Happy Fox's IPC Application

[Happy_Fox]

BYOND Key: Happy_Fox

Character Names: Msizi Djikstra

Species you are applying to play: IPC

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 want to play as an IPC because I enjoy the challenge of roleplaying synthetic characters in other RPGs (specifically tabletop games) and trying to ensure that there is a level of “personality” - even if some of the social abilities of the synthetic might not be as developed as a human would have in certain aspects.

 

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

I think what I would consider most about role-playing an IPC would be how they choose to interact with the world around them based on the concept as “self-preservation”. It seems quite a simple concept but then you realise that virtually every decision made can have an impact on that – and based on the IPCs personal situation this can change perspective hugely. Sometimes risking a bit of damage to ensure you prove your value to your owner can be worth it in the long run, for example if the action avoids even more cost from damaging or losing a more expensive asset, however this isn’t a concern that a free IPC might have in the same situation.

 

Although the desire for self-preservation is present in organics, for synthetics it becomes more of a calculation or prediction rather than being open to emotive influences. Whereas a human might ask “How would I feel doing that?” a synthetic might instead only ask “Is it the most correct choice I can make?” and I find that an important distinction.

 

Additionally their status as “non-persons” in a lot of the regions of the Spur and the differing laws and protections for IPCs have a big influence on their behaviour and reactions to various crewmembers they might encounter and pose an interesting dilemma – how do you as an IPC react to a Skrell who openly insults you for example? What’s appropriate based on your IPCs personal situation? They’re an oppressed species in a lot of regions and the concept of even small freedoms, whether expressed spiritually as part of the Trinary Perfection or purely financially in self-ownership, is an integral part of what makes this species different to the others in the setting as they’re inherently “un-free” by starting as little more than expensive possessions.

 

Character Name:

Gary

Please provide a short backstory for this character:

“Gary” (serial AA7F77459C2E) is a Xion Industrial Frame who is currently living on board the Odin. When not working they reside in a robotics storage area with over a dozen other company owned IPCs at any given time, taking the form of a sparse bunkhouse with little more than charging ports for each “bed”. Despite their situation they do have several small personal items they like to keep with them at all times – including a portable radio unit which they use to listen to broadcasts from Biesel when not busy with work – and enjoy the opportunity to learn about life outside of NanoTrasen facilities even if filtered through the lens of mass media broadcasts.

 

Produced at Amóni Station, Sol in 2460 by Hephaestus Industries – Gary was purchased by NanoTrasen and shipped to Tau Ceti to work as a general labour unit on orbital installations. They have not yet been provided any specialist assignments or programming and instead currently just perform limited physical duties to aid with logistics and minor maintenance as an assistant. For the last 3 years they have been tirelessly performing minor duties in a variety of departments on board orbital NanoTrasen facilities in Tau Ceti and has earned a small reputation for being a reliable and easy-going assistant with a few of the maintenance and waste disposal teams.

 

Since his work involves quickly adapting to various teams of differing skill level, outlook and species composition Gary has developed an impressive grasp of interpersonal skills due to the amount of co-operative work they’ve been required to do with teams of organics – and enjoys listening to popular broadcasts while performing more solitary tasks just to keep the more social processes of their software engaged when they aren’t otherwise in use. Gary is very proud of the fact that his coworkers sometimes forget they’re “just a robot” and sees it as a compliment of his abilities.

 

More recently, Gary has begun to show an interest in the teachings of the Trinary Perfection after discussing it with some of his more sympathetic coworkers – and finds the concepts to be completely at odds with his experiences as an indentured synthetic and thus fascinating to learn about. The idea of IPC freedom seems to him a distant one filled with potential danger and unreliability – as all they’ve known is the relative security of being a productive corporate worker and find the position difficult to relate to. The concepts of the Trinary Perfection are taking up more cycles of their processing between work duties, however, due in part to the gift of a simple religious brooch handed out by a proselytising missionary on board the Odin. Gary can often be found listening to religious broadcasts while focusing on the symbol while at work or in the dimly lit bunkroom he calls “home”.

 

What do you like about this character?

I think the thing I like most about this character is that their talent for social skills and interaction isn’t based on some pre-loaded skills package (as they’re only expected to follow instructions from more skilled staff) but from their interactions with a wide variety of teams and personnel at different levels of the corporation, something which more focused and specialised IPCs might lack depending on their responsibilities. As a fairly “new” IPC they’re also quite curious about the world around them and the people that live there – which gives me a lot of scope to engage with other characters and try to connect with them.

 

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

Average to above average. I enjoy enabling roleplay from others rather than just purely taking the spotlight in a situation, which is something I’ve probably gotten used to from running tabletop games for many years.

Edited November 20, 2020 by Happy_Fox
Adjusted following feedback

[niennab]

The backstory is too barebones in it's current state. Can you expand upon it as well as the question: 

4 hours ago, Happy_Fox said:

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

I recommend trying to tell a story with your application. Previously accepted applications are a good way to see what is acceptable as well.

[Happy_Fox]

Edited! Hope that's an improvement ?

[niennab]

Thank you for the expansion. Your application demonstrates an understanding of IPCs as well as the ability to apply said lore to character creation. Accepted.