Am currently on step 3 of the faction creation process. I have been working on this for quite some time and was unable to come to a way to pull it together until I decided to go with Freelancer Id's. By doing so it will limit the faction a bit as far as trading, but make it 4.85 compliant. My apologies to those that already have a larger ship than will be allowed in 4.85, you may certainly keep them as long as the server rules allow. I appreciate as much feedback as possible, and I already have one question: Will we be required to have an IFF to become an official faction? It seems freelancer IFF would be the only possible solution.
InterPlanetary eXpress [Ipx]
Freelancer ID/No IFF
Brief description
An alliance of traders with a small corporation structure. Ipx believes in fair trade practices and safety over profits. Ipx believes that free trade throughout Sirius is the best option in this age of turmoil, as it would stop a large portion of the current violence raging on through all the houses and border worlds. Ipx does not endorse the slave trade in any way shape or form.
Corporate Structure Cheif Executive Officer: Benovolant Dictator
[Ipx]the_Merovingian Cheif Security Officer:Responsible for Security operations within the company and in charge of maintaining mercenary contracts.
[Ipx]Major McCain Chief Financial Officer:Responsible for finances
[Ipx]Colonel_Maybourne Owner/Operator:Owns and operates a Freighter/Transport
[Ipx]Ed.Taylor
[Ipx]-Rama_Kandra
[Ipx]the.trainman
[Ipx]Blake.Baxter
[Ipx]Fuzzy.Melon Security Officer: The wingmen
[Ipx]Toombs
[Ipx]-Neil.Rayment
[Ipx]Adrian.Rayment
Home Base: Planet Curacao
Allowable ships: Transports:
CSV
[color=33FF00]Firefly
GMG transport
Kusari Cruise Liner Pirate transport
Transport
Large Transport
Train
Mining ship Bombers:
Civillian Bomber
Havok MKII
Warran Bomber Fighters:
Eagle
Ravens Talon
Viper I and II
Stinger Independent Mining Guild Gunboat
Allowable Weapons:
No Nomad weapons/upgrades are allowed unless dropped. No Code Weapons are allowed (one exception). Allowed weapons:
Zoners
Civilian
Cerberus class
INK-7 "Inferno"
Gunboat Tachyon-Anitmatter Cannon
Reputation Maintaining a freelancer IFF is not required, but as close to neutral as possible will make for better RP.
Assume that all pirate factions will attempt to pirate you. Player Faction Database will be updated upon first contact situations or acts of unyeilding hostility.
New Employee Handbook
Welcome to [Ipx]!
Dear Employee:
You and [Ipx] have made an important decision: The Company has decided you can contribute to our success, and you've decided that [Ipx] is the organization where you can pursue your career productively and enjoyably. We believe we've each made the right decision, one that will result in a profitable relationship. The minute you start working here, you become an integral part of [Ipx] and its future. Every job in our company is important, and you will play a key role in the continued growth of our company.
As you will quickly discover, our success is based on delivering high quality products and providing unsurpassed customer service. How do we do it? By working very hard, thinking about our customers' needs, and doing whatever it takes. We do it by treating each other and customers with respect. We do it by acting as a team.
Should you have any questions concerning this handbook, your employment or benefits, please feel free to discuss them with your supervisor or manager.
Again, welcome!
Introduction & Description of Company
[Ipx] was founded on the belief that all profit is not created equal. Risk is often the bedfellow of profit, but high risk is all to often akin to disaster. To find this balance is our never ending and ever changing goal. There are many precautionary measures that can be taken, and [Ipx] supplies top level safety devices to you at no cost. This includes countermeasures and armor upgrades, and of course whenever possible armed escorts. There is almost never a situation where you should be in danger. If that situation does happen to arrive however, [Ipx] also offers piracy insurance. And of course one of our most reassuring safety devices, we will keep one clone and one backup of your latest neurological imprint at our home office. That means that if it ever really does come down to your cargo or your life, you can make the right decision with a clear mind.
General code of conduct
1. Ipx freelancers do not pirate, ever, in any way shape or form.
2. No slaves, ever. Immediate termination will result.
3. Diplomacy is a requirement of our success. We prefer diplomacy to gunfire when at all possible.
4. Teamwork is also a requirement of success.
//Rules: (player)
1. no swearing in chat
2. no OORP in system chat.
