General

A FRAGILE PEACE IN THE BASE
The BASE is the only location in the Zone where soldiers and Lancers alike can truly relax, repair gear, and recuperate. The peace maintained here is fundamental to survival, and any breach of this unwritten contract, the initiation of unregulated violence is considered a capital offense. Cutthroat diplomacy, threats, and economic leverage are daily occurrences, but the use of force is highly restricted.

Zero tolerance for unregulated violence
While you are permitted to carry your weapons and gear as armed deterrence is the only form of personal security, all random, unprovoked, or malicious use of a firearm or explosives is strictly forbidden. This foundational agreement keeps the peace intact. Inside The Base, the silent agreement stands: "You do not fight where you live." Outside The BASE, no laws apply, not even the laws of war.

The exception: regulated conflict
BAS-SÄK tolerates certain forms of violence, provided they are pre-approved and conducted with proper protocol:

• Tolerated Brawls: Brawls and acts of violence using melee weapons are generally tolerated, as they are viewed as less collateral and more honorable than gunfire. They should always be conducted at a safe location, away from the BAR and any bystanders risking injury.

• Approved Duels: Duels using firearms may even be accepted at times, provided BAS-SÄK and Base residents are informed in advance and proper safety protocols are conducted. This is the only instance of "regulated violence."

Consequences of violence in The BASE
Committing acts of unregulated violence, particularly discharging a weapon or murdering someone, inside The BASE will result in immediate and catastrophic consequences.

• Bounty Board Placement: Your name will be placed on the Bounty Board with a significant price on your head. All factions, regardless of previous differences, are authorized to hunt you down for the reward. (See Bounty Hunting below for full details.)

• The Wrath of BAS-SÄK: Attracting the attention of BAS-SÄK and possibly the OPC is far worse than facing a bounty. These organizations wield immense economic and political power, acting swiftly and without negotiation. They will deploy every available asset, vehicles, drones, even hiring PMC Factions and other Lancers to hunt you down. Their goal is to do more than kill you; it is to utterly erase your legacy from the Zone as a warning, which can also lead to the permanent death of that character and removal from the freelander leaderboard.

The BAR: A sacred, gun-free sanctuary
The BAR is the most sacred sanctuary within The Base. It is a totally weapon-free zone. 

• Safety First (Off-Game): For safety reasons no airsoft weapons or grenades are allowed inside the BAR.

HOW TO LEAVE AND ENTER THE BASE, RISK VS REWARD.
This mechanic covers the two primary ways to enter and exit The Base: the secure, taxed route via the OPC-Controlled Gate and the dangerous, “duty-free” lethal route via the "No-Man's-Land".

The OPC-Controlled Gate (Official Route)
The Gate is the only sanctioned entry and exit point, guarded and managed by the OPC.

PMC Factions (Contracted Personnel)
PMC personnel are bound by corporate contracts and must adhere to the official entry protocol:

• Mandatory Use: PMC members must use the OPC-Controlled Gate for entry and exit.

• Tax Exemption: PMCs are exempt from paying item taxes on gear or findings. This condition is pre-regulated by high-level corporate contracts and administered by company management. No forms or paperwork here.

• The Grunt Life: Despite their status, PMCs are still subject to standard military procedure. Expect to be stopped, searched, and questioned by OPC security personnel. This is a non-negotiable part of their operational agreement.
  “Just suck it up buttercup.”

Freelancers (“Lancers”)
Lancers are individuals operating outside corporate structures and must pay for the security the OPC provides:

• Mandatory Entry: Lancers must use the OPC-Controlled Gate to enter or exit The BASE.

• Mandatory Taxation: Lancers must pay a mandatory tax on all items, artifacts, and valuable gear they bring out of the Borderlands/Zone and into The BASE. This tax is assessed and collected at the gate by OPC personnel. Failure to declare items is considered smuggling. Should the Lancer fail to be able to pay taxes for their goods, the items will be bought by OPC at a lower rate, making sure everyone gets some sort of profit from the hazzle.

