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.
11 Aug 2023, 4:54pm
I exhaled deeply, while thinking on a reply that won't escalate the situation. Jenna acted selfishly and desperately tried to make other people play her own game, even if her dear person's life was at stake. Though, she looked too psychologically destabilised to be reasoned with.

"Eagles are neither invisible nor invincible", I shrugged. "They may be fast and agile, but a few well-placed shots are fatal for a small craft like that. Powerful allies may have their own things to attend to, and it looks surprising for me that, even if we're so painfully short on options, you haven't mentioned those 'allies' before."

"Something here just doesn't add up. Foes that are suddenly capable of hounding you across the entire Galaxy, which are now dwelling in their carrier unaware of our plan. Powerful allies that can turn the tides we barely know about. It all looks and feels..." I spread my arms. "Excuse me, it all looks and feels like a giant bluff. What's so wrong between you and Silvia that rescuing her not the way you want might make her upset?"

Looking at Kasumi, I nodded.

"All that feels weird, if you ask me. Like, we're being forced to act like she wants."
11 Aug 2023, 5:27pm
“Yeah, well, it’s not working. I’m not here under my own free will because I’m easy to manipulate or drag along.”

I took a deep breath, with my eyes closed.

“And, to be quite honest, if she is telling the truth and Silvia is going to react that way, that’s not a friend worth having to me. I wouldn’t complain to be rescued no matter how, certainly not if my life depended on it.”

A sigh escaped my lips, and I continued in a low voice.

“I don’t know how I’m going to get the Thargoids not to shoot at us there if I decide to bring them in, or they show up on their own. If they can ‘hear’ me, it only really works at shorter distances, and I definitely don’t control them. Maybe I’d need to get to one of those Titans again and see if anyone answers. Or …”

Pain suddenly surged through my head, enough to make me groan and hold my hands to it, lurching forward slightly.
11 Aug 2023, 6:03pm
'Would you both just stop please?'

The pestering was frustrating. The lack of understanding even more so. All I wanted to do was stop the BS.

'Look if you would have given me more than half a second to explain everything to you it would have been easier. I didn't mention them because there is a chance they won't listen to my plea.'

'Diaz more than certainly knows someone is coming. Who he thinks that is is beyond my knowledge. I am telling you what I know about a former squad mate. I served with this man. I know his game and I am trying to prevent us from playing right into his fucking hands. You want to know the truth I'll tell you everything you want to know just make the questions clear and concise. I haven't the time to piss around and bicker about stupid plans to bring thargoids in and trigger Silvia's PTSD from Gnosis. You bring those monsters there you will lose her trust because of something she can't control. So for fucking once stop trying to force something that has a chance to ruin everything each and everyone of us has with her.'

I took a breath and continued my rant.

'Look no offense to either of you but the man you are dealing with has plans on plans on plans. I will not lose Silvia because you both are too damned trigger happy to think about what you are saying. My allies are in the Imperial Navy. Will they help a Duchess who was stripped of her lands and title? Who knows. Our best bet is to get onto that carrier quietly.'

I turn to face Meowers head on. My tone still neutral.

'I know damned well how fragile an eagle is. I also know that they aren't invisible. I could always pop a sync boost in drop a limpet set an autopilot routine then EVA to the carrier. Willow here pointed out a very good plan to get on there. And with a bit of fancy flying and a bit of infiltration skill it is possible to do. Stations and carriers sensors cannot detect a cold ship sure you could be seen but if you are quick enough you have a shot. This was my specialty. Infiltration end extraction. I know what is waiting for me on the Queen Anne's Revenge. Do you?'

I paused took another breath and continued.

'Please don't take my rejection of the thargoid plan as ignorance. It is not like that at all. I just know how Silvia will react to being on another carrier being attacked by those things again. I would prefer if she wasn't subjected to that again. You both should know how she feels about them if you spent any amount of time talking to her about her experiences. If so you know I'm being genuine. Stop acting like you know better, please. I am trying to be the voice of reason here and you both are trigger happy right now. Itching for a fight that we can potentially avoid.'

I turn to face Kira directly. My face still showing I am calm and neutral.

'Don't throw out your friendship with my wife for some want to be more than you are. You are enough as you are right now. Stop trying to prove something to yourself. I am an Imperial and my whole culture is about showing off how wealthy we are but guess what I don't follow those same ideologies. I wasn't raised by my parents not after I was 10. So I ask you again not to involve Thargoids if not for me for your friendship with Silvia. She had been through enough has she not?'
11 Aug 2023, 6:24pm
“Couldn’t you just have said she was on a ship attacked by the Thargoids earlier?”

