Sputnik5927

@KingOfThePing While I am not sure how to take "I am not convinced in you", I read through your feedback and saw that you have legitimate points. I've spent a lot of time editing my application and I thank you for bringing these things up - they were very helpful in my revision. I will note that Tajara lore (especially the timeline) is very long and complicated and these issues did not come from a lack of trying. I also ended up mistaking about 20 years in the timeline, which is why there were chronological errors. I've rewritten that part completely anyway.

BYOND Key: Sputnik5927 Character Names: Wolf Arges, Security Officer Harald Brytforda, Security Officer TAKMAN, Security Officer Yangtze Xiaojian, Bridge Crew Martin Walker, Bridge Crew Zhang Xiaodan, Psychiatrist Daniel Griffin, Surgeon Mikhail Voroshilov, Shaft Miner Shepherd Malric, Priest Vladimir Khoromov, Merchant Species you are applying to play: Tajara (Zhan-Khazan) What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Black Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes. Why do you wish to play this specific race: I was inspired by Tajara players to make my own character. I want to be able to engage with them on that level. I am personally a fan of the Zhan-Khazan because I am generally drawn towards the traditional and pragmatic culture that they exhibit. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: Tajara have an accent in Basic which is basically rolling your R's. If a Taj grew up in human space or spends enough time there, they can unlearn it - if they even want to unlearn it. They speak in third person about themselves and the person they're talking to unless they're very close personally. Having a tail, ears, claws and fur means that Tajara emote and feel differently. Ears flicking shut in reaction to a loud noise, for example. Fur also means that Tajara overheat easily, not to mention being used to a cold climate. They hear very well and can see in the dark. Tajara live in a turbulent time and have a relatively narrow view of the world, most likely being very invested in their political beliefs and whatever experiences they had made on Adhomai. This means that they are molded by political identity and heritage - lots of prejudices and beliefs show themselves when you put Tajara from different backgrounds near each other. The way that many Tajara end up in space is through fleeing Adhomai. Not everyone can endure the regime, monarchy or looming hot war on the planet and many choose to leave as refugees. That means leaving your home (and maybe even your family) behind. Perhaps one of your family members disagrees and chooses to stay or even reports you to the authorities and you escape by only the skin of your teeth. As for the way they're treated by others, Tajara face discrimination and racism by other species, based on their beliefs, origin, things such as education and economic status or the situation on Adhomai. Character Name: Tazan Mauli Please provide a short backstory for this character Please provide a short backstory for this character Tazan Mauli was born in 2434 in a Zhan-Khazan village near the Khazan Mountains. He became the elder to two brothers and a sister. He spent most of his childhood helping with village chores and playing in the outskirts with his brothers. In terms of education, he was taught by his parents and in groups with the other children by the older people of the village - language, reading, writing, some mathematics and history, but mostly narrow in scope. He had no comparison and never felt the need to learn more in his day-to-day. He was taught Delvahhi the most, but naturally learned speaking, reading and writing Siik'maas in decent measure, as it was very necessary at the time. He was subjected to many religious services and readings, which instilled the values of and belief in the Ma'ta'ke pantheon, with emphasis on Mata'ke, Marryam and Rredouane. It was not rare, however, for him to skip and hide with his sister, preferring to play dice in the storehouse instead - even if it ended with an earful from their parents. Tazan saw it as a way to bond with his sister, who was often excluded when they were playing soldier or hunter. He remembers these things fondly. Like anyone pushed through rituals and put through readings, he picked up the belief in a semi-solid manner, but is quick to make excuses for himself when he's broken a tenet. When he became old enough, he started working in the mine that his village was connected to, where most of the other villagers already labored. Although it wasn't exactly cushy, he found the team-based work in the mine somewhat fulfilling and came to respect hard work and dedication. Being a small village, one filled with Zhan, they faced many impositions and oppression by the PRA, especially during the second revolution, with huge quotas for ore and food to be provided for something they did not believe in or care about. They were only spared conscription because of their work extracting precious resources. In 2459, upon hearing of the bombing of the NKA Parliament, the 25-year-old Tazan volunteered to the Liberation Army for five years as part of the infantry, feeling compelled to undo the work he had unwillingly done for the regime by fighting it instead. Being distant from the bombing itself, he was able to feel it as an inspiring, heroic counter-strike against the enemies of freedom, rather than a brutal end to several lives. In the Liberation Army, he witnessed the formation of the DPRA as a nation and was filled with hope for the future. His first year was spent as a garrison soldier in Tampiska, before he was shipped to Chaniska. There, he bolstered a mustering army and took part in the victorious battle of Das'nrra. When Almrah Harrlala was elected president, Tazan was slightly confused by the bitter reactions of some of his comrades. Wasn't this what they were fighting for, freedom and change? Worrying about a split in his battalion, he didn't push the topic and mostly avoided arguments about it. His lack of outspoken opposition was seen as complicity and support, so he was inducted into a military coup. These few days, before Commander Nated's resignation, were critical for Tazan. Having to weigh his belief in and dedication to the Liberation Army and the idea that Harrlala could bring true democracy to Adhomai. Had it not been for the Commander's resignation and the delay of the coups, he would have participated, convincing himself that the ALA must not become unstable or weaker by civilian interference. Tazan's junta stepped down and did not enact any plans following an appeal by Nated. On the 2nd of September 2461, Tazan took part in the offensive against the PRA, fighting near Nal'tor. A handgrenade caused him minor hearing loss and a scar on his leg when he pulled an unaware soldier to the ground and shielded him with his body. He carries these wounds with pride, seeing them as proof of his bravery and selflessness. The participation of the Royal Navy was something he was aware of, but did not begrudge. Whatever helped win the fight sooner. A short stay of two weeks in the hospital later, he was back to manning garrisons and skirmishing until the 18th of October 2462, when his division saw Nated once again and was ordered to suppress the seperatist forces of Amohda. Tazan was happy to see that the Supreme Commander was back in charge, who may have prevented a bloody coup back then. In early 2464, he witnessed the successful test of the DPRA's first ICBM. Adhomai began to descend further into political spiderwebs and invention of new cruel weapons and Tazan was very aware of this. Still fiercely loyal to the Army he had given five years of his life to, he was ready to fight. The only thing he feared was the use of nuclear bombs. He did not want Moghes' fate to be Adhomai's. His five-year volunteer contract expired and he was (somewhat unwillingly) sent home in late 2464, conflicted but outwardly proud to have done his duty as a man. His voluntary, long military service distinguished him in the eyes of the DPRA when he came to be the subject of an interview by a newspaper - recounting his humble beginnings as a young village boy, facing increasing hardships from the regime and still staying strong enough to end up a hero of Adhomai. This manifested itself in an official invitation to one Tazan Mauli, promising a spot on a free ride to an exclusive employer aboard one of the most prestigious vessels in the spur, with steady pay and dignified work. An opportunity to send money back and improve the lives of everyone in the village, maybe? He would have sought to volunteer again as soon as he could, had it not been for this invitation. Tazan exploited the response period to its fullest, (struggling with) reading it over, saying his goodbyes and making promises. He scraped together the money to buy a digital messenger for his family, so that they could reach him and be available. Cramming TCB language 101, he managed to pass the low-barred communications test. Tazan had been looked over by an artificial intelligence and deemed a fit for the PMCG as a Security Officer. The SCCV Horizon is currently in the badlands and the PMCG would figure that it could use some reinforcement. What do you like about this character? I like that I'll be able to roleplay a traditional Zhan-Khazan and bring that angle to the modern landscape of the Horizon. One that has seen and done a lot and has deep feelings about his home and family. Not just with interacting with other Taj, but also seeing how the rural village boy can hold up against the challenges in open space. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I'm an experienced, considerate roleplayer and I think myself easy to work with. Notes: "what is 1+1 brrrro" Opinions on the factions summarized 1. DPRA - The freedom fighters that will save Adhomai. Absolutely convinced in their righteousness. 2. PRA - An off-shoot of the nobility that has proven itself to be little different than the enforcers of the monarchy with draconian efforts to suppress all good, free Tajara. No thank you! 3. NKA - The stragglers. He is disappointed that they are still around.

