[ACCEPTED]Synthetic Whitelist App - Muncorn

[Muncorn]

BYOND Key: The Muncorn

Character Names: Lyanna Field, Brielle Ritchie, Neeyla Grolnaraya'Ulsarn

Species you are applying to play: IPC

What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt): Possibly Sheet Silver, though I am unsure. I leave physical characteristics for when I can mess about with them in character creation.

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes, I have, and I know a fair bit more on IPC's in addition to this.

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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: I've always enjoyed the idea of semi-sentient synthetics, and as such I have learnt a lot on them and would wish to play them. I have also noticed how most use IPC simply as a robotic human, and thus make very little limits on what they do, which whilst not strictly disallowed, there is generally little reason for this to be the case, and I intend to bring something fairly new to the scene; hopefully.

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: IPC's, are quite obviously, mechanical. Most do not feel emotion, and those that do it is limited and in-organically produced, but they still hold their own morals and beliefs, which makes for a very interesting dynamic. There is also the added point of the synthetic rights movement and the following differed opinions on synthetic freedom (Of which I OOC'ly stand on the anti-synth side) makes for a very different perspective.

 

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Character Name: Elvex B-20

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

 

In 2454, a robotics lab based in Ashton, Biesel, began to produce the Elvex unit for their personal use, for various purposes. A-Units were for general manual labour, such as crate movement and repairs as well as helping with basic assembly tasks. B-Units were based as a simple security, generally working at night to stop potential thieves and to watch the front doors during the day. C-Units were more specialised and assisted with the mental processing tasks, and most lacked a proper chassis at all. The units used a basic posibrain with the basic morals of the company installed, and a customised set of laws; quite similar to Nanotrasen robotic laws. When a unit had either fulfilled it's time, or was outdated; for these units were continuously improved; it was either scrapped or sold off to another company for general use. The latter was the case for Elvex Unit B-20.

A small bid started, ultimately ending in the unit being sold at 1145 Credits to an associate of Deringer Industries. The Elvex unit was recommisioned, getting a new chassis and slight posibrain modifications. These were done for two purposes; 1: Allow the unit more mental freedom by scrapping the laws and instead installing a new set of slightly more advanced morals, and also upgrading the brain itself to run smoothly; 2: To make the unit fit for loaning to other companies for use, as is what Deringer Industries specialises in doing. The unit was first loaned out to a private contractor wishing for a private and inobtrusive security. This loan was quickly cancelled after the contractor commited suicide. From then, the Unit has been used as general security for the Deringer Industries industrial complex, but they are looking to loan it off to a Nanotrasen station, as they have done with several other units before.

Elvex B-20 is a simple model, and despite it's comparative mental freedom and lack of laws, it still functions fairly similarly to most AI's. This makes it seem awfully more robotic than most other IPC's, but it has been known to act more organically fluent when conversing with other synthetics privately. It also has an affinity for Skrell, having been known to try to impress and help them as much as possible, speculated to be so it is not insulted by them as much, as is Skrellian nature. It is also noted that it does nothing to help the unit, but it seems to try anyways.

 

What do you like about this character? I quite enjoy the idea of this character, it's simplicity makes for a surprisingly interesting experience by being both highly robotic but still having a lot of personality in the way it interacts with organics and synthetics in the way it does.

How would you rate your role-playing ability? I would rate my Roleplay ability to be at a very high standard, without meaning to float my own boat. I've spent at least three years in SS13, and during this I've been constantly improving my skill to a level where I've completely detached myself from any characters because if I do, I make myself depressed with how their lives are more complex and exciting than my own real life.

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Notes: Yes yes, I know this comes with the other influx of IPC apps, that's purely coincidental. Just, pfft, ignore it, please.

EDIT: Changed selling price of the Unit to Deringer from 57 Credits to 1145. Refer to my second comment in reply to Nebula for reasoning.

Edited October 4, 2016 by Guest

[Coalf]

It's short but informative everything you need in an app for an IPC, Backstory, how they work for Nanotrasen and even their current condition the only downside is having another disgusting synth on the station.

Jokes aside I know Muncorn and can safely say he's a roleplay both with mind and heart both in-game and in off game discussions although I am a bit curious about his synthetic roleplay since acting like an actual robot without any or very limited display of emotions is one of the hardest things to do and I'm a bit worried he might be bitting off more than he can chew. like me

But you miss 100% of the chances you don't take.

So a +1 from me.

[DatBerry]

i haven't had extended periods of interaction with corny's characters, though i know them enough to know they're not a shitler, and know how to RP. so ill be giving feedback on the app itself mostly.

the answers look good to me, we always need more robot feeling IPCs. so into the character:

the story looks good so far, the suicidal contractor may be a good hidden plot twist or just a red herring. a simple IPC with simple needs, till i got to the last part;

 

Elvex B-20 is a simple model, and despite it's comparative mental freedom and lack of laws, it still functions fairly similarly to most AI's. This makes it seem awfully more robotic than most other IPC's, but it has been known to act more organically fluent when conversing with other synthetics privately. It also has an affinity for Skrell, having been known to try to impress and help them as much as possible, speculated to be so it is not insulted by them as much, as is Skrellian nature. It is also noted that it does nothing to help the unit, but it seems to try anyways.

