1) This is not an official faction proposal, nor do we intend to go official. Rather a few of us lot were playing about in Liberty and I wished to give us a little background.
2) It is spelled Merchant Marine, not the Merchant Marines.
Basic information Name: Liberty Merchant Marine NPC allignment: Universal Shipping, Deep Space Engineering ID: Universal Shipping ID, DSE ID Faction tag: LMM- Naming Conventions: Something tasteful or amusing. No, not that. No, not that either.
Deep Space Engineering, founded a mere 51 years after the first shovel broke soil in what was to become Liberty space, was organized and funded by joint investments from private and government holdings to construct Manhattans first orbital shipyards and subsequent interstellar exploration vessels.
With the undertone of urgent expansionism set amongst the four colonies, especially those whose arrival was dated well after Libertys own, DSE was put to the task of utilizing these new engine technologies to ensure the expansion of Libertys spaceborn infrastructure throughout those systems that it might secure.
With the discovery and subsequent colonization of the lush world of Los Angeles the possibility of engaging in commercial trading that fell within the capabilities of non-government organizations became a reality. Sirius Shipping, to thereafter be operate under the company name of Universal Shipping, was quick to engage in the still risky venture of interstellar spacetrade in the year 150. Long before the advent of tradelanes or gates, these vessels laden with supplies and passengers would plunge into the black for journeys of months on end.
173 A.S. saw Universal as a strong competitor in the realm of business, but far from being a dominant force. The discovery of abundant silver deposits within the newly established Colorado system invited a risky gamble, to transport these new resources the previously unheard of distance across the great expanse between California and Colorado, at great risk to vessel and life.
The gamble paid off, with silver in sudden high demand for use in the asteroid irrigation pracitices launched on the arid world of Los Angeles Universal suddenly found itself as the sole provider in a position to supply, being decades ahead of the competition and possessing secure routes along the treacherous run.
181 A.S., with the advent of the revolutionary Ageira Jump Gate a company is needed to ship the components required for their construction domestically and abroad. Having rose to prominence as the dominant shipping company within Liberty Space, signs an exclusive contract with Ageira to move their product in cooperation with Deep Space Engineering. This agreement is made in absolute secrecy.
185 A.S. The CEO's of DSE and Universal are honored during an unveiling of the first jumpgate. The partnership between the two organizations, Ageira and the Liberty government is further solidified.
With the three remaining houses clamoring for the construction of their own gates, DSE and Ageira finance Interspace Commerce in the year 218 A.S. to facilitate gate construction within the relatively cash strapped foreign houses. The next several centuries would witness massive expansions within both Universal Shipping and Deep Space engineering, both organizations common sights across the four houses.
In 521 A.S. tensions over the staggering costs of tradeland and jumpgate technologies prompt Kusari and Rheinland to declare trade embargoes against a resource starved Liberty. With the sudden promise of an unexpected war looming over Liberty able captains of civilian vessels within Liberty were granted the opportunity to volunteer for possible duty in exchange for government subsidized insurance premiums. Formed under the same principle of the spaceborn Merchant Marine of the Coalition war, volunteering captains remained on standby to transport resources and troops to possible battlezones.
The standoff ends in 523, with Kusari and Rheinland nationalizing their tradelane networks, incurring a staggering loss to Interspace concerns and forever changing the landscape of Libertys relations with the two nations. The merchant marine is disbanded.
800 A.S. - War briefly, and mysteriously, erupts between Liberty and Rheinland. The drafting for future plans reflecting modern logistical needs are put into motion for the possible reemergence of a civilian fleet serving the needs of the Liberty Government.
818 A.S. - The President of Liberty officially declares open war with Rheinland. A commission is swiftly assembled to execute the plans laid to ensure that the material and logistical needs of the Liberty war efforts are to be met at any cost. Those vessels operating under the authority of the Merchant Marine are called to service.
The Skinny
The Liberty Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of Libertonian civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that are engaged in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable space of Liberty. The Merchant Marine is responsible for transporting cargo and passengers during peace time. In time of war, the Merchant Marine acts as a auxiliary to the Navy, and can be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the military.
In other words, we're basically just doing what Universal and DSE do, but with a fun bit o' arpee in the background. We're not going to be snatching up military kit or anything along those lines.
- If you wish to join this organization, please PM myself. As we are an unofficial faction posts in thread or elsewhere will be ignored. -
1. Do not create a character prior to being accepted. Doing so will result in an accounting error taking place emptying your account and providing yet another of my ex wives with a very charming yacht/law proceeds for my next divorce.
2. New members of the Merchant Marine are to get their character name cleared prior to character creation. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in our choosing your name for you... You wont like it.
