I've hired this Sinta to stare at you - NekoMarbles Unathi Application

[NekoMarbles]

BYOND Ckey: NekoMarbles

Discord username: @enchantedcrocolisk

Character names: Camilla DeWitt, Isabella Jeong, Richard O’Brien, Jonathan Moorland, Ayaka Sobu, IRU-Shepherd, Yun-Hee Sang

Species you are applying to play: Unathi

------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements

What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: Brown-orange (similar Yu’kal Soil)

Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: Yes, although I haven’t delved into the specifics of ex. Unathi Entertainment!

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?: I’ve been inspired by a lot of other Unathi players I’ve had the opportunity to interact with as of late, and upon further reading I’ve grown absolutely entranced by the lore surrounding the species! I think It’d be an absolutely wonderful way to diversify the way I create my characters, especially factoring in the greater weight of their religion and culture on a deeper level. Having to balance an individual’s relation towards their community, culture, gender-identity and expression, and faith are all very important motives I already love to explore with my characters, and Unathi are exactly what I’ve been looking for in that matter.

What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: 

First and foremost, Unathi are widely biologically different from humans. They are cold-blooded and reptilian in appearance, and get their beneficial nutrients from a carnivorous diet. They thrive in higher temperatures, and suffer when out in the cold. They draw on composed, slow movements only interrupted by short bursts of speed when strictly necessary. Biological differences, in conjunction with cultural differences, influence the way in which Unathi express themselves, resulting in behaviour that would not realistically mimic human expressive-patterns. Unathi often stare at people or objects of interest, which is often found unnerving by other species (especially so during conversation). In return, Unathi also expect anyone they are talking to to hold eye contact with them, reciprocating their shown interest. Pointing, however, is regarded as an offensive gesture toward a Unathi, and extended pointing is seen as a direct insult and can result in a scuffle/brawl or more radically, a duel.
Biological differences between Unathi and other species, as aforementioned, also influence the way in which one may express themselves. Body language and other bodily characteristics can denote a lot of things. The tail, for example, is used to emphasize emotion (think: tail stomping, flicking or intertwining with another as some examples). Similarly, the throat, a part of the body deemed most vulnerable, is used in Unathi body language to signify trust or the lack thereof via exposing, or hiding. A Unathi exposing their neck is one clearly comfortable, and showing great trust; while one with its snout down low, covering their neck is clearly uncomfortable or on-guard. The throat is also used in vocal displays, signifying different emotions. Chuffing in response to annoyance or as usage of sarcasm, Rattling the whole throat, which is often used in place of a tail stomp, or Barking, which in short bursts is clearly meant to mimic a laughter.

Unathi language and society as a whole is largely gendered, in accordance with their primary faiths of Th’akh and Sk’akh. Male, also in Sinta’unathi being synonymous with the word Warrior, for example. This gendering of the word is not due to all Warriors being exclusively biologically male, moreover, it’s tied to the role in society one plays. The act of becoming a warrior is what dictates one becoming male. This is analogous for the Healer and Fisher, respectively. A biologically male Unathi can become a Healer, and they would be then viewed by society at large as female, and referred to with ‘She’. The act of changing one’s gender, additionally, is commonly regarded as also a religious process. In regions where Sk’akh is the majority religion, the Church is largely involved, where Unathi societies outside of the Hegemony have a more relaxed approach to the matter.
On the subject of Faith, Unathi are one of if not the most religious species in the Spur (at least in my honest opinion), due to just how much faith shapes one as an individual in Unathi society. The two primary faiths of the Unathi dictate close bonds to the Spiritual World and Afterlife in the form of the Great Spirit, with off-shooting strains emerging later according to different cultures they developed in (With Aut’akh forming on Ouerea) as well as impactful historical events (with The consequences of the Contact War). Faith largely defines Unathi personal beliefs, identity, and even appearance*, with conflict between believers of the different Unathi faiths a constant.
Lastly, there are still many differences in ways Unathi carry themselves depending on their point of Origin. Hegemony Unathi can be considered slightly xenophobic, a topic which was partially touched upon with the articles during the start of the New Blades Old Wounds arc, for example. Ouerean Unathi, however, developed their culture alongside the different species such as Skrell and Humans, which may result in a more tolerant, accepting upbringing for a Sinta. This goes far beyond the planetary basis, with Dominian Unathi having an influential role in the Empire’s development, as well as their political scene.

