Capn Sperg's IPC application

[TaToBa]

BYOND Key:Capn Sperg

Character Names:Casimir Whirlow and Sam Russ

Species you are applying to play:IPC

What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt):-

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?:Yes, specifically in order to fill this form.

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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 specific race:

Because they aren't cyborgs. In my time on the server I've seen an abundance of unathi and tarjaran players, and obviously human, and little else. I feel I would enjoy the opportunities to enjoy something different than what is seen on the daily, and IPCs and cyborgs and the others are so seldom seen. Playing a cyborg seems too limiting with the insistence on obedience to the laws and the AI, and drones even moreso. Synthetic lifeforms are generally interesting to me overall, and so I feel like I would enjoy playing this species on both fronts, that it coincides with an interest of mine, and I would be considerably less common a sight to see and interact with. Especially considering the rarity of Skrell players also, given their noted more notable relationship with synthetic species.

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human:

I would assume mannerisms and a lesser degree of self-worth. Seeing as it's stated they lack certain basic rights I would assume them to be of a more subservient and submissive demeanor. Perhaps less likely to stand up for themselves in a verbal conflict or facing verbal abuse. I'm not sure if this would result in a disdain for organic species and they would be found to be less cooperative and helpful, but that might be down to the player's choice of temperment, if IPCs are permitted such a characteristic. Their speech would, I assume, be somewhat robotic and static, but likely considerably less than a law-bound cyborg since they have the self-awareness to consider things like purchasing their own freedom, and so they must think of themselves as somewhat possessing a personality. The attitude of a newly freed slave, which is what they essentially seem to be. Reserved and perhaps unlikely to cause ripples by standing up for themselves too vehemently, but certainly assured that they are no longer a slave or play-thing, and would probably endeavour to integrate themselves into a social circle of some kind. Clearly they must be competent at their chosen jobs, since an IPC can hardly call upon 'human error' as an excuse for failure, but they would probably be socially awkward, yet revel in the chance to engage in social behaviours.

Possibly. I'm not wholly sure about that.

 

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Character Name:Eric TTO (Because 331 wont fly)

Please provide a short backstory for this character, approximately 2 paragraphs

Eric 331 TTO holds a strong interest in 'defining characteristics'. Having been previously owned by a human by the name of Augustus Toriel, 'employed' in customer service for a number of years in a cheaply run general supplies store on Mars, Eric has spent the majority of his runtime exposed to human and alien interaction and handling the sensitive work of customer service. As a result he has developed an interest in the features of organic people that defines their personalities. He regards these 'defining characteristics' almost as collectibles, and wishes to collect or at the very least observe as many as he can. never really more than an observer in interpersonal relations, he relishes the chance to engage with others directly, and given his recent acquisition of personal freedom given the turbulence on mars causing his owner's shop to go under, he was able to buy himself for a decently low price. Augustus was never especially strict or cruel with Eric, or 'Flapjack' as he was known at the time, and so Eric has not developed any especially harsh sentiments toward humans, and regards his previous ownership as an acceptable circumstance, regarding freedom as more of a bonus than a demanded right. He has weariness toward Unathi and Vaurca, but this is purely due to lack of experience with them, and as such he is conflicted between actively seeking them out for interaction, or avoiding them due to the tensions he assumes would be clearly present. He has only been physically assaulted once, and has not developed a strong degree of aversion to damage. As he would put it, so long as he remains operational and reparable, there is nothing to fear regarding damage.

What do you like about this character?

Given that my other two characters are largely very job-focused, seeing as I foolishly thought their character set-up would attract attention to me instead of me seeking it out, this character will give me a reason to actively seek out interaction.

How would you rate your role-playing ability?Decent. I can commit quite deeply but it depends on my interest or if I have something else which demands my attention. I am what some might call 'shameless' so it's not like I'll be caught feeling embarrassed or anything of the sort. I dont know what metric you use to judge though so I can't REALLY say.

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Notes:I have 1 warning for an unauthorized suicide. I'd like to just explain that, that was during my first visit to the server and as such I didnt yet respect aurora and it's rules. Yes, I am one of those assholes who will treat their first server visit with chucklefuckery, but if I want to keep coming back, I obviously understand that attitude doesn't fly. And I did, so I get that it doesn't.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Guest

[Killerhurtz]

Your character is decent, however there's three things:

1. Numbers, last I checked, still aren't part of the character set that the server accepts in a name. Dumb, I know, but it is what it is.

