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.
15 Aug 2023, 8:57pm
'You are free to leave. As long as we are all set on the plan. I'll brief the team on the details.'

I pull out my data pad and send a recall message to all the pilots and commandos around the station telling them to all meet up at the hotel for the mission brief.

I turn to Meowers and Kira before the step away.

'4hrs enough time for you two? I can wait as long as you need but we need a go time.'
15 Aug 2023, 9:18pm
“Four hours works for me. Just send me some kind of recap so I can review some of the details before we actually go. And maybe some kind of destination system to meet in - or drop the carrier if you’re looking to take it. It’s currently in a system just next door to this one. And if I need more time, I’ll just say it.”

I looked to Meowers.

“You?”
15 Aug 2023, 9:25pm
"Ready when you are," I nodded. "I'll go straight to the hangars, and, I guess, jump and land on your carrier. Will keep systems online for a quick take-off while preparing my lovely backpack."
15 Aug 2023, 9:32pm
“Oh. Well, I guess I can get some food over there too. And chat. Not too interested in what’s here right now.”

I gestured to the food presented on the long conference table.

“Hm… actually, before I go.” I turned to Venus. “Who’s going to be in charge? I’d prefer to not have to cover the command role, even if this whole thing kind of began rolling because of me.”
15 Aug 2023, 10:06pm
'I think I can manage this group. It's not too large. Unless the AX leader wants the roll.'

I turned to the door as the group of commandos began to show up. They were if anything disciplined. The first few walk over to the table and grab some food and drinks. I look at Meowers and Kira.

'Unless you want to be a part of this group I suggest departing. Just be sure to introduce yourselves to them prior to leaving. Better they see your faces so they know who not to shoot when the steel starts raining.'
15 Aug 2023, 10:20pm
“Face will be difficult. I’m going to be wearing a helmet which you won’t see anything behind. Oh, and make sure that they have clearance to the carrier if you decide to make use of it.”

I sent over the details and required clearance to Venus, to be shared if needed.

“And have them behave on there, if they get off their ships. Or maybe just tell them to stay on them to begin with. I don’t really want to deal with any mess on there. And speaking of which …”

I looked at Meowers.

“Please none of that sewage pump idea. If you want to turn me off from participating, that’s the best way to go about it. Now, I’d like to go, before it gets loud in here.”

My gaze began to pass over the faces now spreading through the conference room. I’d hoped to just avoid them outright, if for a completely different reason than who they were. It was more a matter of not wanting to be bothered with, or by, strangers. But now, I figured I might as well.

Some were going to live through this, some probably weren’t. I wondered how aware they were of this. My mind jumped to the Dedicant and its logs, how some of the Far God cultists were seemingly unaware, or just ignorant toward what would occur when their ship jumped into a Maelstrom’s control sphere.

I hoped we were prepared enough that we wouldn’t end up dead, or worse yet, in the hands of Azimuth. What parts of my altered brain were not preoccupied with those thoughts refused to consider what the Thargoid alternative to those two outcomes would be. Though the silence of the Dedicant held that answer for me.


Last edit: 15 Aug 2023, 10:28pm
15 Aug 2023, 10:47pm
"A'ight, no shit. I mean, no shit!", I put my open palms in front of me, made a goofy grin and replied to Kasumi with a sort of... agricultural Fed colony accent. Then, returned my voice back to normal. "Wanted to do the Brown Deck Prank with goons of that Vodan guy... That hairy arsehole in a long coat who started pointing guns at people in the bar. Back then, like, two years ago. Nah... Things became loudy and shooty rather quick."

"But, I'm standing here now, and, like, thirty of them aren't," I nodded towards Venus. "So, may be sure, I know how to shoot that thing. Anyway. I think you should give orders. I can command ground troops as well, but in more... Open and straightforward situations. It's your wife after all. And, sure, I'll make a little introduction."

I turned towards the long table where mercs enjoyed their feast. Centuries pass, nothing changes: I only hope they don't get drunk and start turning this pompous place inside out... At least, before the mission. A weird part of me wanted to enjoy the show, or even partake, after we return.

"Listen up, soldiers!" I raised my voice and waited until at least a half of them turn their heads to me. Even if those heads were chewing food at the same time. Then, I pointed a finger at my face. "This face. Heavy armour suit. M724 rifle. When shit hits the fan, don't shoot. I'm friendly. And her too," I nodded towards Kasumi.

"Sure then. Let's move out."
15 Aug 2023, 10:51pm
“And try not to stand in front of me. Unless you want a bullet to pass through you and my target.”

That was all I had to say. I gave Meowers a look.

“That’s enough. Time to go and get out of here. Or at least to the nearest place that offers food and isn’t trying to blind you with decor.”

I paused momentarily.

“And I did mean the part where if they don’t watch where they stand, a bullet’s going to pass through them too. Railguns don’t discriminate.”

With that also said, I went out of the conference room without further thought, though hoping to at least get something of a chat in, if it was the last thing I did before getting killed. And I also hoped Venus wouldn’t forget to send me the recap of the plan.
15 Aug 2023, 11:33pm
I left the room right after Kasumi and caught up with her in the hallway.

"So... Here we go, I guess. My gear is ready, I only have to put that suit on and pack everything else nicely. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Shall we... Head for the hangars?"

