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.
05 Sep 2022, 6:57pm
"Does an ant colony think it is superior to its prey? Does it feel that the aphids it farms are its subordinates? I doubt it, inferiority and superiority are human ideas. What is so wrong with an alien that has existed for millions of years thinking of us as little more than parasites? Ecologically are we not? At least to them? I don't think to them it is a grudge, anger, or cultural superiority. I think we are an infection of bacteria, one that now must be treated with antibiotics. We had a chance at coexistence, becoming part of the galactic biome. But now... now I think we crossed a line. A line that they didn't cross. They are an old species, one that did not come hunting us. I am sure if they wished to annihilate us they would have done so long ago, and they didn't. Perhaps Salvation changed them, they are now swarming. Yes, you are right Guardians did leave them space, but did their independent pilots hunt them as we do? Did a small faction of them try and destroy them like Salvation or INRA for that matter? Millions of years of life and you most likely have a long memory."

I light the cigar and take a long drag.

"I love humanity, we are strong and for all of our mistakes, I think we make up for it with our ability to see beauty. I just don't think we have given peace a real chance. But if it is us or them now, I want it to be us that wins...... Do you think we can win?"


Last edit: 05 Sep 2022, 7:19pm
05 Sep 2022, 11:19pm
Lighting up a cigar and making a first puff, I looked at my companion, shrugged and replied calmly.

"People here may enjoy philosophising... While out there, in the Pleiades, Witch Head, Coalsack, it's no exquisite philosophy about giving up your life to keep them at bay. It just... happens sometimes. It's you, or hundreds of innocents. Each time you respond to a signal, you keep that option in mind. It becomes natural to you."

I nodded at one of my sleeves, one with the blooded AXDF patch, that was decorating the fresh uniform.

"Got lucky."

Making another sip of coffee while it's still warm, I was thinking about... The right words, perhaps.

"Do not underestimate us. They may wish to annihilate us and they may even try. I promise you, they will have a hard, hard time trying. They are not endless, and the skirmishes at the fringes drain them as well as us. Were draining. And keeping locked. However, Salvation... He was an idiot who decided to start a full-scale war, but, oops, died prematurely. But also, he was a power-hungry psychopath with a god complex, so, he, and the superpower leaders", I pointed at the 'Achenar' marking on the cigar saying this, "...they were speaking the same language. No surprise he found a path to get so much support and scapegoat Aegis. So... Instead of keeping them at the borders... Buying a time for the scientists to do everything the right way... Looks like we will have to fight with... Uh. With what we have now."

Uhhh... Long monologues still were posing a certain difficulty for me.

"On the other hand... What he did... He popularised the knowledge about the Thargoid threat. The... Severity of it. And, I hope, I really hope... You folks, here, will learn how to shoot them... As good as you shoot each other in your endless, meaningless infightings."
07 Sep 2022, 3:24am
I take a glance over at your conversation, eyebrows slightly raised.

"You said something earlier about their greed. So what if they think all space is theirs? Don't we all? Every time one of us humans scouts out a new star or planet or moon, we slap our name on it after carting the data back to U.C. We've got stations and outposts scattered from Orion to Sagittarius A, and whenever the bugs start poking around within a light century of them we get all uppity."

A sip of scotch causes me to wince.

"What do you expect them to do when we start claiming places they've been using for who-knows-how-long? Like it or not, their desire to own stuff doesn't exceed ours in any respect. Calling them selfish and insatiable is one thing, but look we should take a look in a mirror before we start being confident about it, because we sure as hell do some nasty stuff in the name of property."
07 Sep 2022, 10:50am
I sigh, looking up from my data-pad with bloodshot eyes. Getting up from my seat at the bar, I bring my cold beer with me. Might as well give my side of the story. I say to the group:

"As someone who just got back from fighting the AXI in Taygeta, I apologize if some of you think I'm a traitor to our species. But I'm trying to save the space bees. I think they're important to galactic ecology, and we don't blame bees for stinging us when stealing their honey. For attacking their nests with hostile technology? What if there were consequences to wiping them out… it's not like that hasn't happened before. Am I a fool for thinking that we could coexist?''

I take a sip of my beer as I look at the uniform name tag.

