Lly2 Skrell Application

[Lly2]

BYOND Key: Lly2

Character Names: Yury Zakharov, Maya Zakharova

Species you are applying to play: Skrell

What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Pale yellow

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’ve been playing almost exclusively Tajara for over half a decade now, and I have finally decided it’s time to try something different. Initially I was turned off from Skrell purely because a lot of the friends I have on Aurora are Skrell mains, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to do the race justice like they could. However, after talking with a couple of them over Discord about the idea and the reasons why I didn’t want to do it, I was met with entirely open arms telling me to just give it a shot, so here I am to give it a go.

 

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

On a surface-level, Skrell differ majorly in appearance. Hailing from an aquatic planet, they have evolved to have gills, webbed digits, and pliant flesh among other features not too dissimilar from the amphibians of Earth. They’re cold-blooded, but their tolerance to temperature is higher than other creatures in the Spur, so it is infrequently a problem for them compared to other races; instead, their concern is more likely to be with the amount of moisture in the air.

But besides the obvious differences in biology and the mechanics that come with it, I think the biggest thing that has to be taken into account when playing a Skrell is how much their society differs from Humans. Namely, how unified it is within the Federation. Although humans do have the Sol Alliance to band them together, within it are completely separate governments running the show in completely different ways, so there’s a huge amount of variation in beliefs. Conversely, Skrell are unified by the Jargon Federation and the Grand Council’s strict reinforcement of political, economic, and societal ideals via social credit: this makes it so that as far as citizens of the Federation go, there’s a lot less room for expressing oneself as they someone would like to; if someone is to behave in a way deemed unfit by the government, their score is reduced, and the number of amenities they have access to (or the ease of access to them) is lowered, right down to being disbarred from society itself.

 

Character Name: Tuliia Qou

 

Please provide a short backstory for this character

Tuliia hails from Toqleq’wesi, Qerr’malic, having been born there in 2381 and remained in place for most of their life so far. From birth, they were cast a fortunate lot in life. Tullia was born to a quya of three respectable, Qeblak-following citizens, all boasting a social credit score in the upper bounds of secondary numericals, and all born receivers, Tuliia themself included. The quya’s degrees varied across different fields, but focused primarily on agricultural science, working in close proximity to the C’thur and the luminescent, yellow-hued fields of K’ois on Qerrbalak’s moon. As such, this is where Tuliia was led too, groomed carefully by their Qrrri’myaq - Quibluu - to ensure they had a good foundation ready to pursue the sciences once they were of age for Untuk’mak.

During their coming-of-age ceremony, Tuliia was presented with three items, each representing a field in which Quibluu was versed in. Two of the items represented different forms of agriculture, and the third of an area that Quibluu had meddled with decades earlier in their life, but had never chosen as their own full-time career out of necessity for farmers on Qerr’malic at the time: psionic sciences. It was this item that Tuliia chose to burn, partially of their own volition, but partially of careful, subtle suggestion by their Qrri’myaq throughout their scuttle schooling.

Throughout Untuk’mak and later depth college, Tuliia progressed well, and as additional modules made themselves available for them to take, they were happy to do so, finding a great deal of personal interest in the career path they had been guided towards as a tadpole. The greatest difficulty Tuliia found during their education and into adulthood was finding fulfillment outside of their career; their studies left them with such minimal time outside of college, studies, and part-time work that they had little time to form proper personal relationships with other Skrell in the Federation, nor any time to pick much in the way of hobbies.

After successfully completing a first degree in psionic sciences, Tuliia was presented an opportunity to work in association with Jargon’s enforcers, under the provision that their subsequent degree was in a related field. The position was only a menial internship assisting the Kala’s researchers, but the prospect of being able to claim they were assisting with the Unity Initiative Project was extremely attractive to Tuliia. It was an offer they hastily agreed to, and they began their second degree in data science. 

The internship lasted for the duration of their second degree, serving as both training and a way for the Kala to thoroughly investigate Tuliia, and whether they would be an appropriate candidate to work on one of their real projects. In the end, it was decided that they would be, and Tuliia was, after a great deal of paperwork, accepted into a full-time position as a researcher for one of the Jargon Federation Security Council’s laboratories, working on psionic steganography.

