Pope Dave The 3th

Righto, sorry for the delay again. I'm seeing definite improvement in your backstory, so good work! That said, there's still a handful of issues that I'd like to see rectified (no need to rewrite everything, just minor adjustments.) 1. You don't make mention of the Nlom, Srom, or psionics in general. Skrell are a psionic species, so go wild here! 2. There are a few small mistakes in regards to Nralakk's structure and security apparatus (the Tups don't do law enforcement, for one), so clean those up. 3. A more minor issue, but your character's backstory is a bit of a misery parade right now. If you'd like to keep it as "suffering builds character", feel free, but also remember that you're not required to beat the hell out of your character in their backstory. This has some excellent potential, so fix up these minor problems and I think you'll be golden.

Qerr’zolvq Awarded Dependency Development Contracts Translated to Solarian Common Following several months of planning and deliberation, the Federal Economic Planning and Quota Council has announced that industrial SOE Qerr’zolvq Industries has been selected to head a host of new industrial programs across the Secondary Systems. Primarily comprising new defense-capable infrastructure such as shipyards, ordinance manufactories, and refineries, the planned developments promise to revitalize the Federation’s manufacturing base, and ensure the readiness of the Kalas in the face of an unstable Spur. According to the Economic Planning and Quota Council, the recipient contracts had been a subject of considerable discussion ever since the groundbreaking report on Kala readiness released by Atax’oi Institute. Programs involving Zavodskoi Interstellar of the SCC had gained significant traction within the Grand Council, but in the end were discarded over concerns with outsourcing the Federation’s defense, with Advisor Bulo’woka providing the following statement: “While we remain committed to trade and further investment from our partners in the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, it is the opinion of this Council that matters of such national security importance cannot be outsourced to entities beyond the control of the Federation. Qerr’zolvq is a venerable and reliable entity that has proven its capabilities to the Federation many times over, and will continue to do so through these ambitious initiatives.” When questioned on the financial and manpower requirements of the new projects, Advisor Bulo’woka promised that disruptions to the core systems would be limited, and that no major changes to stipend payments or service coverage would occur. Furthermore, the Economic Planning and Quota Council believes that the project should earn back its initial costs within two decades, alongside safety benefits for all citizens threatened by marauders along the Traverse. Grand Councilor Jrugl has expressed their disappointment at the decision on Viv-ID, but has pledged to respect the will of the Council in implementing the new initiatives. Politics - Top Economists Debate the Efficacy of the Stipend System Sciences - Bracing for a Phoron-Free Future: The Revolutionary Reactor Designs of Xiital Olycha Interstellar - Federation Citizens on Kirinyaga "Strongly Advised" to Shelter in Consulates

Non-Core Wayfarer Installations Delayed Indefinitely In a surprise announcement this morning, the Federal Logistics and Transportation Council has announced that under-construction nodes of the Wayfarer Network outside the Elemental Systems have been delayed “indefinitely.” One of the most ambitious projects ever embarked upon by the Federal government, the Wayfarer Network has long been a source of challenges to the Logistics and Transportation Council, but no such issue has ever reached this level of difficulty in years prior. Nlom-Curated Context: Project Wayfarer: The Future of Federal Travel, NFLTC Publishing Office, 2460 According to the Council’s report, Phoron rationing, political instability, and Marauder activity were cited as the primary rationale for the delay, with all being major risks to development projects in nearly all regions of the Traverse. The Marauder threat in particular was cited as the predominant concern by the NFLTC, with many planned Wayfarer sites positioned near or within active Marauder advisory zones. Given this unsafe work environment and the potential for resource theft, the NFLTC had no choice but to suspend operations until such time that the Traverse could be considered safe. The Phoron previously slated to be utilized in the stations will be held in reserve for the time being, until the Traverse’s stability makes large-scale Phoron transport possible once again. Despite assurances from the NFLTC that the delay was a temporary measure, reactions from the Traverse’s autonomous regions have been generally negative, with residents expressing worry that the promised links between the inner waves and Traverse will not materialize. Small-scale peaceful protests and demonstrations have been observed on several populous Traverse worlds, but local Qekala and Qehelak forces report that no violent altercations have required their intervention. As of this article’s publication, Grand Councilor Jrugl has declined to comment on the situation. Interstellar - Grand Council Weighs Temporary Closure of Kirinyaga Consulate Business - Benv-Opxi Opens Negotiations on Industrial Contracts Health - Ziip'Ta Reports "Significant Progress" in Joint Zeng-Hu Spa Treatment Trials