------------------------------ Character Application

Character Name: Ah’karis Guwan

Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon.

“Humility and hardship free a Sinta of all sin, for one cuts out the passions of the soul, and the other those of the body. Look upon Me, my humility, and my toil, and forgive me of my sins.”

Ah’karis Hikaresh was born on the 28th of September, 2429 in the Southlands of Moghes. Hatched into a minor noble family, the Hikaresh Clan was, and to this day is, comprised primarily of Healers, Fishers and those of Sk’akh priesthood. Since birth, the young Hikaresh was raised with close proximity to their faith in the Great Spirit, and was predisposed towards pursuing the path of a Healer. Their early years were spent innocently, as most hatchlings get to do, without much of a care for wider politics and concerns of the outside world. This would all change soon, however.

When the young Hikaresh reached nine years old, the Contact War began. After the Firebrand Summit, with tensions high, the Hikaresh maintained a degree of uncertain neutrality towards both sides of the Hegemon-Traditionalist conflict, partly due to their own political and physical weakness. The young Hikaresh was nothing but a careful observer during this time, and too young to fully comprehend the rising tensions and what was to come next, although with the early loss of their Mother, Sezkia Hikaresh, the topic of Ah’karis’s care was left up in the air.
The Hikaresh Clan, despite their universally neutral stance, would not come out unharmed throughout the conflict. Their close placement toward the Eastern edge of the Southlands exposed the Hikaresh to the casualties of the war. Travelling traditionalist forces brought destruction in their wake, with Clan Sk’akh shrines and settlements suffering from extensive damage or being ultimately destroyed, the damage only exacerbated during the Coalition’s repelling by Izweski fighters. After the beginning of the nuclear exchange, and all the way up until the end of the Contact War, Ah’karis became quickly involved in the family trade. Unable to take the time to process the terror of wartime, the young sinta was instead quickly put to work, beginning training in providing medical aid, as well as running errands for relatives and the wounded under the Clan’s care. To add more to the mix, the Hikaresh was just beginning the first few years of their higher education, dedicating themselves harder than ever in regards to the ways the mind works and changes, and the ways of healing those unsound. Ah’karis’s mind scarred over, witnessing horrors and physical morbidity, while simultaneously learning how to cure ailments of the body and mind, under the guidance of their older Clan members and the educational institutions barely holding together under the threats of the war. The young Sinta grew bitter, mulling over the pains of the war, hoping for a chance at a resolution, only numbing their own thoughts by providing assistance to those around them and drowning themselves in their study.

After the capture of Darakath in 2449, it would seem like things would finally calm and take a turn for the better. Ah’karis, now twenty however, had already changed. No longer the bright-faced young hatchling like prior to the war, Ah’karis became hardened by her experiences. Mentally remaining in a vulnerable state, and questioning the strength of her faith, life’s intricacies became ever so difficult, and unable to be consolidated even with the help of Ah’karis's Clan. 
An uncleanable dirt sat on the young Hikaresh’s body. A dirt of the pains and toils of war, loss and subsequent grief. Ah’karis’s faith dwindled greatly after the resolution of the Contact War. Then, a flame sparked forth, in the form of Si’akh. Ah’karis became easily swayed by the sermon of Si’akh since its first appearance and growing influence within the Southlands, and began testing the waters by making subtle conversation with her immediate family. This did not go over well with the Hikaresh, who sat firm in their dedication to the Great Spirit and the Sk’akh faith as a whole. A verbal argument sparked between Ah’karis and the Hikaresh, which ultimately led to her exile from the Clan as a whole, under the mantle of a Guwan. Fearing her untimely fate, Ah’karis slinked away, and quickly lost contact with her family. Needing to find a way to survive, Ah’karis began to look elsewhere. Becoming further affiliated with her Si’akh faith, yet needing a place to go, Ah’karis left for the wider Spur to spread the message of her faith as well as further her prospects. Ah’karis finished her higher formal education abroad, and wandered throughout the next couple of years under multiple employment opportunities with Nanotrasen, escaping the harsh discrimination of her Clanless nature far outside of Hegemony space. This did not come easily, with Ah’karis selling and bartering away all of her valuables and personal belongings to get by until she was able to find stable footing; not yet fully certain of her dedication to the lifestyle she had chosen and been cast out for.
With the coming years, Ah’karis became more entranced with the concept of the ascetic lifestyle, and obsessed with the removal of her dependence on material goods that had been previously ever-present in her life. She accepted giving up her status and all the luxuries that had come with it in order to repent for the innate sinful nature of nobility as a whole, believing that through her own deprivation she may buy back her place in the Afterlife, not just for herself, but for those who were once close with her as well. Surplus itself had quickly become a point of anxiety, and a layer to shed, and led to her adapting to a surprisingly nomadic life in space.
Through her struggle in the physical as well as mental, she fights for closure and cleansing of her own unclean soul. Ultimately, in a single stop of many in the journey of the years to come, Ah’karis sought out employment with the SCCV Horizon, with another position under her contract with Nanotrasen - This one pertaining to her degree in Psychiatry.

