Smuggler ID vs Trader ID...

[Baltar]

The IDs in my opinion are just OORP objects which allow players to tell who and what a player is, using game mechanics.

A smuggler ID could represent a player with faulty IFF and trading records, but they shouldn't necessarily be attacked or persecuted by lawful authorities unless caught.

Traders and Smugglers should be treated the same by lawfuls with one exception ... lawfuls watch the Smugglers a bit more cautiously. Traders smuggle just as much (if not more) than actual Smugglers and Smugglers carry as much lawful cargo as Traders.

The true difference is that the money earned by a Smuggler usually goes to provide support for unlawful factions like Outcasts, Corsairs, Blood Dragons, Golden C's, Liberty Rogues, Mollys, Red Hessians, etc. Traders use their money to support lawful factions such as Liberty Navy, LSF, LPI, Rheinland Military, Bretonian Armed Forces, Kusari Navy, etc.

The difference between Smuggler and Trader is a role play difference. If you don't get that then you probably spend all your time on the lawful side pounding unlawfuls anyway.

Smugglers role play is to smuggle stuff past the lawfuls. Traders role play is to get lawful cargo from point A to point B without being pirated.

EDIT: Removed the flame.