JParker890 - Species - Vox

[JParker890]

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---====== This is my second Vox application, but it is not for the same character. ======---

[+]

My first Vox ended up hot-headed, snappy, and generally unenjoyable to interact with, and why? The short version is I put Vox lore-accurate personality over my actual more-chill RP preference, hoping to strike a balance. It failed, and rightfully so.
After much time in the oven, I am here to port over what I feel is a much more enjoyable Vox personality that still respects the Vox's core concepts. Hopefully; see what you think.

BYOND CKey: jparker890

Names of Characters you play: Nukem-04 (borg), Elco Summers (miner), Dolarin Hyde (paramed)

How long you've been playing Vorestation: Almost a month and a half.

[+]

I also have evidence of over 700 active gameplay hours across Space Station 14 servers that may count as RP experience. Low balling a guess of at least 70 hours as a Vox there (likely more); it became my favorite species once implemented.

What Species are you applying for? Vox

What are typical names for the Species?: Lore-wise they have multiple names of varying lengths, but in-game they simplify to unintelligible noises such as Yikihakati, Hitakkatigi, and Kreitiminine. To make it easier to address in RP, I'm splitting my character's name into two parts: likely "Krey-Timinine", allowing people to address him as Krey.

Describe what you know about Species: Since the wiki itself states Vox lore is outdated, I'll mention only some core elements here.
Vox are stereotypically recognized as raiders and pirates of space. They have extremely advanced technology (known for their FTL drives in particular) that they use to warp in, raid shuttles, and warp out, returning to their own secluded sectors of space to never interact with cops or general society. Rather than inhabiting planets, they inhabit arkships, which are massive space vessels serving just about every purpose a home planet would.
The truth of it isn't common knowledge throughout space. For instance, not all Vox are pirates; it's typically the young Vox that actually become raiders, almost for sport. While older Vox still live off the grid, the thrill of raiding is usually gone by then. For the Vox population in general, they won't admit their tech is actually stagnant. It's been maintained more so than developed, so there is still some need for the traditional raiding of other people's tech to stay up to date.
In the lore, the vox are very prideful and heavily look down on other species; however, in the interest of avoiding derogatory and unfun roleplay (I'm playing the 'outdated-lore' card here) I'm ignoring this aspect entirely. If I'm playing a Vox, they genuinely care, with any quips being playful at worst and supportive at best. I feel that Vox who integrate into general society tend to warm up to its diversity. I enjoy this RP better anyways. See my sample RP.

What would be a typical way for this species to start working for NT? Vox are generally distrusted and often stay off the intergalactic social grid, so the hiring circumstances tend to be unusual if hiring happens at all. The Vox needs to be somehow willing to work for an organization outside the Vox's own sector, and the hiring party either needs to be clueless, desperate, or have some kind of ulterior motive. In NT's case, they would likely only hire a Vox if they felt the command structure over them could keep them in line. There are some valuable secrets that could be extracted from them.



How about a sample roleplay? Easily the bulk of this application.

