Influence Points
Besides getting economic benefits, factions who participate in the intergalactic community can gather influence. Influence represents soft power, or the ability to attract and co-opt without using force of finances as a means of persuasion.
Influence is represented by 
Influence Points, which function similar to 
Experience: it is acquired by roleplay, saved up over time and spent to gain certain advantages. Influence differs from experience in that it is acquired by member worlds rather than Jedi and is spent on different things.
Minor Worlds, Inner Worlds and Core Worlds can all gather IP. Fringe Worlds and Protectorates cannot gather or spend IP, as they do not participate in the political arena. They do however retain any they acquired before or afterwards. Worlds cannot give or trade their to other worlds.
Gaining IP
You gain through political roleplay and filling certain positions of influence within the Union. The table below lists how. In all cases, the total value may be changed depending on the circumstances.
| Action | Benefit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Successfully perform the task of Chancellor for an electoral period | 10 | you may receive more or less depending on your activity level |
| Receive a vote for you to become Chancellor | N | 1 per vote cast on you |
| Successfully perform the task of Minister for an electoral period | 5 | you may receive more or less depending on your activity level |
| Actively participate in senate discussions that are part of a storyline | 2 | can be more or less depending on the size of the event |
Accept a position as a committee member of a commission that spends Union  | 1 | can be more if the committee decision has a major impact |
| Organize a Conference or similar event | 5 | only one such event may be taking place at once, arrange multiple conferences OOC |
| Participate in private events with four or more players that are part of a story | 2 | can be more or less depending on the size of the event |
| Roleplay with another player | X | you can submit a story that contains roleplay with another player for review by an ST, you can't submit yourself |
| Participate in Special Events | X | an ST may award IP for special events your faction participated in |
Other options are also possible, at the discretion of the storytellers.
Spending IP
After your faction has been politically active for a while, you will have built up some .
The table below lists some examples of what Influence Points can be spent on, with an indication of the cost to influence NPCs in this manner. This table is intended as a guideline only as the NPCs attitudes may lower or raise the cost of certain actions, and attach costs to actions not even listed here.
Votes and Motions
Influence can be used to gain information about NPC intentions as well as motivating them to align politically with you. Note that are finite in their power. Factions will never vote for issues that directly oppose their core beliefs. For example, no matter how many Influence Points are used, the Holy Heimgolian Theocracy will never vote in favour of a Union enforced separation of Church and State for example.
Normal Votes
2: Learn a vote
Find out what an NPC is going to vote in a vote over a new law. The NPC senator informs you exactly what they will vote and why they will vote this way.
10: Suggest a vote
Get an NPC to vote a certain way for a new law that does not significantly impact them. The NPC senator will vote as desired during the voting period.
20: Push a negative vote
Get an NPC to vote in a way that clearly negatively impacts them. The NPC senator will vote as desired during the voting period. Depending on how severe the impact is, this cost may be higher or lower.
Elections
4: Learn a vote
Find out what an NPC is going to vote in the next elections. The NPC senator informs you exactly who they will vote for and why.
20: Vote on a specifc candidate
Get an NPC to vote a certain way during elections. The NPC senator will vote as desired during the next election. Factions never vote against their own candidate or a candidate they seconded.
30: Second a candidate for the general elections
The NPC senator will second a candidate of your choice, vote for them in the elections and help campaign to get more votes. NPCs with extensive political influence may charge higher prices for their support as they come with multiple votes.
Motions
10: Second a motion of Inquiry, Support, Sadness or Input
The NPC senator will second a motion of inquiry, support, sadness or input. Factions never support moptions of Sadness against their own senators and may charge extra for such motions against their allies.
15: Make a motion of Inquiry, Support, Sadness or Input
The NPC senator will initiate a motion of inquiry, support, sadness or input. Factions never make motions of Sadness against their own senators and may charge extra for such motions against their allies.
20: Second a motion of No Confidence or Special Enforcement
The NPC senator will second a motion of no confidence or special enforcement. If there is no clear cause for the motion, the price will be higher. Factions never second a motion of no confidence against their own Senators and may raise the cost to make such a motion against alies.
30: Make a motion of No Confidence or Special Enforcement
The NPC senator will make a motion of no confidence or special enforcement. Before a motion of this type can be made, there must be a clear cause the NPC can use to justify the motion. Factions never make a motion of no confidence against their own Senators and may raise the cost to make such a motion against alies.
Using NPC territory
Factions may wish to pass easily through NPC territory.
2: Allow Holonet Relay Upgrade Station
Allow a Holonet Relay Upgrade Station on a Holonet Base Station controlled by the NPC. The NPC merely allows the construction. You still need to construct the upgrade station yourself, and you remain its owner.
5: Allow use of 500
Allow usage of 500 in the home sector of the NPC for a duration of 52 weeks. To get more capacity, purchase this multiple times. Worlds on the Bozzy Spine do not provide this option.
1: Use hyperspace lane
Allow 200 goods to be transported by a trade fleet using the hyperspace lane in the home sector of the NPC for a duration of 52 weeks. Lane Quality counts as 2 (so it takes up 100 on your trade fleet to pass 200 goods through the sector). To get more capacity, purchase this multiple times. Worlds on the Bozzy spine do not provide this option.
