Frank embraces the machine (IPC app)

[Filthyfrankster]

BYOND Ckey: Filthyfrankster

Discord username: Onelivebear

Character names: Nikita Mrarrhazkii, Kutkutaei Azuazau, Ers'ziho Lockjaw, Kruglova Zahawi

Species you are applying to play: IPC

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General Whitelist Requirements 

What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: Green (Whatever the standard G2 color be)

Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: 

Aye.

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 find it interesting that IPC units can range from a large number of backgrounds and terms of their creation and ownership. One could focus on their IPC being a corporate owned wage slave on one end while on the other one could be an independent self owned free thinker. You can play a preprogrammed Idris collection agent with hardly any personality but flavor that for them to get a slight change of emotion in the future.

But there's also factions capable of supporting a freely self owned IPC. Being self owned would allow for a much more broader level of character development and being able to recall on their past histories and experiences. Almost making them appear to be human or have the emotions and empathy of one. But at the end of the day they're still a machine, tis the cruel reality of it all.

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

Almost similar to humanity and it's wide range of cultures, backgrounds and experiences. IPCs can have some sort of similar experience. 

As humanity has those that are so brainwashed by the government. The machines in exchange have their preset programming, quirks and habits following their programming. However this tends the backfire as machines who follow their programming to the point tend to end up as what they are emotionless machines and they'll likely stay an emotionless machine. Though there does tend to be the few that breaks out of the mold either through managing to achieve freedom or having the luck to be cleared of their ownership and wiped of their pre-programmed personality. 

Unlike humans however the machines have different models. This can range from shells who pretty much appear lifelike out in public who share the same personality and corporate branding to the ordinary yet efficient units who appear as what they are; robots. Simple hard-working Joe's that have a task and follow it. While they also suffer the same fate as the shells regarding a boring personality, they both have the possibility of earning their own individualism and in the future their freedom. 

While humanity suffers by diseases and infections of the biological nature, machines have their own problems with the recent Konyang incident and people still hunting for those machines that remain unregistered and a ghost in the system.

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Character Application

Character Name: Ajax

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

District 14, practically the pinnacle of the industrial work that's done in the city of Mendell had its fair share of joint partnerships at big business tycoons. Inside a sprawling logistics warehouse tucked between decaying apartment blocks and a noisy rail station.

Designated under the name Ajax, the IPC was one of dozen of units that worked within the warehouse. Each unit belong to a certain member of the business partner conglomerate. Ajax however belonged to one Arthur Gilmore, a middle-aged entrepreneur who one of the chairs of the logistics company. To Arthur, Ajax just wasn't a machine; it was part of the family.

Arthur often joked with Ajax, even if the unit was incapable of understanding the jokes at first. Arthur constantly told Ajax that he was one of the hardest working sons he'd ever had over the five years they were together. With some clever programming done by a machinist on Ajax, he was able to gain something of a personality from his time spent in service. 

“You’re more reliable than half the people I’ve hired,” Arthur would say, patting Ajax’s metal shoulder. “One day, maybe I’ll figure out how to give you a real break, huh? A life of your own.”

Ajax didn’t fully grasp the concept of "family," but in his positronic core, he recognized Arthur’s care. It was a bond that transcended his programming, a connection that made him feel… something. Less of a machine and more of an individual, one with respect towards his owner. 

During the night when the warehouse closed down was when things certainly changed in the atmospheric dynamics. Since the warehouse was operated by multiple business partners and their IPCs for the manual labor part. it was a habit that developed over the last two years that every so often a few of the business owners would get together to let their positronic employees duke it out in the nicknamed scrap pit. 

Of course Arthur supported Ajax and even volunteered him to participate in the scrap pit fighting. Despite the cost of repairs for a generation 2, Arthur felt it was nice to let his most loyal positronic get some work stress out of their programming. Although it didn't quite help with Ajax developing some extra quirks to his personality. He had already worked as a stevedore and being one of the few top bots in the pit gave him something of an ego. Something really worthy to brag about. 

