The Ahzi Fleet Kit

[Captain Gecko]

BYOND Key: Captain Gecko

Discord Username: CNEGecko#9618

Character Name: Ankala Ahzi

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Item Name: "Unathi fleet flag"

Item Function(s): Works like any flag. These are the one-tile-large ones.

Item Description: "A flag bearing the easily recognizable inconography of Unathi fleets, this one depicting a Sinta slain by spears under an omniscient, uncaring eye."

 

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Item Name: "Unathi fleet banner"

Item Function(s): Works like any banners. These are the two-tiles-large ones.

Item Description: "A banner bearing the easily recognizable inconography of Unathi fleets, this one depicting a Sinta slain by spears under an omniscient, uncaring eye."

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Item Name: "Unathi fleet armband"

Item Function(s): Works like any armband, equipped as an accessory on uniforms and suits, can be flipped.

Item Description: "An armband bearing the easily recognizable inconography of Unathi fleets, this one depicting a Sinta slain by spears under an omniscient, uncaring eye."

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Why is your character bringing this item to work?: Ankala is a member of the Ahzi Unathi pirate fleet. These are the colors of the Ahzi fleet, and she both displays them with pride... And for utilitarian reasons. See, being a Unathi pirate doesn't prevent you from working in or with the SCC, most of the time (see the notes below each fleets, for instance)... Most of the time. A handful of fleets still are on hostile terms with the SCC for openly engaging with their assets. Considering that the Ahzi fleet hasn't done such a thing yet, however, openly displaying their their colors, showing to all her allegiance, Ankala shows to all that she is indeed part of a fleet that isn't in bad terms with the SCC (yet?) and thus is allowed to dock as a merchant, or even work on the Horizon as a representative of her fleet. While being openly a pirate might draw security's attention, with suspicions of smuggling and other illicit activities, she's still allowed to dock and trade, and that's what matters to her.

Also, naturally she's a proud member of her fleet and loves bearing her fleet's colors, even if it was to draw trouble her way... She wouldn't have it any other way.

How did your character obtain this item?: Being part of said fleet, she could easily get one of each, to bring with her in her workplace.

What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?: Naturally, this reminds her of her origins, of what her loyalty lies in... And of her duty. See the Ahzi fleet is, while a brutally efficient fleet, a relatively small one, hence why so little know of these illusive pirates... Due to their small size and quite unique way to handle their raids and boarding actions, the Ahzi cannot entierly sustain themselves from actual piracy, and thus, rely on a smaller caste within their fleet known as "transporters". Ankala is one of these, fortune traders (and possibly smugglers), who's task is to leave the fleet to find profitable trading partners, and make a profit, may it be in credits or other interesting resources, to bring back to the Fleet, which can be done through direct or "indirect" trading. These flags, this armband, are more than just a reminder of home, they are a reminder of her responsability.

Such flags may also make her status much more open, roleplay wise. It already is, with records openly stating her nature, and Ankala never hiding her origins (why would she? Ahzi fleet isn't looking for trouble with corporations... So far). But most players don't actual realize her origins. Not only would these items make her more unique, but these would also tell her story a tad cmore clearly, visually too, without having her find an excuse to dump exposition on very customer she finds.

 Sprites: 

- Ahzi Armband.dmi

- Ahzi Flags.dmi

Additional Comments: None so far!

Edited August 22, 2022 by Captain Gecko
Changing the item names from "Unathi Pirate..." to "Unathi Fleet..."

[MattAtlas]

Some things I'd like to address:

1. This character is a merchant, correct? I can see this item working for a merchant but not for a ship character.
2. Is this a fleet that's meant to be publicly available to everyone or not?

[Captain Gecko]

2 hours ago, MattAtlas said:

This character is a merchant, correct? I can see this item working for a merchant but not for a ship character.

Ahzi was originally a merchant, but I eventually decided to put her in a position I could play more reliably. She is currently a Consular on the Horizon, which I believe is still a position (the only position on the Horizon, even) that would allow her to bring such items at work...

Ahzi as a consular does not represent the Hegemony, nor Dominia, she represents the Ahzi. That does not prevent her to act like a proper consular: she will stand for her fellow Unathi, provide informations on various Unathi cultural elements and the likes (of course she will know more about Unathi Fleets than the intricacies of life as a Dominian Unathi, she doesn't know/can do everything). Back to the flag however. her presence as a consular also has another use: she can act as a guide and a helping hand with the command department as far as handling situations related to piracy go, and of course, ensures that her fleet, which is still in decent terms with the SCC (or at least not on hostile ones) remains in good terms, and vice-versa. She has every reason to show her colors to the Horizon, in character, and in function, I believe.

The name of the items might also be misleading, which I guess is why you're asking this question, and a rename may be in order. Unathi Pirate Fleets are as much pirates as the Hegemony is an actual Hegemony in practice (although currently has it act more and more like an actual one, the Hegemony waas originally just the head of a Feudal Kingdom). Unathi "pirates" may be merely smugglers, explorers, privateers or buccaneers among other things, in other words, a few reasons why some powers may be accepting of their presence and even services, the Kazhkz being the best example. While the Ahzi Fleet can delve in more brutal actions, their targets are limited, and they are currently not openly seen as a hostile force by the bigger players of the Orion Spur.

In truth, even Ankala herself refers to these as "Unathi Fleets" and not "Unathi Pirate Fleets", thus, the items may be renamed to "Unathi fleet flag", "Unathi fleet banner", and "Unathi fleet armband" (I will change their name on the original post if you don't mind.)

 

3 hours ago, MattAtlas said:

Some things I'd like to address:Is this a fleet that's meant to be publicly available to everyone or not?

The fleet, while "original" in the sense that it is not on any wiki page or article, IS publicly available. Any character can know about it if it makes sense, the only limit to the Fleet being so little known is... Well... OOC limits. Obviously I made up this fleet, people cannot read my mind. I generally just OOCly give interested people bits of the Ahzi lore to allow them to make their character aware of what the fleet is and the likes.

[MattAtlas]

1 hour ago, Captain Gecko said:

Ahzi as a consular does not represent the Hegemony, nor Dominia, she represents the Ahzi.

The thing is that I'm not sure if this is actually possible. In game you would spawn in as a hegemony Consular anyway, no? Or am I wrong? I don't fully remember how the Unathi consular stuff is set up.

[Captain Gecko]

Because you are a Unathi, the game equips you automatically with Hegemony gear and sends you a Hegemony fax at the start of the round, yes, but as far as I am aware you can ignore this...? I've seen quite a few players do so, such as Dominian Unathi consulars. The ID only says "Consular (Indep)" so as far as I am aware, this is mostly a roleplay thing.

Come to think of it, now that we have origins this could probably be tweaked around to make the Consular loadout/fax be more reflective of the character, but that's another issue.

[MattAtlas]

Approved conceptually, although this is the first time I have heard of this kind of Consular concept being played and I would much appreciate being informed in the future if you intend to play a type of Consular that is not mechanically represented.