Reporting Personnel: Wolf Arges Job Title of Reporting Personnel: Security Officer (At time of incident: Interim Commander) Game ID: ck3-cMOl Personnel Involved: Ahari Zerikanh, Security Officer, Witness /// Angus Thomson, Executive Officer, Witness /// Logan Wright, Commander, Witness /// Helena Artigas, Captain, Witness /// Hossl Suazra, Offender Secondary Witnesses: Time of Incident: Real Time: 11/23/2022 - Something like 8:30 PM GMT+1 Location of Incident: Brig Nature of Incident: [ ] - Workplace Hazard [ ] - Accident/Injury [ ] - Destruction of Property [X] - Neglect of Duty [ ] - Harassment [X] - Assault [ ] - Misconduct [ ] - Other _____ Overview of the Incident: During a particularly busy shift, I was invited by the Executive Officer to become interim Commander. Suazra vehemently spoke against it and said it would be a mistake. I went up to the Executive Officer and was promoted to interim Commander. Later on, the on-board intelligence asked for assistance in the Security channel resolving a cyborg-related issue. We also had an individual waiting to be processed. I ordered Ahari Zerikanh to assist the intelligence and Hossl Suazra to process the individual. Officer Suazra, instead of executing the order given by me, the Commander, left the area to do something else. In the absence of anyone guarding him, the individual attempted to escape the brig. We narrowly caught him. Suazra intentionally disobeyed an order from a Head of Security and consequently almost let a prisoner escape from the brig, presumably just out of principle. I then ordered Hossl Suazra once again to move into the processing room and process the prisoner, firmly and with choice words, as Suazra and I often speak to each other with crass language and it had become a norm. Suazra, presumably feeling pressed by my exercise of authority, lunged towards me and, in front of Ahari Zerikanh, hit me in the face with his claws. Blood flew into my eyes and onto the ground. I reported the matter in the command channel and was met by a paramedic. Luckily, no permanent damage was done. Commander Logan Wright arrived on the shift shortly after and reportedly spoke to Suazra. Submitted Evidence: See security feed of the brig. See witnesses. Would you like to be personally interviewed?: [ ] - Yes [X] - No Did you report it to a Head of Staff or a superior? If so, who? If not, why?: Helena Artigas, Captain Actions taken: Logan Wright reprimanded Suazra verbally, but no managerial actions were taken. I was told I should submit an incident report. Additional Notes:

