RyverStyx - Skrell Application

[RyverStyx]

BYOND Key: RyverStyx
Character Names:

Species you are applying to play: Skrell
What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Yellow
Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes

 

Why do you wish to play this specific race:
Skrell are incredibly interesting to me for many reasons. Being the first alien race that humanity came into contact with allows Skrell to be more fully "integrated" into human society while still maintaining their own unique culture. I also love how the ongoing event arcs open new and dynamic ways to play as and interact with Skrell characters. The history of the Skrell is also something that I find highly interesting; especially Glorsh-Omega. I also had a Skrell whitelist on Bay - However, I feel that the Aurora's lore is much more in-depth and unique. Especially in regards to the Skrell's psionic abilities and mechanics.

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:
Skrell have a variety of different mechanics and lore that make them very different than playing as a human. For starters, Skrell are very competent psionic users. Skrell are often split into two categories regarding psionics; Listeners and receivers. The majority of Skrell are receivers- this means Skrell who are receivers are more likely to be influenced by the Nlom (Psionic Wake) than listeners. When playing as a Skrell you would have to take whether your character is a receiver or listener into account.

Skrell also have the Srom as another mechanic that needs to be thought of when roleplaying as Skrell. Due to the Srom, if a Skrell is hiding a secret they may be an undersleeper who always appears tired or restless. This could cause alienation from the other Skrell around them. On the other hand a Skrell could enjoy the Srom so much that they become an oversleeper. Similar to the Srom, Skrell can also use telepathy to communicate with organic beings. However, doing so on non-consenting alien species is a criminal offense.

Skrell also lack certain facial muscles which make showing emotions relatively harder to do when compared to humans. However, they can make up for this by using their tone, body movements, and general conversational skills. Skrell humor is also something that should be taken into account when roleplaying; jokes can be so good that they hurt!

All-in-all there is a lot to think about when roleplaying a Skrell; whether you are talking to humans, other xenos, or other Skrell.

As an aside Skrell can breath underwater thanks to their gills and they also never slip!

 

Character Name: Xuul Yuxqol
Please provide a short backstory for this character
Xuul was born in the Radiant Era and in 2463 they would be around 60 years old. When Xuul was born on Qerrbalak their Qrri'Myaq and Qraa'Myaq had high hopes for them. Coming from a wealthy, psionically gifted family meant that Xuul had all the opportunities they needed to grow up successful. They believed that Xuul would be a brilliant researcher (much like themselves) and pushed Xuul towards a path of science. However, Xuul felt limited by this career path even at a young age and they quickly found that they were more fond of the arts. And not just any type of art; Xuul loved to cook. They aspired to be culinary artist! A chef so renowned that the best and brightest would wait in line for hours just for an appetizer.

After kindergarten, Xuul went off to college like all good and successful Skrell do in the Federation. The college they went to taught them the basics for non-specialized roles. However, Xuul told their Qrri'Myaq they were taking research as a secondary when in actuality they were taking culinary classes. When word of this reached their Qrri'Myaq, Xuul was given an ultimatum; if they wanted to use their family's resources any further they must either give up their dream of becoming a chef or live with Xuul's Qrra'Myaqi, a like-minded artist/architect, in the Traverse. Xuul had weighed their options heavily and decided that their happiness is worth more to them than a career as a researcher. This decision did not come to Xuul lightly and they were deeply saddened to leave Qerrbalak and their Qrri'Myaq. Xuul however was ecstatic to live close to someone who shared an interest in fine arts; their Qrra'Myaqi, Quexqa.

Xuul was not able to attend a second college within the Traverse; they lived on a Tributary planet. The culinary arts seemed rather stagnated here; but thankfully Xuul was able to train under various chefs and cooks within the Traverse. They learned many different culinary styles and cuisines and would often seek out chefs whom they never met before just for a chance at observing their skills. Xuul would also apprentice under them to acquire new skills as well as income. This intense studying of the culinary arts is what gave Xuul their skills and allowed them to achieve success in the field of culinary arts.

