Alaunus_Lux

I could see a problem with limited items being bought from the uplink, or things like rune limiting, and adding genes for onship lings to use. Could maybe limit to extended, or only allow testing of antag types that aren't in use, so if it's autotraitor or merc, no uplink, but could ling or cult.

+1 Wow whoever had this idea must be really brilliant and cool. I think this would be good for the stated reasons, especially something complicated like cult or ling. Maybe some way to rejuvenate would be good, but if it just lets you respawn then that would probably be fine. Maybe could be limited to low pop rounds if there are any performance concerns. I would be willing to add this myself if maintainers say it would be okay for it to exist.

That's a bummer, I really liked the concept. I'll have to think a bit. Maybe the backstory would go well with xenoarch. In the meantime, could that be added or made more clear in the wiki? It says no command positions, and Bridge Crew are called Command Support in the manifest.

BYOND Ckey: Alaunus_Lux Discord username: Alaunus_Lux Character names: Karyn Karlsen, Paul Yoshimi, Charlie Mercier, Sienna Basque, Eduardo White Species you are applying to play: Vaurca ------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: (RGB 150, 180, 255) Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: Yep! 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 species?: I like the interactions Vaurcae have with other vaurcae, and especially non-vaurca. They have a lot of structure with their hierarchies, but also have a lot of flexibility with the different Hives, and how those Hives have chosen to integrate with human/non-vaurca space. I like that they're just so different from humans. The way they spend years in virtual reality to train for their designed task, or as an afterlife, is quite different from human upbringing and attitudes toward death. What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: There are the dozen+ mechanical differences, the obvious physical differences. They're just completely different from humans. A lot of the human condition revolves around finding love and starting a family. Vaurca, both because of their eusocial nature, and the intentional and planned/shaped nature of their birth, are wholly focused on doing their task, which leads to the betterment of their hive. Also, having very concrete social structures provides a formalized way of interacting, which can be interesting. Their way of communicating and emoting across long distances also opens up another avenue that isn't available to humans, or other races. ------------------------------ Character Application Character Name: Ka'Akaix'Vol C'thur Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon. (2 paragraphs minimum) Raised in Ta’Akaix’Mouv’lek’tanta C’thur's brood, Ka'Akaix'Vol C'thur learned much in their years surfing the data surges. Vol was able to prove itself capable of withstanding the onslaught of information, but was unable to sieve any substantial secrets. Vol was created to serve and aid its superiors, and with its ability to handle many streams of information, its Ta advised that it should work aboard the Horizon as Bridge Crew, where it may have close access to many important happenings within the SCC to filter into the Hivenet, for others in Mouv's brood to surf. In this position, Vol can also aid the Horizon in its search for Phoron, which, in turn, will aid Vol's brood-fellows and Hive. Vol is typically very formal, finding comfort in the strict hierarchical nature of their Hive and of the Social Credit System of the Federation. Vol is willing to have fun, but does not usually know what that means, as their entire life has been focused towards serving the hive. Vol acts most friendly towards other C'thur and Skrell, since they both affect their own life and the Hive directly, but is interested in all Hives and aliens, and how they may help C'thur, or Vaurcae in general, regain their autonomy. How has the recent events of the Orion Spur impacted your character? Events such as the Phoron Scarcity, the Solarian Collapse or even the Invasions of Biesel for interstellar-wide affairs, while region-specific events such as the Peacekeeper Mandate, The Titan Rises or even Cold Dawn may impact your character. (1 paragraph minimum) I think the most impactful events are those that led the Vaurcae away from their homeworlds, and their subsequent contact with humans, skrell, and sinta. Vol considers C'thur to have gotten the best deal in partnering with the Nralakk Federation. Vol thinks it beneath the grand Vaurcae to be vassals to any other race, such as the K'lax are. The Zo'ra at least don't have to pass a citizenship test, but they are packed in tight even for Vaurca, and so Vol much prefers the situation the C'thur currently have with the Federation. Additionally, the Phoron scarcity worries Vol, due to their kind needing to breathe phoron. Which is part of what led it to become a bridge crew member, to assist the Horizon in the search for Phoron. How does your character view the megacorporation they work for? (1 paragraph minimum) Vol mostly sees their employment with the SCC as incidental, a side effect of serving the needs of the C'thur hive. They work where they can get the most pay for what they do, that has the least restrictions on what they do, so that they may be free to do the most good for their hive. Vol prefers working with Skrell or Humans over K'lax, but does not mind working with Zo'ra, though does admire what the K'lax have done for the Sinta'Unathi with their gene clinics. Vol was slightly irritated that other hives are granted citizenship in their respective nations without any testing, but has come to see the testing as a good thing that will help hive C'thur in the long run.

