[Accepted] GlasgowSmiling's Skrell Whitelist

[GlasgowSmiling]

BYOND Key: GlasgowSmiling

Character Names: Ihsan Kader, Leif Bilrost, Ra’Akaix’Kig Zo’ra

Species you are applying to play: Skrell

What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Red/Pink

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

 

Why do you wish to play this specific race:

 

The reasons I’d like to play a Skrell are twofold: they are immensely interesting both in biology, and in culture - at least those from the Federation proper. 

With most non-human characters I play, I enjoy using the unique biology that they have to convey emotion, intent, and general physicality of my characters. For me, it’s both a practice in writing and a fun way to use the ‘me’ verb more often. Describing the way a skrell might move their headtails to express their emotions, warbling and croaking and chirping, seems like it would be a lot of fun.

As far as their culture goes, the idea of such a heavily monitored population is fascinating, especially considering the social credit system that the Federation uses (alongside Srom) to ensure societal conformation. My interest in both aspects combines when you consider the different ethnicities available and how they each fit into the culture of Federation society. 

 

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

 

While it may be plagiarizing from my answer above, it does sum up a lot of my interest in skrell. The differences between skrell and human are primarily when it comes to emotions and perspective; with how long-lived most skrell are, they are less concerned with events that won’t have a long-spanning ‘ripple’ in the Spur, while the reverse can add stacking stress to their psyche. Additionally, when interacting with non-skrell, the lack of “facial emotion” would be a fun thing to roleplay - or at least to hope others might roleplay with. It’ll be interesting to use the (thankfully extensively detailed) emotive analogues listed in the wiki to express my character.

 

Character Name: Tivoq’Vir Tal-Sup

Please provide a short backstory for this character:

 

Tivoq’Vir was hatched on Aweiji in the city of Hyu'blaq'wesi - or at the very least in a Weishii commune on the outskirts. Though not a fanatical follower, he was raised as a weishiin and still carries those beliefs with him now that he is out in the greater Spur. 

With the majority of his Quya being laborers, craftskrell or farmers, the items offered at Tivoq'Vir's odurserr reflected those sorts of occupations. For the offering, he chose a ribbon typically used to denote the intended destination of supplies still in-transport, wishing to follow in the footsteps of his Qraa’Myaq. The following twenty-two years went by uneventfully with Tivoq’Vir obtaining above-average grades in math, astronomy, computer sciences and - most importantly - galactic history. This is where his path diverged; despite his original desire to work as a logistics manager like his Qraa’Myaq, the stars called to him. As a result, his studies shifted quite rapidly to accommodate. 

After finishing untuk’mak the young Skrell began studies at the Hyu’blaq’wesi College of Career Excellence where he underwent training to obtain a pilot’s license as well as taking advanced courses in galactic history and astronavigation. It wasn’t until the formation of the SCC that Tivoq’Vir would get his chance. 

In the year 2462, when the SCC officially formed, the young skrell saw his way into the stars. Though it would negatively affect his SCS - something he had been maintaining very carefully - he had decided he would sign on with the SCC once he was eligible. The following two years saw him putting forth every effort he could in order to offset the eventual loss in credit his plans would net him. Though perhaps not as impressive as if he were attending a more prestigious college, Tivoq’Vir steadily worked to be at the top of his chosen field - at least in his school. 

When the day came and he officially obtained his degree in astronavigation, Tivoq’vir applied to the SCC to help man the bridge of the SCCV Horizon and, much to his delight, was accepted. After saying goodbye to his Quya and the only planet he had ever known outside of books, Srom and holoprojections, he boarded a shuttle to lead him out of Federation space.

 

What do you like about this character?

 

While I haven’t interacted with every skrell that’s been on the Horizon so far, I think this character could be one of the youngest - the age isn’t precisely what I think is most interesting, but rather what their young age means. They’re not as reserved as older Skrell and jumped at the chance to leave Federation space to see the wider world (even at the expense of their SCS); they’re excitable and interested in meeting other species and cultures while representing the Federation as best they can manage despite being on the lower end of the SCS due to his (perhaps impulsive) decisions. 

 

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

Much like I’ve said in my other applications so far, I’d rate myself on the higher end of the roleplay spectrum - in truth to the detriment of my mechanical capabilities. I enjoy investigating the stories of the characters I portray, building them into the universe even if that part of them never reaches anybody else. 

