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Desven

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Posts posted by Desven

  1. I've said it before, limit borg's access to one department. Give them head access if you want to be generous, but they shouldn't have unfettered access.

    I've said previously that borgs should also be restricted to one job, but frankly I'd like to see less engineering/medical borgs, so I'm now okay with them changing modules if required.

    I still fully believe the best solution would be to remove the job, maybe just keeping menial mining cyborgs which justify borgification lore. I'm adamant that borgs (and AI, to that extent), don't really have place in HRP servers.

     

    And no, I don't think Viax are their equal. I've seen plenty of interesting Viax before. But if removing borgs promotes more people to play Vaurcae, I wouldn't complain.

  2. I'm not adding this on minor mapping suggestions because I think it's a bigger problem on how the Horizon is currently laid out. In my opinion, the lack of wall radios (and chargers to a lesser extent) is a huge problem that needs to be addressed, and may require some reorganizing of the limited wall space.

    • Like 1
  3. I've made several suggestions in the past to heavily modify cyborgs, but ultimately I believe the role cannot be fixed. They're a remnant of a different kind of server (or game, for that matter) and I don't think whitelisting them would improve much.

    46 minutes ago, greenjoe said:

    I see there is a poll up now for their removal, if that does go though and they are removed, what IC reasoning might there be for the current robot characters vanishing?

    There needs not to be a reason, I would prefer if in lore they were just voided due to Luca's raised concerns. And frankly, station characters should realistically not feel attached to any cyborgs. Previously it has just created cliquey behavior that lead to IRs and administrative actions, as stationbounds have unlimited access (which I find the most unfair of their mechanics).

  4. Hi. Thanks for applying for Vaurca.

    While creative, your application has some glaring issues. I'll state them below:

    1. A Vaurca Worker, Warrior, or Bulwark cannot simply pick up and leave. No Vaurca, not even Queens, "choose" what to become in life: they're born into that role and their very being is shaped to fulfill it. Pilot Vaurcae are an odd subject: while technically allowed for TCFL, I don't really know if Unbound ever piloted a ship after Exodus. Maybe there are new pilots now in order to fulfill their new army duties, but it's not meant to be common as Vaurcae are pretty restricted when it comes flying a ship of their own. They're completely unfavored when it comes to these jobs.
    2. A K'lax Vaurca cannot join the TCFL. It's a Hive thing, and Zo'ra is the one with the most presence (and military agreements) with the Republic of Biesel. In any case, Zhov would have a background experience as a Kataphract. Their story would be a lot different, however.
    3. Ultimately, I don't know if we have an official stance when it comes to applying with special characters. I know it's generally frowned upon to apply for a whitelist with a planned consular officer or liaison. One-time characters like special roles don't really need a deep background, just to be lore compliant. But I can't really accept an application meant to be for a special character; it doesn't accurately showcase your abilities to weave a Vaurca character and it's just an odd job for me to comment on how it would really develop, as opposed to something more mundane I could see on ship.

    If the role was the only problem, I would request you to rewrite a background. However, due to what I mentioned above, I will deny this application. Feel free to reapply in three days. If you have any more questions, you can approach me or my deputies on discord. I don't mean to discourage you, I do hope to see you applying again soon.

  5. Hi. After much deliberation, me and my deputies decided to deny this application for the time being. We think you're close there, but not enough to properly roleplay as a Vaurca character at the moment. You may feel free to reapply in one week.

    In the meantime, you can approach me or @Connorjg1 on discord. Our tags are desven#3538 and Talion#1645, respectively. We will be more than happy to help you with any questions you have about the species and help you improve your understanding of the race. Additionally, feel free to poke at the lore discord and ask any questions you may have to any other players. 

  6. Very sorry about the delay. Life got in the way.

    Two main things:

    1. Would you please expand a bit on how you think Vaurcae feel different to play than humans? Not exactly in the mechanics, but instead on how you'd get on a bug's skin.
    2. We usually prefer when you make your application on an Unbound character, even if you don't intend to play it. The reason being that for Vaurcae, backstories are flimsy already, as many just come right off Virtual Reality and join the crew. The question also requires you to write two paragraphs. If you can come with anything else, that'd be appreciated. Think maybe, if making an Unbound character, talking a bit about the character's hobbies, likes, or anything that fleshes out its personality.
  7. Hello. I have a few questions.