Over the next twenty or so years, Tuliia’s work went well, and they became a valued member of the small, niche scientific community they had found themselves in, but ultimately the workload was something that they were incapable of managing without assistance. With no close friends outside of their colleagues to belay their troubles upon, Tuliia’s work-life balance ultimately culminated into what they consider a minor implosion. Tuliia found themself, in spite of better judgement, becoming a regular at various different Xu’xi gas establishments on Qerr’malic, too arrogant to ever believe that they, someone of a scientific mind and strong will-power, could ever be an addict.

Tuliia, the moment they realised what they had succumbed to, became extremely afraid that the Kala would discover their addiction.

They underslept severely out of fear they would leak their shameful secret in the Srom, affording themself a meagre few hours a week when they had the aluminium-lined bedchambers of their workplace to themself; they spoke less with the colleagues they once found themself friendly with; and their efficiency in the workplace was significantly reduced. Eventually, after suspicions arose during a biweekly meeting in the research facility’s Observatory Dome, Tullia was outed and ejected entirely from the scientific circle that they were a part of, and had dedicated the last few decades of their life to.

Tuliia now finds both their SCS and their once-large bank balance gradually decreasing. Once, they were proud of a SCS of 6.6, but after their disgrace and little success in finding new work in Jargon since then, their score has already fallen to the opposite bound of secondary numericals, sitting pretty at 4.3.

Whilst the opportunity is still available to him, Tullia has decided to depart from Jargon space and his previous life, and he now makes his way towards the Republic of Biesel on a work visa for Nanotrasen, the first corporation workplace that would accept him. He hopes that he’ll be able to maintain his secondary numerical status for the two years required before being able to apply for Republic of Biesel citizenship and subsequently renouncing the Jargon Federation, freeing him from the possibility of being swept off to a rehabilitation centre.

They holds many regrets about the way they have conducted themself, and considered for some time other alternatives, but ultimately there was no success to be found. Accepting that eventually they would have to be rehabilitated, Tuliia sees leaving the Jargon Federation and the quya that raised them a better alternative than bringing them the shame of having a forcefully-rehabilitated offspring.

 

What do you like about this character?

It seems like a fun mix of a personality that’ll let me interact with most of the things that go on amongst the crew, especially in comparison to my current main character, Yury, who de facto doesn’t get along with 2 out of every 3 cats based purely on political background. When I thought them up, I tried to figure out a way that they could reasonably have an excuse to get involved with some of the more sketchy crowd on the Aurora, which seems to be a majority of the active characters usually, as well as the more proper characters, which currently I struggle to tag along with as my two Tajara.

Additionally, I like that their specialty in science is something that’ll give me a reason to interact with the rest of the crew outside of the research wing, which often has very little to actually do round-by-round (credit to Ryver for helping with that). When I manage to think up fun ways to get them involved, ideally I’ll be able to pull them along to help with whatever personal stuff Tuliia is working on.

 

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

7/10 - I’ve been writing and role-playing for a long time, but I’m generally someone who takes a while to pick things up and really get into a character, and Skrell are a completely new thing to me. 

 

Notes:

I’ve had a lot of push and help from friends lately, which is most of the reason this app is a thing in the first place - so credit where credit’s due, thanks to them.

Tuliia’s favourite food is dyn pozole, and he'll be living (temporarily) on the Odin whilst he looks for a proper residence.

Edited November 1, 2021 by Lly2
Formatting & notes

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

I like this app, and you've obviously put a lot of thought into the background for this character.

A few questions:

Do they still follow Qeblak, or have they since converted?

How do they feel about current events concerning the Federation?

I think it's hinted a bit in the app, but what role will they have on the station? I'm assuming something science related?

 

 

[Lly2]

1. They still follow Qeblak. In terms of personal belief, the character's devotion has only increased since being disgraced, as it's one of the few things that still remains consistent with the lifestyle they had before. However, they'll find it more difficult to actively practice whilst outside of Jargon space, because of lesser access to observatories and other likeminded Skrell.

2. Tuliia doesn't have overly strong thoughts one way or the other as they're a fairly apolitical character; their feelings toward most political events were pro-establishment because of the simple reason that the establishment was what was currently benefitting them personally. Their relationship with the Jargon Federation has always been a rather transactional one: they recognise the Federation as something that will give them a good life, should they put in the effort to work alongside the systems in place, and that has been enough reason for them to follow along with its ideals. Since departing from Jargon, and having made mental plans to renounce citizenship, they have begun to sympathise more with other causes, as they find similarity in the situations they find themselves in.

3. They would be a scientist to start off with, ideally specialising (i.e. taking on one of the alt-titles) later on once they've worked with NT for longer and can prove themselves capable.

