WhatsUpBrotendo Skrell Dev App

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

Ckey/BYOND Username: WhatsUpBrotendo
Position Being Applied For: Skrell Lore Developer
Have you read the Lore Team Rules and Regulations wiki page? Yes
Past Experiences/Knowledge: I've been one of the Skrell lore deputies since late October 2021
Examples of Past Work: There's quite a bit. https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions/WhatsUpBrotendo

Recent work that I've done:

Updates to Skrell on Mictlan and Europa, as well as a page that expands on Skrell living outside of the Federation in general:

https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Skrell_Abroad, https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Europa#Skrell_on_Europa, https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Mictlan#Skrell

Skrell crime update that focused on the Marauders: https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Federation_Crime_and_Resistance

Current Skrell articles related to the phoron scarcity. Latest article below:

Additional Comments:  

1. Your plans for the future of Skrell, and their involvement in the affairs of the Orion Spur.

I'd like to see the Jargon Federation enact reforms that result in the overall power of the Federation being shared between the inner systems and the Traverse, rather than have the inner systems with all the power. As for external politics, I think the Federation needs to do more actual politics with the other powers in the Spur. Right now relations with a few factions aren't exactly warm, with the Sol Alliance essentially being its only ally. I'd like to see the Federation branch out and flex its diplomatic muscles, and having less relations that can be described as 'cold'.

2. What do you most enjoy about Skrell, additionally how you plan to expand on this. What you enjoy least about Skrell, additionally how you plan to deal with this aspect. 

I enjoy Skrell for their unique culture and society, especially Skrell religions. I'd like to flesh out Qeblak and Weishii more through making them more unique to each other. Weishii is meant to be an offshoot of the other, but I think there's room for more there through things like separate holidays and rituals. There's also room for making Weishii more obviously decentralised like how its described, with offshoots, or sects unique to certain groups or planets. 

What I most dislike about Skrell lore is the Jargon Federation's status in the Orion Spur; It's very isolated and very strong, which I think makes it difficult when it comes to trying to realistically have it interact with other nations politically. Through political reform and a future expansion on the internal struggles the Federation's currently experiencing in the Traverse I'd like to see it take a few losses and feeling less secure in its position, which could lead to a process of de-isolation as it tries to befriend its neighbours.

3.  Skrell have “symbiotic” relationships with both the C’thur and Dionae. How do you plan to continue this relationship an further develop it - in whichever direction you see fit. 

I've helped expand on C'thur and Dionae lore when it comes to their interactions with the Federation. I agree with Desven that C'thur is in a good place right now, but I would like to see some more cultural integration of Vaurca by including them in media. There's also the mention of C'thur idols we have on the culture page, which I would be interested in expanding on if given the chance. For Dionae, I'd like to keep adding onto the Conglomerated Choir of Nralakk and CT-EUM's interactions with the Federation. Expanding on Federation Dionae finding themselves outside of the Federation would also be an interesting topic to tackle with the Dionae team.

Edited July 11, 2022 by WhatsUpBrotendo
Added what I don't like about Skrell lore oops

[RyverStyx]

If I could have picked a direct successor upon my resignation I would have picked Brotendo. He has shown constant attention to the lore and has been extremely consistent; as well as incredibly easy to work with. His output and attention to detail is great and I think Skrell lore would be in good hands with Brotendo.
 

+1

[Triogenix]

Apologies for any formatting issues I’m mobile posting.

Brotendo has been a blast to work with on the team, and I have no doubt he’d be an amazing pick for maintainer. He’s even headed, consistent, constantly reaches out to other teams when their species are involved in his writers, and has good ideas for skrell. Consider this an endorsement.

 

However I still want to ask questions, so here’s a few:

1. In your app you mention that you dislike the isolationist nature of the federation and wish to see it expand relations through politics with other states. I agree with you on this point, but am curious about a potential part of this. Due to the federations views on synthetics, do you think you would approach the IPC team to ask about curtailing rights for positronics in nations which the federation is trying to expand relations with? Why or why not?

 

2. What aspect of being a species maintainer are you most nervous about, if there is one?

 

3. Lastly, relating to your dislike of the federations status in the spur; do you see the federation losing its position as sole superpower under your leadership as maintainer, or do you see them just weakening but maintaining their position?

 

good luck!

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

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1. In your app you mention that you dislike the isolationist nature of the federation and wish to see it expand relations through politics with other states. I agree with you on this point, but am curious about a potential part of this. Due to the federations views on synthetics, do you think you would approach the IPC team to ask about curtailing rights for positronics in nations which the federation is trying to expand relations with? Why or why not?

