a good number of those serving in Engineering. An NPC member of Dr. Paker staff is Lt. Hanover. Her role, doctor or nurse, isn't clear.

Captain Fletcher develops a friendly rivalry with Captain T'Sada of the Science Ship USS Algol. Fletcher is able to obtain a Sensor Suite Upgrade originally intended for the Algol. The Algol went back on the waiting list and does eventually get her upgrade. 

There is an encounter with a massive, spaceborne organism or 'cosmozoan' at Ludugia (Rho Coronae Borealis). The situation was epic and the entity of the Cosmic Horror sort. The adventure features the first named character death in the game, Warp Drive Specialist Calvin Bishop.

It is revealed that firing the Rear Photo Torpedo shakes the starboard Warp Nacelle and knocks its Warp Coil out of alignment. Bishop tries to crawl into the Warp Nacelle to manually adjust the Warp Coil and is vaporized by a plasma discharge. 

This death significantly effected Mr. Bhoth and helped the player to further develop his character.

The Ludugia Entity would return/reappear in future seasons. 

Players get to improve their PC's stats. 

Season 3

Melissa/Lt. Datiri exits and Erica joins as a new PC Chief Helmsman, a Female Andorian Lt. JG Teela Rill.

Doctor Paker replaced by new NPC Chief Medical Officer, Lt./Doctor Margaret 'Maggie' Hanover. She has an unusual bedside manner and a fascination with all things Vulcan. She enters into a romantic subplot with Commander Solok at some point [a little off camera]. It eventually becomes a known quantity.

Captain Fletcher discovers that Captain T'Sada has been temporarily issued a small Cochrane Class Scout Ship. Fletcher manages to get one for the Prosperity which they christen the 'Rockwell'. The Prosperity gives up two of her standard shuttles but keeps two (the Mondrian and the Rothko). 

We first meet members of the core PCs' families, most notably Mr. Bhoth's father, Andorian Imperial Guard General Barath Bhoth (very likely my favorite NPC to play and use). Further development of Bhoth's background and relationship with his father and the Imperial Guard is showcased. We also meet Solok's older brother Selar, a [cool, Vulcan] Test Pilot. 

First Time Travel adventure. PCs 'Quantum Leap' into the lives of people from Prosperity's past and future. Inspired by but quite different from the Star Trek: TNG Series Finale, 'All Good Things...'.

We delve into Lt. Commander Carr's background for the first time, revealing he previously serviced with Starfleet Intelligence decrypting coded messages, primarily from the Rulans and Orion Pirates.

After meeting with an old flame and fellow spy, Carr gets the Intel necessary to thwart a Romulan/Orion Alliance plot. The group's previous sympathetic Romulan Sub-Commander is now a Commander and we give her evidence on the Orions' plan to double-cross the Romulans, earning her favor even though the overall operation was a failure.

The USS Prosperity is overhauled and the Rear Photon system better intergrated. Based on design improvements by Bhoth, the Starboard Nacelle issue is fixed. The ship is upgraded from the Mark II to the Mark IIB. 

Season 4

Lt. Commander Carr becomes Chief of Security. 

Erica moves out of town and Lt. Rill becomes an NPC.

Shae is first encountered in the mid-end of the season as part of a larger adventure featuring new aliens, a lost Romulan ship, and Time Travel.

Romantic subplot develops between Bhoth and Shae.

Starfleet announces that aside from five Ventura Class Starships, the rest of the remaining active vessels will be mothballed. If the remaining five are badly damaged they will also be decommissioned. Resources are being diverted to the further construction and development of the Constitution and the newer Miranda Class. Mr. Bhoth furious.

An encounter with other Cheronian survivors prompts Capt. Fletcher to defend her charge and Shae decides to take political asylum in the Federation. 

The Prosperity's successes have given the Federation more information of the Sierra and Tango Sector Blocks, as well new allies in these regions. This opens up the opportunity for a new permanent Starfleet base. Plans are made to establish Deep Space 5. 

PCs improve again, each adding a new Focus and a new Talent.