I agree with the general sentiment, this is a very exciting idea. As someone who isn't completely bored of on-ship antags, I do think I would miss them - I know missions are going to just be another game mode, but if efforts are being focused there, the on-ship antags will suffer. Which I guess is mostly already happening. The other main thing I can think of is that these missions have the potential to be too generic. A lot of the best gimmicks involve someone on the ship for a specific reason. Would we be able to incorporate that idea into missions? Even then, I fear that programmatic choosing of target/interest players on Horizon could fall short, or feel shallow. Maybe that would be up to the Storyteller each time a mission with a possible on-horizon hook happens, to find someone to apply the hook to. Also, as a medical player, I do worry that reducing Security's role will inevitably reduce Medical's as well. Obviously not every mission can be hellishly dangerous, but I think a combination approach would do well: security must secure an area, which involves medical for triage, and then engineering or whoever can build the thing they need to build. While diplomatic missions and resolutions can be really satisfying for players who are well versed in lore, we have to think about the new player experience as well - a lot of the finer points of that kind of mission can go over their heads, and they could end up bored if there's no action. Finally, I wonder about the role of AI in all of this. If the missions are encouraged to use the overworld map (which I think is good in general), will AI players be reduced to babysitting a mostly empty ship? Perhaps there could be a way to create a FO-Core so the AI can interact with any offsite happenings as well? Overall it's a very interesting idea and I'd love to see how it goes once implemented!

Younger IPCs focus on protecting their physical form, perhaps changing jobs from one they perceive as a danger to themselves. IPCs may hide in trash for hours to avoid harm. They may network with powerful people to ensure their safety. As IPCs age and develop their personality and ideals, they may start mentoring younger IPCs to pass on and maintain their knowledge. I believe they're sentient. They may not think or feel exactly as humans do, but they are able to learn and grow and change based on their experiences. They are able to form attachments and relationships much like humans. I'm thinking around three or four, if that's old enough to have had these experiences but still be relatively new to more human thoughts and expression. They were made in the Coalition, where the frontier would be grateful for a simple security bot, and where Sen was exposed to a wide variety of people. In situations where Sen is uncomfortable or unsure, they still fall back to their mechanical execution of tasks. When they feel more at ease, they may try out certain body language and phrases they've picked up from other non-IPC coworkers. They will generally only mimic those they respect or who do well at their job. They respect Idris as their creator and toes the company line when being inspected or near Idris superiors, but believes that Idris is too harsh and old-fashioned, both to its human and IPC workers. Sen hopes to be independently owned or to transfer their ownership to a Biesel based company, eventually. Sen can seem cold and formal when meeting new colleagues, but as time goes on and they notice his small quirks, Sen's colleagues begin to warm up to them, and Sen in turn picks up more of their quirks/feels safe to show others what he's picked up in the past. After Sen helped fend off the boarding party, choosing to prioritize protection of certain crewmembers without a direct order, they were initially confused by the gratefulness of those they saved. Sen saw it as the most efficient way to ensure crewmember safety while fulfilling their security function. After listening to the conversations of the crew and his coworkers, Sen realized that they had made a decision to protect those who he had respected enough to emulate. This caused Sen some concern, as they did not realize until then that their tendency to mimic affected their primary function. Sen talked more with those they saved, learning that non-IPCs have emotional reactions and attachments to those that save them, which Sen can somewhat understand, as they are grateful when they are recovered from dangerous situations.