2. Post in OOC, once per round, to advertise yourself so that people may post feedback here, otherwise I will need to deny it. You have until Tuesday.

3. RAVIOLI RAVIOLI GIVE ME THE PASSWORDI

[TaToBa]

Your character is decent, however there's three things:

1. Numbers, last I checked, still aren't part of the character set that the server accepts in a name. Dumb, I know, but it is what it is.

2. Post in OOC, once per round, to advertise yourself so that people may post feedback here, otherwise I will need to deny it. You have until Tuesday.

3. RAVIOLI RAVIOLI GIVE ME THE PASSWORDI

It's NECESSARY to advertise?

idk that sounds dumber to me than the numbers thing but ok

Im told password is the wrong phrase but you want the words 'metallic persimmons'

[Killerhurtz]

Yes, it's necessary. Your sheet mostly checks out, but if you can't get people to vouch for you it means that we don't know you enough to trust you with this.

[Killerhurtz]

I'm giving you an extension - don't forget to advertise in OOC once per round (and give a link - you'd be surprised how much higher the turnover is).

The new deadline is Thursday, 10 AM PST. (That's 1PM EST)

[Owen]

I don't know if I have EVER seen your characters ingame yet. I would need to see them in order to rate on your roleplay. What time do you normally play on the server so I can keep an eye out for your characters?

But for now, I cannot give you a vote either way. I would need to see more of you to do that. Hopefully I can give you a good rating soon.

[TaToBa]

If you've never seen me you've never seen me

I mean I'm not the kind of person who really wants to be the center of attention so Im not likely to advertise myself, and I hate doing so

I can already see the problem here

Im not known

Im a nobody that nobody knows and for some reason there's a trust issue with playing a species in a video game

Not gonna lie that strikes me as really stupid but whatever

I cant tell you I'll be on at a certain time or on a certain day of the week since my own schedule is semi-random

[TaToBa]

I'm giving you an extension - don't forget to advertise in OOC once per round (and give a link - you'd be surprised how much higher the turnover is).

The new deadline is Thursday, 10 AM PST. (That's 1PM EST)

I've already been doing that

It hasn't been working whatsoever

The only response I've gotten so far is from someone who's never seen me before

[Owen]

Most people want to be able to know that you not going to be a chucklefuck and go completely against the lore. That is why there is a distrust against handing them out crazily. Another way to get people to come back to your app would be playing a role in the center of attention. Nothing too crazy if you don't want. Maybe like playing as the bartender. Cargo usually has a lot of down time where people get to know each other. Really, if you put yourself out there, people will most likely come to recognize you and come and either vote you up or down on the whitelist.

[TaToBa]

There's handing something out crazily

And then there's holding a species in a videogame up as some great burden of responsibility one needs to be trusted with, after an application process that already takes itself very seriously

I would not think a chucklefuck would go to these lengths if all they want to do is get in trouble

But Im also not paranoid so idk

But honestly I was interested in having fun with a videogame, not prostrating myself to beg for popularity and "likes" to prove Im worthy of your trust and admiration

Sorry but I have a different set of priorities I guess

[Owen]

Well, it is not that you have a different set of priorities it is that. These races, (Not so much IPC in my opinion) are very diverse culture-wise. It is just how things have been on Aurora, and honestly how a lot of whitelist systems are for HRP server in SS13. People want to know that the person they are giving a whitelist to can roleplay accordingly. Sure, you can write an application. Many people have done that and ended up chucklefucking with the new species because they weren't actually understanding how things went or felt special I guess. I would be more than happy to give you a +1 on the app if I see you ingame and like your roleplay.

These are merely suggestions to get others who are not constantly stalking the forums to give feedback to you. If you don't want to do those things, you are more than welcome not to but there is a high chance that people will simply never see the post to give feedback to. Good luck though.