"Let him in."
The doors open, revealing the next interviewee. It's an intelligent middle-aged raptorlike creature, hunched over but in its natural position. His tail flicks as he approaches the interview table with a steady gait. He stops next to the desk, directly beside his chair, and looks at the woman behind the desk.
"Tacha. Haki skreeeee ka-AHK!"
To their credit, the recruiter seems only mildly fazed.
"Galactic common, if you please. Or may I provide a translator?"
"Kreh-" the Vox stops themself, then darts his head to one side, and back forward. It's almost a birdlike motion.
"S'... sorry, mih... miss." They cough once, then poise up a bit. "Habits. 'pleasure to be here." His voice sounds a bit... chirpy. There's a higher-pitched undertone, one that's well supported by the lungs.
"The pleasure belongs to NanoTrasen." The recruiter opens a small desk drawer to retrieve a pen for their notepad, the notepad having been placed on the table prior.
"Yes," the Vox says, looking down as to make sure they sit properly on their chair. "But please, I am being too formal." He looks back at the interviewer, leaning back slightly with their legs forward in a comfortable pose.
"Then let us start with your name." The recruiter begins to jot notes.
"Kreitiminine," he chirps without difficulty. "Do you want me to spell it? Or I will suggest 'Krey', to save you a step, kheheh. They always shorten it."
"Thank you, Krey. I see here you are applying to become a chef. Cooking food for station personnel and visitors."
"Yes. I can make a good burger, or a toast, or an orange juice..."
"Before you list all that," the recruiter cuts in, setting down their pen to look at Krey directly, "I'm going to interrupt you, and go straight to the point. Believe it or not, NanoTrasen has different interests aside from cooking. At least for you."
Krey stops, looking at the recruiter with an expression only recognizable as mild confusion. "Keh?"
"We've been observing your ship. The outside, of course, and we can tell it's been modified. Highly, actually." She clasps her hands together. "What NanoTrasen sees in you is engineering expertise."
"Yaka. It's typical skill."
"Maybe typical for the Vox. But what makes you different is your willingness to work for someone. A corporation outside your own arkships"
Krey drops their head backwards to look at the ceiling. "Yeeeah, not full engineering. Cobbled parts, keh, more like a mishmash hobby."
"That's still a skill. One good enough to catch our attention. NanoTrasen wants you for it."
"Krah." Krey looks down again towards the recruiter. "So maybe my burgers are just okay, mostly use rats anyway. But engineering, I worry you are asking for too much from me. Asking for Vox trade secrets, no?"
"We are not looking to exploit you for knowledge," she replies. That was somewhat misleading, since getting hints about Vox technology would be paramount for advancing FTL technology. "If you are offering to work in more of a technical department, NanoTrasen is willing to hire you on the spot."
After a moment, Krey smiles just a bit. "You know what? Done. I can keep my secrets."
She smiles too. "There are multiple positions open, but to start, you be assigned to the Engineering department of the Virgo-Erigone system of stations, where you will be allowed to flex into cargo and science. Tasks may include shuttle maintenance, power generation-"
Krey speaks just barely loud enough for the recruiter to hear, head turned to look at something in his left hand while she speaks. "Kriti. Some secrets to hide, some secrets to take."
"-and potentially medical work depending on your..." She stops. "Taking what?"
Noticing Krey's gaze, the recruiter looks at his closed hand. Then down at the notepad on her desk, and finally at the black pen in her own right hand. This wasn't the blue pen she set out before the meeting.
"You... stole my pen."
"Keheh. To show you I'm quick!" He flings the blue pen across the table, where it bounces once and falls off behind the desk. His laugh is more like a series of screeches that fill the room in waves. "Good sport! I was waiting for you to find it out."
They sit for a moment watching each other, Krey just beaming. He has a thought. "Oh! And not take that thievery serious, miss. This job is more valuable than a single piece of tech. I will not be taken for a childlike raider who steals any tech I see."
"Yes, we understand." This one at least doesn't have an extensive crime history. Nothing's going to get stolen by him.
Krey sits back in his chair. "Good. Are we done?"
"Yes, we are." She stands, offering a casual handshake.
Krey stands from his chair, tail flicking to keep him stable. After a pause, he too reaches a clawed hand to complete the gesture. "When do I start this position?"
"We'll send you the papers."
Krey nods his bird-like head forward once, then turns and walks towards the door. "The pen, was it too far?"
"Too far? You just took a pen, then gave it back."
"Too far past the desk, keheh." He looks back at the recruiter before leaving. "I do 'preciate your time, miss." His tail flicks one more time as it slinks behind the closing door.

[JParker890]

Clarification about the RP:
The recruiter lists several departments. I am not making the Vox a know-everything character; they just haven't been assigned a position yet. I'd like to allow them to swap between Engineer and Roboticist (depending on my OOC mood), server rules permitting. They're good with a gun too given how Vox are raised; maybe NT would assign them a temporary miner role to fill for someone?

[satinisle]

We are approving this application. I believe you've made a good effort to take on the advice from the previous application and you'll make for a good Vox player here.

[satinisle]

I've added you to the whitelist via github, you should have access to the species when the game is next updated (usually every Sunday): https://github.com/VOREStation/VOREStation/pull/16602