    1. When did Ziilich begin to work for Zeng-Hu? How did it take the change? Most human megacorps wouldn't want Vaurcae to just lounge around on Virtual Reality all day, so Ziilich was likely forced to remain on the real world for longer.
    2. How does Ziilich feel about ZH now dealing with other Hives? This is an event that occurred last year, after the Bulwark introduction.
    3. What does Ziilich think about its human and alien peers?

     

  8. image.png.5dc9ae368d6ce64617033772ad5d3264.png

    Mendell City Metro Line Evacuated After Foiled K’ois Terrorist Attack

    Active k’ois spores were deployed across five stations of Mendell City Metro Line 1, which serves to connect Zhengfu District with Xinghua Prefecture.

    So far, more than a dozen suspects have been arrested. All were identified as Zo’rane Vaurcae, affiliated with the Ky’klux gang.

    Although the k’ois were identified within minutes, twenty people have been confirmed to be infected with mycosis, with a possibility of up to five hundred more unconfirmed cases from passengers who passed through the station. Line 1 will remain closed through the day as authorities continue to disinfect it.

    The Court of Queens in Caprice issued an emergency statement, calling the act “deplorable” and “Lii’draic.”   

    “What transpired today in Mendell City is deplorable and does not represent the values of the Zo’ra Hive, much less any of the Vaurca Hives. The nature of this attack is Lii’draic, and we will fully cooperate with authorities for the arrest of all responsible parties.”

    Users of Line 1 are encouraged to visit their health centers for a k’ois test. Additionally, some housing buildings in the Xinghua Prefecture have been quarantined to prevent any future mycosis cases.

    If left untreated, the contagion of k’ois mycosis can be lethal. For the full list of symptoms and other information, please visit health.biesel.gov/kois.

  9. 14 hours ago, sperky7933 said:

    What color do you plan on making your first alien character: (RGB 61, 0, 0)

    Character Name: Ka'Akaix'Kezo Zo'ra

    Please provide a short backstory for this character:

    In 2459, another unbound Vaurca was hatched to Xakt's brood, in a hive-cell dedicated to the continuing infrastructure development for her hive in Luthien. Trained in VR for the design and engineering of general infrastructure, housing and the occasional human buildings, Kezo worked with their hive-cell members and the local government on the construction of these buildings for the expanding and recovering hive. For the next two years, Kezo would work with their hive and work with various different people and government workers and lawmakers in the process. In doing so, Kezo made both contacts and references outside of their hive and with that acquired experience in interacting with humans.

    In early 2461, the busy-body Kezo and their hive-cell was sent as an emergency force dedicated to an emergency in a small human colony at the pole. The queen Xakt, eager for the chance to ease tensions between both factions, sent them. Their complex heating system failing, Kezo both designed and improved on the heating system dedicated for the small colony, and greatly simplifying the system using the techniques from their ancient systems learnt in VR. However, Kezo was smart enough not to expose humans directly to their technology. Kezo then led the unbounded engineers to fix the failing heating system and save the tiny colony from certain evacuation and death.

    This act impressed an Hephaestus official who was attempting to solve the issue for weeks without any success from their engineers. Hephaestus offered to hire Kezo, who then refused. However, Hephaestus sweetened the deal with a contract on the maintaining and repairing of ships, which was accepted immediately. Xakt's brood was certainly eager to acquire experience, training and the technology knowabouts from them for their hive, which they desperately need. Unfortunately for Kezo, it was demeaning for a once great engineer in charge of a great army of unbounded servants to now be working the same job as them, except for a greedy and foreign corporation.

    What do you like about this character?:

    Kezo is an interesting character from an interesting brood. I like the queen of choice, Xakt, and I like that Kezo should be easy to play with humans and other xenos due to their experience with them, while not being completely assimilated coming from a debatably isolated brood. Also, coming from Xakt shall give me a good excuse for funny Vaurca voice. I also enjoy playing as a little-bit of a snobby character.

