The Long Road Home

Description

A character who begins as a villain but gradually finds redemption allows for a powerful and dynamic story arc in Star Trek. The franchise has long explored themes of growth, forgiveness, and second chances, showing that even those who start in the darkest places can find a path toward the light.

As an example, Seven of Nine (Voyager) provides a compelling model for a character who starts off with a villainous past but learns to reclaim her humanity. As a former Borg drone, her actions were once controlled by the Collective, forcing her to harm others without empathy. Her journey to redemption is a gradual rediscovery of self, learning compassion and understanding.

Another great example is Tom Paris (Voyager), whose journey begins with betrayal and imprisonment but shifts when he’s given a second chance by Captain Janeway. Trust and support from others allow him to move beyond his past mistakes.

A redemption story gives the character room for growth and complexity, making them more relatable and allowing for powerful, moving moments as they struggle to reconcile their past. Their journey might not erase their former deeds, but it offers a chance to show that even those who start in the shadows can find a path toward the light.

To submit to this competition, simply provide a link to a character on your command that meets the above description. This biography must be created after this competition opens and before it closes, so there is no reusing of existing characters. This will be judged based on the publication date of the character within the BFMS.

It is highly recommended that you complete the Character Creation Program as practice for this competition, but you may not submit a biography to this competition which has received feedback from the Academy staff.

Criteria

  • Write a robust, fleshed-out biography of one of your command's characters meeting the above prompt
  • This biography must be created after this competition opens and before it closes, so there is no reusing of existing characters. This will be judged based on the publication date of the character within the BFMS.
  • The biography must be complete, with something in the overview, personality, appearance, service record, and image fields. (The quality of the image used will not be assessed in judging.)
  • The biography will be assessed on its uniqueness, the mechanical/stylistic strength of the writing, the appropriateness for the setting and genre of Star Trek, and the realism of the character's history, service record, abilities, and personality vis a vis characters seen on screen.
  • Using generative AI in this competition is forbidden.

Submissions

User ID Date Entry

Competition Winners

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