[ACCEPTED] 4000daniel1's Skreddit sign up - Skrell Whitelist

[4000daniel1]

BYOND Key: 4000daniel1
Character Names: Buck Thompson, Chia Li, Max Judge, Vakha Vos, and a couple of others with REALLY low playtime.
Species you are applying to play: Skrell
What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Dark blue!
Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yup

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:

An alien whitelist has been under my radar for some time now, and out of all the available species we have, skrell fascinate me the most! One of the most interesting parts about them in my opinion is the psionic aspect and how it ties in with their spirituality, and I think the way its represented in-game can definitely be used to generate some rare, memorable RP moments. (pulling a valued Qu'Kaax into the Srom to share a experience and what not) Other than that, I think the general competitive culture and authoritarian Federation is interesting too, especially as it creates opportunity for a strong hidden sort of counter culture which is largely what I'd like to explore with this first character that's been floating around in my head for some time now.

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

There's certainly a lot of differences. I think the most notable difference in practice when roleplaying may be the fact that they express themselves emotionally very differently, due to the lack of musclature within their faces. They are dependent on expressing their emotions through other means, such through audible noises or movements with their headtails. For instance, a skrell might warble or bob their head rather than smile. The psionic aspects are also a huge difference. A skrell who's a strong Receiver who has also lived in the Federation for a long time would undoubtedly be played as loyal and conformed to the Federation, as the Nlom serves to almost brainwash them. On the contrary, a Listener may find the Nlom in the Federation somewhat bothersome, as it tries to force its ideas upon them. This might result in them abhorring the Federation, or eventually conforming. In essence, the Nlom makes it so that its quite difficult for skrell living within the Federation to be neutral to it, as the Nlom sways you one way or the other, mostly dependent on whether you're a Listener or Receiver. Skrell also live very long, and by default are considerably older than most humans. This results in them generally being patient and careful, they would rather wait ten years to find out what the right choice is than to make the wrong choice immediately. Skrell, especially the older generations of them, are also considerably less likely to trust synthetics, due to Glorsh-Omega.

Character Name: Vilqa Xiniqinu
Please provide a short backstory for this character

Vilqa Xiniqinu had a misfortune occur just before they were born. Their Quya before they were born consisted of three Axiori: A successful and hard working Biologist (SCS 7.46), a devoted Journeyman of Weishii (SCS 6.89), and finally a humble logistics worker. (SCS 4.34) Whom, just before Vilqa's Aqi'qa was about to commence, was discovered to have secret ties within the Ti'Rakqi's smuggling operations. The newfound smuggler quickly and unceremoniously disappeared before they could be detained, never to be heard from again. While a Qu'Poxii of the Quya leaving would not typically be an issue, the circumstances of this particular case left the two remaining in it with feelings of heartbreak and betrayal, their social credit score was also deducted despite their lack of knowledge on the smuggling. They let out their frustrations on and blamed each other, making their small Quya unstable. As the date of Vilqa's birth rapidly approached, they tried to give them a proper Aqi'qa, but their lack of cooperation combined with their emotional distress made it unfortunately fruitless. If it weren't for their relatively high SCS, the Kala likely would have taken notice and taken Vilqa into the care of another home. But they didn't, and so when Vilqa Xiniqinu was born in 2387 Eriuyushi, Qerrbalak, they were born as a Listener without a proper psionic tether to have as their Qrri'Myaq. Therefore, their parents had to decide themselves, and the Biologist insisted upon having the role. The Journeyman, tired of the fighting that left Vilqa without a obvious Qrri'Myaq in the first place, decided to agree to this, becoming Vilqa's Qraa'Myaq instead. It would take time until the two Qu'Poxii had reconciled fully, making Vilqa's first years in life a little more tense than that of the average skrell.

Vilqa's Mentor had high expectations of them throughout Scuttle Schooling, with the hope that they would become an established biologist like themselves. However, during class, Vilqa struggled. Their lack of developed psionic sensitivity would often make them 'doze off' in their own thoughts while their teacher tried to communicate concepts psionically. Their failings in class would make Vilqa grow more distant to their Mentor than one'd expect, which in a way grew them closer to their Caretaker. As they were a Journeyman, they introduced Vilqa to the Weishii faith. Which proved to be a good way for Vilqa to cope with the educational issues that'd follow them throughout their life.

