unathi [ACCEPTED] Headcrab's hissy app (Unathi)

[Gentlemanly Headcrab]

BYOND Key: Gentlemanly Headcrab

Character Names: Zoe Langston, Nayla Mansouri, Adhira Chauhan, Yin Li Hau.

Species you are applying to play: Unathi

What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Sandy (Orange-Brown)

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: 

Because I love exploring new species, the culture, the differences from baseline humanity, religion, guilds, and how they may clash with those they meet during their time on the Aurora. Trying to understand the new cultures while not letting their own become wiped away in the process. I wish to explore a Unathi from the Dominian perspective later, but only once I get a better understanding through playing them.

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

One of the biggest differences from Unathi to Humanity for me, is the vast differences in which they develop and grow. Did they grow up in a feudalistic hierarchy with peasantry and nobles, with the goal to eventually escape those invisible bonds, and make something better of themselves in the wider galaxy. Did they grow up in a traditionalist clan in the wider wastelands, where water was rare and survival a constant thought on their mind, leaving with Hephaestus or other corporate entities in hopes of providing for their clan. Did they even become a Guwan themselves, eventually escaping the planet in hopes of shrugging off the constant ridicule in hopes of starting a better albeit clanless life. These are just a few examples, but it starts to show the variances in Unathi, where they were born can vastly affect their outlook on life, their relationships with others and fellow Unathi, and where they plan to go in life.

And that doesn't even hint into their other aspects, the gender inequality that's ingrained into most of their lives, with females being relegated to an entirely different code from the males. Yet, still able to break the invisible chains through strong enough will, proving their soul is just in the wrong vessel and getting a sex-change which is wildly accepted in society. Not to mention the religious aspect, affecting the outlook one would have on not only other Unathi and Moghes, but the greater galaxy at large. All these aspects combine and shape the Unathi into a wildly different species with their own unique outlooks, traits, and interactions with others, leading to huge potential for roleplay.

Character Name: Iszaal Kizekraal
Please provide a short backstory for this character:
 

- The beginning - 

2439, the first nuclear armaments land, the Unathi of clan Kizekraal sprint from their homes to see the mushroom clouds enveloping the larger municipalities in the distance, the wildfires burning brilliantly, bathing the surrounding soon-to-be wasteland in a myriad of colors and sounds. Roars and shakes enveloping the wasteland around them, rousing even the most dead-tired Unathi from their slumber. Despite the roaring, the whole clan is dead silent. 

The flurry of motion following was an utter frenzy, the clan breaking down tents, houses, gathering their belongings, and loading them into whatever carts or beasts of burden they had on-hand. The area would soon be fallout, and they needed to escape before the searing flames reached them. Or potentially, escape even the planet with whatever money they had on-hand.
 

- Ha'zana -

Finally, away from the greater fighting and havoc of Moghes, the clan of Kizekraal settled onto the distant planet of Ha'zana. Ferried away at great expense by less respectable outside forces. The clan's money had dried up, forcing many seeking employment elsewhere on Ha'zana or even the greater galaxy at large. Despite their traditionalist teachings, many had to swallow their pride somewhat and work with the aliens they held at arm's length for so long to support the clan. Leading to conflicts of interest within the clan.

Born away from the fighting in 2442, Iszaal himself never got to see the destruction the bombs wrecked on the once-fertile world of Moghes. But instead, heard the tales and occasional snippets of news from his father. A strong Unathi with the prideful attitude of a warrior who served in the local cities guard before the contact war. He told young Iszaal stories of heroic Coalition knights fighting with steel, ferocity, and honor, slaying hundreds of Iszweski troops backed by their alien overlords. Despite it not being entirely accurate, the young Iszaal was enthralled by these tales of brave heroes and knights, taking to the honor code and the teachings of Th'akh as he matured into a young Unathi. 