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

Liking these answers so far, just one more question from me:

Is Tuliia a listener or a receiver? Disregard that I just woke up.

Edited November 1, 2021 by WhatsUpBrotendo

[Butterrobber202]

3 hours ago, Lly2 said:

2. Tuliia doesn't have overly strong thoughts one way or the other as they're a fairly apolitical character; their feelings toward most political events were pro-establishment because of the simple reason that the establishment was what was currently benefitting them personally. Their relationship with the Jargon Federation has always been a rather transactional one: they recognise the Federation as something that will give them a good life, should they put in the effort to work alongside the systems in place, and that has been enough reason for them to follow along with its ideals.

This does not line up great with:

12 hours ago, Lly2 said:

Tullia was born to a quya of three respectable, Qeblak-following citizens, all boasting a social credit score in the upper bounds of secondary numericals, and all born receivers

As a receiver living on the Federation Capital's moon, Tullia would've been bombarded with Pro-Federation thoughts CONSTANTLY via Psionic Means. Tullia's experiences are potent and real enough to change this stance, but merely considering the relationship Transactional seems unlikely for a Receiver in those circumstances, especially while Tullia was working for the Federation. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Other than that, the Application is rather good. I'll ask some questions that I didn't see covered in the app.

1. Thoughts on Synthetic Life? ("Different Eras of Skrell" Section on the wiki has info regarding this)

2. You mentioned Tullia has worked with Vaurca/C'thur, how do they feel about them?
3. What is Tullia's favorite food?

[Lly2]

9 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

1. Thoughts on Synthetic Life? ("Different Eras of Skrell" Section on the wiki has info regarding this)

Tuliia is yet to personally have any meaningful interactions with synthetics so their opinion is not a firm one, but as it stands they're extremely prejudiced against them. However, it isn't to such a degree that would prevent them from working alongside synthetics on the Aurora, because they're confident in the idea presented by the Federation that human AIs are not nearly advanced enough to cause problems for the Skrell.

 

9 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

2. You mentioned Tullia has worked with Vaurca/C'thur, how do they feel about them?

The Vaurca worked in close proximity with the quya that raised Tuliia, but Tuliia themself didn't work with them past whatever limited interactions happened during their scuttle schooling. In general though, they have a very good opinion on the C'thur, and an amicable relationship with the other hives, due to less experience with them. C'thur were very common in the surrounding regions to where Tuliia lived, so he saw them interacting closely with other Skrell and causing no trouble, and heard about the good contributions they made to both agriculture and the entertainment industry. He has never had a friend in the Vaurca, so it's difficult for him to decide his opinion of them in that capacity, but he at the very bare minimum views them as an extremely useful species to have around as a workforce.

 

9 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

3. What is Tullia's favorite food?

Jyalra, but he's since had to adapt since the lack of availability outside of Jargon Federation space. Dyn pozole is a passable alternative.

 

9 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

As a receiver living on the Federation Capital's moon, Tullia would've been bombarded with Pro-Federation thoughts CONSTANTLY via Psionic Means. Tullia's experiences are potent and real enough to change this stance, but merely considering the relationship Transactional seems unlikely for a Receiver in those circumstances, especially while Tullia was working for the Federation. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

This is something I'm generally down to change if I'm just wrong in how I understand Nlom/Srom, but it is something I thought about.

My thought process was that the population consisted of a high percentage of people who wouldn't really have a high involvement or understanding of the specifics of politics in the Jargon Federation; i.e. the people there would be pro-Federation, but I imagined the sentiment transmitted wouldn't be an extremely explicit one that involved all the actual details of the politics involved, rather just a general positive opinion on the Federation, and the opinion that they were doing the correct thing. When I refer to Tuliia as being 'apolitical', it's mostly because of the knowledge they have: they lived in a community and were raised by a quya of what are essentially farmers and entertainment workers, and in their own life they haven't endeavoured to learn about politics besides what the average person picks up in passing. They didn't feel the need to, because they were already pro-Federation, and what was transmitted was strong enough to give them no reason to learn more and question Jargon; I don't think transactional is mutually exclusive with legitimately supporting them, and figured it made more sense that they'd justify the thoughts they received from the wake that way, due to their lack of knowledge otherwise.

Edited November 2, 2021 by Lly2

[RyverStyx]

Awesome! You seem receptive to the proposed changes and rest of your app was great!

[ACCEPTED]