pictish20 Posted January 27 Posted January 27 (edited) BYOND Ckey: Pictish20 Discord username: pictish20 Character names: - ISU-Caradoc - Za’Akaix’Akkz Zo’ra - Resansov Ramrakii - Z.I. Edmund - Egil Yllson Species you are applying to play: Skrell ------------------------------ General Whitelist Requirements What colour do you plan on making your first alien character?: I’m thinking of a periwinkle-ish color, a mix of their parents’ purple and light blue. Have you read the lore pages for the species you wish to be whitelisted for?: Of course. 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?: The thing I find most interesting about the Skrell is how emotionally and socially sensitive they are; their relationships are accordingly deep and nuanced and beg me to explore on the decks of the Horizon, even if the majority of those I would interact with are non-Skrell. All of this is against the background of an advanced society with extensive history, unique technology, and a culture which is both striking and recognizable to that of humans. Furthermore, Psionics is a realm of Aurora I want to explore. What makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a human?: Skrell, due to both the influence of the Federation and their psionic sensitivity, are more communally-minded than most humans and many tend to conform with the larger society. They express emotions differently, using their headtails for non-verbal expression, rather than their faces. Skrell prefer marine and star imagery in their metaphors, faith, and speech, reflecting both their aquatic lifestyle and ancient star-based religions/philosophies. Furthermore, Skrell are often very open and direct in their conversations with one another, while often maintaining an academic or meditative bearing, valuing knowledge and curiosity highly. ------------------------------ Character Application Character Name: Olkiqi Lukiluq Write a backstory for your character. This may include their origin, education, personality and how they arrived to the SCCV Horizon. From a very young age, Olkiqi was slated for a lonely life, for a Skrell. As a tadpole on Tattuqig, they were removed from much of the culture, amenities, and technologies of the larger Federation, like many in the Traverse; as a Xiiori, they not only were in a minority but also inherited their F’ex’Qa’s inverted gills; as a Listener, they were viewed with suspicion and despite ultimately largely conforming to the society, remained rather solitarian, further reinforced by their parent’s small Quya, which left them without mentoring and guidance in much of their childhood. Sensitive and reclusive, Olkiqi developed a melancholic and contemplative temperament, moved by philosophy, poetry, and nature. Though this personality may have distanced Olkiqi from many Skrell, it did not hinder their scientific aptitude or prevent them from graduating a local Depth College with a specialization in xenoarchaeology, focusing on the ruins covering Tattuqig. With this education, Olkiqi found employment with Zeng-Hu’s archeological work in the Mo’qa’Noa region of the planet. Needless to say, extensive work in the ruins of a vanished, collapsed civilization only reinforced Olkiqi’s melancholy. That is, until the arrival of a Skrell coworker, Qarqkul, from the Homeworld. The two quickly developed a Qu’Kaax relationship, through piquant conversation and years of working together. Qarqkul brought an active, optimistic, and outgoing counterpart to Olkiqi’s contemplative, melancholic, and solitary personality, which inspired growth in each of them and opened Olkiqi to many experiences they would not have dared to attempt, something Olkiqi valued deeply, and came to appreciate more than anything else in their life. This culminated in a trip the two took to Qerrbalak for Federation Week, as part of the Origin pilgrimage. In addition to the spiritual significance of the event, Olkiqi and Qarqkul undertook a J’ox’a and formed a Qu’Poxii relationship. Before the end of the year, however, Kalq’Qi Weibii lost the primary election for Grand Councillor, and many residents of Tattuqig left for Biesellite space — including Qarqkul. Olkiqi, less interested in politics, chose to remain on Tattuqig. The tides of the heart flow both in and out, after all. So, Qarqkul went to a new life in the Starlight Zone, and Olkiqi returned to the archeological sites of their home and a reinvigorated melancholy, religiously observing Lu’Nioh-Weibii, until news came that Qarqkul was slain in the Exclusionist siege of Lekan Village, and event which, after years of consideration and bureaucratic maneuvering, inspired Olkiqi’s transfer to the Horizon’s science division, now a 147-year old Skrell, trying to follow the lessons taught by their now-deceased Starlover. How have 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 most immediate impacts on Olkiqi from recent events come from the exodus of Weishii’s supporters to Biesel and the Siege of Lekan, which combined have inspired the uprooting of Olkiqi’s entire life to try and live more completely. On a deeper level, these events have instilled other lessons, namely an even deeper distrust of synthetics, especially the Trinary Perfection, than other Skrell of a similar age. How does your character view the megacorporation they work for? Olkiqi works for Zeng-Hu, viewing them as an opportunity both to perform the archeological work they love to do, and, in recent years, to leave Tattuqig and come to human space. ZH has also given Olkiqi many opportunities to interact with non-Skrell, especially humans, which Olkiqi appreciates, particularly now that they are going to live in human space. Thanks to Zeng-Hu’s favorable relationship with the Nralakk Federation and the benefits in terms of universal stipend, Olkiqi is unlikely to consider a different employer. Edited Saturday at 15:12 by WhatsUpBrotendo
WhatsUpBrotendo Posted Friday at 08:06 Posted Friday at 08:06 Hi, sorry for the late reply I'm back at university so things have been hectic. Nothing stands out to me on the app, but I do have a couple of questions: How does your character feel about the Federation? How does your character feel about Diona and C'thur in the Federation? As a follow-up, how do they feel about the other races of the Spur? How does your character feel about Skrell born outside of the Federation? What is your character's SCI rating? What religion does your character follow? Can you elaborate on how psionics and the Wake/Nlom impact your character/Skrell as a whole? Again, sorry for the lateness. Once you've answered these questions I'll try to process your app as quick as I can.