 

I will be honest in that when stressful/dangerous/combat situations roll around my style changes a lot, as situations like that are the least explored parts of my characters and I’m usually at a loss for what they would do. It’s definitely an area that I need to work on. 

 

 

Notes: 

 

Please let me know if there’s anything I need to expound on / if I am misunderstanding the lore as I’ve read it! Also, if there’s a better “degree” for Bridge Crewman that a young skrell might pursue please let me know, I struggled with that part a bit. 

 

Edited August 25, 2022 by WhatsUpBrotendo

[Butterrobber202]

Hello! Thank you for applying.

1. What is Tal-Sup's favorite food?
2. How does Tal-Sup think about Synthetics, especially with his history education?
3. How does Tal-Sup feel about the Federation and the Traverse?

[GlasgowSmiling]

1. One of Toq'Vir's favorite foods happens to be a comfort food from when he was a tadpole and would help his quya prepare stews in one of the commune so'kii - in particular a gnazillae meat stew paired with fjylozyn broth as a sweetener. Usually he'd get caught trying to sneak a strip of the boiled fjylozyn as it was removed. 
2. He's very much at a crossroads in his opinion of synthetics that I'd like to develop in-game. He's very suspicious right now, as his only exposure really has been historical accounts and hearsay from classmates. I'd like to believe that, given his age, he could learn to accept synthetics on a case-by-case basis if not overall depending on who he interacts with on board the Horizon. 
3. Tal-Sup's very much pro-Federation and considers Skrell dwelling within the Traverse to be worthy of a cautious eye and perhaps outright avoidance if their credit score is low enough, though I don't think he'd let it get in the way of his job. 

Edited August 22, 2022 by GlasgowSmiling
Forgot to type 'traverse'

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

Hi, thanks for applying.

I have a few questions:

1. Expanding on your answer regarding Skrell from the Traverse, does Tal-Sup's view also apply to Skrell born outside of the Federation, or is there a difference between the two groups (in their eyes)?
2. What was Tal-Sup's social credit score before signing on with the SCC? What is it now?
3. How do they feel about recent Skrell events?
4. How old is Tal-Sup?
5. How many degrees do they have in total? Just the one, or did they pursue further education? 

As for your note about Bridge Crew, there aren't any requirements in terms of degrees, just a valid pilot's license. As for what would be required for a similar position in the Jargon Federation I haven't put any thought into it. Depending on the position though I'd be inclined to say that a pilot's license would be enough.

 

[GlasgowSmiling]

Typing this on my phone so forgive any errors, and thank you for responding:

1. Tal-Sup feelings about non-Federation skrell typically falls along the lines of whether or not they were born outside or if they fled/left the Federation as a whole. Skrell that have never been a part of the Federation are more acceptable than the latter; he would feel that they can't be faulted for something that was largely out of their control. If, however, they willingly chose to leave the Federation he would view them suspiciously - obviously more so than Traverse-dwelling skrell as either they were delinquents or perhaps outright criminals. 
2. I see him as being around a 5.73, though he was around 6.3 prior to finding employment outside the standard avenues that usually keep one's credit score intact. 
3. The phoron scarcity is part of what pushed him towards the Horizon, I think. With travel restricted to essentials within the Federation this is both his chance to get out and explore and perhaps to do his part to alleviate the scarcity and set everything right again - especially with the increased marauder activity. 
4. I'm seeing Tal-Sup as around 70-71, ideally aiming to put him in the optimistic Radiant Era. This leads to the next question...
5. I was originally going to go with only one degree, but if I'm tracking the timeline correctly by the time the Horizon was revealed he would have been close to finishing his second degree. If that's correct, he would have more than likely finished obtaining that second degree to further bolster his SCS via good grades in order to help alleviate the hit it would take. 

[GlasgowSmiling]

I know it doesn't matter too much but I think I'm going to drop the addition from Tal-Sup's "first" name so it's just Tivoq - I'm not sure what the common ages are for skrell to make those kind of decisions are but I feel like a skrell that's just finished schooling wouldn't have had the experiences / etc. that might make someone want to adjust both of their names. I'm going to keep Tal-Sup, though, as I really like thr sound of it and want to think more about what it means. 

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

Accepted.