 

nothing in the story hints at why the robutt can talk smoothly with other robots, IPCs dont have their own language, and there are IPCs and AIs that talk exactly like humans, would it be a smooth experience with those too but not with organics?

and then it has a crush on skrell, for what purpose? you mention its trying to avoid skrell insulting it, but you also said it was a simple machine, why does it care what skrell think?

i assume it was made by humans and modified by them too, so i doubt they would go out of their way to add in skrell friendly programming.

the last part seems a bit rushed, and could use more beef.

[Muncorn]

In response to Berry, yes it is a simple machine, but simple still means it has some complexity to itself. On top of that, it has the extra morals added by Deringer Industries, these make it always attempt to improve itself where shown it is needed, and also enforces the belief it is not equal to other organics, as is a part of all of DI units. However, this works in a counterintuitive that it knows full well it is of equal physical level to most organics, so attempts to prove this where needed. This thus explains the interaction with Skrell, as they're generally the only ones to view them as ultimately inferior. It is a minor note, and not only applicable to Skrell. As for the fluent speech, I am meaning it like this. When the unit speaks with the an organic, they will, in all cases, view them as a superior. Due to this, it will refer to them formally, be polite, be concise. On the contrary, it is more natural when talking with other synthetics, unless a supposed superiority is there. The reasoning behind this is a combination of it's both realistic (I got the general theory of this happening from one of Asimov's stories; Little Lost Robot. Amazing story, I recommend people read it), and that it adds a layer of character complexity, which within this idea is fairly thin without it.

I hope that qualms the problems.

[Mcfluff]

Muncorn is literally god.

+1

[NebulaFlare]

Reasonable, concise, and to the point. Good app. Few things:

57 credits is a bit cheap for a transaction for a synthetic. We don't have an established market, but they are certainly worth more than that - more in the thousands. 57 credits could get you scrap parts - I'm sure he's worth more than that.

Were any eyebrows raised from the previous contract's suicide? An investigation would have occurred. Maybe I'm stretching something that won't need a second look, but what resulted in it, with consideration to Elvex?

Now, there is one small thing with the unit: while most of it looks good and dandy, it was developed by an organization that is not NT. There is a regulation against collaboration with other mega-corporations, and I will have to double-check the stipulations with smaller privately owned companies and robotics labs. Unless this Elvex is somehow directly/indirectly connected to NT, in which case it would be fine.

[Muncorn]

In response to Nebula, I'll explain all three.

1: That was stupid. 57 Credits is way too small, and I'll go and fix that just now. I made this quite late, and didn't take that into account at all.

2: The suicide was both not related to the Elvex unit in any way, as it was stationed elsewhere, and also effects it in no way. There would've been an investigation, yes, but any results would not be known to Elvex or associated companies.

3: I would believe NanoTrasen would hire robots for work, yes. It's cheaper than buying their own, and it's not an entirely new concept for Aurora. I know Coalf is doing this, he's using the same lore as I am, as a matter of fact. I believe CoolBC has had it happen with his S.Y.I.O.N model, though that might be bought, I'm not sure. It seems reasonable enough, as long as NT could see profit in doing it. The company isn't a mega-corp, not in the slightest. It's based fairly locally in Biesel, and it mainly work in producing and selling/loaning synthetic units.

So I would believe this is all fairly reasonable, and I'll work to fix the first point. Thanks for the feedback man.

[Faris]

Ah, Munchorn, part of the shitposting trio as I call them. All jokes aside, Muncorn is one of those players you see around, where I haven't exactly seen any of their characters from interactions I've had to be cliche's, I very much find them to be pleasant a person with pleasant characters.

Now, on to the application itself. I have no issues with the OOC answers themselves, they seem pretty spot on to what I expect to see in an application. The IC matters of the issue aren't very much, most have already been highlighted by Nebula, so it seems fine. Though, a few issues is the price, I still see the price itself to be a bit on the down low, maybe add 2-3 numbers to the thousand but I'm not an expert at IPC pricing, so just my observation on the matter. A second issue is also highlighted by Nebula, it wouldn't be a big stretch that minor corporations are owned by Nanotrasen, so maybe incorporate that part?

Other than the above points, which aren't exactly problems but more to do with certain aspects that have intrigued me, the application seems solid, so that's a +1 from me.

[Ian The Corgi]

Great Person, Great Characters

+1 squeek

[NebulaFlare]

1: That was stupid. 57 Credits is way too small, and I'll go and fix that just now. I made this quite late, and didn't take that into account at all.

All good. It still would be worth more than 1145 credits. 3cr = 1USD. Shells don't cost much - most of the cost comes down to the processor and what's inside it. I'll come back with a proper value in the distant future (hopefully)

 

2: The suicide was both not related to the Elvex unit in any way, as it was stationed elsewhere, and also effects it in no way. There would've been an investigation, yes, but any results would not be known to Elvex or associated companies.

