Elite roleplay: The galactic bar

INGABA (Inara Galactic Bar)

Welcome to the swankiest bar and most popular bar on station. Located in the Pilot's market and due to its close proximity to the docks is heavily frequented by pilots and all manner of crew, tourists, and layover passengers. Dark, smokey and trimmed in neon lights and bits of tinsel, InGaBa plays only the best music straight from Radio Sidewinder and local DJ star, Janten Groove.

There are various tabled and seated cubby holes that patrons can hold private conversations as well the main bar top where all assortments of drinks and bar food can be ordered up. On the back of the bar on various shelves, from all over the galaxy, the fines and rarest ales preside. next to the impressive collection are several screens that can usually be seen playing adverts or the CQC championships.

It is the most prominent choice for meeting up with other pilots to discuss business discreetly, whatever they may be...

Notice booking the InGaBa for private functions require a deposit of 250,000 CR to cover potential damages.

InGaBa drinks menu:
  • Cubeo Gold - Mid Whiskey
  • Achenar Blue - Upscale Whiskey
  • Kamadhenu Red - Red wine
  • Old Sol - Scotch
  • Barnard's Choice - Gin
  • Crown Jewel - Cocktail
  • Pegasi moon - Pirate Surprise!
  • Supernova - Cocktail
  • Barron's Head - Beer
  • Lavian Brandy
  • Alioth Sparkling - Sparkling Wine
  • Jaques' Quinentian Still - Gifted by a mysterious benefactor, two of these rare devices now distill single shots of whiskey from whatever is on hand for the patrons of Ingaba.


General Roleplay Etiquette:

1. Control only the actions of your own character(s). (AKA: God Mode)
This doesn't matter how small the action is, even if it is as simple as scratching their nose or a direct reaction to something else that just happened. This applies to everything from casual conversation to full blown fight scenes. If you'd like someone to do something specific, PM that person, however keep in mind they are completely within their rights to say no. Especially if said action is inappropriate to their character and/or circumstance.

2. Don't brute force your way into another persons RP.
Approaching with a conversation starter is fine, or indeed some other small action. However charging in, guns blazing and disrupting the flow of another person/pair/groups conversation/arc is about as rude as doing so in real life. If something is going on that you'd like to participate in, be subtle about it. Put out a gentle hook for someone to take, but again, be aware that said hook may not be taken. If you fear it was simply unnoticed, PM the person or people it concerns. Or even leave a message in the OOC forums.

3. Good grammar and spelling is preferred.
We're not asking you to be perfect, but please at least demonstrate willingness. no1 iz gna tak u srsly usng txt spk. There's a wide variety of people here, many who speak English as a second, or even third language. There are even some with varying degrees of dyslexia and/or likely other issues that affect spelling/grammar. We accept them all here. However, people who aren't accepted, are those unwilling to accept polite correction. Remember that even a small thing like the placement of a comma, or the wrong use of there/their/they're can completely change the definition of an entire sentence.

4. Accept constructive criticism gracefully and politely.
If someone spots an issue with your writings, they may wish to help you improve that writing. They may do this through PM or even publicly air their thoughts on the OOC forum. If they have taken the time to be polite and explain what is wrong with your writing, the best way to behave is to respond in kind, using the same manner they have approached you with. It means they have taken an active interest in what you have written and wish to see more. Basically, you have a fan!

5. Don't take the actions or opinions of things done IN RP, to be directly relevant to the writers thoughts or opinions.
Basically, if some ones character calls your character a jackass, it doesn't mean the writer thinks you are a jackass. It's a ROLE they are PLAYING. Watch a movie. The argument between the characters isn't an argument between the actors involved. The same applies here.

6. It's not a popularity contest.
Your RP might be bustling with participants. You have 3 people off station in a fire fight, while another 2 are infiltrating the darkest areas of the station, meanwhile a group of 4 others are tracking your movements in an effort to stop you. Good for you, I'm sure it will be a thrilling read! But you know what? Sometimes the absolute BEST work, comes from two RP characters having a simple heart to heart. Both are valid, both are great, but NEITHER is categorically better than the other. Period.


Inara RP Etiquette:

1. Respect the setting and rules of the universe.
Inara is an Elite: Dangerous 3rd Party Tool. The RP Forums are set in the Elite: Dangerous universe. Elite: Dangerous has rules, as any fictional universe does from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, or Game of Thrones to Star Trek. If you intend to RP within the Elite: Dangerous universe you are bound by the history and rules of that universe. Simply put, this RP forum is bound by the same rules as the game, so if it can't be done in the game, it is not permitted here. This applies to things from a 50Ly Jump Range on a normal, unmodified Sidewinder, to the destruction of entire stations.

