[Accepted] Kermit's Vaurca Application

[kermit]

BYOND Key: Sadkermit

Character Names: 

Loukas Tzannetakis, Captain

Hugh Oswald, Chief Medical Officer

Guusje van Willigen, Pharmacist

Faith Windsor, Pharmacist

+    a bunch of retired characters.

Species you are applying to play: Vaurca

What color do you plan on making your first alien character: RGB: 150, 180, 255

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

 

Why do you wish to play this specific race:

I’ve been interested in playing vaurcae characters for a long while, mostly after observing and being involved in the performances of a few particular vaurcae characters that were enjoyable to roleplay with and who had cool stories. Recently, I became more interested after discussing possible vaurcae character concepts with a friend who then encouraged me to apply, so here I stand.

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

The most notable difference is their loyalty and subservience to their hive and brood. A large aspect of a vaurca’s life is determined by their brood, with traits and quirks being decided by and a representation of their lesser queen, who vaurcae show unwavering loyalty towards. This is a result of lesser queens each having their own VR with its own carefully curated space, which unbound vaurcae are raised in to develop their personalities and teach them the skills required to aid their hive. Though, in the case of bound vaurcae, indoctrination, pheromones and immature brains ensure their unwavering loyalty. This subservience to a brood and hive and the impact of VR on a vaurca’s development impacts role playing and creating characters a fair amount.

The foreign nature of vaurcae as a whole also marks a difference between them and humans. While all non-human species are alien, vaurcae originate from beyond the Orion Spur - the sheer distance makes vaurcae more alien - they are nowhere near home, they do not belong in the Orion Spur. This, in addition to their insectoid biology and the fact they experience no organic life development and are thrust into a human world with little experience of what it is to be human, results in the treatment they receive from other species in the Orion Spur, which should be taken into account when roleplaying as and also with a vaurcae player.

Both of these aspects intrigue me the most about vaurcae, which could also be included as an answer to the previous question, and would be what I focus on the most when designing characters.

 

Character Name: Ka’Akaix’Lyrk C’thur

Please provide a short backstory for this character.

An endless ocean of white, only a shade apart from their own carapace. Lyrk was fixed on walking in one direction, tugged along by an invisible force which beckoned them along - no attempt to resist was conceivable. As they walked, with nothing to identify the passing of time, they observed giant waves which rose and shimmered with scenes of another world, scenes which they learned from and drew information from. Further on, a wave carried a swathe of other vaurcae who bobbed into the path of Lyrk and lectured them on this other world, providing insight into other lesser species found there, and then some more insight about the virtual reality, the Aether, they stood in. 

Now understanding this journey was to prepare them for a greater journey into this more material world, Lyrk began to more actively find this insight they needed. Diving into the ocean, they swam unhindered by any force pushing against them, and only encouraged by that invisible force which directed them further and further in. Currents of information, like schools of fish, whizzed and zipped by, composed of orbs, and Lyrk reached out and grabbed any which came close. The orbs flashed lines of translated code which were absorbed by their eyes, providing more and more insight into the material world and their to-be role in it. They swam close to the surface, fishing any orbs within reach, though avoided glancing down at the depths beneath them, where the strongest currents thrashed at any who got close, occasionally sucking in those unlucky where they blended in with the current, vanishing.

Time progressed, unbeknownst to Lyrk, who, after obtaining a sufficient enough of training for their role as a scientist for Mouv’s brood, suddenly felt the force which had been directing them reverse. Wrenched from the ocean and into the sky faster than they could process it, the endless ocean began to vanish from beneath them, fading from view, as they were disconnected from virtual reality. White turned to black, and their eyes opened for the first time.

