(09-09-2014, 10:02 PM)david.starr Wrote: You really don't get it. If they follow the ID's restrictions, there is nothing that IMG| can do about it, unless they ignore faction lore. The decision to not pirate rhainland corps is a internal faction decision, it's not part of the faction lore.
I actually have to agree with Emile here, IMG| does have that choice through faction rules.
If an indie Rheinland Military faction decides to shoot the Liberty Navy, it's all within canon lore and allowed in ID. If, however, the [RM] high command tells them to cease fire if there is a RP justification for it, (engaging in discussion about cease fire/peace/open borders, for example) they better make damn sure to stop shooting.
If the IMG| wants to uphold neutral/friendly relations to Rheinland, they'd have to stop HH from engaging Rheinland corps with the RP justification of exactly that, good relations with Rheinland.
You didn't read said Faction rule attentively enough.
Faction Right #2 Wrote:Official player factions have authority over players of the same NPC affiliation, as long as RP justification is provided. This authority applies in forums and in-game, and applies to player faction diplomacy, and strategic and tactical direction, however, exercise of that authority, on the forums and in game, is restricted to official faction members with the rank of the official faction leader and second in command(s) of the faction. The authority may be exercised through the use of in-game in-RP orders, which, if not obeyed, can result in in-game in-RP consequences (arrest, court martial, and even "lethal" force in extreme circumstances). Official player factions cannot, under any cicrumstances, require another player to follow non-canon RP if that player doesn't want to. In case of IDs with multiple official factions, this right is nullified and cannot be used by any of the factions.
Emphasis mine.
The Rheinland - IMG conflict is not part of the IMG canon per se, and therefore HH does not have to follow it if they do not wish to do such.