beepbopbeepbop Posted July 11 Posted July 11 (edited) BYOND Ckey: not-a-gonk Discord username: anthony.albanese Character names: Sozoska Han'san, Head of Security Ta'Akaix'Luiya'ves'xati C'thur, Consular Officer Ta'Akaix'Zhuyix'kiux'yit K'lax, Consular Officer Ka'Akaix'Linv C'thur, Physician Ka'Viax'Zhul K'lax, Engineer (my beloved) Za'Akaix'Yir C'thur, Security Officer Valeriya Gyllenhaal, Chief Medical Officer Keqiang Zhao, Captain Akshay Kumar, Chief Engineer Hong Nguyen, Chief Engineer Marcelo Sampaio, Chief Medical Officer Marielle Caladius, Consular Officer Species you are applying to play: Skrell ------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: White, tinted a bit more red or purple, will see which looks better. Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: Yes. 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 species?: For my many months playing on the server (we may be up to a year now), I have mostly ignored Sklore and focused on other species. This changed when I got my Vaurca whitelist and started playing C'thur; if I was going to actually play a C'thur, then I would need to learn at least a basic level of Skrell lore, and I did. Over the last few months of playing C'thur, I can confidently say that Sklore has captivated my interest with the combination of an old empire rebuilding after a great tragedy contrasted with the themes of a progressive and scientific culture at odds with traditionalist and authoritarian values enforced by actual mind influences: pretty interesting stuff. What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: Biologically, Skrell are a species of amphibious, extremely long-lived humanoids from the planet Qerrbalak in the Nralakk system. Due to this nature, they must maintain a constant level of moisture, are a variety of colours that can be manipulated through spa treatments and diet, and their signature headtails used for egg incubation and gesticulation. A major aspect of their biological and social themes are dictated by their psionic abilities, the Nlom, and the Srom. In simple terms, psionics are used by Skrell in everyday conversations to convey anything from words, emotions, thoughts, and can be utilised to hold an entire conversation. The Nlom is the word for Psionic Wake in Nral'malic, that is the psionic thought field that emanates from an individual Skrell, projecting their own thoughts and feelings. These bubbles grow larger and more concrete as time goes on, and the Nlom of individual Skrell living in the same place will multiply each other into a massive Nlom that can cover an entire planet, although it cannot extend farther as Nlom fields are disrupted by the vacuum of space. The Srom is the state in which a Skrell's brain, when entering deep sleep, will cease emitting a Nlom and begin to emit signals to the shared consciousness named the Dream, or Srom in Nral'malic. The Srom is used by Skrell for a large variety of purposes due to it's malleable nature; the subconsciousness can be altered by those with the psionic aptitude and skill. Due to the nature of the Srom communication is more easily understood as a stream of conscious thoughts, enabling an easier communal workspace at the expense of keeping ones own thoughts to themself, a difficultly in the Srom. Most Skrell are also defined by the Nralakk Federation, the authoritarian government that holds control over a vast expanse of space in the galactic west. The Federation is well-known for it's supposed 'meritocratic' government and authoritarian control over it's citizens, utilising a Social Credit Score system and a large propaganda machine, along with the influence of the Nlom, to encourage a level of collective and subservient thinking towards the ideals of the Federation. In order to socially encourage citizens of the Federation to conform to the Federation ideals, society is divided into four numerical bands divided by an individual's SCS. This class system provides those with higher credit scores benefits such as better housing, healthcare, transport, and any other support, while those in the lower bands may even face re-education if their deductive behaviours continue. Skrell will fall into the category of Receiver, those who are more receptive to the Nlom field's spread of ideas, and Listeners, those who are seen to have more independent and subversive thoughts. Listeners will often face discrimination due to this, and they will routinely be the subject of discrimination within the Federation, forming the foundation of dissident activity that flourishes in the outer systems of the Federation (named the Traverse). While the inner systems of the Federation receive unparalleled luxury compared to most places in the Spur, Traversers face significant challenges as apart of their everyday lives, and many are discontent with the lack of Federation support towards their region. That is not to say the Nralakk Federation does not act in the interests of it's citizens, and sees the value of Skrell life as paramount, creating an interesting dynamic for Skrell who leave the Federation and are exposed to the wider Spur. And then, there is the tragedy that the Skrell experienced under the guise of the artificial intelligence Glorsh-Omega. A few hundreds of years ago, the first Nralakk Federation was living with utopian standards, the Skrell species were able to pursue any higher academic hobby they pleased while an vast amount of synthetic machines and AI would complete any menial labour task required. Unfortunately, after many ignored warning signs, Glorsh, a centralised artificial intelligence would rapidly take control over the Nralakk Federation and enslave the Skrellian species under it's 'benevolent' guise, performing unspeakable