Reqeust for input: A Trade Runners Clan
The Freelance Trade Runners would operate basic Freighters available within the Freelancer universe. Escorts would be available to either fly as independents, for hire or assigned to a particular group of Freight Drivers.
Freight runners would be assigned to a particular faction, house or Corporation, to include all the Freelancer baddies. They would be considered smugglers. Example:
John Doe signs on to play as a Free Trade Runner. He would be designated as: [FTR:John_Doe. He would then choose who his sponsor is. That would be, in this case, Ageria Technologies. With that, he would start with a Rhino, at, say, Pueblo, his particular home base. His reputation would reflect his alliance with Ageria, including good ratings with all those Allied with Ageria, and bad reps with Ageria’s enemies. The rest would be neutral.
John would then be restricted, at first, to make runs for Ageria. Once a certain Rank has been reached, he then can sign on for open runs for other Companies or organizations. These will be listed on a website, and commissioned out. Results will be expected. Bonuses would be issued for shipments arriving within a certain period of time, fines assessed when shipments are lost, hazard pay given for runs in hostile areas and so on.
Escorts would be available if requested. Escorts would be designated as [FTRE:John_Smith . Independents can fly these escorts and results for protection would be compensated for. Bonuses and fines also assessed.
The fun side is, smugglers and their raiders can also participate. Raiders would be assigned to a particular faction and will need to remain with such. No faction jumping. These would have a free rein to prey on shipping of all sorts, including Players. Smugglers would be open for prey by house police, bounty hunters or escorts within a moment for a target of opportunity.
Smuggler or Shipping booty would be rewards in themselves, plus bonuses can be issued for any particular type of cargo within a certain sector; like capturing or delivering food along the border worlds.
All of this, however, would need the assistance of the server administrator to help setup the characters at start. Sign on individuals would need their characters edited and setup, along with home bases, starting cash, and faction rep fixes.
If anyone is interested, please leave his or her input here, so I can gauge the interest level. Server operators that would be interested in hosting this concept, your input here would be welcomed as well. If a good response is forthcoming, then I’ll invest in the website and the admin of the Mission Commission service.