Smuggling Is Not Unlawful

[LuckyOne]

^ or you could somehow make them invisible on the scanned ship infocard and only show the ID info through a console command... I suspect it might be possible as originally some items didn't show up on infocard.

[Lonely_Ghost]

While the inRP viability/desirability of lawful smuggling is a different issue, the original topic concerned applying server rules to inRP laws:

4.4 - Every char must have only one type of ID equipped and they must play to that ID. Ship and equipment infocards which specify their use on a specific ID or specific ship must only be used on that ID or ship. In all other cases where these restrictions and allowances conflict with the server rules, the ID overrides the rules (except 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7).

So the question becomes whether carrying what one house considers to be contraband (and others may not or may allow licenses for) is sanctionable. I don't think the server rules are meant to be used to enforce inRP laws for many of the various reasons already pointed out; they vary between houses, they can change, and they have their own player development behind them. Enforcement is also specifically provided for under various IDs in the game for a reason, and it's arguably the most important purpose of police factions, so having the rules take care of an RP issue would be superfluous. The same logic extends to every prohibited action here as they would also be "unlawful" (maybe? it depends? sometimes?), and frankly I think most people would agree that adding 20-some pages of "server rules" to the game would be nuts.

TL;DR - Smuggling is only unlawful according to RP laws, not server rules.

I'd say carrying illegal items for certain groups of ID would be considered against the ID line, stating "Cannot participate in any unlawful action, except described above"
For example, Universal ID ship is allowed to carry one specific cargo, within Liberty. If he caught with this cargo within Bretonia, he is committing unlawful action, which is against the ID. If somebody else, for example, Samura IDed player moving the same cargo in Liberty- he is participating in unlawful action.


Might be to make this particular situation more clear, for every non-corp trading ID, like Freelancer/Zoner, a special line could be added: Can participate in smuggling operations, but could be stopped by lawful forces and be dealt accordingly.

This would mean, that Freelancers are allowed to make an illegal cargo runs inRP, but on their own risk of being caught. Their ship belongs to them, they are independent, and can do whatever they want.

Corporation employees, cannot participate in illegal goods transportation, because inRP they have to follow corporate procedures, which are focused on legal operations.

[Binski]

You reckon this issue can't be helped by a line on top of the ID description that goes something like "This "I.D" is NOT a roleplay item. It exists merely as a personal guide for what the character carrying it can and cannot do." ?

In some cases yes. ID's that would/could stay inrp could in turn be given better inrp titles, even though the rules remain unacknowledged, some corp ID's could also be relabelled as Corporate Licenses. Others could be changed to flags (I say that since ships have always used flags to show their ownership/nationality), so even Outcasts, Zoners, and Junkers could be given flags to indicate who they are.

Back when the ruling was made there werent as many in game notices. I actually didnt mind them being oorp but it became necessary to choose a side and get everyone on the same page. With in game notices and lines in the ID's it might work better. No one really tries saying a Nomad/wilde or AI were sporting an ID card anyways though.

If I had to choose again I'd support keeping most ID's inrp and acknolwedgeable if you get scans and see their ID. I'd rather see them made more specific where they can be. The ID description can then usually be acknowledged, and the ID rules remain oorp.

[Username removed]

You reckon this issue can't be helped by a line on top of the ID description that goes something like "This "I.D" is NOT a roleplay item. It exists merely as a personal guide for what the character carrying it can and cannot do." ?

In some cases yes. ID's that would/could stay inrp could in turn be given better inrp titles, even though the rules remain unacknowledged, some corp ID's could also be relabelled as Corporate Licenses. Others could be changed to flags (I say that since ships have always used flags to show their ownership/nationality), so even Outcasts, Zoners, and Junkers could be given flags to indicate who they are.

Back when the ruling was made there werent as many in game notices. I actually didnt mind them being oorp but it became necessary to choose a side and get everyone on the same page. With in game notices and lines in the ID's it might work better. No one really tries saying a Nomad/wilde or AI were sporting an ID card anyways though.

If I had to choose again I'd support keeping most ID's inrp and acknolwedgeable if you get scans and see their ID. I'd rather see them made more specific where they can be. The ID description can then usually be acknowledged, and the ID rules remain oorp.

I agree completely. The reason I didn't make this suggestion is that I think it may complicate things too much, like, some ID's are meant to be used inRP such as corporate ID's while others are purely ooRP info, then how do you know which is which etc...it would cause a lot of misunderstandings.

If what LuckyOne suggested is technically possible, then I agree to that as-well since the faction tag serves to identify your character as a member of that faction, and not the ID.