Having awakened in the material world, Lyrk was assigned to the C’thur research laboratory in Qamlok, where day and night they utilised the skills learnt in virtual reality to aid more senior C’thur researchers. More practical skills were learnt, and under the supervision of other vaurcae, they flourished and were seen as an aspiring professional in the field of biomechanical engineering, specialising in implant technology and small-scale augmentation, mostly those that could be applied to vaurcae, though occasionally Lyrk would be assigned to a project where more alien anatomy was involved. They occupied this position for one year, observing their first Freedom Day where they was permitted to leave Qamlok and venture into the nearby city of Oqraxo where many C’thur vaurcae were celebrating. That day, Lyrk met several skrell and the occasional human for the first time, as well as the alien infrastructure of a skrell city when compared to the subterranean environment of Qamlok - this was quite the shock for them, who’ll likely never forget this experience.

After obtaining enough experience, first in virtual reality, and now in the material world in Qamlock, a transfer was made for Lyrk. They, alongside a cohort of other young vaurcae, were transferred to human space. Some were assigned to Einstein Engines to work on warp drive technology, some were assigned to the Eridani Federation and consigned to corporate hell, though Lyrk was assigned to NanoTrasen Corporation where they would continue their work on augmentation and implant technology. 

Arriving at the beginning of August of 2463 and thrown into District 9 of Mendell City, Lyrk has had a month to acclimatise to human space. Never venturing out of District 9, the only experience they had of other species is that of violence directed towards themselves and other vaurcae - the occasional riot, the occasional slur - and the Hivenet going wild, whispering of those beyond District 9 who wish to cause harm to the hives. With their fresh ID and uniform having just arrived alongside the documents confirming their Lab Assistant position at the NSS Aurora - only briefly seen and immediately given to the local breeder administrator for their hive - Lyrk is unsure what to expect on their first day, and is nervous to say the least.

What do you like about this character?

Besides the backstory and besides how much more different it will be to play a vaurcae compared to a human, one of the things I’ll enjoy playing this character the most is their naïveté and how foreign humans/tajara/unathi/etc, are to them, and how equally foreign Lyrk is to those other species. While they may be somewhat acquainted with skrell, and slightly less so humans, other species are totally unfamiliar to them, and so their first interactions with characters of those species will be interesting and could cultivate Lyrk’s views of other characters of that demographic. Regarding their naïveté, it’ll be interesting developing their social intelligence from pretty low, where they’re only competent at socialising with other vaurcae and perhaps the occasional human, to being more socially intelligent and socialising more freely, having properly acclimatised to human space.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

Last time I applied for a species whitelist, I placed by role playing ability between 7 and 8. This was over a year ago, and I think I’ve developed a significant amount since then, especially having stuck with characters that I role play better and more consistently than those which dragged me down and were role played less consistently. I’d place myself at an 8 now.

Notes:

None

04/09: Edits made after proof reading.

Edited September 4, 2021 by SadKermit
04/09: Edits made after proof reading.

[Butterrobber202]

STOP IT!!! STOP MAKING C'THUR!!!!

 

cool app, always happy to see more bugs. 

1.) Lots on their history in this app, but how to you intend to play the character on station. Personality, any quirks, general outlook on things?
2.) How does Lyrk feel about the current relationship between C'thur and the Federation? Do they resent the Skrell for effectively holding High Queen C'thur "hostage" or are they grateful these alien allies bought her more time?

1 hour ago, SadKermit said:

I’ll enjoy playing this character the most is their naïveté and how foreign humans/tajara/unathi/etc, are to them, and how equally foreign Lyrk is to those other species. While they may be somewhat acquainted with skrell, and slightly less so humans, other species are totally unfamiliar to them

C'thur's hive are widely regarded as snakes diplomats, so your vaurca would have been subject to instruction on the surface-level social norms and basic biology of all Aliens present within the Spur. Vaurca can be (and are for the most part) incredibly cunning, so I feel as if they wouldn't send off their Hive Members without any knowledge at all. (Lore Devs obviously override anything, me, a player, says but it's something to consider)

[Roostercat]

I thought the name was familiar when I saw Faith Windsor there! 

