Jparker890 - Species - Vox

[JParker890]

BYOND CKey: Jparker890

Names of Characters you play: Dolarin Hyde, Elco Summers

How long you've been playing Vorestation: About 20 hours. (I have a lot of general Space Station experience however, including Vox roleplay; see the extra info section)

What Species are you applying for?: Vox.

What are typical names for the Species?: Their names often sound like screaming or screeching noises, such as Kiakigiyai or Taighiki, with lots of K's and I's. (When translated, these names often spell out a general story, such as DarkBeakSolBraveRaider, simplified to BraveSolKriii for daily use.) For my own character, to make it easier to roleplay with, I'll follow the former format but split it into two parts; something like Krei-Tihgikinein or some variation, so that crewmates can easily use the shorter name Krei.

Describe what you know about Species: First, the stereotype. The Vox act as fierce raiders with behavior similar to pirates; they raid and plunder, destroying stations and vessels, then FTL away with the goods, never interacting with the authorities or the common sector. It's a luxurious and exciting life, meaning they don't have to make their own goods as they can just steal someone else's assets and technology. They're the kings of space, more or less, and everything else is beneath them.

[+]

Back to reality, plundering isn't actually all that exciting. Much time is spent waiting in the middle of empty space in the hope for cruisers or transports to fly by, and as far as combat goes Vox can be quite cowardly if they see themselves lacking the upper hand. They won't tell you that of course.

As far as their culture, they typically keep to their own kind, seeing all other races as significantly inferior one way or another. Humans are stupid monkeys and dust-breathers, furry creatures have smelly fur, diona at the very least have useful fruits and flowers on occasion so they're somewhat redeemable, et cetera ((See my sample RP below; I don't plan on being a perpetual jerk)). They have a hierarchy based on fighting prowess, love a challenge, and often kill other Vox in combat. Their technology is extremely advanced (their FTL drives being a particuarly curious and powerful invention) but has stagnated in recent times due to their new reliance on plundering the latest tech.
Other species don't often know what to think of the Vox since they pop in and out often. Do they have gender? Reproduce with eggs? Even have a home world? This information is kept vague in the lore ((so I'll be keeping it vague too. Except maybe the egg thing. And actually, they don't have a home world, as they generally live and reproduce in massive space stations called Arkships.))

Give an example of RP with this species: ((Being a perpetual elitist jerk is no fun for anyone, so I'm trying a different RP vibe instead. They do care, despite what they think. Here's an example tailored more towards how I would RP them))

Code: Select all

Passerby: "What... are you doing?"
Vox: prying open a panel on the wall, "Tamperin' with none your business."
Passerby: "That the... air conditioner?"
Vox continues their work, not once turning to face their visitor.
Vox: "Filters. Now get out." Makes no attempt to shoo you away.
Passerby: "Now why would you..." pauses, noticing the large phoron tank on the Vox's back.
Vox: "Your oh-so-generous NanoTraysen figured a tank on the back and a face mask were good enough. Everything's poison here."
Vox puts away their prybar, switching to a small device that they begin connecting to the gas filter.
Passerby: "Poison?"
Vox: "The air, the crew, the lifestyle. That's everything, miss. Glad you like it here."
Passerby: "I... do. What does that have to do-"
Vox: "You get the whole station, and I get this room. Once I make it mine, 'f course."
Passerby: "Well, don't go too far. If engineering finds out, or security~"
Vox: "I am engineering, miss."
Passerby: "You're the chef."
Vox hesitates, taken aback. Then they snap towards the passerby and grabs them by their jumpsuit.
Vox: "Listen here. You wouldn't guess, but I happen to have a restricted-access resizing gun and could eat you right now."
The vox narrows their brows. "And I don't think you would like that. Capiche?" Releases their jumpsuit, then turns to resume their work.
...
Passerby: "Actually, I might."
Vox: "You wouldn't. Unlike me." Pauses, then looks back at the Passerby. "Is that supposed to a challenge?"
Passerby: "You tell me."
Vox: huffs, then turns back around to tinker some more.

What would be a typical way for this species to start working for NT? They're incredibly rare to see working for NT because they're recognized as a selfish and plundering species. Likely, NT would first find outliers who were a little less... troublesome than the rest. Then they would entice them with something that they desperately want, or allow them to steal a thing or two to fuel their pirate ego ((by placing rare stuff into trash piles?)). Given Vox technology, their kind would make great scientists, and also given their rarity, great science experiments.