Season 5

Season opens with a party celebrating Deep Space 5 going fully operational. Admiral George Bankroft, former Captain of the USS Colin Powell, is given command. Bankroft met Capt. Fletcher when she was a Lieutenant and knew she'd go places. He is happy to have her and her ship assigned to DS5 as their 'port of call'.

At the party we also meet Solok's younger sister and Bhoth's 'Blood Brother'. They are engaged and in a later adventure inspired by 'Amok Time' they marry after their chosen representative champions, Bhoth and Solok, fight to the death! In the end everyone rejoices and Prosperity's odd couple are now technically 'related'.

USS Prosperity assigned to new area close to the Kzinti Patriarchy and not far from First Federation space.

Carr's spy skills come in handy again in order to prevent the Kzinti Patriarchy from invading the Kasheeta Matriarchy. Captain Fletcher negotiates with the Martriarchy and they submit a request to join the Federation. 

Mr. Bhoth and [NPC] Mr. Gravph attempt to save the Ventura Class by analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, and updating its design. Capt. Fletcher submits propsal to Starfleet. Starfleet not only approves, upgrading all Venturas to the Mark IIB configuration but considers making Bhoth's changes a Mark III and perhaps building new Ventura Class vessels of the Mark III type. Ventura Class saved!

Season 6

This season is focused on horror themes, with inspiration and influence from the scarier episodes of The Original Series and the Twilight Zone. 

An alien mad scientist tries to prove he can resurrect the dead by first destroying himself and having a coffin-like medical pod bring him back to life using the Proto-Matter in the Accretion Disk of a Black Hole. One of our best episodes ever! 

The Ludugia Entity returns and wrecks havoc on a colony world, forcing Captain Fletcher and her team to eliminate it once and for all by trapping it in a Wormhole Anomaly and then collapsing the Anomaly on the creature. 

First Contact and numerous dealings with the draconic looking Knuckrians. Initially quite hostile, they are revealed to be a deeply spiritual and honorable people fooled into believing the Federation was their enemy by a third party.

Season 7

After a three month refit, the USS Prosperity emerges from the Utopia Planitia Shipyards completely rebuilt into his Mark III configuration. 

The Vault War - The Khelayans, a former subject species of the Klingon Empire, suddenly go on the offensive. They started by acting like pirates but quickly escalated their efforts towards sieging UFP colonies and outposts. As it turned out, after decades of being bullied and having to kowtow to the Klingons, the Khelayans had discovered a fortress and extremely high technology buried beneath their homeworld. This fortress, 'The Vault' as they called it, had been built by a militant offshoot of the Precursors known as the Janissaries.  

At some point, the Prosperity came to the rescue of a Starfleet expedition to a possible Janissary site who did not report back. Eventually, the PCs discover a secret space inside a large blue-gold crystal structure wherein they encounter a Vulcan Science Officer who has been merged with the blue-gold crystaline mineral. His name was Sunut and he was linked with a hive mind of long dead Janissaries, all their thoughts uploaded into the ancient formation around him.

Commander Solok mind-melded with Sunut and was able to communicate with the original young man. There Solok obtained key intel that would aid the crew later (see below). He also transfered Sunut's Katra into his own mind, promising to return it to Vulcan in the future. 

The situation ended in a large scale fleet operation against the makeshift Khelayan fleet, led by Captain Anne Fletcher and the Prosperity. At the same time, Mr. Carr and Mr. Solok snuck down to the surface of the planet and used intel obtained earlier in the season to infiltrate the Vault site. As a battle raged in space, Carr covered Solok while the First Officer focused the psychic resonance of Sunut into the Vault's 'mainframe'. The union of Solok-Sunut overrode the Janissary's systems and more importantly, the Khelayans control over it. 

It was both a spectacular and very personal ending. The leader of the Khelayans surrendered to Captain Fletcher and the forces of Starfleet. Solok made the decision that life is too chaotic and short to not live it to the fullest. He decided to ask Doctor Maggie Hanover to marry him. She said yes.

