Torchwick (Sam Relius / REL) Mentor Application

[Torchwick]

Usual character name: Sam Relius (RELIUS) and Rel C. Silverstone (REL)
BYOND username: Torchwick
Discord username (if you are on our discord): thegeneraljay
Recommended by (if applicable): Munien
Goon servers you play: Mostly whichever is RP lowpop (currently 3) however I stop by highpop and classic to watch too!

Reason for application + game experience (300 word minimum):

It’s no surprise that I am a big enjoyer of the game and the server / community surrounding goonstation. I picked up the game in 2019 on classic and loved the concept, but found myself overwhelmed and didn’t hop back in until 2023 with a move to RP. I found a more welcomed connection that time around, enjoyed making my characters and developing them as time went on. Learning the game was (and still can be) a daunting task. I recall several scenarios in which I wouldn’t know how to complete a task and I would just close the game out of embarrassment. While it is just a game, the anxiety that came with admitting I didn’t know what to do was still something that hit hard. It was with the help of friendly mentors and other seasoned players that I began to get comfortable with asking for advice and learning at my own pace.

Fast forward to ye olde Tomato Tide of 2024. Lowpop started peaking at 70-80 and I found myself teaching new folks the basics of robotics, surgery, and doctoring. There’s a certain joy that comes with helping someone learn and recognize that /not knowing/ is totally fine, even on roleplay. I felt myself getting prideful to see those players that I helped teach pass on what I taught them as new people tried out the game and the newbees became the teachers. This was so cool.

So, to cut off my 'why do you want to be a mentor' rambling before it gets redundant… it can be summed up as this: While teaching and helping new players is definitely a goal and part of the purpose of being a mentor, I’d also just love to put my best foot forward in terms of repping a healthy, communicative and fun community for a passion-project game. Regardless of the outcome of the application, I won’t stop teaching people that need / want to be taught. I will always strive to be a friendly face for people of all confident levels to feel like they belong here. I just think that the tools (such as mhelp) available to mentors will make this easier to achieve. I want to help!

As far as game experience goes I'll try to summarize them here:

Medical: I am a robotics main (surprise surprise) which actually meant that I got the full package of 'on-the-job' training while playing lowpop. Sometimes I was the only person in the medical department, which meant I had to figure out doctoring, genetics, robotics-- all of that! I'm most confident in medical for sure, but as always, there's plenty for me to learn.

AI / Cyborg: Probably my second most played role. I love silicons and I do believe I have a fair grasp on law interpretation. As AI I strive to keep the round fun for both crew and antags, so balancing that is part of the joy of the role.

Security: I would never claim to be a security expert, but I have been enjoying playing it as of late! I can handle punishments in a fair manner (I hope) annnd I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt both IC and OOC when it comes to unique situations while playing security that you end up seeing. Fun role, fun group of players, and offering advice to new officers is always fun!

Engineering: Engineering is a very fun department for me. I enjoy setting up different engines (although I still need to learn Nuclear, whoops) and I love station repairs. Plenty for me to learn still regarding mech-comp too! I have the most fun while trying to learn that in game alongside someone else who is also trying to learn it.

Science: This one I'm not SUPER familiar with, but I know basics. Basic chemical production and artlab is about as far as I go in science, but I really do want to learn toxins and telesci. Maybe one day!

Civilian: Civilian roles are very fun. I have a bit of experience in each role in this category so I think I could definitely help newer folks learn the ropes, especially if they chose janitor, chef, etc.

Command: I have played most command roles with the exception of RD! Not much to say here; I just enjoy them sometimes and take them as an opportunity to delegate and/or teach some folks some stuff.


Previous bans (while this will not affect your application lying about it will): 1 day temp ban in 2023

[Carton]

Easy +1 from me.

They helped me relearn surgery when I played robotics after a long absence, were helpful but not pushy about it, have been a constant positive prescence in the discord, answering questions and promoting the lowpop servers, and all around have been essentially exactly what you want as a community representative and teacher.

[Munien]

Always a friendly presence on the discord and ingame, I constantly see them do their best to welcome people to the servers OOC and in-character, going to great lengths to make people feel recognised and welcomed. Have seen them helping people out in many departments on many occasions, especially medical.

From more personal experience, I took a bit of a break from the game for a while and had a lot of anxiety about joining for a few reasons. One of the biggest things that helped me ease my way back into playing again was the kindness and welcoming attitude that they showed me unconditionally. I did not tell them about my worries or anything, they just naturally welcomed me and treated me with kindness, and I have seen them treat many others this way - I think it speaks a lot to their attitude, and why I think they would make a very good mentor.

[Cal]

Very polite, inclusive, kind and helpful on Discord and in game both.

Has graciously interacted with me in game while I had a random name with friendliness and included me equal to long time friends.

I would definitely be approving of Torchwick as a mentor.

[sunkiisu]

Jay is a fantastic and patient teacher in and out of game (thank you, hero, for having the wherewithal to walk me through why python code does what it does,) and I feel has a really solid head on their shoulders. I've seen them both helping and working pretty much every department on station, and I feel fairly confident if I had a question about how something worked they could answer, or at least point me in the direction of someone who could. So, generally, big +1

[SonOfAShepherd]

Torchwick (aka Jay) has genuinely been one of the most positive influences I've seen in a gaming community, and I say that with absolutely no flattery or bias. Her dedication to making sure rounds play out interestingly, fairly, and just plain enjoyably has never once wavered in the past year and a half that I've been playing. This extends to EVERYONE, whether she knows you personally or not, and I truly believe that's the number one quality a Mentor (and a player in general) can have.

In terms of communication, Torchwick is clear with how she does something and why to anyone who asks, and she presents it with a polite and calm demeanor that ensures nobody feels scorned or targeted by hostility. She has a habit of uplifting people and trying to make sure they can brush off the bad times in order to hold onto the good, win or lose, which is something I think every group/community desperately needs.

I'm aware that it may come off like I'm being too nice or playing favorites, but I can assure you that if you were to put on a random name, walk up to Torchwick in-game, and then ask her how to do something? She'd happily tell you without an ounce of hesitation, and probably make you laugh doing it. I could not be more sure of vouching for someone to become a Mentor. Torchwick has my +1.

[Drunkangel]

I've forgotten a lot of things, they've taken the time to remind me even when I have completely random names or random borg names. Plays well with meta information to make rounds go in a fun direction instead of what helps them specifically. Being able to respond to mhelps and mentor mouse people would only mean they can do it even better. Like I always ask myself "If a vampire or ling asked how to kill them, would they respond even if they die?" and Torchwick would. +1

[Nerkson]

A constant source of positivity and encouragement, and a huge desire to do good by the community and for the community. Torchwick would be an excellent addition to the team. +1