FINISHED: Member Handbook

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Bee

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Welcome to the Ubiqtorate! This post will be your OOC guide to everything you'll need to know to get the most out of the sub-faction. Feel free to refer back to this "handbook" at any time, and if you have any additions you'd like to see included, let me know!

  • In Brief: What Makes A Good Spy
    Good spies are observant. No matter where he or she is, no matter what they're doing, their minds should be systematically recording places, events, and people. Spies are logical: they're always asking themselves, "How did they do that? How can I do this? What if I go in the opposite direction, not physically, but mentally? Is there another way to solve this problem?" Spies always try lateral thinking.

    A good spy adjusts their attitude to their situation and thinks before they react. What do people expect of them, what is their role? Its no good pretending to be a bum when dressed like a prince. They take an interest in people, as this takes the focus off of their own actions. Most people are only too happy to boast about their social position, wealth, family, or occupation; a good spy takes advantage of that fact. "That sounds interesting, it must be a great job," will open up a conversation that could deliver lots of useful information. Similarly, "I have just broken up with my girl/boyfriend, they went off with another person," will garner sympathy, and make someone more likely to trust them.

    Spies listen to their sixth sense - their gut feeling - and analyzes whatever feelings they may get from it. There are many basic instructions in the human brain that warn us of danger - he learns to recognize them, and take the appropriate action. A spy only ever takes calculated risks, and can spot the drawbacks and adjust their plans accordingly. A spy always knows how to get out of any situation, and has an escape route planned.

  • The Sphinx - Rules & Regulations
    - Ubiq access codes change weekly. In the event of an unannounced absence, access codes are nullified and comm devices send out a distress signal. Access codes do not operate when off-duty.

    - All personnel are required to be in uniform while aboard the Sphinx or on a mobile outpost. Ubiq operatives wear a dark, red-brown variant of standard Imperial dress; support staff wear shades grey or black.

    - It is custom to address everyone, regardless of rank, as Sir or Ma'am. Ranks are not designated on uniform, however, so err on the side of caution in assuming familiarity with your fellow operatives.

    - Meal times are between 6am-8am (breakfast), 11am-1pm (lunch), and 4-6pm (dinner). Mess hall is closed between meals, though there are various vending droids to dispense snacks, water, sodas, and the like at all hours.

    - Outside tech is not allowed, period. Weapons and armor are subject to constant scans/disassembly to confirm their integrity.

    - There is no curfew for Ciphers and Imperial operatives. Junior/Probationary operatives are to be in bed by 10pm.

    - Alcohol is completely forbidden aboard the Sphinx or any of the Ubiqtorate outposts.​

  • Probationary Operatives
    New recruits undergo 90 days of training before they're cleared for field work, at which point their probationary period begins. During these first months of the Ubiq experience, your character will be taught how to remember information for long periods of time, how to make good observations (remembering names, places, conversations), as well as the basics of surveillance. They're instructed on the use of basic blaster pistols, sonic weapons, and stun weaponry. Physical conditioning and hand-to-hand combat (Teräs Käsi) are also covered. The 90 day introductory period is, in a word, absolute hell: junior operatives are literally training all the time, and their every move is under scrutiny. They'll be denied food and sleep before certain training exercises or psychological exams to determine how they'd react in the event of being captured and interrogated, and pushed past their breaking points at every given opportunity. Those who make it to the probationary period, which begins after training and last 30 days, are then often set to an outpost to get their feet wet. Again under constant, super critical observation.

    If you actually want to RP your character's training, feel free! Because training is a constant thing for everyone, even Ciphers, there will be plenty of opportunities to be miserable together. If you'd like to use any of the sub-faction's NPCs to run a class, let me know. They're free to use for just about anything.

  • Imperial Operatives
    Imperial operatives make up the majority of the Ubiqtorate's intelligence force. They're often stationed on mobile posts, or inserted into a specific location to observe and report on what's going on. Like their probationary counterparts, Imperial operatives train a lot. When they aren't actively working, they're usually on the Sphinx brushing up on their combat skills, attending lectures on field reconnaissance, and political shake-ups. Imperial operatives are subject to bi-yearly physical and mental health examinations, and those who show signs of being unable to do their job are usually reassigned to a supportive role.

  • Ciphers
    Ciphers are the uppermost tier that any operative can hope to achieve. They're the best of the best, and they're afforded a lot of operational leeway to get their jobs done. Ciphers are agents who often undertake the most dangerous or sensitive missions, including infiltrating other factions as a mole. They're outfitted with custom starships and have a variety of technology at their disposal, and basically go wherever their gut takes them. Ciphers are allowed to take missions on, but they're usually more focused on "independent study".