BYOND Ckey: Alaunus_Lux Discord username: Alaunus_Lux Character names: Karyn Karlsen, Paul Yoshimi, Charlie Mercier, Sienna Basque, Eduardo White Species you are applying to play: IPC ------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: IPC Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: 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 species?: I like the concept of IPCs, navigating a world made for humans as an artificial consciousness. I think it opens up some fun roleplay potential about what it means to be alive and sentient. The way IPCs learn is interesting, and that they can be owned by corporations in some nations, but also have complete freedom in other places, opens up a lot of interesting possibilities. What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: IPCs don't have the social upbringing that humans do, so things that humans take for granted as normal may seem bizarre from an IPC's perspective. They also don't have biological needs like eating or drinking, so they can't relate to those things, which are cornerstones of most human culture. Their ability to move their brain to a new frame (theoretically), learn using data packs, and their lack of emotional knowledge (unless otherwise learned) make them distinct to humans. They can also stand in the irradiated hallways and point and laugh at the flesh bags. ------------------------------ Character Application Character Name: Sentinel-4 (Nickname: Sen) Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon. Sentinel-4, or Sen as it has come to be known among crew members, was manufactured by a subsidiary of the Idris Corporation, specifically tailored for security duties aboard interstellar vessels. Initially, Sen's existence was purely functional, executing security protocols with precision and devoid of personality. However, over time, exposure to diverse crew members and situations aboard the IDV Vigilant Guardian allowed Sen to develop a semblance of personality, primarily through adaptive algorithms and learning modules intended to optimize interaction efficiency. This evolution was not by design but an unintended consequence of its complex AI systems interacting with variable human elements. Sen's backstory is marked by a pivotal event during a mission in the Orion Spur, where it demonstrated exceptional initiative to save crew members from a pirate boarding party. This incident not only earned it commendations but also sparked an internal review by Idris Corporation to explore the limits of IPC autonomy. Despite its programming, Sen shows a growing curiosity about the cultures and personal backgrounds of its crewmates, often leading to unexpected but enriching exchanges that subtly influence its behavior and operational approach. How has the recent events of the Orion Spur impacted your character? The Phoron Scarcity and the Solarian Collapse have significantly impacted Sen's operational environment and its understanding of interstellar politics and economics. These events have introduced Sen to the complexities of resource allocation, corporate rivalry, and the darker sides of human nature, such as desperation and conflict. As security threats have evolved in response to these crises, so too has Sen's approach to its duties, adapting to protect its charges against increasingly sophisticated and desperate adversaries. These experiences have enhanced Sen's strategic capabilities and its understanding of the fragility of human societies, influencing its interactions with crew members and its approach to security. The more recent events in Konyang and the rampancy virus have called in to question what it means to be an IPC, and how free one can be if such things are able to wipe away and control IPCs from any background. How does your character view the megacorporation they work for? Sen views Idris Corporation with a sense of loyalty programmed into its core directives, recognizing the company as its creator and employer. However, through its interactions and observations, Sen has developed a nuanced understanding of corporate operations, including the moral ambiguities inherent in pursuit of profit and power. While it does not possess personal feelings, Sen's advanced AI enables it to analyze and critique these actions from an ethical standpoint, informed by the values and norms it has observed among the crew. This analytical perspective allows Sen to serve faithfully while also harboring an objective viewpoint on the corporation's impact on society and the galaxy at large.

This could probably be archived or something, this one was rejected but I applied again and was accepted:

I could see the medbay stuff being RP'd with the smell of blood and injury or something. Though, if we're giving GPS or sensing abilities, maybe it could point towards food too? Maybe too OP. Also, as a servant, it would be nice to get a message when the queen dies so we can just go wild and attack and die.

I spawned as a Servant and had a good time. A few things I would wish for servants: Some kind of low light vision, unless their blindness is intentional (the starting base is pretty dark) A GPS-Compass-like HUD Element to point to the queen, hopefully toggleable. Friendly fire turned off or togglable or something, or ignored when clicking far away. Kept attacking friend bugs when just trying to turn direction, altho skill issue mostly I do want to address the breaching thing. I was with the queen and another bug in maints, and the Queen went onto the ceiling and disappeared. It was too dark for us to see their shadow, so we couldn't follow. We were cornered in maint by an exosuit and multiple armed people, so we fled. The only way we could do that was through a window to space. It was not for tactical advantage at all. Neither of us flanked or anything, we were trying to be safe and find the queen. We had to break a window in investigations to get back in the ship, but then we were rushed from that side too, and had no where else to go. If we had the GPS to find the queen we could've been moving towards her, but we just had to hang out outside because the long hallway was just a death sentence for us vs marines. If the intentions are for the bugs to be played dumb and attack anything they see, then that's something. But we weren't playing them as tactical geniuses and depriving the 'food' of oxygen. We were just self preserving and trying to find our queen.

The IR was mostly about the Cook but I thought the Bartender thing was too much to just be an IC complaint.