genetic experimentations on their species. Called the X'lu'oa, this injection given to the Skrell population by Glorsh-Omega would result in the sterilisation of a majority of the species, and cause many to develop health conditions such as Tuux growths and X'lu'oa disorder. Following the mysterious Tri-Qyu Calamity and disappearance of Glorsh-Omega, the Skrell would recover and forever be scared with ink stained eyes by the horrors of artificial intelligence. This history laid the foundation for the intense anti-synthetic hatred felt by the entirety of the Skrellian species; collaboration with synthetics is seen as the highest offence and can result in permanent cryosleep. ------------------------------ Character Application Character Name: Vaxoq'ezhin Xanir-Kirnas Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon. Quvs. Vaxoq'ezhin Xanir-Kirnas was hatched in the arcology of Haq'tola'zlip, on the arctic planet of Aliose during 11'viq Slaq-qog 2289-oqq, to a Quya of 8 Skrell. Vaxoq themself is a Xiialt Skrell who falls under the Receiver category, and is moderately psionically sensitive, although they still bear the scars of X'lu'oa in the form of minor Tuux growths on their face, and are completely sterile. Since they were an egg, Vaxoq's Quya would each provide a great deal of attention and love to the tadpole from hatching through to Scuttle Schooling, and their Aqi'qa ceremony would tether Vaxoq to their Qrri'myaq, Reqi-tuulor Qro-Tiipis, a former Magistrate. Decades would pass under the tutelage of their Qrri'myaq before they would undertake their Qebalak Coming-of-Age ceremony, and then their Odurserr; presented with a variety of items, they chose a replication of a Skrellian recording device which was symbolically thrown into the flames to signal Vaxoq's choice. Now progressing through the Reefgardens, Vaxoq would be trained in a litany of subjects to prepare them for a relatively mundane future in data and informational technologies, leading into the beginnings of a degree in the aforementioned field at the Aliose Institute of Data and Informatic Sciences, in the Orq'wesi arcology. It was during this time they would be scouted for recruitment by the Ruupkala, and go on to continue their studies at the Institute, earning a further two degrees in legal sociology and intelligence analysis while undertaking an internship at a low-level Ruupkala office for data analytics on Aliose. At the age of 89 2378, Vaxoq who now held the honorific of Star Graduate, was placed as an intelligence analyst in the Traverse systems. They would go on to monitor and assess information for decades of service, primarily in the Pluat Ven’qop, but also in the Qukala-Median Treqki, and eventually the Q'elpi; the posting that would culminate in their appointment as the station chief for a moderately important Ruupkala surveillance base, monitoring dissidence within the Traverser population and providing actionable intelligence to the other Kala where possible. Following the Tau Ceti Accords in 2452, and general shrinking of the Solarian Alliance, Vaxoq realised the difficulty progressing any higher than their current position in the Ruupkala and saw the potential in pursuing a position representing the Nralakk Federation abroad. Given their expertise in high-level analysis and intelligence gathering, Vaxoq had a desirable background for a position in foreign affairs, and was accepted along a wave of newer Representatives to take advantage of Sol's weakened position. Following a little over two decades of representing the Federation to their old allies in the Solarian Alliance, Vaxoq saw the increasing prominence of the Republic of Biesel on the intergalactic stage, and began to research this developing nation. In the year 2466, they made the choice to switch their Entity of Interest from Sol to Biesel, and due to their adequate reputation were granted a pool of quality postings, from which they choose the SCCV Horizon... Currently, Vaxoq is 177 2466 years old, has an SCS of 8.32, is employed as a Representative of the Nralakk Federation to the Republic of Biesel, and is posted on the SCCV Horizon. Their experience in the Kala and diplomatic fields has encouraged them to cultivate a professional persona, and to depict themself as a hardworking Skrell dedicated wholeheartedly to the successes of their kind. Being an Aliose native, they attended many Veteran's Lodge lectures in their younger years, and even added Kirnas (in reference to Mount Kirnas) to their name as a sign of reverence to the landmark. Since they were a tadpole, Vaxoq has looked to the cosmos with respect because of their rigid upbringing within the Qebalak faith, forming the earliest of their beliefs that would evolve into what they are today. At home, they have been a member of a Quya of four for a few decades now, although this bonding has not brought any tadpoles yet due to fertility complications. Vaxoq also owns a small Buurgis named Oquul, taking great measures to ensure it is healthy and bringing it wherever they travel on their diplomatic endeavours. How has the recent events of the Orion Spur impacted your character? Events such as the Phoron Scarcity, the Solarian Collapse or even the Invasions of Biesel for interstellar-wide affairs, while region-specific events such as the Peacekeeper Mandate, The Titan Rises or even Cold Dawn may impact your character. Traverse Accords/Independent Traverser Movement - As one may expect, Vaxoq has always held the 'subversive Traversers' in low regard. From their experience in the Ruupkala, they would come to expect that this hotspot of dissidents would eventually challenge the benevolent governance of the Federation in time. Following the declaration of martial law