     

    I'm going to accept this application. However, there's a single detail I'd like you to review: Hephaestus only employees K'lax. This is by no means your fault, there's a small table on who employees who that we haven't uploaded to the wiki yet (but we should). I'll leave it here so you can review which companies employ Zo'ra.

    image.png.79883002e4ab3679239a4347e6ae2495.png

  10. image.png.f0bb74558b5324d8b58b56fd2eae7458.png

    Getmore Corporation CEO Responds to Threats of General Strike

    After the allegations of a general strike made by Queen Xakt regarding the Luthien facilities, Mataji Khatri responded in a short statement.

    The response, provided by Miss Nala Somari, was claimed to be “not official in any way, just a clarification.” She then proceeded to read from a piece of paper. “Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we say things we don't really mean to,” quoted Somari, “and those comments should be taken with a grain of salt.”

    Two days ago, when asked by the press, Queen Xakt said that she would follow with a general strike if the ‘Orb’ is donated, per Dorn’s request. “If Dorn keeps demanding our most precious resources, we have no option but to protest. I'm willing to stop the production in all Luthien facilities if hostilities continue.”

    However, economist Joe Wollock claimed this scenario to be “highly unlikely.”

    “The Zo’ra Hive knows its worth,” said Wollock in a holo interview, “but they also know that their special status greatly depends on the services they provide. If Xakt keeps pushing for a strike, antithetical to the Vaurca values the Hive has promoted since their arrival, they give us no option but to look at other suitors that can fulfill the job.”

    Queen Athvur declined to comment after she was asked about Xakt’s threats. While the Mendell City Bugle could reach no other Queens, New Sedantis returned a fax with the following response: “Comments from Queen Xakt do not reflect the current position of the Hive.”

  11. image.png.47368c71dafe318292ea843e11b93b17.png

    Police Doubled In Flagsdale

    As a preventive measure, the Mendell City Police has increased its presence in Flagsdale, the largest Vaurca center in Biesel.

    The decision was made after High Queen Vaur announced that the Zo’ra Hive would provide no more eggs for the ‘Queenless,’ a broad group of Vaurcae that do not belong to any of the major broods.

    Queenless Vaurcae are said to be the main perpetrators of Flagsdale riots, according to statistics from the Mendell City Police Department in 2462. Last year, a Queenless band known as the Ak’riix disrupted the Flagsdale Hivenet relay, a major loss in the district’s infrastructure. Outside of District 9, Queenless Vaurcae have the highest crime rates. 

    Vaur’s announcement was made after the Dorn administration declared that the Zo’ra Hive would receive less phoron, due to the mineral’s scarcity.

    Although all attempts to disturb the peace in Flagsdale have been suppressed, Mendell Police City still expects a significant demonstration.

    When asked to provide a statement, Ta’Akaix’Ger’myck’aal, a representative of the Zo’ra Hive, said, “In times of crisis, our charity work has to be reduced. The aid we provided to the unaffiliated hive-cells is not viable for the time being.”

  12. Hello, thank you for applying for a Vaurca whitelist. I really like your enthusiasm and believe you have put great effort to this application. However, there are some things that stand out to me that I believe we should address first.

    As of 2462 (around two years ago, give or take), Nanotrasen requested all of its employees to relocate from Phoenixport. This was a ruling overlooked by the Vaurca team of the time, but that has since been corrected on the wiki. The new location of Athvur's brood is Belle Cote, a fashion and arts city in Biesel. There probably are some Zo'ra Vaurcae still on Phoenixport, but it's very unlikely. Mainly due to the fact that Zo'ra has a strong relationship with Nanotrasen and Biesel, so it wouldn't be good optics for them to remain on the rivaling city which belongs to Einstein Engines.

    Moreover, the decision for making an Athvur engineer is a bit odd. It's not far-fetched or even disallowed, but there are far better suitable broods in the Zo'ra Hive for engineering work. I understand the appeal of Athvur, especially for a newer player that wants to dip their toes to Vaurca lore for the first time but may be intimidated due to their alien nature. Nonetheless, whitelist applications are meant to stick more to the norm rather than try to bend it, just so we can see that you truly understand the lore behind what you wish to play. The same thing goes for their voice modulator—the wiki states Athvur's brood likely has some of the best. I myself play some Vaurca characters with thick accents, but from other broods which would be more suitable.

