[Accepted] JamOfBoy's Vaurca Application

[JamOfBoy]

kois yezzer

BYOND Key: Jamchop23334

Character Names: Eosisei Guwan, Meris, Lark

Species you are applying to play: Vaurca

What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt): RGB 51, 0, 0 - Unbound Zo'ra.

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

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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: Vaurcae seem to be the most fleshed out and complicated race in terms of both in-game mechanics and lore (No offence to the other races, it's just the way I see it) and that intrigues me. I think it'd be a challenge to properly RP a Vaurca, and I want to challenge myself.

Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: A whole lot. Let's start with the mechanics. The Vaurcae language is a global message system, similar to the binary which the AI and station-bound have. Vaurcae (workers) don't need hardsuits typically - their carapace renders them pressure and cold resistant, which is good because they can't wear many suits. They require phoron to breathe. This is helpful (in the few seconds before a fire breaks out) when someone floods the station with phoron. They're immune to slipping, but so are the perfect race, Skrell. They can only eat k'ois - something which I have a bit of a gripe with. Vaurcae don't self-heal like the other races, making them slightly similar to IPCs in that every bit of damage adds up. They take double the toxin damage, they bleed out very fast, and flashes will blind if done repeatedly. Cloning a Vaurca will clone them without any non-organic parts. Workers are slower, but more resistant to damage except fire. Warriors are more resistant to fire damage, are faster, and can bite.

In terms of non-mechanical differences, Vaurcae have very photosensitive eyes, and get migraines from exposure to lights. As a trade-off, they can see extremely well in the dark. Vaurcae are usually specialised for their job, and wouldn't typically be good at two completely different positions. For example, one working in security may have a tall and broad body and may be very adept in hand-to-hand combat but would know nothing about science in any form.

Their speech is also something to note. While the common element, both before and after the new lore changes, was to replace 's' with 'z' and call it a day, the new changes indicate the struggles a being with such an odd mouth would have communicating - even with prosthetic help. The 'p' sound can turn into 'b', 't' into 'd', 's' retains it's change into 'z', 'g' goes into 'k' as if your nose was blocked, 'f' goes into 'v' and 'sh' noises can go into 'zh'. It's important to note that not all of these impediments are necessary to be upheld at all times, and since the cybernetic implants can vary from Vaurcae, not all impediments may take affect.

Vaurcae have three sacred words which, depending on their brood, must uphold, very similar to some religions in the real world. The first word, Procedure, is the most vital - it states that every Unbound Vaurcae has the right to voice their general objections to their Brood about subjects or questions, and that they are allowed to form their own, personal but informed and educated opinions about said subjects.

The second word, Consensus, means the same thing as it does to us - it means that everyone agrees on something that either satisfies the masses or satisfies everyone. It means everyone gave their opinions, voiced their complaints and received answers, explanations or work-arounds for them.

The third word is Discipline, and my my does this link to real-world religions. Similar to how monks would undergo suffering to rid themselves of greed and impurities in their character, Vaurcae do not seek comfort or enjoyment in Material.

Character Name: Ka'Akaix'Mezi Zo'ra

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

Mezi experienced true joy within the virtual world - she explored the world of engineering and physics. While others built complex machines and engines, or went full architect and built hives, Mezi built systems of pipes and pumps, and experienced the world of atmospherics primarily. Though she initially dabbled with all kinds or engineering, meeting like-minded Vaurcae and sharing ideas and knowledge, her passion remained squarely on the world of pumping phoron. Working with others to create complex networks applicable to the simplest of things felt wonderful.

The faintest of noises - a bump, a hiss, a click - all muffled by the euphoria of this paradise were the warnings that arrived too late. Mezi was yanked - her number drawn, absolute - from her paradise, brought into such a strange and unknowing dream. She had Descended. She pushed out with her mind and felt the pressure of the hive. In this moment knowledge swarmed to her. Ax'tal received a request from Nanotrasen for an Engineer, and Mezi had the Black Number. She found herself on Biesel, confused. She had accepted to work, of course - but the disconnection she felt was crushing. Time rushed by like a blur - a painfully bright, colourless blur - and her body felt numb. Her life in the real world began.

As Vaurcae aren't allowed 'proper' jobs as it were, Mezi is a mere Engineering Apprentice. She faces the working week headstrong and determined to make it to the weekend where she can sink back into Virtual, where she can tinker to her hearts' content.

Mezi looks at their disconnection from VR as a bad thing, but they're accepting of their new life and existence.

What do you like about this character?

I've seen a lot of Engineering Vaurcae, but never one who was an apprentice. On the wiki, it states that unbound are limited to civilian-level jobs only without the proper paperwork. Playing this character will also give me a good opportunity to learn engineering, as it along with security are the departments I've avoided.

How would you rate your role-playing ability? It isn't really for me to judge. If I had to rate myself, I'd go for a solid 7.5/10.

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Notes:

While I said Vaurcae were the most complex and detailed lore wise, it also means they're the hardest to get right. I know I've made some mistakes, I doubt I got it right on the first try. Feedback is appreciated.

Edited June 14, 2017 by Guest

[ChevalierMalFet]

Hah! My very first whitelist app!

This is a very solid application, and I'd accept you qua yourself without a problem. But now that I've become Vaurcaboss, there are a few lore changes in terms of how they get jobs and how they live inside the Virtual that I feel are worth examining.

- They no longer get 'dropped' out of the Virtual in order to work; they either volunteer to go or they're put in a labor lottery. In either case, they're sent off with great fanfare.

- The Virtual is not solitary by default; unless your character deliberately shunned the company of others, she could have piped it up with other like-minded pipefans.

- They have the ability to return to the Virtual for weekends, and in fact are expected to do so every other month.

- If they're going to 'find' work, it means they've gone voluntarily; if she were being press-ganged through the Black Numbers then there'd be a job waiting for her.

- New Gibson is Kte'kzil territory, which means it's kind of an autocracy for Vaurca - they have a single, visible, powerful leader who is stripping away Procedure.

Understand that most of these contingencies literally did not exist when you submitted the application, so no prejudice is held. If you can re-write it to incorporate these facts, then I will accept you. You may want to wait until tomorrow or the next day, when the wiki will be fully updated.

[JamOfBoy]

I'm humbled to be your first app, Vaurcaboss!

I'll wait until the wiki has been fully updated before reviewing my app. All of the changes seem reasonable so I'll be glad to incorporate them when I get to read in more detail - I knew that with the coming of a new Vaurca lore writer I'd have to change it at some point. Thanks for your feedback.

[ChevalierMalFet]

That's a very good attitude, and I appreciate it. Drop a reply in this thread when you're ready for me to take another look, but provided you keep the tone you have so far, I foresee no problems.

[JamOfBoy]

Hey, I've updated the backstory. I had a little bit of trouble fleshing it out, but that's probably due to my choice of Brood. If you have any suggestion on how to expand on the backstory a little, I'd appreciate it, but if you think it's fine the way it is, you don't have to bother. I've also updated the 'what makes it different to roleplay' section, more for compensation of the chunks of backstory I cut.

[ChevalierMalFet]

Everything is grand! I would still say that you generally don't get 'blindsided' by the black number - everyone eligible gets gathered together and they have an opportunity to plead why they should be exempt - but that's ultimately small potatoes. You have the feel and the tone, and that's what matters most.

+1 and ACCEPTED, pending me figuring out how to actually give you the thing. Please stand by.

EDIT: I figured out how to do all the things! Now you are truly accepted. Go forth, my child, in the name of Consensus, and Procedure, and Discipline.