Girdio Posted February 18, 2023 Posted February 18, 2023 (edited) BYOND Key: Girdio Character Names: Veronica Brax, Reki Atoro Species you are applying to play: Tajaran What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Cinammon colored Njarir as a base, but using the following lore to create a tortoise-shell pattern: Quote Siamese patterns, as well as tortoiseshell or patched tabby patterns, were valued amongst Njarir bloodlines, and those with more intricate fur patterns were revered and admired by their fellow noblemen, and it was considered an attractive trait in a female. Despite all this, these patterns have been shown to be recessive genes in Njarir, and the most common fur pattern is simply stripes. Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes, I've looked over all three-factions, both religions, and believe I had a good understanding of Adhomai, Hro'zamal, and the Poles as well as the historical periods throughout Tajara lore. I'll need to do more work to be able to quickly recall information though obviously. 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: Tajara lore is incredibly fleshed out, and in turn gives an opportunity for characters from a vast degree of backgrounds. The ability to interact, and add to the complexity that a Tajaran character is without a doubt going to experience is inviting. Adapting to how a character from the Free Tajaran Council for example will react to a character from Adhomai, or vice versa for example is a really good thought experiment, and helps bring life to not only the ship but the "world" of the Spur as a whole. Furthermore, playing as a Tajara gives distinict opportunities for vastly different experiences in life. The PRA, DPRA, and NKA all have polar opposite views, and with a vast number of regions, with an equally vast amount of possibilities, it means that a Tajaran character can be extremely complicated and diverse in their views of the world. Being able to breath life into a character is always interesting. As well, similar to Unathi, Tajara get to explore the concept of interacting with a species too early. Unlike Unathi though, you have the ability to explore a race that is continuously still fighting to regain land and are constantly on the edge of a new war. Living life under the constant threat of basically OOT Cold War fears is something you can't really get outside of the Tajara (unless I've totally missed another planet's lore where it's similar). Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: Simply put, life for an average Tajaran is hell. Or, more specifically was hell. Life on Adhomai is anything but pleasant and it could be argued that life never was good unless you were part of the nobility. For Tajaran, they have to be involved in politics to some extent, because unlike a lot of other planets in human space, their entire being thrives on what political group will end up doing. As well, as noted above, Adhomai has been at near constant war for the entirety of some Tajara's life is uniquely different compared to human planets who don't have to deal with that, at a planet-wide level. For some Tajara, there is literally nothing to define Adhomai besides war, and then the question becomes "what does Adhomai look like if peace is truly achieved"? Culturally, Tajara has a caste system that you don't see in human space, although there are of course similarities with the Dominians. This social pressure to either stay in or to revolt against your pre-determined station in life defines not only a Tajaran's job but their beliefs, their values, and their desires in life. Character Name: Ramala Halaby Please provide a short backstory for this character: (Accidentally didn't know this was supposed to be only two paragraphs, and I typed up like a page and a half. I'll attach that in a spoiler because I don't want to waste it lmao, but will remove it if asked.) Two Paragraphs: Ramala was born in 2438 to her parents, former Barons in what used to be Duchy of Dolor. During the onset of the First Revolution, her parents did everything they could to hide the fact that they were nobility, including using dye to stain her fur black, and revoke their titles and lands (not before draining them of wealth to sustain themselves). Eventually, as the Republic of Adhomai finally was established and rumors of nobility and hiding became more rampart in, they traveled north, to Northern Harr'masir, whereupon Ramala would soon be born. Growing up around almost only nobility caused her to be given a one-sided view of history, and what could have been. Despising the PRA for stealing what she felt was her birthright away from her, she became deeply entrenched in the belief that the PRA, and similar like-minded people were simply commoners who didn't know their proper place on Adhomai. Her birthright stolen, and her rightful title gone, Ramala desperately wanted to regain what should have been hers from birth, but had only a few options. Her family meanwhile, avoided fostering their own hatred and