Guard Systems

[Drake]

I have a little problem with Guard systems. Specifically, I have a little problem with the fact that they exist, and seem to exist for no purpose other than to have a place to stick high-grade equipment and to let factions build a bunch of stuff which only they ever get to see/use, some of which doesn't make any sense at all from a wider RP perspective. They generally serve no purpose within the RP of Discovery, though there are a few exceptions (Omicron-74 for example, though why the Zoners would build a Freeport right next to another Freeport makes little sense to me).

Generally speaking, the Guard systems are 'owned' by a player faction, who are generally the only people who get to use the system. Even indies of the same faction often aren't particularly welcome, though they're allowed in to buy equipment because the rules say it must be so. And that rule caused endless amounts of whining. As for other characters, entering a Guard system often means very quick death, because the NPCs in most Guard systems are pumped to absurd power levels and come in absurd numbers, for the sole purpose of keeping people other than the owners from using the system. If you're not hostile to the silly Guard NPCs, or can survive them somehow, you're still labeled as OORP for using the Guard system, like you should just ignore that it's there and never, ever go near it.

I propose that Guard systems actually get integrated into the Discovery universe, as opposed to existing as their own separate little islands of 'reality'.

(Note: I'm leaving for most of the day in a while, so I won't be replying to anything for some time. Everyone enjoy the thread until I return.)

(Edit: A fine way to spend my 2000th post, eh?)