When the news of defeat finally broke that the Contact war was finally over years later, Iszaal was sent into a state of spiraling depression. Despite never seeing the Coalition and those knights he admired only in story, the defeat was a punch to the gut. Yet, he soldiered on soon after, learning to accept the defeat with pride, guided by the Warrior's honor code he still held so dear. He made a begrudging peace with those from the Hegemony, holding his tongue from comment about the state of their planet as much as it irked him behind the scenes. 
 

- The Grim Compact - 

Despite his father's teachings and the desire to one day tread the path of an honorable warrior, Iszaal found nothing on Ha'zana to truly test him. There were jobs in guarding the local plantations and factories, but it wasn't glory fulfilling. Iszaal wanted more, to see the outer worlds, test his mettle, that was, until the pirates arrived. A small recruiting detachment making their way to one of the larger colonies on the planet in search of both supplies, and additional hands for their vessel, promising loot, wealth, and glorious combat to all those signing up. For the first time, Iszaal saw his chance, the impulse driven youth saw this as his only and maybe last chance to escape. Despite being underage at only sixteen, he pleaded to his father and to the clan's shaman that he was ready to provide for the clan, and that even underage, his soul was mature enough and prepared to handle the outside world. After hours of debate and preparation, and a slight lie to the recruiters, Iszaal boarded the troop carrier vessel bound for the more significant ship beyond. 'Fights until the very end'. Part of the greater Steel-Spirits under Yizilna. Which unnerved Iszaal to end. Being under the command a female felt wrong, yet, the respect and admiration for her undefeated status sated any comment he had towards her status.

Aboard, his training as Grim-crew began, young and unproven, it was straight into informal training and practice, weaponry, close-quarters breaching tactics, and so-on. He soon grew hot-headed with very little impulse control when off-duty, favoring close-quarters combat and heads on approaches towards almost any situation. Molding him into a disciplined but arrogant crewmember like many before him. Albeit, with a slight reluctance that he didn't belong there, he kept to himself.

...

Years on, Iszaal served diligently aboard the ship, tasked with guarding and occasionally breaching various vessels for their succulent cargo. And yet, he wasn't satisfied with his position. His greater ideas and father's words of honor still ticking in the back of his mind, growing with every day spent on the ship. He wanted to continue supporting the clan, but not in this way, the money was good and he enjoyed the companions he'd made over time, but this wasn't for him, not anymore. Which eventually found him standing outside the recruiting center for Zavod Interstellar, an alien-run corporation in search of professional, strong-willed enforcers to protect the public and their private ventures, the irony was not lost on him in that, yet, he persisted in his usual strong headed manner. Ever persistent in his goal to make something better for himself.

What do you like about this character?

I like the idea of playing a hot-headed, young, impulse-driven Unathi that's kept in check by a strong sense of honor and the conflicting feelings he'd have from his years aboard a pirate vessel, brazenly going from breaking the law regularly to enforcing it with an alien company. Using his job as both a way to prove himself, and as an excuse to see the wider galaxy outside of Moghes / Ha'zana.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?
7-8/10? I enjoy roleplay, done it across various servers and on various characters, but still recognize there's places to improve on.

Notes:
I'm going to be leaving for the holidays soonish, so I might be able to get on/respond much to comments/questions. Just a headsup!

Edited December 19, 2020 by Haydizzle

[Haydizzle]

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to apply.

To cut to the chase, I thought the application capitalized on the lore well and shows understanding of the themes. A few questions:

1) What is Kizekraal's relationship with religion? Very pious or leaning away from it?

2) Does Kizekraal feel remorse or regret over his time with the Compact?

3) What led you to choose Zavodskoi over NanoTrasen when it comes to Kizekraal's employment? Zavodskoi contractors (in lore at least) are valued as serviceable and professional, so hiring a former pirate is an unusual pick.

If you have any questions, wish to answer these in private, or want to notify me of a reply to this thread, feel free to contact me on Discord. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

[Haydizzle]

Questions answered on Discord. A verdict will be reached soon.

[Haydizzle]

@Gentlemanly Headcrab Hello! We liked your answers and your backstory.

Application accepted! Feel free to reach out on Discord with any questions or concerns.