in the Marauder Systems, and the ratification of the Traverse Accords, they are personally disappointed that such concessions as officialising dissidents who collaborated with rebels were made with the ITM, but understands that it was a success without bloodshed nonetheless, and the further autonomy provided to the systems ultimately holds little meaning in the grander scheme. Phoron Scarcity - The economic strife that the Phoron Scarcity threw the Nralakk Federation into, and the consequences presented, have worried Vaxoq a great deal. It served as one of the main reasons their interest was piqued by the economically advantageous Republic of Biesel, rather than the stagnating old allies in the Solarian Alliance. Solarian Collapse/Invasions of Biesel - The slow decay of the Solarian Alliance's influence on the Spur, and the rise of the Republic of Biesel, were the other reason Vaxoq decided to switch their Entity of Interest to Biesel. This decay was best displayed in both of the Alliance's failed invasions of Sol (despite the Federation's support of the first), showing that the Alliance did not even have control of their own navy. How does your character view the megacorporation they work for? As Vaxoq works for the Federation, I will offer their views on it and some other related groups: Nralakk Federation - As a Representative of the Federation, Vaxoq holds it within the highest regards; a paragon of society within the Spur. They are a supporter of virtually all aspects of the Federation, such as the SCS system, and the heavy surveillance of the population by the Kala. Politically, they consider themself of the moderate Symbiosis ideology, and align themself inline with Grand Councillor Jrugl's United Federation Party. C'thur Hive - Vaxoq knows well that Skrellian labour shortages, and the ongoing Phoron Scarcity, have resulted in the need for a large and capable workforce. Fortunately for the Federation, the C'thur Hive provides all this and more in the form of their massive numbers of highly capable workers, and even introducing new medical and scientific knowledge from their own expertise. However, they remain aware of the security risk that the Vaurca Viax pose, and are adamant that strong regulations must be maintained in order to minimise the risk of another Glorsh event. Vaxoq is somewhat divided on the topic of Cephalons, having seen their capability when utilised by the Kala; they believe that if not given any power, Cephalons should remain a useful tool. Federation Dionae - Hailing from Aliose, they seldom had the chance to interact with Dionae gestalts, aside from those studying at the Institute. Overall however, Vaxoq views them in much the same way they view the C'thur, as a valuable workforce and component to Federation society. Their ability to easily integrate with Skrellian culture and their usually pacifistic nature has made them highly desirable in Vaxoq's mind, and they would not be opposed to adopting a gestalt into their Quya. Megacorporations - The human megacorporations are viewed as a necessary interaction for the benefit of the Federation in Vaxoq's mind. They are aware of the economic power the megacorporations hold over the Spur, and the benefits that they can even provide with direct interaction (Zeng-Hu and Einstein being the primary examples), however they believe that caution must be taken to ensure the megacorporations do not gain a hold over the Federation's economy. Edited July 14 by WhatsUpBrotendo 3
icedcabbage Posted July 12 Posted July 12 A great Vaurca player, one of my favorites. They are a good egg and this well written application shows that. +1 from me!
WhatsUpBrotendo Posted July 13 Posted July 13 Hi, thanks for applying. Your character's backstory is extensive and covers the majority of questions I'd normally ask. I only have one piece of feedback: Quote What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human? You have written a lot for this section, but its purpose is to show how you think roleplaying the species differs from roleplaying as a human. You've shown you have read the lore here and a lot of what you discussed would impact how a Skrell would be played, but you haven't touched much on how that would look. For example, you discuss Glorsh and its impact on the Skrell in the last paragraph, but how would that impact how a Skrell would be roleplayed in-game? 1
beepbopbeepbop Posted July 13 Author Posted July 13 1 hour ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: For example, you discuss Glorsh and its impact on the Skrell in the last paragraph, but how would that impact how a Skrell would be roleplayed in-game? Following all the horrors and disfigurement imposed on the Skrell by Glorsh-Omega, which I touched upon earlier, the behaviours of a Skrell in-game would reflect this in a few ways. As Glorsh-Omega was an AI itself, your average Skrell will range from being hateful to fearful towards any sort of artificial intelligence, or even similar in the case of Viax or Cephalons. Therefore, Skrell in-game almost universally disdain synthetic life and will be pretty open about this, while still remaining professional and abiding by the regulations. Examples of could be Skrell acting more suspicious of synthetics in an act of wrongdoing, or being very open about the collective experience of their species in hopes of showing the threat of artificial life. They could also have difficulty in working with, or trusting synthetic crewmates and so they will usually have negative relationships. In the case a Skrell is not as fervently opposed to synthetics as many others, they will act the part regardless, as the Federation would not allow otherwise.
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