[Accepted] WickedCyb's Gives In, Does a Skrell Application

[WickedCybs]

BYOND Key: WickedCybs

Character Names: Just one, though they haven’t been used much outside of being my ideal ghost. Alex Adell.

Species you are applying to play: Skrell

What colour do you plan on making your first alien character: A light yellow or greyish white.

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: I have.

 

Why do you wish to play this specific race:

I really like them, and I like what can be done with Skrell characters. There are unique opportunities and concepts you can explore with them, and I’d like to do my part in adding to this server by doing so. The lore is very nice in this regard, what’s there to read is pretty interesting, especially what’s there in regards to their psionic ability, like being a listener or receiver, The Wake and The Srom. I’ve always gravitated to Skrell throughout my time in SS13, so there’s a bit of that old attraction too.

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

A few big ones to note that I feel would affect pretty much every Skrell. Their nature as a psionic species is something that very drastically sets them apart from humanity. It’s a natural part of their lives, and their connections follow them into their dreams. Those outside the Federation will have another dynamic, where they may not be as proficient in using their natural abilities, lacking the education and know-how, perhaps they may be more closed off due to lacking peers, the distance from those adding to the Wake and nobody occupying dream bubbles.

Next up, the Jargon Federation. An ever present entity in the lives of most Skrell inside its borders, and many outside of it. Idols are raised up, examples that citizens strive to match. Privacy is just not something guaranteed, or even expected. Unless you happen to be valuable enough to have secrets worth keeping… sleep will make your tongue loose, so to speak. After all. The trauma Glorsh inflicted influencing their policy on synthetics as well as their treatment of Skrellian children due to the singularity’s sterilization of the species, painstakingly undone to a certain degree, not completely. 

Third. They’re rather hard to read to non-Skrell. Doesn’t help that most aren’t going to be able to be able to understand and perceive Nral'Malic, which is where a bulk of the emotion is. Telepathy is a no-go (mostly). What certain headtail movements mean will be lost unless a guide is read or there’s experience with Skrellian colleagues. Bridging the gap and connecting with others is going to be a process, even for those with some experience among other species. It is a two-way street after all.

Character Concept

Spoiler

Character Name: Vael Zuuxix

Please provide a short backstory for this character:

Vael Zuuxix hatched on Xrim, in the year 2418. An intensely curious young Skrell, they grew up listening often to the stories and history their caretakers would recount to them. Tales of what was swept away by both Glorsh and the planet itself was a particular favourite. Xrim had and still has secrets being uncovered, and Vael was eager to do their part in preserving the Federation’s history and uncovering what was hidden and forgotten… even what the Federation would possibly not want to see the light of day, for better or for worse.

After finishing up with Kindergarden, Vael went into further education. Working in the field was always for them, and thus they focused on archaeology and anthropology. They were absolutely not a green thumb, but due to the overgrown nature of the places they’d be investigating, xenobotany was another part of their skill set. They took to their studies well, and always jumped at the chance to go visit various finds. The more structured and monitored nature of these trips chafed though, and there was always the watchful eye of their armed escorts. Keeping students safe of course, but also ready to shut things down if needed…

Mistakes happened, though. The young Skrell decided to try and go do some independent work during their time not studying, which led to predictable results. Xrim is still a dangerous planet and Vael was still very used to life under the domed cities and their work in controlled digs. Vael set out, promptly got lost and were bailed out by security forces trailing them, tipped off by other students overhearing their plot in a dreambubble. Needless to say, they received the shaming of a lifetime and lost a lot of face among their peers. 

To Vael, it seemed like this incident was going to follow them everywhere, nobody was going to forget anytime soon… Not even years later. It was intolerable, and they became desperate to regain their reputation. So how were they going to prove their worth? There was but one recourse. To further their skills, traveling abroad would take them away from the judging eyes of their colleagues and give a chance to show they were capable, and in more than one environment at that. At the age of 43, they find their place on the Aurora, for a time. What happens during then, maybe we’ll see.

 

What do you like about this character?

