FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do you consider canon on Anomaly?
A: Star Trek The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and the books listed in 'news bibliography' on the game.
Q: What IC year is it?
A: 2378. (Double check on the game - this document could be old).
Q: Are you going to have Simulated Space?
A: No. Anomaly is set on a single space station.
Q: Can I build my own room?
A: You can describe your quarters. However, quota is set to zero. Talk to the production staff if you'd like to help out with building projects.
Q: Can I have a ship?
A: No. We don't have simulated space.
Q: What are episodes?
A: Episodes are 'adventures' your character can get involved in. These are run like a tabletop role playing game with staff acting as narrator.
Q: Are weekends the only time that episodes run?
A: No, we run them with varying times and dates to try to accommodate as many people as possible. It is not, however, feasible to accommodate everyone. We try, though.
Q: Can I be <insert concept here>?
A: We are flexible in terms of character and story. If you have a solid idea that you want to throw at us, please do so. However, there are certain concepts that we do not approve for a variety of reasons. If you have something off the wall, you're best off speaking to a writer about it before you invest a lot of time in an application we can't approve.
Q: If players upgrade character stats with spent XP, doesn't that give the players who have been here the longest an unfair advantage when it comes to +contests?
A: It gives them an advantage. But it's not an unfair one. By playing here longer they have earned their rewards. Besides, we are not focused on +contests and stats. We are focused on RP. If you want to minimax a character, go play a Pokemon video game.
Q: Can I have <insert character stat here>?
A: If you don't see it in the +info during chargen, it's probably locked down. That means that stat is forbidden from you for a variety of reasons. It's possible that there are too many PCs with it for you to have it too, or due to racial restrictions you aren't permitted it. Talk to a member of production staff if you have further questions about why a stat is locked.
Q: Can my Starfleet Officer also be a criminal?
A: No, we are not looking for that type of concept.
Q: Can I play Kirk? Spock? Sisko? Dax? Dr. Leah Brahms?
A: No. No. No. No, and no. Paramount forbids us to use characters from the shows or films. Even minor ones.
Q: Can my Vulcan have the Sexy merit?
A: Not bloody likely. You can describe your Vulcan as being physically attractive, but Sexiness is a combination of appearance /and/ charismatic presence.
Q: Can I play a joined Trill?
A: You can play a Trill. But not one that is joined. Getting a symbiont is one of the rewards of playing a Trill. It must come through RP and is at the discretion of the production staff.
Q: If I play a Starfleet Officer, do I have to follow orders?
A: Only if you do not want to end up in a Holding Cell.
Q: How do I get equipment?
A: Equipment is assigned to you at the end of Chargen. If you do not have something that you should, you should +request it.
Q: How long does it take to get a +request processed?
A: About 48-72 hours. Please be patient.
Q: How long does it take to get approved?
A: Approximately 24 hours. Please be patient and you will be notified by @mail.
Q: Is there combat here?
A: Yes. Usually it occurs during episodes. It is not Anomaly's goal to be a combat oriented MUX.
Q: Do you use Dianne Duane's Romulans here?
A: No, we use the Romulan concepts from the Way Of D'Era by Last Unicorn Games. These Romulans differ slightly from Duane's concept. See 'news Romulans' for information about D'Era Romulans.
Q: Can I be a religious concept?
A: Yes. However, Earth does not have any organized religion left there. If you want to be a religious human, you must be from a colony. Alien religious concepts are also welcome.
Q: Can I play alternate characters?
A: Yes, conditionally. You must abide by all the rules which are outlined in 'news alt'
Q: My application has been denied. How do I fix it?
A: Staff will let you know what to fix. If it is your character sheet, you can re-enter Chargen by going into the Welcome Center and typing '+chargen'. If it is your background, you can use the +bg commands. If you have to enter chargen, you do not need to request re-evaluation, as chargen will put your app back into the job queue when you're finished. If you just need to modify your background, do the modifications and submit a request for approval.
Q: How do I gain experience?
A: By participating in roleplay, and in episodes. XP is given out via +votes.
Q: Where do I spend my experience points?
A: In the XP room. It is located off the OOC Room. To get there, type '+ooc', go into the Player Room, and then into the XP Room.
Q: Does Anomaly have a story arc?
A: Yes, it does. A lot of the arc can be gleaned from reading the logs on the web page.
Q: Where are the Empires?
A: We do not have 'empires' like you may have seen on other Trek MU*'s. We are set on a single space station. You are welcome to play diplomatic envoys from other empires, so long as that empire has diplomatic status with the Federation. Civilians are also acceptable. All foreign-empire characters on board Station 419 need to have a good excuse for being there.
Q: How do I gain renown?
A: Unlike XP, Renown is only given out during episodes and staff-run plots. You must get involved with an episode to earn renown.
Q: Do I have to follow a naming standard?
A: Only if your character has a military rank, whether that rank come from Starfleet, the Romulan Star Navy, etc. See 'news starfleet' for naming standards.
Q: How long should my background be?
A: We like detailed backgrounds and maintain a high standard for them. Approximately 1000-1500 words is about right. See 'news background' for more information.
Q: How do I spend a courage point?
A: You must have a positive value in your courage pool. You spend it by typing '+courage'.
Q: How do I submit a special application?
A: For non-standard concepts, you will need to submit a background in full to the email address listed in Starfleet's +finger information. It will be reviewed, and you will be notified via email if it is a concept that can be worked into Anomaly.
Q: What is the difference between a doctor and a nurse?
A: While an officer may have graduated from Starfleet Medical already, an Ensign medical officer's title is 'Nurse' until a promotion comes through. Once that is achieved, the officer becomes a Doctor by title. Nurses are assumed to be performing their internships.