3. New recruits to the Merchant Marine will be administered a test to determine that they are familiar with the Discovery Server rules in addition to the lore of the faction.
4. New recruits to the Merchant Marine will be provided with an entry level transport by which to ply their trade. Once a member has proven a certain level of commitment additional funds will be made available.
5. New recruits must chop down the tallest tree in the forest, the preferred medium would be a herring but we're willing to compromise based upon individual RP.
Rules of the Road:
0: Be excellent to one another. Failure to be a non jerk will result in dismissal.
0.1: No, really, don't be a jerk. Malcontents, wankers and the perpetually irate who seek to dump their unending flood of woes on the rest of the faction/server/world will find their stay short and unsatisfactory.
0.2 Don't get caught doing something considered less than legit.
0.2.1 Even if you -do- get caught, don't get "caught". Everyone has a price.
0.2.2 In the case of getting caught barrel rolls are encouraged.
1: Discovery server rules are to be obeyed at all times, there is no excuse for not being aware of these rules. Failure to adhere to the rules will be judged according to the infraction and resulting sanction.
1.1 But expect to be dismissed.
2: All members of the faction must be registered members of the Discovery forums. We apologize for the inconvenience, don't forget your waders and nose plugs.
2.1 Don't be a nubtard on the forums.
3: RP is paramount in game. Going in with all guns blazing will not be tolerated. Witty banter in local is to be rewarded with free drink coupons.
4: Your reputation sheet should reflect our diplomacy status. Hobnobbing with those damn dirty Hackers will result in being tarred and feathered. Punishment is one week to fix rep sheet with subsequently dismissal followed by liquidation of personal assets such as teeth and knees.
5: Ship and weapons are to match permitted lists at all times, no excuses. One day to fix, subsequently dismissal.
6: OOC bantering is severely frowned upon. If youre discussing rules, your mother's cooking or which Power Ranger is your favorite and the text isnt green or pink, youre wrong. This is a kickable offense, there are plenty of clever ways to discuss such things if you're pressed to the point, we're clever people.
7: Real life comes first. This is an internet spaceship game. Its the goal that should you decide to spend your free time playing an internet spaceship game youll have a good time doing so.
8: All kills shall be attested to the stunning grace and battle prowess of Dusty Lens. Dusty Lens gets all of the kills. Failure to comply will result in instant dismissal.
Civilian Line vessels of which the purchase and utilization of fall within the reputation and ethos of Liberty.
All vessels of the Civilian Transport line.
All vessels of the Civilian Train line.
The "Rhino" Class Libertonian Freighter.
The "Grizzly" Class Libertonian Freighter.
The "Mammoth" Class Libertonian Transport.
The "Mastodon" Class Libertonian Transport.
Weapon:
Civilian Line weaponry, conventional lawful bomber equipment and munitions.
Ranks:
As a civilian organization operating within a wartime environment, the MM fleet maintains no organizational structure within its ranks. All load bearing vessels are captained by a certified and licensed skipper charged to maintain the ideals and direction of his or her parent corporations, under the direction of the Liberty Navy whom may call upon them to fulfill duties deemed necessary for the logistical success of Libertonian war efforts.
The acting liaison between the Liberty Navy, Government and the vessels of the Merchant Marine maintains a largely honorary rank of Captain for purposes of reporting within the Naval chain of command.
This individual maintains vigil over the conduct and business practices of the vessels currently in service, in addition to authorizing the command of worthy space captains.
PC Diplomacy:
Allied
The Liberty Navy
The Liberty Police Incorporated
Libertonian Corporations
Cordial
The Bretonian Navy and Police Force
Bretonian Corporations
Touch and go
The Kusari Navy, and Police Forces
Kusarian Corporations
Organizations of the Border Worlds
Junkers
Eyed Warily
The so called guardians of Kusari, the Farmer's Alliance, Hogosha and similar opportunistic pirates operating under a banner of nationalism. Hostile
The Rheinland Military, police forces and house corporations.
All organizations, or individual pilots, whom maintain a policy of piracy, terrorism or harassment as means of gain; political or personal.
We will not honor wild inquiries as to our so called associations with the following parties and denounce it as wild eyed speculation and slander. War time slander can be considered a capital offense.
The Xenos - For purposes of fulfilling Universal Shipping ID mandates.
I like it! just like in WW 2, the Merchant Marine was called in to handle beans, bullets and toilet paper. I might have to join up with my large train. It already has a universal id and tag.
Formerly known as LPI Police Chief Hull O'Brien.
Creator of Sgt. V. Price, 207th Precinct out of Chula Vista Station