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.
-All Vortigaunts accept the title "Vort"-
False. This is another one that happens a lot, humans calling Vortigaunts they just met "Vort". Depending on the individual, they may accept this title, they may decline it or they may take it as an insult. It is always best to ask first.
-Vorts are guaranteed to be friendly on approach-
Nope. They are just as likely to be as hostile as a human if given a reason.
-Vortigaunts eat potatoes-
Here is a strange one I encountered recently. While vorts can eat Human food, a free vort would much rather hunt for it's own prey ie: headcrabs and antlions. It may also be fair to assume that they may even eat human if that's all that's around.
-All Vortigaunts are masters of the Vortessence-
Though it can be assumed almost every free vort you will encounter has knowledge on how to wield the vortessence, this does not mean they are masters of it, some may have a lot of control over it while others find it hard to control.
-Vortigaunts are infinitely wise-
Nope. Some Vorts may be wise by age or by personality, they may have plenty of knowledge however they are still living creatures prone to emotions, this can cloud judgement and vision, it can lead to mistakes. Just like Humans, Vortigaunts make mistakes.
-Vortigaunts will help you out when you need it-
Need to power up a generator? Need to be healed? This does not mean the vort is obliged to help, again, you wouldn't expect a human to be a conduit put there to help you, so don't expect it of Vortigaunts.
Things you may not know about Vortigaunts
-Kin-
The Vortigaunts I have seen always use the word "Kin" it means brothers and sisters, like a family. When Vortigaunts use it it can mean one of two things. The first meaning of "Kin" is the general species, the vortessence means all vorts are linked so naturally they view every vort as a brother or sister. The second definition is for a close circle of vortigaunts that make up a real close family that can be called upon to assist a Vortigaunt.
-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.
Thank you for reading this guide, I hope you know know some of the false assumptions and know not to make them now.
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.