Mercenary implementation (CSM)
Stats
Raised by: Dierdra Vaal
Submission Date: 17-08-2008
Issue ID: 0102-06-0063
Summary
The current war dec system does not allow mercenaries to enter an existing conflict. They can create a separate but parallel conflict, however this can be problematic because of escalating war dec fees for example.
This issue proposes the extension of the current war dec system to allow mercenaries to enter existing conflicts. It also aims to streamline administration around mercenary activities, and automate payment as much as possible.
Potential Solutions
For the full solution, please refer to the mercenary parts of Nil mortifi sine lucre, however, the highlights are listed here:
- Mercenary corporations can issue mercenary contracts with their fees
- Corporations involved in a concord sanctioned war can accept the merc contracts, but only if that corporation did not start the war
- Once accepted, the mercenary force enters the existing CONCORD war dec on the side of their employer
- Payment of the mercenaries is fully automated
The main point of criticism of this plan has been the ‘one sided’ approach: letting mercs only join the ‘victim’ side. However we deemed this was necessary to prevent wars from escalating into mercenary arms races, to prevent corporations abusing the mercenary system to get free wars on the target of their choice (Privateer Alliance’s wet dream) and because the aggressing side always has a direct option to stop the war if they are overwhelmed and/or are not enjoying the war. The war dec victim does not have this luxury, and can only try to end the war indirectly by being unappealing targets. Allowing mercenaries to join only the ‘victim’ side aims to correct this imbalance a little.