RyverStyx - Unathi Application

[RyverStyx]

BYOND Key: RyverStyx
Character Names: Qorqi Spinqs, Olru Qlunq, Zuoi Poxxi, Peps'Qa Xori-Equa
Species you are applying to play: Unathi
What color do you plan on making your first alien character: Teht Mint
Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes

 Why do you wish to play this specific race: 
Personally, I like that Unathi are considered to be an "honorable" species which brings a new take on roleplay for me (see below). I have also worked with the Unathi lore team on some joint projects in relation to Skrell before this which has gotten me slightly interested in the past. Although lately, the amount of amazing Unathi that I see in round have really drawn me to the species. The way they interact, communicate, and express themselves is super fascinating; whether it be from Unathi to Unathi or from Unathi to human. The clan system and their naming convention and naming norms are also very fascinating (keeping the first name for those close to them).

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:
A human is more likely to stretch the truth to get their way. A Unathi, on the other hand, has a strict code of honor that holds what they say accountable. Where a human may try to weasel out of a scenario... A unathi will meet it head on and solve it accordingly. Following this theme, if my character were to make a mistake on station- they would own up to it and let those in charge know while also reassuring that it would not happen again. They would not try to escape a just punishment.

Unathi also love to stare. A lot! Staring at whatever is interesting.... Staring at whoever is talking.... Just staring a whole lot! My character will break all human social norms by staring at whatever they like. Someone is acting crazy? They will be stared at. Something scares me? More staring. A shy, timid human is speaking to me. They will have a hole bored straight through them with my eyes. This may get them into some uncomfortable scenarios with other species but if that were to happen then I would simply tell them that I meant no disrespect and merely found them interesting.

And while Unathi may try to mimic human emotions; I won't. Since this can often lead to mixed signals with humans! Instead, they will tail stomp when appropriate; showcasing their intense emotions (whether that be joy or agitation). They will chuff or exhale air from their throat when that human assistant is just annoying them; or possibly when someone calls them by their first name by mistake. And if something is incredibly funny? They will let out a short barking sound to show their amusement!

Character Name: Tozan Vorkesh
Please provide a short backstory for this character:
Vorkesh hails from the southern side of the Moghresian sea close to Teht; hatched with his three siblings just three years after the dropping of the atomic bomb. His family living under Lord Eizde was once full of proud fisherman. And while they were lower-class, with many in his family having hereditary frills, they made do with what they had in Teht. Vorkesh was originally going to become a fisherman, much like his family before him. He was being trained at a young age on how to maneuver a boat and even how to catch fish using tools and even his hands when necessary. It was hard work, but Vorkesh was very fond of it; he showed more promise than his siblings (something he was often teased for). At a young age the rough lifestyle started to show on Vorkesh's body by way of scarring and missing scales.

Vorkesh's family was strictly Th'akh, placing high importance on the ancestors that came before him and the reincarnations of ancestors that would follow. His family taught him from a very young age that his ancestors lived in the waters of Teht, the ground of Teht, the nature of Teht. Their ancestors came from Teht and in Teht they should remain. He would often pay respects before a fishing trip in hopes that they would have a bountiful haul. Not only would the ancestors provide- they would keep him safe and sheltered from harm. This was something he believed deeply; and this belief was of great importance to him.

However, as Vorkesh grew older he saw the writing on the wall. With the wastes creeping ever closer their simple way of life would soon no longer be sustainable. They needed to break their family tradition and find a more sustainable line of work. It took many years for Vorkesh to convince his family that their area would soon be unsafe. And even then, he was the only one who was willing to leave their ancestral home. His family begged him not to leave. They wished for him to remain in Teht, continue fishing, and carry on the family trade. His three siblings were most hurt by this "betrayal" with many of them still refusing to talk to him. While his parents understand that such a life away from Teht could be "better" they do not think it is a life worth having. They still care for Vorkesh deeply and try to keep in touch but they can't help but feel scorned by him.

Vorkesh's plan to leave relied on a company called "Hephaestus Industries". Offering many different employment opportunities across the Spur it was the perfect way for Vorkesh to leave Teht while also making money to support his family. Through Hephaestus he was able to start an engineering apprenticeship; learning the ropes to many different types of engines and mechanical features aboard a small vessel owned by Hephaestus. At first it was very overwhelming for Vorkesh, he was not familiar with things like humans, spaceships, and other xenos. Even though he was uncomfortable, and fascinated, by these many differences he continued to push on. He did not want to let his family down even more by dropping out of his apprenticeship program.

