Tag: Dick Sprague

USS Chuck Norris: 10 Years

Posted on | by Charles Star | 1 Comment on USS Chuck Norris: 10 Years

Ten years ago today, our very own USS Chuck Norris launched. That makes it the longest continuously running IDF sim in its current form: Despite two URLs and two Novas, it’s still Defiant class and NCC-4005. And as far as I know, no other ship in Star Trek simming has anything like the USS Chuck Norris facts!

Through four Captains (Dick Sprague, Shane Youngblood, Grover vonMcCormick & Aurther Winters), dozens of crewmembers, and many zany adventures, the Chuck has seen it all. Beyond the story, it’s also been quite the historical sim. It sponsored the 2012 Simulation Cup (aka Tournament of Simulations), the only game ever to do so. It later won its own award at the 2014 competition, the last IDF sim to win until the 2020 tournament.

Let’s also not forget perhaps the Chuck Norris’s biggest contribution: When IDF’s old website went offline in early 2019, the Chuck kept simming over email to keep our legacy alive. Without that effort, there would be no Independence Fleet today. Like so many other fleets, IDF would already belong to the ages.

But we are here today. So let’s all write a post in honor of the USS Chuck Norris!

USS Chuck NorrisNCC-4005
Format: Prose & ScriptEra: TNG/DSN/VOY
Type: OpenClass: Defiant
CO: Captain Aurther WintersJoin!

Monthly Awards: October 2021

Posted on | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment on Monthly Awards: October 2021

Awards time, October style!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Aiko Kato
Flight Control Officer
USS Washington

For “Through the Looking Glass of Time”

Very well written bit of backstory, with a great perspective established in the “Previously On” section.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Trevor Andrews & Capt. John Wells & Cmdr. Yadira Tristan House Kilrah & Lt. Cmdr. Timber Wolf & Lt. Nerex & Lt. JG Hank Solomon & MCPO Alake Van Der Luan
ACEO / CO / CEO / XO / FCC / CSO / MaA
USS Eminence

For “The Lionheart (Part One)”

It’s been a while since I’ve read a good old fashioned time travel post, and this one didn’t disappoint. Great character interactions, and the authors didn’t skip over the gravity of someone discovering they’re out of tine. Kudos also for the transporter room scene. Well done!

Funniest Post

Lt. Sheeraashaa Genno
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Albion

For “Steady as She Goes”

LOL. I can almost hear the funny light music in the background on this one. Very Orville-esque. Love it!

Genesis

Captain Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “Consult the Anomaly”

As is typical for the Albion, the odd title is indicative of the goofy mission to follow, with plenty of opportunities to be taken in many directions.

MVP

Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

What more can I say about this powerhouse simmer? A rock-solid team-first player and sounding bound for the Captain, there’s nothing Durnell can’t and doesn’t do.

Most Posts

Lieutenant Callie Raven-Grayson
Chief Counselor
USS Washington

For writing 8 posts.

Most Improved

Harper McGinnis
Chef
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s new Chef joined in October, showed exceptional improvement over the course of the month, and blended in nicely with the experienced crew.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Callie Raven-Grayson
Chief Counselor
USS Washington

The Washington’s new Counselor immediately brought excitement and creativity to the sim, and has been a joy to the rest of the crew.

Recruitment

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For recruiting a new player who turned out to be a game changer.

Congratulations to everyone who took home hardware this month. I’ll see you in November!

Monthly Awards: April 2021

Posted on | by Rook Mirtoh | 1 Comment on Monthly Awards: April 2021

After our 20th Anniversary Trivia Day on Saturday with prizes, here are your April 2021 Monthly Awards, but unfortunately without prizes:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Liberty

For “Time is 07 Hundred”

I love it! No one thinks about the mundane routine of a Starfleet officer and this one does that, with a lot of humor thrown in, along with a good plot hook. Well done!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & CPO Remal Kajun
CO / C
USS Liberty

For “Journey into Madness”

Very nice dialog & easy to read. The two of you write well together!

Funniest Post

 Lt. j.g. Travis Ryson
Chief Science Officer
USS Montana

For “Breaking the Fourth Wall”

Unusual use of camera looks and dream sequences. I like it!

Genesis

Capt. Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “The Undiscovered Starbase”

Just what a genesis post should be: Short, with lots of open ended things happening. This is what gets the creative writing juices flowing.

MVP

Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen
Executive Officer
USS Liberty

The XO came up big again: developed our new mission, helped write the Genesis post, and continued to guide and steer the rest of the crew toward our desired outcomes. He is a continued credit to the ship & fleet.

Most Posts

Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Liberty

For writing 27 posts.

Most Improved

Lt. Dean House
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Liberty

Lt. House moved the storyline along quite well and also started a joint post to bring the crew together for some well needed off duty action–nicely done!

Rookie of the Month

Maj. Kaden Ross
Marine CO
USS Liberty

Major Ross jumped straight into the fray, getting involved with the current mission and establishing connections with the existing characters. He has already made a great impact on the Liberty in less than a month.

Recruitment

Lt. Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Liberty

For recruiting the Liberty’s new Marine Chief.

