NekoMarbles

BYOND Ckey: NekoMarbles Discord username: @enchantedcrocolisk Character names: I’ve an extensive beast of a list of characters to my name, but some that people might know/remember: Camilla Hound, Richard O’Brien, Jonathan Moorland, (IRU-)Shepherd, Yun-Hee Sang, Za’Akaix’Vazz K’lax Species you are applying to play: Xiialt Skrell ------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: The most generic sky blue you’ll ever see. (About #80cff9) 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?: Skrell have a unique draw to them I haven’t been able to pinpoint yet with any of my other whitelists, of a society bound to the idea of collectivism on a biological level, while also offering unique alternatives to the traditional elements of self-expression and understanding. Their relationships with Humanity and the different species of the Spur also leave a lot of room to play with, which is particularly fun for me as someone coming into this with multiple other species whitelists. The recent changes to psionics and psy-sensitivity are also making Skrell a more enticing species, so well-deserved kudos on that front. What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: Skrell are a species made unique to any other in the Spur based on the aspect as simple as lifespan. Skrell are capable of achieving a lifespan as long as 250 years old, with Nralakk’s technological advancements extending any individual’s lifespan up to double. This contrast to most species makes way to a unique culture capable of handling any problem with a patience you wouldn’t expect from any other. Less overt, but also pertaining to their biology, the Skrell’s relationship with the Nlom and the basis on which it shapes their biggest society (the Federation), make a huge impact on how any particular character can function. The psionic wake shapes the basis of any Skrell’s life, both on a personal level, as well as influencing the greater society they find themselves a part of: subconscious thoughts, ideas, biases all merging together into one form. This creation of social norm and ease of means of surveillance results in a restrained society, which is exemplified by the existence of the Great Lottery and the difficult relationship between the Receivers and the Listeners. Psionics’ influence on interpersonal relationships and communications between Skrell is undoubtedly unique to their communities, resulting in an “alien-like” image when viewed from an outside perspective. Beneath the inexpressive image perceived by most inexperienced outsiders however lies a community filled with intricate value to each individual, interconnected on a level misunderstood more than none other. ------------------------------ Character Application Character Name: Qurai’Lixan Ortulpi Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon. Qurai Ortulpi was born on the 14th of June in the year 2302, marking 110 years since the end of the Synthetic Age. Qurai was the first tadpole born of a Quya formed between eight Qu’Poxii, referred to as the Tulpa’Sazana. Qurai’s name, given to her by her F’ex’Qa, is said to be a longtime testament of their love toward their beloved Qraa’Myaq, marking her start in the recovering Federation a lifelong reminder of the defiance her family chose against the species’ destined end. The Quya of which Qurai originated, all residing within the Yugz Region of Aliose, saw many changes throughout Qurai’s childhood, with many Skrell coming and going, though ever the same was the constant surveillance under which the young Skrell found itself. With their Qrii’Myaq and Qrra’Myaqi all being of secondary numerical SCI, a lasting pressure was placed upon the young tadpole to follow through and live up to the expectations of their caretakers. With time, it would become evident that Qurai, as a psionically sensitive Receiver, would be easily influenced by their family’s needs and emotions, resulting in a lack of independence modeled to an extraordinary degree. Qurai’s first fifty years of their life were as such largely defined by the will of their family, be it for the better or worse, enrolling within the Aliose University of Medical Sciences with the intent of finalizing a Doctorate of Medicine. During the later part of Qurai’s education, the Quya which had brought them into this world would disband, marking a stretch of over thirty years without another success at bringing forth a child into the world. Heartbroken, though forced to accept the reality of their situation, Qurai sought to cope with the fractioning of their familial unit, and after completing their first doctorate, chose to continue their studies at AUMS in order to eventually research the long-lasting effects of the X’Lu’oa, hoping to one day have a hand in reversing the sterilization of its’ species. Departing from Aliose as a Qu’vesi at the age of ninety two, Qurai, now employed as a post-graduate by Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, became a junior researcher aboard a vessel studying the continued effects of the X’Lu’oa on the Generation Fleets, working outside planetary orbit to assist with reintegrating Genners back into the general populace of the Federation alongside the Nralakk government. Zeng-Hu, now a collaborative partner with both AUMS and the Nralakk for the last fifty or so years, was Qurai’s first encounter with Non-Skrell within Federation space, owing to more than a few issues in the still budding friendship between the two species. Qurai would continue to work aboard the NFV Xenthalta and other similar ships for the next thirty years of their life, with multiple expeditions farther and farther out of planetary orbit pushing them ever so further from the people they held dear. It was during this time that Qurai would eventually meet Rylnak Lixain, a Skrell of similar predicament to her, forming a two-partnered Quya and undergoing multiple years of gruesome treatments to counter the issues resulting from their own cluster of X’Lu’oa disorders. Rylnak and Qurai became truly devoted to one another, eventually opting to adjoin their names together, with Qurai becoming Qurai’Lixan, and Rylnak becoming Rylnak’Tulpi. With the less than satisfactory results from the extended research of the Generation Fleets, Qurai was forced to settle into the idea that Federation space may not bear the answer to the issue as grand as the X’Lu’oa. After a drawn out introspection guided by their faith in Qeblak, long periods of contemplation and religious conversation joined by a member of the clergy they had known nearly their whole life, Qurai chose to make the difficult choice of leaving their own already established Quya, to pursue the answer for the betterment of their society outside of Federation space, attempting to maintain accordance with the faith’s virtues. The last forty years of Qurai’s life have been spent as a devout researcher and doctor, with employment wavering between the position of physician and medical specialist aboard multiple civilian vessels, as well as planetside positions near and in the Tau Ceti system relevant to xenobiology and fertility research. An accomplished Doctor in their own right, Qurai chose employment aboard the SCCV Horizon in hopes of travelling the Spur and meeting other Skrell communities which may help them gain the answers they still seek, though the promise of an eventual return home seems ever so distant. With the separation of Qurai from the influences bestowed by the Nlom they find themselves largely troubled by the lack of a support network assisting them in the emotionally charged decisions they must commit to day-to-day. Apart from their time spent in the Srom, Qurai finds themselves emotionally stifled by the lack of a large Skrellian presence both in their personal life and the workplace, turning to their faith in Qeblak and attempting to continue to follow the practices of the religion, made most difficult by their spacefacing nature. 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. The Phoron Scarcity impacts not only Qurai, but also their Quya which they had left behind, back on Qerrbalak. Qurai’s Social Compatibility Index edges on the upper side of the secondary numerical, considering their long absence from Federation space and the risks it poses should they choose to settle outside of it. Qurai holds a fear of losing their current status, as the Phoron Scarcity further chokes out the production of youth serums which Skrell rely on to extend their lifespans, and limits travel beyond the Federation border, posing great threat should they at any point be unable to return home to those they hold closest. In addition, with growing civil unrest beyond the Federation’s core worlds caused by the fear of major infrastructural failure, Qurai grows deeply troubled by the fate of their family, only held together by the slowly waning presence of the Nlom. The ‘Of Pale Blue Dots’ lore arc saw the Nralakk Federation grow closer to the Republic of Biesel and SCC, opening more avenues for megacorporate interests in the Federation. Qurai is broadly supportive of the opening of the Nralakk to further corporate interest, in the hopes of helping alleviate the effects of the Phoron Scarcity on the citizens of the Federation. Qurai holds a pitying view of the refugees from the Traverse as well as Traversers as a whole, recognising their own part in emigrating from the Nralakk as a mirror of their own fate. Qurai is a supporter of Weashbi Jrugl’s efforts at bringing the refugees back home, particularly owing to their own mentality as a receiver. How does your character view the megacorporation they work for? Qurai continues to be a loyal employee to Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals, owing to their close relationship with the Nralakk Federation and their own personal history with the company as a post-graduate of AUMS. Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals continues to be an anchor in Qurai’s life, providing the necessary factors to progress their own personal research as well as the position to help others, all in the grand interest of finding a cure to the X’Lu’oa. The extensive boons granted to veteran workers within the company guarantee Qurai a stable workplace environment, much needed in a time of great inner turmoil due to their separation from the grand majority of their race. Notes: I tried to give the backstory section a more summarised feel rather than extending it further, considering how long Skrell lifespans can be compared to most other species. I expect this to be similar whenever I decide to write my Dionae whitelist, which is only slightly terrifying. Should there be any questions, I will be glad to answer them.

