Birds of Prey

{{GroupPage
 * image=Birds-of-prey1.jpg
 * caption=A few of the founding members of the Birds of Prey.
 * logo=Bop-logo.jpg
 * name= Birds of Prey
 * type= Heroic Group
 * head= Oracle
 * xo= Robin


 * note=

The Birds of Prey exists as a loose network of independent vigilante operatives, regardless of gender or origin, coordinated by Oracle for the purpose of engaging in crime-fighting and related activities normally beneath the notice of more cosmically powered heroes, both domestically and abroad.


 * members=


 * charter=

Premise
Traditionally, the Birds of Prey are a team of female anti-heroes and vigilantes, coordinated by Oracle, brought together to engage in street-level crime-fighting and related activities normally beneath the notice of more cosmically powered heroes. However, for the purposes of HeroMUX, the Birds will ICly exists as a loose network of independent vigilante operatives, regardless of gender or origin, coordinated by Oracle for the same purpose. While a core "team" may exist, characters choosing to operate outside that team are still welcome and encouraged to maintain membership in the group and engage in related play as it suits them. OOCly, the organization is open to any character interested in street-level play, whether as a regular (solo or team) operative or an ongoing informant, regardless of outside team affiliation, choosing to avail themselves of and participate in the Oracle Network's information gathering and crime-fighting activities.

IC Mission Statement
The Birds of Prey exists as a loose network of independent vigilante operatives, regardless of gender or origin, coordinated by Oracle for the purpose of engaging in crime-fighting and related activities normally beneath the notice of more cosmically powered heroes, both domestically and abroad.

OOC Policy Making
Generally, policies will be ratified by the group as a whole, put through a series of reasonable discussions, finalized with a vote. Policies should have the favour of a 60% majority to pass. In the case of a stand-off, stalemate, or conflict, the OOC leadership retains the right to make a final decision.

Joining
OOCly, any character may request to join and can work out the details of that process with either or both of the OOC leaders of the group.

ICly, a character must be invited to join and should establish their working relationship with the IC leader (i.e. Oracle or a duly appointed representative) through a logged-and-posted scene. There are three types of Bird operatives:
 * 1) Primary or Team Operatives, whose activities are directed and sanctioned by Oracle (or the IC leader) and who are considered to be full-fledged members of the Birds of Prey team from an IC point of view. These operatives have full access to the Oracle network and Oracle's resources, though they may or may not be aware of her civilian identity. (Such knowledge requires mutal OOC agreement and may also require playing an actual scene to establish it.)
 * 2) Auxiliary or Solo Operatives, whose activities are monitored and often aided by Oracle (or the IC leader), but who primarily operate in a solo capacity and often under their own auspices and direction. These operatives may or may not have full access to Oracle's network and resources, depending on the level of her (or the Birds') involvement in their activities. Typically, network information and resources are given out on a case-by-case basis, and the operative has little or no knowledge of Oracle's true identity or the breadth of her information network (unless otherwise arranged).
 * 3) Informants and Information Agents, whose typical contact with Oracle (or the IC leader) or the other operatives is simply to feed information and rumours into the network. These agents generally do not have access to Oracle's network or resources and almost never know who she or the other Birds of Prey really are and rarely have even the slightest clue of just how broad and deep the organization goes. If they maintain an active and helpful relationship with Oracle and/or other Bird representatives, they may be able to call upon Oracle and/or the Birds of Prey network for help, on occasion — particularly if they have been put in danger because of any Birds-related activities.

Removal
Generally, characters will be removed from the roster if they make an OOC request to leave or if they are found in gross violation of group or game policies. A long idle or the transfer of a character between players is not generally considered sufficient grounds to remove the character from the roster, unless the (new) player wishes it.

IC Leadership
The IC leadership of the group should, on account of canon, nominally fall to Oracle and/or Black Canary. However, should those characters fall inactive or their players not wish the take on the responsibility, some arrangement to ICly transfer the leadership to another active Bird operative should be encouraged. Note, this may or may not necessitate a change in the structure of the network, how information is accessed and disseminated, etc. Consideration to those sorts of IC changes must also be given at the time of transfer. What is most important, however, is that this IC transfer be played out in a logged-and-posted scene (if possible) so that it becomes part of the group's history.