[TaToBa]

That's what I thought reading the lore pages was for

Like the application itself covers things and if youre really that scared you can test a person sure

But this reliance on getting yourself noticed and becoming popular enough for people to think of you and give you some kind of rating

it's a little silly

It's tedious, silly, and reeks of a kind of paranoia that suggests people are coveting these things like some kind of special magical artifact

When it's a species selection in a videogame

Its already dumb enough when you have to ask for permission in the first place but then this "go forth and prove yourself worthy" trial is just over the top to me

Frankly it's only by virtue that you do this to everyone that you dont know rather than just me that I dont feel insulted by the whole thing

I mean, why isn't engineering cordoned off too?

Any idiot can blow up the station, I almost did when I was told to set up the engine and made a critical mistake in doing so. I was only told AFTER the fact that it's advised people dont mess with it if they could make a mistake but that's not exactly enforced

You can ruin more players' days doing that than making some behavioural mistakes

[Killerhurtz]

That's the thing though. I post here not as a mod, but as a loreperson. People who ruin rounds by accident in engineering are dealt with by moderation - and even then, sometimes, it creates RP.

But as a loreperson, my role is to make sure that our lore is respected. That includes making sure that people are informed of the lore, and have the skill to play within it - and to ensure enough consistency in the lore display that new people are not confused.

The reason why we ask to put you out there is not "are you popular enough?" but rather "Are you seen as a decent enough roleplayer to be correctly able to represent the lore that we are actively writing"?

That being said, your attitude is seriously negative, and I am beginning to weigh against it. However, unless it gets too bad to handle, I will not hold it against you - the same conditions apply, get people to vouch for your capability to roleplay before the deadline.

[TaToBa]

That's the thing though. I post here not as a mod, but as a loreperson. People who ruin rounds by accident in engineering are dealt with by moderation - and even then, sometimes, it creates RP.

But as a loreperson, my role is to make sure that our lore is respected. That includes making sure that people are informed of the lore, and have the skill to play within it - and to ensure enough consistency in the lore display that new people are not confused.

The reason why we ask to put you out there is not "are you popular enough?" but rather "Are you seen as a decent enough roleplayer to be correctly able to represent the lore that we are actively writing"?

That being said, your attitude is seriously negative, and I am beginning to weigh against it. However, unless it gets too bad to handle, I will not hold it against you - the same conditions apply, get people to vouch for your capability to roleplay before the deadline.

Still doesnt explain why the availabilities are so different

Why one thing is so severely guarded like a terrible secret while it's perfectly possible for people to consistently ruin each and every round, if they were so dedicated to doing so, without any real attempt to prevent it

Because this IS a popularity contest, it IS popularity dependent, based on a very simple factor

There is no scale for RPing

There is no officiated measure, it's all about how much people like you

You've already said enough yourself, that by beginning to personally dislike me and my attitude, it's weighing on your decision

It's got NOTHING to do with how good of an RPer you think I am, or anyone else does, it's entirely due to how well liked I am, as evidenced by your decision being influenced by how much you like me, and by the decision being dependent on how many people report back about how much they like me

There is no scale for this requirement you have and it makes me wonder why the application bothers to ask me in the first place

It smacks of something written and planned without a whole lot of forethought

[Thesir]

I like the application system that is in place here. It's not a popularity contest, like Owen has said. If people are able to see you RP and play well, then they'll be willing to come here and give you their +1. I haven't seen your characters IC, and don't appreciate your attitude either, but the content of your application leads me to believe that it's worth giving you a shot at being whitelisted. You seem to understand what makes IPCs unique and interesting, and how to portray those facets of an IPC character, and you were able to spin out a well fleshed-out character in a short amount of time.

You've got my support. Don't make me look like an ass, please.

[TaToBa]

I like the application system that is in place here. It's not a popularity contest, like Owen has said. If people are able to see you RP and play well, then they'll be willing to come here and give you their +1. I haven't seen your characters IC, and don't appreciate your attitude either, but the content of your application leads me to believe that it's worth giving you a shot at being whitelisted. You seem to understand what makes IPCs unique and interesting, and how to portray those facets of an IPC character, and you were able to spin out a well fleshed-out character in a short amount of time.

You've got my support. Don't make me look like an ass, please.

