Peppermint Posted May 6, 2020 Posted May 6, 2020 BYOND Key: Peppermint96 Character Names: Current. Nina Thompson - Surgeon Genevieve Francois - Security Officer Barely used.Liberty - Security Officer Eden Moore - Security Officer (I have a problem with making sec characters, okay!?) Mei-Ling Mori - Lab Assistant Maya Kari - Miner Being Revised / Dead / Unused Bethany Harper - HoS - Dead lol Hope - Security Officer - Under revision Felicity Larson - CMO - Unused Elizabeth Harrington - CMO - Unused Species you are applying to play: Skrell What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Probably dark blue? Depends what the character editor is like, honestly, and how ridiculous some of the shadings look. 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 had exactly zero interest in playing skrell until relatively recently tbh, where upon friends have sung their praises and the lore is pretty solid and finally getting better. That and I’ve been here a while and should probably actually apply for some more races, with skrell being the most challenging to do ‘right’ outside of maayybbee bugs. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human: I feel like this is a question with the actual answer being ridiculously long, so I’ll condense it into the general elements:- Skrell are extremely emotionally bent, but given that this materializes via psionics and kept to their own species - coupled with stilted/relatively lacking - facial expressions, there’s a certain aloofness and separation automatically in place, forming a barrier when it comes to interacting with other species from the get-go. - Which brings us onto psionics and the fact that they’re the only (well known) sentient race that possesses them, and how this in turn forms the Psionic wake and splits the race into listeners/recieves, as well as the discrimination the former recieve. This likewise contributes to the authoritarian nature of the Jargon Federation, and how, alongside long lives, change is slow and new ideas are slow by human standards. - Skrell have much longer lives than most other organic species, which immediately puts pressure on relationships of any kind with most others. There’s the question of whether or not it’s worth spending time with people who will be dead and gone barely a dent into their lifespan, giving a certain distance and melancholy nature depending on the skrell’s mindset. This also shifts their world view to the more long-term consequences over short-term reactions mindset of most others.(At least, I’d assume so? It’s not on the wiki, but seems to make sense). - Whilst there’s a lot of overlap with human mindsets on certain topics, a lot of them are taken to more extremes for skrell. The most obvious is the media and how it's used to control the populace, as well as the emphasis put on Idols. Likewise the issue of judgement toward the more labour intensive jobs, despite the increased need - though this is gradually being lessened via putting the emphasis on other species, even if the prejudices are likely to remain, if not get worse. - A ton of other stuff. I mean, there is a lot.Character SpecificsCharacter Name: Jiljoo Xiann Character Job : Xenobiologist Background: Early Childhood: Jiljoo Xiann was hatched in 2416 on Qerrbalak. A minor miracle to her mother and father due to previously poor results given a lack of success with fertility treatment, she was immediately smothered in all the adoration and love any child could wish for. Every step of her early years were guided by dotting, loving parental figures eager to nurture their child along the right path to being a model Skrell citizen with a keen work ethic and aptitude to back it up, no matter the child’s own abilities and thoughts. Struggling through the initial few years of kindergarten given the parental pressures of a mother and father than had never expected to be so lucky, Jiljoo quickly found herself sinking. Unfortunately not the brightest compared to many of her colleagues, her work ethic likewise began to stall; crushed by inability and general hopelessness, by the time she finished her secondary classes, Jiljoo’s parents were at a loss. Having done everything they could to shove their child toward the medical sciences, they’d even given up on that previous dream and allowed Jiljoo to go for the more traditional route - biology, primarily. Further Education: Further Education: Attending her first university course in life sciences with a slant toward xenobiology, by this point Jiljoo had been flailing along with her classmates in near constant humiliation. Constantly bombarded via the media and her family group over how much *better* she should be doing, the more pressure there was, the worse it became. Floundered with a growing lack of drive, it took Jiljoo twelve years to finish her first full college program. At this point with growing relations between skrell and humans and the need to escape her disapproving, disappointed family, Jiljoo had an idea. With human schooling so much easier and with the Federation keen to strengthen ties, after rounds of pleading, begging, and not a little frustration, Jiljoo was granted permission to continue her study in human space. Tau Ceti: To Jiljoo, Tau Ceti and the republic of Biesel were almost perfect. Away from the stifling echo chamber of her family unit’s displeasure and surrounded by those impressed, rather than ashamed of her work ethic, Jiljoo quickly reinforced herself as one of the star pupils on her next few courses. Lacking as she may have been for a skrell, to human space her abilities were considerably greater than average; as was her drive to study. She was, at heart, still Skrell, and the lessons imparted by the federation had left her overqualified for the human university systems. Taking full advantage of this to finish up the rest of her schooling in short order - helped along by the docility of slimes and the high demand for her help within human labs due to the added safety - even the wealth of distractions on offer did little to dent her supposed achievements. Between alcohol, drugs, and the near fetishizating facinsation humans seemed to have with her species, Jiljoo’s life was full of excitement and flare she’d never had been able to get back home. Missing her family dearly and struggling with loneliness, thankfully the immigration of multiple other skrell helped keep her relatively sane, as did the comfort in habit gifted to her via Qeblak, even though the lack of domes made ‘worship’ difficult. NSS Aurora: Having graduated with multiple doctorates and a strong understanding of human culture after an easy integration into Biesel space, Jiljoo found little difficulty finding a post as a xenobiologist. Shipped off to the Aurora for her first proper job away from work experience and lab assistance, Jiljoo is eager and excited to prove herself. Whilst her family remain somewhat disappointed, they still love her at heart and have become gradually more supportive - even if they wish she’d followed a different path. What do you like about this character?: I feel like the long-life trope of relative laziness isn’t something many skrell characters touch upon which, to my mind, is a shame. Given how much academic pressure is put upon the race as a whole, it must be maddening to not be quite up to scratch. That, and she’s rather different from my usual cast + plus should easily avoid falling into race cliques that many non-human species suffer from. How would you rate your role-playing ability?: I don’t really like this question as it’s so subjective. Especially as SS is fairly constraining in many ways, so a ‘good’ character is more limited than other mediums. I feel my characters are very distinct from one another, and feel ‘real’ - they all have their own goals and wants, pluses and drawbacks, though how well they’re enjoyed by other people is not something I’m aware of. Notes: Thank you to Lily and Para for putting up with my skrell questions and general lore-reading frustrations. Y’all great.
