Authority of Independents

[McNeo]

I voted no, for reasons below:

I believe that the independant player deserves the same rights as the faction players when they earn it, or more if they work hard for it. Most do not fall into any category except "could do better".

Most doesn't mean all however.

I can only use examples from the Corsairs as I know them better than any other faction...

The Corsair, Benjamin Laowai, is an independant character, and has more rights, responsibilities, respect and power than most independants and faction members. He's earnt it over those that choose to be a Corsair because the Praefect looks cool, or the Osiris is the best battleship for pvp (which is a popular myth).

There will always be a heirarchy of authority. Factions earn it by paying collosal sums of money and bringing organisation to their NPC faction. Those two things take a lot of time, the second especially.

Indies can earn it by displaying RP on a consistant basis, respecting the factions and working with, not against, the factions of that NPC faction. Laowai has made it quite clear that everything he does is motivated by RP, even when it could be personal (for example, his distaste for the Corsair capship register).

Authority comes when you earn it. It doesn't come free when you make a character, buy an ID and rep up your ship.

However, that said, I think the recent decision by Bs| was wrong in that it is dictatorial and uncompromising. Saying you will rule with an iron fist and then asking to work with indies is sending out two polarized messages to people.

The Factions vs Indies arguement is really blown out of proportion right now. The bottom line is, Factions start with more authority/power than individuals, but said individuals can work their way up above the factions with devotion to their role.