Hey there! Apologies for the delay here, and thank you for applying for the Skritelist. However, your application has some pretty big issues, so I'm going to request a few changes and a few answered questions before we proceed. In regards to the backstory itself, it has very little connection to the Federation proper and focuses a bit too much on the internal thought process of your skrell rather than actually describing their life. As per the whitelist rules, I'll need you to trim this down to be more Fed-aligned and less of an extraordinary story. If you need some more aid here, don't hesitate to ping or DM me. As for questions that need answered (note if these change as a result of the above request): 1. Is Seleq's family known collaborators, or merely under suspicion? If so, how did they avoid being detained? 2. What was the specific reason for their re-education? 3. Given they fled Federation space but claim to be a Federation loyalist, how are they grappling with what is a blatant turning their back on the Federation vs their moral alignment to said Federation. Why would they not do the 'right' thing by the Federation government and turn over the collaborators and take the SCS hit instead of doing something blatantly suspicious? 4. What are Seleq's three degrees, where did they earn them, and when? I have full faith that you can iron out these issues, so godspeed skratriot.

Fyni's an absolute goat and is without doubt an excellent fit for the position, no notes.

This application has been accepted. Welcome to the Skrell crew!

Having already spoken to this individual on Discord, I happily deem this application approved! Welcome aboard!

My apologies for taking so long with this, but I was intending to handle it when we received additional applications that ended up never arriving. Due to reasons discussed on Discord, this application has been denied. Thank you for applying, regardless.

Qerrbalak Defense Research Council Finds Qukala Capabilities “Unsatisfactory” Translated to Tau Ceti Basic In a landmark publication, Qerrbalak-based defense research council Atax’oi Institute reports that the Qukala suffers from significant material problems that may impact their ability to defend the Federation. During an interview with the Enquirer, an Institute spokesperson confirmed that the report’s release timing was heavily influenced by the growing tensions across the Spur, being originally slated for release in 2470 prior to the Dominian-Elyran border crises. While some of the report’s more technical aspects have been classified, the majority of the paper was approved for public consumption in the interest of transparency. The paper itself found significant deficiencies in many aspects of both the combat capability and readiness of the Qukala proper, and the production capability of its SOE and corporate suppliers. Particular attention was given to the Federation’s military shipbuilding capacity, deemed “extremely deficient”, and noted to be “atrophied and industrially stagnant” in comparison to peer naval industries, such as those of the Solarian Alliance or the Republic of Biesel. Over the past decade, less than a dozen new Qukala vessels have been launched, which is only enough to outfit the second-smallest unit of Qukala formations. Criticism was also levied at the state of the Qukala’s Traverse presence, which was found to be understaffed and severely deficient in modern equipment, with several units found utilizing decades-old surplus due to supply issues. Furthermore, Atax’oi found that Qukala patrols were only able to reliably patrol 25% of Traverse shipping lanes, one of the several reasons the Institute listed for the upticks in Marauder activity over recent decades. Grand Councilor Jrugl has already commented on the report via Viv-ID, calling it “deeply concerning” and vowing to launch a comprehensive inquiry into the paper’s findings. Governing and industrial councils across the Federation have similarly acknowledged the Institute’s findings, though debate has arisen on how best to address them. One proposal which has gained rapid traction was to invite Zavodskoi Interstellar or Hephaestus Industries to assist in modernizing the Qukala’s vessels and equipment, pointing to the massive successes shown in Biesel and the Empire of Dominia. Other voices, particularly those affiliated with the Federation’s SOEs, instead lobby for additional support and expansion of state-operated defense industry, on the basis that the nation’s security should not be outsourced to any entity outside the Federation. Politics - Security Commission Debates Qukala Findings Sciences - Breakthroughs in Nlom Theory at Azeq’iix’xlip National Psionics Laboratory Open New Frontiers Interstellar - NFLTC Warns of Further Delays in Wayfarer Project

Apologies for the delay, I entirely missed this one. Your application is altogether excellent, and shows a strong grasp of Skrell culture, politics, and roleplay differences. I am more than happy to deem this application Accepted. Welcome aboard.

