Kira's Mictlani Plate Carrier

[dessysalta]

BYOND Key: Dessysalta

Discord Username: rem_ratsuken

Character Name: Kira Vazquez

Item Name: deep beige plate carrier

Item Function(s): Holds plates, SAPI or otherwise. Plates not included.

Item Description: A custom-made Mictlani plate carrier with a smooth cotton under layer and aramid exterior. It has various notes scrawled along it in permanent marker, mostly in Tradeband and Spanish, such as the verse of Ephesians 6:13 and, "Wishing you well!" The SCC's logo has been woven around the left arm flap, and Mictlan's flag around the right. The back reads K. VAZQUEZ in bold text.

Ephesians 6:13 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Why is your character bringing this item to work?: Kira has grown tired of the same corporate standard and was expecting more than flashy stripes to adorn her plate carrier as a Head of Security. Spending hours in plates that chafe her if she isn't wearing a long shirt, or make her turn weird ways just to stop the hook-and-loop fasteners from biting into her is a great way to make her bare her teeth and get even more irritable than she tends to be. Sure, plate carriers are a necessity and don't have to be comfortable—but why should that stop her?

How did your character obtain this item?: Kira was born and raised on a trade ship that frequented around Mictlan and occasionally greater space. Her parents in particular were ripe to pick for this job, as between mister and missus Vazquez there were family friends, siblings, and the occasional xeno compatriot who offered produce to sell or artisan goods. Working with the Wildlands Squadron also taught her a lot about how corporate and military issued gear is synonymous; that is to say cheap and right on the cusp of functional. She didn't have many unique places of work prior to the Horizon, but the ones she did she recommended homebrew suppliers from her world that could get you something better for even less. 

Kira's been waiting on this import for several months, having stopped by last-minute during her wedding trip with her wife and faxed Central Command several months before that about custom-made anything so long as it was recognizable and subdued. She asked for something simple, nondescript, and maybe just a bit flashy. Now that it's here, she wants to put it to the test and put an end to teeth-grinding annoyances when she isn't in active combat.

What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?: Kira is a fan of her heritage, and takes any excuse to talk about her friends and family back home, from her previous jobs, or when she was a little kid. Mictlan being an almost all-encompassing melting pot of culture and love leads her to have many connections and ways to solve problems. Having something made just for you with a nod to all of that behind it is a great way to show and not tell, as well references a practical but personal way of dealing with anything.

Sprites: 

Spoiler

kira_carrier.dmi

 

Additional Comments: I know the HOS carrier has the stripes on it as an accessory—I wasn't sure whether or not the carrier should be blank so I can put the stripes on them in-game, or if it should just have them in by default a la the black and gold Medinan Mercenary plate carrier Faye got awhile back. Either way, you get both.

Edited September 12 by dessysalta
see most recent comment, un-fucking how it looks overlaid on plates since that's in all probability how its gonna be done

[dessysalta]

Was just brought to my attention that plates work by overlaying the sprite over the carrier itself, which hides the design. If there isn't a way to get around that it would be prudent to make the carrier I sprited into an accessory that can be applied to the HOS carrier. I tested it in the program I used to sprite and just added a few pixels to cover up what would be the normal HOS rig; the name can stay the same since the only two instances where I would take it off would be if I'm cryoing mid-round or if someone looting me for whatever reason can't take the entire rig (which would be hard to believe).

E: Clem also suggested naming the item "Mictlani plate carrier conversion kit" if we take that route etc etc.

Edited September 12 by dessysalta
Clem suggestion, woot

[WickedCybs]

The item itself seems fine to me. I think one issue though with making this an accessory is that the visual identification of what armour type you're wearing will be lost. If you're only running standard/heavy on this, that could be fine though.

[dessysalta]

14 minutes ago, WickedCybs said:

The item itself seems fine to me. I think one issue though with making this an accessory is that the visual identification of what armour type you're wearing will be lost. If you're only running standard/heavy on this, that could be fine though.

I'll keep it only on those two, yeah. Especially because swapping between armors would just mean dropping my existing carrier and grabbing the specialized one for the sake of speed (and I understand readability is important).

[WickedCybs]

Approved, then. I won't lock this for a few days though, in case there's any other elements to consider that haven't been posed yet.