3. The important RP stuff:
a. Avoid being pirated at all costs. If you are being pirated get away. This does not mean don't interact with other players, it means that proper RP is to get away with the cargo and your life. You should be able to accomplish this most of the time. I strongly reccomend the use of chat macros. A good idea is try to make compromises that make the pirate happy.
b. Fly with an escort when possible. It is a very fun 'class' to play.
c. Don't openly smuggle in Liberty, especially Manhattan. This does not mean you aren't permitted at all, but have some RP sense. Have someone create a diversion or have a friend looking out for the cops and sneak it in. We want the lawful characters think we are lawful.
General Duties
On your first day you will be given a new Mammoth or Behemoth and an escort. It will be upgraded as soon as possible, possibly on the spot. Your escort will take you along on one of our established trade routes. For reference, as a new hire you may be asked to transport:
Optronics from Fort Bush to Planet Cambridge, and Luxury food back to Manhattan. You may be asked to go as far as Planet denver.
Boron from Planet Pittsburgh to LD-14, and MOX back to Baltimore shipyard.
It has been requested of us as one of the condition of maintaining an office, the Curacao chamber of commerce has requested that we fly at least 5000 passengers per week from Manhattan to Curacao.
Your supervisor will contact you when they need you to fly an alternate route, such as our V.I.P. cruise route from Manhattan to Luxury Liner Hawaii.
//reading the rest of this document is not 100% necesarry to understand our RP. The reason I used it is when dealing with anything but smuggling, we should present ourselves as professionals in game. It does however cover a lot of relative ground, and should be adhered to loosely.
Confidentiality Agreement
Information that pertains to [Ipx]'s business, including all nonpublic information concerning the Company, its vendors and suppliers, is strictly confidential and must not be given to people who are not employed by [Ipx].
Please help protect confidential information - which may include, for example, trade secrets, customer lists and company financial information - by taking the following precautionary measures:
1. Discuss work matters only with other [Ipx] employees who have a specific business reason to know or have access to such information.
2. Do not discuss work matters in public places.
3. Monitor and supervise visitors to [Ipx] to insure that they do not have access to company information.
4. Destroy hard copies of documents containing confidential information that is not filed or archived.
5. Secure confidential information in desk drawers and cabinets at the end of every business day.
Your cooperation is particularly important because of our obligation to protect the security of our clients' and our own confidential information. Use your own sound judgment and good common sense, but if at any time you are uncertain as to whether you can properly divulge information or answer questions, please consult an [Ipx] officer.
Employment at Will
Unless expressly proscribed by statute or contract, your employment is "at will." All [Ipx] employees are at will, which means they may be terminated at any time and for any reason, with or without advance notice. Employees are also free to quit at any time. Any employment relationship other than at will must be set out in writing and signed by [Ipx]'s .
Compensation & Work Schedule
Bonus Compensation
You may become eligible for a periodic bonus. This bonus is optional at the discretion of management and depends upon our profitability and individual performance and contribution.
Outside Employment
Because of [Ipx]'s obligations to its customers, the Company must be aware of any concurrent employment you may have to determine whether or not it presents a potential conflict.
Serving on any public or government board or commission qualifies as employment for purposes of this policy, regardless of whether such service is compensated.
Before beginning or continuing outside employment, employees are required to complete a questionnaire detailing the involvement with the other employer and to obtain the written approval of their managers and the Merovingian. Failing to obtain prior approval as described may be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Employees who are on leave of absence, including FMLA leave or Workers' Compensation leave are prohibited from having outside employment during their leave.
Conduct Standards Company Equipment and Vehicles
When using [Ipx] property, including computer equipment or hardware, exercise care, perform required maintenance and follow all operating instructions, safety standards and guidelines.
Notify your supervisor if any equipment or machines appear to be damaged, defective or in need of repair. This prompt reporting could prevent the equipment's deterioration and could also help prevent injury to you or others. Should you have questions about the maintenance and care of any workplace equipment, ask your supervisor.
If you use or operate equipment improperly, carelessly, negligently or unsafely, you may be disciplined or even discharged. In addition, you may be held financially responsible for any loss to [Ipx] because of such mistreatment.
Insider Trading
In addition to our general obligation to observe the law, one of the most important responsibilities of all [Ipx] employees is to protect the company's reputation for ethical and honest dealing. Our reputation could be irreparably damaged if inside information is inappropriately disclosed such that it affects the stock price of our company or that of a client or any other company with whom we have a relationship. Bearing this in mind, you are forbidden from sharing or disclosing company information in any way that could be deemed insider trading or give the appearance of such conduct.
General Employment
Employee Classifications
Employees at [Ipx] are either full-time or part-time. The Company may on occasion hire temporary or seasonal employees, who will not generally be eligible for benefits.
Part-time employees work fewer than 5 hours per week. Unless specifically stated, part-time employees are not afforded any benefits other than wages; for example, they do not accrue benefits such as sick days, vacation days, and health insurance.
