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There's no denying it, mankind can only reach its full potential through the creation of a civilization. As Saviour of Highsec, I am the leader of the civilizing forces. Highsec miners may say they come for the ice and ore, but I give them what they really need: Purpose, dignity, structure, order, guidance, leadership. They ask what I am "saving" them from. I save the miners from themselves.
Without rules, there is no such thing as freedom. By enforcing a system of just laws, I give the miners liberation from their own worst instincts. And through this process, the miners can be molded into better people, the kind worthy of joining the new community of EVE. I'm no idealist to believe, firmly, in the integrity of the Code and the New Order of Highsec. It's no ideal to me: It is a living, working reality.
What follows is an outline of the New Halaima Code of Conduct, the codified set of rules that all miners in New Order territories must obey. Substantial portions of this outline are taken from my original declaration of new ownership of Halaima thread on the EVE Online forums. That thread was posted back in June 2012, but all of the principles set forth in that thread are timeless. If not, I'll do a quick edit.
THE NEW HALAIMA CODE OF CONDUCT
Although profit is a primary motive of my new business, I strongly believe that corporations should also seek to make a positive contribution to the community. I would like to think that I "do well by doing good." I realize that there is already a EULA in place that governs player conduct, but in my encounters with highsec miners, I often find myself wishing that the miners were of a higher caliber. In my view, many of these miners could become higher quality EVE players (and generally, better people) if they were simply held to a higher standard. The New Halaima Code of Conduct provides that standard.
Consider that I cannot bump all miners simultaneously. Since many miners will not have purchased their indulgences, I will usually have more than one miner whom I could choose to bump. So how should I prioritize? Again, the Code provides the answer. Those who consistently violate the Code will be at increased risk of bumping. Moreover, to ensure the New Order community lives up to my expectations, those who already have purchased indulgences may forfeit their place of honour if they violate the Code.
The New Halaima Code of Conduct is the product of a truly democratic process. It was written by the entire community. As Supreme Protector of Halaima and Saviour of Highsec, I represent all of the individual members of the community and acted as proxy when drafting the Code. The Code is also a social compact. This means that everyone who enters New Order territory is deemed to have agreed to its terms.
Since the Code is a living, breathing document, it's not possible to fully enumerate all of the rules. But here are some examples of the rules, to help everyone get a sense of its spirit:
- Mining indulgences may be purchased for 10 million isk per character, and are good for one year, subject to forfeiture.
- Miners should strive not only to avoid botting, but to avoid even the appearance of botting.
- Bot-aspirant behavior is not permitted.
- No AFK mining allowed. All miners are expected to remain at their keyboards at all times, and are required to prove their presence by responding in local when requested by the Supreme Protector or one of his Agents.
- New Order territory is a safe space for suicide gankers. Miners are required to put aside their prejudices and treat gankers with respect.
- Upon being suicide ganked, a miner should congratulate the ganker on his success. A "good fight" or "gf" in local is customary.
- No excessive mining. Miners should not fall into a routine of mining all day. I want well-rounded people in my system, not ice-mining machines.
- Keep local clean. Miners should be courteous in local and should refrain from the use of profanity.
- Respect for elected officials. As Saviour of Highsec, I acted as proxy when electing myself Supreme Protector. Miners should respect the will exercised by the people when they made this choice.
- The New Order of Highsec continues to recognize The Mittani as the legitimate Chairman of the CSM. This determination remains the rule in all New Order territories.
- Prejudice toward minorities is not permitted. For the sake of clarity, this cannot apply to all groups claiming minority status, but only discrete and insular minorities, which are defined as suicide gankers, Goons, and others who oppose highsec mining.
- If a miner does not wish to purchase a mining indulgence, he may still be granted a one-day reprieve, if he is able to correctly answer the Supreme Protector's Questions Three.
- Red Pen. On my desk there is a sheet of paper. In my desk there is a drawer. Inside this drawer is a Red Pen. If a miner commits an egregious offense or series of offenses, his name will be written on the paper with the Red Pen. If your name is written in Red Pen, the cost of an indulgence will be trebled and you will be at increased risk of bumping.
SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
After years of neglect and abuse, a highsec miner's conscience has often withered away. Most EVE players view the highsec miners as a detestable, pestilential cancer. As Saviour of Highsec, I still find the strength to occasionally perform acts of mercy where the miners are concerned. For instance, even when the miners spit vile insults at me in local, I do not respond in kind. Why not? See if you can stand in the highsec miner's shoes for a moment. I have bumped him out of mining range, ruining his mining op. I destroyed his last shred of dignity, if he had any to begin with. That miner has to have some kind of comeback--his kind always does. So if allowing the miner to vent his profanities toward me in local saves his wife or children one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. The miner has to take it out on somebody, and I'd rather it be me than some household full of children out there.
In this case, my mercy toward the miner comes in the form of some simple, practical examples by which he can follow the New Halaima Code of Conduct. Goofus represents the average highsec miner, while Gallant represents the reformed, improved highsec miner which I seek to create:
Goofus whines in local after being suicide ganked.
Gallant thanks the ganker for teaching him a lesson.
