RE: The sanction of the Hess/Bret Combined Forces BattleGroup

[Diomedes]

I think this whole debacle highlights a number of weaknesses in the current Disco rules, IDs and so on:

Lawful/Unlawful definitions are muddy at best. RHA, BAF are pretty clear yes. How about Council and GRN? Junkers? Outcasts inside Bretonia? How about a Freelancer friendly with LN, Blood Dragons and Corsairs? Maybe it's time to consider using other definitions in the rules than a far too simplistic un/lawful.

The allying clauses in the IDs tend to be awful, and get outdated faster than the IDs are redone. Just took a look at the Bret Privateer again with a critical eye, and it can only ally with Bret Lawfuls and GC. With Gallia the main enemy now, what about the Council or Brigands? (Apparently I need to post in the ID feedback, and I will after this).

On that note, are these allying clauses in the IDs even really needed? It is already a server rule (6.9) that players must follow the diplomacy of the NPC faction. So do we really need a line stating this over again in the ID that may later constrain some completely legitimate (but originally unseen) RP? Again, using a privateer as an example: why wouldn't a privateer cooperate with an RR hunting Gallics? RR are not wanted in Bretonia as far as I know, and it makes complete sense to join forces for more firepower and plain survival behind enemy lines.

Sanctions and enforcement that stem either from precedent that players who haven't been here for years won't know, or arbitrary judgement calls. Where is it stated that grouping = allying in the rules or the IDs? If grouping truly is the only issue in this sanction, should there not be a clear rule stating: To enter a group with is to directly ally with another player? Yes, my QCP was in a group with a Brigand the other day because a bunch of diplomacy RP was happening and he was touring me through Gallia to help us get oriented. It's a lot easier to chat constantly in formation flight. And if that is okay, then what about at that instant a couple RN ships attacked us both, now are we allied and in violation?

Sanctions that are just too creative. Creativity in sanctions is not a bad thing to me, but it does have to stay professional and fair. A free-for-all on unmounted equipment is not a good way to sanction for anything. If compensation for the parties hurt by the sanctioned action is the goal, just do so directly. It would save the OORP hate and ensure the players who were actually wronged benefited from the compensation, not just those who log a certain system at the right time.

Think that's everything that came to mind. It's late, any mistakes are my own.

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