Z.I. Nietzschka's Police Coat

[dessysalta]

BYOND Key: dessysalta

Discord Username: rem_ratsuken

Character Name: Z.I. Nietzschka

Item Name: zavodskoi police jacket

Item Function(s): Coat. You can't zip it up; those buttons broke a long time ago.

Item Description: A long, thick coat of wool and aramid, proudly flashing a holograph of Zavodskoi Interstellar by the chest and 'POLICE' on the back. Fans and other synthetic-accommodating features can be seen or heard along the inside- the most eye-catching is a pauldron-like heatsink mounted to the left shoulder.

desc_extended: Corporate-sponsored police forces are a common sight in the Spur, with numerous footholds held by both Zavodskoi and the PMCG in core worlds and 'drifter sectors' alike. Coats such as these are rarely issued to (and in this case, modified to fit) synthetic personnel, and only in such cases where interim management or other minor command is permitted- such as on Vysoka. Fewer still leave the planet they originate from; indicating immense social status, many Zavodskoi units have worked themselves to destruction trying to obtain the rank this jacket indicates.

Why is your character bringing this item to work?: Zavodskoi units live and die by their social standing alongside categorical efficiency. Meant to accompany her promotion to Warden, it makes sense that she wouldn't wear the same outfit she's had for over a year now- rather one that better reflects her positions new and old, and instantly gets the point across for other units. Plus, it's far more tailored to her than a brand-new corporate coat is.

How did your character obtain this item?: Nietzschka and her sister unit Apostate had both been transferred to the police force in Rahe, Vysoka. Over half a decade of service, as well as numerous calls where Nietzschka would take risks other officers wouldn't, saw her promoted to Sergeant. To date, it's her most prestigious commendation, and she cares very deeply for what the jacket symbolizes: love, growth, and protection.

What value does this item have to your character, and what story does it tell?: Nietzschka has very few personal belongings and has even fewer she genuinely cares for. Keepsakes never made much sense until the latter half of service in the RPD, where she was able to branch out from purely distress calls and stings to more social roles alongside them- showing up to schools, patrolling particular districts, and such. Most of her development was on Vysoka, where she was able to care for the civilian populace, smile, and become far more personable. All of her experiences from then until now have shaped her into something she genuinely considers to be dynamic and feeling, even if admitting such a thing would probably get her wiped.

Sprites: nietz_coat.dmi

...and the PR with a preview without having to download it if you're so inclined.

Additional Comments: This coat was designed to be worn over basic plate carriers, but not anything else. See my custom item app for Kira as a reference, if that works. Obviously I won't wear this over voidsuits, other jackets etc. It'll either be worn on its lonesome or over standard/heavy plating (not specialized; readability is important) and nothing else. Worst case scenario I'll just make it a normal (ish) jacket.

Also, got the go-ahead from synthlore here and megacorp lore here, just in case that's relevant. I'm also really tired so if I forgot something, no I didn't.

Spoiler

 

Edited June 26 by dessysalta
PR link

[Fyni]

Hello! Sorry about the delay. We had to have a few discussions over this item. Lorewise, this item is perfect. Cleared with lore teams, unique enough to be a custom items. However we have two issues which need to be addressed:

• The animation on the front. We find it is extremely fast, potentially distracting. Our spriter would prefer it be removed and I am inclined to agree.
• It been worn over a carrier. It covers too much, when carriers should be visible for balance reasons. Any items which can be worn on carriers should leave enough of the carrier visible from all sides that a player can reasonably quickly determine that an officer is wearing one, and also what type (ballistic, ablative, heavy etc.)

The first can be resolved by a (hopefully) quick resprite. The second can be resolved by making this coat unable to be worn as an accessory or an extensive resprite which may not be the route you want to go.

Let us know which route you decide to go, and we can hopefully (quickly) re examine this item.

Edited 2 hours ago by Fyni

[dessysalta]

30 minutes ago, Fyni said:

The animation on the front.

Do you mean only the front-facing 3x3 "holographic logo", or does that also include the back text? I made the front with the Revenant's helmet in mind. Regardless and if so, I'll change that to something much easier on the eyes- I'd prefer not to remove it entirely, and especially not the holographic text along the back.

32 minutes ago, Fyni said:

The second can be resolved by making this coat unable to be worn as an accessory or an extensive resprite which may not be the route you want to go.

I'll turn it into a normal suit slot item, yeah.

[Fyni]

4 minutes ago, dessysalta said:

Do you mean only the front-facing 3x3 "holographic logo"

Yes - just the 3x3 logo. The back text is fine.

5 minutes ago, dessysalta said:

I'll turn it into a normal suit slot item, yeah.

Excellent! Should both these be resolved, we're happy to accept this app.

[dessysalta]

3 minutes ago, Fyni said:

Yes - just the 3x3 logo. The back text is fine.

Sounds good, I'll have it fixed within an hour (fingers crossed)!

[Fyni]

Both of our concerns have been addressed, so I am happy to accept this app.