I think it would definitely be a talking point the Federation would bring up ICly, but realistically I don't think it would go anywhere with what I'm thinking. The Federation would be weaker internally, so its power to intimidate its neighbours would lessen somewhat. There's also OOC factors to consider, since IPCs are a community favourite. I don't know what the IPC team thinks on this, and I never really considered IPCs when thinking about it. It would be an interesting topic, so if I get the position it might mean talking to Lancer and the team to see what they think.

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2. What aspect of being a species maintainer are you most nervous about, if there is one?

None really. I see the position as basically what I do now, only I have more influence on the direction of Skrell lore. The team under Ryver was pretty equal between the three of us, and we all had the chance to voice our opinions or how we think we should approach something. I don't see that changing if I got the position.

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3. Lastly, relating to your dislike of the federations status in the spur; do you see the federation losing its position as sole superpower under your leadership as maintainer, or do you see them just weakening but maintaining their position?

I want to see the Federation actually have a need to interact with the other nations in a cordial manner, rather than getting away with being enigmatic. Having it be weaker doesn't necessarily mean it loses its position as superpower, and there are a lot of ways it could go. It also depends on how the rest of the team thinks about it; like I said earlier I plan on continuing Ryver's style of leading where we're all pretty equal, and that includes me not going forward with something that someone else on the team objects with. Really though as long as the Federation is no longer a behemoth that's isolated from galactic affairs, I'd be happy with however we end up going forward with it.

[Dreamix]

What nations would you like Jargon to warm up its relations with?

Eridani? It'd make sense to me I think. Three Eridani sectors are owned by Heph and Zeng, which Jargon does have the exchange programs with.

Izweski, maybe? The politics page says "it is clear some amount of change is on the horizon, for better or for worse". I think it'd be interesting to see how it develops, and how Jargon could support the unathi there. Wild thought, something like the Zeng-hu Jargon Division drip, but for Jargon-Izweski cooperation.

 

And how about *worsening* of relations? Have you considered that too? My understanding is kinda that, currently Jargon doesn't really *like* anyone, but doesn't really *dislike* anyone either.

 

I'm not a lore dev or anything, but as a skrell main for the past few months, I found Brotendo to be helpful in the lore discord, and I like their ideas on lore and stuff. Luv me skrell, luv C'thur, luv Jargon.

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

3 hours ago, Dreamix said:

What nations would you like Jargon to warm up its relations with?

3 hours ago, Dreamix said:

Eridani?

I've briefly mentioned my thoughts before when Eridani and Jargon relations were brought up on the discord. I don't see them as potential "allies" since the ECF is under the Alliance, and any developments on the relationship between the two would be as a result of Jargon's dealings with the Sol Alliance. Jargon has links to every megacorp in the SCC save for Zavod, and I don't see these links necessarily meaning that there would be developments with the ECF specifically when the megacorps there can and currently do deal with Jargon outside of it.

Zeng-Hu stands out the most here since they've got the closest relationship with the Federation compared to the other megacorporations, which has been a thing since first contact. I don't see why Zeng-Hu would feel the need to promote Jargon relations with the ECF when it would mean having to further share the Federation with the other megacorps.

3 hours ago, Dreamix said:

Izweski, maybe? 

Developing relations between Jargon and the Hegemony is definitely something high on my list of things I'd like to see in the future, and it is something that I've briefly discussed with Haydizzle in the past.

I'd like Jargon to start taking more of an interest in having better relations with nations where Skrell live in general, which would involve the Hegemony and the Republic of Biesel. I've only got some vague ideas, but for the Republic would probably involve something to do with the SCC since it and the Republic are entwined.

3 hours ago, Dreamix said:

And how about *worsening* of relations? ... My understanding is kinda that, currently Jargon doesn't really *like* anyone, but doesn't really *dislike* anyone either.

Sort of, but not really? Relations between the NKA and DPRA are non-existent now that Jargon has backed the PRA after DPRA actions aimed against Skrell. Relations between the CoC and Jargon aren't exactly the best either since Jargon is allies with the Sol Alliance. There's probably room in both cases for these relationships to develop. I've only really given this some thought with the Sol Alliance specifically, with it being a result of any future developments the Federation has with the other nations of the Spur. My thinking is that the Federation making new friends could potentially cause friction between the two nations, and while not ending the relationship entirely it could drive a wedge between the two. There are probably other nations where things could deteriorate, but like with everything else I've said here it'd need to be discussed.

[Caelphon]

Accepted. Congrats on the promotion.