This trend continued on for two years. Ajax suffered some more permanent dents and scratches to its frame while Arthur did his best to spoil his quote on quote most loyal son. Things were good for those two years. 

Until that dastardly raid happened. One wasn't too sure what could have caused it or what let off the cops. Either it had to be due to taxes not filed correctly or a prolonged investigation into the use of positronics fighting one another. But the cops came a knocking and the panic ensured. Initially this led to Arthur and Ajax evading through one of the back doors. 

Arthur knew if one was to look up the owner for Ajax it would come back to him. Following up on the past promise of giving the generation two it's break. Arthur had separated his ownership on the spot while they were in hiding from Ajax and sent the industrial unit on its way. Ajax retained his memories but was an industrial unit and now lost and ownerless. With only a handful of credits give it to him by Arthur before the previous owner booked it in order to avoid getting arrested by the police, the industrial unit had to learn how to live by himself. 

Lost in a big city, a handful of credits and enough knowledge to challenge even the most proficient boxer. What was an industrial like this supposed to do? Well continue on the fighting spree seem like the best option or with his freedom, go get a real job and avoid becoming a scrap heap. But why not both? That was for time to tell. 

Ajax had gained his views of ownership. Yet every time he pondered upon it, it reached back to him like a conflicted feeling. He was treated like a son during his time being owned while others in the warehouse suffered scrutiny and mistreatment by their owners. Yet upon earning his freedom he seemed lost. It'd be something he had to keep investigating, but he's not a big wuss and it's a very sensitive topic.

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 second invasion of Biesel had certainly sent most of the police forces in the aftermath on high alert. Who knew being attacked by galactic terrorist organization known as the solarians would cause some reforms in the laws and restructure law enforcement itself. This combined with the synthetic liberation front would give any good law enforcement agency or synthetic observing entity just cause in order to investigate any gathering of synthetics that are up to no good. Hard to bribe cops when they're both on high alert for crime and suspicious positronics. 

How does your character view the megacorporation they work for?:

Orion express? In all honesty. It's just another job, another way of getting credits for honest work while cursing your boss's name under your breath. It's not fun labor but one has to get the credits necessary in order to pay for their repairs and the occasional tune-up. Orion Express just appeared to be one of the less asshole controlled corps out there. It was hardly any tears to shed as well if one was to get fired with such an entry-level company. 

[CatsinHD]

I've experience most of Frank's characters to varying degrees, most recently Nikita. His characters are enjoyable to RP with, especially when dragging in lore elements to give that extra bit of immersion and depth. I have confidence he can play an IPC, and thus I give a +1

[FlamingLily]

From the application alone, I would give this a +1. Goes into fantastic detail and imho clearly shows an understanding of what sets IPCs apart thematically and narratively from the rest of the spur's inhabitants.

Having played alongside Frank's characters (tbf, mostly through out of game means, but still) that +1 is cemented permanently. He has a fantastic sense of character and setting, and is able to play a character fantastically. He's an obvious add for the IPC roster.

[Venty]

Frank, throughout the years I've played alongside his characters, has shown time and time again to be a great roleplayer. Be it back in the day when I interacted with him as Kelsaso and co., or in the current day as Nikita and Ririlsk, I always see him making great characters and running them perfectly. They're flawed and have their issues, they have their strengths and their morals, everything. He brings a certain energy to the round that reminds me of the first days I came around the server, back during the Tide.

The app is good, though I do have to ask how Ajax came to be with Orion Express, seeing how the backstory doesn't really go into that other than an open-ended exploration of what he can do with his newfound freedom. How did he come into the corporation? Other than that, this is an easy +1.

[NM_]

Hi FF,

Thanks for applying! Couple of things:

On 28/12/2024 at 18:46, Filthyfrankster said:

The machines in exchange have their preset programming, quirks and habits following their programming. However this tends the backfire as machines who follow their programming to the point tend to end up as what they are emotionless machines and they'll likely stay an emotionless machine. Though there does tend to be the few that breaks out of the mold either through managing to achieve freedom or having the luck to be cleared of their ownership and wiped of their pre-programmed personality.

