Elite roleplay: Banter

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.
12 Nov 2021, 12:33am
Jaime WardYour first impression is incorrect. I'm well aware of the role a single person can play in shaping the galaxy. I've seen that firsthand.


So you're saying you know the influence you have on the galaxy, you know you're helping drive humanity to extinction, and yet you feel no guilt, no responsibility to anyone but yourself?]

Jaime WardBut you're naive if you think that your motivations for doing something aren't being co-opted or manipulated for someone else's gain.


Your first impression of me is also incorrect- I'm fully aware that what I do is for the gain of others, but I'm not being manipulated into helping them. I'm helping because I choose to. And I know the idea of caring for others is a particularly foreign one to you, but hear me out: you aren't fucking Sag A like you think you are.
12 Nov 2021, 4:01am
You're making a lot of generalizations and blanket statements about someone you've never met. But I don't blame you. You sound like someone I used to know.

He's dead now. Died alone somewhere between the bubble and Colonia a few years ago. See, he managed to win the battle but he lost the war. Lost his friends, his lover. Figured out that even the choices he made to defy gods and tyrants played in their favor.

The thing he and John Jameson had in common is that by the time they realized they'd been used, it was too late. John died alone with the realization that he'd committed mass genocide. My friend died with the realization that he'd led his people to slaughter and unearthed something that should've stayed buried.

Both of them thought they were doing the right thing.

The truth is, lady, that there are no winners. No heroes. No saviors. There's just you and your ship and whatever lie you've bought into. You're not fighting to save the galaxy. You're fighting because someone told you to. And until you lose the things you love most, time and time again, you'll keep marching to the war drums against whoever Galnet tells you about.
15 Nov 2021, 3:06am
Jaime WardThe truth is, lady, that there are no winners. No heroes. No saviors. There's just you and your ship and whatever lie you've bought into. You're not fighting to save the galaxy. You're fighting because someone told you to. And until you lose the things you love most, time and time again, you'll keep marching to the war drums against whoever Galnet tells you about.

I know full well that there are not winner, no heroes, no saviors. There's no righteous leadership, there's no unified cause for good. But did you hear me mention any leader I follow, any cause I pledge to? Or do you just assume I'm naive, maybe because I believe there is still good in the galaxy, because I have the guile and perseverance to have hope, maybe just because I'm a woman, or maybe- most likely, in fact- because you simply disagree with what I say. But it doesn't matter why you think what you do.

The fundamental trait I see in you is that you associate solidarity with order, and seeing those who put too much faith in directive leadership, or a centralized cause be cheated and dragged into a black hole of despair, you lose all hope and take your nihilistic viewpoint because, supposedly, corruption is inevitable.

But chaos is the fabric of humanity, and chaos is incorruptible. Freedom and peace do not come from order. Humanity will be saved by trillions of seemingly insignificant things. People like to think that there is someone at the helm of our society, when society is fundamentally communal and uncontrollable.

We are not cogs in a machine, we are currents in a great turbulent river... which way are you flowing?
15 Nov 2021, 4:29pm
The reason I see you as naive is because of these ridiculous platitudes you're spouting off.

It's easy to have ideals when you haven't been betrayed by those you trust, or watched good people led to slaughter by your actions, or discovered secrets that others have died to expose.

No, we aren't cogs in a machine. We're puppets dancing to the tunes chosen by the powerful. Some of us just happen to see the strings and are trying to cut them.

But by all means, keep dancing if you think you're making a difference. We all have our roles to play, even the naive and idealistic among us.
16 Nov 2021, 7:30pm
The powerful may have power, but they only have the illusion of control.

And I've had worse than one-time betrayal. I've had trauma. I spent the first 19 years of my life trying to be who people told me I was, who people wanted me to be, always trying to be someone I'm not. it took 19 years for me to realize I'm Lily.

You and I have the same obsession with self-determination. Don't assume that just because I care about others, I pledge to any power or leader. And I don't see you cutting any strings but your own. You're a free man, with the power to free others, and you don't. You instead leave the subjugated to be exploited, and are only concerned with your own gain. I'm not against you cutting your own strings like you seem to think. I'm against your wanton shirking of your responsibility to humanity as a pilot- especially an independent pilot.

And if you don't realize your impact on humanity, your strings will be reattached without you even realizing it. Pilots like you are why people cling to powers in the first place, Nobody would trade freedom for safety if people like you didn't make the galaxy so unsafe.
16 Nov 2021, 9:34pm
Lily FlemmonThe powerful may have power, but they only have the illusion of control.

Well, no... The powerful have power because they have control over one thing or another. Be that people, resources, or simply money. I mean seriously, how do you think they have power? Hopes and wishes? What they suffer from, my dear, is the illusion of being untouchable. Well, then there are those who think they wield god-like power... but, they're usually making up for something.