"But since I'm not an idiot, Master Meowers, if any more starports are attacked I'll be there to evacuate survivors while you're keeping the space around them safe. I've been trying to snatch escape pods from them since I got to the Pleiades. Heck if I have the time, send me a wing and I'll give you cover. But you'll not see me escalating this interspecies conflict. We need to find a way to send a message to the Thargoids that not all humans choose this war… At this point we should be giving Aden Tanner a medal."
07 Sep 2022, 12:44pm
"There are anti-anti-xenos?" I ask, the incredulity in my voice bringing out a hint of the Low Imperial I usually suppress. "When you say fighting, do you mean really fighting? Stars, way the powers are gunning for Thargoids these days, I'm surprised you've not been executed yet."

I lean in a little, a shadow of a good-natured grin spreading from the corner of my mouth.

"Well then, how many bees have you made friends with? Or do thanks not number among the things that go through their heads?"
07 Sep 2022, 4:07pm
"No sir, just xenos. We're all xenos.

Turns out I'm not dead yet because I happen to help the people I work against to stay in their good graces. They see the value in not making me a corpse. I can't say that for the leader of the X.I. who has been wanted for years by most authorities. I'm willing to hear him out though and see where this leads."

I think for a moment...

"I've been interdicted many times by Thargoids, they've all ended peacefully. That's not something I can say for being interdicted by another human."


Last edit: 07 Sep 2022, 6:20pm
07 Sep 2022, 4:34pm
(Attempting true neutral alignment RP)
07 Sep 2022, 5:50pm
I look around at the new arrivals to the conversation. Both make very good points. I realize for the first time that the galactic opinion perhaps might be on a huge shift toward peace sentiment.

"Several of you Imperials may know that before the events of recent weeks we would not be able to breathe a word of these sentiments in Imperial space. We would lose all status and rank if even a slave heard us say these things. Crazy how things change so quickly."

I take a long drag of the cigar and grab two more from my jacket pocket. I toss them to Carthold and Veaceslav.

"Have any of you heard of the Mudlarks? Something us Imperials try and forget, especially those of us trained in xenobiology. What a loss it was when we needlessly killed the whole species. I just fear we will do the same now. Mind you I wouldn't say any of this if we were in an Imperial starport."
07 Sep 2022, 6:17pm
I catch the cigar, and bring out an electric lighter after setting down my beer.

"As an independent loyal to the Federation, I can't help but call out the Federation's hypocrisy for starting a war with the Empire because of the extermination of the true natives of Achenar. And then being completely on board with more xenocide against the Thargoids."

I take a few puffs and nod to Baron Rigel in thanks.

"No offense Imperials, I know none of us were there back then. I blame our leaders, not the people. I just hope we can do better."
08 Sep 2022, 5:36am
I eye the cigar thoughtfully, before shrugging and sneaking in before Carthold's lighter goes out.

"I've got to say, one of the main reasons I keep to Alliance space these days is because people there aren't quite as gung-ho about this whole xenocide business. Who knows, maybe if it all goes to shit I'll have some time to get a head start over to Colonia before they finish wiping out Imperial and Federation military assets."

I take a puff of my own cigar before coughing violenty, sputtering and gingerly putting it down.

"Granted, like Meowers said, we are good at killing things. Unless the guys at the top suddenly shift to diplomacy, I'm a bit worried for the bugs. It's a shame; I do wish we'd tried to act with bloody compassion for once in our history. If we did, our galaxy might have become a bit less lonely."

I knock back the rest of my whiskey, trying to clear my airways a bit. "Sorry Mr. Kynes, it was worth a try," I apologise, looking at the cigar. "Here, I'll buy you a drink to mitigate the loss."
08 Sep 2022, 3:49pm
"Sounds delightful!"

SO I wave to the waiter.

"I'll take an old-fashioned, with that Cubeo Gold you have on the shelf back there. "

After I get the drink I take a long sip, tasting the sweetness of the simple syrup and exquisite notes of the Cubeo Gold. I realize it has been silent for a long moment, perhaps everyone is lost in thought. So I say:

"I always wonder if they really do exist mostly in hyperspace. I mean, I know we have found worlds that have their structures and even ammonia planets that are in systems under their control. But we have found no hives of them, no cities, no trade routes. I wonder if ammonia plants are just where they evolved millions of years ago, and now they operate mostly in hyperspace/witchspace. How do you beat an enemy that exists in a place we hardly can reach? How could we begin to even plan a real attack on a species that only partially exist where we can attack? It's like if a water bug were to start attacking a person who just dipped their toes in a pool, all they see are the toes and think they are fighting the whole invader. In reality, they are just seeing a tiny fraction of the whole. Are we doing the same?"


