[Accepted] Tajara Whitelist Application - Synnono

[Synnono]

BYOND Key: Synnono

Character Names:

Zahra Karimi - Lab Assistant chasing a doctorate, hopeless space liberal, purple poncho enthusiast.

Stefanie Matis - Careworn Internal Affairs Agent staring middle-age in the mouth.

Brianna Collins - Nurse Practitioner and blatant medbay lesbian. I don't even think she's sorry.

Tabitha Cousley - Archaeologist, Book-Lover, and Seeker of a Certain Unfortunate Truth.

Faith - Silent, watchful IPC janitor. Wears the cake hat when no-one is looking.

Species you are applying to play: Tajara

What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt): Some kind of brown. I can see the RGB values for the ethnicity on the lore page. I do not know what Kochiba is yet, but it sounds nice.

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yas.

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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:

Lately, I feel like the Tajara have some of the best climate for backstory conflict in a character. The three-way war has picked up a bit, and an oppressive atmosphere in NanoTrasen workplaces for non-PRA citizens is a dynamic I want to explore with one of my own. While the concept in my head doesn't need the species to work, current events seem to make it more likely that it'll be relevant on board with other crew - particularly other Tajara, who I don't seem to get the chance to play with much.

Also, Mofo has done what I've craved for someone to do since I learned the wiki existed, and clarified the correct forms for the word "Tajara" on the species lore page:

One Tajara = Tajara

More Tajara = Tajara

As an adjective = Tajaran

And for this, I owe a debt that can only be paid in catbeasts. The nightmare is over.

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

Tajara are different from humans in a few obvious biological and behavioral ways. They have a humanoid feline appearance with associated features, a tendency to roll their R's when speaking words in Tau Ceti Basic, a predisposition not to use the first-person unless in trusted company or for rhetorical emphasis, a unique sleep cycle, and a coat that leaves them uncomfortable in warmer climates. They have their own pantheon of gods, which are worshiped by different sects within that religion.

Tajara have only been known to humanity for a few decades, and have hastily modernized during that time both technologically and culturally. Thanks to meddling from offworld and two planet-wide revolutions, the Tajara are maybe the most societally-agitated species NanoTrasen employs, and individuals can be highly distrustful or secretive for fear of retaliation from their government or their fellows. Tajaran education is far behind human standards, which NanoTrasen uses to exploit a cheap workforce where they can. Some are ignorant of this exploitation, others might be resentful, but without better options it seems to be the Tajaran lot to put up with it.

 

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Character Name: Hadassah Al-Hazmi

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

Hadassah is a Hharar who has lived through the ongoing war in Barj'ar, on the northern edge of NKA territory. As one of the kingdom's increasingly-rare educators, she has spent the last several years teaching the physical sciences to shrinking classes of students. She, along with her family, are enthusiastic believers in Vahzirthaamro Azunja's promise of an enlightened monarchy, which will rule benevolently and with the help of the people at the end of the conflict. This ideal, along with a disgust for perceived PRA war crimes and other atrocities, has allowed her to suffer through living in the Kingdom's terrible conditions with a measure of dignity and hope.

However, when the Republic staged what was meant to be a final offensive against the Kingdom in November of 2458, she was unable to stand idle and let the enemy march into Barj'ar. Answering her sovereign's call, she left to support the defense of her city, alongside other civilians previously deemed unfit to fight, and volunteers from the Alam'ardii called for by the King himself.

Though the NKA survived this offensive, the battle took its toll on Hadassah in more ways than one. Injuries from shrapnel have left her unable to walk, and the university she once taught at has closed indefinitely, for a lack of staff and students. Without a means to support her family, and unable to continue fighting, she is now forced to look for work in unlikely places.

By utilizing a distant family contact in Republic territory, she's arranged for the necessary paperwork and logistics to be quietly moved offworld, where she'll get a chance to work for NanoTrasen as a chemical technician, send money home to family, and observe the fate of her homeworld from afar. It is by no means the life she wants for herself, but without a better choice, she will take the opportunities she has, provide for the ones who need her, and bide her time until she can find a way to make a difference again.

What do you like about this character?

I like Hadassah because she is a woman whose pride and beliefs are at odds with her humbling situation. NanoTrasen and its close ties with the PRA makes a dangerous setting for a monarchist, and she'll have to temper her opinions, obfuscate her history, and bite her tongue just to ensure her safety and her family's financial security. I also like that she has no freedom of movement, and will need help to get things done around her workplace. Having to rely on people she might consider enemies in order to function in her job is a reality I'd enjoy her to have as she starts to develop.