DeadLantern Posted May 6, 2020 Posted May 6, 2020 Firstly, you seem to mix up the name of your character. First it is Jiljoo, and then Uta? Is that like a nickname? Is that intentional? Is that their second name? Secondly, this is a fine character concept. There are no real lore issues with this application, but you do skim over some other facets of Skrell lore. Here are some questions about the character relating to the other aspects of the lore. What is Jiljoo's opinion on synthetics and humanity's use of synthetics? As far as I know, Jiljoo only left the Federation because of the education system, which does not neccesarily mean abandonment of other Federation ideas. Does she tolerate the use of synthetics by her beloved humanity, or not? Is Jiljoo a listener or receiver? How has this affected her life in the Federation and in Tau Ceti? Finally, Jiljoo must have met other alien races in the diverse planet of Tau Ceti. Does she like the other species? Does she share the same fascination with other aliens when compared to humans?
Peppermint Posted May 6, 2020 Author Posted May 6, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, DeadLantern said: Firstly, you seem to mix up the name of your character. First it is Jiljoo, and then Uta? Is that like a nickname? Is that intentional? Is that their second name? Secondly, this is a fine character concept. There are no real lore issues with this application, but you do skim over some other facets of Skrell lore. Here are some questions about the character relating to the other aspects of the lore. What is Jiljoo's opinion on synthetics and humanity's use of synthetics? As far as I know, Jiljoo only left the Federation because of the education system, which does not neccesarily mean abandonment of other Federation ideas. Does she tolerate the use of synthetics by her beloved humanity, or not? Is Jiljoo a listener or receiver? How has this affected her life in the Federation and in Tau Ceti? Finally, Jiljoo must have met other alien races in the diverse planet of Tau Ceti. Does she like the other species? Does she share the same fascination with other aliens when compared to humans? ERRRRR. I may (I totally) changed her name once I finished the app and forgot to check the history sections for the old last name, instead of just her first. Oh well. Synthetic Opinions: Growing up entirely away from IPCs, AIs, ect, there was no reason for her to question the ultimate evil of synthetics one jot. Especially not given the rampant destruction evident throughout her homeland, the sheer devastation left behind, and the genophage her parental group made sure to impart given their own lack of success. There was no way she could ignore the Federation's teachings on synthetic 'life' after all they had done, but this gradually lessened from hatred to suspicion in Tau Ceti. Still young and possessing the standard mindset of being very slow to react to change, Jiljoo this, mostly, carried through to her current stage in life. Whilst exposure has lessened her distaste and she isn't stupid enough to deny the uses synthetics have, the small amounts of good faith she's built up has been undone given the recent untagging laws - once again highlighting human shortsightedness in an almost cute, if depressing, way. Listener/Receiver: So, there are some general contradictions in the wiki about all this, which I've spoken to Paradox about and apparently sections need revisions. At the current state the lore is in, she would believe she's a receiver if only because she's never felt contrary to that. It's less black/white and more shades of grey, and the echo chamber effect means she'd be unlikely to assume otherwise unless she strongly identified as a listener. As such, this was never an issue back in the federation, but has highlighted her relative loneliness given she's been away from home for so long. This has made her crave Skrellian company even more, hence her interest in her faith as a good excuse to spend more time amongst her own kind. Other Races: Most of Jiljoo's easy interest in humans comes from the strong diplomatic relations they've built up, as well as increased exposure. Whilst she finds the unathi way of life rather barbaric (or, at least her view and understanding of such, limited though it is), she can appreciate the relative outward simplicity. As such, there's plenty of curiosity, even if she remains wary and she has had limited experience on a personal basis. The same extends to Tajara given the radically different political systems, but she's more open to changing her mindset here given the number of refugees and immigrants moving to Biesel. There's also been little ability to communicate here given her schools of study are hardly known for attracting Tajaran's (I don't think I've ever seen a kitty xenobiologist) but the relative similarities in mindset between them and humans has prevented any kind of animosity. Dionae are seen as extremely compelling and interesting given the growing niche they've been filling in Skrell society - that of labour and study - and she's worked alongside a handful, enjoying their connection with the world around them whilst being able to avoid the pitfalls of mismatched lifespans and friendships. Vaurca are more questionable considering the Lil'dra hives, but the pushes to intergrate them in ways similar to the dionae have been appreciated - not that Jiljoo is either overly fond of them, nor sees them as 'individuals', as well as somewhat creepy. Edited May 6, 2020 by Lemei
Caelphon Posted May 7, 2020 Posted May 7, 2020 This application seems well thought out, and the format is, needless to say, frankly easy on the eyes which is amazing! I also applied with a Skrell lacking 'ambition' until she found her passion of course! I do, however, have a question for you. How will you try to show this character concept on station? It's a very interesting idea, and I'd love to see it in play but I was just wondering how you'd do it. +1. Good app, nicely formatted.