Last edit: 08 Sep 2022, 4:00pm
08 Sep 2022, 4:13pm
A part of me was a bit surprised seeing the conversation attracting so much people... And another part wasn't. Because it was all about the Thargoids these days. Whatever kind of shit Salvation did, at least he found out how to say them 'they exist'.

But, I hope, I really hope all those folks won't learn about 'what they do' the hard way.

So, after catching my breath, I decided to contribute to the talking.

"Khm... History likes to repeat itself until learned well. Guardians tried to 'negotiate'. And it wasn't us who fired a first shot. And also... Interdicting a vessel is originally an aggressive move. What if, for a second, I don't want someone forcefully sticking their nose... Or whatever they have for a nose... In my own business? So, they're catching us, like animals, inferior to them, and inspecting for anything of their interest. And if you have something of their interest... You know what will happen next. Some say that people rob other people too. But not every human is a space mugger... But every Thargoid is hostile to you if you're reluctant to hand over what you have of their interest. Be it a little brick of meta-alloys... Or a station, hundreds of thousands of innocents, orbiting a planet that they want to have. And their scouts. They're aggressive by their nature."

Looking at what's left of my coffee, I've signalled the waiter to bring me another one. Mental note: local coffee might be tasty, but it definitely won't energise you much after you got used to our almost black 'rocket fuel'.

"Imagine them invading Sol. Or Alioth. Or Achenar. Or Lave. Just because they want it. And, thinking of that... How philosophising might help us with stopping the war?"
08 Sep 2022, 5:02pm
I think about what Meowers said for a long moment. I take in a pull of the cigar and hold it way too long, not even noticing how it burns. I cough and sputter.

"Excuse me I was lost in thought about what you said. Have you ever read the very old novel Enders Game? In the book, there is a species of alien that is utterly different than humans. Some much so that they consider individuals nothing more than drones, just parts of a whole. While I would never take scientific truth from an ancient fiction book, I think there is something to be said on the subject. While interdiction/hyperdiction maybe seem like an aggressive act to us. It may not be to them. Hell, killing us may not be an aggressive act to them. As I said inferiority is a human concept."

I take a breath and swig of my old-fashioned, and continue:

"I would also say that we WERE the ones to make the first shot. There are many vids of those early hyperdictions where the thargoid vessel would scan and just jump away. In many of those vids, a Commander would try firing on the vessel after the thargoid was beginning to jump. Most knew they couldn't kill the alien, but they were curious about what they could do. I am not sure I would have been able to resist either. And on your point about the guardians, we have no way of knowing how that ended, what happened right before the end when they were wiped out."

I sit up in alarm, thinking and fearing what just popped into my head.

"What if to them, none of this has been a war? What if to them the real first shot was what Salvation did? Everything else may have just been drones interacting with each other. While this excuses nothing of what they have done, perhaps it could help us understand. Perhaps that's why the Guardians failed at diplomacy? How can you speak to something that has a totally different mentality? Its like talking to a bee or ant pile."
08 Sep 2022, 5:33pm
I look down at my own cigar, and then hold it up.

"I take this tobacco in promise that one day you'll be able to speak you mind regardless of the starport, Baron Rigel."

I finish the rest of my beer, and take a seat across from Meowers.

"I don't know too much about the Guardians, haven't gotten over to Ram Tah yet. But I know the basics and I've been to their ruins. I love learning history. Perhaps you could inform us on the details of the Guardians diplomatic offers to the Thargoids?"

I sigh and flick my ashe into a tray.

"Because I feel everything you just said can be applied to all three of our species... even if the Thargoids have an insect mentality (I gesture over to the Baron) I get the feeling the Guardians gave them a deal they couldn't compromise on, a deal that was an insult to them. Imagine the Federation proposing peace with the Empire on the condition of giving them Achenar?"


Last edit: 08 Sep 2022, 5:43pm
08 Sep 2022, 11:02pm
I sighed and shrugged. What I was going to say was laying in open access for years.

"It's all in open access. For a long time. Even that Ram Tah guy confirmed that... During the Guardian-Thargoid war, they were making good progress in understanding those Thargoid woo-woo sounds. Did them no good. Bugs were reluctant to speak, remained as hostile as they were been since the first day of their return... That was actually the day when the war started, from what we know. After finding Guardians on 'seeded' planets, they started fighting without asking why."

Making a sip of coffee, I added.

"They are naturally aggressive. Been like that for millions of years."

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