- You aren't exactly discrete about disliking my character. Here are two examples: - Maybe, but I can only give you so much benefit of the doubt. At some point, you have to take responsibility for what you're saying. Even if you don't mean it this way, you have to think about what you're writing and how it's going to affect others, in one way or another. In this case, it puts me into a position where I second-guess what your character says or does towards my own, besides just being unnecessary and cruel things to say. I'm a Human being and I read what you write and it does affect the way I perceive your IC behaviour - and not without good reason. - Our sour relations aren't a recent development - they've existed basically since I joined Aurora, given Wolf Arges was my first character. But even if this was the case, the consistently bad IC behaviour is not made good by that. Your character uses modern-day slang and starts fights constantly, to the point I started avoiding the relay when your character was in it, because I felt you would pick apart the first thing you could and derail the whole thing again. It made my experience very bad and discouraged me from engaging in the server roleplay. - This is just way too aggressive, over-the-top or strangely modern-political stuff that I cannot engage with in any way that would be fun. It feels sharp and hostile and like you hate my character for the fact that he exists at all, not for any in-universe reason that you could form into a conflict. If you want to see a good example of conflict, see Bill Hickman, who often makes fun of or argues with Wolf, but who does so when it doesn't derail any RP. He uses in-character wording that is unique enough to be identified as clearly IC, makes the conflict relevant to the setting and allows me some room to engage with it and make an interesting interaction. His player also does not act the same way to me OOC and even has characters that are friends with Wolf, which proves that there are absolutely no hard feelings and that we are both here to have fun together and play a sci-fi setting. - When I tried to contact you over DMs and explain my problems, you sent me a meme in response. My follow-up of "Try to take it seriously" was only heeded after you were banned. I will not post your DM to me here and let you decide if you want to post it. All I will say is that while I appreciate you being honest with me and explaining yourself, there is no reason to take anything out on me or anyone else in the one place that is supposed to be an escape from the stress we all deal with in our daily lives. - Peppermint has been exemplary in helping me resolve this issue. I was spoken to with respect, courtesy and compassion for the situation I described - and it was handled professionally. I feel much more comfortable on the relay and server, both OOC and IC. If there ever was a gold standard example of Moderation, this would be it. I'm sorry, Schev, but it's my perception that you know what you were doing. I always try to get along with people, but you have been very sharp to me all the time, seemingly because my character has a "Solarian Marine" vibe about him. And whether you realize the effect of your actions or not, that makes me feel unwelcome in the community just because of a character I want to roleplay.

The backstory is relatively long, so you may have missed this: Having been a member of the Th'akh religion since his birth, Kalug often calls upon his recently departed family, especially Leshuk to try and find closure. He anchored himself to the faith that Leshuk and his ancestors always listen to him when he seeks their attention, laying bare every regret and mistake to soothe his soul. Nearly every day, he visited the Shaman of his village, to the point he was always expected at a certain time of day. Looking at other accepted Unathi whitelist applications, I felt like this was an appropriate mention. Am I missing something in particular? Also consider his experience in battle against the Hegemony, in which the loss of his brothers (most importantly Leshuk) deeply impacted the way he thought about the lives of other Sinta. I could add that he feels indebted to his ancestors to keep the clan alive. The promise was not just made with his remaining brother, but also with them. Additionally, the Shaman he used to consult almost daily had died during the years after the contact war. The loss of this spiritual grounding factor was a big part of his decision to leave. As for religions in general: Kalug feels that Th'Akh is the right conviction. Sk'Akh, to him, is a slightly misguided misinterpretation of the spirits, not subscribing to the idea of all spirits, good and bad, being joined as one - he believes that each spirit stands in its own right. Aut'Akh is something he sees as an affront against nature, replacing the sacred flesh that you were gifted with crude imitations. Si'Akh is a topic he would rather avoid entirely. It dwells on his and his brother's conflicted decision to leave Moghes after having survived such an ordeal. If pressed, he would certainly refute the idea and shun those who would preach it.

- He will be a Security Officer, because of his upbringing, being a warrior and his employment with Zavod. He reached the Horizon by being deployed there by Zavodskoi, citing his lack of dependants and remaining family as a suitable situation for a vessel that will be constantly on the move in the far reaches of the spur. - He chose Zavodskoi Interstellar because of their corporate culture. Idris was too clean and tidy and the PMCG felt too small for any hope of making something of himself, while he felt most welcomed by Zavodskoi's professionalism and militant aesthetic. His clan having been skeptical of Humans and Skrell, there was a suspicion that they were responsible in one way or another for what happened on Moghes - this meaning that Kalug would have to work for the very people who may have signed off on the arms deal that doomed his home. He is aware of this and it gets on his nerves. - The Reshkat clan numbered 15 individuals before the war. Combat took all but one of his brothers. The post-war consequences of the nuclear bombs, over the time that Kalug had spent trying to rebuild, proved still too much to bear and took his mother, father and the rest of the elders. His sisters and further extended family abandoned the clan and village in favor of piracy or flight to other worlds - the number dropped to just two. No more than Kalug and his youngest brother, Akmur. After a long discussion about their situation - and with neither brother wanting to abandon the clan, they promised to stay loyal to the Reshkat clan, even if they part ways to seek greener pastures. Being off Moghes, Kalug's clan is often on his mind. He reminds himself that it is his duty to rebuild it and protect it, not to let it die out like so many other clans did because of the war - it is the last battle he can still fight against the Hegemony in that way.

