Post by Roach on Dec 22, 2015 4:55:30 GMT
Vortigaunt Lore/Backstory
Vortigaunts are an alien species seen in the Half-Life series. They lived in their home-world until the Combine invaded it much like Earth was invaded by the combine. The surviving Vortigaunts fled to Xen, which is a border-world between dimensions. In Xen, the Vortigaunts were enslaved by the Nihilanth. When the humans at Black Mesa discovered they could create portals to Xen to cross dimensions they began to research it. However, an accident called the Resonance Cascade occurred due to the G-Man providing a crystal that caused the machines to overload. This overload caused the portal between Xen and Earth to open, allowing anything on Xen to come through. The Nihilanth commanded the Vortigaunts to attack Earth. The green shackles seen on the Vortigaunts in Half Life were used to control them. But, when Gordon Freeman destroyed the Nihilanth it freed the Vortigaunts and let them roam free on Earth. The portal storms raged on however and the Combine saw this as a conquest opportunity and so, the Combine came through Xen to invade Earth. The Combine took over in the 7 hour war and the Vortigaunts that weren't enslaved by the Combine fled to the Slums of various Cities in the hopes of one day starting a rebellion.
The Vortessence
The Vortessence is a binding force that connect all Vortigaunts and the fabric of the universe, it is believed that every bit of physical matter is made of Vortal Cords. The Vortigaunts call upon the Vortessence in their time of need for things such as using their powers and talking in Vortigese. In Half Life Episode 2, a Vortigaunt utilizes the Vortessence to jump start a generator in the caverns. The power known as Flux shifting is when the vortigaunts speak in their native tongue.
The tongue cannot be understood by others because it involves speaking in pitches above the range of human hearing.
Vortigaunt Hierarchy
Enslaved
These Vortigaunts were enslaved by the combine and do labor work like cleaning the streets of garbage. Their shackles and other enslavement machinery prevent them from using the Vortessence an overtime they forgot how to use it completely. At the end of Episode 2 any surviving enslaved Vortigaunts were able to escape with relative ease. However their shackles remained firmly attached and as such they had a low chance of survival unless someone took them off.
Student
Students are Vortigaunts that have just escaped the Combine. They have a very weak connection to the Vortessence due to spending so much time enslaved. Students are able to materialize a small green orb that does nothing but project light, they must be taught the Vortessence by a Teacher or above in order to rank up to...
Neophyte
Neophytes are Vortigaunts that were taught the basics of the Vortessence. They can utilize the Vortessence to heal small cuts and minor infections and repair scars.
Shaman
Shamans are Vortigaunts that are in the process of being taught major skills to have a greater connection to the Vortessence. They can heal minor bullet wounds, power electronic devices for a few minutes and they have better healing skills. They are also capable of producing a minor bolt attack which can, at maximum strength, force a human into unconsciousness.
Teacher
These Vortigaunts have the skills and connection necessary in order to teach a kin. They are able to shoot stronger bolts, utilize a weak shield that slows, but doesn't fully stop, bullets. power electric items for a day or so, stop minor diseases, infections, second degree burns and they have the ability to make other humans regain consciousness.
Elder
Elders are vortigaunts that have mastered most aspects of the Vortessence. They are able to shoot the strongest type of bolt, utilize a moderately powerful shield that stop bullets, are able to power electronic devices for several weeks, stop major diseases/infections from spreading, heal first degree burns and they have the ability to start/stop a human heart. (If a human has a heart attack, a Elder would be able to revive them.)
Grand Elder
The Grand Elders are the rarest type of Vortigaunt as there can only be one in any given region. If another was to somehow arrive then the Grand Elder with less training would have to accept being Elder. Grand Elders wear a brown cloak as a sign of their rank and they are easily distinguishable as a result. They are VERY highly influenced in the Vortessence, The Grand Elders are able to train any type of Vortigaunt and are able to lead massive chants. Their abilities include healing large cuts, large bullet wounds, all types of infection, burns, and healing up wound processes, they also possess many offensive/defensive capabilities, all of which make them a formidable opponent. A Grand Elder can temporarily transport himself into the Void and then back into the normal realm for fast travel, effectively making it a clumsy teleport. This process drains the Grand Elder of most of its power however so he will need to rest for a few days afterward. A Grand Elder can also summon a pack of antlions to his aid, also draining most of the Grand Elder's energy.
Councillor
Councillors are Vortigaunts that have exceeded Grand Elder and are now too old to properly use the Vortessence. Their only purpose now is to elect a Grand Elder if the current one should die, and to provide mentoring to the less-experienced.
Powers
Student
-Can create a small Vortessence Orb which provides light.
Neophyte
-Everything from Student
-Basic Healing (small cuts and minor infections and repair scars.)
Shaman
-Everything from Neophyte.
-Weak bolt attack
-Moderate healing (Bullet wounds, burns)
-Briefly power electronic devices.
Teacher
-Everything from Shaman.
-Moderate bolt attack
-Excellent healing (First degree burns, force humans to regain consciousness.)
-Weak shield
-Temporarily power electronic devices.
Elder
-Everything from Teacher
-Excellent bolt attack
-Can stop/start a human heart.
-Moderate shield
Grand Elder
-Everything from Elder
-Excellent Shield
-Can briefly transport to the Void and out again.
-Can summon Antlions
-Permanently power electronic devices.