Grand Councilor Jrugl Calls for Calm in the Badlands Translated to Tau Ceti Basic Following several months of continued military and diplomatic escalation in the “Badlands” region of post-Solarian space, Grand Councilor Weashbi Jrugl has released a statement on behalf of the Grand Council calling for peace and dialogue between the two feuding powers of the region: The Empire of Dominia and the Serene Republic of Elyra. Long-standing rivals amidst the heavily-contested region, tensions have flared dramatically in the past several months as both nations mobilize naval forces in preparation for a potential clash. Nlom-Curated Context: Salami-Slicing and State Servitude: The Mirror Empires of Dominia and Elyra, Rikalt Nlaala, Tresja Historical College Publishing, 2466. A recording of the Grand Councilor's statement was released to the public on Viv-ID. Response among the Federal populace has been broadly positive, with many citizens and Idols praising the Grand Councilor’s efforts to promote peace in such a dangerous area of the Spur. Senior foreign policy consultants to the Enquirer have similarly voiced hopes that the Federation may act as a mediator between the two powers, continuing its long tradition of non-violent crisis resolution. Whether either power has accepted the Grand Councilor’s invitation remains unknown, though the Republic of Elyra’s foreign office has made a perfunctory statement to the Enquirer that “All tensions observed in the Badlands region have been the sole fault of Dominian aggression and conduct.” The Imperial embassy on Qerballak provided a similar release to the Enquirer, stating that “While His Imperial Majesty’s government wishes and prays for a lasting peace within the southern Spur, our actions in the region remain an unfortunate necessity to contain the increasing belligerence and reckless behaviour of the Elyran Republic.” Business - Additional Traverse Worlds Lobby for Special Economic Zones Culture - Swimstars Season Nine Rumors: Cultivated Hype or Mass Fabrication? Interstellar - Mendell City’s Ten Greatest Tourist Destinations

Hey there! Apologies for the delay on a reply to your app, I'm only just settling in. More importantly, thank you for applying for the species! That said, we've noticed a few things that make us unsure if you grasp Skrell lore fully, some examples being: - Quwarcha's parents being Glorsh collaborators is an idea with a lot of potential, but as it stands it's a tad underused. Consider how the knowledge that Quwarcha's parents were willing accomplices to one of the most infamous events in Federation history would effect their life and development. - Quwarcha's fascination with AI could be an interesting plot point, but right now it seems illogical that said fascination would ever exist. Being raised in the conformity-heavy and society of Nralakk, especially when raised by Federation elites, means that Quwarcha would have been exposed to strong anti-AI sentiment for effectively all of her life, especially during their developmental period. In conjunction with the fact that they are likely a Receiver, it is vanishingly unlikely that such attitudes would form given their current story. - In addition to the above, I don't believe you fully grasp how Skrell family structures work. Quwarcha's family possesses only two individuals, which is essentially unheard of Skrell raising children, let alone high-scoring Primary Numericals. Take a gander at the Skrell Relationships section on child raising for more information. - Only one recent event has impacted your character, and in a way that is primarily of academic interest. The Phoron Scarcity, Pale Blue Dots, and other such events have been making waves in the Spur for quite some time, so I'd like to see some more integration into your character's lore. - This last point isn't a criticism towards you at all, but Xiialt Skrell don't have to be yellow, that was simply the example color. I'll make this more clear on the wiki page since I understand the confusion. As such we have elected to deny this whitelist application. That said, I would very much like to see this application succeed. Read back over Skrell lore, give recent lore arcs a visit, and ask for feedback on the lorecord and I'm sure you can make this shine. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to ask.