As Vilqa grew older, their Caretaker began to notice they were not particularly responsive to their Mentor's teaching methods. Because of this, they decided to have them help with maintaining the large amount of Weishii sanctuaries present around the natural beauty of the Glowing Gem, teaching them the ways of gardening. Vilqa proved to be considerably more responsive to this pragmatic teaching, quickly growing a passion for maintaining the sanctuaries, which also increased their passion for Weishii itself. When it was time for Vilqa's Odurserr, they burnt a Ron'tor-Aq that was gifted by their Caretaker, symbolizing that they wished to pursue further servitude to the faith.

Vilqa continued to struggle academically throughout Reefgarden. And as the stresses of dereliction amounted, the tranquility Vilqa got from stargazing and meditation was beginning to not be enough. It was around this time Vilqa was introduced to the more underground parts of Eriuyushi, the underground parts present across Qerrbalak and the Federation as a whole. They'd make shady friends, inhale xu'xi gas, listen to live performances of unconventional, vulgar bands who often had anti-Federation sentiment imbedded into their music. These local bands particularly criticized the Federation for allowing state owned enterprises to replace the local ranches and nature of Eriuyushi with industries and resorts, something Vilqa especially resonated with. As Vilqa shared the experience of the underground with other Listeners, it gave them a sense of belonging they hadn't gotten anywhere else, not even from Weishii. Vilqa spent more and more time in the underground, prompting their personality to change. But they kept it out of view for their Quya and everyone else not from the underground, as well as they could manage.

By the time Vilqa got through Reefgarden, they'd become equally as known at the local underground scene as they were at the Weishii sanctuaries. It had tainted their image of the Federation. Internally, some of the feelings that Vilqa had been taught to have for the slave driving, authoritarian Glorsh-Omega were starting to apply for the Federation and Grand Council itself. Drawing some lines between the way they both operated. These thoughts scared Vilqa more than anything else. Which made them sleep less, to avoid having their true self shown in the Srom. The Sromkala caught onto this however, and overtime their under-sleeping would lower their Social Credit Score until it got below the Tertiary limit of 4,00.

Vilqa's fears of being caught would be realized one night when they were attending a underground concert of 'THE SROM SHITTERS' (a band of fallen idols who's music mocks the Sromkala). A raid was performed on the concert by the Nlomkala, and Vilqa was identified as a regular in the dissident underground scene. Because of this, alongside their low SCS, they got detained and sent for rehabilitation where they would spend some grueling, slow years.

Once they were released and had their SCS reset, they seeked out work within the prevalent farming industry extant in the Glowing Gem. They'd work with many dionae here, growing quite fond of them. They found them particularly fascinating for their plant-like physiological composition. Vilqa's visits to the sanctuaries also became much more conspicuous than they used to be, and they even did things like praising Weashbi Jrugl on Viv-ID. From the perspective of the Kala and various authorities, Vilqa's rehabilitation had been a success. In truth however their view of the Federation hadn't improved, and they were merely trying to acquire enough sqiips and SCS to easily leave the Federation in order to live more freely elsewhere.

Eventually, they managed move from the Federation when they were offered a job from Nanotrasen in a skrellian dominated New Gibson biodome, whom were seeking botanists versed in Nral'Malic. They worked there for two years, growing quite comfortable with the strange, but friendly and open minded humans who were also present in the biodome. They did find their usage of IPCs disturbing however, and it'll take a long time until Vilqa could ever consider having a friendship with one. Surprisingly enough, they befriended no skrell during their time within the biodome, only humans. As they did not have to fear being reported to the Federation by humans, they could be significantly more open with them than they could with the other skrell. Eventually they were offered a reassignment to the SCCV Horizon. The allure of traveling through the stars was much tempting to Vilqa, and so they accepted the offer.

What do you like about this character?