My tone indicated clear frustration at not being told the specific reason why this plan was supposedly not good, until now. Though part of it was due to the headache that had passed through my brain just now.

“And no, she didn’t tell me anything about that, because we didn’t have any time to get into subjects like that. It had been only a few days when that stupid bastard thought he hadn’t fucked with her life enough.”

The tone I spoke the second sentence in was full of spite and an almost unnatural hatred for Diaz, which carried over into the next few.

“I want to end that bastard. Make him watch as his empire falls and crumbles before his very eyes, before I spread his guts on the floor and hang his head up for all to see. There’s one person he shouldn’t have pissed off, and that person is me.”

I sighed.

“I never said anything about targeting the carrier - if I have anything to say about it, they’re only going to wreck the support fleet. And you best believe I will. Also, allow me to doubt that any Imperial worth their salt will answer the call of a disgraced duchess. I’ve spent enough time among them to know how they work about that kind of thing.”

I shook my head, not convinced, and crossed my arms.

“You’re expecting us to provide you with trust after you’ve only given us actions that make us not trust you, while you’re unwilling to provide that same trust to us. You’re not an enemy, but until you do that, we’re not leaving this station.”
11 Aug 2023, 7:12pm
'I did tell you once before just not today. You may not remember it but it is why I despise Thargoids to begin with. I can't trust you because I can't trust them. That will never change.'

I shake my head as I finish the last sentence.

'You can't guarantee they won't target the carrier. And if those harvesters show up there is Zero chance of making it out of there of our own free will. I don't know about you but I really would prefer to not end up like the Dedicant. If you cannot ensure that will not happen you cannot even think about your plan being a good idea. None of us will be outfit to defend against them either. You can't ensure they won't turn on us when the threat of the fleet is gone so again not a smart idea. Use your head it's got to be good for something considering your raid on Gardner Point. Nice job with that. Stupid because I can assure there were civilian casualties but good you ended those bastards.'

I took a deep breath centered myself straightened out my bolero jacket and tugged at my sleeves cleaning up my appearance. I looked Kira straight on my violet eyes locking onto hers piecing into her like daggers. My tone turn bitter as I begin my next statement.

'Diaz is the worst fucking person I have met. No one wants him dead more than me. He ruined my life. Took everything from me. Killed people I cared about. He is the reason I am barred from Imperial space. You want him dead. I want his soul. I want to pull his body apart piece by miserable piece. I want to rip out every single nerve emulator in his fucking cybernetic body. I want to peel the flesh from his metal body then pour salt over him. I want to pluck out his eyes and let them hang for the crows to eat. You can have the others but leave him to me.'
11 Aug 2023, 7:47pm
“If you don’t trust me, why are you here, trying to convince me to agree to your terms for your plan?”

A plain and simple question. I didn’t expect a simple answer, however.

“And look at it from my perspective - you say the Thargoids are actively harvesting people …”

I shuddered, for a moment remembering how they had nearly caught me.

“I know that. Well, we are going to cripple an entire capital ship right in the middle of Thargoid space, not too far from Azimuth’s headquarters at that. Do you think they’re just going to sit by idle, rather than take that opportunity? I sure don’t. I might have a chance at getting them to not try to kidnap everyone on it for god knows what.”

I paused for a moment.

“Not that I care for Diaz’s crew, only, well, us, Silvia, Melli… I would hope he doesn’t have any other people onboard for his disgusting ‘business’.”

“And where Diaz himself is concerned, if you insist on killing him, fine. I’ll let you have that. But before we’re in the moment and both want to put a few bullets into him, do you need him alive for anything? Because I’m sure you could do without a bounty from the Imperial family on your head, once Silvia is back.”


Last edit: 11 Aug 2023, 9:40pm
11 Aug 2023, 8:56pm
'The same question can be asked of you. Why try to convince me of your plan if you can't trust me? You need support.'

A short simple answer that held weight. I paused and thought for a moment.

'I don't need to tell you that reports show Thargoid intervention where gunfights are concerned. If we simply cripple a ship and it's comms with little to no external conflict they won't be drawn to our location. Keep the fighting contained inside the carrier. We secure our HVT and get the fuck out of there making as much noise as possible. Let them burn for all I care. You really need to go through that file I told you about. We need to know if there is anything we need to concern ourselves with.'
11 Aug 2023, 9:04pm
“Sorry that I sometimes have other things to do. Like not get killed by those same Thargoids you seem to like bunching me into a group with.”

I couldn’t help but to drop that sarcastic remark.