Alright, sounds good.

 

3: I would believe NanoTrasen would hire robots for work, yes. It's cheaper than buying their own, and it's not an entirely new concept for Aurora. I know Coalf is doing this, he's using the same lore as I am, as a matter of fact. I believe CoolBC has had it happen with his S.Y.I.O.N model, though that might be bought, I'm not sure. It seems reasonable enough, as long as NT could see profit in doing it. The company isn't a mega-corp, not in the slightest. It's based fairly locally in Biesel, and it mainly work in producing and selling/loaning synthetic units.

 

There are certainly tiny companies where these bots can come from, but I really got to double check on the connections.

If I can suggest an alternative: NT is contracted with Deringer Industries - perhaps they can sponsor them and become business partners? renting an Elvex unit and employing it as crew will serve no problem at all, as long as there is an established contract and proof of loyalty on Deringer's part. NT simply wants to ensure that Deringer doesn't turn around and start making deals with other rival companies. Maybe they even rent other Deringer units out to prominent heads of staff for personal use, I dunno. Tossing ideas here.

[Muncorn]

Eeh, isn't it 1 Credit to 3 Dollars? That's what I've always gone off of, and thus why I chose that figure for it, roughly equalling 3300US$. I've heard people say it both ways, and I always get confused about it, so some solid clarification would be appreciated.

Secondly, Deringer Industries (To my knowledge, it's Coalfs idea and design so he'll know more if needed) is well established on Biesel as a trustworthy company, despite the owners known problems. I would see no reason why NT would distrust them in any way, as they've been functioning for a good number of years without problem. If this is a massive problem, I can change it, but I would prefer it as it is, as it helps to provide a little extra background than the Unit being simply bought by NT off of the original manufacturer.

[NebulaFlare]

Alright, the average price of an IPC is $500,000 USD for a processor, and about $100,000 USD for a shell. Do note: This is for a brand new unit, right off the shelf - so there'd be a bit of a price drop since he is used.

Also, 1 USD = 3 cr, so triple that number.

Conversion rate, adjusted for inflation, to the late 20th century USD ($) is 3 credits to 1 dollar. That means 3 credits in 2458 has the same buying power as $1 in 2016. Another way of thinking about it is, credits are 33 cents 2016 USD. Or, five-credit coffee is $1.66.

 

As for Deringer, what is preventing NT from just buying them out and absorbing all of their robots for themselves? It might be best to snatch Coalf and iron out the kinks for this company. This is the only rebuttal in your app - the connection with Deringer and how it's renting out robots to NT. NT doesn't really need to rent IPC officers - they have plenty of lawed security units for their own disposal.

NT is very possessive, and they like to keep up that image. I can't see them working alongside a privately owned company that they don't have a foothold in.

[Muncorn]

I'll try to contact Coalf (Which isn't the easiest job, I only have his Byond and Dubtrack) and get things ironed out, but if I don't manage to do so by the end of today, I'll forward this to rrrr or Jackboot if needed and get it evaluated by them, and if need be play my other IPC planned until this is sorted. If I get anything further even post acceptance/denial, I'll post it here.

[Muncorn]

Right, had a little chat with Coalf, and here's his reasoning.

There's a lot of tension around synthetics currently, between the bombings and freedom movement, any kind of situation involving a bad synthetic on NT soil/station would look bad. So how do you get around the problems? You blame somebody else. Hiring the unit from an outside company at a fairly cheap price; as is the case here*; both gives them an extra worker, and if something goes wrong with it, they simply blame Deringer Industries, and there's less fallback on themselves. It's also overall cheaper to hire a unit than to own it, as you can simply send it back for repairs and the like instead of doing so yourself. Also, since the unit works in the security department exclusively, any damage taken is during work, so all due part of the work. Deringer cannot complain in any way about this, and are expected to fix it if needed. Robots also do not fill up worker quotas if they are registered as equipment rather than a worker, so a station designed for 40 workers could have 50 by having ten be IPC's, without any penalisation. All of these are things NanoTrasen would be very interested in.

All in all, blame DI for problems, makes it easier on NT. Simple.

*To my knowledge, IPC's wouldn't be subject to minimum wage, if that even exists for NT, so the hire price would likely sit at about Ten Thousand Credits annual, not taking into account insurance and the like. For the work it does, this is ideal.

[NebulaFlare]

I'm going to cautiously accept this. You did put up a lot of thought and work into the app, working on the backstory and fixing up the queries.

That kind of NT incentive is what I was looking for. NT can have plenty of different types of contracts to take in a wide array of workers, and as long as there's no outstanding warrants or legal ramifications, they'll hire robots too. Robots get a paycheck , but the money usually goes to who owns the robot - it depends on the terms of the contract. I'm assuming Deringer is simply too small to invest absorbing it, and they'd rather focus on their bigger rivals. They still find use in having a Deringer robot on the station, perhaps as an investment in relationships and time. I'm trust you won't make this overtly snowflakey.

Application accepted, Locked and archiving.

Edit: Also, make sure you change the price on that robot.