Peppermint Posted May 7, 2020 Author Posted May 7, 2020 2 hours ago, Caelphon said: This application seems well thought out, and the format is, needless to say, frankly easy on the eyes which is amazing! I also applied with a Skrell lacking 'ambition' until she found her passion of course! I do, however, have a question for you. How will you try to show this character concept on station? It's a very interesting idea, and I'd love to see it in play but I was just wondering how you'd do it. +1. Good app, nicely formatted. I feel like this is the kind of thing that would have to come out IC, rather than being explained OOC. I do have ideas, but it's certainly going to be a balancing act in not neglecting IC jobs to a degree that it affects other people negative;y - which is partly why I went for xenobio, given it's not exactly the most in-demand role. A lot of it will mostly be via interactions with other skrell however, and how she relates to others in a professional work environment, especially with the competitive elements. So, overall, it'd be a challenge, but likely a fun one ^^.
ShesTrying Posted May 7, 2020 Posted May 7, 2020 The application itself looks good, and I think this would be an interesting character to see on station. Lemei plays pretty good characters, and in them, I trust her roleplay capability with something like Skrell. I have not interacted with many of their characters on a further than superficial level, however they still leave an impression on me-- and I think that is the mark of a good roleplayer. A +1 from me as it stands, but I am trying not to leave feedback without questions, so, how does Jilijoo feel about the other speces aboard the Aurora? How does she feel about Vaurca, and c'thur in specific?
Peppermint Posted May 7, 2020 Author Posted May 7, 2020 6 hours ago, ShesTrying said: The application itself looks good, and I think this would be an interesting character to see on station. Lemei plays pretty good characters, and in them, I trust her roleplay capability with something like Skrell. I have not interacted with many of their characters on a further than superficial level, however they still leave an impression on me-- and I think that is the mark of a good roleplayer. A +1 from me as it stands, but I am trying not to leave feedback without questions, so, how does Jilijoo feel about the other speces aboard the Aurora? How does she feel about Vaurca, and c'thur in specific? I actually answered this question above, as part of what DeadLantern was interested in. For a little more background, she doesn't know that much about the hives aside from the c'thur and, by infamy, the Lil'dra. To add on a little bit about the C'thur specifically, the removal of their free avowals has made her somewhat more reserved due to not knowing why. There's likewise academic interest there and especially in how the hivemind works, and how it compares to dionae - as well as whether or not investing so much into a species with such potential for destruction is a synthetic scenario 2.0. (I assume the AI shenanigans aren't common knowledge? I didn't play during the event, so no clue of the Federation has publicised anything that happened with the Vaurca assisting the resistance + the revelation of them being used as cheap soldiers. If It is public knowledge, she'd be considerably more wary and almost betrayed - given, to her mind, the Federation have been charitable towards dem bug people.) Thanks for the super cute comments, by the way ^^.
ShesTrying Posted May 8, 2020 Posted May 8, 2020 The archive unlocking thing is a widely broadcasted holiday/event-- to my knowledge, most all Fed skrell would have been watching it and seen the AI uploaded-- until the Federation cut off the stream. As far as I'm aware it's common knowledge ^~^ Good answers, though! My +1 remains.
Peppermint Posted May 12, 2020 Author Posted May 12, 2020 Pinging the new and shiny lore dev @ParadoxSpace , given it's been a 'lil bit.
Snakebittenn Posted May 13, 2020 Posted May 13, 2020 This is a good application. I like the character concept, as we've discussed, I simply hope you find xenobiologist more fun than I did. Accepted.
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