    Upon becoming a Cipher, an individual has all Imperial-related records erased. They simply cease to exist under their old identity. While Cipher spots are limited to 20 at any one time, I want to see everyone on that list eventually. Promotion guidelines are fairly rough, for the time being - once a spot opens up, I'll start considering folks for promotion and go from there. You don't have to become a Cipher if you don't want to.

FAQ -- Member Version
(updated: 12/04/14)

  • So, we're spies now? What does that even mean?
    Yup! Being a spy, for all intents and purposes, means you're writing an intelligence operative. Intelligence operatives gather information. Don't call them agents.

  • "Intelligence" sounds pretty vague - what does that even mean?
    There are about a dozen different intelligence gathering disciplines. The ones we're going to focus on, at least to start with, are as follows:

    - HUMINT, or Human Intelligence, involves information gathered by means of interpersonal contact, often times derived through plain old conversations with informants, or the interrogation of captured persons. Other methods include clandestine acquisitions of photography, documents, and other material; overt collection by personnel in diplomatic and consular posts; debriefing of foreign nationals and citizens who travel abroad; and official contacts with foreign (non-Imperial) governments.

    HUMINT can provide several kinds of information. It can provide observations during travel or other events from travelers, refugees, escaped friendly POWs, and so on. It can provide data on things about which the subject has specific knowledge, which can be another human subject, or, in the case of defectors and spies, sensitive information to which they had access. Finally, it can provide information on interpersonal relationships and networks of interest.

    - IMINT, or Imagery Intelligence, which involves the collection of information via satellites and aerial photography. IMINIT is supported by MASINT, or measurement and signature intelligence, which detects, tracks, and identifies the distinctive characteristics of fixed (stationary) or dynamic (moving) targets. This often includes radar intelligence, acoustic intelligence, nuclear intelligence, and chemical and biological intelligence.

    - TECHINT is intelligence about weapons and equipment used by the forces of foreign nations (often referred to as foreign material).The related term, scientific and technical intelligence, addresses information collected at the strategic level. Technical intelligence is intended primarily to allow the armed forces to avoid technological surprise. Knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of enemy weapons allows nations to develop effective countermeasures for them.​

  • That doesn't sound very glamorous. Do we get to kill people?
    Honestly, spy work isn't glamorous. Espionage isn't the job for anyone who wants recognition for their actions, outside of a pat on the back for a job well done. To wit, the unofficial "motto" of the Ubiq is, "Our failures are known; our successes are not," which sums up the kind of work these operatives do quite well.

    As far as killing people goes - not really, no. Ciphers may be asked to put down the occasional diplomat, but that kind of aggression will be the exception, rather than the rule. Operatives who rely more on excessive violence than interpersonal techniques will have their memories wiped, and then replaced. No exceptions.

  • What's a dead drop?
    A dead drop is aused to pass items between two individuals (such as an operative and their handler) using a secret location that does not require them to meet directly. For example, placing an object into a mailbox, giving a signal, and walking away to have the item retrieved by another person is a dead drop. You can read a bit more about it here[/i].


    [*]What am I allowed to do? What's off limits?
    You're allowed - encouraged - to [URL="http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/showthread.php?61925"]drop-off
    any information your character picks up ICly and bring it to the Ubiq's attention. You don't need another player's permission for this. If a Jedi gets wasted and tells you that everyone's hiding in a Gungan stronghold, as long as the thread is canon you're completely in your rights to report that information, regardless of whether or not your character was "on the job" at the time. That's the thing about human intelligence: you're always gathering it.

    Your characters are allowed to scan and record what they like. You need to state in the thread whether or not they're wearing some kind of recording device if you intend to use it. Mentioning that they checked their datapad, noted the recording icon was flashing, and then put it away is a good way to go. You could say they fiddled with their comm-link or their cybernetics, whatever you like - just so long as you make mention of it, even if its vague.

    You are not allowed to flat-out lie to people. If someone you're threading with asks, "Are you writing a spy?" you can't tell them no. You can say you don't want to talk about it, but if that player tells you that they don't want to write with a spy, you have to be honest with them. That said, you don't have to put anything in your character's profile about their affiliation with the sub-faction. You can keep it vague, or you can make it known. That's up to you.

    ICly, I'd avoid having your character go into a big internal monologue about the Ubiq, or being an intelligence operative. That's my personal preference, granted, and your mileage may vary.

  • I think someone's meta-gaming - what should I do?
    First things first: talk to them. Send them a message, either on Skype or as a PM, and politely remind them that the Ubiqtorate is completely unknown to characters who aren't a part of the sub-faction. Sometimes people forget about IC/OOC separation, or simply make assumptions with no ill intent. Don't be a jerk about it, obviously, but if they refuse to change their post, bring it to the attention of an admin.

    While I know it can be kind of hard to speak up at times - no one wants to be thought of as a jerk, etc - it's important to keep things consistent. The Ubiqtorate is a secretive group, after all!

 
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