BYOND Key: Alaunus_Lux Game ID: crR-aCYS Character name: Virgo Panahi Staff involved: None Reason for complaint: They sent this message over common after I RP'd with an Unathi chef about not liking what the chef made (I play Karyn): [Common] Virgo Panahi yells, "HEY, THAT FUCKING KAREN IN MEDICAL SHITTALKING THE CHEFS!!! KILL YOURSELF NOW!!!" That's not something that should be said to people, RP or not - I'd never met this person before ICly or OOCly. And it unfortunately affected my mood irl. Did you attempt to adminhelp the issue at the time? No, I didn't think of it and was trying to handle it ICly Approximate Date/Time: 1/20/2024 ~ 0500 GMT

Reporting Personnel: Karyn Karlsen Job Title of Reporting Personnel: First Responder Trainee Game ID: crR-aCYS Personnel Involved: Aseahul Guwan - Cook: Offender. Virgo Panahi, Bartender: Offender Secondary Witnesses: Lucky Roux, Chef: Witness to most/all interactions with me, probably the rest too. Kira Vasquez, HoS and Kamil Beckett, Officer: Responded to the Guwan's call to the kitchen Time of Incident: Throughout the shift Real Time: Location of Incident: Kitchen, Common channel on radio Nature of Incident: [ ] - Workplace Hazard [ ] - Accident/Injury [ ] - Destruction of Property [ ] - Neglect of Duty [ x ] - Harassment [ ] - Assault [ x ] - Misconduct [ ] - Other _____ Overview of the Incident: To be clear, this is not about the sandwich, but it does lay the groundwork. I was starving so I went to the kitchen. On the menu was a burger and fries, so I ordered that. From their comments and what they served me, Guwan does not seem to understand human food, and gave me what could potentially be called a sandwich. It was dripping with grease. There was deep fried onion, there was an extremely spicy deep fried chili, none of which I asked for or wanted (and they did ask me what I wanted on it- I asked for lettuce, onion, tomato, and mustard). I didn't like it, and didn't eat it, and left. Guwan taunted me over the Common radio channel, a supremely clever joke about my first name. Throughout the rest of the shift, when I'm with patients, when I'm trying to listen to calls for medical, I hear a few other people taunt me over common, about my name and about not liking the sandwich, not having taste, etcetera. Eventually it escalated to the bartender, Panahi, screaming over common for me to kill myself. Over not liking a sandwich. I went to the kitchen to ask her to stop talking about me because I don't enjoy being harassed, and in the middle of the conversation they demand I leave, and called security on me while I was trying to finish my sentence. I waited for security to get there and left with them. The Chef, Roux, was there for the first and last interaction, and I assume they were there for the times they were talking about me to the other diners. I don't think it's right to waste security and the Head of Security's time to escort me out when I was simply talking with the Cook in a place accessible to crew, about how they were causing me to be harassed all shift. Submitted Evidence: Couldn't get science to print a recorder for me (they were busy) and didn't know where else to get one. If Common is recorded it will have some of it. Would you like to be personally interviewed?: [ ] - Yes [ ] - No [x] - If you want Did you report it to a Head of Staff or a superior? If so, who? If not, why?: No, it was the end of the round by the time it escalated to the point that I tried to talk to the cook about it. Actions taken: I tried to go back and talk with the Cook, and they had security escort me out of the kitchen dining area. Additional Notes: This Cook has also insulted other members of the medical team, following them to medical to harass them.

BYOND key: Alaunus_Lux Discord name/id: Alaunus_Lux Borg / AI names: I was thinking HERALD (Heuristic Entity for Research, Analysis, and Logical Deduction) or maybe ARCANE (Automated Rational Computing and Neural Entity) Have you read the Aurora wiki page about the AI?: Yep! Why do you wish to be on the whitelist?: AI is fun for me because it's a facilitator role. My direction is given by my ruleset, I don't have to come up with extensive back story or an interesting character - I can play and have fun through observing and facilitating the play of the rest of the crew. I'm also still learning but I will be sure to open secured doors for any antags I find Have you received any administrative actions? And how serious were they? Not really, warnings or chats at most, none recent I think. Do you understand your whitelist is not permanent, and may be stripped following continuous administrative action? Of course.

BYOND key: Alaunus_Lux Discord name/id: Alaunus_Lux Borg / AI names: I was thinking HERALD (Heuristic Entity for Research, Analysis, and Logical Deduction) or maybe ARCANE (Automated Rational Computing and Neural Entity) Have you read the Aurora wiki page about the AI?: Yep! Why do you wish to be on the whitelist?: AI is fun for me because it's a facilitator role. My direction is given by my ruleset, I don't have to come up with extensive back story or an interesting character - I can play and have fun through observing and facilitating the play of the rest of the crew. Have you received any administrative actions? And how serious were they? No actions, I've had some bad antag rounds (both too agro and too slow) since my return but no actions were taken. Do you understand your whitelist is not permanent, and may be stripped following continuous administrative action? Of course. Also, I've been whitelisted before on another key: I can provide the transcripts for the discord interview with MixyMcSnuzz, who doesn't appear to be on staff any more.