Lily FlemmonYou and I have the same obsession with self-determination. Don't assume that just because I care about others, I pledge to any power or leader. And I don't see you cutting any strings but your own. You're a free man, with the power to free others, and you don't. You instead leave the subjugated to be exploited, and are only concerned with your own gain.

You say it like it's a bad thing?

But please... I am just loving this back and forth! Such similar, yet conflicting, philosophies! Makes for good, sophisticated, entertainment.
16 Nov 2021, 10:31pm
There was a woman I used to know, her name was Kari Kerenski. She and I never quite saw eye to eye. We were on the same side once, but her aims weren't the same as my own. The analogy she used was that we weren't on the same page, but we were in the same book.

She was cold and calculated. Spied on her own people. I don't think I ever saw her smile or laugh in the time I knew her. Everything she did, I disagreed with. But she got results. Even so, she was always alone.

It wasn't until a few years later that I learned why she was the way she was. And I realized that, at the time, I was a few steps behind her. I just hadn't experienced an event that made her behavior seem like the only logical choice in light of it.

Then something happened and it made sense. And now I am the way that I am.

You don't know a fraction of what I've done, or had to do. I don't expect you to. But before you accuse me of doing nothing, keep in mind that I once tried to do something, and others paid the price. Despite my best efforts and intentions, people still suffered as a direct result of my actions.

Talking tough is easy when you don't have to carry the weight of your failures.
17 Nov 2021, 9:43pm
Jaime... you've got me thinking again. Sounds like you carry a lot of failures, and me? I just drop them. No need to hold on to them. So far it hasn't been a problem. And I think I'm beginning to understand you. We're not on the same page, and not even in the same book. But I've read a bit of your book now, I guess.

Do I agree with you? Not in the slightest. But at least I'm starting to get why you're a murderous asshole.



As for you, Oliver, this is entertaining because you think it doesn't apply to you. Typical Imperial pilot. sure you've heard of emancipation, but to you it's a silly little joke. To Marlinists, it's not funny at all. But as you said yourself:
Oliver Fremont but, they're usually making up for something.

He who speaks softly has the bigger stick. Not that it matters to me, I'm very much a lesbian.
17 Nov 2021, 10:13pm
Murderous asshole?

Not how I'd describe myself.
18 Nov 2021, 5:33pm
Lily FlemmonAs for you, Oliver, this is entertaining because you think it doesn't apply to you. Typical Imperial pilot. sure you've heard of emancipation, but to you it's a silly little joke. To Marlinists, it's not funny at all.

Firstly, how dare you call me imperial! I bow to no one. Least of all some pompous, snooty, yet-surprisingly-quiet, monarch! What the hell gave you that idea- oh, I know. It's the Corsairs. Isn't it? They're just a fun excuse for me to fly in Imperial space without certain... complications.

Secondly, if you haven't noticed, everything is a joke to me. Especially those who refuse to fight for their freedom. All that whining for nothing. At lease the NMLA have entertainment value to them. Beta Seven sounds like a fun guy! Ha ha ha!

Lily FlemmonBut as you said yourself:
Oliver Fremont but, they're usually making up for something.

He who speaks softly has the bigger stick. Not that it matters to me, I'm very much a lesbian.

Well, that's nice and all. I'm 'pan myself. I mean, I don't think those nincompoops really care about our sexuality when they're worried about their overcompensating. Maybe I'm wrong? Bah, I don't really care.
24 Nov 2021, 2:00am
I'm just going to back away slowly, and watch this from a corner. Wonder if there's popcorn around here?
24 Nov 2021, 2:01am
KazukoHimuraI'm just going to back away slowly, and watch this from a corner. Wonder if there's popcorn around here?


Of course, I always stock the ship with the finest designer popcorn from Procyon!
24 Nov 2021, 4:46am
I don't like popcorn. It has such a weird texture.
24 Nov 2021, 5:50pm
Kyla EmmerichI don't like popcorn. It has such a weird texture.

Oh, I see. You do you, and more for me, then.
24 Nov 2021, 6:36pm
Hey, I've calmed down from that.

Jaime, you are who you are, and I'd be a hell of a hypocrite if I tried to change that. Sure, I don't like you, but your personality isn't a part of the galaxy I have any say in, nor should I have any say in.

Oliver, you may be a nutjob, but hey. You're the most entertaining nutjob I've ever met. And yes, of course you're pan. I've never met anyone as chaotic as you who wasn't.


As for me, I am definitely still learning my place in the galaxy. Obviously.





Also, on the topic of food: one of my pet peeves is when I redeem a 6 million credit combat bond at the Frontline desk and the rep says "a soldier's gotta eat." It's not like I need all my food imported from Beagle Point. I'm a notable member of an agricultural science co-op. I have food.

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