anger and instead saught respite in Azubarre and Marryam. As she got older, Ramala was granted the ability to work with the Royal Navy in Miran'mir when she was 15, and in 2455 she was given a full-fledged position as a gunner on a naval ship. A perfect way to enact both her own "vengeance" on the PRA, and possibly earn enough reputation to get good graces with other nobility, to one day secure herself a title. With time and experience, she worked her way through the ranks before eventually being granted the chance to fly in the Royal Flying Corps near the end of the war. Minharrzka's grace was not on her side though, as she was shot down, leading to a loss of an eye and multiple broken bones - injuries that she couldn't work past until the end of the war. Following the end of the war, Ramala realized that simply being the in the Royal Navy was not enough to land her a title, and it certainly wasn't enough to afford to buy a title of nobility either. In turn, her option turned to working with a megacorporation, but it took her a few years until the Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group, having recently been contracted to the PMCG. Her experience with the KOG led to her being noticed by the SCC in time, giving her the opportunity to represent the Kingdom and her skills on a wider, more impressive scale. Spoiler Born in 2438 to a family of former nobles, Ramala Halaby the Njarir had rare recessive genes giving her a tortoise-shell fur pattern. While this would have been a blessing from Rredounae decades ago, during the time she was born? It was anything but. During the initial stages of the first revolution, and directly after the D’as’ral Massacre, her parents had quickly scrambled to avoid what surely would be extremely heavy retribution, having been nobles within the Duchy of Delor. With the real and pressing threat of being targeted for any remnants of nobility, her family’s previous wealth was drained for the ability to become “new”. Forsaking the prestigious title of Barons, her family had done the unimaginable and fled for a new life - black fur dye staining their previous wonderful orange coats as they did their absolute best to pass as common peasantry, with any ties to their lineage destroyed as thoroughly as possible. Following the end of the bloody civil war, more and more rumors of a noble uprising became whispered, and the family made their way north, towards Northern Harr'masir. It was here, in Northern Harr'masir that Ramala would be born, avoiding the horrors of the First Revolution. Primarily, for the perceived safety and ability to finally drop the illusion of being part of the peasantry, Raised around almost exclusively disgruntled royalty, she was raised with an intense and utter hatred towards Hadiists, and to a lesser extent peasantry as a whole. Knowing what she lost because of them? What should have been a birthright and a life of relative wealth? How dare the Tajara forget their roles on Adhomai and attempt to dismantle what had worked for so long, and brought wealth to so many (i.e the nobility). Positions that had for so long worked, had built Adhomai to where it was now. Despite being soundly in the arms of other nobles, an inability to prove who they were, not being overly connected to Azunja and an extensive period of having survived as peasantry ensured that her parents had been relegated to a life of the peasantry, with her having to follow along with this as well. On her parent’s side, they took comfort in the embrace of Azubarre and Marryam, citing that the gods would ensure their wellbeing during this time of struggle, as they had for centuries prior. When the Second Revolution broke out, she was still young, only thirteen, and unable to contribute in any meaningful manner - at first. Her studies were woefully neglected, causing any truly formal education to be limited, espescially without the luxury of being involved with the new nobility's opportunities. What wasn’t neglected were opportunities to train to fight for the King. Perhaps seen as appeasement for being unable to restore their families' status, and perhaps simply due to needing all possible able-bodied people involved, she was encouraged to Miran'mir to work with the Royal Navy in a rudimentary fashion, once she reached 15. With the war drawing on, and with her increased experience with the Royal Navy, she was eventually folded into the ranks as she reached 17, in 2455 as an actual naval member. For the first two years of her service, her roles were relegated to serving as a gunner, something that she seemed almost bred for, it’s possible that in another life she was a M’sai. Seeing the enemy vessels as responsible for her state in life meant that helping demolish them was like demolishing another barrier in her step to nobility, not as if they were other Tajara in a saddening war. Firing at cold metal after all, is much easier than firing at someone's face. The ability to disconnect herself from the war by not being directly involved with