My last application was denied over powergaming concerns due to Security gameplay notes. A waiting period of one month was decided to see if things would improve - I have not had any issues since then, so I am posting my updated application. BYOND Key: Sputnik5927 Character Names: Wolf Arges, Security Officer Yangtze Xiaojian, Bridge Crew Zhang Xiaodan, Psychiatrist Mikhail Voroshilov, Shaft Miner Shepherd Malric, Chaplain TAKMAN, Security Officer Harald Brytforda, Security Officer Daniel Griffin, Surgeon Vladimir Khoromov, Merchant Species you are applying to play: Unathi What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Green (Most similar to Sen Emerald) Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph format. One paragraph minimum per question. Why do you wish to play this specific race: Because I like the warrior culture of the Unathi species. I also find the planet of Moghes interesting, being a hostile environment. The unique bodily attributes (scales, being cold-blooded, etc.) are a big draw for me from a roleplaying perspective - just think of all the emotes. Gator people are cool and I want to be one of them. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: In comparison to the contemporary humans of the setting, the Unathi species follows strict cultural values, instilled almost into the blood of every member, save for the outcasts (Guwan). Those values are reminiscent of those of ancient Human tribes - there being an emphasis on honor, tradition, the strictly defined role of the man and the woman in society and the reverence for one's ancestors. Unathi can originate from many places and circumstances. Of note besides the immediate Unathi-sphere are Dominia, Mictlan and other circumstances. Unathi in Dominia not only fit in very well due to their Clan structure (which adapts to the 'Houses' of Dominia very well), but they have already settled in the present lore with the Great House Kazhkz, offering a noble origin for Unathi which come from Dominia. Many Unathi also find themselves as secondary citizens if they cannot make it into House Kazhkz. As for Mictlan - Unathi, once again relying on their Clan structure, fit in with the values of the Mictlani - family and community. Most of these Unathi would either work in Agriculture or as Soldiers, because their adaptation to warm, humid environments lends itself well to Mictlan's wilderness. By other circumstances, I mean for example, being a pirate. Having no ties to anyone but your marauding Clan and being despised by most other Sinta. An example for this would be the Gawgaryn. Unathi religions are as diverse as Human ones, though they are almost totally different. In order of popularity: Th'akh, the worship of ancestors and the belief in the spirit realm. Sk'akh, the worship of ancestors as one spirit. Aut'akh, the extreme belief in cybernetics being the supreme way of living. Si'akh, the extreme belief that the survivors of the Contact War are doomed and left behind and must find salvation. On a physical level, Unathi are cold-blooded and therefore feel right at home at temperatures that Humans would flee for fresh air - where as in places that Humans feel content, a Unathi might feel like he's freezing. This also depends on the region that the Unathi is from, as the quick adaptation between generations can influence the sensitivity to heat or cold. Ethanol is dangerously toxic to Unathi and anything that isn't meat provides little to no nutrition for them. Having a tail, frills or horns means that a Unathi can express himself in different ways or speak a language that requires the use of a tail for gesturing. Unathi do not have a long space-faring history like Humans do in 2464, only recently having even made contact with other species - that contact having lead to a nuclear exchange that devastated Moghes terribly. Character Name: Kalug Reshkat Please provide a short backstory for this character The young Kalug hatched in 2418 in a small village near Janvir, experiencing life on Moghes as it had always been for a rural peasant family. He became the eldest of three brothers and two sisters. The Reshkat clan lived near the shore of Lake Z'aith, their craft of hunting and foraging providing them a respectable existence. Kalug learned to hunt, track, trap and catch from his father and was expected to teach it to his future sons too. Growing up, Kalug's brothers often played a competitive game in which they would hide and track each other in the wilderness. One day, one of his brothers, Leshuk, came running in a panic - being chased by a Shrieker in full pursuit. Kalug reeled back the spear they took with them and threw it, striking the animal, killing it and saving his brother. He was praised endlessly at home and by his village, gifting him with steeled pride and confidence - the brave Kalug. Although Kalug rarely played with or even talked to his sisters, he jumped at every opportunity to protect them, as was taught to him was the right thing to do. On the matter of Humans and Skrell, Kalug and his clan were skeptical. He was always very proud of not only himself, but his village and the independence they had achieved through hard work. He saw the introduction of Humans and Skrell as a cold invasion and appropriation of what the Sinta'unathi had built for so long, listening intently to the stories of pre-contact Moghes told by the village elders. When tensions with the Hegemony came to a boiling point in 2438 and the war broke out, the 20-year-old Kalug was the very first of his village to march to battle, seeking the same glory and praise he had been hunting for his entire life. The Contact War took Kalug and his brothers to the battlefield against the Hegemony. He lost two of his brothers, including Leshuk. Being with the Janvir forces, their campaign was not especially impactful, but still no less brutal. Although he was steeled and ready to kill and die, as any respectable warrior should be, he saw Leshuk in every Sinta by his side or opposing him - and every arrow, bullet, bomb or thrust of a spear being that Shrieker. These visions still plague Kalug. Having been a member of the Th'akh religion since his birth, Kalug often calls upon his recently departed family, especially Leshuk to try and find closure. He anchored himself to the faith that Leshuk and his ancestors always listen to him when he seeks their attention, laying bare every regret and mistake to soothe his soul. Nearly every day, he visited the Shaman of his village, to the point he was always expected at a certain time of day. The Reshkat clan believed that the Clan's ancestors could be sought out individually and contacted for guidance and lament, this often being in the form of a son seeking a late father's advice or a mother comforting her hatchling who died young. Kalug felt the defeat of the Coalition as almost personal to himself. Not only did the Hegemony win, but the very thing that the Coalition wanted to preserve was nearly completely burnt away in nuclear fire - which he is very aware might be the fault of the megacorporations that came with the Humans. Although his village was spared a nuclear bombing and it suffered only from mild fallout, Kalug never felt at home again - not without all his family and not with the way things were now. Attempting to rebuild, Kalug stayed for a long while on Moghes. Nothing went his way anymore - the people went hollow and callous, turning to wandering the wastes and banditry and where he once saw ambitions and prospects, he saw nothing anymore. The Hegemony now being in charge, the megacorporations were readily in reach and recruiting the new and interesting Unathi species - the choice of employment for Kalug, the brave, was clear. The burden of working for a megacorporation that might be responsible for what happened is to Kalug just another burden to bear. Feeling that there was no good future for him on Moghes, he left the planet at the next opportunity, lest he would change his mind... What do you like about this character? I am excited to play a Unathi because, as I mentioned before, I find the look and species itself very cool. But beyond that, the ability to speak a language like Sinta'Azaziba and the amount of new emotes and behaviours that would be open to me are a huge reason I am applying. Specifically for my character, I wanted to make a character who values his honor and dignity, always wanting to be the best and stand out - and still get along with people. To be someone who his co-workers can trust and rely on, who they admire and respect. To be the one that everyone looks to to save the day. Always chasing his finest hour. Being a relatively old Unathi, he would also have an interesting perspective to share on the contact war and Moghes before its destruction. This would work well with the younger Unathi that I know of on the ship. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I'm a very experienced, considerate roleplayer and I think that I am easy to work with. Notes:

