For someone who has been out of CF for a bit but decided to spend more time back and online - I am a bit unhappy with the current situation regarding PX and the cops - but I am glad to say Kerm has been very open with us regarding the situation and has consulted with PX members -
I know OP dont like us talk about the rules all the time as he said they are very clear and that - from his own quote - I repeat - good roleplay is where everybody has fun and not having fun at others expense.
I am not online much so cant say much about what has been happening online - but - re the rules - specifically this one - I think it is not consistent.
QUOTE1 -
Piracy The police may also fine characters for acts of piracy or being a known pirate (having a Pirate Syndicate Licence mounted). Acts of piracy include attacking ships (except know pirates) for profit (collecting bounties) or fun. Mercenaries who are working for pirates are also considered to be engaged in piracy for the duration of their contracts
END QUOTE
I think this is a change from when I last looked at the rule and does not make sense - merc is seperate from police or pirate rolplay and you cannot count a merc doing his merc roleplay as an act of piracy!
Furthermore - what would happen if the pirates had the same attitude as cops?
For example
Pirates will consider any mercs working for the law as legitimate targets during their contract and reserve the right to chastise any mercs that have fulfilled contracts as fair game for the next two hours.
Ok - even if you did go down this route (QUOTE 1) - then logically any cops or lawful people hiring mercs would themselves be encouraging piracy?
So - are cops upholders of the law or not? Can they have it both ways when it suits them?
Ok also - merc roleplay is hard - that is why not many do it as they walk the line between cops and pirates - friends to none and enemies to all.
If I can remember some other times - I remember in IOC once where some guy put a bounty on Simba - unknown to us. Simba and I were sparring somewhere around Kusari space where all of sudden two SL mercs appeared and killed Simba in the middle of a pvp practise we were doing.
Yes in the middle.
I think - we just accepted it as merc roleplay and did not bother hunting the SL guys around the server -
So - maybe in summary - merc roleplay needs a little fine tuning.
Maybe a Merc code of conduct could sort somethings out?
Certainly Kerm and Darco to their credit have done a lot to establish a long time (hopefully) merc clan on the server and the reason why none exist now or ever before is that - sorry to say this - cops always always turn them either to pirates or cop support.
Mercs are supposed to be nuetral but should build good relations with other factions on the server as without your goodwill and cash - we will not get employed!
EDIT - I should add that merc rp is quite unique in that there are no options to negotiate. People can either pay tax or a fine OR die - you have a choice.
Mercs give you no option other than to die and that for some people is upsetting and can take time to handle - as you have no control over the outcome.
