Elite roleplay: Citi Gateway

CITI GATEWAY

The Orbis station is a center of activity. Within the station a myriad of places can be found.
  • The Warrens: Where the poor plebs of the station live. It's is a breeding ground for the most unscrupulous. Keep an eye on your wallet when traversing the corridors of these areas.
  • Habitation Complex: For those workers and pilots that can afford it, this area provides closer to 1G gravity for more earth like living.
  • Commerce Divison: and Administration Where the larger corporations make their home. Station administration can be found here.
  • Industrial Complex: Where industry manufactures their various goods.
  • Entertainment: District Bars, theaters and night clubs, tattoo parlors and other establishments can be found vying for a commanders credits in exchange for a bit of fun.
  • Station Security: A high tech brig used to house law breakers until they can be tried, and or deported off station.
  • Medical Ward: Where commanders can get patched up, enhanced, or fix existing cybernetics.

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 May 2017, 12:04am
"What gives you the right to not be judged?" The man shifted rather than turned towards Phisto, arms out. "You think those ships in the Pleiades give a good goddamn about your rank, or what either one of you has been through?" He shook his head, holding a hand up, index finger out. "The burdens of your past will pale in comparison to what's coming. You know exactly what I'm talking about too, don't you?" His eyes turned to Isaiah.

Isaiah's mouth tightened into a slight grimace.

"Have either of you ever been to Peregrina?" The man took a step toward them, his tone of voice growing lower, raspier. "Of course you haven't. It's locked to the average man. I have. There's an earth-like world there, locked down nice and tight. Nobody lands, nobody leaves. Anyone who does is killed, no questions asked. Do you want to know why?"
09 May 2017, 12:50am
Surprised at the man's sudden vigor, Phisto lifted his head, his fingers slightly separating from each other. He'd been sucked into the depths of the conversation between himself and Isaiah and so the man's rebuke - pale in comparison to what's coming - rang in his ears. The man was completely right, but Phisto was still annoyed. He smirked, remembering he hadn't survived this long by pressing an advantage that was no longer there. This old man had the upper hand, plain and simple.

Fair enough.

Phisto sat back into the bench, crossing his legs and his arms. He motioned to the old man with his head, the flame dissipating in his eyes, "Sure. Why?"
09 May 2017, 5:51pm
"Few decades back, there was... something out there. Not human. Couldn't say what it was with any certainty - a base, perhaps. Didn't see it with my own eyes. But I did see Undine - the earth-like world. Among other things."

The man's voice trailed off for a moment, his eyes glazing over.

"What kind of things?" Isaiah asked, canting his head to the side.

The grizzled man's eyes sharpened again, narrowing at Isaiah. He craned his neck towards him: "Why don't you go there and see for yourself?"
09 May 2017, 10:53pm
"Something out there?"  Oooo, real scary.  Is this guy fucking serious?

Phisto furrowed his brow as his annoyance crept back. That Isaiah seemed to know what the old codger was on about, Phisto now concluded, was this fool's only saving grace. Hearing the man's challenge, Phisto visibly bristled.  He hated undertaking any mission without proper planning and preparation, and the idea of just "something" being reason enough to "go there" irked him.  But again, thanks to Isaiah, Phisto stayed his ire.

Turning to his friend, he sighed, shaking his head and obnoxiously rolling his eyes.
10 May 2017, 12:35am
"Don't go anywhere without a reason," Isaiah replied to the man, narrowing his eyes back at him. "So I'll repeat my question. What kind of things?"

"Wreckage. In the void, near the gas giant. Elsewhere too."

"What kind of wreckage?"

"The kind that you lock an entire system down over. The kind you blow people out of the stars for. The kind that people want to keep hidden away and ignore and pretend it isn't a sign of something... else."

"Getting real sick of the cryptic talk, old man," Isaiah growled, sitting forward, locking eyes with the man. "What's your angle? Or do you even have one?"

"Isao Kishino."

"Who?"

Behind the old man, the little girl peered out from behind him, still clutching the model Cobra in her hands. Isaiah was reminded to mind his own manners, and to take a more measured tone with the girl's grandfather.

"An Elite pilot who went missing many years ago, with his family."

"Friend of yours?"