The idea of playing a spiritual, punk skrell gardener who indulges in a lot of wulu spiked tea sounds fun to me. I don't think the notable counterculture described  in the last paragraph of the music section in the skrell culture page on the wiki has been explored much within the game, and I really look forward to shedding a light on it should I be accepted. I think it'll also be interesting to play a skrell that isn't loyal to the Federation, but still fears it. In-game, I'll probably have them act somewhat nervous and reserved towards other skrell from the Federation, as they consider themselves an outsider in traditional skrellian society and isn't sure who'll report them and who won't. Especially since their SCS is already low as is.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?

Like many other applicants, I'm not super fond of this question. I think its best left for others to judge, as roleplaying is a cooperative medium with the goal of mutual fun. And I can only be sure of how much fun I myself am having when roleplaying. Regardless I'd like to think I am at least proficient enough to do this cool species justice.

Notes:

Vilqa's current SCS is at a rather low 4.21 as a result of moving out of the Federation.
Vilqa is a vegetarian, and their favorite food is Jyalra!

Edited November 18, 2022 by WhatsUpBrotendo

[EJJ]

I've played a good amount with daniel and they play fun and consistent characters and are good at playing a variety of different personalities! I like the details in the backstory focusing on the Skrell's whole social credit system stuff and punishment within the federation for affiliating with known dissidents.

+1!

[La Villa Strangiato]

I like daniel's little characters and I think they would play a cool Skrell, especially a punk rock Skrell. +1 from me

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

Hi, thanks for applying. It's been a busy few days so apologies for not getting to this sooner.

A thing or two I'd like to point out before I ask questions: Reproductive rights are limited for secondary numericals in the lower end of the band, and it seems odd that a quya with such varying social credit scores between them would exist - especially considering one is only a few points short of entering the tertiary numerical band.

The app is quite thorough so I only have one question (for the moment). Has Vilqa considered enlisting in the TCFL so that they'd be protected from deportation by Federation authorities?

Edited November 17, 2022 by WhatsUpBrotendo

[4000daniel1]

2 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said:

Hi, thanks for applying. It's been a busy few days so apologies for not getting to this sooner.

A thing or two I'd like to point out before I ask questions: Reproductive rights are limited for secondary numericals in the lower end of the band, and it seems odd that a quya with such varying social credit scores between them would exist - especially considering one is only a few points short of entering the tertiary numerical band.

The app is quite thorough so I only have one question (for the moment). Has Vilqa considered enlisting in the TCFL so that they'd be protected from deportation by Federation authorities?

Enlisting is something Vilqa has considered doing, but unfortunately they're pretty far from being the most brave skrell in the Spur. They arrived in Biesel around the time of the second invasion, and the action they observed from a distance quite terrified them of the idea of being in the frontlines. They're still considering enlisting once the Spur is more stable and the chance of yet another invasion occurring is much lower, but for now their plan is to lay low around Federation citizens and try to keep their score from deteriorating further to avoid deportation.

And yeah, giving the quya members social credit scores was a bit of a final after thought on my part, that's my mistake. The logistics worker being around a 6.5 would probably be a bit more realistic.

Edited November 17, 2022 by 4000daniel1
can't type

[Butterrobber202]

On 15/11/2022 at 11:26, 4000daniel1 said:

Vilqa is a vegetarian, and their favorite food is Jyalra!

someone read the other applications...........

good.

As Brotendo said, this app covers much of what we like to see, so there's not too much to ask. 

1. Even as anti-fed, does Vilqa still distrust/hate synthetics?

[goolie]

Going to have to interrupt the questions with another +1 to Daniel and his characters! Always a blast to see what he comes up with (even miss his dude-bro Cargo Tech) and I'm sure that if he played Vilqa he'd only go and make another brilliant character to add to his collection...

Edited November 18, 2022 by goolie

[4000daniel1]

12 hours ago, Butterrobber202 said:

someone read the other applications...........

good.

As Brotendo said, this app covers much of what we like to see, so there's not too much to ask. 

1. Even as anti-fed, does Vilqa still distrust/hate synthetics?

They do have a fear for synthetics which extends to vaurca bound as well. While they might have a dislike for the Federation, they are by no means a Glorsh sympathizer and very well believes history may repeat itself should synthetics be granted too much power. 

Edited November 18, 2022 by 4000daniel1

[WhatsUpBrotendo]

[Accepted]