Anyway, thanks for applying. First things first, I love the backstory. It really puts the weird VR of Mouv into a good perspective, and the way its worded shows me you really put the effort into it. First things first, I'd like to clarify something. 

10 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

 

C'thur's hive are widely regarded as snakes diplomats, so your vaurca would have been subject to instruction on the surface-level social norms and basic biology of all Aliens present within the Spur. Vaurca can be (and are for the most part) incredibly cunning, so I feel as if they wouldn't send off their Hive Members without any knowledge at all. (Lore Devs obviously override anything, me, a player, says but it's something to consider)

In this department, the minimum any given vaurca would probably be taught is basic manners (how to say hello, how to not immediately offend somebody etc) and so on as to not embarrass the hive and to keep the Vaurca socially productive. Outside of that, the amount of training they receive in the Social department is really up to the player, so if you want a Vaurca that only knows a little about the Skrell and Humanity but is otherwise ignorant of what's going on with the other species, go for it. Just make sure not to give in to the pitfall that is making your vaurca negligent to it via acting like a three year old, (which I don't expect you to do anyway) and you should be fine.

Now then, time for questions. 

1) What is Lyrk's view on the other two hives? 
2) What does Lyrk think of the more conventional VR realms as compared to Mouv's data ocean?
3) Does Lyrk follow a religion? If not, what do they think of the religions as a whole?

[kermit]

Thanks for the questions, both of you - I've done my best to answer them in great enough detail. I can focus on more specific details if I missed the point of any of your questions.

 

20 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

1.) Lots on their history in this app, but how to you intend to play the character on station. Personality, any quirks, general outlook on things?

 

Lyrk will be quite reclusive at first, keeping their head down as they work on whatever project they’re working on in Science. Their background in District 9 pushes them to be somewhat fearful and paranoid of non-vaurcae around them, believing that non-vaurcae have an inherent disgust towards vaurcae. However, as they work aboard the Aurora and as they meet more and more people who are amiable to themselves, then Lyrk will open up more and be more social and friendly. 

Being very young and with no experience working in any non-vaurcae facility, Lyrk has a significant amount to learn, not so much that they’ll act dim-witted and childish, as they've certainly been taught the fundamentals. After getting beyond their fear of non-vaurcae, they may be more inquisitive and curious, asking questions - appropriate or inappropriate - to learn more. They’ll gradually progress from little experience dealing with non-vaurcae to having acquired the tact C’thur are known for, and is something I'd quite enjoy playing with. Being scientifically inclined, this tact may be for better or worse.

Lyrk also hails from Mouv’s brood, who is quite close to Einstein Engines, and the C’thur hive overall, who are close to the Federation. Both Einstein Engines and the Federation have been cast as antagonists on the stage of the Orion Spur currently or at some point, and so Lyrk will have a crisis of allegiance: skrell versus human, the Conglomerate versus Einstein. Their opinion on this is entirely influenced by Mouv’s opinion and instruction on the matter, as skrell, humans, the SGC, EE, are all bodies that Lyrk knows little about and isn’t part of.

 

20 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

2.) How does Lyrk feel about the current relationship between C'thur and the Federation? Do they resent the Skrell for effectively holding High Queen C'thur "hostage" or are they grateful these alien allies bought her more time?

While they’re still new to human space and unfamiliar with how everything proceeds, Lyrk will likely be grateful for the Federation’s treatment and hospitality towards their High Queen, believing them to be valuable allies. Influencing this view may also be Lyrk’s belief that a High Queen is far too powerful or influential to be held captive or to have allowed themselves to be held captive, and so it’d be laughable for anyone to say that the High Queen is a hostage. Vaurcae honour also dictates it to be abhorrent to dictate unbound vaurcae, and more-so Lesser or High Queens, so Lyrk may, for some reason, believe the Federation and other players on the Orion Spur’s stage would respect these same values, until it becomes evident through interaction with non-vaurcae and observing events in the Orion Spur that they do not.