How would you rate your role-playing ability? Socks out of ten. Here's a visual aid:

 

(I still hate this question.)

 

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Notes: Thank you for reading this, and I appreciate any constructive feedback or well-intended suggestions. I'm still new to the species in terms of writing for it, so if I've missed a detail or there's a technicality I can fiddle with someplace, please point it out to me!

[Coalf]

Finally, it is time for the judge to be judged.

Almost no issues with the backstory, it's compact and filled with information we want to know, her reasoning, personality, strengths, weaknesses and motivations, still question.

The job, how did Hadassah join NanoTrasen? Was NT her first choice or a last resort? Or was NT simply the only mega-corporation willing to accept an NKA supporter into their ranks? I'd like to know that.

And you as a player?

Honestly, I'd be delighted to see you play a Tajara, your characters are fun and cheerful and I'm curious to see how you'll tackle a character that is somewhat a lot more tragic in her backstory.

[Synnono]

The job, how did Hadassah join NanoTrasen? Was NT her first choice or a last resort? Or was NT simply the only mega-corporation willing to accept an NKA supporter into their ranks? I'd like to know that.

Gooood question. I talked to Mofo a bit about this as I was spitballing ideas, because I wasn't sure how an NKA supporter would be able to:

1) Leave the fight when it's so desperate, with the NKA on the verge of defeat

2) Leave the planet when airspace and low orbit is likely dominated by other factions, and

3) Get anywhere else with the PRA exerting the lion's share of political power outside Adhomai

And we didn't come up with a concrete method to do all three. Right now I'm assuming over the 7-8 years this new war's been going on, that it's divided families and that some are living in different factions. I feel like the only reasonable way to get Hadassah offworld would be to leverage someone with the ability to 'fake it' for her in the PRA long enough to get her on a shuttle. A sympathetic family member (and NT employee or liaison?) might be able to help her leave and get into contact with the company, at least. The specifics on how she gets out of NKA territory and off the planet are still a bit fuzzy for me aside from that there are likely forged papers and bribes involved, but it might make a good forum story sometime.

I don't think NT would care so much whose side she's on, so long as she's a cheap worker, doesn't care where they place her, and will do her assigned job adequately. It's been mentioned that ALA/NKA-sympathetic characters don't have a lot of protection from the PRA authorities partnered with NanoTrasen, so I imagine it boils down to a kind of 'don't ask, don't tell' informal policy. Anyone up there who wouldn't want to be deported to a PRA labor camp for any reason wants to keep a low profile, including her. Her records are likely to have significant gaps, which she will sort of gloss over with the people hiring her.

As for her personally, this is totally a last-resort. She loves her country and wants to be either teaching its youth or fighting to defend it, but is useless thanks to her injuries and needs to work for the people in her family who can't. Learning to come to grips with that, in a place she is likely to strongly dislike, surrounded by aliens and Tajara she sees as enemies, is the sort of character I wanted to start with.

Thanks for asking questions and not giving a blind +1/-1!

Edited November 28, 2016 by Guest

[Faris]

No, just for the face you're a feline traitor. On a serious matter, one hundred times yes, I've never had any issues with Synnono at all, I'd give them a +1 without even reading the app, but that wouldn't count for much. Now, what I like about the background story is that a big of vagueness is left in it, there's not some super hyped war scene going on, we're not told everything, it leaves a bit to the imagination, something I like to do myself. The other characters of Synnono are also well done. The OOC aspects of this app are also on par and maybe even beyond what is required.

So, the final verdict you say? +1.

[Pratepresidenten]

So lemme get this straight, you're applying for a kitty, and said kitty is messed up and stuck in a wheelchair, unable to utilize their ridiculous, speed of nyoom. And ontop of that, they'll be making drugs.. In space! Shit man, if this aint something different, I dont know what is. Seriously though, she sounds like an interesting character with a lot to tell for those that would ask. As for Synnono, great to interact with both IC and OOC, very courteous and informative! Wishing you the best of luck with this application, and I hope to see you in medical in the near future!

[Synnono]

So lemme get this straight, you're applying for a kitty, and said kitty is messed up and stuck in a wheelchair, unable to utilize their ridiculous, speed of nyoom. And ontop of that, they'll be making drugs.. In space! Shit man, if this aint something different, I dont know what is. Seriously though, she sounds like an interesting character with a lot to tell for those that would ask. As for Synnono, great to interact with both IC and OOC, very courteous and informative! Wishing you the best of luck with this application, and I hope to see you in medical in the near future!

