[Accepted] Rosetango's Unathi Whitelist

[Rosetango]

BYOND Key: Rosetango
Character Names: Marisol Santana, Leah Siskin, Willow Harper, Lakia Morozli, Hal Cohle, Samara Watson, and plenty others but I don’t play them that often.
Species you are applying to play: Unathi
What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt): A sort of swampy green or dark olive green, with dark muddy highlights (covering her hands and feet.)
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:

I have wanted to play Unathi for a little while, especially since the Aut’akh update. I see that Unathi, though more popular than Dionae or Vaurca, are still somewhat of a rarity. I want to change this, and I also want to challenge myself by playing a type of character that contrasts my usual character traits. I want to use this as a chance to improve myself as a roleplayer, and as a player. It’s a bit hard for me to put into words, but I think you understand. (I also really like snakes, and Unathi are reptilian/serpentine.)

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:

I’m going to start off with mechanics.

The most obvious one is that humans are kind of like the baseline. The easiest comparison I can use is like the humans in D&D, where they can choose to have +1 for two stats or +2 for one, or choose a feat instead. Humans in SS13 don’t really have any certain weaknesses or buffs.

Unathi are different in that they are weaker to cold temperatures, are stronger in terms of endurance, have claws which can be deadly in close combat, and can sprint faster than humans (although for very short distances.) They are stronger than humans but lack the flexibility that humans have.

Now, I’m going to discuss the cultural differences.

The biggest cultural differences I can think of are their religions, and their behaviorisms.

While a human may have no issue with taking a robotic limb, most Unathi religions see it as taboo, and a form of marring the soul. They believe firmly (generally) that synthetics have no souls, while a human might debate another on the topic. A human will do anything to survive, even if it means dirty blows. But it’s cowardly and dishonorable for Unathi to hit an opponent while he’s down. A human will speak to criminals with little to no issue, but Traditionalist Unathi will not speak to Guwan, and if they have to, they usually use gestures or refer to a Guwan as it, as a Guwan has kind of forfeited their soul.

Character Name: Seska Aksensai
Please provide a short backstory for this character, approximately 2 paragraphs.

Born on Moghes, Seska Aksensai was a beautiful young maiden of her clan. Though somewhat poor and growing up in a rural region of the Izweski Empire, her family and clan enjoyed a relative peace and tense but calm competition with the other families and clans within their village. This was not meant to last, unfortunately. During a village Zazehal festival, three Unathi women plotted against Seska. Seska had performed entertainment for the village, utilizing blade dancing and she had grown tired. She was on her way home when three masked assailants threw an acidic mixture of some kind at her face and body, jealous of her beauty. Seska crawled back to the center of the celebration in tears and in pain, collapsing before the horrified gathering. She was rushed to the shaman, and then after a few days, transported to another town that was better equipped to treat her. She did not return for a few weeks, and when she did, she had covered half of her face with a scarf, similar to a human hijab. Nobody saw her for days as she grieved the loss of her beauty and her value to her clan. The assailants were never identified, leading her family to believe they were hired assassins of some sort, or already Guwaned Unathi.

The head of her clan, Korakzs, pleaded with the region’s lord to spare some of his wealth as they were already indebted to the hospital and believed that not only would Seska’s life be in danger if she stayed in the village, but so would her mental state. He also explained that he wished to send Seska to Tau Ceti, in hopes that she would meet a Unathi male that truly loved and cared about her, not for her beauty but for her personality, and that she would be happy. After much discussion, the empathetic Lord established a deal between himself and Korakzs and progress towards sending Seska to Tau Ceti began. It took a year and several months to complete this task, and it was done. Seska has only recently arrived in Tau Ceti and has already applied for a few positions with Nanotrasen, mainly gardener, chef, and custodian, as she has won quite a few competitions in her village in the past for exceptional workmanship in these areas. She is just awaiting the call back.

What do you like about this character?

What I like the most about this character is the fact that I will get to roleplay an uneducated, religiously brainwashed Traditionalist Unathi woman coming to an extremely liberal system and finding that not everything is black and white like she has been taught. I will get to roleplay her beliefs and traditions being challenged as she begins to think for herself rather than others thinking for her, and begin to come to her own conclusions.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

Probably a solid 6 or 7 out of 10. I say this because I have a lot of room to improve, more so than others given my warnings and what not. But I genuinely believe that I would enjoy playing this race, and given that people have been asking me to apply for any whitelist for a long time, I feel like this is worth at least trying for.

Notes: N/A.

Edited May 6, 2019 by Senpai Jackboot
Fixing a typo

[Butterrobber202]

You are a great role player Rose, and I think you’d do well. But, I really can’t sense much of this character's personality from the story.

is she distrusting of strangers? Was she opposed to the idea of being sent to a place with so many Aliens? Does she resent her father for sending her away? There’s no emotional detail besides “ah face acided, this is a very sad loss to her Clan.”

Edited April 25, 2019 by Butterrobber202

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

1 hour ago, Butterrobber202 said:

You are a great role player Rose, and I think you’d do well. But, I really can’t sense much of this character's personality from the story.

is she distrusting of strangers? Was she opposed to the idea of being sent to a place with so many Aliens? Does she resent her father for sending her away? There’s no emotional detail besides “ah face acided, this is a very sad loss to her Clan.”

Very good questions!

[DeadLantern]

First. Hijab covers only the head, none of the face.

Second. Your intention for this character is to play a 'brainwashed' traditonalist female. Which is great! What is not great is that you don't talk about the religions. You don't even state what religion the character abides by. I'd like to see that added, And for you to display somehow that you know the differences between the religions and the ideals with them.

