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CONNECTION STABLE

FROM: Dapvhir Darkdust [Chief Surveyor]
TO: CADET IN TRAINING
STARDATE: -298227.46
TRANSMISSION CODE: 4747-23 [ENCRYPTED]
ROUTING: THESTRAL/SATCOM

WELCOME, NEW RECRUIT!

You have successfully logged into the newly implemented Horizon Initiative Exploration and Science Interface System (HIESIS), where you can access the duty roster, communications information for other members of your division, read news and updates, and much more.

Please take a moment to read through the orientation letter posted below.

What is the 'E&S Division'?

That's a very good question! To put it simply, we don't know yet! But we have a good idea of the general principles it will involve. No matter what, the E&S will be a large workplace filled with many projects and people.

E&S will maintain two overarching ideals - Exploration will break down into two departments, as will Science.

EXPLORATION

Space Scouting

- Create galactic maps
- Identify space lane threats
- Determine planet types
- Relaying information on wild/claimed territories
- Smuggling (We will already out there, we will be moving quick, and we will be sneaking, as there will be unknown threats)

Ground scouting

- Create planetary maps - Perform initial organic and inorganic resource surveys
- Retrieve resources for the science division to analyze
- Potentially maintain a small resource gathering crew to supply science projects (if needed).

SCIENCE

Earth Department

- Revolves mostly around physics / chemistry, manipulating resources to boost invention.
- May be working with tech producers to advance our equipment within the guild.

Life Department

- Botany/DNA - Will handle plant and animal manipulation. If there is sufficient variety, it may be split between into subdivisions.
- We will be working closely with Z Roe, as he is dealing in consumables, as well as the army, if battle pets are a thing.

Great! So what is the plan for Alpha and Beta?

First off, E&S is going to be "boots on the ground," learning the old-fashioned way for quite a while. Much of the E&S focus has yet to be implemented, and the tools we use are incredibly clunky due to excessive interface swapping through the TAB button, as well as interactions that are either incomplete or barely have any effect. Not to mention the latest patch has created animals that really put the hurt on individual players.

For the next couple months at least, we'll be trying new features as they are added, getting more comfortable with the interface, and learning what we each enjoy about the game. During this time, we expect nothing of anyone, and we don't plan on implementing much at all, except for some basic department groundwork and surveys to get to know people.

As things shape up, we'll start establishing further interest in our division, filling roles, and accepting tentative applications, as well as training people who need help or are new to the game. We intend to maintain a list of functions and tips that will help accelerate any players first day in stars reach, so they dont waste valuable time attempting to decode simple functions.

With each layer of new patches will come another layer of the E&S division, and we will be preparing announcements, which might include homework or tasks to perform depending on what has been added. This interface will feature announcements and eventually become interactive, where members can view not only their assignments, but each others assignments, contact & role information, and more.

What happens when the game goes live?

When the game goes live, it's just gonna be another day in the life of E&S. Those of us with early access will have our roles, laying down the groundwork, and we will be followed up by secondary live crews who will continue with their specific roles while the early crews can get a little rest. Everything will be scheduled, and everyone will know their parts.

What can I expect from the leadership in the E&S?

- Communication: We will be listening to guild/personal needs, discussing hard data as it rolls in, and asking questions about new ideas/techniques - This last one is especially important, as we are not the best at everything just because we have been placed in leadership roles. We are always eager to learn about anything that might be legitimately better than what we are currently using.

- Validation: We will be determining the accuracy, completeness, and value of any data the division collects, as well as assessing its monetary value, and submitting or presenting it to the appropriate parties, as well as considering the merit of any new ideas.

- Implementation: We will determine where any of those ideas might fit into the division, and continue to build or alter systems to take care of the personal and guild needs.

- Organization: We will be filling and scheduling roles to keep the division moving along smoothly, meeting our quotas and building our out our knowledge base.

- Collection: We will be maintaining the database of findings and a journal of discoveries which will be accessible to everyone.

- Distribution: We will be scheduling pickups and drop-offs of quotas with other departments.

- Fun: Everyone needs to have a good time. If they are logging in simply to mow through their expected tasks, that is no good. A game like SWG had a high rate of burn-out, and maintaining an actual game atmosphere is incredibly important. Department competitions, events, roleplay, and rewards will help a great deal toward maintaining a positive, exciting atmosphere, and we plan to coordinate our efforts with as many people as we can within the guild to make sure our crew is looking forward to what is next.

What will the leaders themselves be doing?

Everything you are! Out in the universe, Dapvhir will be filling in roles where extra work needs to be performed or overseen, and for the most part, that will be on the exploration front, in space and on the ground. Sephara's role will primarily be on the science front, in the field and the lab. We will both be learning from everyone in our crew, and will be meeting multiple times each week, if not daily, to make sure neither of us is ignorant of the other person's roles and techniques, so either of us can step in for that other person if they aren't available. We are in a unique position where we have access to each other's notes, computers, accounts, and characters, so that will mitigate any downtime or communication lag in the future. There will likely be times where we wash back and forth, playing roles across the board as needs pop up.

Where does roleplay come into play?

Heavily. While not mandatory, as some people are not comfortable with such ideals, E&S will fully embrace RP, and all RP characters will be respected and interacted with as such. Seph and I are both authors, and have vested interest in the RP community. We have backed a planetary tier, and we are very likely to set up the E&S headquarters or, at the very least, a research facility there (Think mad scientist laboratory on top of a colossal mushroom, attracting bolts of lightning). The planet's name is Thestral, and it will take on a dim, moody atmosphere, suitable for unusual characters, curious creatures, luminous plantlife and fantastical origin stories. Thestral will provide an excellent atmosphere for the RP community, who will be given free rein to set up and build out quest hubs, stages, and anything else they require.

That is all for now. Please stay tuned for more updates. We would like to personally thank you for joining the Horizon community as well as considering the H&S division.

End Transmission.