Shran dh'Klar Archives - Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: November 2023

Posted on December 24, 2023 | by Charles Star | Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas Eve, everybody! It’s also high time I got last month’s awards announced. Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “The end of Q?”

Not what I was expecting!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Vrax tr’Keirianh
CO / XO / CSTO / CMO / CFCO / CSO
USS Wayfarer

For “Traitors be amongst us”

Great tension!

Funniest Post

Ensign Kate Kono & Commander Jonathan Grayson
Intelligence Officer / Executive Officer
USS Washington

For “A new friend”

A new friendship leads to a great post!

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Diplomacy and Debts”

That’s how you start a mission!

MVP

Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire

What a fantastic month for the Sunfire’s Counselor as she contributed several meaningful plot advancements, got other players involved, and did on absolute outstanding job developing her own character and others within the confines of the mission. Well done!

Most Posts

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 25 posts.

Most Improved

Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s Chief Engineer was very involved in the ship-side of the last mission and wrote several outstanding posts resolving the conflict at the end of the mission while simultaneously developing multiple characters for the future. Great job!

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

Thanks for a great 2023, IDF!

Monthly Awards: July 2023

Posted on August 25, 2023 | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment

What a great anniversary celebration! Now it’s time to celebrate our latest monthly awardees.

Best Post (Single Author)

Ensign Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Simulated Potential”

Nice description, well written, plus a tie to Area 51.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Paxton Beckett & Lt. Cmdr. Klesh Ezah, Daughter of Aklow & Lt. Awal Kronnelti & Lt. JG Betaras K’ner & Ens. Jack Keegan
Guest / CSOO / CSTO / ACMO / ACFOO
USS Chuck Norris

For “Finding Sanctuary”

I love the Star Fleet personnel in a modern day angle. Well done!

Funniest Post

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For “Is Something Out There ?????”

A very funny break from the action. Love it!

Genesis

Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Capt. Shran dh’Klar & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson
CO / XO / CC
USS Washington

For “I’ll be a Monkey’s Uncle”

A great and very original way to start a mission!

MVP

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

Lt. Durnell is the glue that holds the Sunfire while the Captain points the direction.

Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 9 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Awal Kronnelti
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Chuck Norris

Lt. Kronnelti went from strength to more strength by adding great contributions to joint posts and successfully encouraging others to be more active.

Rookie of the Month

Ensign Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

The new Ensign showed a great willingness to jump into action with both solo and joint posting for great contributions all around.

Recruitment

Captain Paxton Beckett
Guest
USS Chuck Norris

He recruited two new members to the Chuck Norris through advertising and networking.

This is the first month in quite a while that we’ve had an awardee for each category. Well done, fleet!

For your additional viewing pleasure, here are a few of the alternate sim move posters that didn’t make it into the anniversary competition last month:

At the movies… with Independence Fleet!

Posted on July 4, 2023 | by Charles Star | 7 Comments

And yet another year of IDF is in the books with our 22nd Anniversary today. To remind you of how old we really are, here’s a quote from last year’s anniversary post:

“On our 22nd Anniversary, we will be further removed from the premiere of the 2009 Star Trek film (May 8, 2009) than IDF’s launch was from the premiere of The Next Generation (September 28, 1987): 14 years, 1 month, 26 days vs. 13 years, 9 months, 6 days.”

Well, here we are! For this year’s celebration, each of our 12 sims created a movie poster to capture their unique essence and feel. We are also very fortunate to have Amanda Rose from RPG Writing, NX-1701-G from Zodiac Fleet, and Beth from Sim Central to judge the entries in three categories: overall image quality, how much does it look like an actual movie poster, and general creativity/originality. Before we get to the posters themselves, we first have an announcement from a special guest:

Now, the 12 movie posters:

And your winners are…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Congratulations to all three winners, and a special thanks to our judges! However, to quote Kirk from Star Trek III, we’re not finished yet! Here are superlative awards for our other nine games:

While we’re on the topic of movies, we are now further removed from our July 4, 2001 founding than it was from the premiere of the first Star Trek film Star Trek: The Motion Picture (December 6, 1979): 22 years vs. 21 years, 6 months, 28 days. Feel old yet?

Continuing last year’s tradition, we again have a second video message:

Happy IDF anniversary, everyone!