 

I don't think she'll even be able to qwag. God help us.

[Dragonspare]

Oh boy oh boy, first off, i've learned more about the tajaran lore in this app than i ever did, so, a good concise backstory that isn't unnecesarily lengthy, a interesting approach on the race, handicaping the character by taking their ability to walk at light speed, that's something i like, some players just wants this race for said perk, not a fighter-vet-brawled kitter, another thing i like, i mean, she knows how to handle herself, but she isn't as strong or skillfull as a military Tajaran would be, a reason to actually be in the NSS Exodus, something i like as well, some people just give a half-assed reason (that could include me), there's nothing for me to complain in this app, at least not for my ignorance about the Tajaran lore.

Going for the OOC side, Synnono is one of the best users i know on this server, polite, excellent RP and funny as well, it would be excellent to see yet another character from said user, anyway, my english maybe isn't that good and i'm not a good critic, but to me, this app is flawless.

I looked far and wide for a flaw, but i didn't find it, take my +1

[Mofo1995]

Hello, it's been three days so I'm going to swoop in and give my thoughts.

Firstly,

While the concept in my head doesn't need the species to work, current events seem to make it more likely that it'll be relevant on board with other crew - particularly other Tajara, who I don't seem to get the chance to play with much.

 

Tajara are by far the most played alien race on station, the idea that you don't seem to get the chance to play with them much sounds bizarre. At least on the surface level. I'd argue there is a current issue of Tajara players being exclusive, using on Siik'maas, banding together, and being condescending. Do you think Hadassah Al-Hazmi will be able to socialize with others and avoid exclusion without going to the other side of the spectrum and becoming too human?

 

Also, Mofo has done what I've craved for someone to do since I learned the wiki existed, and clarified the correct forms for the word "Tajara" on the species lore page:

One Tajara = Tajara

More Tajara = Tajara

As an adjective = Tajaran

And for this, I owe a debt that can only be paid in catbeasts. The nightmare is over.

 

Hive actually did this not me- small knit-pick.

 

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yas.

 

Tajara have only been known to humanity for a few decades, and have hastily modernized during that time both technologically and culturally. Thanks to meddling from offworld and two planet-wide revolutions, the Tajara are maybe the most societally-agitated species NanoTrasen employs, and individuals can be highly distrustful or secretive for fear of retaliation from their government or their fellows. Tajaran education is far behind human standards, which NanoTrasen uses to exploit a cheap workforce where they can. Some are ignorant of this exploitation, others might be resentful, but without better options it seems to be the Tajaran lot to put up with it.

 

Good description, but I think it's important to changed modernized to modernizing, as the same Tajara which might receive highly advanced futuristic space medicine from a humanitarian aid hospital down the road might also be working an antiquated farming plot with a hand scythe. There is a distinct juxtaposition of modernity and the old world present in society. That said, the rest of this is very finely put and true.

 

She, along with her family, are enthusiastic believers in Vahzirthaamro Azunja's promise of an enlightened monarchy, which will rule benevolently and with the help of the people at the end of the conflict.

 

The goal of the NKA is to establish a constitutional Monarchy with a parliament rather than an enlightened monarchy or any sort of benevolent absolutism. There are factions in the NKA which want to see the king take a role of more power within the NKA, as well as factions which want to see Parliament get more power, but as it currently stands the power is pretty evenly divided between the two. This is referred to as the struggles between the military and the civilians on the wiki, as veterans and current servicemen are more pro-king while your average non-combatant civilian is more pro-Parliament.

I don't have many more comments about the character's backstory, other than we have a really good idea of what she is, but no who she is. There's a lot of talk about her profession, her ideology, her education, and her political orientations, but we don't have much in the way of hobbies, personality, or even personal life. However, the backstory does demonstrate extremely well knowledge of the lore, even go as far as to cite news articles throughout. That said, I wouldn't mind having a few traits, quirks, and hobbies thrown out there for me to get a better idea of who this character is.

 

I like Hadassah because she is a woman whose pride and beliefs are at odds with her humbling situation. NanoTrasen and its close ties with the PRA makes a dangerous setting for a monarchist, and she'll have to temper her opinions, obfuscate her history, and bite her tongue just to ensure her safety and her family's financial security. I also like that she has no freedom of movement, and will need help to get things done around her workplace. Having to rely on people she might consider enemies in order to function in her job is a reality I'd enjoy her to have as she starts to develop.

