ID: BPA.
IFF: BPA.
Name: CDI)Rank-Firstname.Lastname, CDI)Shipname

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1. Overview

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The Civil Defence Initiative is a Bretonian civilian militia that falls under the purview of the Bretonian Police Authority.

Following the loss of Planet Leeds in 820 AS, emergency measures were passed by Parliament to ensure the survival of the Bretonian state. The introduction of conscription would bolster the ranks of the Armed Forces by siphoning experienced pilots from the BPA, while the grinding attrition of the Leeds front would see the backline security Great Fleets redeployed or stripped of manpower. The task of policing hazardous systems like Dublin or Omega-3 inevitably fell to a now critically undermanned and overstretched BPA. Piracy and smuggling in these dangerous frontiers immediately surged.

The CDI was formed shortly after, with the intention of providing the BPA with an immediate boost in manpower and patrol ships. These newly commissioned Special Constables largely consisted of corporate escort pilots, elderly or wounded veterans, foreigners, malcontents from Sprague, and various others who found themselves ineligible for conventional armed service. While the BPA had a well deserved reputation as a disciplined, well-drilled and incorruptible police force, the CDI most certainly did not.

Fielding a patchwork of civilian and surplus equipment, CDI constables were as a matter of necessity flung into the worst environments Bretonian policing had to offer, often with minimal training. Facing horrific casualty rates that rivalled the most gruelling Armed Forces assignments, special constables either thrived or almost immediately died. The CDI were primarily tasked with securing Cambridge and the vital shipping lanes to Rheinland, regularly facing off against brutal Corsair raiders and Hessian pirates they were ill-equipped to manage.

In the present day, CDI militias remain in active service, supplementing BPA patrols in space and on Planet Sprague. While mired in controversy, the force is seen by Parliament as too useful (or at least not embarrassing enough) to disband. Consequently, special constables continue to be used as a policing stop-gap to deter piracy, enforce blockades, manage shipping licenses and more. The BPA's Chief Inspector Helen Timson has recently been appointed to oversee the unit, and has vowed to improve professional standards and reduce casualties.

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2. Principles:

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1. We're a character-focused group. You're not a generic Eagle or Cavalier or Crusader. You're a poor part-time copper who's been told to do more with less and stop crime in a House that's actively collapsing. The BPA won't even share their tea with you during breaks. Embrace the bleak, black comedy.
   
   
2. We're focusing on the basics. You'll be in fighters, bombers or freighters to get on with the beat-work that defines space-policing. Carrying out cargo inspections, chasing down smugglers, enforcing blockades and (attempting) to arrest pirates. Don't worry if fighting isn't your strong suit - you can claim you're just really committed to authentic CDI roleplay!
   
   
3. We want to provide a rich experience for everyone. Whether you're flying with other CDI members, supporting allies or interacting with enemies, we want people to look forward to seeing the CDI) tag as a sign of a good time. We want to make spontaneous encounters throughout Bretonia enjoyable and fun for everyone.
   

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3. Ranks and Equipment

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Special Constable (SC)	Special Sergeant (Sgt)	Special Inspector (Ins)	Chief Inspector (CIns)

The CDI is a patchwork militia with a variety of gear that represents the disparate nature of its pilots. Rather than a monocrop of Crusaders, we encourage members to fly a ramshackle array of civilian fighters and bombers to give the squadron a decidedly unprofessional and assorted look. Slap a Bretonian engine on it, and a pair of flashing police lights, and you're good to go!

• Constables: Civilian ships (generic, Bretonia, Liberty), Cavalier.
  
• Sergeants: Crusader, Paladin, Challenger.
  
• Inspectors: Civilian gunboats.
  
• Chief Inspector: Churchill.
  

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4. Recruitment:

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When joining the CDI, you're first and foremost creating a character. To help with that, we've listed a few different backgrounds or features that CDI pilots might have in common. You can use these as inspiration or a starting point for your own creation:

Backgrounds:

• You're a part time corporate escort for BMM, Bowex, Gateway or possibly IMG, only flying for the militia when not doing the 'day job'.
  
• You're a displaced refugee from Leeds who signed up with the CDI to escape from the horrible conditions on Planet Sprague.
  
• You're a patriot who wants to fight, but are ineligible to serve in the BPA or BAF. This could be for medical or age reasons, or because you'd ahem fail the background check.
  
• You're not a patriot, but like the idea of having power over others and handling funds from fines that might go 'missing'.
  
• You're a foreigner (likely from Rheinland) who came to Omega-3 looking for work, and ended up in the militia as a sort of mercenary.
  
• You're a militia conscript from during the war who survived, made a career of it and decided to stick around.

Other things to think about:

• What was your character doing during the war? Did they serve in some way?
  
• Which planet do they come from? How does this affect their view on things?
  
• Were they a refugee from Leeds? How does this affect their view on things?
  
• Would they take a bribe, or do other unscrupulous things?
  
• What motivates them to fly for a decrepit outfit like the CDI? How do they feel about the current state of Bretonia?
  
• How do they feel about the pretty horrible conditions BMM makes people work under?
  
• How do they feel about the horrendous amount of pollution in New London and Leeds?
  
• How do they feel about rationing and various other emergency measures that make life harder for the common people?

Recruitment thread

If you find yourself interested in joining the CDI (or just want to coordinate patrols), send a PM to me (@jammi), or join our Discord.

(12-02-2023, 10:48 AM)Earl Campbell Wrote: Snip

(12-02-2023, 10:48 AM)Earl Campbell Wrote: Rambling

(12-02-2023, 10:48 AM)Earl Campbell Wrote: SNIP