Monthly Awards: March 2023

Posted on April 28, 2023 | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment

With the year nearly 1/3 over, the year’s total awards are hereby 1/4 presented:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

For “Coming to grips with true love”

A follow-up to last month’s best post: Sweet nothings.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Shran dh’Klar & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson & Ens. T’Plana-hath & Ens. James Phoenix & Lt. Seth Travis
CO / XO / CMO / ACMO / CC / IO / TO / CDO
USS Washington

For “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

Lots going on in this post! Way to keep it all together!

Funniest Post

Marine Captain Emily Janeway
Marine Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “Debriefing on the issue of cargo transport failed”

Good one.

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Signal Mystery”

Great way to get things going.

MVP

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

Excellent writing and teamwork! She stayed engaged and found ways to help the plot even though her character wasn’t with the rest of the crew on Risa. True talent!

Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 10 posts.

Most Improved

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis
Science Officer
USS Sunfire

One of the newer members of the Sunfire, Thenis steps up with month some quality posts and helping others get involved.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

I also want to comment on the retro version of the IDF website earlier this month. While our website no longer looks like this, it’s amazing to think that these awards that we started in month one of July 2001 are still going strong today thanks to all the great writing from YOU!

The Record Book Has Been Rewritten

Posted on January 12, 2023 | by Charles Star | 3 Comments

With 2022 in the books, it’s high time we checked in with the latest version of the IDF Record Book over on our About page. As it turns out, we have a new all-time leader in monthly awards. Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell of the USS Sunfire now has a grand total of 29.83 awards, passing the previous leader, Jenna Ramthorne (of a prior version of the Sunfire), who has 24.83. What’s even more incredible, is that both characters are played by the same person!

	Best Post	Funniest Post	Genesis	MVP	Most Posts	Most Improved	Recruitment	Total
Durnell	5.05	5.78		4	14	1		29.83
Ramthorne	4		.83	4	15		1	24.83

Prolific across multiple award categories, the two stat lines seem to mirror each other. However, the difference is clearly Durnell’s five plus Funniest Post awards to Ramthorne’s zero. See what adding humor to your game can do! Congratulations to Lieutenant Durnell on this incredible accomplishment!

As it turns out, we have quite a few current or recent members who have moved up leader board since we brought the Awards back for March 2020:

Active Member — received an award within the last year or confirmed to currently be on a sim
Hall of Famer

*All characters with five or more total monthly awards*

In addition to all those who’ve won awards, I also want to thank each of our sim Commanding Officers for submitting nominations month-in and month-out and to Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh for running the program and selecting winners. Without their tireless efforts, the awards simply wouldn’t be possible.

I’ve long been of the opinion that the monthly awards are one of the absolute best features of this fleet, and they’re a key bonus that really distinguishes us from other groups out there. The numbers speak for themselves: Through the end of 2022, we have 969 total documented awards presented to 506 different individuals through 1,226 different award records. Each one is permanently part of our continuing history, starting all the way back with the five original awards presented for our very first month of July 2001 going up through today and beyond.

Now it’s time to add your legacy to the story…

Monthly Awards: October 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 | by Rook Mirtoh | 1 Comment

The results are in. Here are your October award winners:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Structural/Environmental Specialist
USS Wayfarer

For “Scoring a date with Doctor Holliday”

The overly flirty doctor works in a Funniest Post or a Best Post.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Mark Johnson & Lt. JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
CO / XO / Y / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO
USS Wayfarer

For “Day One – Beach Games! (Part 1)”

R&R posts don’t typically win the Best Posts awards, but this one was beautifully written and extremely engaging. Well done!

Funniest Post

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis & Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Science Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For “Meeting of a fellow crewmate”

Entertaining and… funny!

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Past Present”

I haven’t read a good time travel post in a while. Nicely executed!

MVP

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

What doesn’t Lt. Durnell do? Always a top poster, driving the plot, and encouraging others. It’s just one of a many recognitions to a month-in and month-out superior performer.

Most Posts

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For writing 14 posts.

Most Improved

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis
Science Officer
USS Sunfire

The Ensign really stepped up her game in October by starting several posts and creating excellent openings for others. A true pleasure to sim with!

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Amelia Jefferson
Chief Science Officer
USS Montana

The new Chief Science Officer joined when the sim had few regular members and really hit the ground running with great plot advancing posts.

Recruitment

Commander Michael Murphy
Executive Officer
USS Montana

Commander Murphy continues to actively recruit for the sim and has brought in more new players than anyone else on the Montana.

A great job by everyone this month. As always, I’m proud to be a part of this fleet and to be associated with so many great writers.