the disasters helped her considerably, as the horrors the Army faced were simply nothing but stories, unfortunate but it's easy to dismiss something when you're not seeing it firsthand. Around the end of 2457, she was given moved to another ship, the H.I.M.S. Kaltir, the opportunity to participate in learning navigational roles, an area that initially caused her struggles as she had to adapt to the difficult terrain her vessel would traverse. Time and practice led to her being able to adjust to the role becoming second nature to her near the end of the war. At the start of 2459, she yet again found her role in the Royal Navy change. While far from one of the first to be given the opportunity to join the Royal Flying Corps, she jumped at the opportunity. Not only would it give her a level of prestige, but it would also give her a more direct ability to bring what she felt was “retribution” to PRA forces. Like many of the Navy, she had found comfort and safety in Minharrzka, the embrace of Azubarre and Marryam no longer giving her protection from the seas. That belief of protection was transferred onto her autogyro, as the sigil found itself painted on the side, alongside traditional remarks supporting the Kingdom and taunts: all in all treating the limited aerial bombardments or other land engagements as a sport. Much to her chagrin during mid-2460, she found that her sigil had been scrapped away without much in the way of explanation or even reason. Perhaps it was possibly superstious bad luck come true, or perhaps it was her disconnect from the rest of the war causing her to be less cautious, that led to her eventually getting shot down near the end of 2460, during what was supposed to be a routine recon operation. The crash utterly ruined her right eye and shattered her legs, and one of her arms. While she passed out from pain and shock, she passed out entirely expecting to be greeted by Messa. By sheer luck, her original attackers either were unable to locate her or were taken out by the Imperial Army, as a patrol came across her downed autogyro and was able to give her the simplest care possible at a field hospital: ensuring she wouldn’t bleed out and that infection wouldn’t kill her. Even still, her recovery took months due to the broken bones, and adjustment to a limited view. Shocked by the reality that was laid out before her: Imperial soldiers in state far worse than her, recieving treatment that would do nothing but delay their death, Ramala felt, what was possibly the biggest wave of sympathy wash over her. An avoidable war, avoidable deaths, and misery, all caused by the foolish idea that Republican ideals would lead Adhomai into a bright future. And yet, all Republican ideas had caused was death and despair. It was her upmost duty upon recovering to ensure she wouldn't abandon her ideals, that she wouldn't turn her back on the Royalist views because these people laying in the hospital with her knew the importance of the old ways, they knew how worse things would be if the DPRA took over or the PRA were to take the land once again. And she knew they innately would look to her to lead them, to guide them when the day came that the Kingdom could truly and utterly drive the traitors into hiding. By the time she was finally able to leave on her own, the war had ended though, and any form of vengence was impossible - officially. With the war's end, the chance for her to also become a Petty Lord also quickly became more difficult. While it may have been possible for her to return to the Royal Navy in some capacity, she doubted that she would have the same responsibilities as before and it also raised an even more pressing concern: if she went back to the Royal Navy would that be her entire life? Returning to the Navy would relegate her goal of becoming a noble to sheer luck, as she doubted fighting pirates would make her stand out very much. There was one option she had thought of: joining a megacorporation. With the Kingdom’s desire to have expanded representation in the megacorporations, obtaining any noticeable prestige within their ranks would be sure to impress, espescially in these still very early years of the Kingdom. While she wasn’t sure how much service would be required to obtain the title of Petty Lord, it would nonetheless be noteworthy if her actions were clearly devoted for the Queen. If nothing else, she knew megacorporations, with their vast wealth, would make it easier for her to buy a title in time. With her new plan in motion, she inquired around as to opportunities, and around 2463 was directed to the Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group, recently contracted to the PMCG. Her skill in the Royal Navy and Flying Corp quickly landed her in a similar position, this time flying (admittedly) a greatly more advanced spacecraft. While disgruntled with her service no longer being for the Kingdom directly, and more as an outside mercenary group, she justified this as a mere stepping stone. In 2464, she got even closer to