2. Respect the characters created by others.
We have a wide variety of characters already here. It's expected that some will be similar, just as it's expected that two characters will be vastly different. Opinions of each persons character will naturally be varied, but all are valid provided they follow the rules of the universe. You are allowed to interact with, or avoid interaction with, any character in the RP forums. But you have no right to belittle others for their creation. You are not an authority figure on writing, nor are you directly affected by another persons imagination. You might not like it, but you MUST respect it.

3. Be caught up on current events before joining in.
You need basic things like character descriptions in order to interact with them. You also need to know what's going on in the surrounding areas. This is simply because the people you are hoping to RP with, might be gearing up to something that you might not want to be part of. Or simply that the most recent post, out of context, could leave a different impression on the goings on than if you gather that context. We don't expect you to read every single post from the beginning of the forums, just enough to get that basic understanding.

4. Either subscribe to, or frequently check, the Roleplay: Q&A and OOC forum.
People may be discussing something relevant to you there, or even discussing you directly. Perhaps someone asked what the general consensus on the existence or non-existence of a certain object. Or we're just chatting about random gibberish. Either way, be aware of it and use it. If you're unsure about something, such as how guns would look and or behave, or even the music selection, use the OOC forum to ask. We don't have all of the answers, but the collective knowledge and logic usually allows us to overcome an issue and come to a decision on what should be allowed. Frontier Developments, and even David Braben himself, don't have the answers to every possible question that can be asked.

5. Large Scale events exploding out of nowhere are a complete no go.
We get it. Everyone wants their character to be noticed and for people to be tripping over themselves to interact with them. In some audiences, an introduction involving you blasting in for landing in a fiery wreckage of a ship, before cart wheeling out and sword fighting 35 Ninjas before whisking off with the local celebrity for a glorious night of passion, is in fact, cool. This is not one of those audiences. It is generally considered better to build your character up slowly over time. Eventually, you might even have a legitimate excuse to fight those Ninjas. Maybe even with other RP participants by your side.

6. Perfect characters are boring.
The point of a character arc, is that it is in fact, an arc shape. One who is morally unquestionable, fully kitted out and an infinite fountain of knowledge, cannot go through an arc. Give your character flaws. Be it a tendency towards befriending the wrong people, or a bad knee that frequently gives out at inopportune moments. It gives readers something to latch onto and empathise with. You can give your character exceptional capabilities at something, but it requires balance. She's a damn good pilot with no equal, but can't drive an SRV for peanuts. It can lead to some very interesting moments between characters, be it heartfelt or comedic.


Other Notes:
It should be noted that there can be exceptions to these points. For example, good grammar when a character is speaking is actually rare. Few people in real life actually speak with perfect eloquence after all. Or previously arranged actions during a fight scene, such as someone stumbling back after a punch. What's key to remember is context.

All in all, remember this is purely for fun. We have some seriously talented writers here, and others whose writing history starts and ends at high school. But many are willing to help out in whatever way they can. All it takes is that you ask nicely.

Also keep in mind that many people who RP here, also have logbook stories related to the character, or characters, they portray. If it looks like there's an "in joke" going on that you're unsure of, it's probably in those.

In fact, some users have even gone to the trouble of creating "alts" to RP with. If you read back far enough, it's usually pretty clear who has and hasn't, and which ones are the "alts". It's therefore not unheard of to see the apparent seizing of control of other characters. If you do spot one, point it out in the OOC section. If intervention is needed, it will be sorted quickly and (hopefully) politely.

Most, if not all RP participants here have Logbook stories pertaining to their character(s). These are for the reading pleasure of anyone who wishes to do so. While it can be useful to read them in order to gain a bit of backstory on a character you wish to interact with, it should not be assumed that your character shares that knowledge. Within the E:D Universe, these Logbooks either don't exist, or are private diaries kept by the characters. Either way, without explicit statements to say otherwise from the writer, your interactions should reflect that your character is in the dark about any information you, the writer/reader, have gained from reading the stories.
09 Sep 2022, 1:15am
I give Meowers a confused look...

"So wait... Did they have diplomatic attempts or not? Because that makes it sound like they still didn't and couldn't even communicate."
09 Sep 2022, 1:30am
Letting the puff of smoke out to the side, I replied:

"They tried. They tried to end the Thargoid attack with words. They made an effort to understand Thargoids. They tried to communicate and ask what the crap is happening. But looks like the only thing those bugs can really understand is violence."

I remembered bits of things that I saw, and was a part of, in the Pleiades. Things that I will remain a part of, until the end, when I recover fully. Pilots' stories from the mess, burning stations and settlements, evacuations, losses. Endless fighting. And now, with no Aegis around to conduct proper experiments and improve our chances. It made me silent for a moment, and then I tried to summarise those thoughts briefly.