But that's the thing

You managed to gauge that without knowing me

You dont know how I play first-hand and yet you were already able to make that decision

This is atleast evidence that the asking for outside opinions is relatively pointless, as the application already provides means for people to judge me. People HAVE seen me, I have interacted with them, and yet they're not the ones who bothered to respond to me advertising and giving a link. I mean all Im asking is, what purpose does the requirement for votes serve that the application and it's questions doesn't already do for the people who call the judgements.

I'm still not seeing anything it does, that's all.

I mean with the popular vote what use is there for a single judge to make the actual decision?

Can he not make the decision himself, as you did?

[Killerhurtz]

Yes, I could. But the lore team (and me, as an extension) find it's unfair.

And the votes serve two purposes: one, to show how the player responds to some claims, and two to make sure there is no immediate negative image of you on the server.

[TaToBa]

Yes, I could. But the lore team (and me, as an extension) find it's unfair.

And the votes serve two purposes: one, to show how the player responds to some claims, and two to make sure there is no immediate negative image of you on the server.

Unfair to who?

It brings into question what your role in this capacity really is at all, and the current set up isn't exactly fair either

What is the purpose of showing how the player responds to some claims. Like what does this do for anyone else that said people must be shown before-hand, and how does it relate whatsoever to the issue at hand?

And just what is a "negative image"

That's a very vague and subjective term that doesn't really mean a whole lot here

[Jennalele]

I loved this application, and have seen Whirlow (albeit silently as they seem to be) from the medbay before. Your name doesn't come to mind as a chemist Jonathan constantly has to have arrested, and I was going to offer you the benefit of the doubt with an endorsement.

...Except, your follow-up attitude throws me some serious red flags. It's very off-putting to the whole thing here, and it almost looks as if you are arguing that you should be accepted on the basis of not wanting to put yourself out there for someone to see and note. It isn't that difficult a thing to do. I have half a mind to oppose this solely due to your nearly outright hostile disposition to Killerhurtz.

Furthermore, negative image is not subjective, but it is vague as the topic covers a lot. Does the player chucklefuck? Do they tend to hunt down and execute antags wordlessly? Do they know the game very well to begin with? They are all valid points that players are allowed and encouraged to bring up when judging an app. This system has worked since the dawn of Aurora.We are not going to start making exceptions now because one person won't go interact with people.

[TaToBa]

I loved this application, and have seen Whirlow (albeit silently as they seem to be) from the medbay before. Your name doesn't come to mind as a chemist Jonathan constantly has to have arrested, and I was going to offer you the benefit of the doubt with an endorsement.

...Except, your follow-up attitude throws me some serious red flags. It's very off-putting to the whole thing here, and it almost looks as if you are arguing that you should be accepted on the basis of not wanting to put yourself out there for someone to see and note. It isn't that difficult a thing to do. I have half a mind to oppose this solely due to your nearly outright hostile disposition to Killerhurtz.

Furthermore, negative image is not subjective, but it is vague as the topic covers a lot. Does the player chucklefuck? Do they tend to hunt down and execute antags wordlessly? Do they know the game very well to begin with? They are all valid points that players are allowed and encouraged to bring up when judging an app. This system has worked since the dawn of Aurora.We are not going to start making exceptions now because one person won't go interact with people.

If have a "shitty attitude" at all its because frankly I tried very hard not to feel outright insulted

But no

Im not even asking to be accepted, at this point THAT isn't really my prime concern anymore

It'd be nice, sure, but not the point anymore

Im questioning a system I see as very flawed, and I've as yet not been convinced whatsoever by the answers given. They leave more questions to be asked and more flaws (that I see) to be pointed out, that's all. There's no hostility to any PEOPLE, but I can say, here is another example of why this IS a popularity contest, that being among the flaws I see with the way it works now. I could argue, for instance, that I have no reason to care if Im being friendly or likeable, since that shouldn't be a part of the process, if its not a popularity contest.

Suppose the opposite situation.

Suppose Im a shitty RPer, just the worst, I break all the conventions and generally do poorly. But suppose, inexplicably, that people LOVE me. That TONS of people come in here, and without even reading the application tell me they approve wholeheartedly.

What then?