 

As with all other Tajaran applications I've reviewed, I must once again that being unique or a snowflake does not automatically mean being bad. With the exception of Poslan there are surprisingly few cripple Tajara which is strange considering the massive three-way world war going on back home. There's something probably to be said about modern medicine, but there's also something to be said about the poor medical care people from the NKA would receive.

"Having to rely on people she might consider enemies in order to function in her job is a reality I'd enjoy her to have as she starts to develop."

There's a surprising lack of argument, disagreement, and especially violence on station despite the fact that some people might find themselves working alongside ex-soldiers who might've killed their family, and even though some factions advocate genocide against others. I'm not saying Tajara players should be at each others throats all day every day, clawing each other and getting thrown in the brig every round- but they should be more at odds. How do you feel Hadassah will interact with other Tajara knowing they could have served on the very frontline which threatens to snuff out her nation? Do you think it'll come off more as biting her tongue, or getting along in species solidarity?

I'll await a response before delivering my verdict, but you've received a lot of good feedback on your roleplaying abilities.

 

[Synnono]

Hello, it's been three days so I'm going to swoop in and give my thoughts.

Firstly,

While the concept in my head doesn't need the species to work, current events seem to make it more likely that it'll be relevant on board with other crew - particularly other Tajara, who I don't seem to get the chance to play with much.

 

Tajara are by far the most played alien race on station, the idea that you don't seem to get the chance to play with them much sounds bizarre. At least on the surface level. I'd argue there is a current issue of Tajara players being exclusive, using on Siik'maas, banding together, and being condescending. Do you think Hadassah Al-Hazmi will be able to socialize with others and avoid exclusion without going to the other side of the spectrum and becoming too human?

 

I sure hope so, though it may take a while to warm up to people in character in order to do that. I picture her as unhappy and distrustful of the situation she's in, and she's probably looking to keep a low profile. With that in mind, closed characters don't get anywhere, so it's a matter of making the right opportunities for other players to chip at her shell. I don't see her only consorting with her own kind - it would be impractical in medical anyway, where she's likely to be stuck for portions of each shift.

 

Also, Mofo has done what I've craved for someone to do since I learned the wiki existed, and clarified the correct forms for the word "Tajara" on the species lore page:

One Tajara = Tajara

More Tajara = Tajara

As an adjective = Tajaran

And for this, I owe a debt that can only be paid in catbeasts. The nightmare is over.

 

Hive actually did this not me- small knit-pick.

 

Is that right? I could have sworn I had a grammar-Nazi meltdown over it not so long ago. Thanks, Hive.

 

Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yas.

 

Get out.

 

Tajara have only been known to humanity for a few decades, and have hastily modernized during that time both technologically and culturally. Thanks to meddling from offworld and two planet-wide revolutions, the Tajara are maybe the most societally-agitated species NanoTrasen employs, and individuals can be highly distrustful or secretive for fear of retaliation from their government or their fellows. Tajaran education is far behind human standards, which NanoTrasen uses to exploit a cheap workforce where they can. Some are ignorant of this exploitation, others might be resentful, but without better options it seems to be the Tajaran lot to put up with it.

 

Good description, but I think it's important to changed modernized to modernizing, as the same Tajara which might receive highly advanced futuristic space medicine from a humanitarian aid hospital down the road might also be working an antiquated farming plot with a hand scythe. There is a distinct juxtaposition of modernity and the old world present in society. That said, the rest of this is very finely put and true.

 

Alright, that seems good to keep in mind. The advancements she isn't familiar with will probably evoke some wonder or curiosity, especially for someone who's never been offworld before now.

 

She, along with her family, are enthusiastic believers in Vahzirthaamro Azunja's promise of an enlightened monarchy, which will rule benevolently and with the help of the people at the end of the conflict.

 

The goal of the NKA is to establish a constitutional Monarchy with a parliament rather than an enlightened monarchy or any sort of benevolent absolutism. There are factions in the NKA which want to see the king take a role of more power within the NKA, as well as factions which want to see Parliament get more power, but as it currently stands the power is pretty evenly divided between the two. This is referred to as the struggles between the military and the civilians on the wiki, as veterans and current servicemen are more pro-king while your average non-combatant civilian is more pro-Parliament.