As much time I have in SS13, I’ve barely touched Science at all really. I suppose an Xenoarchaeologist is still a bit removed from “core” science things, but I’m considering it a gateway into the department! So I’ve envisioned them as a step into the puddle, so to speak. As for the character specifically. I just really enjoyed imagining their reactions to things. I could see them elaborating endlessly about some rusty old weapon they found wherever to someone. I could see their pridefulness getting them into trouble somehow, again. Their jealousy or awe at more accomplished Skrell they might end up working alongside. The high points, the stumbling. Putting this all into practice would be pretty fun.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?:

I like to think I can play believable characters that make sense with the setting well. I just lack spice in terms of good emoting and some dialogue. There’s always room for improvement.

Notes:

I realize I probably have too little time and reputation here. That said, I’ve really enjoyed reading the lore and the experiences I’ve had so far, so I just had to give this a shot.

Edited December 26, 2019 by Resilynn
fixed a few sleep deprived spelling errors

[MattAtlas]

I'll vouch for Cybs here.

I've played with them a lot on Bay. They were consistently one of the best players. They were one of the people that made playing that server fun. Their characters were always great and consistent. I have no doubts they'll do great here.

+1, good luck frogboy.

 

[NewOriginalSchwann]

I’ll vouch for Cybs as well.

 

Cybs is very good at roleplaying and many of my good memories from Bay involve their corpsman and their various skrell. I am excited to see what they can do with a skrell whitelist here, and this application has my support.

 

+1 gamer frog.

[maniacalFowl]

Also here to vouch for Cybs.
I have many good memories of playing with cybs on very long nights on Bay and would love to see them more here on Aurora as a frog once again. I know I haven't been here for too long either but still,
+1 frog up.

[Resilynn]

Does Vael show their jealousy outwardly, and if so, how do you plan on expressing this in a way that is distinctly skrell?

How are current events in skrell lore impacting Vael, if at all?

[WickedCybs]

8 hours ago, Resilynn said:

Does Vael show their jealousy outwardly, and if so, how do you plan on expressing this in a way that is distinctly skrell?

How are current events in skrell lore impacting Vael, if at all?

I imagine they'd try keeping it under wraps to avoid more blunders, but that's not going to stop them from crossing their headtails, which is something I don't imagine other more distinguished Skrell are going to miss when it comes to setting the tone for their interactions. Being outright hostile is improper of course though. All in all, they'd be more prone to probing in the effort to find potential rivals and superiors, and one-upping by showing off artifacts and knowledge. 

As for current events. What happened with the Tzqul Archive is a large sore point fo Vael. They never got to see it in person, and the prospect of losing history that they by all rights should know is more than a bit painful. This led to a bigger focus on the Star Chanters and their words. Figures already very respected, even more important now that they could very well be some of the few to carry history with them. So right now the main thing on Vael's mind is the plot by Diam'ond to take the life of a Star Chanter... on the very same station they'll be working on in Tau Ceti soon. Vael is cautious to say the least.

[Resilynn]

23 hours ago, WickedCybs said:

I imagine they'd try keeping it under wraps to avoid more blunders, but that's not going to stop them from crossing their headtails, which is something I don't imagine other more distinguished Skrell are going to miss when it comes to setting the tone for their interactions. Being outright hostile is improper of course though. All in all, they'd be more prone to probing in the effort to find potential rivals and superiors, and one-upping by showing off artifacts and knowledge. 

As for current events. What happened with the Tzqul Archive is a large sore point fo Vael. They never got to see it in person, and the prospect of losing history that they by all rights should know is more than a bit painful. This led to a bigger focus on the Star Chanters and their words. Figures already very respected, even more important now that they could very well be some of the few to carry history with them. So right now the main thing on Vael's mind is the plot by Diam'ond to take the life of a Star Chanter... on the very same station they'll be working on in Tau Ceti soon. Vael is cautious to say the least.

Fair answers.

Given the strong recommendations and your well developed background, I'm willing to overlook your short playtime on the Aurora.  Happy Nondenominational Sol 3 Northern Hemisphere Winter Solstice Celebration Day, my froggo.