Through his strict perseverance and unwillingness to disappoint his family further, Vorkesh was able to pass his apprenticeship placement with Hephaestus and become a full-fledged engineer. The vessel he trained in was small; not big enough to support another engineer staff-member. He would need a new placement, and what better than the flagship of the SCC? At first Vorkesh was worried that the distance from Moghes would be too much- But he quickly changed tune when he saw just how much an SCCV engineer made. He signed on in-part because the thought of being that far from Teht fascinated him... and in-part due to the amount of money he would be able to send back to his family.

This is where Vorkesh's story starts on the ship: Fresh out of his apprenticeship placement and onto the Horizon.

What do you like about this character?:
I like that this character is exploring a new side of lore for me that I haven't been super exposed to. The way Unathi act when compared to humans is so different. They are also very different when compared to Skrell which is normally what I main. This character is exploring some themes of lore that I have previously never touched on but always wanted to. To be honest, before writing this I did not read much Unathi lore and I think I was severely missing out! I would like to be able to interact with the Unathi on ship from a new perspective.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?:

Good I suppose. I always hate evaluating this question.

Notes:

Edited March 13, 2023 by RyverStyx
clarified birth year

[RustingWithYou]

Styx is definitely a good roleplayer in my book. Qorqi is an interesting and well-played character, and Qlunq was one of the more interesting scientists around (RIP). +1 from me

[Rabid Animal]

Styx has been around forever and consistently comes up with fun and well thought out characters so that's a +1

[Captain Gecko]

Nice stuff here... And now for questions!

1) What's Tozan's opinion on offworld Unathi? From what I got, he isn't too proud of having left, and that's not just because of his family ties. So what would he think of other non-Moghesian Unathi? Ouereans, Dominians, Pirates/Spaceborn ones, and even those living in mostly Humans planets (Biesel, Mictlan, etc.)

2) What's Tozan opinion on the Hegemon and the Hegemony? The Traditionalists? The Contact War as a whole? There's no real mentions of where he or his family stand/stood in the Tradition-vs-Hegemonic progressivism question, which is not that bad. A Humble family probably has more to care about than politics, especially in post-war Moghesn, still, I'm curious.

[RyverStyx]

3 hours ago, Captain Gecko said:

Nice stuff here... And now for questions!

1) What's Tozan's opinion on offworld Unathi? From what I got, he isn't too proud of having left, and that's not just because of his family ties. So what would he think of other non-Moghesian Unathi? Ouereans, Dominians, Pirates/Spaceborn ones, and even those living in mostly Humans planets (Biesel, Mictlan, etc.)

2) What's Tozan opinion on the Hegemon and the Hegemony? The Traditionalists? The Contact War as a whole? There's no real mentions of where he or his family stand/stood in the Tradition-vs-Hegemonic progressivism question, which is not that bad. A Humble family probably has more to care about than politics, especially in post-war Moghesn, still, I'm curious.

1.  Tozan would be weary of judging off-world Unathi without knowing their story. If they left Moghes for a "good" reason then he would be more understanding and sympathetic. A good reason in this case would be something similar to his own, or perhaps those with intentions to return after a short work stint. While he is not proud of his choice he is not a hypocrite. However, those who are non-Moghesian would be met with a sense of sadness. These poor Unathi cut off from their ancestral ties; he feels sad that they no longer have a genuine connection to the planet and feels grateful that he was able to. He would be especially confused by those who were integrated into human culture- seeing it almost as an offense to their ancestors.
    
2. Tozan's family are for Hegemonic progressivism.  They view the Traditionalists and the atomic exchange as an affront to their Th'akh beliefs. The creeping wastes are desecrating the sacred nature of Moghes at an alarming rate; and any group that could do such a thing has committed a grave crime against the ancestors themselves. Not to mention the propaganda during the war that lead many to believe that traditionalists were backwards savages had Tozan's family fearing the "others". While they may have been lower class, at least they weren't "those savages". This is why they would rather work a humble lifestyle in the Fishing League of Teht as opposed to join the brutish Traditionalist's way of thinking.

[Triogenix]

This looks good! Gecko already asked the two questions I would have, and the rest of this application is solid.

 

Accepted. Feel free to message me or my deputy with any questions you may have.