Third. You don't say anything about personality, which is a bit ironic, because she is going to Tau Ceti to show off her personality. With this story, things are acted upon her, and she does not react. This is pretty much how Unathi society works, but I am sure she has inner thoughts. And just because her rights are limited doesn't mean she can't have a personality.

I'd like to see you talk about her personality, and to talk about religions.

[Rosetango]

Apologies for the delay in responses, within the next few days I will reply in depth. Thank you for your patience, I had a busy weekend.

[AmoryBlaine]

Great roleplayer, unsure of knowledge on Unathi. But, if it checks out, give this to them. I'd love to see more Rose characters.

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

I am ruling on this app tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

[Rosetango]

On 25/04/2019 at 14:35, Butterrobber202 said:

You are a great role player Rose, and I think you’d do well. But, I really can’t sense much of this character's personality from the story.

is she distrusting of strangers? Was she opposed to the idea of being sent to a place with so many Aliens? Does she resent her father for sending her away? There’s no emotional detail besides “ah face acided, this is a very sad loss to her Clan.”

I didn't really think of her personality at the time, mainly because it asks for a backstory rather than a depiction of personality. Usually, as I play a character, the more and more their personality comes out. She's distrusting of strangers, or so I'd think so, but mainly aliens rather than her fellow Sinta. She would be opposed to being sent off if she didn't understand what her father was actually trying to accomplish for her. She doesn't really resent her father because she understands what this means for her, her family, and her clan. 

Her main personality traits that I have so far are shy, submissive (to male Sinta and other authority figures), traditionalist (as she adheres to her traditions). I don't know what other traits would stick out ATM, mainly because I can't really develop her personality as is. However, that's not to say that she's not unhappy in general with her position in life. A lot of women back in the 50s weren't satisfied with just being the housewife, so I think I can apply the same here.

On 25/04/2019 at 16:29, DeadLantern said:

First. Hijab covers only the head, none of the face.

Second. Your intention for this character is to play a 'brainwashed' traditonalist female. Which is great! What is not great is that you don't talk about the religions. You don't even state what religion the character abides by. I'd like to see that added, And for you to display somehow that you know the differences between the religions and the ideals with them.

Third. You don't say anything about personality, which is a bit ironic, because she is going to Tau Ceti to show off her personality. With this story, things are acted upon her, and she does not react. This is pretty much how Unathi society works, but I am sure she has inner thoughts. And just because her rights are limited doesn't mean she can't have a personality.

I'd like to see you talk about her personality, and to talk about religions.

First point. That's why I said that it's like a hijab! Sorry for the confusion.

Second. I totally forgot about religion, which is absolutely my fault! Given the fact that she's traditionalist, I'd say she's a worshipper of Th'akh.

Th'akh, Sk'akh, Si'akh, and Aut'akh similarities:

• The soul is the true individual, and the body is just a vessel.
• Burial rites are of high importance to each religion for different reasons.
• The soul could be given the body of a different gender.

Th'akh, Sk'akh, and Si'akh similarities. (Excludes any already cited above):

• Prosthetic limbs maim the soul. (With some different views in the case of Th'akh and Sk'akh)
• Non-traditional relationships are frowned upon. (In the case of Si'akh, they're just outright ignored in terms of same-sex marriage.)
• Synthetics do not have souls. (This isn't explicitly touched on in Si'akhs section, but I imagine since it comes from Sk'akh, it'd share that same belief.)

Th'akh and Sk'akh similarities. (Excludes any already cited above):

• Cloning is a form of reincarnation or continuation of the soul, as it's snatched out of the spirit realm and placed into the new body. (This also applies for Aut'akh)

Si'akh differences:

• Have a strict diet.
• Xenos have souls, but they are not damned like Sinta are. (The other religions from what I read and remember don't explicitly touch on non-Sinta having souls.)
• They are doomed to forever reincarnate, unless they can somehow break their curse by currying Sk'akh's favor, or being forgiven by Si'akh.
• Si'akh is basically the Jesus Christ of his religion, with some doomsday spices scattered in.
• Cloning does not work. The clone is controlled by a demon.
• Relationships are a matter of duty, and duty only.

Aut'akh differences:

• Non-traditional relationships are a bit irrelevant, though marriages still do happen (and they are capable of children)!
• Despite gender being visually indistinguishable, female Aut'akh often go through the same issues that regular Sinta women do.
• They frown on those who refuse augmentation or synthetic limbs, seen as embracing the temptation and sins that flesh offers.
• Their spirits are magic and are capable of possessing metal, but because their bodies are powered by electricity, they don't have to spend that magic operating their body, thus making their spirits more powerful. In some cases, one can have so much magic that they are capable of fighting off demons, influencing events, turn opinions, and instill confidence in themselves and others... or so their belief says.
• Incapable of rejoining their ancestors unless the curse is broken somehow, otherwise doomed to reincarnate forever.
• Oss is a manifestation of Sk'akh, and guides their lifestyles.

Beyond that, I would like to note that Sk'akh has similarities to Christian Crusaders, especially with the crusade against the Aut'akh and the attack of the Akhandi Order.

Third. Kind of explained above!

Apologies for the delay in my response, I look forward to my judgment and hopefully playing this species!

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Hello,
you've clearly put a lot of thought into your character. You clearly outline the circumstances of her arrival to tau ceti and the context of the culture she was raised in. I completely understand having the personality develop through play - many whitelist applicants feel the same way and I think it's a pretty valid way to play.

I am comfortable with giving you a unathi whitelist since you have answered and addressed everything presented.