The "No-Man's-Land" (Smuggler's Route)
Bypassing the Gate by crossing the No-Man's-Land is considered a criminal act, carrying extreme risks but offering the chance to avoid taxation. Entering or exiting The BASE via any route other than the OPC Gate is a direct breach of contract and protocol. OPC security is authorized to use lethal force against any personnel (including PMCs) crossing that boundary. Besides the watchful eye of OPC patrols and automated defences, the area is also patrolled by drones and has a number of minefields. 

• PMC Factions: Breaching protocol by using unauthorized entry points carries severe consequences that go beyond individual risk.  This action will severely anger the OPC administration, resulting in heavy fines, loss of operational permits, and potentially putting the entire PMC faction at a significant disadvantage in future contract bidding and borderland access. Avoid this at all costs.

• Lancers: Lancers may choose to bypass the Gate, trading security for profit. Any Lancer crossing the boundary outside the gate is immediately considered a smuggler and is subject to being shot on sight by OPC security. The risk comes with the reward: successful passage means your goods are “duty-free”, and you avoid the mandatory tax on all your findings.

THE QUEST AND MISSION HUB (The BAR)
The BAR is the economic and social nexus of The Base. It is the crucial trading post where success in the Borderlands is converted into immediate profit and necessary supplies. All major faction representatives and contractors operate here, seeking to utilize the skills of the Freelancer community. As the central hub of commerce and information, The BAR hosts the essential boards you'll need to operate: the Mission Board, the Bounty Board, the Exploration Map and the Board of Knowledge.

The mission board (Jobs & Contracts)
This is the primary way for Lancers to secure reliable income and reputation. The OPC and various smaller contractors post missions here as well, ranging from simple supply runs to dangerous scouting missions deep in the Borderlands.

• Function: Provides structured jobs with clear objectives and guaranteed payouts if successful. Just take note of all instructions for the specific mission at hand and get on your way. Players may also post jobs here, asking for aid with whatever is needed.

• Mission Types: Expect assignments like artifact retrieval, data extraction, item acquisition, clearing out mutant lairs, saving friendlies, scouting POIs, guard and transport duty, making scientific tests and outright elimination missions.

• Completion: Upon successful completion of the objective, the Lancer must deliver the required item or evidence directly to the designated person noted on the mission (e.g. the person mentioned on the card) at their station within The BASE. Payouts are made immediately upon showing a valid mission card and proof of completion.

BOUNTY HUNTING
This is the primary way for Lancers to secure high-risk, high-reward contracts targeting dangerous individuals. The BAR hosts a dedicated board where bounties are posted by the Bounty Master. To accept a bounty just take note of all instructions for the specific bounty and go search for the person with the bounty on their head.

• Function: Provides high-stakes contracts with clear objectives and rewards. If you wish to post a bounty on someone, you must contact the BAR Bounty Master (just ask if you don't know who it is) and they will settle the bounty and payment.

• Target Types: Anyone who angered the wrong person, the law, or just straight out criminals.

• Completion: Upon successful elimination or capture of the target, the player must deliver proof (such as a photo with the body, the body itself, or the target brought back to the BAR whilst still alive) directly to the designated NPC (e.g. the BAR Bounty Master). Rewards are issued immediately upon verification of the completed contract.

DATA TRIANGULATION
This mechanic covers Data triangulation. Players can use money or trade to hire the scientists, and then use a specific key card to operate their triangulation scanner in the field. This allows you to gain crucial data and narrow your search area for lost artifacts.

This mechanic is TBA later this fall.

ARTIFACT HUNTING
This mechanic covers Artifact Hunting. Not much is known about how to obtain artifacts, as they are exceedingly rare and difficult to acquire. Even less is known about how to maintain them, as they tend to become unstable and fall apart outside of The Zone and the borderlands.

This mechanic is TBA later this winter as research is still in progress.