The man didn't say. His eyes glazed over again, and he looked away.

I think I understand now.
10 May 2017, 12:58am
The growl in Isaiah's voice caused Phisto's eyes to glint and the right side of his lips to crack into a grin.  Sensing the advantage turn, he leaned forward and stood up, walking toward the old man and the young girl.  He knelt down in front of them and looked at the girl.  Reaching forward with his right hand, he extended two fingers and a thumb and gripped a wing of the Cobra.  Glaring at the young girl, he firmly pulled on the toy.  Her eyes went wide as she let go.  Bringing up his left hand, he gripped either end of the Cobra and held it in front of her.  Flexing it, the composite plastic began to bend.  He turned his gaze up to the old man.

"He asked you a question," Phisto nodded back at Isaiah.  "I'll ask it again, in case you didn't hear.  This Isao Kishino... friend of yours?"
10 May 2017, 4:38pm
"Phisto, no," Isaiah growled, taking his attention off the old gentleman. He rose to his feet and placed himself between the man and Phisto, just in case someone tried to throw a punch or shove.

The old man's fingers curled into fists, knuckles tightening the wrinkles around them until they went white. "Don't you dare," he said, his voice rough and craggy like sandpaper. "Or I'll--"

"Or you'll what?" Isaiah responded, looking over his shoulder. "You're only going to make this worse for yourself if you keep being belligerent. Put a sock in it."

The old man was about to say something else, but thought better of it upon seeing the eyes of his granddaughter pleading with him.

"Give her the Cobra, Phisto," Isaiah chided. "Didn't come here to make a little girl cry. There's other ways to get the answers we're looking for."
10 May 2017, 11:29pm
Phisto's heart raced with excitement at Isaiah's rebuke.  Even coming to his full height, Phisto noticed he was still a few inches shorter than Isaiah.  Taking advantage of this, he poked his head around his angry friend and consciously mimicked the girl's pleading face, taking care not be noticed by Isaiah.  His thoughts drifted as the confrontation went on.

Why a Cobra?  Maybe it's what you fly?  Did you make a promise to take her out some day, show her some of your old moves?  Tell you what.  I see a Cobra out there, mulling about with no real purpose, maybe I'll give it a pull from super-cruise.  You know the game.  Drop down, deploy hard points, and if I'm the lucky one to do it... you can show her what you really got.

As Isaiah commanded him to return the toy, Phisto stopped his mimic and only smiled.  He lifted the toy up, "flying" it down to the girl in much the same way she'd played earlier.  Kneeling down again, he brought the Cobra in for a "landing," holding it out for her.  As her little hand reached forward, he looked back up at the old man.

Wonder if you'll hear her scream before you die.
11 May 2017, 10:54pm
The man relented slightly upon seeing the Cobra returned to his granddaughter. Isaiah nodded his approval to Phisto, then turned squarely to the gentleman.

"Now. Isao Kishino. You mentioned that name like I should've known something about him."

"He wasn't a friend of mine," the man said quietly. "Not by a long shot. Prey, more like. He was... retired at the time."

"Bounty hunter?"

"Not quite. An assassin."

Isaiah quirked an eyebrow, casting his gaze between the old man and his granddaughter. "You were an assassin," he said - a statement, not a question. "How long ago was this?"

"Thirty years, thereabouts."

Good grief. 

"And you tracked Kishino to... where?"

"Didn't so much as track him as followed rumors to Peregrina."

Don't we all.

"But when I got there," the man continued, "all I found was wreckage."

"You mentioned that. What kind?"

"I can't explain it. Organic in some ways, mechanical in others..."

Isaiah glanced at Phisto and gave a slight nod of his head. 

"Okay. So why the nth degree over being Elite?"

The man chewed on his lip for a moment, looking back down at his granddaughter. He beckoned for her to come closer, placing a hand on top of her head. "Because so long as you fly with that symbol adorning your ships, you're under their thumb. You know who I'm talking about. They're the same ones who want to kill that woman because of what she found. It's why they keep pushing things under the rug, distracting everyone with games and feasts."