“Anyway, yes, I was going to go through those files yesterday. My plan was to share whatever I found in there, until I was rudely interrupted by angry space flowers, and a bunch of nutjob cultists jumping their megaship right next to a Titan. And might I remind you that you’re planning to have the carrier’s guns light up its support fleet so we can dock? I guess it’s not the same as a full-on fight, but it is going to make them pay attention.”
11 Aug 2023, 9:07pm
I listened to both women as common sense, seems like, wasn't totally lost in this conversation. I remember Silvia was frightened after helping me with Creamy's distraction plan, but... Never thought it was something more than usual human fears. At least she didn't show me any clues.

"Hmmm... Now I see. I remember she told me that she was attacked by bugs once. But then... She followed me to the Maelstrom system to fight them alongside me, when I went there to stir them up and help Creamy lose his pursuers, by dropping them right into the angry swarm."

Staring blankly at a random direction, looking through people, through station bulkheads, through lightyears of emply space, I diverted my mind power to remember the details of this day.

"Might be... Being just out of the bloody battle, destroying that godsdamned Hydra and otherwise 'running hot'... Had limited my perception. And I couldn't tell her reaction from common human fears, that usually appear when people fight them for a first time."

Turning my eyes to Jenna, I continued.

"And whatever emotional storms raging inside you now are giving those stingy comments way more priority they should have, I think. So we ended up pointlessly arguing."

I shrugged and then reached for my cup of tea to finish it and maybe order another one. Or coffee that time, for a change?

"What we certainly know is that the system itself is not far from one of Thargoid danger zones, and those damned Azimuth headquarters might attract them too. Even without any tricks, we cannot totally rule out the chance to see them appearing, like ravens that see a battlefield."
11 Aug 2023, 9:53pm
'OK. I'm done here. This back and forth is getting us nowhere. I have been annoyed for some time with the both of you. Either we all act now or not at all.'

'How long until we get that chemical profile? We will need it to find Silvia and Melli.'


Last edit: 11 Aug 2023, 10:06pm
11 Aug 2023, 10:00pm
“I’m sorry, weren’t you just the one telling me not to act rashly? You want me to get that data looked at, I need time. Time that the world hasn’t given me until now.”

I shook my head at this woman’s own back and forth.

“So what I was going to say, the Thargoids have someone that I can talk to, I hope, but I wouldn’t know how or where to …”

I went silent again, pondering the thought.

“Let me just say that I don’t trust them either, and don’t plan on involving them unless necessary. Not that I might have any control over whether they show up regardless of what I do, or decide. I’ll plan for that eventuality regardless.”


Last edit: 11 Aug 2023, 10:07pm
11 Aug 2023, 10:15pm
'Acting rashly? How am I acting rashly? I'm done with this conversation. Fuck can't even walk away without you bitching at me.'

'Xeno hunter, for what it's worth thanks for having Silvias back in that shit storm you are referencing. For her to follow you in there, you must have made a massive impact on her.'

I head to the door of the bar and stop only to say one thing.

'I'm going to the lab to check and see how the chem profile is going. It's a fair bit better than sitting here as you two make my ears bleed with your whines that I'm evil. blah blah blah. All I was trying to do was make my opinions heard.'
11 Aug 2023, 10:18pm
I withheld on remarks until the annoying blue-hair was out of the bar, not bothered to continue trying to argue.

“Make your opinions heard by bitching about how it’s all so insane and won’t work. Sounds less like opinions and more like ‘If I don’t get my way there will be no way’.”

I shook my head, then looked at Meowers.

“So now that it’s just us two, can we actually talk rather than bashing heads against a fucking brick wall with no ears?”
11 Aug 2023, 10:30pm
"Yeah, totally..." I scowled, paused for a few seconds, and then ordered another iced tea via the terminal. "I've no doubt she knows Silvia better than we do, but, for friggin fucks sake... A simple thank you for being ready to pull off something that dangerous, to rescue one who's dear to you, would totally change the picture for the better."

"Anyway. She has enough attention already, no point in talking about her after she left. So, sure. I guess we still have enough time before... All that stops being words and starts being actions."
11 Aug 2023, 10:34pm
I shrugged at the statement.

“I guess. Not really sure what else to talk about, unless you have ideas on how I could get to the Thargoids. It’s not like we know how to plug messages into their probes and stuff for them to read.”

My tea had cooled down enough now that I could begin to drink it without burning my entire mouth, so I started sipping away at it, choosing to try without sugar for once.

“Well, at least there were no flying beverages involved. Can certainly do without scalding hot water in my face.”

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