Do you want to detail anything further? While my playtime on this server is relatively low (as well as SS13 playtime in general), I do have extensive playtime on Space Station 14, a remake/offshoot of SS13 outside the BYOND engine. Here's a screenshot of my playtime and characters from one server there:

SS14 Wizden Character Stats

ss14Exp.png (128.62 KiB) Viewed 253 times

[JParker890]

Give a more forum-traditional example of RP with this species. Include sparse meta-commentary from both characters:
Recruiter: "Ah, yes, Come in."
The near human-sized Vox enters from the door on the other side of the room, then dully states,"You postponed this interview for a week."
Recruiter: "It hasn't been that long. Please, sit down."
"And let someone in before me, out of turn?"
Recruiter: Sighs. "They are a regular here. Scheduled in advance and had several recommendations. You, on the other hand, came into our system unexpectedly, and had nobody vouching for your acceptance."
The Vox stands for a moment, thinking. "I have myself. Betcha busy."
Recruiter: gestures their hand towards a chair. "We are always busy. You're here now, so let's get to it."
The Vox crosses the room, one inhuman step at a time. A large Phoron tank clatters against their back, hooked into their facial breathing mask.
Recruiter: "Let's see here." They slide a printed copy of paper past their half-empty third serving of coffee as the Vox unclips the Phoron tank from their back, gripping it with their right-hand claws as they sit across the table. The paper reads "17th rev" in the upper right corner. "Let's start with what you've written. I see it's been updated. Tell me abou-"
"I fixed it! Two dozen times."
Recruiter: Looks up from the document. "Mostly within the first hour of submission. Why is that?"
"I think, then improve it." They pause, then look at the table. "That is why I fix things good."
Recruiter: "Very good. Now-"
"Well! I fix them well."
Recruiter: "Yes." Glances back at the document before continuing. "Tell me about your education and your skillset. For one, your mastery of Galactic Common is unusual."
"I am a scientist!" the Vox's face beams. "I tinker with robots, and technology. Very high end, I might add. Like yours, NanoTrasen's." The Vox sets down their canister. "But better."
Recruiter: "You mention here you're an engineer. That qualifies you to work more on engines, not robotics." They click their pen. "No issue, we can adjus-"
The Vox lets out a quiet shrill, cursing to itself. "No no, scientist. I do science. Gadgets work."
Recruiter: Makes a note within the wide margins of the application. "Science and development, got it. Do you have any skill working with engines then? We have a special interest there."
"...Yes," the Vox appends.
Recruiter: "Wonderful. Are your skills self-taught? Institutional?"
"All from the Arkship Khitilei-" they cut themselves short. "That one. Raised with it."
Recruiter: "I see." Takes some notes. "Can you tell me more?"
"No."
Recruiter: Looks at the Vox expectantly. After a minute, they dismissively look back down at the paper. "Thank you. Do you have any records working for NanoTrasen, or other organizations?"
"None."
Recruiter: "Interesting. Crime history?"
"None," they repeat, not skipping a beat.
Recruiter: "Noted. Height and weight?"
"They took that already."
Recruiter: "Just making sure." They set down their pen and place their elbows on the table. They look directly at the Vox. "Final question for you today. What will you contribute to NanoTrasen?"
"I contribute?" Their demeanor shifts somewhat, looking a bit more attentive and clear-headed. "I will fix your gadgets and fix your air. All fixed an' better." After a moment, they relax back to normal. "You'll get good maintenance from me."
Recruiter: "Thank you. I'll add that to my final evaluation."
There is a short period of silence as the Recruiter grabs their mug and takes a sip, skimming their notes one more time. "Thank you for coming in today. Given your skillset, we are considering you for a few positions aboard one, two of our stations. We will send communication to you when the final decision's been made."
The Vox stands from their seat, lifting their Phoron tank off the ground. "Will it be a week?"
Recruiter: "It'll take however long it takes. Let there be no expectation."
The Vox nods once, then twists to clip its tank back onto its back. "'Pleasure."
With that accomplished, it turns and leaves the room, muttering to itself something about hoping their ship hasn't been taken.