Goofus claims to be a disabled military veteran, or a single mother, or that mining is relaxing.
Gallant admits that he has no good reason for mining in highsec.
Goofus makes up excuses for being AFK while mining.
Gallant always remains at his keyboard.
Goofus fills local with obscenities when he gets bumped out of range.
Gallant promptly pays 10 million isk to the Supreme Protector of Halaima.
Goofus spends all day mining to accumulate isk.
Gallant only takes as much ice as he needs.
Goofus begs CCP to buff hulk EHP.
Gallant tanks his ships to improve their EHP.
Goofus moans endlessly about hulkageddon and evil goonies.
Gallant admires all forms of emergent gameplay.
Goofus boasts about having important alts in nullsec.
Gallant recognizes his place is at the bottom of the EVE hierarchy.
Please, don't be Goofus.
THE NEW ORDER - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Unlike the carebears, who cloak everything they do in perpetual hypocrisy and deceit, I am a man of honour. I have always been open and honest about my intentions. Most reasonable residents of highsec describe my leadership style as "tough, but fair." In my experience, many miners are completely oblivious to what is going on in EVE, and are apt to repeatedly ask me the same questions about why I am bumping them out of mining range. Out of fairness, and for the sake of convenience, I provide the following FAQ to the miners in New Order territories, as well as potential investors in the company.
Q. You can't bump me! This is harassment and against the EULA.
It's a common misconception that bumping players in highsec is automatically harassment. Since the rules are not publicly viewable in a central location, EVE players tend to be led astray by rumors and unsourced wikis. I, on the other hand, have been in direct contact with the people who actually enforce the EULA, to ensure that my business is in full compliance.
In this case, my bumping of miners is not random harassment; rather, it is an activity conducted in the course of business. In the event of an audit, I have ample evidence to support the reasonable expectation of profit. Prior to this announcement, I gathered game logs, chat logs, and screenshots of wallet journals, transactions, evemails, and other materials from my time in Arvasaras. During my brief bumping campaign there, I was able to accumulate over 100 million isk in profit, all of which is fully substantiated by the aforementioned evidence. The profit came not only from ransoms, but also from the sale of modules--taken from the wrecks of disgruntled miners who got themselves blown up trying to stop me. Since bumping requires no ammunition, my only expense was a 9,000 isk secure container (used to announce a warning to miners) that I failed to refresh while I was out orca hunting. I also have copious logs and screenshots of my conversations with the GMs on this matter, for my reference and theirs.
Q. Who are you? Anyone can claim to own a highsec system. I can say I own everything in EVE!
I am James 315, the Saviour of Highsec. I do not consider myself a hero, but I acknowledge that I have done many great and heroic deeds, and I accept that others think that I am a hero.
It's true that anyone can claim control of anything. Outside of EVE, a government is considered legitimate if it has the enduring ability to send men with guns to kill or imprison other people. Upon this power hangs all the law. There's no need for philosophy here: When a miner is bumped out of mining range, he no longer has the ability to mine--and he does not even get a share of the ore/ice he mined from earlier in the laser's cycle, when he was in range. Therefore, I can stop people from mining whenever I want. Since the miners want to mine ice, and since I alone decide whether or not they can, I command them. It's really that simple.
Q. I mine ice in [New Order system]. How will the change in leadership affect me?
You have nothing to fear from the New Order of Highsec coming to your system. Things will largely continue as they have in the past. If you pay me 10 million isk, you can continue to mine ice the same way you always have. If you choose not to pay, you may experience some difficulty. Also, all miners are required to follow some basic rules to ensure the continued vitality of the community.
Q. HA HA I am mining ice right now, you can't stop me!
As Supreme Protector, some may expect me to doggedly enforce the rules at all times against all offenders. This is a misperception of my role. Aside from those who have purchased indulgences, I will bump whomever I choose, whenever I choose. Your mining operations are entirely at my mercy. If I feel like stopping you from mining, I will; if not, I won't.
Q. Why are you in an NPC corp? Are you afraid of being wardecced?
On the contrary, I am Invincible and am afraid of nothing. I do not need corp members to fight my battles for me, nor do I feel the need to hide behind a corporate veil. I will fight anyone at any time. However, creating a corporation does cost over a million isk, which would cut into my profit margin.
Q. If you're invincible then meet me in [lowsec system] for a 1v1.
I will gladly fight a duel with anyone, any time, anywhere. It doesn't matter what ship you bring; I will always win. Of course, it's a waste of my time unless I am fighting a worthy opponent. To demonstrate your honour, you must pass one of the following three tests:
Test of Valour. Prove you are not afraid to die by Concording a valuable ship, and do so in a manner that demonstrates integrity and honesty.
Test of Wisdom. Correctly answer the Supreme Protector's Questions Three. Each question must be answered within 20 seconds. The Questions Three will be different for each miner each day. Note that invoking the 24 hour mining pass provision of the Code is distinct from invoking the Test of Wisdom.
Test of Fortitude. Walk a mile in the Supreme Protector's shoes by becoming a miner-bumper. You must continue to bump miners for an indefinite period of time.