[Guest]

Understandably, your unwillingness not to question what you perceive as stupid can be seen as something... well, understandable. But derailing your own application to make can also been seen as a lack of maturity. This is not the place to question the application system. I hope you understand that?

I see no issues with the app. Looks well written. No experience playing with you, but that's because I barely play at all, lately.

[TaToBa]

Understandably, your unwillingness not to question what you perceive as stupid can be seen as something... well, understandable. But derailing your own application to make can also been seen as a lack of maturity. This is not the place to question the application system. I hope you understand that?

I see no issues with the app. Looks well written. No experience playing with you, but that's because I barely play at all, lately.

Yeah I guess

I just didn't see the point of making a whole new thread about it, really. Never really been the type to step aside and have separate conversations all over the place. Those kinds of rules, I respect them perfectly well but it's somewhat against my nature to remember to abide by them strictly. Sorry I guess

[LordFowl]

http://aurorastation.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4730

 

An ideal whitelist is posted, gains feedback, and a decision is made on the third day of its posting by its appropriate species overseer. There is no required amount of feedback; it can help the overseer make a decision but feedback isn't an inherent necessity to an app's ultimate fate. A lack of feedback means that the application is determined by the sole merit of the OP, unless a loredev themselves asks questions ofc.

If an application has sat without loredev comment or decision after 4 days you are encouraged to PM me, the Loremaster, with a link to your species application with a comment that it's been 4 days since it was originally posted. I try to only tend to the Unathi apps since that's my direct responsibility and knowledge, and the other species are regulated to other loredevs, but if I'm PM'd about an app that has set for 4 days I will make an immediate decision or assume responsibility for the whitelist in question.

I'm making this thread due to comments about players getting rather prickly about ignored whitelists, but my inbox is empty!

 

You do not need to have feedback for an application to be accepted, and a moderator of applications should not require feedback to make a decision. That would be utterly ridiculous.

[Guest]

I just didn't see the point of making a whole new thread about it, really. Never really been the type to step aside and have separate conversations all over the place. Those kinds of rules, I respect them perfectly well but it's somewhat against my nature to remember to abide by them strictly. Sorry I guess

Rules exist to protect people and their property. Most of us understand that. When the rules make no sense they start to seem like a bureaucratic wankfest. Which wouldn't be a bad way to describe it.

At any rate, this app will be brought to attention of the person responsible for IPCs now to get you processed or denied.

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Hello! I'm the head of the lore development team and the guy in charge of the guys in charge of whitelists. Killerhurtz is the loredev I asked to oversee IPC whitelists but he asked me to step in here to rule on this application and I just got done reading through it.

Your OP shows knowledge of the species' in question, and you have an interesting pitch for a character. It would be interesting to see this character on the station.

Now, the policy I set forth for whitelists is that feedback is not inherently necessary. You are right in that the right to play a species in a videogame shouldn't be set as a popularity contest or have bewilderingly strict and arbitrary rules on it. I actually changed the whitelist policies shortly after becoming loremaster - previously, posts without the minimum 5 +1's were denied. Imagine how frustrating that was for people - I know I hated it.

That said, the loredev in charge of the species' still has to make a decision. I trust the people I appoint for these things enough to make judgement calls, and I haven't had any issues yet about accusations of them being unfair or arbitrary. I always ask that they try to be lenient, and give the benefit of the doubt when the OP shows genuine investment and good intentions, but the decision is ultimately up to them, and it's been working well enough so far that I haven't had to overrule anyone's decisions or wag my finger.

Now, your behavior in the thread has brought up some red flags - I think this is the first time an admin has had to intervene on a whitelist thread here. Yes, having restrictions on playing a race may be silly to you, but being entirely dismissive and hostile to the system you are asking to become a part of is a bit mean-spirited. I've broken down a lot of the restrictions and requirements for playing many species' and playing with the lore in general, and being told that this is still too much is a valid thing to argue but bringing it up in your own whitelist application rather confrontational can't work out in your favor here. I've tried to find reasons to justify overlooking my worries, but I'm still left with concerns over your application and behavior.

Based on a brief discussion with Killerhurtz and our lack of ability to really vouch for you I'm going to deny this application. I encourage you to reapply in the future whenever you feel ready.