Consultation: Privateers

[Proselyte]

My rationale here is that there is minimal Gallic civilian activity in the Taus, given that Gallia "formally" relinquished its stakes in Tau-23 through the Treaty of Rishiri. 90% of external trade by Gallic corporations would route through the Alsace Passage, given that Rheinland is their only official state trade partner.

Anyone who is looking to target Gallic trade (and also those cooperating with them) would almost certainly focus on Alsace, given that it is also less secure than either Gallic or Rheinland core space.

For a Bretonian effort, focusing on the Omega side also seems more likely due to its proximity to Sprague, where a significant portion of Leeds expats and survivors ended up. There'd be a relatively big support base there, and probably also opportunities for fencing goods.

That's reasonable. Takes us back to the original question, what with them going out on a thin branch over there, into a region with lots of current groups doing mechanically similar stuff.

I probably stay settled around A or B as being more appropriate than a full Privateer faction, then. An outer expression of Bretonia's shifted internal conditions that could expand into something more drastic later on.

[kotyafffsky]

I think the A variant of what to do with that sounds better. We do have Privateers keeping appearances here and there, maybe not too obvious at times, but they are out there. I think, pointing out on them (as this whole thread already did, which is awesome) is enough for people to catch the drift and play something out from it. The separate ID or the whole NPC faction indeed seems a bit redundant, if not to consider adding PvE activity such as Magpie mentioned. Why so?

Pirate ID already has the techcells mentioned for the Privateer ID, doesn't it? I believe it works this way to show that an independent pirate can originate from everywhere, which is nice and pretty flexible, considering having other techcells and it fits perfect for someone like Privateers.

Repsheet of Pirate ID is already red with lawfuls, and today's Privateers aren't looking like they are appreciated by any other lawfuls apart from those involved in their story. So that's nothing new.

ZoI? Well, that should bring something unique. Since Pirate ID has ZoI everywhere, except for pirating Combat ships inside House space, Privateers should have something more than that to be more unique. Maybe engagement lines? Pirating or straight up killing whatever they want as long as it checks out as Gallic or Rheinland traders may be a thing, buuuut.. You can play maquis for that murder hobo type of interactions in Alsace and Taus.

tl;dr For me Privateers sound as an awesome RP opportunity and inspiration source, rather than full-on faction with a separate ID, unless we want to make Bretonian Maquis.

[TheSauron]

I think showcasing growing Bretonian efforts to sabotage Gallia in any way possible are long overdue. Obviously biased here, but I also appreciate the proposal does not obsolete the Gaians' own creep for revenge through Orkney and into Languedoc. Got a little pincer going on here, even.

Option B is probably the best way to go about it early on. Just an ID without even its own IFF is an extremely low impact way of opening the avenue of Privateer activity without encroaching too much on the locals. Obviously there's gonna be mechanical overlap, with the LWB most of all, but I don't think that's avoidable. I also think the concept is interesting enough to be worth said overlap. I would recommend a typical unlawful ID with kill lines on Gallic ships throughout ZoI, and Rheinland shipping in Cologne/Zurich/Champagne, with Bretonia/Omegas/Rheinland/Cologne/Zurich/Champagne ZoI. Generic/pirate/BretBM gear. Maybe BretLawfuls guns if you're feeling like dropping some heavy-handed hints.

I would, however, raise the concern of overlapping with the BIS. The spooks are already oriented towards the Omegas and this feels like the kind of work that would fall under their purview. I feel like, if the Privateers were to show up, it'd render the intels a bit pointless. Maybe there'd be a way to fold the privateering efforts into the BIS instead?

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One MD Admiral

[Enkidu]

My rationale here is that there is minimal Gallic civilian activity in the Taus, given that Gallia "formally" relinquished its stakes in Tau-23 through the Treaty of Rishiri. 90% of external trade by Gallic corporations would route through the Alsace Passage, given that Rheinland is their only official state trade partner.

Anyone who is looking to target Gallic trade (and also those cooperating with them) would almost certainly focus on Alsace, given that it is also less secure than either Gallic or Rheinland core space.

