I've got a few necessary questions and, please excuse my self-centered nature here in not searching for the appropriate answers, but I honestly don't have the time on this public network to be able to find all relevant information that may reside on the forums. No point in reiterating anything already said, links would be great if informative pages are already available. Thanks for understanding.
Well, first of all...I've been offline for some time now, I don't even know if my accounts are still live, this in fact leads to my first question for I cannot determine it without getting FL online...
Are accounts deleted after a certain period of inactivity? I'm looking at about 3 months now.
Regardless of the answer to the above, I feel I need a new approach to the server so a fresh start would be appropriate in a sense, but that would entail the loss of about a three-quarter's of a billion in assets. But hey, such is life and life goes on. Despite my time away and the probable obstacles this will present, my attitude towards the server has always been one of respect, the willingness to learn and to be a part of everything good about Discovery and when I come back, my philosphies will always prevail.
Anyway, my idea is to spearhead an unofficial faction, I say unofficial because I am not in the position to create an official faction, but even an unofficial one will of course take time and this is but the beginning of my research into establishing its feasability. So, to the initial, relevant questions (there were many more earlier, but these are the important ones for now)...
Are there any costs or other requirements relating to unofficial factions (not including anything covered by the general server rules, particularly regarding role-play)?
Are there any official or unofficial factions relating to Interspace Commerce (not including [IND])?
Is [IND] essentially a rogue branch of IC? After all, smuggling is not really an acceptable method of profiteering so far as a lawful company would be concerned. Or are they just an undercover operation controlled by Malta that secures the spread of its staple?
If not, is [IND] an authorative body of IC, or simply a franchise?
What is the diplomatic position of Bonn Station in New Berlin and also of IC operatives within Rheinland? Given the dire situation between Liberty & Rheinland, it must be a nervous if not worse.
Now, if this is ever to happen, I have a lot of background planning and direct performance to achieve in order to overcome the initial hurdles, never will I deny the monumentous scale of the challenges that would lie ahead of myself and the proposed group. The actual details of the group, including heirarchy, regulations, diplomacy, funding and so forth have already seen drafting and I already have some documents saved from several relevant pinned topics that should assist me in furthering my notes, but they do not need discussing at this time, some of the details will even be confidential due to would-be-security.
What I ultimately want to achieve here is the creation of a stable and active part of Interspace Commerce. Despite its presence in each of the main houses (not including Gallia of course), there are no real IC players, except those that use the ID in difference to the generic trader option but have no real concern for its stations or practices. With all due respect intended towards to [IND], especially given that, so far as I believe, some or most of its members are in fact Admin, I have personally witnessed them smuggling and docking with unlawful bases. I know that they are legally permitted to do so under server rules, but anybody using a generic IC ID would not be allowed to do this and, as such, I don't believe that [IND] can actually represent the true face of IC in any way, shape or form. Other than [IND], who are also somewhat inactive during busy periods, there really are not, at least in my experience, any dedicated IC players. This is unfortunate since IC is in a prime position to act as a go-between for its allied companies and, in some cases, including LN and LPI, possibly even extending to the Bretonian forces, but with the ultimate aim of neutrality between each house, as opposed to promoting one's cause over another, whether by word or by action (of course, IC's main concern is Liberty, but that should be practiced with as much respect as possible for other houses, including Rheinland). IC is also in a good position to provide some form of security to traders, by contract of course, whether by means of escort allied or independent traders within IC's zones of interest or by insuring their cargo, in part or in full (although insurance is actually a sensitive matter due to the potential for abuse by clients, abuse that may not even constitute as cheating, although a very specific, new rule could assist this potential problem. Basically, I'm talking about staged piracy with the intention of duping the insurer). I would also propose that IC can act as a form of default (in other words, non-contracted, or of course a contract can apply) security for its allies but only within either the zones of interest or possibly only the systems in which IC has a station. This would of course be subject to PvP regulations and any company policies regarding such will always have due consideration for the rules, all members would be expected to oblige. Any PvP involving IC should be the subject of restraint since the company is not of military-mind, it is a commercial entity, but with that said the security of its own and of its allies' members and their profits matter greatly in a world ridden with criminals.
In consideration of the above, I must present these few questions...
Is the concept of cargo insurance reasonable or would potential abuse stand in its way?
Is IC in a position to exert force upon any identified criminals (ie, those with a criminal ID) that are actively attacking commercial allies or disrupting their trade?
If yes to the above, what limits could be applied to the zone of influence; single systems only, entire houses only or entire houses and including non-house systems that a part of a route leading between two houses (not including Outcast/Corsair/Gallic systems or Nomad infested zones)?
Without going right into the nitty-gritty details, there isn't really much more I can add or ask at this time, but I will certainly note that if it were to ever happen, it would only be so once I have established a permanent internet connection at home, hopefully that'll happen before the summer so that, that is by the time 4.85 has began to take good shape. I might be in a good position to put all my preparation into practice after some good, honest trading has built up the necessary funds required (that's looking like the figure needed for an official faction, like a half-billion).