I remembered the episode after having made my suggestion and discussing it with some friends, but good catch! My personal thought came from the slap bracelets still being in-use in NHS facilities in the UK, as part of their 'Ten Second Triage' sets.

Figured I'd make a forum thread as a way to discuss this as it's an idea I had in mind for a short while now: The Amazing World of Slap Bracelets The idea here is to introduce slap bracelets as a generic accessory item able to be worn directly on the wrist or 'slapped' onto someone overtop another item. This can both be your typical cringy throwback accessory, or for the purpose of this thread: Triage bands! Triage as-is is in my eyes underused due to its' exclusivity to the medical HUD system, which on its' own is alright, but is easily overshadowed by other happenings in the round, and requires access to a medical HUD to partake in triage in the first place. As a supplement to the triage system, the proposition here is to introduce a form of Triage band or slap bracelet colour-coded in accordance to the triage tags in-game (red, yellow, green, blue, black). The current accessory system supports the most recently equipped accessory showing up overtop whatever other accessories the person has, and the bands could be made emissive to mimic the reflective nature of IRL snap bands. Physical snap bands would be bright, emissive, and immediately visible in a spot not usually mistaken with armbands (around the wrist), and serve the same purpose as the medical HUD triage tags, just a little more non-HUD friendly. (This would be especially soulful if Medical HUDs stopped supporting triage should power networks fail, but that's irrelevant here and I'm just ideas-guying) The bands could come as tiny-sized items inside of a packed box in the GTR, able to be accessed just as easily as gloves and surgical masks are. This'd leave them visible and easily accessible to anyone in the department. Generic slap bracelets should similarly be orderable in a box from Operations, if not already. Edit: This is me realising basic slap bracelets already exist in the game, this would pose as an expansion to them!