Keep up the great work as we head toward our actual 20th Anniversary this summer on July 4th.

Monthly Awards: February 2021

Posted on | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment on Monthly Awards: February 2021

Another month in the books, another set of fleet awards presented.

Congratulations to all of our February winners below:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lt.jg. T’Ponga Shemara
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Montana

For “A New Posting”

Great character development, brushing the exterior of being half Human and half Vulcan.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Dean House & Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Lt. Aurora Vali & Lt.jg. Sarah Wilson & CPO Remal Kajun & Crewman Ronson Mitchell
XO / CO / ASTO / CSS / CC / MO / C / Y
USS Liberty

For “The Needs of the …….”

What a nice post! Well integrated with meaningful dialog: proof that concepts of machismo are not limited to time and space. Well done!

Funniest Post

 Lt. Sheeraashaa Genno
Chief Security Tactical Officer
USS Albion

For “On the Loose”

Is this Star Trek or Galaxy Quest?

Genesis

Capt. Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “Nebulous”

Simple, but completely open ended for the crew mold the story in the spirit of open role playing.

MVP

Lt. John Wyatt
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Chuck Norris

Lt. Wyatt created a whole different universe with a complex storyline that he perfectly weaved into the main plot in small segments.

Most Posts

Ens. Julius Mack
Science Officer
USS Albion

For writing 28 posts.

Most Improved

Lt.jg. Steven Wright
Encryption Specialist
USS Chuck Norris

After being MIA for a bit due to real life, he came back strong at the end of month leading several joint posts that helped the crew drive the plot forward in a big way.

Rookie of the Month

Ens. Julius Mack
Science Officer
USS Albion

Brand new to simming, Ensign Mack started with the rest of the Albion crew mid-month and still managed to produce a fleet-leading 28 posts! Even more than that, he integrated well into the game and learned how to include his character while also writing for others.

Recruitment

Ens. Robert Lee
Tactical Officer
USS Wayfarer

He started a conversation with someone that led to that individual joining another IDF sim. That’s how you recruit!

Well done to all! Keep role playing!

All Aboard the USS Albion

Posted on | by Charles Star | 1 Comment on All Aboard the USS Albion

Our newest sim, the USS Albion launched earlier this week on February 16th. If that date looks familiar, you have a good eye! The original USS Sunfire opened in Utopia Fleet on that date all the way back in the year 2000. The rest, as they say, is history! Speaking of history, this is Captain Dick Sprague’s 10th command in Independence Fleet, by far the most all-time.

While continuing the tradition and legacy of IDF’s USS Avalon series of sims, the Albion seeks to capture the original theme and feel of that original USS Sunfire. As such, this is an open role playing game that uses script format. All potential players are highly encouraged to read the Albion’s Sim page before joining to ensure they know exactly what they’re getting into. It may be different, but it’s a lot of fun.

USS AlbionNCC-3020
Format: ScriptEra: TNG/DSN/VOY
Type: OpenClass: Galaxy
CO: Captain Dick SpragueJoin!

Go check out the USS Albion today!

The Simming Endeavor: The Sequel?

Posted on | by Charles Star | Leave a Comment on The Simming Endeavor: The Sequel?

Last year on Ongoing Worlds, we hosted a role playing game show called The Simming Endeavor. The concept was simple: Bring 13 different role players together into a single game, allow them to compete each week to write the best post on a particular topic, and then have them vote each other out until there’s only one left. As host, it was tons of fun–some of my best all-time memories of role playing.

Our very own Bolak (aka Largehobbit) was one of the contestants. I’ll save you the spoiler and not tell you how he did! James “Rook” Mirtoh and James D. West both served as special guests (episodes 3 and 8, respectively). And finally, our former Director of Art, Sadie Stanton (aka Bella), created all the graphics for the show.

The purpose of this post isn’t to shameless promote our prior work. Well, at least not entirely. One of last year’s contestants, Messenger of Heaven, is looking to host and produce a second season of the show this fall. If you’re interested in serving as a contestant, please contact me on discord or through email. Believe me, it will be a unique experience you can’t recreate elsewhere.

Or if you just want to read the episodes, we’ve posted links below. We recommend starting with episode 1, obviously.

EpisodeAir Date
USS Endeavor role playN/A
Episode 1 (Introduction)September 8, 2019
Episode 2 (Abdication)September 15, 2019
Episode 3 (Déjè vu)September 22, 2019
Episode 4 (Humor)September 29, 2019
Episode 5 (Others)October 6, 2019
Episode 6 (Change)October 13, 2019
Episode 7 (Switch)October 20, 2019
Episode 8 (Action)October 27, 2019
Episode 9 (Return)November 3, 2019
Episode 10 (Random)November 10, 2019
Episode 11 (Decision)November 17, 2019
Episode 12 (Finale)November 24, 2019

In unrelated IDF news, Captain Aurther Winters has relieved Captain Grover vonMcCormick as Commanding Officer of the USS Chuck Norris, and Captain Dick Sprague has relieved Captain Michael Meezo as Commanding Officer of the USS Wayfarer. Both turnovers are dated to September 1st.

Good luck, simmers!