her goal of furthering the Kingdom’s name outside of Adhomai, as her piloting skills got interest from the S.C.C., and in turn, an offer to aid in flying one of the conglomerate most well-known ships at the time: the Horizon. Today, her beliefs are still quite solidified. The Tajara always were destined to have someone above to be obeyed, and someone below to give direction to. Those who understand that can be treated with respect, even kindness. Those who don't, are beneath her, to be pitied and hopefully taught better. Those who actively resist it, and nobility are to be seen as despicable, worth nothing more than the embrace of Messa (not that she can help them with that off-world, sadly). One day, she will become a noble and ensure that these improper views will be corrected. Her hatred towards the PRA has not subsided in the least, as she continues to view Hadiists as traitors to “true Adhomai”, murderers and peasants who snubbed the good graces of the old royals. The DPRA on the other hand strangely has limited praise. Despite their refusal to accept the justified chaste system, their focus on tradition, and the fact that they are also opposed to the more horrendous PRA can only be seen as a positive. The enemy of my enemy is my friend after all, and once the nobility is restored to pre-contact days, the DPRA will remember why the caste system was so useful in the first place. Within the Kingdom itself, she views the Commoner’s Party with much disdain as well, seeing them as uppity commoners who are only one step away from being like the DPRA or PRA. At the furthest back of her mind, a resentment for humanity and the skrell ebs at her, as an internal battle at times pops up to blame them as the real cause for her loss of what her life should have been. Her sigil of Minharrzka has been restored to a talisman, something that can be kept on her, without fear of losing it again. What do you like about this character?: She's a young Royalist who was spoon-fed NKA propaganda growing up her whole life, and for good reason. Being a young Njarir makes her the perfect candidate for anyone wanting to make someone hate the idea of democracy. She is not a good person, but she's also not comically evil (or even, evil at all). She is selfish, self-centered, and egotistical but she believes that it's because she was destined for greatness and had it cruelly ripped away from her before she was even thought of. Unlike those who were fighting on land, being in the Navy and later Royal Corps gave her a more impersonal view of the war, and she was able to (like others in the Royal Corps) give it a more "noble" view compared to the cold, harsh reality of the Imperial Army. Even as a kid, before she when to help the Royal Navy, all she would know of the war would be what other supporters of the Kingdom were telling her: that the PRA was attempting to destroy what little they already had. Also, being a Njarir forced to work in roles that she shouldn't have to under the caste system? Even better, as it gives her more resentment towards the PRA, and more support to the NKA itself. The fact that her views are also slightly delusional adds the ability for a harsh reality check when exposed to different ways of life. Growing around nobility, being exposed to commoner Tajara and simply other life that wouldn't be happily greeting her with open arms once she revealed her goals to restricting education towards those who deserved it? How would you rate your role-playing ability?: I would put my skills slightly above average, but not by very much. There's obviously still always room for growth, and I feel like it would be silly to pretend otherwise. Notes: She is intended to be a BC member, but I'm unsure the vision requirements on BC as it's not listed on the wiki. If her only have eyesight in one eye would be an issue, that can be removed as it isn't anything too major, besides me trying to make her more unique. (and she would still have gotten broken bones anyways). Attached as well is a markup of what I'm thinking she would look like. I realized it was really hard to make a "tortie pattern", so this is the best that I could do. It uses the Ruddy and Cream colors, mixed with the Cinammon fur base. I know that Njarir don't usually have dark fur (direct quote from the wiki lists it as "and they do not generally have dark fur" but not never), but seeing as it's a staple of the tortie-pattern, I'm going to guess this is part of the recessive genes? Edited February 21, 2023 by Girdio Very slight clarification. Promise I'll stop adding to the story.
Owen Posted February 19, 2023 Posted February 19, 2023 Girdio is an excellent presence on the server, both IC and OOCly, and are a skilled roleplayer. For how long you've been on the server, I'm honestly surprised that you didn't have a Tajara Whitelist yet. Anyway, regarding the application, this is clearly a very well thought out backstory for Ramala. Definitely giving Girdio a +1 on this!
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