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Half-Life 2 Roleplay => Archive => HL2RP Development[ARCHIVE] => Guides => Topic started by: Dallas on July 30, 2012, 03:30:10 AM Backup Sections => Half-Life 2 Roleplay => Archive => HL2RP Development[ARCHIVE] => Guides => Topic started by: Dallas on July 30, 2012, 03:30:10 AMThis is all well and good but it all goes down to what the character does ICly to make them think these things. The character cannot just suddenly take all this IC and be cautious around Vortiguants. For instance if a Vortiguant has been very kind to them in the past then they may believe that all the race are meant to act that way. Of course its a misconseption that all Vortiguants are good. I have met many who are willing to kill my character and others. But the fact is how you play IC and how you have built up your character OOC.
Vortigaunts!- The Common Misconceptions
Hello, I am an avid Vortigaunt RP'er; I play on both the Outlands server with my free vort, and city for my conscript. In my short time, I have noticed a lot of people tend to have some misunderstandings about Vortigaunts, in this guide I will run by some things that are true and others that are simply not.
The Misconceptions
-All Vorts like humans-
False. This is an idea I have come across multiple times. Considering the Vortigaunts at this stage (one year on from the War in CG's Canon) the race are basically stranded on Earth, hunted by the Combine, surrounded by these Humans. This does not mean they will like you, it may be quite the opposite.
-Every Vortigaunt has a deep respect for life-
False. Think of it this way; the species has been torn untimely from it's home world by the Combine, forcing them to flee to Xen then the species is shoved into the frontlines to invade Earth, after the war they find themselves surrounded by creatures with no moral code (Humans). In short, Vortigaunts are only as obliged to a moral compass as we are, it is now an optional burden given the circumstances.
I am also avid vort roleplayer and its lovely to see discussions about stuff like this. Each vort is entitled to playing their vort how they wish but I want to discuss some of the things you brought up.
Like previously stated every is vortigaunt entitled to playing their vort how they want so in technical terms saying that every vortigaunt has a deep respect for life is false is technically true. Lets analyze this though like you said the vortigaunts as a species have been fleeing ever since the combine started chasing them. Even being enslaved during this time under the nihilanth being forced to invade earth when they were backed into a wall on Xen. I feel that all things considering being faced with their constant enslavement and pursuit by the combine they that they would definitely have a deep respect for life. Having this respect for life and freedom to live it, would make it way more likely for them to like humans because they both share the want for freedom they both want to break their common shackles that they share. Also the vortigaunts connection with the vortessence and their pantheistic that come with it also really help with the notion that they have a deep respect for life. Which they state that there exists a fundamental life-force which connects all, a "tapestry." It is due to this belief in the Vortessence that the vortigaunt species have an almost universal respect for life, in all its forms. Not only is life precious in and of itself, but it is implied that the source of the Vortessence's power lies in living things. Back to them liking humans, vortigaunts see humans as brothers in arms with the same purpose in mind this "Unity of purpose" to drive back the Universal Union. "We take our stand beside you, here, upon this miserable rock."
"Unity of purpose, the shattering of common shackles, a single road we tread."
So yeah thats how I feel about that.
I am also avid vort roleplayer and its lovely to see discussions about stuff like this. Each vort is entitled to playing their vort how they wish but I want to discuss some of the things you brought up.
Like previously stated every is vortigaunt entitled to playing their vort how they want so in technical terms saying that every vortigaunt has a deep respect for life is false is technically true. Lets analyze this though like you said the vortigaunts as a species have been fleeing ever since the combine started chasing them. Even being enslaved during this time under the nihilanth being forced to invade earth when they were backed into a wall on Xen. I feel that all things considering being faced with their constant enslavement and pursuit by the combine they that they would definitely have a deep respect for life. Having this respect for life and freedom to live it, would make it way more likely for them to like humans because they both share the want for freedom they both want to break their common shackles that they share. Also the vortigaunts connection with the vortessence and their pantheistic that come with it also really help with the notion that they have a deep respect for life. Which they state that there exists a fundamental life-force which connects all, a "tapestry." It is due to this belief in the Vortessence that the vortigaunt species have an almost universal respect for life, in all its forms. Not only is life precious in and of itself, but it is implied that the source of the Vortessence's power lies in living things. Back to them liking humans, vortigaunts see humans as brothers in arms with the same purpose in mind this "Unity of purpose" to drive back the Universal Union. "We take our stand beside you, here, upon this miserable rock."
"Unity of purpose, the shattering of common shackles, a single road we tread."
So yeah thats how I feel about that.
When the humans they have encountered have assaulted, abducted, starved, insulted and been in general racist towards a Vortigaunt he isn't exactly going to class them as 'brothers in arms'.
IMO, it all depends on the circumstance.
I am also avid vort roleplayer and its lovely to see discussions about stuff like this. Each vort is entitled to playing their vort how they wish but I want to discuss some of the things you brought up.
