As Hyung Soong's question was directed to the admins, I didn't post here before, but PMed him my impressions. I think, though, that I can add one perspective over this issue. I'm quoting here what I wrote to him:
Quote:Hey, man, I'm not an admin, but I'd like to give you my impressions over the matters you have pointed out.
Q.1: Do you consider there to be one LN? Do you consider there to be one LSF?
Yes, specially in the case of the military factions. It's impractical, in terms of reason, to understand these institutions any other way. Military organizations are monolithic and hierarchical.
Q.1b: Do you consider the "official' player faction as the authority in the systems that they have an interest or are said to own that system from the infocards?
First, you have to consider that the military NPC factions do represent the sovereign power of the nation they represent. Second, the official factions have subjected themselves to the scrutiny of the rest of the community and have acquired the status of official after being deemed acceptable in its role and procedures by it. It not a stretch, but reasonable part of their role play that these factions hold authority over the systems they have an interest in.
Quote:A military is an organization authorized by its nation to use force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats.
Q.2: Do the unofficial players of the LSF and or the LN have to obey any orders given to them by official players?
Being the monolithic aspect of the military organizations, considering that independent characters belong to any other RP entity that it's not the exact same one that the player faction characters do is shattering the RP for that entity. As such, if a player is properly tagged and IDed after a military faction, that player belongs to the same organization as the official players do. The real problem is where to put that player inside the chain of command. Considering the organized and dedicated aspect of the official factions and the commitment they have assumed over that role with the community, it is of good tone, from independent players, to fit in inside the structure of that official organization. Any other position than the lowest rank would be a circumvention of that organization's structure, so that will be the role that independent characters will be likely assigned by the faction. And that, in its turn, implicates in them obeying orders from the player faction group. In turn, given the fact that the player doesn't really belong to their organization, the player faction characters (in fact players) should tone down their virtual position of power over those independent characters to try and not "force" them into situations they are not prepared or not willing to participate in (ex: PvP).
The dynamics should be one of inclusion, cooperation and mutual respect. It's possible for independent characters to work with the player faction, rather than clash directly against it.
Q.3: What are the benefits of obeying those orders?
It helps create the suspension of disbelief environment to everyone involved. As I've said before, military organizations are hierarchical and monolithic. If you have two, three, seven characters, each playing their version of a military, that RP entity crumbles down and it's detrimental for everyone involved. Players join military factions because they want to play the structure, the chain of command and the organization. Rogue characters (the ones not only unwilling to operate alongside the structure outlined by the factions, but that clash against it) are hurting that for everyone inside the player faction and "passersby".
Q.4: What are the consequences of not obeying orders?
Disruption of the suspension of disbelief for everyone involved. How can a military person not take orders? Why would anyone join a military force if they can't take orders?
Q.4b: Are there benefits to not obeying those orders?
I can't see any.
Q.5: Is there a place for official players to obey unofficial players orders?
The official player factions benefit from the fact that there are a number of players creating their structure and procedures. The official factions' players each contribute to their factions, so the actions of the characters in game aren't made up by one person, but are the consequences of the reasoning between a number of players that are dedicated to that RP entity. As such, it's more reasonable for official faction players to dictate the proceedings than the other way around. It's the work, impressions and reasoning of a number of people against the whims of a single person. That doesn't mean that an independent can't contribute to a official faction's reasoning, but that's something that belongs to the metagaming realm. If an independent wishes to contribute to the faction, the last thing he'll do is try and break its structure down in game.
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