For a Bretonian effort, focusing on the Omega side also seems more likely due to its proximity to Sprague, where a significant portion of Leeds expats and survivors ended up. There'd be a relatively big support base there, and probably also opportunities for fencing goods.

So long as this story thread doesn't suck the storyteam's regional attention away from the Unioners (who, on a functional level, are the primary pirate group in the Alsace Passage), I'm okay with B or C.

We've got an entire possible arc queued up with Imperial's expansion to Versailles, so, if this new lease of life for the Privateers is meant as flavor, rather than the focus for the region's piracy developments, I'm fine with it.

I think showcasing growing Bretonian efforts to sabotage Gallia in any way possible are long overdue.

I agree with TheSauron's take.

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

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[Lord Caedus]

I think option B is the best way to go about it for now, if only because the places a full NPC faction would get bases is already cluttered to hell with bases. I will say that while their focus should be on Gallic/Rheinland trade in the Alsace corridor, they should also to a lesser extent targeting Bowex/BMM ships, as they are working for a crown that they believe betrayed them and/or the Bretonian people. Not having them based purely in the Omegas would also give Bretonia its third unlawful group, which it needs to an extent. Oh and adding them in woul be a good reason to finally get the Bretonian BM ships Amba designed into the game properly.

I see the ZoI for them working as Bretonia and Bordering, Omega-7. Stuttgart, Cologne and Zurich. Ideally they'd get the entire Omegas ZoI, but with how many Omegas that would be, and how much area it covers, that'd be a bit too much.

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[ArgAdis]

Hi, allow me to share some opinions.

I've read the lore story while browsing the Official Factions (OFs) and Un-Official Factions (UOFs) of Bretonia. This discussion couldn't come at any better time (fresh knowledge and all).

Regarding the options presented,

I'd like options (a) combined with (b). A non-mechanical element of world building combined with a unique ID if some people wanted to represent the story.

Reason for considering option (a),

As per my knowledge, given the lack of player activities that play both Bretonia and Gallic, a new "faction" would not be appropriate (the worlds have become too cumbersome because there are lots to choose from).

So, let's keep the story as is, added some news on some bases (on an appropriate system). Just as you suggested, a non-mechanical element world building.

Reason for also considering option (b),

Having a unique ID for said faction would make some players eager to pursue the story of the faction presented by option (a), in my opinion.

So, let's also make some kind of requirement, a milestone if you will, in order to acquire the unique ID. As an example, if you have a rep point of -0.90 for all Gallic Union and incapacitated several of its vessels, you can purchase said ID on some bases, similar to how we bought armor.

The implementation of my suggestions might be possible. First, regarding option (a), the initial lore story was already great. Add some writing, it'll improve the story. Secondly, regarding option (b), all the data was already being recorded, the rep data, the number of vessels destroyed, and the implementation of "armor". It is doable.

Any further discussion about the re-implementation of the unique ID, what it can do and can't do, the vessel ID restrictions, and the ID "Zone of Influence" (ZOI), can be discussed in another thread and at a later date.

Thank you for reading and the patience.

[Sarwar]

Privateers require careful placement for the story. So..Privateers for story Devs only.

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[LaWey]

B, obviously, it just pirates who can fly in Bretonia without get shot by cops. If they would need some forward base they can build a pob, if there will be alot of hype through game, you can consider addition of NPC hideouts.

But tbh, i think efforts should be given to generally making gallic routes populated, privateers are fish which can live in already populated aquarium only.

[The_Godslayer]

But tbh, i think efforts should be given to generally making gallic routes populated, privateers are fish which can live in already populated aquarium only.

I once again bring up to @Krmloo specifically but now Jammi additionally my Hydrocarbon reworking ideas.

Gallia needs a main, necessary, and desirable import/export route.

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I'll do something about my superiority complex when I cease to be superior.

"Whatever happened to catchin' a good old-fashioned passionate ass-whoopin and gettin' your shoes, coat, and your hat tooken?"

[Enkidu]

Gallia needs a main, necessary, and desirable import/export route.

Agreed. Would be wonderful to see traders pouring through Zurich.

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

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(Links pending redevelopment).