BYOND Key: Evandorf
Discord Username: Evandorf
Character Name: Suvek Tokash
Item Name: Consular Mantle
Item Function(s): Clothing w/ pockets
Item Description:
A long, ornate, and somewhat extravagant cloak-like mantle. Fashioned with Hegemony colors, it serves as a symbol of the wearer's station and allegiance. Scenes of Unathi history and legend etched into the golden crest surmount the trailing, blood-red fabric.
Why is your character bringing this item to work?:
This item goes hand-in-hand with a career change from Head of Security to Consular. Not only does it serve as a badge of office but it also helps highlight the shift in priorities. Tokash is not ostentatious by nature, but a representative of the Hegemony must impress upon those he meets both the high rank of his station and the wealth and power of the civilization he represents.
How did your character obtain this item?:
Tokash belongs to a wealthy merchant clan from Skalamar. Though he has no real love for business, his family has decided that he also needs to represent his clan as well as the Hegemon. The mantle was a gift from his brother; a way for his family to ensure he is keeping up proper appearances and to showcase their own wealth and power within the Hegemony.
What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?:
Since the Mudki arc, Tokash has taken a leave of absence and has continued working on Moghes to aid restoration efforts. His years spent away from home have given him an appreciation for the benefits other races can provide. He is of a similar mind with the Hegemon that unathi need to build diplomatic ties with others like the skrell in order to have the best chance to restore the planet. He also believes working as consular aboard the conglomerate's flagship will offer plenty of opportunities to make connections and find support for the Hegemony and Moghes' restoration.
The mantle will be a physical representation of his position. For a traditionally minded unathi, a drastic shift in career can uproot your sense of self more than it might for others. Tokash has been entrenched in the Warrior mindset for a long time, though he has been softening over the years. In a society where your outward projection of self is sometimes taken as literal truth, items like clothing can help ground your identity. The fact that it was a gift from his family and the importance of the work he'll be doing will also make him feel obligated to wear it.
Sprites:
tokash_mantle.dmi
Additional Comments:
Part of this application is also in regards to a custom item I have; a shark wall trophy. I feel like it's frowned upon for someone to have too many personal items. At least that was the situation back when I requested my original two. Since the shark trophy was made there have been changes to the space carp/sharks and they look much less like their earthly cousins. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of personal items you can have but if necessary I'd want to replace the tophy with this mantle going forward.