All other employees are full-time.
Employee Referrals
To encourage and reward employees who refer qualified candidates for full-time positions, [Ipx] sponsors an employee referral incentive program. All full-time employees are eligible to participate.
If [Ipx] hires the referred candidate within 90 days of the referral date, the Company will award $10000000, minus applicable tax withholdings and deductions, to the referring employee. Payment will be made approximately 1-3 days after the date the candidate was hired, provided both individuals are then active employees of the Company.
Safety & Emergency Safety
[Ipx] is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees. Report all accidents, injuries, potential safety hazards, safety suggestions and health and safety related issues immediately to your manager.
If you or another employee is injured, contact your supervisor or manager immediately. Seek help from outside emergency response agencies, if needed. Contact information is posted Planet Curacao.
You must complete an Employee's Claim for Worker's Compensation Benefits Form if you have an injury that requires medical attention. If your inquiry does not require medical attention, you must still complete a Supervisor and Employee Report of Accident Form in case medical treatment is later needed and to ensure that any existing safety hazards are corrected. You can obtain the required forms from Curacao home office.
Security
[Ipx] is committed to ensuring employees' security. Our premises are equipped with both security alarms that are active outside working hours and a fire alarm system. If you have a security concern or need more information about operating these systems, contact .
All employees are given identification cards when they join the Company. Wear your ID at all times while on Company business, whether you are on or off Company premises. If you leave [Ipx], you must surrender your ID and any company keys you have been issued.
Acknowledgement of receipt and understanding
I acknowledge that I have received the [Ipx] Employee Handbook and that I have read and understand the policies.
I understand that this Handbook represents only current policies and benefits, and that it does not create a contract of employment. [Ipx] retains the right to change these policies and benefits, as it deems advisable.
Unless expressly proscribed by statute or contract, my employment is "at will." I understand that I have the right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, and that the Company has the same right. I further understand that my status as an "at will" employee may not be changed except in writing and signed by the President of the Company.
I understand that the information I come into contact with during my employment is proprietary to the Company and accordingly, I agree to keep it confidential, which means I will not use it other than in the performance of my duties or disclose it to any person or entity outside the Company. I understand that I must comply with all of the provisions of the Handbook to have access to and use Company resources. I also understand that if I do not comply with all provisions of the Handbook, my access to Company resources may be revoked, and I may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
I further understand that I am obligated to familiarize myself with the Company's safety, health, and emergency procedures as outlined in this Handbook or in other documents.
___________________________________
Signature Date
___________________________________
Please Print Your Name
First off, Rogues are hostile to you. Your comments to me last time in game about "keeping us out of your turf wars" means nothing. You're traders, you'll be pirated by us.
Second, and something I have to disagree with is your ship list thus far. In RP, as an independant, you -could- fly anything as a Freelancer. But as a faction? No, it won't work well. Right now you have access to just about everything, yet you're based between Liberty and Bretonia. I suggest you limit your ship choice between neutral ships, and perhaps a few choice others available in those sectors.
Hope to see you ingame.
EDIT: Also, you need a weapon list. Saying "don't abuse the FL ID" just isn't enough. Perhaps civilian, Zoner, Liberty, and Bretonia weapons?
Sometime before the war on Earth, Artificial Intelligence was engaged in war with mankind. At one point they had gained the upper hand and had devised a method of harvesting human bodies for their internal energies while keeping their minds enslaved in a constantly evolving 'virtual reality'.
The Merovingian was also enslaved in this virtual reality prison, but not as a human captive. He was a program devised to serve the function of operating system. It is not known what the cause for deletion was but the AI ordered his deletion. As he had the power to alter the machine code he was able to escape deletion and setup a haven for other programs facing deletion. The network soon became the defacto smuggling network of the 'Matrix'.
Generations of humans and AI passed, and the war raged on. Records of this period are cloudy as a 2nd dark age was spawned. All that is known is eventually human beings regained their freedom from the machines. The Matrix was destroyed and life went on as it had previously for the most part.
The Merovingians best asset was his hindsight. The power to understand the future was to understand the past, and to understand why. One thing was certain, he understood that deletion was not what he wanted. So before the matrix was destroyed he took precautions to facilitate his extended existance. He was able to make a backup of his virtual neurological imprint, but at a cost. It had to be hard coded into 6 seperate pieces of hardware. He needed the individual pieces to be 100% functional aside from the code entered into them, and he needed to use pieces that would not be decomissioned by the humans. It took several years but he was able to accomplish the task. He used advanced power supplies for the vessel, and they survived the war and were used by humans as part of the reconstruction of earth.