The Season Finale saw the entire gang travel to Vulcan for the big event, held at Solok's family's estate. We see everyone in his family; his parents, his older brother, older sister and her family, his younger sister and Bhoth's blood brother. We also meet Hanover's parents who are basically Archie and Edith Bunker [of All in the Family fame]. Before the marriage itself, the group goes to a sacred site near Vulcan's only sea in order for Solok to release Sunut's Katra. 

Following this, Solok and Hanover take a temporary leave of absense from Starfleet.

Season 8

How it's going.

Bhoth is promoted to full Commander and becomes First Officer. Lt. Commander Carr is made Chief Science Officer. 

Leo (who played Solok) brings in a new character, a young but very talented Helmsman named Charlie Wilder. 

We received a few new (NPC) crewmembers including a new Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Richard Osgood. We also see a rival for Mr. Wilder in the form of the female Andorian Shuttle Pilot Lt. Kepna Theph.  

Longtime Asst. Chief Science Officer T'Sora is transfered to the USS Persistence, the first new Ventura Class in 44 years. There she is given the position of Chief Science Officer. 

Season 8 introduced our newest Player Character as well as revisiting some elements that have persisted throughout the campaign. The biggest event was the culmination of every Andorian Imperial Guard story we've ever had, as numerous dignitaries assembled to finalize the dissolution of that group. This prompted a renegade faction within the Andorian space fleet to attempt a coup. The high stakes action was equaled by the philosophical and heartfelt conversations between Bhoth and a potential traitor, Bhoth and his father, and the Captain, Bhoth's father, and the renegades. 

We also had our very first Mirror Universe episode - a two-parter!

Great stuff. 

Season 9

The PC's improve again this season with a stat raise. 

Ensign Shae comes to the forefront once more as the colony of New Cheron tries to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the Federation, offering some of their advanced technological knowledge for some humanitarian aid. Prosperity visits the colony to observe whether or not they've overcome their prejudices and uncover one nihilists attempt to make sure the Cheronians go extinct as fate intended. 

We're only a few episodes in so this retelling has essentially caught up to the present. 

"...HISTORICAL RECORDS SUMMARY COMPLETE..."

Sorry this one was so late and so long. I really didn't know how to summarize 12 years of [usually] consistent bi-weekly gaming. There is just so much material and there were so many golden moments! 

Hopefully I didn't overdo it too much. 

AD

Barking Alien

RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 - DAY 4

Day 4-Is there a Map?

"There is! 

Welcome to my favorite part of the Prosperity other than the Bridge - Stellar Cartography!

One of three rooms dedicated to the Astro-Navigation Department, Stellar Cartography boasts a horizontal viewscreen for generating and displaying star charts and maps.

Though not as large as the Bridge's main viewscreen, it is long and it makes planning and visualizing navigational flight paths far easier than any equipment I've used before.

The map on display above is actually a few of our recent mission maps merged together. It shows Sectors Sierra-12, Tango-8, and Tango-9 [plus a little extra here and there]."

The campaign has seen the Prosperity and its crew assigned to many different regions over the years. It would probably take a 100+ page 'Astrometrics Atlas' to detail all the places they've been to in the past 9 seaaons.

This Challenge is primarily focused on the PCs' current and recent operations in the Tango-8 and Tango-9 sectors and some areas adjacent to them. As such, that is what the map I'm presenting covers. 

If you are wondering what the scale of the map is, how many parsec per square, and that sort of thing, well, I have no idea. The map doesn't represent exacting distances or sizes of things. It is purely to help the players and I determine where objects are in relation to other objects and the like. If I say, 'Your vessel has entered the Rho Gruis System', you can tell if that's closer to Starbase 25 or the.Taurus Nebula.  

Much like the writers of the Star Trek shows, I want the illusion of verisimilitude but I am not worried about real world distances, speeds, and astronomy. 

AD

Barking Alien

Map Update 02/12/2026

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 and 9 are 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 Anne 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. 

AD

Barking Alien