In-character Knowledge
When speaking in an in-character manner, and particularly when involved in an argument, it is important to rely on EVE lore and other resources to back up what you're saying. When doing this, though, you need to be sure not only that your tone and stance are in-character, but also that the information posted does not break the 4th wall, and is viable (and reliable) information for you to present. If you make a mistake, other roleplayers may call you on it, dismiss your point as based on a rumor or theory, or in the worst case, be deemed indecipherable static by an ISD moderator (in other words, it may get snipped out for being so far out of character).
This page is a guide for using lore information properly and to maximum effect.
Common terminology
The following is a short list (by no means conclusive) of common expressions used in a roleplay context. Some are workarounds for addressing out of game concepts in an in-character manner, while others simply concern issues that do not come up in any non-roleplay discussion.
- Capsuleer or pilot - Simple, but important. These are used as a substitution for any mention of a "player".
- Kill report - Substitute for "killmail". The linking or quoting thereof is not allowed, but references to fights or kills are perfectly fine.
- Galnet - Substitute for "internet", "wiki", or other such web terms. The internet does not exist in Eve.
- New Eden - Used to refer to the entire Eve universe
- Holoreel - Substitute for "video"
Sources and their handling
How information is received in an argument mainly depends on its source, so the different sources of information are enumerated below. Note that the validity of a source as an in-character reference does not necessarily make the information it provides true. The credibility of each source is something completely different. These guidelines are not only useful for acting in character, but are also enforced on the Intergalactic Summit on the Eve forums.
Eve News articles (in-universe)
Links are OK: Yes
References are OK: Yes
Eve News articles are publicly known information to both capsuleers and often the general populace of New Eden as well. The information there is perfectly fine for all uses.
Eve chronicles/short stories
Links are OK: Usually, no
References are OK: Only for general or public information
The chronicles and short stories are problematic to address due to their wide variety of topics. Some chronicles, such as Sisters of EVE, are fine to reference and link to, as they provide only general information. Knowledge of the facts presented in chronicles such as those is considered basic, and even assumed to exist in certain discussions.
Other chronicles, such as Ante (to keep with the Sisters of EVE theme), can simply not be linked to, and references are close to impossible. This is because they are short stories about a particular very local event which is very private, and in this case, secret. In this example, the facts that Santimona Sarpati and Silphy enDiabel are sisters and have had uncomfortable reunions may be available in a limited fashion, but claims that they are in fact on nickname terms and actively collaborate would immediately be dismissed as baseless rumors or utter nonsense.
There is yet another type, which contains information of both sorts -- some publicly-known, some not so much. An example of this is the Two Deaths chronicle. it is perfectly reasonable to reference Anvent Eturrer's execution, as it was a public stunt by President Foiritian. It is also acceptable to compare the publicity of the two executions in order to argue for the dignity of the Empire, or the free speech of the Federation, as both executions were public knowledge. Quoting the conversation between Chamberlain Karsoth and Empress Jamyl, though, is not permitted, as it was a much more private event, with only a handful of people in attendance. Because of this, the chronicle would not be linkable.
Any specific narratives, and especially ones that feature inner dialogue or no witnesses, are absolutely not linkable or quotable.
Backstage Lore Wiki
Links are OK: With care, yes
References are OK: Usually, yes
The Backstage Lore Wiki is very useful, but it is a mixture of in- and out-of-character facts. It is normally fine to refer to any information it puts out (as long as it does not obviously violate the fourth wall), but articles should only be linked if they are explicitly about an in-character issue, or are locked (and thus quality-controlled by the BSLW team).
Other general Eve lore
Links are OK: Yes
References are OK: Yes
Other lore resources, like the scientific articles, all feature information that is more or less basic knowledge for capsuleers (even though it may go over the head of some commoners).
In-game item data or mechanics
Links are OK: Yes, Eve wiki link preferred
References are OK: Yes
This usually does not enter into roleplay discussions, but if it does, all in-game data is fine to use. Player jargon (such as "MWD", "point" or "primary") is also fine, as it simply becomes "capsuleer jargon".
Patchnotes, devblogs or other CCP communications
Links are OK: No
References are OK: To a limited degree
CCP is not present as an all-knowing, all-managing force in canon. Any changes to mechanics or items need to either be accepted "as-is" and simply ignored, or attributed to the right entity.
Many general game mechanics changes (for example, the revamping of the Crimewatch system) can normally be attributed to CONCORD.
Conversations with other capsuleers
Quoting is OK: Yes, unless on the Eve Forum (as per the forum rules)
References are OK: Yes
Conversations are things that happen. Even if they are not in a roleplay tone (for example, a ransom offer), they are still things that were said by a capsuleer, and are thus valid resources to use.
Metagame tools
Links are OK: No
References are OK: No
EFT, Pyfa, EVEMON, etc. do not exist in the canon Eve universe. Capsuleers can reference they have run "simulations" or "calculations" or other such things, but referencing the actual software itself is out of character.
3rd party sites (news, blogs, killboards, etc)
Links are OK: No, unless entire site is in character
References are OK: Yes
Capsuleers communicate a lot. Some of that happens via special galnet portals (websites) dedicated to news, captains' logs (blogs), etc. Referring to capsuleer events or views which are presented through such a medium is fine (as long as the information does not break the fourth wall), but linking to such a site is only allowable when it is built with roleplay in mind; anything else is prone to breaking the immersion.
YouTube videos
Links are OK: With few exceptions, no
References are OK: With few exceptions, no
Videos (or "holoreels") are very prone to breaking the fourth wall, and discretion should be used in each case. Some informative "lore" videos are fine (for example, Day of Darkness II), though they may be dismissed as propaganda.