    At the moment, I couldn't tell you where in the wiki you can find this, but the supermatter is meant to be a scarce engine, rarely available. Now, I think that some universities could probably test with SM shards, as the full crystal is meant to be used in prestigious ships and engines. You do mention a shard, but I'm not too sure on how these experiments would be held. Likely just a nitpick by me, but I don't know much about university lore to say if Hongsun would use that kind of engine.

    All that said, most Vaurcae don't really live inside Virtual Reality again until their demise. Maybe it would work better if Kezo was assigned to do engineering work closer to the Hive, probably constructing one of their newer cities and building infrastructure, before being sent afar. That solution would also help with Kezo's delusion of being now surrounded by humans, doing human work in a human ship.

    I'm giving you a chance to change some of the application in order for it to be more lore-accurate. I would also recommend you check other Hives, like K'lax. While it might be scary at first because you may think you need to know Unathi lore, only the basics of other species is required. Despite that, there are some K'lax broods that fit perfectly for the type of character you want to play.

  13.  

    image.png.973a20294a35412efc6dbaee3b582c85.png

    Dorn Presses ‘Orb’ Donation

    Due to the Phoron Crisis, the Dorn administration has requested a phoron donation from one of their domestic allies, the Zo’ra Hive.

    The petition for an ‘Orb,’ a Vaurca lifeform that serves as a live container of phoron, was made almost a month ago when Joseph Dorn and High Queen Vaur met in Mendell City. However, an ultimatum was made yesterday afternoon with the Dorn administration threatening to empty Dis, the Vaurcaesian stronghold which houses Warforms and serves as a military base. 

    The announcement was made public in a report by Fred Bolas, a spokesperson for the Republic of Biesel. “Without further phoron supplies, it is unsustainable to continue to house Warforms, the property of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, in reserve on Caprice. These weapons would be better put to use within outposts situated throughout the Corporate Reconstruction Zone,” the document reads.

    This is not the first time the issue of Warforms has come to the fore, with the Foreign Legion and the Zo'ra Hive having been in a long-standing debate on their ownership, both sides claiming to be the true authority. Although escalation is unlikely, this event is an unexpected turn in the otherwise friendly relationship between the Republic of Biesel and the Zo’ra Hive since their arrival to Tau Ceti.

    Even if the ‘Orb’ is donated, scientists disagree on the benefits.

    “We don’t know how pure the phoron inside the Vaurca is,” said Miles McGregor, one of the leading researchers of Vaurcaesian physiology. “Simply put, k’ois tend to stick to other components, and they're not easy to separate. It is highly likely that the phoron, even if it originated from pure crystals, may now be tainted because of the Vaurca diet.”

    While the Zo’ra Hive has made no official report, an inside source claims that the donation is expected to occur later this week.

  14. 9 hours ago, Caelphon said:

    I, for one, would like to see some representation of the cultures present within West Sub-Saharan Africa. I believe this can be done tactfully and without impeding on the existing cultural elements present within the Eridani Corporate Federation. 

     

    I once suggested an idea for a money religion, which was originally suggested by @WickedCybs I believe? My idea followed some of the African religions principles and Africanfuturism. I can understand wanting to keep Eridani sterile, but in my opinion, having it as bland as white bread is also hurtful for how to accurately portray the characters. I think Boggle nailed it when he said Suits have little going on. In my opinion, Dregs do too, it's only that players of sci fi games are more familiar with cyberpunk tropes to pull them off (and even then, full punk Dregs working on a corporate ship feels a bit odd).

    Even if the human lore team chooses to keep Eridani as a group that has erased its own roots, I think there has to be something for them to have them replaced with. Eridani can often feel as a caricature planet because of the simplistic opposition between Dregs (benevolent punks) and Suits (corporate-speak white collars). Hell, I think even Suits could benefit from some Yuppie lifestyle, though I would definitely prefer to touch on African roots.

    At the end of the day, I think we do a great disservice to such a vast cultural group by having them be ethnically Sub-Saharan but nowhere near their customs, traditions, beliefs, or anything else than resembles them, other than their skin color and names. This is probably not brought up often because I doubt we have many (if any) Sub-Saharan African players here, but I would feel a bit cheated if Mictlan, for example, only had Hispanic names and everything else had little flavor going on.

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