Much of this cannot be established by my own ideas, input from others, particularly the experienced members of the community and also potential or existing members of the project, will be essential. But that will only be necessary if I the foundations can be estabilished that would make for realistic future targets.
If anybody has anything they would like to add, please feel free to do so.
I would like to say, first off, that I greatly welcome the sight of a high-quality, prospective Interspace Commerce faction proper.
' Wrote:Are accounts deleted after a certain period of inactivity? I'm looking at about 3 months now.
Inactive accounts are deleted after approximately one month. It is highly unlikely that your accounts are retrievable.
' Wrote:Are there any costs or other requirements relating to unofficial factions (not including anything covered by the general server rules, particularly regarding role-play)?
There is very little in the way of official guidelines when it comes to unofficial factions. Even the line between unofficial and official is quite fuzzy, at least in certain ways.
In the big picture of play in Discovery all characters, groups, and factions, whether with higher aspirations or not, should work toward improving Discovery. In my experience, unofficial factions spawn some of the highest quality role-play in the form of original material within the realm of Freelancer, something established and official factions are not in an opportune position to produce. I suggest you disregard any potential requirements for your faction and simply aim as high as you can.
' Wrote:Are there any official or unofficial factions relating to Interspace Commerce (not including [IND])?
I am not aware of any, at least none that maintain the activity and dedication that it seems like you aim to achieve.
' Wrote:Is [IND] essentially a rogue branch of IC? After all, smuggling is not really an acceptable method of profiteering so far as a lawful company would be concerned. Or are they just an undercover operation controlled by Malta that secures the spread of its staple?
If not, is [IND] an authorative body of IC, or simply a franchise?
I am not qualified to give any authoritative information on IND, but I believe it is simply a division of IC, as the name (Interspace NeuralNet Division) suggests. I believe they are a largely self-contained and cohesive organization, allowing for the liberties they enjoy today. They have substantial amounts of background information in their faction status post, which I suggest you read.
' Wrote:What is the diplomatic position of Bonn Station in New Berlin and also of IC operatives within Rheinland? Given the dire situation between Liberty & Rheinland, it must be a nervous if not worse.
The representation of the Rheinland government in these forums is very adept at answering such political questions, so I will leave that to them. I can say is that I believe IC -- like other corporations with such wide zones of influence, such as DSE and ALG -- have over time distanced themselves from the close bond with the politics of the House they were once founded by. Of course the corporation still has strong ties to their home House, but most factions in Sirius realize that not all corporations can be treated as one with their House.
' Wrote:some of the details will even be confidential due to would-be-security.
My opinion is that in-roleplay security should not be solved in part or whole with secrecy from other players, only from their characters. In my opinion, you should provide even sensitive information freely for other players to read and trust in their ability to keep themselves and their knowledge seperate from their characters and their characters' knowledge.
It is no way to combat meta-gaming with real secrecy and paranoia. Such secrecy between players only serves to blur the difference between player and character knowledge.
(Splitting my post since I exceeded the quote limit.)
' Wrote:Is the concept of cargo insurance reasonable or would potential abuse stand in its way?
The inevitable problem with introducing aspects of economy not supported by game-mechanics is that other aspects with direct or indirect dependence may not be in-place to support such aspects. This has been a problem with attempts at banks, for example (though some have managed to side-step or overcome it), and would likely be an even larger problem for insurance.
I can think of ways to cut down abuse to a manageable level, a level more appropriate for the realism of Discovery, but the administrative side of such a service would not allow for much time on Curacau or Baden Baden. It would be important to remember that the profit from such an endeavor would not be what you should maximize, but the additional role-playing opportunities it would open up. A fine balance between the administration, economy, and role-play would need to be found.
' Wrote:Is IC in a position to exert force upon any identified criminals (ie, those with a criminal ID) that are actively attacking commercial allies or disrupting their trade?
The tried and true method of bounties has worked well as pressure by all walks of factions. With the influence of IC at your disposal, however, I am certain you can think up other, creative venues of establishment and vengeance.
' Wrote:If yes to the above, what limits could be applied to the zone of influence; single systems only, entire houses only or entire houses and including non-house systems that a part of a route leading between two houses (not including Outcast/Corsair/Gallic systems or Nomad infested zones)?
The obvious zone of influence, I think, would be any system that is part of the USI network. IC has access to all manifests of ships passing through gates and lanes throughout Sirius, so the ZoI would be quite unrestricted compared to other factional authorities.
' Wrote:I might be in a good position to put all my preparation into practice after some good, honest trading has built up the necessary funds required (that's looking like the figure needed for an official faction, like a half-billion).
With a bit of good role-playing, you could likely cover a significant part of the required funds through investors. The issue is likely some ways off, but be sure to look into that possibility.
' Wrote:Much of this cannot be established by my own ideas, input from others, particularly the experienced members of the community and also potential or existing members of the project, will be essential. But that will only be necessary if I the foundations can be estabilished that would make for realistic future targets.
After you get some more feedback on your intention and you have modified your existing material accordingly, I suggest you post most of what you have to get more specific feedback. That is the road many factions have taken in the past and one that works well. It is certainly the best way to get maximum exposure of your ideas, and thereby as much feedback as possible.