pictish20 Posted Friday at 22:15 Author Posted Friday at 22:15 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: How does your character feel about the Federation? Olkiqi generally approves of the Federation, though active in promoting it or espousing loyalty to it. This comes about due to the general support for the Federation across Tattuqig and the psionic pressure that puts out. This is rationalized by a recognition of the Federation's long history of political legitimacy and remarkable levels of scientific and medical knowledge, and further reinforced by a life-changing and patriotism-inspiring Origin pilgrimage a few years ago. 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: How does your character feel about Diona and C'thur in the Federation? As a follow-up, how do they feel about the other races of the Spur? Generally, Olkiqi views other species with fascination. Beyond their inherent Skrell inquisitiveness, they are a specialist in xenoarchaeology and xenoanthropology, making each encounter with an alien effectively a case study. Olkiqi is the type to ask relentless questions of other species about their homeworlds, cultures, religions, etc. Olkiqi generally feels respect and sympathy to the Dionae, as beings of great wisdom who are often of a similar temperament to Olkiqi. They have worked with Gestalts on Tattuqig and are very open to working with them in the future. The C'thur are slightly (but only slightly) less favorable in Olkiqi's opinion. The C'thur workforce helps allow Olkiqi to work in the scientific field they love so much. Olkiqi also appreciates the durability of the Vaurca after seeing them in action during the dangerous archeological work on Tattuqig. As for the other species of the Spur, Olkiqi has commonly worked with humans in the Zeng-Hu workforce in Sura'zlip, and looks forward to live as a Skrell in human space after knowing many humans living Skrell space. The Tajara are an exceptionally fascinating case to Olkiqi, as the premier instance of contact with a pre-FTL civilization and the effects this has. The Unathi, likewise, represent a culture with many apparently opposing pillars to that of the Skrell which demand to be figured out, and a remarkable display of a civilization adapting to the widespread devastation of their homeworld. The IPCs are the only exception to Olkiqi's general openness and curiosity, due to both their synthetic nature and all the violent incidents which have occurred surrounding IPCs in recent years, including Konyang and the Exclusionists. Olkiqi will be able to work with them if required, but is generally wary of them. 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: How does your character feel about Skrell born outside of the Federation? Olkiqi considers Skrell born in other civilizations as no different from Skrell born in Nralakk space. They are all citizens of the Federation, after all, and though they are removed from many of the institutions and resources of the Federation, that can also be said of many Skrell in the Traverse. The only Skrell that Olkiqi does not extend this belief to are those violent Marauders. The world is cruel enough without them adding to it, and accordingly, Olkiqi does not regard them highly. 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: What is your character's SCI rating? Olkiqi is towards the middle of the Secondary Numericals, 5.12 -- they are a well-educated scientist dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, but they have not made any great discoveries that would launch a Skrell up the SCI and their Weishii beliefs slow upward motion. On the other hand, they have not committed any crimes or other deductive behaviors, and they have cut off any "bad influences" who would have followed Weibii's exodus, like most others who stayed on Tattuqig. 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: What religion does your character follow? Like many Skrell in the Traverse, Olkiqi's Qrri'Myaq raised them to follow Weishii, though they are not an exceptionally fervent believer and tend to observe personal meditation over communal, excepting special occasions. 10 hours ago, WhatsUpBrotendo said: Can you elaborate on how psionics and the Wake/Nlom impact your character/Skrell as a whole? In addition to their obvious utility in communication, psionics benefit Skrell society in several ways. For one, the Srom facilitates many of forms of work both in allowing the worker to continue even as they sleep and being an ideal location for brainstorming and collaborative creativity. It also is the basis of many forms of advanced technology used in the Federation, such as the astronavigation systems used by the Skrell. The Nlom, meanwhile, helps the Skrell share beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, creating a bubble of like-minded-ness wherever they are found in quantity. This cohesion helps the species maintain its generally peaceful bearing, and meant that, unlike many other species in the Spur, neither their ancient nor modern history was filled with wide-spread political or religious violence. It also makes Skrell very sensitive to the emotions of others, especially other Skrell, and likely to take them on themself. As a Listener, Olkiqi is not as overwhelmingly affected by this thought-sharing as most Skrell, but still is moved by the Wake. A particularly moment for Olkiqi was the journey to Qerrbalak, where Olkiqi was exposed directly to the Homeworld's Wake. Perhaps it is only their aesthetic soul, but Olkiqi will swear that the ecstatic commonality felt even better when not sent through a Nlom Relay.
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