Those... Interim, liminal moments have always been somewhat special. And the empty, yet overwhelmingly decorated long hallway multiplied that strange feeling. Not uncertainty, not fear, not anxiety; something familiar yet indecipherable beyond a chaotic noise of unfinished, unborn thoughts. Like we were bound to become another versions of ourselves when we reach its end. Previous entities, previous 'us' were left in that conference room forever, and we cannot return back to being them anymore. Old 'us' are lost now, in time, in endless space, they were irreversibly condemned to fade away in our own memories. And, still no idea what the end of that corridor may bring. Those minutes between going through the doors of the conference hall and reaching our ships might've been heavy, slow, almost everlasting, but some part of mind didn't want them to end. Even without a clue why.

"We have something like four hours to... Spend."
16 Aug 2023, 6:26am
I made a gesture to Meowers to follow and left the hotel, putting a wall between us and it, so that the place was out of sight, if not out of mind, before speaking up.

“I’m more thinking to just get some kind of food. I don’t need four hours to gather some ammo and put a suit on, then fit two… maybe three pieces of armor on top.”

I looked around.

“And my ship’s basically done, anyway. A single utility module getting swapped out is a matter of minutes. Could even do everything I’d need in the jump leadup for the carrier, to be honest. Anyway, you know any good places? I sure as hell don’t.”

My gaze wandered down to my chest, arms held away from my body slightly, as if to keep them out of view.

“I really shouldn’t have put this on. Now everyone’s going to be looking at those things.”


Last edit: 16 Aug 2023, 6:49am
16 Aug 2023, 8:11am
"Hmmm..." I've been still, kind of, lost in my thoughts as we walked away from the pretentious hotel.

"Can't really remember buying food anywhere except the Bar, I'm not a frequent visitor of this station..." I rubbed my chin slightly while trying to think of some places where we could eat, only to figure out I don't know any, "I suggest we may just open the map and follow the trail of good reviews. If you're going for something with meat in it, then it should be good for me as well."

"And what's wrong with those things?" I repeated Kasumi's gesture. "That jacket fits you well. I don't see any problems with it."
16 Aug 2023, 8:39am
“I didn’t mean my arms. Think of that what you will.”

I sighed.

“I like this jacket, but not getting looked at by people because of my… body. I’m not doing it to show off. But well …”

I lifted my shoulders slightly while breathing out, a gesture that didn’t portray how I felt about it well.

“Anyway, you like Italian places? There’s… somewhere… around the place that does that food relatively well. Think I tried it when I was here first.”
16 Aug 2023, 9:30am
"Ah... Yeah, I got what you're talking about. I meant, yep, exactly these things," I chuckled, pointing both index fingers at my, um, breasts. "People... People will always find something to stare at. Men especially," I continued with a sarcastic smirk. "Some of them even think it's their 'natural instinct'. Losers. Though, I do think that, if nature decided your body should have this shape... Well, now you have it. It's just 'you'. I'd like to say people actually care less about how we look than we might think, but... Something tells me you heard that already, and dozens of times. And, I know how those thoughts work, they just sit in your brain and bug you."

I shrugged.

"That's a damn rabbit hole of thoughts. Anyway, Italian sounds nice. I'm up for any kind of meal, well, almost. If it doesn't look like something you really shouldn't put into your mouth. Lead the way."
16 Aug 2023, 10:08am
“If I was told already, I forgot about it. No thanks to what happened to my brain. Or maybe it’s just one of those things you never remember until someone tells you again.”

I shook my head.

“I always hear ‘You should be confident about yourself’ and all that other ‘inspirational’ stuff, but they never tell you how to. So I usually just don’t care about what other people think, but I still don’t like attention. Especially if it’s just to look at my features. Although… to be honest, I catch myself looking in those places too. Even if I don’t want or try not to. Anyway …”

I guided Meowers to the place I had found looking through the station web however long ago it was, when I first came here, and stopped in front. It was rather unremarkable of a place, but that gave it a certain charm. The owner seemed to have cared to give it that, and a somewhat ‘classic’ look, too.

“Here we are. You can probably guess why this place caught my attention. Can order either through a terminal or the old way, whichever you prefer. And I think their food’s good too.”
16 Aug 2023, 11:09am
"Ah, screw that in-spew-rational rubbish," I felt like a rant is beginning to form and raise internal pressure in my thoughts. What should I do with it? Ah. Maybe I figure out later, on the go. "They know bloody nothing about real problems people may have with their minds and bodies. All they do is... Trying to sell you bullshit you don't actually need."

"From what I know about you... I may suggest it's not about the feminine features you have, but rather about your willing to stay out of people's attention. But, if the features are, literally, attractive, they do attract it. Though... Argh," these words were accompanied by a light-hearted giggle. "Sorry, I'm such an overthinker sometimes."

And the café was indeed a sight for sore eyes. Well, maybe not exactly sore, but certainly annoyed by all that 'look at me, I'm not some poor peasant' ostentatious concoction of decor and manners I saw at that Chateau De Blah-Blah place. Even caught a trace of thought that I'm beginning to agree with Kasumi's tastes in certain things. Like those simplistic cosy vibes.

"Well, this finally looks like a good place to stop at."

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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.