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.
25 Nov 2021, 1:33am
Good food is a big moral booster when you're far away from home, or civilization.
25 Nov 2021, 1:46am
Jubei HimuraGood food is a big moral booster when you're far away from home, or civilization.


Indeed, especially when it is the finest Procyon Popcorn.
25 Nov 2021, 1:48am
Jubei HimuraGood food is a big moral booster when you're far away from home, or civilization.

Seconding this, despite not being super-picky.

Kezika Indeed, especially when it is the finest Procyon Popcorn.

*nabs a huge bag of Procyon popcorn*
25 Nov 2021, 8:18am
I guess anything is better than gods damn pilot rations. Gross.

The yellow ones are the least gross, but that's not a high bar to set.
27 Nov 2021, 3:52pm
Kyla EmmerichI guess anything is better than gods damn pilot rations. Gross.

The yellow ones are the least gross, but that's not a high bar to set.

I've had worse.
11 Dec 2021, 10:22pm
Ohhh, you people talking about food... glad I'm back at Chilton Terminal. Otherwise I'd be so homesick right now. If you want to help taste test experimental produce, it's not too often our gardeners get help from people who didn't grow up on Rockforth products.
11 Dec 2021, 11:09pm
"The Fearless Taster" show!
14 Dec 2021, 5:17am
Meowers"The Fearless Taster" show!

Sign me up! As long as I can eat the whole thing!

Lily FlemmonOhhh, you people talking about food... glad I'm back at Chilton Terminal. Otherwise I'd be so homesick right now. If you want to help taste test experimental produce, it's not too often our gardeners get help from people who didn't grow up on Rockforth products.

Why not? I'll swing by during my downtime.
24 Dec 2021, 4:05am
Meowers"The Fearless Taster" show!

I'll... pitch the idea to CTAC's director. Honestly I'm nervous he might say yes.
He also recently watched a really old Earth video called Jurassic Park, and for some reason he's asked me to try to get that Creamy Goodness guy to periodically visit Chilton. (Don't worry, he already said everyone on the station will have the option to not have to interact with him, given his... social history.)
I feel like he's getting a bit comfortable in his role, but he has good reason to- he's the best of all of us to be the Director, and he's damn good at his job.

KazukoHimuraWhy not? I'll swing by during my downtime.

Bring some extra medkits... and genetic repair meds, in case you get the urge to try something completely untested. We've had enough "genetic alteration" incidents that CTAC owns a few Artemis genetic sampling tools, that we use before and after animal testing.
24 Dec 2021, 4:09am
Oh, and a further disclaimer I forgot: CTAC specializes in highly experimental agriculture, often involving nanorobotics and synthetic microbes, which are not visible to the naked eye, and in the case of nanorobotics, must be cleared from any produce before the produce can be eaten.
24 Dec 2021, 4:20am
Lily Flemmon Bring some extra medkits... and genetic repair meds, in case you get the urge to try something completely untested. We've had enough "genetic alteration" incidents that CTAC owns a few Artemis genetic sampling tools, that we use before and after animal testing.

Noted. I keep a pretty large stash on my ship.

Lily FlemmonOh, and a further disclaimer I forgot: CTAC specializes in highly experimental agriculture, often involving nanorobotics and synthetic microbes, which are not visible to the naked eye, and in the case of nanorobotics, must be cleared from any produce before the produce can be eaten.


Again, also noted. Just warn me what's not to be eaten.
24 Dec 2021, 7:39pm
Merry Happy Holidays you bunch of scoundrels!

Stay safe out there
25 Dec 2021, 3:31am
Maul MontresorMerry Happy Holidays you bunch of scoundrels!

Stay safe out there

Happy Holidays to you too! Taking the holiday off for the most part.
25 Dec 2021, 11:24am
I am not flynig anywhere. I have had way too much to drink.
25 Dec 2021, 6:01pm
Look at you being responsible and stuff.

I hope it’s been a good one!

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