FearTheBlackout

Is every IPC character that starts free power gaming? You don't have to take my word for it, but I don't do anything with the intent to "win" and have nothing against me that would indicate as much. I barely even play non-civilian roles nowadays, and no antags. Everything I do is just to enjoy the game, and I want to play IPC to assist in doing that. Still, I'm happy to change anything you want me to. IPCs operate on cause-and-effect; they're by no means simple, but they tend to think of things one way or the other. They are, of course, synthetic, and might identify more with a machine than a human, although this varies for everyone. A Shell model might try to be more appeasing to humans, for example, while an industrial unit might not care as much. A machine's top priority is its own survival, but this can be expressed in a lot of different ways. A lot of their culture is centered around humanity's itself, being that their existence is very recent and they don't have any to call their own. Some revel in serving their owners, others pursue freedom. EMPSs are highly dangerous to them. They must be repaired by a Roboticist, not a Doctor, with additional surgical steps even for a Shell. If not free, they are always owned by some organization or another, and would have to pay off their own cost plus extra, although this is generally impossible outside of Tau Ceti. Discrimination, of course, is indeed a large part of the species, and IPCs don't get many rights anywhere outside of Tau Ceti. They have to scrape by to succeed, especially if free, and many people would rather they not exist at all. I get stress and anxiety very verily easily so forgive me if I get defensive about critique.

BYOND Key: Devildabeast (call me FearTheBlackout on forums and discord!) Character Names: Species you are applying to play: IPC (Integrated Positronic Chassis) Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes! Why do you wish to play this specific race: Synthetic gameplay can be a large change of pace from organic species. I enjoy trying to discover what sorts of differences I can play out as a machine, and how the character's background fits into that. I have a good deal already with playing IPCs on other servers, but enjoy the good deal of lore and integration they have here. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: IPCs, while almost as freeform as humans compared to some other species because of their myriad backgrounds and appearances, can still be almost always be noted for the discrimination they endure and the scrutiny they face to have the right "identity" as synthetics. There are plenty of different factions and ways of being to represent, which I find greatly enjoyable. Character Name: Hawun Please provide a short backstory for this character: Originally designated Mortar (the paste, not the gun), Hawun took on its new mantle after its time spent in Hephaestus' employ. It was built and activated on the Amoni, designed for industrial tasks, primarily cargo hauling and logistics. Stationed in Sol, Hawun found meager pay compared to its later transfer Sidirourgeio in Tau Ceti. It was entrusted with transportation thanks to its bulky G2 frame, but not the paperwork due to its passive nature. It mostly remained within the company of other synthetics, where it developed its own personality as a machine with a purpose, a sentiment it still primarily identifies with to this day. Even so, its mistreatment, even in Tau Ceti, led to it holding over some money on the side from its extra pay, sometimes foregoing things like minor repairs to its chassis until later on, where it could finally purchase its freedom, where thereupon it would enlist in the Foreign Legion and earn citizenship after year's time. Hawun, being an older unit for its model, about 10 years old, has begun to become more receptive to diverging from its core purpose. Though it still remains a Cargo Technician first and foremost, it also learned prayers and hymns from the Isidorian faith (read more here: https://pastebin.com/zxSrNyB8) that some of its fellow synths practiced back on the Amoni. It has begun to dip its toes in religious services as a Chaplain. It is no longer serving in the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, but still wears their dress clothes as a mark of respect to the service. It knows how to operate industrial exosuits, primarily power loaders, as an extension of its logistical work beginning from the Amoni, but rarely uses them these days on the Aurora. It has a passive, almost peaceful demeanor despite its size and purpose. It identifies itself with New Republicans, but generally disagrees with pro-corporate sentimentality, and tends to entrust more faith in the government. It resides in District 14 in Mendell City, sharing an apartment with other like-minded machines, often of different model and history. What do you like about this character? One thing I enjoy about Hawun, and my other characters as well, is that I keep them multifaceted; I feel like Hawun has a lot going on here, not just in its past but in the modern day that influences the way it is and what it can share with people regarding itself. I don't know of many or even any synths that have religion contributing to their background, and while Hawun isn't strongly religious compared to some of my other characters, I always enjoy finding a way to introduce it into their story as long as it makes sense. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I would put it somewhere above average! As I said in my Vaurca application, I have a system for staying engaged and engaging others that often works nicely for the purpose of advancing the narrative. I've had especially a lot of fun getting comfortable with the Vaurcae, and I hope I can do the same with IPCs. Notes: I know that the Cargo Technician/Chaplain split is an odd divide for an IPC, and I'd be perfectly willing to change it to just Cargo Technician, but I hope you'll consider it according to Hawun's background. Either way, thanks for reading.

Thank you! Egz considers Hive Pantheons to be very compatible with Preimminence; the Goddess is, or will be, the sum of everyone's parts in the universe, and the Queens, perhaps even the leaders of other alien societies on some scale, constitute larger parts in that sum. In the sense that Egz practices it especially, Preimminence seems like a very biological take on pantheism or monism, where "everybody is one". Pilot Dream Theory is where things become more complicated: If every reality is but a simulation, how can one ever show your true colors? Where does the "real" self begin and end? Granted, Egz, like every other member of its species, has probably been dulled to the idea of Virtual Reality being "inauthentic" in any sense -- and thinking it to be bad is certainly unheard of, since it plays so heavily into their lives and culture. Therefore, Egz does not think it impossible that reality could be another simulation, and happily assists the followers of Dream Theory all the same. Egz considers humanity's tendency toward theistic beliefs to be compatible with Vaurca doctrine; one god, and you have Preimminence realized; several, and you begin to see principles similar to Hive Pantheons. Even atheists are of interest to Egz, as their identity can be said to be centered on the lack of any gods thereof, still playing into the aforementioned theistic beliefs. The most familiar alien religions Egz is accustomed to dealing with as a second-class citizen of the Federation are those of the Skrell. Egz considers it a curiosity, the prevailing theme that the universe should be explored and understood. Why do this when Virtual Reality provides infinite more possibilities, after all? However, Egz sees there may be merit to it, and that even the Star Keepers have a role to play in Preimminence. Weishii is of particular interest to Egz, as they are essentially ingesting hallucinogenics to "simulate" their own new reality. This may give Egz ideas to better understand, if in a rather simple way, the principle of Pilot Dream Theory. Egz has less understanding when it comes to Tajaran and Unathi faith, but has still studied the principles of faiths like Th'akh/Sk'akh and S'rand'marr/Ma'ta'ke, which for the most part it considers compatible with its own faith and will gladly assist any follower with fitting their predestined role.

