Help a new pilot!

[Echo 7-7]

Welcome aboard. It's always nice to have a new player with some fresh enthusiasm join us!

Versions of the Discovery mod:
No, all you need is the latest version, v4.85. The first time you run the mod, you will need to install a small update - which is automated - but that's it.

About Factions:
- There are both Official and Unofficial Factions.
- Typically, Official Factions represent the NPC factions of the orginial Freelancer game... with a few extras. Not every NPC faction has an Official Faction to represent it. Most official factions have been around for quite a while and have established a reputation for themselves. They are often influential in local in-roleplay politics.
- Unofficial Factions are usually (but not always) smaller and newer than Official Factions. Typically, they will either be building themselves up to applying to become an Official Faction; or they may choose to explore certain roleplay in a different style to vanilla freelancer lore.
- From my perspective, Official Factions can be characterised by the double-edged sword of responsibilities and priveleges, whereas Unofficial Factions have a degree of freedom.

Joining Factions:
- Each Official Faction has a subforum dedicated for their personal use. From the main forum menu, Discovery Roleplaying -> Factions -> select area -> select faction.
- Each Official Faction has a recruitment thread within the subforum. Usually, you will have to post in that thread in-character to demonstrate your roleplaying abilities. The style varies between factions; some like you to fill out a form or questionnaire, whereas others choose more free-form discussion. I recommend reading successful applications to see what works, and what does not.
- Unofficial Factions do not have dedicated subforums or recruiting forms. The best way to join is to send a Personal Message over the forums to the faction leader. Take a look through Discovery Roleplaying -> Factions -> Other Factions and Groups, to find any information pages they might have posted.

Pros and Cons of being in a faction.
Pros:
- Factions will usually help you equip your faction ship.
- Flying with buddies is always nice, since space can get lonely when seeing only NPCs!
- They can provide help when you're in trouble, and advice when you've got questions.
Cons:
- They may restrict what ship you can fly depending on your rank.
- You will have to conform to certain roleplay elements which personify the faction. If you want to join the faction, then you are probably happy to do this.

I'm sure there may be others, but none spring to mind right away.

Flying Capital Ships:
- Big ships, from destroyers to battleships, require a "Guard ID" from the respective faction. They are a variation on that NPC Faction's standard ID.
- Guard IDs can only be acquired when you are extremely friendly to the NPC faction. This can be achieved by completing many, many missions for them.
- Not every faction has a Guard ID. Only factions which have a Guard System have a Guard ID.
- Capital Ships themselves are expensive to buy an equip - several orders of magnitude above a fighter.

... I've run out of steam for the moment.
Check out this video, even if that particular mining location has since been de-activated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBtSR4u5P6w

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There was a sig here, once.