Interview with Captain Syntranos Stardate 20401.01
This month's subject is Capt Syntranos, Commanding Officer, USS Copernicus.
How did you first get involved in the site?
Well, not much to say on this one. I was doing a Google search for a Star Trek Role Playing game, and, after playing several different ones, I found Federation Space to be more of what I was looking for in an RPG. The late Jim Terra (who was my instructor on the U.S.S. Educator) got me through the academy rather quickly. In fact I think I was one of the fastest to ever graduate! After graduation I was transferred to the U.S.S. Enterprise, then immediately after to the U.S.S. Pulsar. And the rest as they say, is history…
Who, other than yourself, would you say has had the biggest influence on your character?
Hmm. A toughie! Several people have had tremendous influence on Dars. Of course, Captain Wueste being the biggest one, since I had served with him since he was Commander and COS of the Pulsar. He helped Darsyn grow not only as an officer, but also as a person.
Alex Lorien was another major factor, mostly off the site than in game, since our characters have only met a few times in game. He has helped me improve my writing for Darsyn and writing in general. And as you know, a character is only as good as the writer makes them…
The other major influences were Ysiadina Lanael and Patricia Delacroix. They have been Darsyn’s best friends (even considered family) since nearly the beginning. There is nothing more important to Darsyn than friends and family.
How, if at all, has your characters development differed from what you first imagined?
For one thing, I didn’t imagine Darsyn lasting very long, let alone becoming Captain of his own ship! I think command has changed him a bit. For the better even. He doesn’t over analyze things, as much anymore, and I believe that makes him more impulsive, and take more risks without thinking about the consequences as much.
Could you sum up your character in just a few words?
Just a few? Well, I’d have to say he’s loyal, dedicated, and brave. I didn’t say he was smart, just brave…lol
Do you really believe there is intelligent life somewhere, out there?
There has to be! I can’t believe Earth is the only planet with intelligent life. Scientist are finding new planets all the time, it’s just a matter of time until we hit the jackpot and say hi to those little green (or gray) men…
Which of the televised Star Trek series is your favorite and why?
DS9 hands down. The characters were more ‘real’ to me than the ones in the other series. It was also the darker side of Stat Trek. There were tons of battles, interesting characters and better storylines. I’m probably going to get hurt by all the TNG fans, but I just like DS9 way better. Don’t get me wrong; TNG had some killer episodes that I still watch over and over.
I don’t want to really get into everything I like about it; you’d be reading this all day…
Which are your favorite characters from each series and why?
TOS: Spock and McCoy: the only comedy relief I got from the show was from the way they insulted each other. Well, mostly the way McCoy insulted Spock and how that green-blooded Vulcan would come back with one of his ‘logical’ responses…
TNG: Data: The really only interesting character on the show besides Geordi LaForge. I liked Data because he was always trying to become more human. It was fun watching him learn different things and trying to emulate humans…
Also Geordi because he was a brilliant engineer who didn’t let his lack of vision (excuse the pun) stop him from doing anything he wanted to do.
DS9: Jadzia Dax: I still wonder if those spots go all the way down… And Quark: He was always good for laughs in almost every episode.
Voyager: Never really got into it much to have a favorite character. If I had to choose, it would probably be Seven of Nine for obvious reasons…
Enterprise: Neh, can’t get into it enough to care…
Do you have a favorite moment or scenario your character has been involved in?
It would have to be the time on the Valley Forge during the Elteban mission when Yssy and I worked all night almost to come up with a great idea. What had happened was that during a surprise attack by the Romulans on the planet Elteban, Darsyn was being bombarded by mental attacks from his father, a mad man who was using a biochip he had secretly implanted in Darsyn’s brain to activate his dormant telepathy gene and amplify his telepathic powers considerably. Yssy had, in the end, removed the chip, but along with it part of his brain that controls telepathy. Which is why it hurts Darsyn so much to receive telepathic messages.