Like previously stated every is vortigaunt entitled to playing their vort how they want so in technical terms saying that every vortigaunt has a deep respect for life is false is technically true. Lets analyze this though like you said the vortigaunts as a species have been fleeing ever since the combine started chasing them. Even being enslaved during this time under the nihilanth being forced to invade earth when they were backed into a wall on Xen. I feel that all things considering being faced with their constant enslavement and pursuit by the combine they that they would definitely have a deep respect for life. Having this respect for life and freedom to live it, would make it way more likely for them to like humans because they both share the want for freedom they both want to break their common shackles that they share. Also the vortigaunts connection with the vortessence and their pantheistic that come with it also really help with the notion that they have a deep respect for life. Which they state that there exists a fundamental life-force which connects all, a "tapestry." It is due to this belief in the Vortessence that the vortigaunt species have an almost universal respect for life, in all its forms. Not only is life precious in and of itself, but it is implied that the source of the Vortessence's power lies in living things. Back to them liking humans, vortigaunts see humans as brothers in arms with the same purpose in mind this "Unity of purpose" to drive back the Universal Union. "We take our stand beside you, here, upon this miserable rock."
"Unity of purpose, the shattering of common shackles, a single road we tread."
So yeah thats how I feel about that.
When the humans they have encountered have assaulted, abducted, starved, insulted and been in general racist towards a Vortigaunt he isn't exactly going to class them as 'brothers in arms'.
IMO, it all depends on the circumstance.
Of course of course, very valid point. Though they would be wise to stay away from those humans as there are a lot more out there that greet them with open hands as allies. Though its all circumstance, Even though they may have been hurt by those humans its hard to take a general hatred towards the humans entirely because vortigaunts are all interconnected so we share in the pain that those vortigaunts have endured but they also share in the good we see from all of those we have encountered that showed it. Its all up on on the roleplayer though how to feel/act.
I am also avid vort roleplayer and its lovely to see discussions about stuff like this. Each vort is entitled to playing their vort how they wish but I want to discuss some of the things you brought up.
Like previously stated every is vortigaunt entitled to playing their vort how they want so in technical terms saying that every vortigaunt has a deep respect for life is false is technically true. Lets analyze this though like you said the vortigaunts as a species have been fleeing ever since the combine started chasing them. Even being enslaved during this time under the nihilanth being forced to invade earth when they were backed into a wall on Xen. I feel that all things considering being faced with their constant enslavement and pursuit by the combine they that they would definitely have a deep respect for life. Having this respect for life and freedom to live it, would make it way more likely for them to like humans because they both share the want for freedom they both want to break their common shackles that they share. Also the vortigaunts connection with the vortessence and their pantheistic that come with it also really help with the notion that they have a deep respect for life. Which they state that there exists a fundamental life-force which connects all, a "tapestry." It is due to this belief in the Vortessence that the vortigaunt species have an almost universal respect for life, in all its forms. Not only is life precious in and of itself, but it is implied that the source of the Vortessence's power lies in living things. Back to them liking humans, vortigaunts see humans as brothers in arms with the same purpose in mind this "Unity of purpose" to drive back the Universal Union. "We take our stand beside you, here, upon this miserable rock."
"Unity of purpose, the shattering of common shackles, a single road we tread."
So yeah thats how I feel about that.
When the humans they have encountered have assaulted, abducted, starved, insulted and been in general racist towards a Vortigaunt he isn't exactly going to class them as 'brothers in arms'.
IMO, it all depends on the circumstance.
Of course of course, very valid point. Though they would be wise to stay away from those humans as there are a lot more out there that greet them with open hands as allies. Though its all circumstance, Even though they may have been hurt by those humans its hard to take a general hatred towards the humans entirely because vortigaunts are all interconnected so we share in the pain that those vortigaunts have endured but they also share in the good we see from all of those we have encountered that showed it. Its all up on on the roleplayer though how to feel/act.
Yes, but the problem is Vortigaunts are always going to be a troublesome subject due to the limited knowledge and in-game speech that can really only be interpreted personally, I think people should just roleplay them how they wish to, within reason of course.
-Most Vortigaunts do not like being approached by armed humans-
Simple instinct, remember Black Mesa? The Seven Hour War? The Vortigaunts don't have pleasant experiences when armed species approach them.
SUMMARY
Even though the Vortigaunts in Half Life 2 were decent, sensible beings we here at Catalyst Gaming are not and will not try to be simply because Vortigaunts in Half Life 2 were. We will be assholes, we will eat all of your potatoes and if you don't have them we'll eat you. We are not infinitely wise like Half Life 2 may have led you to believe and we won't try to be. Don't like it? Disconnect and go to TnB.
SUMMARY
Even though the Vortigaunts in Half Life 2 were decent, sensible beings we here at Catalyst Gaming are not and will not try to be simply because Vortigaunts in Half Life 2 were. We will be assholes, we will eat all of your potatoes and if you don't have them we'll eat you. We are not infinitely wise like Half Life 2 may have led you to believe and we won't try to be. Don't like it? Disconnect and go to TnB.
Very interesting guide, I must say.
Personally, my vortigaunts have rarely interacted with citizens and I tend not to speak with them, when encountered.
I might consider this guide, to further devolop my character. Great work.
Good post, this makes me want to change up my Vortigaunt RP to reflect some of the points you brought up, especially the ones about relationships with humans.