It is not necessary for any IC team leader to maintain OOC leadership or administration of the group. OOC leadership should be taken on by responsible, active players, who are willing to put in the time to accommodate the extra administration such positions require.

Regardless, both IC and OOC leaders should be prepared to help create and run group-related plots on a reasonably regular basis, in order to maintain group cohesion and interest, and to help and encourage other group members to do the same. They should also be generally available for pick-up play both within the group and across the grid at large, to maintain a healthy and active game.

IC Policy Making
IC policies are generally determined by the IC leadership, in consulation with active IC operatives where appropriate, but should reflect OOC policies insofar as they must be ICly reasonable for a group of the structure and purpose possessed by the Birds of Prey. If IC policies run counter to the OOC desires of the majority members of the group, provision should be made to amend them based on an acceptable compromise or solution.

OOC Transfer of Leadership
Once a leadership position has become vacant, the remaining leader should notify the group via +bbpost of the situation and solicit volunteers and/or nominees for an election to fill the vacant position. (Majority wins.) If only one volunteer comes forward, or only one nominee is appointed and they consent, that person may be ratified and appointed without a vote. If it happens that both OOC leadership positions are vacant or unreasonably idle at the same time, interested members of the group should approach the wizards to conduct a similar election and/or appointment process.

Note: In addition to the normal resignation process, any OOC leader that is idle or inactive without notice for a month or more may have their leadership revoked and be replaced. Replaced leaders do not need to be removed from the group.

Amending This Charter
Amendments to this charter should be submitted via @mail to the group leadership, who should review them and post them to the group +bb as a topic for discussion. The membership should have a reasonable length of time (about 14 days?) to express their opinions on the matter (also via +bbpost). At the end of the discussion period, the leadership will then review the discussion. If the discussion yields a clear majority preference for accepting or rejecting the amendment, the leadership should proceed (and post) accordingly. If the discussion yields an ambiguous result, the leadership should put the amendment under discussion to a formal vote. (Private @mail to the leadership should suffice, unless some sort of polling code can be accessed.) If the discussion otherwise suggests a better compromise, the leadership should instead draft up the compromise for discussion or, if the compromise already appears to have the majority assent from the original discussion, put the compromise to a majority vote. In cases where there is a stalemate, stand-off, or conflict, the leadership retains the right to make a final decision. Generally speaking, amendments should have a 60% majority to pass.


 * resources=

The Clocktower
Oracle's Operations Center, and thus the heart of the Birds' activities, is located in the Clocktower. Every member of the Birds of Prey organization has at least a contact number to get a hold of Oracle in her Clocktower. Not everyone has physical access to it, however. It depends on what an operative's IC position is (team/solo/info) and whether or not they have been ICly granted that access (and thus knowledge of her real identity) by Oracle herself. Physical access to the Clocktower, however, includes access to Oracle's physical computers, crime lab, and related technologies.

Weapons and Gear
Between Wayne Enterprises, KORD Inc, and Oracle's own resources, Birds of Prey operatives can often avail themselves of advanced, military-grade and better equipment well suited to a James Bond flick... or Batman's utility belt. At the very least, Oracle makes sure that her active operatives have reliable, and extremely hard to detect communication devices. Depending on the mission, however, she will supplement those items with additional weapons and technology as appropriate.

Note, however, it is highly unlikely Oracle will ever supply any sort of ballistic firearms, given her history with guns. (Stun guns and tasers are the exception to that rule.) After all, Birds are expected to subdue their opponents using non-lethal means.

Medical Benefits
Being a Bird of Prey is dangerous. Oracle doesn't cover all medical expenses, by any means, but where possible she will make accommodation to ensure that her operatives receive whatever medical treatment they require, if they have been injured "on the job". (Even if she occasionally happens to do so by hacking the system.)

Cost Recovery
The Birds of Prey are not mercenaries -- at least, not while they're on the clock for Oracle. But, operation-related expenses do occasionally come up. So, occasionally, Oracle will arrange a small deposit or two be placed in an operative's bank account -- enough to cover basic operating costs. This isn't a regular thing, however, and doesn't cover regular wear-and-tear. It only applies to operations (and operatives) with a significant loss of or damage to personal (crime-fighting related) property. Further, this 'stipend' usually only applies to equipment and melee weaponry, not ballistic firearms.

}}