Reporting Personnel: Wolf Arges Job Title of Reporting Personnel: Security Officer Game ID: ckK-da07 Personnel Involved: Reed Calom, Head of Security, Offender /// Andrew Mower, Security Officer, Witness /// Angelica Nuon, Bridge Crew, Witness /// Wolf Arges, Security Officer, Victim Secondary Witnesses: None Time of Incident: Real Time: Middle of the event maybe. Location of Incident: By the Stargazer on the Orchard Moon. Nature of Incident: [ ] - Workplace Hazard [ ] - Accident/Injury [ ] - Destruction of Property [ ] - Neglect of Duty [X] - Harassment [ ] - Assault [ ] - Misconduct [ ] - Other _____ (Place an x in the box that applies. If other, replace line and specify.) Overview of the Incident: I was having a conversation with Angelica Nuon and Andrew Mower when the topic of prosthetics came up. Reed Calom, standing several feet away, heckled Mower and I with unnecessary comments about our conversation, which I tried to ignore. I eventually mentioned my traumatic combat injury, in which I lost my arms and legs to a bomb. One could easily understand that a life-changing injury such as this would be a touchy subject for anyone, but Reed Calom decided to physically insert himself into our space and make a crude joke about me trying to conceal my prosthetics, saying that I was "stumped" at how to hide them. He then proceeded to ask me if I "needed a hand" coming up with better retorts when I mentioned that this kind of behaviour is the reason he is scrutinized for his collection of positronic units. It is unbelievable that this is coming from a Head of Staff, especially one that I work with on a semi-regular basis. Reed Calom is a command member that should be above laughing at his subordinates for apparently simply the fact that they were severely wounded. This is not normal. The relay conversation that followed can be used as proof of intent and ill-will. Submitted Evidence: See witnesses and relay conversation. Would you like to be personally interviewed?: [ ] - Yes [X] - No Did you report it to a Head of Staff or a superior? If so, who? If not, why?: No, because there were was no on-duty authority to turn to at the time. Actions taken: I removed myself from the area to avoid any more harassment. Additional Notes:

Cyborgs can absolutely be their own characters. This is completely a player question, not a game question. BORE GM-9, D3N and Bit have all been fun to roleplay with. Cyborgs are an integral part of the setting and just removing them because they're slightly problematic in some aspects would not be very good. Really, I don't even see the need to "reform" them - they are fine as they are. The only thing I would be willing to agree on would be something like further specialization. So, a medical borg would become a surgery borg or something like that. Cyborgs are efficient and capable and sometimes that is what you need. If I was playing my Surgeon and seeing bodies pile up outside of my Operating Theater, I would really want a medical cyborg to drop in and save me. They are not just good for round balance and workload, but they are also an integral part of the setting, especially with the current arc. Remove them and the AI will suffer as well.

BORE GM-9 is a great example of this player's roleplaying ability. When I played AI, BORE was always fun to interact with. I'm looking forward to roleplaying with this character seeing what they do with an IPC. +1

I play Daniel Griffin, a Surgeon that met Ben Donitz today and called Security, believing that Ben Donitz had forged his I-D and should not be allowed near patients. I have to tell you, Fluffy, that there is just no way you can continue with this character. It's way too crazy of a concept, breaks the lore and doesn't offer interesting possibilities. You cannot take a physician job slot and basically use that as a medical intern. I tried to tell you LOOC to wait for staff to help you, because I had ahelped the issues with your character, but apparently you have LOOC disabled. No staff were available at the time, unfortunately. We all tried to help you, but you're basically jumping the fence into medical without establishing a basic understanding of the server or job. Play an intern, ask for lessons and we will teach you. Also at least take a peek into the server lore. Because unfortunately, your character just can't be taken seriously as a real Doctor and crewmate.

I find the backstory a little short and would personally like to see some more characterization beyond the initial character idea itself. But judging from your behaviour as Volvalaad and IRU-Luna, I have no doubt you can manage, even with alien characters. You're a great roleplayer with interesting characters and it's always good to see you online. I can also tell that you at least studied the lore page for the Vaurca, which shows you put effort into the matter. Keep my first sentence in mind, but I'll give you my endorsement anyway. +1