There is a reason the IND acts like it does, and that's because all the base rumours and whatnot point to IC being the shadiest bunch of shady folks proclaiming to operate above the law. They allow the GC on Roppongi, they cut deals with whoever they can. Interspace Commerce just isn't a nice corporation, which is what makes them so much fun to play.
I'm sure the IND wsill happily work with any IC faction, official or otherwise, provided that faction treats Interspace Commerce properly and not like a go anywhere do anything faction. It's taken the IND a long time to build up it's diplomacies to the point we can smuggle a hell of a lot, but even though our ID says we can land anywhere we still can't land on Hacker bases, because forum and in-game RP doesn't support it.
Security wise, the IND operates the Epsilon Squadron which are our escorts and security officers, their operating area is anywhere within a system operating a IC base and at any location where an IND trader currently is. They don't actively hunt pirates but will offer to assist in anti-pirate engagements if it allows IND to make better ties with anyone. The IND never participates in any unlawful action other than smuggling, which we don't do ever. Honestly. Epsioln Squadron can also be contracted for escort jobs by any trader whatever their point of origin, provided it's considered lawful by server rules.
That's how we operate and security wise I'd suggest you do the same.
You could happily operate as IC's whiter than white arm, providing a counterpoint to the IND's dark dealings. Or you can operate as the full IC and have both shady dealings and normal ones. IC has such a huge wealth of opportunity roleplay wise. You could even operate as a different branch of IC operating out of one of the other bases, we have bases in each major house and one in Okinawa, it wouldn't be hard to RP the Kusari or Rheinland operations.
In short the IND does operate as a true Interspace division, but like you said we don't operate as the full company, there's plenty of room for your chosen faction.
Saint Del is considered a holy healer of diseases of children, but also as a protector of cattle.
Thanks for your input guys, it'll help me greatly to move forward.
My accounts will no doubt be gone then, well that's a shame but it does give me the opportunity to start completely afresh, but this time with experience of the server.
I'm glad you'll welcome a dedicated IC, Eyvind, likewise I hope your DSE applications gets through okay, same can be said for Universal. I've saved the first page of both threads and will read them in detail later to get some more great advice.
I don't think anything else needs to be considered reagrding IND at this time, the foremost concern is estabilshing my ideas, then diplomacy and integration can be worked on. Naturally, forming links with colleagues would come even before those for allies, so it will certainly be of importance some time later.
I've already drawn up a map that highlights the relevant zones for IC, so far I've drafted primary, secondary and background zones. Firstly are the five systems that have an IC base, secondly are the adjacent systems and the background systems are those in which there is a major jumpgate and trade lane network (although there are a few systems with neither that we can venture into).
One of the things I want to achieve with this faction is close ties to each of the other Liberty corporations and working together to fulfill our own agendas, ultimately ensuring maximum profits. A good example that I considered is DSE transporting gate parts to Hokkaido, a Universal transport bringing supplies along, including Synth Paste of course, that the construction site constantly needs and, in addition, 2 or 3 Interspace escorts providing security all the way. Once our enduring task is complete, we could all take our paychecks to for a well-deserved break in Sigma-19 where we get good deals on the OSC Liner!
Another thing that I am seriously interested in here is realistic trading, as opposed to repetitive steamrolling back & forth across Sigma-13. Yeh, I used to do it sometimes, but I preferred the circulars to be honest. But it doesn't make sense for, say Interspace to trade Diamonds with Kusari. I mean, in reality it would be far more in our favour to sell Robots that go so cheap on our bases, or to deliver urgently needed metals to Newark whilst Bonn is always in need of H-Fuel as well, the list goes on. What I want to do is get a good group of people together that will trade in this manner rather than performing the unrealistic routes that will no doubt be the subject of rampant piracy. Of course, they're everywhere, but mostly along the common power-routes. Newark is in a great position to recruit new players that are usually inclined to hit the profitable routes rather than the realistic ones, hopefully we could help them to enjoy their trade a lot more than constantly finding themself all alone against a Rogue Gunboat all because they think Neon is the greatest thing since USB sticks. Convoys however are a viable solution to one or a few pirates.
Anyway, I'm just going to waffle nonsense if I keep going, I actually only have 20 minutes left here so I'll do elsewhat for that time.
After seeing those proprosals for DSE and Universal, I need to rethink a few things. Still got a few other things that really do need attention, such as ranking and what applies to each.
IND was never a proper Interspace faction. Manipulating law is one thing, but landing on Malta is another. I can only welcome your progess. I would very much like like to see Interspace flying there.
Well, that's the way they are and it's something that will have to be adapted to. The fact of the matter is, the guys at the top of Interspace most likely know nothing of IND's dodgy deads, they probably think it really is cabbage they're hauling, that's what the paperwork says anyway. You think they track their movements through the Taus? Nah, they're too busy watching adult movies in Newark's darkest rooms at the sort of hours that IND take to the skies. Seriously though, I don't like it either, but it'll certainly be interesting working with and around it.
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