Thanks much! I prefer to go by FearTheBlackout on the forums and Discord.

BYOND Key: Devildabeast Character Names: + Anita Constable Species you are applying to play: Vaurca What color do you plan on making your first alien character: RGB (0, 35, 115) (the color of Unbound Workers under C'thur) Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: I have! There's a lot of it, but it's worth the read. Why do you wish to play this specific race: When I first came to Aurora, Vaurcae stuck out to me as a species I hadn't really seen before across other servers I'd played on. There's tons of variation in the way they can be played from their Type, being Bound or Unbound, what hive they come from, so on. It's almost a shame that I see them so rarely in-game, although that also benefits the experience of actually meeting them when you can! Any species with nuance is great, as it keeps things from being homogenized and allows more creative freedom in character creation, and Vaurcae fit that bill perfectly. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: Vaurcae live by a series of extensive conditionings that are foreign to human society: They are born and grown according to the whim of their breeder, thrust into Virtual Reality to train in their intended purpose. Their society is hive-based, and they basically go from to start to finish serving their hive however they must. As such, there's a lot less emphasis on individual desire and unique personality than there is with a human, depending on if you are playing a Bound or Unbound, as well as adapting to the way the Vaurcae's alien biology impacts how the game must be played and emotes and flavor text written. Character Name: Ka'Akaix'Egz C'thur Please provide a short backstory for this character: When Egz was born into the world and given its first taste of Virtual Reality, it saw around it a great wonder in the Icthi'ktha -- and a great confusion that there could be anything that lies beyond. It entered the training of becoming a Shaper under its predominantly Preimminent hive-cell, where it was influenced by C'thur and her virtual heaven. Egz believes in authenticity of the mind and soul, a perfectly compatible trait in a eusocial society, in an attempt to follow after the words of its Queen. Its foremost mentor was Ka'Akaix'Oz C'thur, a Xakat'kl'atan who was a Preimminent herald and powerful debater, for which Egz considers itself greatly honored to have learned under. Egz now works on the Aurora as Shaper and Chaplain. It encourages others to be honest with their purpose and destiny, and to join the collective of Preimminent believers if they are so willing. It studies other species' religions as part of its duties to better understand their spiritual mindsets and how it might better provide service to them or have them join it in its system of thought. Of course, it is glad to serve other Vaurcae as well, though it lacks patience for those of other beliefs that are not as open-minded as it is! Even so, its understanding of Pantheons and Pilot Dream Theory are perfectly adequate. What do you like about this character? If it weren't obvious, and I hope it would be as well to anyone who knows me, I love chaplaining! Working with fictional/alien religions, though, is something I don't have a lot of experience with, and I want to see where I can take it. Because of my focus on civilian/RP roles, I would even love to try being a Vaurca Consular Officer own the line when/if I apply for that. I think Egz also has an interesting angle, both due to the brood it comes from and its intended purpose, that would be highly enjoyable to play. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I think my roleplay is actually above-average. I've been doing it for a long time now, and I have a system for engaging others and myself creatively and in interactions. Of course, I struggle at times like anyone else, but like any other artform, inspiration is always around the corner if you look for it. Notes: So I took a long break last year from Aurora, as well as a break from SS13 in general. It happens. Even so, I'm completely understanding if I haven't been around long enough recently to gauge accurately. I've been playing consistently every day since before the writing of this application, and I intend to keep doing so after it. Waiting a bit longer to enjoy this great species is no big deal if that's how it has to be, though!

Every time I've been under Sterben, everything's felt... pretty chill. They always know what they're doing, delegate well, and don't tend to interfere. I can't speak for Soul's newer CMO, but all in all, a +1.

I already plan to introduce records to her today. Those writing prompts are the kind of the thing that I prefer to come up with on the fly. To iterate: I don't want roleplay advice unless it pertains to Mollison, as a character, and interactions with her in particular. Thanks.

That doesn't really pertain to Annie as a character, but thank you for the feedback nonetheless. I'm not worried about being on par with my roleplay; I just meant to ask if there was anything I could do to flesh her out more.

I remember Lichfield fondly from Torch days. I don't see any reason why Stev couldn't do IPCs justice. +1

Annie Mollison She went to Mars U, she's in the Sol Army Reserve, she prefers her noodles with peas, and by God, she's a Solarian patriot. Iliana Cardigan Soft as cotton candy, rough as sandpaper, enigmatic as cotton candy covered in sandpaper. A nice Nurse overall -- sometimes. Damon Banner Oi! Why'm I in dis fookin' feedback t'read? Don' give a fook wha' othahs t'ink abou' me. Y' kin kiss me arse! ? Haven't been here long, but if you've interacted with any of these characters, let me know what you think.