BYOND Key: Sputnik5927 Character Names: Wolf Arges, Security Officer Yangtze Xiaojian, Bridge Crew Zhang Xiaodan, Psychiatrist Mikhail Voroshilov, Shaft Miner Shepherd Malric, Chaplain Vladimir Khoromov, Merchant TAKMAN, Security Officer Harald Brytforda, Security Officer Nick Armstrong, Scientist Daniel Griffin, Surgeon Species you are applying to play: Unathi What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Green (Most similar to Sen Emerald) Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph format. One paragraph minimum per question. Why do you wish to play this specific race: Because I like the warrior culture of the Unathi species. I also find the planet of Moghes interesting, being a hostile environment. The unique bodily attributes (scales, being cold-blooded, etc.) are a big draw for me from a roleplaying perspective - just think of all the emotes. Gator people are cool and I want to be one of them. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: In comparison to the contemporary humans of the setting, the Unathi species follows strict cultural values, instilled almost into the blood of every member, save for the outcasts (Guwan). Those values are reminiscent of those of ancient Human tribes - there being an emphasis on honor, tradition, the strictly defined role of the man and the woman in society and the reverence for one's ancestors. Unathi religions are as diverse as Human ones, though they are almost totally different. In order of popularity: Th'akh, the worship of ancestors and the belief in the spirit realm. Sk'akh, the worship of ancestors as one spirit. Aut'akh, the extreme belief in cybernetics being the supreme way of living. Si'akh, the extreme belief that the survivors of the Contact War are doomed and left behind and must find salvation. On a physical level, Unathi are cold-blooded and therefore feel right at home at temperatures that Humans would flee for fresh air - where as in places that Humans feel content, a Unathi might feel like he's freezing. This also depends on the region that the Unathi is from, as the quick adaptation between generations can influence the sensitivity to heat or cold. Ethanol is dangerously toxic to Unathi and anything that isn't meat provides little to no nutrition for them. Having a tail, frills or horns means that a Unathi can express himself in different ways or speak a language that requires the use of a tail for gesturing. Unathi do not have a long space-faring history like Humans do in 2464, only recently having even made contact with other species - that contact having lead to a nuclear exchange that devastated Moghes terribly. Character Name: Kalug Reshkat Please provide a short backstory for this character The young Kalug hatched in 2418 in a small village near Janvir, experiencing life on Moghes as it had always been for a rural peasant family. He became the eldest of three brothers and two sisters. The Reshkat clan lived near the shore of Lake Z'aith, their craft of hunting and foraging providing them a respectable existence. Kalug learned to hunt, track, trap and catch from his father and was expected to teach it to his future sons too. Growing up, Kalug's brothers often played a competitive game in which they would hide and track each other in the wilderness. One day, one of his brothers, Leshuk, came running in a panic - being chased by a Shrieker in full pursuit. Kalug reeled back the spear they took with them and threw it, striking the animal, killing it and saving his brother. He was praised endlessly at home and by his village, gifting him with steeled pride and confidence - the brave Kalug. When contact was first made with Humans and Skrell, Kalug and his clan were skeptical. He was always very proud of not only himself, but his village and the independence they had achieved through hard work. He saw the introduction of Humans and Skrell as a cold invasion and appropriation of what the Sinta'unathi had built for so long. When tensions with the Hegemony came to a boiling point in 2438 and the war broke out, the 20-year-old Kalug was the very first of his village to march to battle, seeking the same glory and praise he had been hunting for his entire life. The Contact War took Kalug and his brothers to the battlefield against the Hegemony. He lost two of his brothers, including Leshuk. Being with the Janvir forces, their campaign was not especially impactful, but still no less brutal. Although he was steeled and ready to kill and die, as any respectable warrior should be, he saw Leshuk in every Sinta by his side or opposing him - and every arrow, bullet, bomb or thrust of a spear being that Shrieker. These visions still plague Kalug. Having been a member of the Th'akh religion since his birth, Kalug often calls upon his recently departed family, especially Leshuk to try and find closure. Kalug felt the defeat of the Coalition as almost personal to himself. Not only did the Hegemony win, but the very thing that the Coalition wanted to preserve was nearly completely burnt away in nuclear fire - which he is very aware might be the fault of the megacorporations that came with the Humans. Although his village was spared a nuclear bombing and it suffered only from mild fallout, Kalug never felt at home again - not without all his family and not with the way things were now. Attempting to rebuild, Kalug stayed for a long while on Moghes. Nothing went his way anymore - the people went hollow and callous, turning to wandering the wastes and banditry and where he once saw ambitions and prospects, he saw nothing anymore. The Hegemony now being in charge, the megacorporations were readily in reach and recruiting the new and interesting Unathi species - the choice of employment for Kalug, the brave, was clear. The burden of working for a megacorporation that might be responsible for what happened is to Kalug just another burden to bear. Feeling that there was no good future for him on Moghes, he left the planet at the next opportunity, lest he would change his mind... What do you like about this character? I am excited to play a Unathi because, as I mentioned before, I find the look and species itself very cool. But beyond that, the ability to speak a language like Sinta'Azaziba and the amount of new emotes and behaviours that would be open to me are a huge reason I am applying. Specifically for my character, I wanted to make a character who values his honor and dignity, always wanting to be the best and stand out - and still get along with people. To be someone who his co-workers can trust and rely on, who they admire and respect. To be the one that everyone looks to to save the day. Always chasing his finest hour. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I'm a very experienced, considerate roleplayer and I think that I am easy to work with. Notes: None.