Monthly Awards: September 2022

Posted on October 18, 2022 | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment

Here are your latest monthly award winners…

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Structural/Environmental Specialist
USS Wayfarer

For “Meeting the Neurosurgeon”

A nice detailed post about a visit to sickbay, along with a little love in the air.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Captain Shran dh’Klar & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Ensign T’Plana-hath & Ensign James Phoenix & Lieutenant Seth Travis & Lieutenant JG Tarja zh’Rhun
CO / CC / IO / TO / CDO / MO
USS Washington

For “Moves and Countermoves”

This post is great because of the build up to the action. Well done!

Funniest Post

Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant JG Blake Leone & Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Crewman Patin
CO / 2O / DO / CSS / Guest
USS Sunfire

For “Survival 101 pt 2”

Survival is not for the weak! Hilarious!

Genesis

Captain Akeno Misaki & Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lieutenant Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie & Lieutenant Mark Johnson & Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
CO / XO / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO
USS Wayfarer

For “The First Morning”

A perfect start to a simming mission!

MVP

Commander Dean House
Second Officer
USS Sunfire

House successfully pushed the mission forward when momentum was lacking by getting others involved into the story, focusing on plot development. He also recruited the Sunfire’s newest member.

Most Posts

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For writing 14 posts.

Most Improved

Ensign T’Plana-hath
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

Pulling double duty as both herself and an integral NPC, she has has shown both great versatility and target focus.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant JG Blake Leone
Diplomatic Officer
USS Sunfire

Leone jumped into the Sunfire’s main plot with a bang, working well with the existing characters and finding her niche in the crew. Splendid!

Recruitment

Commander Dean House
Second Officer
USS Sunfire

For recruiting Lt. Leone, who went on to win Rookie of the Month.

Well done to all. Keep the great post coming!

Monthly Awards: August 2022

Posted on September 23, 2022 | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment

It’s that time again…

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Torvin Anor
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Wayfarer

For “Counting flotsam and jetsam”

We often forget the tedium of being an engineer. This post is great in its illustration of that.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Shran dh’Klar & Lt. Ayana Hillis & Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson & Ens. T’Plana-hath & Ens. James Phoenix & Lt. Seth Travis & PO1 Amethyst Reece
CO / ACRTO / OO / XO / CMO / ACMO / CC / IO / TO / CDO / CA
USS Washington

For “Bringing Them Home”

This is a great holodeck scene featuring Lord of the Rings characters. A nice juxtaposition between real time events happening on the bridge while seconds are passing on the holodeck. Fun!

Funniest Post

Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
CTO / CSS
USS Sunfire

For “Feels like the first time Pt 4”

Nothing like a decaying Deanwich to help you get to the bottom of something…

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “A Breach in Temporal Accords”

Nice multi-scene genesis post about time travel. Excellent use of Daniels!

MVP

Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

The Wayfarer’s FCO had a fantastic month, leading and organizing posts while also injecting some great Klingon humor into the story.

Most Posts

Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

For writing 15 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant JG Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s Chief Counselor had many contributions this month, but the most noticeable was moving the plot forward in creative ways that inspired other players to take some chances.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Nicole Logan
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Washington

Lt. Logan wasted no time in getting to know her fellow crewmembers, jumping immediately into the action.

Recruitment

None this month

2022 is nearly 3/4 done. Keep the great posts coming.

Monthly Awards: June 2022

Posted on July 17, 2022 | by Rook Mirtoh | 1 Comment

Congratulations to those who won some real prizes at our annual gift drawing earlier this month. Here’s the first group to place their names on the big wheel for next year…

Best Post (Single Author)

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

For “Progress”

Writing for doctors can be difficult, without constantly employing a deus ex machina to solve a problem. Spending time writing about the thinking process and coming up with a creative solution is sometimes the best kind of medical post. Love this one!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Ashlesha 4827/A & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis
CO / 2O / COO / SO
USS Sunfire

For “Bridge Crew”

This is a very interesting subject, not seen often in Trek posts, which kept me engaged. Well written, seamless even though multiple folks contributed, and just the right mix of personal interactions with technical jargon. Well done!

Funniest Post

Lieutenant Nerex
Flight Control Chief
USS Eminence

For “Fun During Downtime”

Ok, intentionally flying a shuttle into a black hole and dying over and over again is inherently funny!

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Unexpected Adventure”

Unexpected, yes, and a perfect way to get the crew going.

MVP

Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

Lt. jg. Luna has really developed her character in a short amount of time. She expertly writes the clash of the Human/Klingon slides while easily incorporating it into the mission with the rest of the crew. A great teammate!