Heya! Apologies for the delay on my end too, I missed the notification about my post being responded to. As for the questions: 1. Kataq was a follower of Qeblak, though not a particularly devout one. When living in the Federation, Kataq primarily followed Qeblak out of a desire to conform, as well as present themselves are more desirable to potential employers due to the faith's reputation as academic and sophisticated. They attended the meetings more out of obligation than genuine belief, and treated Qeblak like a checklist more than something spiritually significant. Kataq would fall away from Qeblak following their move to Silversun, as there wasn't really any point to continue the show somewhere it wasn't factoring into their employment, to say nothing of the fact that most of Kataq's Skrell colleagues were Weishii followers. Today, he's effectively unaffiliated with the faith. They do continue to hold a subscription in a prominent astronomy journal, but it's primarily out of academic interest rather than anything spiritual. 2. Kataq has a quite low opinion of Traversers, particularly the Independence Movement, believing them to be a group of ungrateful and shortsighted fools who would destroy the unity of the Federation in pursuit of freedoms they wouldn’t even use. Is this attitude somewhat hypocritical given he also left the Federation to pursue his own goals? Yes. Does he notice this? No. He was supportive of using forceful and coercive measures to get the Traverse in line, but sees the conditional autonomy granted by the Traverse Accords as a reasonable compromise for the moment given the scarcity, and trusts both Jrugl and the Grand Council to bring the Traverse back in line even if it takes time. Regarding the Federation’s turn to embrace the SCC and limited privatization, Kataq is primarily worried because Nanotrasen is involved and leading the SCC. After all, Kataq was living in the Alliance when Nanotrasen decided to force it into allowing Biesel's secession, and he fears that a similar event may occur to the Federation if Nanotrasen decides it would be profitable to do so. Beyond this, Kataq isn't as worried about the megacorps potentially subverting or outcompeting Nralakk's state-owned enterprises, as they're sure the Grand Council is taking the appropriate precautions when dealing with something so vital. 3. Kataq is a Receiver, and fairly average psion by most metrics. Basic telepathy is the most he’ll use on a day to day basis. He has, however, always had a talent for Srom-shaping, which would cause no shortage of headaches during their stay on Xanu. As mentioned, the relative psionic isolation on Xanu was a major contributor to Kataq’s depressive spiral, and he would spend extended periods attempting to craft a facsimile of a conventional dreamscape to assuage the fact that he was effectively by himself on Xanu psychically. These efforts would universally meet with failure, as while Kataq had a talent for Shared Dream manipulation, they were nowhere near the levels of power required to actually design something so comprehensive, let alone establish it for a long period. Even with these repeated failures, he'd keep pressing on to try and make the project work out even after it would be clear to any outside observers that it was doomed. After a few years, their schedule was effectively an extremely unhealthy loop of long work hours followed by long Srom hours with small portions cut out for basic sustenance intake. Kataq still suffers from a notable degree of psionic oversleeping to this day, but it is nowhere near as pronounced as it was on Xanu.

Heya! I admit, Dionalore is absolutely not my strong suit, but I hope to answer all of your questions adequately here. 1. It's pretty neat! I'm always a fan of examining how multiple species interact when living in the same country, and Diona are pretty well-documented with how they're living in the Federation. I'd say it makes plenty of sense here. The Federation's got a population crisis going and has a stigma against manual and low-skill labor, therefore making outsourcing it to Diona a logical move. Beyond the practical side, it's also neat for two predominantly alien factions to have noteworthy interactions with one another without the influence of human factions or megacorps. 2. Given that the Federation is probably going to explode during NBT2, I'd expect integrated Diona to continue playing a large role in whatever comes in its wake. Whether it being Diona-majority protostates, equal unions, or much weirder things, Diona will remain with the Skrell even if the Federation itself does not. As for Xrim, it seems to have the makings of a potential post-Federation state, with plenty of material for conflict between the Enlightened and Scorned. 3. I'll be honest, I don't know. The current wiki page says they've got warm and amicable relations, which I believe makes sense, though it may change should The Consortium's expansion begin to cause friction with the Traverse. Overall, I'd be happy to keep this particular connection, and I'd like to integrate Dionalore thoroughly in any discussion on what to do with them generally, as, being entirely honest, I have a hard time wrapping my head around Diona.

Done!