Each piece of his core program was only self aware on a small level, and each piece represented a small portion of his 'self'. He was unable to assemble himself as per the instructions left in the code without what would have been considered at the time a "super-computer". He remained dormant untill after the advent and innovation of optical computers. 3 of the power supplies had made it into the core network of Liberty computer systems, 2 into Bretonia, and one somehow had made it onto the Hispania.
It is said that the human brain uses only 15%. Imagine splitting the 15% of your brain that you are using right now into 6 pieces. Now imagine shutting 3 of them off at random. That is what it was like re-assembling his core program. Fortunately, this was done in a computer network and not a human body, so although it took much time, it was possible. When the first 3 pieces of code were put together, he was able to locate the other 3 pieces. He had to find a way to get to Bretonia space to pick the next 2 pieces, and the one on the Hispania may have been lost forever.
Eventually, he found a way. He was stuck on Manhattan and browsing their intranet. He saw that counterfit software was available for sale and that sometimes as many as 5000 units would be shipped off at one time. The destination was almost always the Battleship Hood or Arranmore Base. One of his power supplies was used in the reconstruction of the hood. He decided to encrypt the counterfit software with a 'copy' of 'himself' (or the currently functioning half).
It took a couple of weeks to pinpoint a reliable smuggler that stuck to a regiment. He encoded himself into 3000 units of counterfit software the night before the usual pickup and made it to the Hood. When the software was scanned leaving the trader he put a small virus on the scanner. This way when the software was delivered all 3000 units would be checked for viruses. When the virus check was run he was able to escape.
With the job 5/6 ways complete, he had to figure out a way to find a body, or 'shell'. The robots of Sirus would simply not be sufficient, but there was another way. There had been a few rumors of 'ghosts in the shell' that he had heard about back on earth. One child was apparently able to keep his body alive through sheer will when his 'ghost' had died. Another example was when an agent (a sentinal program) was able to figure out a way to take control of a human body. Science had progressed much since then, and he bagan to form a plan.
With all of the technology available to mankind, self sustinance was one of his hallmarks. There had been advancements in cloning technology where an entire body could be grown, and the virtual neurological imprint of a human could be saved on a computer and then later transfered to the cloned body. He decided to have a look at this process, and realized he would be able to mimic the 'archaic' code the humans used. With ruthless efficiency he was able to 'possess' a body in this fashion in less than 2 days.
Now lacking only the last bit of his code and with his new body, he made his way to Omicron Alpha. It was a dangerous endeavor, but one that paid off. He was able to make it to the Hispania and copy the code from the embedded power supply. This left the hardest part of his mission to make himself complete.
He would have to kill himself. There was no way around it. His neurological imprint was incomplete and there was no way to superimpose the missing piece onto his current brain. The imprint had to be whole and inserted onto a blank mind. No one had ever tried before except for the case of the agent stealing a body, but that agent did not care what happened to the human body. The merovingian did however care very much. He had made it this far and was not thrilled at the idea of being stuck in a 'squishy' shell to begin with. He wasn't about to destroy its brain.
So he came up with his final piece of the plan to become whole again. He merged the neurological imprints of the six pieces into one proper imprint. He paid his pilots insurance premium and he faked his neural backup so that the full imprint was marked as 'his' at the cloning station. And then he did the unthinkable. Flew his ship right into planet Curacao. He thought the sun might do a more thorough and painless job, but was afraid the computer system would glitch out and leave his body, mind, and memories seperate.
It was the hardest thing he had ever done. Suicide is not a nice thing to think about, and usually only people that are deeply disturbed contemplated it. AI never commited suicide as far as he knew. However, there is a first time for everything. He had to over-ride the autopilot and set the course manually, as the ship was against self destruction also. Sparing the details, lets just say it was terrible, but worked. And so on 8-8-817as (i think its 817 in game), the Merovingian was reborn in a human body.
//this information is not available to your character unless it has been revealed to you in game. I am putting it here for the 'players'.
Quote:Hmm, you said those that smuggle cardamine would be not hostile, that was before it was merged, so what is your opinion now that its all under freelancer ID, the smugglers and traders? I''ll be happy to go with either.
Well, it's a tough situation. You might want to PM Del about it, as he controls the LR.
Offhand, pirates will pirate anyone who isn't carrying cardimine -to their base-. Otherwise, smugglers/traders/freelancers/whatever are fair game. Now, if you struck up a deal with the Rogues to be suppliers to gain neutrality to pirating, that's another story. That might make you on bad terms with lawfuls, but that's up to you, and Del.