Leaving these concerns unanswered is probably not a good idea, so I will attempt to answer or resolve these as follows: A Non-Binary Player asking to be referred to with they/them pronouns on discord, with Sputnik rebuking with She. - JormungandrButCooler @JormungandrButCooler What this was, was a screenshot of the in-game IC chat, in which somebody misgendered a character as "He", followed by several "They." messages, including on the discord chat. I then jokingly wrote "She" to satirize the chain of "They." messages. I never went up to a player and misgendered them in order to provoke some kind of reaction. That just isn't my style. Already spoke about the matter with Matt and came to the conclusion that it's a pretty touchy subject and can still have a negative effect on the character's player (who might identify with the character very much), so I won't be making jokes like that again. Misgendering Characters IC. Intentionally. - JormungandrButCooler Two issues with this assumption. I don't think that you're trying to accuse me of something I didn't do, but all I can say about this is that I just don't. Misgendering a character (such as saying "Ma'am" to the male CMO) has never been intentional, because I don't think it's an IC avenue to anything productive or interesting. I apologize if it came across that way. In the example, I took it as IC and corrected myself afterwards, because I didn't want to just void what my character said entirely. That is not me intentionally misgendering him just to correct myself. To the other character I can think of, there was a time where I was not aware of the character's pronouns and after I heard of it, any time I misgendered them IC was just a result of me typing quickly. Hope you can believe me on that. Creepy Comments involving a specific character, - JormungandrButCooler Although I'm not sure, this might be referring to when I found somebody's flavor text / character art questionable. This was very early in my time on Aurora and I recognize that I should've just moved on. Calling the server 'too neutered' in a discussion about IC Homophobia being banned (in a In-Game OOC discussion about old Tajara lore and how the server has gotten more LGBTQ+ friendly) - JormungandrButCooler To the best of my recollection, I never called the server 'too neutered' - what I do remember is saying that 'sanitized lore is the worst', referring to Unathi (and maybe Tajara) lore being changed to make the IC culture and characters less prejudiced. I also never pointed that opinion to the server becoming more accepting, because that would not only be dumb, but that kind of statement would also just be asking for trouble. Just because I don't think that making alien culture more friendly to what I describe as "human sensibilities" in this context is a good idea from a writing perspective, does not mean that I promote hate or exclusion. I think it's important to distinguish that. TAKMAN is pretty much the quintessential fragbot who charges into bullets and has zero time for negotiations - MrGodZilla @MrGodZilla This would be referring to a certain burglar round. I tried to open negotiations with the two burglars in the machinist's workshop and I let multiple others take the negotiations spot, moving away to see if they could make any diplomatic headway. Unfortunately, the antagonists in this instance brickwalled us, saying their goals were "classified" - and it quickly became apparent that these negotiations were just a way to buy time while they were actively building their AI. In any case, the gimmick moved forward properly in my view and ended with the escape of one of the burglars. I would happily invite you to join more and talk to my characters when there isn't an active situation going on or when I am playing one of my non-security characters. They also seem to just embrace the fact that they're known for seeking frags - MrGodZilla I made my nickname on Discord "FRAGMAN" because I like to roll with the jokes being made. I don't especially enjoy hearing someone make (sometimes mean-spirited) jokes or jabs at the expense of me or my characters, but I'd rather go along with the joke unless it's something serious. Imagine if I made a big fuss anytime somebody joked about my characters. Same reason that people choose the name "The Federation's strongest Frog" or something like that. I do recognize that these jokes come from someplace of genuine criticism (sometimes) and I've been reviewing my actions in rounds to see how I could get rid of this notion in the near future. TAKMAN basically charged down a techno - Hawk @Hawk This was an unfortunate misunderstanding. Reading radio comms, it was my understanding that the gimmick was a test subject from the medbay and that the gimmick had already been happening for a while, so that the now-escaped test subject was to be returned. I followed them across Deck one, and then drew my disruptor when I had them cornered, on aim intent. I warned that if they moved, I would fire. When I came closer, they teleported into another room. Shot twice with my disruptor before people came along and I realized what the actual matter was. Resolved in admin PMs. To this specifically, I want to note that I felt bad about this and was disappointed in myself for having slapped the gimmick so hard right out of the gate. I misunderstood the radio comms, especially because there was a suggestion of an "escaped prisoner". I was also kicking myself because I missed the opportunity to roleplay with the Skrell, instead having gone in with the mindset of "objective: arrest" - and consequently having shut down the scene between me and the Skrell. I rolled with it ICly and went to the machinist to get a fix-up, later apologizing ICly to the Skrell antag for having acted so aggressively. Luckily, the gimmick was able to continue and in my opinion was actually very cool. All's well that ends well, is the silver lining here, not to say that this wasn't a warranted mention of my behaviour. I would say that this was at least a learning experience. Improvement of this kind of thing can be seen in the "Contact Unit" Technomancer round yesterday, in which my TAKMAN character made first contact with the robot and, despite having my character be stabbed twice with some kind of biopsy spike, I thought about how the round could progress best - and did not move to arrest or be hostile, rather opting to use their shared mechanical nature to drive a conversation and involve Science and the rest of Security in the gimmick. I'm personally proud of my behaviour in that round. I found it important to answer to these concerns because the disparity between feedbacks is evident above. I want people to meet me and make their own opinion of me, without just hearing stories put through the "Telephone" game. I generally get along with people very well and I don't want my intentions or beliefs to be misconstrued or misinterpreted. An unfortunate result of my first few days on Aurora, which soured the general first impression of some. Anyway, to being a Moderator. I don't take any personal grudges or opinions with me when it comes to moderation and, having studied the rules and guides on the wiki further for this role, I can do the job of a Moderator properly - yes, even when it comes to antagonists. Let me prove it to you.