Sure, certain cultures like Solarians classify IPCs as equipment, where most (not all) have stringent programming as well as additional directives (less restrictive version of laws), can't travel autonomously, and are exclusively property. As you know, this isn't always the case in other parts of the galaxy, though it generally trends towards limited freedom. Depending on the government/culture, a lack of personality isn't so much something that backfires as it is intentional on the handler's behalf.

That said,

1. What is the most important directive and how does it manifest?

2. How does a positronic develop skills/learn?

3. Venty beat me to it - Could you talk about how Ajax arrived to be employed on the SCCV Horizon? Right now their background ends on the prospect of seeking work or returning to pit fighting, with an abrupt mention of being employed with Orion Express at the end.

 

 

Edited January 5 by NM_

[Filthyfrankster]

12 hours ago, NM_ said:

Hi FF,

Thanks for applying! Couple of things:

Sure, certain cultures like Solarians classify IPCs as equipment, where most (not all) have stringent programming as well as additional directives (less restrictive version of laws), can't travel autonomously, and are exclusively property. As you know, this isn't always the case in other parts of the galaxy, though it generally trends towards limited freedom. Depending on the government/culture, a lack of personality isn't so much something that backfires as it is intentional on the handler's behalf.

That said,

1. What is the most important directive and how does it manifest?

2. How does a positronic develop skills/learn?

3. Venty beat me to it - Could you talk about how Ajax arrived to be employed on the SCCV Horizon? Right now their background ends on the prospect of seeking work or returning to pit fighting, with an abrupt mention of being employed with Orion Express at the end.

 

 

Got it, thank you for the briefing! 

As for your questions... 

1. Self preservation is the most important directive. The straight out of the box and just activated fresh IPC's would probably be more hesitant on approaching any signs of danger or hostile situations (Unlesss it was part of their job/programming for such). Those IPC's that have seen their fair share of shit and learned might be more easier on stepping into danger. Such as an IPC who has been through the scrapyard, had its fair share of beatings, insults and ordeals where it came to harm might take the time to help a stranger out of a bad situation. For example, going through some hazards in order to rescue someone who is in mighty distress.

An older synth is more than likely to choose to suffer some scrapes and dents to its shell for the end-ulterior gain as that would ensure longer term survival (i.e. better at directive zero). A fresh out of the box and recently activated would focus on the short term goals and grind, putting the short term goals first. 

2. Things such as datapacks and general knowledge how to. Like uploading an IPC with a datachip on standard cargo loading, safety measures of loading ship wide weaponry, the basic things something like a hanger tech might know will generally be cost effective. Due to it being a general field with plenty of wide information. However, the more specific induvial skills that require specialists for the task are pretty expensive for just one person. While the more broader knowledge sub-type is generally open market and able to be bought from a wide number of parties. Then lastly there's memories, one of the most riskiest operations one can perform on a positronic. Which if gone terribly wrong and not installed by a number of specialists, will generally screw up the poor positronic. 

But that's just the fanciest stuff, much like with every other species. There's also the hands on experience. Stick a shell in a job and hope for the best, it'll pick up the skills required eventually. 

3. Ajax after earning its freedom and being declared self-owned has to open a gym/dojo of his own. Something to teach other positronic how to throw hands for the sake of defense.  It's a cruel world out there, a positronic with some hands on fighting training might help it ensure its survival for the long term goal. Since it was given a few knowledge packs of standard fist fighting (Nothing crazy) and cargo hauling. Those skills would be applicable for something simple like a hanger tech, which upon realizing the poor machine needed credits in order to start his own business, he had to start somewhere (Being a self owned IPC) by going back to his old roots (Moving cargo, loading and unloading goods). Besides Ajax has been moving cargo and throwing hands with other shells since the day it was turned on. Use the knowledge it has to save up for one day opening a business and have a life of its own, just like Arthur (His owner/dad) wanted. 

Edited January 6 by Filthyfrankster

[NM_]

Thank you!

Application is accepted.