"...I hope you will never learn it."
09 Sep 2022, 2:35am
I sit back while I see Meowers eyes change into a thousand yard stare. This one must have seen the worst of it. Be careful Carthold.

"... If anything, they probably understand actions more than words."

I look over at the bar and motion to the server for another cold one. An uncapped golden ale promptly arrives. We're probably going to be here a while.

I wait for other voices, knowing I've been talking too much this month.
09 Sep 2022, 3:47am
"Why shouldn't they?", I found myself even chuckling a little saying that. "This approach made them successful."

"And there's another... thing. That I want to say. Some people... They are worse than Thargoids. Thargoids are generally vile, aggressive and brutal. But some people...", smoking and thinking what to say next, I lost the track of seconds, and then, realising that it's taking too long already, finished the sentence. "But we deserve a chance to become a better kind of sentient species."
09 Sep 2022, 12:49pm
I lean back, a thoughtfully listening.

"It's strange times we live in, isn't it? I just wish there was a way to take back Salvation's blunder, assess it all a bit more carefully before acting."

A brief pause, before turning my head to Meowers. "Say, is there anything I can do to help humanity's efforts? I'm not much of a fighter, but I'm good under pressure and have a few good freighters scattered across a few shipyards. I think given the point we've come to, I should be doing a bit more to at least pave the way for some sort of progress.
10 Sep 2022, 4:40pm
I nod at Meowers words of human duality, of the hope of humankind. A thankful smile flitted across my face as I puffed away on the cigar.

She sounds a bit like...Aden Tanner?

After Veaceslav asked Meowers how he could give aid to her or the AXDF to help further the survival of our species... the group went silent.

What can we do?

I nursed my beer glancing around at everyone, but the quiet contemplating persisted.
I think of solutions, but I keep coming back to one.

The answer is right in front of us. Aegis. A shield held in defense of all, instead of a sword swinging madly like Azimuth.
10 Sep 2022, 4:52pm
"Hm. I'm no strategist, just done a bit of logistics here and there before it all go...", I look to the side, letting the cigar smoke away. "...you may guess. Just... Come and do what your heart says you to do. Places like that... They tend to show you what kind of person you really are. So. Bring supplies, trade stuff so locals could have their places running... Look for escape pods to bring them back and salvaged materials to examine, keep yourself and your ships ready to do some evac job if a station get attacked. Or you may want to learn fighting too. Who knows."

"People here say that the Thargoids could wipe us out if they want. But, they tried. More than once. They're limited in power and numbers as much as we are... And the stations are still hanging around. Our stations. They're keeping their distance... They know only violence and they will get that violence right in their faces if they come too close. Because there's people, brave and unselfish people, between the stations, the 'Bubble', and them... I will return there and will remain there, to the end, when my wounds heal fully. This is where I belong. The more of them are locked up in that endless war out there... The more time science folks here have to improve our chances. So, we're literally buying them time. If only we had Aegis..."


Finishing this long monologue, I lean back and take a pause to catch my breath, inhaling and exhaling steadily and feeling how the pain in the ribs fades. Holding a cup of coffee in my hands, looking at it, unfocused, distantly, I think... Do these guys really care? Maybe, while I was out there, stationed in the Pleiades, with each day being look-alike... Maybe something had changed here, in their minds? That Salvation guy, again... He was a master of manipulations, making the superpower leaders believe him, and support him, he knew which buttons to press. What originally was a war of defence, when the Thargoids came to attack us, the same way they did it to Guardians, became more something like 'a willing to show them our power', the level of power we don't have actually, but the power that every leader here wants to achieve and feel, in their spoiled dreams. No wonder people are starting to gather against that, now offensive, movement. It makes me even... Angry. But, I suppress that effectively, thinking that... If people, in general, still don't have an idea about what the Thargoids will do to them, then I'm playing my part well.


Last edit: 10 Sep 2022, 4:58pm
11 Sep 2022, 12:46am
At the mention of Aegis my eyes shot up. As the alcohol gave me a confidence boost I blurted out:

"Aegis isn't gone. Salvation f'ed them over and it's a skeleton of it's former self but they're still here... When my independent home system was invaded by the EDF while I was trying to create a new political party, I went to Aegis Core in Sol for aid. The EDF and LP Free have a peace agreement after they took control, but the squadron representing Aegis voted to help me make sure new factions are not bogged down by locked systems..."

I thought for a moment...