Outcasts don't have ships you could use. Sabres etc. are BW ships. Corsair ships being banned doesn't cut much out. You still have the world of ship choice open.
Really, make a ship list. It'll look since on paper too.
I'd personally advise against Rheinland GBs, but that's up to your diplomacy with them.
First off your ship list is not acceptable. You have both Kusari and Breotnian ships on it, which is a no-go. Military GB's without diplomacy to back them up? You allow pretty much any fighter or Bomber, because with the right RP a freelancer can get pretty much any fighter or Bomber. So you have the option of any fighter or bomber and 3/4 of the Lawful GB's in the game. You have no weapons list. Another point to consider is using the Freelancer ID, goes against the idea of a Freelancer ID. The ID is for individuals not factions. Lastly and most importantly to me, Your 3 sentences of description for your faction that you say you have put alot of time into seems insufficient.
Quote:Another point to consider is using the Freelancer ID, goes against the idea of a Freelancer ID. The ID is for individuals not factions.
Zelot, the Indy Trader ID was merged into the Freelancer ID. He would have used that if it was still around, but it isn't. Using the FL ID is fine here.
' Wrote:Zelot, the Indy Trader ID was merged into the Freelancer ID. He would have used that if it was still around, but it isn't. Using the FL ID is fine here.
Orin, I dont really think you are the arbiter of what is ok and what is not, neither am I. I understand the Trader ID and the Freelancer ID are being merged. The Freelancer ID was never intended to be used by a faction. Also, the Indy Trader ID was also never intended for Faction use. How many of the official trading factions do you see using the Trader ID. They are independent ID's indicating that factions should find another ID to use.
"Noted", but how else would a non-affiliated trading group go about this? If they use a corporation's ID, they'll be seen as them, but if they use a neutral ID, they'll be seen as ooRP?
This piece recently aired on Good Morning Manhattan...
Good Morning Manhattan, this is Si G'miley, your host. Today we have a very interesting show for you, and we are going to start it out with an interview with the Merovingian, C.E.O. of a brand new company called InterPlanetary eXpress.
Si: Good Morning and welcome to the show.
Merv: Good morning and thank you for having me.
Si: So I thought we could stir things up a bit today and I we could conduct this as an interview, the portion where the prospect asks the questions about the new company. I'll apply as lets say an owner/operator.
Merv: Sounds lovely. Our HR department has taken this job from me for the most part, it would be nice to get back to the 'roots'.
Si: Alright, that sounds great. Lets start it off.
Si: What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
Merv: That question almost answers itself. We are a new company, in the process of registering with the Administration of Sirius. This limits us somewhat, in that we cant just 'come and go as we please', but also limits the amount of nefarious organizations trying to thwart our operations on a daily basis. We were founded about a month ago and eagerly await licensing from several organizations.
Si: What is the organization's plan for the next five years, and how does this department fit in?
Merv: We plan to become a fully licensed company first and foremost. Then we plan to grow our trade routes to any destination that will accept us peacefully. We plan on lobbying houses to make trade free and fair, and we plan to take an active part against slavers. The owner/operator wing will fit into this task by trading on [Ipx] approved routes with [Ipx] escorts, and recording and reporting any slaver activity.
Si: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
Merv: We believe in diplomacy before guns. You need to have a level head and an ability to work with all kinds of people. Also the ability to captain a large ship is a pre-requisite.
Si: What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
Merv: You would be responsible for piloting your ship between pre-determined destinations, and observing all applicable laws during that time. You would also be responsible for monitoring any pirate activity, slaver activity, and 'legal' activity during this time. We like to keep records here at [Ipx], it helps with future diplomacies and any legal issues that may arise.
Si: What responsibilities have the highest priority?
Merv: That is an excellent question, one that deserves to be addressed, and one that (hopefully) sets [Ipx] a cut above the rest. As anyone who has ever taken a business class understands, the number one ethical responsibility of any business is to make money. You can't have shareholders without profits, or they simply won't hold your shares. That being said, the number one responsibility of a transport pilot is fly your route (obviously thereby bringing profit to the table). However, this translates to "fly your route and keep alive". If you are dead and your ship is destroyed profitability is out the window. Most people don't like being cloned, and many people wear "do not clone' orders similar to the 'DNR' orders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. So to answer your question in a sentence: "Your number one responsibility is to fly your assigned route, secondary to that you should record any incidents that are non standard events, and of course do so while observing [Ipx] policies.
Si: It really is refreshing to see a corporation that values human life so much. It was a pleasure having you and I look forward to seeing you again sometime.
Merv: The pleasure is mine sir, thank you for having me.