Most Posts

Lieutenant Anna Thesia
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 10 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Ashlesha 4827/A
Chief Operations Officer
USS Sunfire

Still relatively new to the Sunfire, Lt. Ashlesha continues to involve herself in all matters of the mission and consistently offers great ideas and well written posts. She is also super easy to work with, which is always a plus.

Rookie of the Month

None this month

Recruitment

None this month

It’s hard to believe this crazy group we call IDF has now been around for 21 whole years. Here’s to 21 more!

Monthly Awards: March 2022

Posted on April 16, 2022 | by Rook Mirtoh | Leave a Comment

Congratulations to our March award winners below.

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Aiko Kato
Flight Control Officer
USS Washington

For “The Truth Will Set You Free”

Lt. Kato wins for the second month in a row and the fifth time in six months–incredible! This is a lovely post, with vivid descriptions of both emotion and the environment. Well done!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Murphy & Capt. Jackson Adams & Lt. Seth Munro & Lt. T’Ponga Shemara
CRO / CO / CMO / CEO
USS Montana

For “A Doubtful Friend Is Worse Than A Certain Enemy”

This one is interesting, with a sense of anticipation from the crew as they meet the Klingons, many of them for the first time.

Funniest Post

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

For “The Sounds of Silence”

Rest, finally! We all can relate.

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Mission Diverted”

Short and sweet, allowing the crew to do the writing. I like it!

MVP

Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Wayfarer

Lt. Mckenzie really stepped up into the Second Officer spot. She is always quick to participate, offer suggestions, and help others by opening up opportunities for fellow writers.

Most Posts

Commander Finchley Kerr
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 15 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Niali Korial
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sunfire

Lt. Korial’s writing has advanced to the point where she’s one of the top contributors to the sim. Her posts are always imaginative and open doors for others.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Seth Munro
Chief Medical Officer
USS Montana

The Montana’s new CMO hit the group running. His posts are funny, interesing, and revelant all at the same time.

Recruitment

Lt. Cmdr. Dean House and Lt. Cmdr. Sandra “Phantom” Risa
XO / ACEO
USS Sunfire

Each player recruited a new member to the Sunfire. Excellent work!

1/4 of 2022 is now in the books!

1st Place: USS Wayfarer CO: Captain Akeno Misaki Poster by: Akeno Misaki	2nd Place: USS Sunfire CO: Captain Rhenora Kaylen Poster by: Bonnie Durnell	3rd Place: USS Eclipse CO: Captain Aven LaCroix Poster by: Aven LaCroix
“I’m impressed by the technical skill and originality that went into this poster.” “If you’re familiar with Anime movie posters, this is spot on.” “Having anime Trek characters in the mirror universe with the crack showing the Federation and Terran emblems on different sides was brilliant.”	“Of all the posters shared this was the one that actually made me want to join the game in question.” “Image expertly merged the dinosaur imagery with clear Trek imagery without making them appear distinct.” “This poster screamed movie poster. I would expect to see this on the wall in some theater. A starship with dinosaurs and big lettering. Well done!”	“I’m not typically a fan of the starship and character posters, but this one spoke to me.” “I kept wanting to rate this poster higher in my rankings. There’s a lot to like with the faded facial imagery and ship… …[including] ‘Coming Never,’ which was mildly amusing.”

Best poster for Seinfeld/Trek crossover USS Albion CO: Captain Dick Sprague Poster by: Akeno Misaki	Some bold judges not to pick this one! USS Chuck Norris CO: Captain Aurther Winters Poster by: Bonnie Durnell	Best poster for past meeting the future USS Churchill CO: Captain James Stewart Poster by: Akeno Misaki
Best poster if you actually watch Picard USS Eminence CO: Captain Alex Shepard Poster by: Akeno Misaki	Best poster for a random trailing light USS Ganymede CO: Captain Dyllon McMahon Poster by: Akeno Misaki	Best poster for a low Earth orbit view USS Liberty CO: Captain Kaylia Strenvale Poster by: Akeno Misaki
Best poster for the IMAX experience USS Montana CO: Captain Jackson Adams Poster by: Bonnie Durnell	Best poster for “Aft torpedoes, fire!!!” USS Washington CO: Captain Shran dh’Klar Poster by: Akeno Misaki	Best poster that could double for Dune Starbase 80 CO: Captain Kathleen O’Shea Poster by: Bonnie Durnell