Around the age of 50, Xuul was able to start their own establishment within the Traverse. Built, managed, and designed by their Qrra'Myaqi, Quexqa, it was just a small diner. Quexca would often rotate out the interior and exterior decorations to keep the establishment fresh and enticing. Due to the excellent food and atmosphere it quickly became a local favorite. Xuul and Quexca being business partners, as well as family members, lived close-by and kept very frequent contact. They often thought of each other as Qu'Kaax.

However, due to the quiet lifestyle of the Traverse Xuul grew restless. They often wondered if they made a mistake in moving to the Traverse due to the lack of career growth they were experience. Not nearly as many people were able to enjoy their food in the Traverse compared to Qerrbalak. Not only that, but they missed their Qrri'Myaq and Qraa'Myaq deeply. Xuul decided to reach back out to them and attempt to mend their strained relationship. This proved somewhat successful and Quexca and Xuul would often take holidays to Qerrbalak to spend time with their family. Things were starting to look better for Xuul; they mended their strained relationship somewhat and they operated a fairly successful diner! While their family still did not approve of their life-path, thinking that Xuul could have been a fantastic researcher, they were at least happy that Xuul seemed to be successful.

However, in 2463, sensing the political winds changing (and hearing about how the military was being deployed against it's own citizens) in the Federation, Xuul jumped at the chance to join Grand Councilor Candidate Weibii and the other refugees headed towards Biesel space as a First Waver. Xuul hurried aboard one of the ships with their Qrra'Myaqi, Quexqa. However, the rushed exit left him little time to reach out to their Qrri'Myaq and Qraa'Myaq.

Xuul also speculated that they would find more appreciation for their career choice in human space. And Xuul was right! They were quickly able to land on their feet within Idris as a full-time chef. Their fine dining meals and etiquette were just what Idris was looking for. Not to mention they could upcharge clients due to the more exotic dishes that Xuul was capable of making. As of now- Xuul is awaiting transfer to the Aurora to begin their career while also trying to find housing. Their Qrra'Myaqi, Quexqa, is attempting to start their own line of work as an architect.

 

Misc. Info

Xuul is not fond of synthetics due to Glorsh-Omega. Not only that, but synthetics are not useful for Xuul in their career path since synthetics cannot eat. Xuul has also not found a Qu'Poxii.

What do you like about this character?

I love that this character takes the current political climate of the game and lore into account. Many people during the event were not happy about refugees coming into Biesel so working with one of those very same refugees will cause interesting roleplay for all involved!

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

I would say that my roleplay is fairly good. I would give it a 👍.

Edited July 13, 2021 by RyverStyx

[Rabid Animal]

Playing with Ryver is always a treat, his cats are fun to be around and he's great with his robot characters too. I'm sure he'd do a good job with Skrell. +1

[MccRrib]

Hello! Quick question for you, what faith does Xuul follow? How, if at all, was their faith changed by their time in the Traverse?

 Regardless, this application demonstrates a clear knowledge of and enthusiasm for Skrell lore, and has more than earned a +1 from me.

[RyverStyx]

35 minutes ago, MccRrib said:

Hello! Quick question for you, what faith does Xuul follow? How, if at all, was their faith changed by their time in the Traverse?

 Regardless, this application demonstrates a clear knowledge of and enthusiasm for Skrell lore, and has more than earned a +1 from me.

Hello! Xuul would have grown up a follower of Qeblak- However due to the falling out with their family and with them moving to the Traverse they have fallen out of the Qeblak routine.

[Caelphon]

Thanks for applying! Most of the questions I would've asked are already answered in your application, which is a very good thing. I'll let this sit for another day to get more feedback and let other players ask you questions about your Skrell. 

[sebkillerDK]

ryverstyx is great to play with, personally i've had nothing but fun times with their tajaran officer. their roleplay as them is solid and feels like a living person, i think they would do well as a skrell.

+1 from me

[goolie]

You definitely know what you’re talking about, you know how to RP and you’ve worded the application brilliantly! Wish you luck on the whitelist!!! 

[Caelphon]

This application shows a good comprehension of Skrell as a species, so therefore I will be accepting it.

I have also spoken with the applicant, they are aware they will need to wait until the conclusion of the "Traverse Strikes Back!" arc in order to play refugee characters.