"Your queen may have broken ties, but I think if she's a true queen... She'll listen to her subjects... We need to work together. All of us. I'd be willing to help Aegis Imperium rise back from the ashes."
11 Sep 2022, 5:45am
"Hold on, you've gotten a little ahead of me here. Aegis? Who's this? Some pre-Salvation xeno-hunting agency?"
11 Sep 2022, 6:58am
"Aegis. Definition: Protection; Backing; or Support. It was once the shield of humanity. The Federation, Empire, and Alliance working together. Researchers, Military Specialists all with the common goal of defending us from threats to humanity. When we realized the Thargoids we're a threat to us all, they had to act... Built experimental AX weapons and researched the Thargoids independently. Not of the gain of one group, but all. 'Salvation' was intentionally escalating the conflict by bringing more guardian technology to the bubble so he and his corporation could profit off this war. And Aden Tanner got blamed for trying to stop it. He's a damn good man, he deserves exoneration..."

At that exact moment, I get a notification on my data-pad. I look at the screen with eyes narrowed. I extinguish my cigar on the ashtray and stand up.

"Well... as I have an election to win to keep my birthplace under the control of my native independent democracy, I must take my leave and sleep off this alcohol."

But before I leave I salute the group and say:

"Between unity and division stands independence."
11 Sep 2022, 6:27pm
Hearing Carthold's words, I nodded slightly and said, quietly, almost whispering:

"Independence... I believed in it back then..."
11 Sep 2022, 8:20pm
"I will take my leave as well. The Imperial Science Academy and Canonn are sending me on an expedition to look for habitable worlds in case of the worst-case scenario."

Skylab Habitable World Survey

I tamp out my cigar and down the last of my drink, with dark worries in my head.

"Thank you all for your companionship! Put anything you wish on my tab. I am a Baron now so the Empire pays for my drinks."

I nod and start to leave.


Last edit: 11 Sep 2022, 9:48pm
12 Sep 2022, 1:08am
"Well, it's been a good chat, everyone."

I get up from my seat, nodding my head and mimicking a tipping of my non-existent hat.

"See you around."
27 Sep 2022, 8:31am
While still feeling woozy I enter the establishment hoping to find a quiet corner to catch up with recent developments, listen to the stories of others and enjoy a premium blue.

I order A. Blue, and B.Head as a chaser. I start cleaning my pipe while eyeing the place for a talkative soul.

When I'm done pressing the flake-cut tobacco, I switch on my comms. I check if my crew is getting the repairs done. After that, I switch to GalNet to read headlines.
24 Oct 2022, 10:03pm
MeowersUne partie de moi a été un peu surprise de voir la conversation attirer autant de monde... Et une autre partie ne l’était pas. Parce que tout tournait autour des Thargoids ces jours-ci. Quel que soit le genre de merde que Salvation a fait, au moins il a découvert comment les dire « ils existent ».

Mais, j’espère, j’espère vraiment que tous ces gens n’apprendront pas à la dure « ce qu’ils font ».

Alors, après avoir repris mon souffle, j’ai décidé de contribuer à la discussion.

« Khm ... L’histoire aime se répéter jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit bien apprise. Les gardiens ont essayé de « négocier ». Et ce n’est pas nous qui avons tiré un premier coup de feu. En prime... Interdire un navire est à l’origine un geste agressif. Et si, une seconde, je ne veux pas que quelqu’un lui colle le nez avec force... Ou tout ce qu’ils ont pour nez... Dans ma propre entreprise? Donc, ils nous attrapent, comme des animaux, inférieurs à eux, et inspectent tout ce qui les intéresse. Et si vous avez quelque chose de leur intérêt... Vous savez ce qui va se passer ensuite. Certains disent que les gens volent aussi d’autres personnes. Mais tous les humains ne sont pas des agresseurs de l’espace... Mais chaque Thargoid vous est hostile si vous êtes réticent à céder ce que vous avez de leur intérêt. Que ce soit une petite brique de méta-alliages... Ou une station, des centaines de milliers d’innocents, en orbite autour d’une planète qu’ils veulent avoir. Et leurs éclaireurs. Ils sont agressifs de par leur nature. »

En regardant ce qui reste de mon café, j’ai fait signe au serveur de m’en apporter un autre. Note mentale: le café local peut être savoureux, mais il ne vous donnera certainement pas beaucoup d’énergie après vous être habitué à notre « carburant de fusée » presque noir.

« Imaginez qu’ils envahissent Sol. ou Alioth. Ou Achenar. Ou lave. Juste parce qu’ils le veulent. Et, en pensant à cela... Comment philosopher pourrait-il nous aider à arrêter la guerre ? »

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ROLEPLAY ONLY! Respect the universe settings!
If you are new here, please try to at least partially involve in the ongoing stories and conversations instead of establishing a completely different "arc". You can always turn it to a different story later.