It won us both awards that month and it was definitely my favorite part of the game!
In your opinion, what makes a really good post?
Oh NOW you bring up the hard questions! First of all, information/awareness is key. You have to have to read other posts, make sure you understand what’s going on. I’ve been guilty of not doing that once or twice…lol I also like to see a lot of character development involved, and I love drama! The more drama, the better! Action is great, but action with drama is always better!
Also it doesn’t hurt to be funny every once in a while…*insert innocent whistle smilie here*
What advice would you give to our newer players who might be hoping for a Command within the site someday?
Don’t give up! Just enjoy the ride and don’t be afraid to ask for help. As with anything in life, there will be ups and downs, times when you just want to say –oh forget it- and move on. It’s going to be hard, but also a lot of fun!
Which characteristics do you feel you have in common with your character?
We definitely share a sense of humor, although Dars is more cynical than me. We’re loyal, dedicated, and brave. Although sometimes being brave isn’t the smartest thing to do…lol
If you were Fleet Admiral for a day, what would you change about Federation Space?
Well, like my dad always says: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
What is it like to be a commanding officer? What are the biggest challenges you face? Are there any rewards?
The biggest challenges would have to be keeping everyone interested in the storyline and keeping up with points every month. I enjoy reading everyone’s posts, but they keep making it harder and harder to choose an RPGer! LOL! And I can’t seem to get enough!
The rewards are in the posts! I love it when people really get into what they’re writing. It shows that they really care about the quality of their work and not about how long or short it is. I’d rather see a killer two-paragraph post that makes me think rather than two pages of fluff. Of course I have seen some that have written Hugo winning novellas for posts…LOL
It’s also gratifying to see players get involved behind the scenes. Whether it’s helping someone else with his or her sub-plot, or making web pages for the site. Okay, so I’m addicted!
Where did you get the idea for your character?
It was a character I had originally created for a pen and paper Star Trek RPG. I wanted to make Darsyn more of what I was, but decided to change the character a bit for the site. I got the name Darsyn from an episode of TNG; I can’t remember which one though. Syntranos I just made up from scratch. I took a little bit from several DS9 and TNG characters to make Dars. I’ll let you think about which ones. ;)
What do you like to do when you aren't playing Federation Space?
And that would be when?
Well, I love gaming. I play RPGs (a few online), Survival Horror, just about any kind of game that’s fun. I listen to music almost constantly. I love to cook, (when I’m not gaming…lol) And I like to read and write when I have the time. I also like to go fishing every now and then.
What is your favorite movie of all time? Why?
Again with the hard questions! :P
Just one? *Sigh* What? I can’t say Star Wars? *Hides as Admiral Beckett fires a phaser*
Has to be Spaceballs! It’s hilarious! I’ve seen it fifteen times and I still laugh myself off of my couch!
What is your favorite book of all time? Why?
Well, I really don’t have one favorite book, more like a series; the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. It’s the story, not about one person, but about a people and the very land they live on. Every book is about a different person or people, each with a different, and very unique magical talent. I’ll probably never finish them in my lifetime, but I’m going to give it my best shot!
What kind of music do you like? Who are your favorites?
I like many different kinds except country and rap. My favorite is techno and 80’s pop/rock. My faves are Evanescence, Creed, Erasure, Armin Van Buuren, DJ Tiesto, Sugarcult, Ratt, Matchbox Twenty, U2, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Information Society, Blink 182, and R.E.M…etc… I’d go on, but we’d be here forever…
If you could make your own ST series, what would it be?
It would probably be about Section 31. They only hinted at its existence, never really revealing anything about it. I was annoyed that they didn’t develop that further. I think it would be more about the characters than anything and how the rest of Star Fleet reacts toward them.
If you had free reign to command any ship in the fleet, what would it be, and why?
Easy! The Gettysburg! Darsyn considers it home, and since he’s a warrior, what better place to put him than on a battlecruiser?
