PurplePineapple - IPC/Machine Whitelist Application

[PurplePineapple]

BYOND Key: PurplePineapple
Character Names: Jules O'Brien, Sierra Vuente
Species you are applying to play: Machine
Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes

Why do you wish to play this specific race:
I'm drawn to idea of playing as a character that is different from myself. While human characters can be interesting and complex, there is something particularly appealing about stepping into the role of a different species.

One reason why I want to play as an IPC is the opportunity to experience a different perspective. Playing as a non-human character allows me to consider AuroraStation from the eyes of something with a different set of experiences, motivations, and abilities and explore new ways of interacting with the game world. Non-human characters often have unique characteristics that allow them to approach problems and challenges in ways that are not possible for human characters. This can lead to opportunities for developing unique and interesting character arcs.

For an IPC in particular, the small switch between our thinking as people and trying to put yourself in the mindset of a machine is something I feel would improve my interaction with other players; I've played as a human in Aurora and SS13 in general so long that I do want a bit of a change.

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:
Roleplaying as a robot is different from roleplaying as a human in several ways. For one, robots are typically portrayed as being more logical and less emotional than humans, which can make for a very different roleplaying experience. In my interpretation of IPCs, any outward emotion shown has a motive behind it in the machine's control rather than the chemical signals our brains give us that aren't something we can manipulate.

Unlike humans, robots are not influenced by emotions like fear, love, or anger, which means that they may make decisions based purely on logic and the information available to them. This isn't to say they can't be swayed; any regularly functioning IPC knows not to get itself needlessly damaged and can "prioritize" people based on their value or danger to the machine's continued existence. These conclusions may then be communicated in a manner comfortable to organics to give the outward appearance of "emotion".

Additionally, robots are often portrayed as having advanced capabilities and abilities that humans do not have, such as varying strength, advanced sensory systems, or the ability to process information faster than a human. This can add an interesting dynamic to roleplaying, as players must take these abilities into account when creating their character and making decisions. Certain frames are unusual to see in certain roles and should have a solid reason to be where they are. It would be odd, for example, to see a Shell IPC placed in industrial work where its comparatively fragile frame could be easily damaged during normal activity.

Character Name: Jocasta
A Shell positronic that was found nearly totaled and with its memory wiped by a group of Solar salvagers. They jumpstarted the robot and, besides its chassis being in poor physical shape, its positronic was still functional enough to communicate. Unit Jocasta is housed in a heavily refurbished Shell frame to be, ideally, a large payday for the salvagers that sold it to the Wildlands Squadron. Its new directives as a para-military robot keep it in line as a unit with low aggression but a stunted social capability compared to other Shells on account of its shoddily repaired jaw. In line with Wildlands Squadron's and Sol's treatment of positronics, any minor faults have been treated as reason to wipe and start over; Effectively, this unit has no option to purchase its freedom legally and must work within that to uphold its primary survival directive.

Now on its third(?) wipe, Jocasta has been forwarded to the SCC through the PMCG to be what handlers hope to be an unquestioningly agreeable (and relatively disposable) 'luxury' security unit to give something to point to for their investors. Being a Shell at its base, they look like a human female at a glance, but the plate covering their mouth/jaw mark them as an easy to spot hodge podge of a machine.

Though I haven't quite decided exactly how they will look, I imagine they'll be a Mediterranean in 'ethnicity'. I also want to experiment with the cosmetic augment decals to see what I can do to make the face look a little more uncanny without looking just bad. Preferably by adding a covering to the lower half of its face to stand out as probably not human.

Personality-wise, Jocasta is best compared to a strictly logical machine; It refers to itself as "Unit" and while equipped with knowledge  advanced weaponry and technology to help them carry out their duties effectively, ultimately their survival without being wiped again is dependent on the opinions of their co-workers and the others on the ship. They're careful not to cause a scene and ideally wish to treat crew with respect without question.

What do you like about this character?
It's thought provoking to me to put myself in the mindset of a machine that knows acting out is liable to get it reset back to square one. While my final reactions would be dependent on those I'm roleplaying with, it's interesting to ponder how the unit would treat people they'll need to deal with as a security officer. Originally, I'd thought to make this a Zavodski unit, but after some thought I believe a hand-me-down Shell would fit better in the PMCG. While there's always been a joke of security being more aggressive than other contractors, playing one that's forced to be cordial and kind at all times feels like a fun way to flip that on its head.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?
I've played SS13 since late 2019, or just early 2020 on this ckey specifically. I've always gravitated towards HRP servers even though I play Security most of the time; I find it most engaging to talk to antagonists and have players with clashing character ideals in-round to roleplay with. It's most fun when a round is engaging not because of a pile of bodies, but because of a narrative that I feel invested in.
Outside of SS13, I've played in a handful of tabletop games with many different groups. Cyberpunk 2020 has been my favourite for some years (And partially why I'm fond of AI characters) but I've also played D&D and, briefly, Lancer.

Notes: Nothing more.

Edited December 3, 2022 by PurplePineapple

[Dark1Star]

Can vouch for pineapple. RPd with them a few on on Aurora as of recent, as well as many a time on other servers. If anyone was going to play an IPC right it'd be them. +1 from me... even if that probably means little since I've not been back to the server long.

[The lancer]

Hi, thanks for applying.

What was Jocasta before and how did they get destroyed? How old are they, and could you elaborate a bit on their life as a security unit?

[PurplePineapple]

Jocasta is a 6 year old Shell model. It was created on the industrial world of Lycoris, where it was programmed with the directives to serve as basically a receptionist at a Hephaestus company office. Some of those qualities still reside in its base functions; it was designed to be efficient, polite, and helpful to all the workers and visitors who came through the office. During the Solarian Restoration Front's takeover of Lycoris in a brutal revolution, the SRF targeted anyone who was not human, and Jocasta was no exception. Rioters broke into the office and began destroying everything in sight. Jocasta was left in a state of disrepair for months before being rebooted by salvagers who sold the chassis in a "functional" state to the Wildlands Squadron. What could be repaired was, and what couldn't was replaced with simple parts. The goal wasn't to rebuild the unit, it was simply to make use of the Hephaestus frame that was left.

Since 2464, then, they've been repurposed as a security unit through the PMCG. They're not a brute nor a master marksman; their utility comes in its polite demeanor regardless of the situation. Its posts are largely support in zones of the CRZ that aren't able to be fully occupied by the Foreign Legion. They would be seen in similar positions as a police officer, and more likely than not accompanied by a handler. It is always told to be available to answer questions and provide assistance, making sure that everyone is (relatively) comfortable in the zones it's directed to patrol. Though it works in areas controlled by the SCC, it's still a Sol-owned unit and is well aware of its limited freedoms. Refusal to carry out an order is grounds for reset. Failure to effectively perform is grounds for a reset.

It's already a cheap franken-Shell, so the Wildlands Squadron doesn't have much invested in it besides something to point at for their more suspicious critics ("Hey, look, we don't just hire veterans. We've IPCs too. We're not like those other Wildlands guys!).

 

Edited December 6, 2022 by PurplePineapple

[The lancer]

Accepted.