As an IPC whitelist holder, I do genuinely think raptor's submission is an enjoyable read, knowing where it stands (especially so that being in my soft spot of Idris's positronic sector). This'll be a definite +1 from me, excited to see where this goes 💙

Hi @WickedCybs! I completely understand what you mean. In that case, I don't mind making the item exclusively a suit slot item. To make the item function fully as a jacket, rather than a poncho, I made the additional sprites here: shepherdcustom.dmi Let me know if there's any other way I can help!

BYOND Key: NekoMarbles Discord Username: @enchantedcrocolisk Character Name: Shepherd (previously IRU-Shepherd) Item Name: Embroidered leather jacket Item Function(s): This item is meant to mimic the function of a poncho, being able to attach as an accessory on top of suit/uniform items, as well as being able to function as a suit slot item. Item Description: A deep brown leather jacket that’s already partially faded in colour. You can tell from the stitching the jacket itself appears to be handmade. A pair of sharp-tipped angel wings sits embroidered on the back nice and center, the needlework a mix of machine-like precision and human-like irregularity. Why is your character bringing this item to work?: Current-day Shepherd considers the jacket valuable and fashionable, while simultaneously being reminded of the sentimentality of it. He feels a sense of pride in wearing it, a constant reminder of how long he has travelled - and how long of a way he still has to go. Part of the charm is in the fact it makes him look 10% cooler. How did your character obtain this item?: With Shepherd due to lose his memories a second time due to his sale and release from Idris (Roleplayed out extensively before the Horizon’s departure for the Crescent Expanse), he confided in three of his closest friends, among them Vanitas Sang, about his situation and his apathy towards the future. Vanitas, over the course of the next couple of days, helped Shepherd understand the importance of leaving something to be remembered by, not only for others, but with his current circumstances: for himself. Following Vanitas's advice in the subsequent weeks, he’s spent a considerable amount of time leaving evidence of his (now) past self, for his slated self to rediscover - among them a diary, photo album, and lastly: a new jacket. The jacket was meticulously handcrafted by IRU-Shepherd, with sewing help from Parsa Asayesh, who is now one of his private owners, within the final few days leading up to his official purchase and subsequent wiping. This item was meant to be re-gifted to himself by his new owners as a symbolic first belonging, and as a replacement for one of the many Idris-branded items that had previously comprised his wardrobe. What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?: Coming from a windy background as an Idris Reclamation Unit, operating on Luna at a time where completely shell-frame positronics were still considered a novelty, Shepherd’s existence was carefully policed by his Handler to prevent any aberrations in his behaviour that Solarian citizens would find unbecoming. Shepherd, at that time nothing more than a tool, for the longest time was not allowed to gain an extensive sense of individuality, which became glaringly obvious after his reassignment to the Horizon. The jacket is meant to stand for everything Shepherd was not allowed to be prior to his sale. It offers a flare of uniqueness that breaks the previous standards he had to abide by, as well as symbolizing everything that Shepherd’s wiping is, as a symbol of rebirth, freedom, and new beginnings. His wiping is seen both as a death, losing all of what made him the IPC he is today, as much as it is a beginning of something new. A life that is fresh, and free of what made him as secluded as he used to be. A life closer to being a 'person' than he ever was before. The large backpiece is striking, and easy to be seen as it appears over any other clothing he may wear. It symbolises his newly-gained freedom, and quickly ties in to the Christian-inspired aesthetic I’ve previously curated for the character. He's not named Shepherd for nothing, after all. Sprites: shepherdcustom.dmi Additional Comments: On a serious note, I’ve played Shepherd aboard the Horizon for close to if not over a year. In that time, he’s developed friendships, went through many hardships relating to both his own personality as well as his place in the world as an owned Positronic, and damn did I roleplay my butt off to make all of this arc happen. Now that I return to his character since taking my break, I figured that to go along with his updated reference sheet, it’s only right that I match it with something memorable to commemorate the last few months, also serving as a final send-off to that part of his story, moving onto one of rediscovery. I haven't made sprites in a good long while, so if anything needs fixing do let me know. This is my first ever custom item, so I'm totally green! The sprites contain a floor sprite, as well as a worn sprite (only supplying an open version, so as to maintain readability for whatever it is meant to be worn over.)

I feel like this is something that should be addressed, especially as our slot amounts are so tiny compared to other servers! More people being able to play the game is always good, and also opens up more opportunities for teaching (can't tell you how many times I was due to teach someone and didn't roll my slot).