 

When I wrote that, I don't think I was intending to refer to the specific type of government. When I put down 'enlightened' and 'benevolent' I meant it to suggest her belief that the royal family has learned from the past, and will make the right choices for the good of its subjects. Given the chance to express her opinion, she'd say that the parliamentary system is one of those choices, and represents both the responsible sharing of power and proof that the power structure will not be like the one their world first rebelled against. Whether she's right or not is up for debate.

 

I don't have many more comments about the character's backstory, other than we have a really good idea of what she is, but no who she is. There's a lot of talk about her profession, her ideology, her education, and her political orientations, but we don't have much in the way of hobbies, personality, or even personal life. However, the backstory does demonstrate extremely well knowledge of the lore, even go as far as to cite news articles throughout. That said, I wouldn't mind having a few traits, quirks, and hobbies thrown out there for me to get a better idea of who this character is.

 

With the backstory material, I wanted to get the understanding of the lore/recent events on the application, and not bloat the section with a wall of text. Some of the things you're asking for I don't decide with characters ahead of time, and I don't think all of them should be revealed on paper if they are, but with the hope of painting a more complete picture to approve or deny, I can explore a bit!

I picture her as a rare lover of books, thanks to both a love of learning and the challenge associated with finding good printed stories that weren't torched. She could have spent years tracking down noteworthy titles to house in a small private collection, which she would have had to leave behind when she expatriated. She might joke to herself that if the times weren't already so 'interesting' she would consider authoring historical fiction. That, like so many other things, feels like a distant dream in the war-torn present.

The theatre is a luxury that she misses dearly from easier times, and while she deeply respects the storytelling tradition, and the people who have the gift to act, she's easy to put off with a poor performance. She's a quiet lover of comedies, and in rare moments of mirth she's likely to crack a referential joke or witticism of her own. It is entirely okay if only she gets it, but there's that hope that someone around her might, too.

She believes she's a good cook, but this is probably not true. Either no-one in her family knows better, or they've never had the heart to bring it up with her, since it seems to instill a bit of pride. It's entirely possible she just has no refined palette. The station's microwaves are depressingly alien devices she'd never have found in her kitchen, and she's unlikely to trust them.

 

I like Hadassah because she is a woman whose pride and beliefs are at odds with her humbling situation. NanoTrasen and its close ties with the PRA makes a dangerous setting for a monarchist, and she'll have to temper her opinions, obfuscate her history, and bite her tongue just to ensure her safety and her family's financial security. I also like that she has no freedom of movement, and will need help to get things done around her workplace. Having to rely on people she might consider enemies in order to function in her job is a reality I'd enjoy her to have as she starts to develop.

 

As with all other Tajaran applications I've reviewed, I must once again that being unique or a snowflake does not automatically mean being bad. With the exception of Poslan there are surprisingly few cripple Tajara which is strange considering the massive three-way world war going on back home. There's something probably to be said about modern medicine, but there's also something to be said about the poor medical care people from the NKA would receive.

"Having to rely on people she might consider enemies in order to function in her job is a reality I'd enjoy her to have as she starts to develop."

There's a surprising lack of argument, disagreement, and especially violence on station despite the fact that some people might find themselves working alongside ex-soldiers who might've killed their family, and even though some factions advocate genocide against others. I'm not saying Tajara players should be at each others throats all day every day, clawing each other and getting thrown in the brig every round- but they should be more at odds. How do you feel Hadassah will interact with other Tajara knowing they could have served on the very frontline which threatens to snuff out her nation? Do you think it'll come off more as biting her tongue, or getting along in species solidarity?

Hadassah's not an experienced traveler beyond her corner of Adhomai, and is quite worried about the prominence of the PRA government offworld. She'd want to bite her tongue in order to feel safer in an unfamiliar place (and to avoid any unnecessary scrutiny from PRA authorities), but she is proud and opinionated, and could probably be provoked into a debate that's more telling of her ideals, or into making some other slip up in an impassioned moment. If relationships with the Tajaran crew develop over time, I can see her growing to be more tolerant of opposing views, but she definitely feels strongly enough not to accept them at face value. At her best she'd want to try and convince her friends, and at her worst she wouldn't be above lashing out at someone who pressed the right buttons.

Thank you for the point-by-point! The clarifications and questions are much appreciated.

[Mofo1995]

Thanks for responding! I'm a bit busy today, but you can 100% expect me to respond tomorrow, just wanted you to know this isn't forgotten/neglected.

[Mofo1995]

Okay, I've read through your response and carefully considered it. I believe that you are going to make a healthy addition to the Tajaran community. Application accepted