Cold, grey eyes locked with Isaiah's. "Do not trust them."
11 May 2017, 11:13pm
Phisto stuck his tongue between his teeth in mockery of the old man.  "That so?  You a comedian, too?"   Taking his tongue back into his mouth, he chuckled. "'What gives you the right to not be judged?' was the exact phrase, I believe.  Listen, I might be Elite according to the Pilot's Federation, but I sure as fuck don't fly with their bullshit on my wings."

He cocked his head, snarling slightly at the pure joy of throwing the man's words back at him, "So with all that in mind, if we're not supposed to trust them, why in the hell we still listening to you?"  He looked over to Isaiah, then back to the old man, "Since I figure you're gonna struggle with my meaning, I'll make myself plainer.  You got any tangible proof of your story here?  You know, like an actual clue?"  He sneered.  "Or do people not do that anymore?"
12 May 2017, 8:06pm
The man held out a hand, palm facing outward to show he had nothing in it. Slowly he reached into his coat. The rustling of fabric and leather gave way to his hand retreating from the inside pocket with a polycarbonate case. In it was a faded green fragment.

He lobbed the case to Isaiah.

"Careful with that," he said, giving a slight nod of his head. "You get seen by the wrong people with that and they're liable to try and take it off of you."

Isaiah examined the fragment contained within - the rough, gnarled texture, seared at the edges. "So do you throw this around for drinks in the bar?"

The man shook his head. "No drinks. Your friend asked for proof, that's all I have to offer. Peregrina. See for yourself."

Isaiah passed the case to Phisto and raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
12 May 2017, 10:53pm
Phisto took the case and inspected the fragment. After a few moments, he looked up at Isaiah, "Material is exotic as hell. Obvious weapons damage. Green color has got me powerfully curious, too." He closed the case and tossed it to Isaiah. "Since you don't go to as many parties as I do, you better hold on to it."

Grinning, he turned to the old man. "Not bad."

Congrats. I see your Cobra, it's back to 50/50.
13 May 2017, 12:29am
Isaiah caught the fragment and looked it over once more. His eyes flickered to the little girl, still clutching the model Cobra - closer now since Phisto's demonstration. She watched him with curious eyes from behind her grandfather. What kind of stories had she heard from him? Did she know what he had possession of?

Funny. I don't even know what this is. Could be a hoax for all I know. But there's only one way to find out...

He curled his fist around the case and looked up at the old man, furrowing his brow. "Did you kill whatever this little piece is from?"

The man shook his head. "Found it. A whole bunch of it. That was decades ago, though," he said, his voice trailing off. "If I had to guess, the wreckage isn't there anymore. Two outposts are in the system now, no doubt monitoring traffic and whatever comes in or goes out. If I had to guess, what you're looking for is on the surface of Undine."

"And what am I looking for?"

The man flashed a toothy grin. "What the Imps and Feds have been so scared of all these years."
13 May 2017, 1:02am
Phisto laughed, "I suppose you won't just tell us what that is either, will you?" He shook his head and looked down at the girl, smiling as if to apologize for his earlier shenanigans. "So what do you think, Isaiah? Maybe you and me take a trip some day?"
13 May 2017, 2:24am
"After I deal with the matter at hand," he said quietly, staring down at the fragment. He continued to mull over the possible origins. Was the material really as exotic as it appeared? It certainly looked reminiscent of the ships in the Pleiades, if one managed to chip a piece off of them. The case was slightly cool to the touch, even after a few minutes of being in his hand.

What if it's the real deal?

As if in answer to his thoughts, the man nodded. "It's as real as it gets, my boy. They were there, and something happened. Something big."

"Kishino?"

"Possibly."

Isaiah made a low sound of acknowledgment. "I'll go look then. Well, my friend and I will." He glanced to Phisto and nodded. 

The little girl reached up her tiny hand to grasp that of her grandfather. "Can we go now?"

"Certainly," the man said with a smoothness in his voice that he'd not previously used. 

"Didn't catch your name, sir," Isaiah said, tucking the fragment into his pocket.

The man smiled again, canting his head to the side. "Grant. That's the best you'll get from me."

"Paw-paw, can we go please?" the girl persisted.

"Yes, dear. Let's leave these two alone. We should get back home now."

As the old man - Grant - led his granddaughter away, he spoke in a low voice to Isaiah.

"Be careful."

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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.