ID's

[sovereign]

I treat generic IDs as unaffiliated, and base my character's perception based on their equipment and actions. I also lump them into general categories, none of which are inherently lawful/unlawful - although lawful characters should always assume that people are lawful unless proven or suggested otherwise (without regard to their ID)-

Pirate, Mercenary, Freelancer in a fighter, Vigilante, Slaver in a fighter, etc... "Freelancer"
Independent Trader, Smuggler, Slaver in a transport, Freelancer in a transport, etc.. "Trader"

However, faction IDs are a little more open. If you're carrying an Outcast ID, it is a clear signal that you consider yourself an Outcast and do not pretend to the lawfuls that you are anything else. It's not unlike how soldiers carry dog-tags even in enemy territory; you belong to group x, and you are proud of it.

IFFs are always visible (that's the whole idea- "Identify Friend or Foe") but on generic IDs indicate who you associate with rather than who you are.

Still, it's a tough call. "Pirate ID" on a rather unassuming ship is a bit trickier than the others- but I would reprimand any lawful under my command for basing their decisions on someone having a Smuggler ID versus a Trader ID.

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