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.

The Contact War plays a large part in Ah’karis’s personal belief system and identity, as a growing hatchling, adolescent, and young adult during active wartime. Having witnessed the events of the Contact War, as well as the direct consequences of it, Ah’karis's own mental scars have barely since faded, and still spur and reopen due to her complicated relationship toward her own faith in the Three of One and the teachings of Juzida. The terror of wartime on a growing mind lingers long past the threat has gone, and the effects of it show with Ah’karis converting towards Si’akh and accepting themselves as a “martyr” of Moghes, reliving the events with every prayer and ritual, as well as her dedication to the ascetic lifestyle. Ah’karis’s witnessing of the Contact War and her conversion to Si’akh directly led to her becoming a Guwan, and leaving Moghes under a hastily-crafted contract with Nanotrasen. Formed in the nuclear fire, Ah’karis is as wounded as the people she heals, and it stays evident through her mental-scape and unconventional spiritual beliefs.

The events of the “New Blades, Old Wounds” arc and the Humanitarian Aid campaign on Moghes is a more recent example, and one which was responsible in turning Ah’karis’s eyes toward the SCCV Horizon as a more serious entity, and especially so as one worth supporting. The actions undertaken by the conjoined forces of the Hegemony, Federation and Stellar Corporate Conglomerate not only showcased that there is much hope for the future of Moghes yet, the SCC showed incredible support for the scarred citizens of the Hegemony, and showed good will towards the people Ah’karis cares for deepest in her heart. Wishing to make herself a part of something bigger, she’d look to seek work aboard the SCCV Horizon in hopes of providing aid to both its’ own crew, as well as those the SCC helps in the future.

How does your character view the megacorporation they work for?

Ah’karis’s relationship towards Nanotrasen is an amicable, yet exploited one. Nanotrasen remains an accessible, inoffensive employer that helps Ah’karis travel further across the Spur in her nomadic journey toward repentance, and she is more than grateful for their existence. Often picking up work pro bono, as well as offering her services outside of her own formal working hours, Ah’karis steps above and beyond what her already extensive employment requires of her as a psychiatrist, and allows her to fully express her passion for healing the wounds of the mind and soul. Matters of material are often redirected, delayed, or hesitantly accepted only to be quickly disposed of through charity or the tithe paid toward the Church. This is often exploited by the work contracts offered toward her, with lesser pay, longer hours and exploitative living arrangements taking advantage of Ah’karis’s faith and good-natured temperament. While Nanotrasen remains an important part of Ah’karis's life, and they maintain a hard secondary position compared to her own ideals, their impact remains a largely deciding factor in Ah’karis’s future.
 

[Nagito Komaeda]

The fastest +1 in the west. NekoMarbles is a very proactive roleplayer, whose characters always add to the round and the atmosphere. Give them a Unathi whitelist, and I'm sure they'll roleplay it with all the necessary intricacies.

Furthermore, Neko has played the Kataphract off-ship a couple of times with me around, and they were already fully capable of roleplaying as an aspiring squire. Let them be the arch-lizard *hiss.

[RustingWithYou]

Hey, thanks for applying and I'm sorry for the delay in getting to this. I really like the concept, and I'm always on board to see more Si'akh characters - Si'akh psychiatrist is a very interesting idea IMO. Happy to accept this, enjoy *hissing