Basic Information Byond Account: Sputnik5927 Character Name(s): Wolf Arges, Security Officer Yangtze Xiaojian, Bridge Crew Zhang Xiaodan, Psychiatrist Mikhail Voroshilov, Shaft Miner Shepherd Malric, Chaplain Vladimir Khoromov, Merchant TAKMAN, Security Officer Harald Brytforda, Security Officer Nick Armstrong, Scientist AI Name(s): None currently. Discord username + tag: Sputnik#3401 Age: 18 Timezone: GMT+2 When are you on Aurora?: It varies day-by-day and depending on population. I guess I most often play in the morning and in the afternoon. I do leave Aurora on in the background a lot, waiting for a new round or for the manifest to fill up or empty. Experience How long have you played SS13?: Not sure. I think I've been playing SS13 for four or five years, on and off. How long have you played on Aurora: I think I joined early August of this year. How much do you know about SS13 (Baystation build) game mechanics?: Because this question is a little vague, I'm going to assume this is referring to variables, item functions, etc. I think I know those pretty well. Referring to Department mechanics, I know how to help myself. Do you have any experience moderating for an SS13 server?: Yes. I have hosted and moderated my own SS13 servers. Have you read through the criteria thread; https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4198 - and believe that you mark off all the criteria?: Yes. Have you ever been banned, and if so, how long and why?: No. Personality Why do you play SS13?: I was initially drawn to SS13 by stories of crazy devices, experiments, stories and the idea of being a character in a huge sci-fi space setting. Once I figured out the controls and UI, I was hooked. The detail and systems of SS13 are awesome, especially the way that NPCs work, the way that organs actually work, the devices you can create and the physics simulation. This game was made for me. Why do you play on Aurora?: I am a big fan of the "workplace" setting of Aurora, as well as the general personable atmosphere. I can actually talk to people and develop some real characters that matter, with rounds that tie together in a canon that everyone can influence. I never got that on other HRP servers. What do moderators do?: Moderators answer to ahelps, moderate the flow of events and make sure that everybody's having fun and following the rules. See the next two questions for poetry. What does it mean to be a moderator for our server?: It's volunteer work, for sure. It's not "fun" to have to deal with certain issues or to have to face constant scrutiny, criticism and maybe hostility from others. But that's not what you become a moderator for. You become a moderator because you think you know how to show new players the ropes, just as you had to and to resolve conflicts between community members that would otherwise become serious problems. To be a trusted individual for community members and, in the small view, to just keep a round steady - or get it back on track... Why do you want to be a moderator?: I have found myself seriously invested into this server and community. This is my new passion and I want to validate that. I want to be a part of the project, uphold the standards and mutual respect between members that should be expected on a high quality HRP server. I also think that I can help people get back in the saddle should there be problems of some kind, especially when it comes to OOC conflict or HRP questions. I also want to mention that part of the motivation to join the staff team is Melaria, who I appreciate for her politeness and readiness to help. I've seen good admins and I've seen bad admins and it was refreshing and encouraging to see this kind of exemplary behaviour. What qualities do you possess that would make you a good moderator?: I am an experienced Server Owner that has managed communities for years. I can look at myself and situations from a third-person perspective and see what the best approach is. I don't provoke, I don't incite and I don't stir up huge drama over small things. This is not to say I let people walk all over me. My experience as a server host gave me a good eye for this. I understand that this is still a game and we are all here to entertain each other, am I wrong? How well do you handle stress, anger, or insults?: I can detach myself from this kind of thing very well, especially when I'm "on-duty" as a moderator. It's my job to handle it and still be able to interact with the members in question afterwards. I understand anger, insults, etc. very well and over my time of Admining I've come to be able to be professional in those kinda situations. Anything Else You Want to Add: Some people from the Barotrauma community may recognize me as Sputnik, the Host, Submarine Creator and Modder. Yes, it's me! I owned a Barotrauma community for a few years and those were some of the best times in my gaming life. So, I know how to deal.

After asking for advice and considering it carefully, I've decided to switch this from Zavodskoi to PMCG. PMCG would be more interested in TAKMAN and their less restrictive lore will allow me more freedom in how I bring this character to Aurora.

I have edited my post - both in the main body, and answering some questions in the notes.

Cool idea. Would encourage some RP between investigators, rather than getting in each other's way. +1

TAKMAN has only undergone one basic evaluation so far - he has the advantage of hardcoded baseline programming that he can rely on when needed, so that he can pass these evaluations adequately. The experiences TAKMAN made didn't damage him or make him frayed with uncertainty, but rather "influenced" his decision-making. Recognizing as much, Zavodskoi would have seen this incident of reflection and second-guessing less as a flaw to be wiped and more as an opportunity. TAKMAN would miss the old, simpler workplace on Europa and might have problems switching to the environment on the Horizon, especially when it comes to Zavodskoi. He would at first be unaware of Zavodskoi's reputation of wiping their machines. If he were to find out, he would be very concerned with meeting standards and not appearing dysfunctional at all costs. This might manifest itself in TAKMAN displaying extreme precision and by-the-book professionalism, keeping his frame-covering equipment squeaky clean, defaulting on baseline programming, or requesting regular check-ups by the roboticist. TAKMAN has come to value his knowledge and experiences because of his thoughts on the Organic mind. As for TAKMAN's overall performance as a cheaper IPC; TAKMAN relies on different code, much less autonomous and often requiring time to process new scenarios or difficult conversations. He might seek to contact Tankovy for advice or updates and generally be clueless on most things he wasn't programmed to know or understand. Despite these shortcomings, TAKMAN isn't just scrap metal or a waste of money. His directive is where he excels. He does not lose control or his simulated temper and he is acutely aware of security matters. He behaves professionally and with a degree of courtesy, especially when interacting with non-security personnel - this all being default for him. Not to mention his seriously capable design, which brings the raw strength of a G2 Frame at a reduced price. Also note that TAKMAN has a long way to develop ICly and these things will change over time, such as his socializing, understanding of human and other customs, attitude towards Zavodskoi and questions of ownership and autonomy. I already have an arc planned in this regard.

Tankovy is not very influential. They have their corner of the market, filling a certain niche of more specialized, yet cheaper IPCs, but they don't extend far beyond that. Their recent success allowed them to expand into the IPC market, but just barely. Besides that, their backbone is weapons, certain materials and defence systems. This is why their business model for the TAKMAN line is: Import positronic brain, load TAKMAN onto it, import chassis, modify, sell to demand for profit.