As Lyrk begins to figure out the landscape of the world they’re living in, and they begin to witness just how powerful and sly corporations and nations can be, they’ll wisen-up and realise that vaurcae aren’t the big players on the stage in the Orion Spur. It only suits the Federation quite well to have the High Queen held in life-support with all her subordinates vying to serve and please the Federation so as to ensure their continued aid of the Queen - if that’s even their goal.

 

9 hours ago, Roostercat said:

1) What is Lyrk's view on the other two hives? 

Having spent a month in District 9 where tensions between different alien groups is high, and soon to be employed on a station where vaurcae are a very small minority, Lyrk will likely overlook hive differences at first and instead value the experience all three hives share as a widely discriminated group in Tau Ceti. Conflict between hives is tame and regulated compared to conflict between vaurcae and humans and vaurcae and tajara in Tau Ceti. The interactions Lyrk has with vaurcae hailing from other hives will likely influence this view further. Though, having only really been exposed to the C’thur hive and originating from this hive themselves, they’ll be biased towards their own hive if ever a discussion about inter-hive relations or actions was raised. Outside of that, they’ve yet to form a concrete opinion about either Zo’ra or K’lax - interactions on-station have yet to shape them.

 

9 hours ago, Roostercat said:

2) What does Lyrk think of the more conventional VR realms as compared to Mouv's data ocean?

Being in the C’thur hive and exposed to other vaurcae of the C'thur, they’ve probably already formed opinions on the virtual reality set-ups of the other C’thur Queens. The realms of C’thur and Vytel would both be admired by Lyrk, as they encapsulate regions of Sedantis I. As someone scientifically inclined, this preservation of Sedantis I in these two Queens realms is something admirable. However, from this description alone of these two realms, Lyrk may feel that these realms are clinging to the past, and that vaurcae need to find a better foundation in the Orion Spur. For that reason, they would point towards Mouv’s virtual reality as somewhat superior, as Mouv’s realm is an endless source of information with relevant data that can be applied in the material world. Regarding Xetl’s realm, Lyrk would view the experimentation which goes on within as a good use of virtual reality, and the Newts which are discarded as being necessary sacrifices. If Lyrk was to bump into a Newt, they would likely have many questions, which would then inform their opinion of Xetl’s realm further.

Lyrk isn’t aware of the structure of virtual reality in the Zo’ra and K’lax hives, and so any opinions formed on the set-up of their virtual reality would be a result of interactions with vaurcae from those hives. Looking ahead though, should Lyrk ever have a discussion regarding the Vetju's or Leto's realms, they'd admire these two realms for knowledge they contain and the ability to prepare Klax's vaurcae for their role and life in the material world. Scay's realm would also be admired by Lyrk, again for the knowledge it contains and it's ability to prepare vaurcae for their role in the material role, but also because it fuses the history of Sedantis I - at least creatures which inhabited the moon - into the learning environment of the virtual reality.

 

9 hours ago, Roostercat said:

3) Does Lyrk follow a religion? If not, what do they think of the religions as a whole?

Lyrk doesn’t adhere to any religion, yet - like all things, this’ll be influenced by interactions they have on-board with other vaurcae. Being scientifically inclined, Lyrk observes the flaws each of the religions has. For example, the Hive Panthenon venerates the Queens and depicts virtual reality as a heaven, however this is inconsistent as Queens haven’t always had virtual reality and also doesn’t fit other species into the equation. Now exposed to the religions of other species, this may dissuade Lyrk either further from adhering to any faith, as faiths always tend to put the species where the faith originates on the pedestal: the Eternal places dionaea on a pedestal, the Panthenon and Preimminence places vaurcae on a pedestal, etc. Overall, religion seems too curated for Lyrk to believe in any particular one.

[Roostercat]

Accepted. Welcome to Da Bug World.