
<:: BIOTIC DATABASE ::>

Subject Species: The Vortigaunt
Designated unit term: BIOTIC / POLITICAL CONSCRIPT
Physical Appearance:
The Vortigaunts have a somewhat human-like appearance, walking on two legs with knees that bend backward, and their feet look like large hooves. Their bodies are covered in tough, leathery skin, usually a grayish-brown color.
They have long arms that reach past their hips, each ending in two sharp claws. One unusual feature is an extra arm sticking out from their chest, which seems to be used for feeding. Their bellies have four nipples and a belly button.
Vortigaunts walk hunched over with a strong neck and a head shaped like an oval. On their heads, there's a big eye in the middle surrounded by three smaller ones. They have tubes on the sides of their heads that act as noses that pulsate as they smell things in the air. Their mouth is right under their face and has sharp teeth. When they make sounds, their mouth moves, showing off those sharp teeth, and they make clicks, hisses, and other strange noises.
The "Vortigaunt":
The "Vortigaunt" as they refer to themselves as, are extraterrestial lifeforms that made their way on earth through the cataclysmic event that was the Resonance Cascade at the Black Mesa Research Facility. This event served as a catalyst, tearing open the fabric of space-time and bridging the gap between Earth and the alien world of Xen.
While their arrival was not entirely of their own volition, the violence and disruption around the globe that they have inadvertently caused indeed was of their own will. It served humanity a first example of the dangers of our instincts. We made the perfect prey and the Vortigaunts bloodlust quickly drove them to terrorize our local communities, cowardly avoiding larger human encounters.
What makes Vortigaunts equally evil?
The Vortessence holds a special place in Vortigaunt culture, almost like a god to them. It's this powerful force that they believe guides them and gives them their amazing abilities. But our researchers at Amaria Industries have found something interesting about it.
Contrary to their divine image, research from Amaria Industries suggests that Vortigaunts' powers stem from a scientific source: electromagnetic waves. These waves serve as a binding force among them, influencing their thoughts and actions. This interconnectedness, while initially fascinating, reveals a troubling truth.
The very essence that grants Vortigaunts their extraordinary abilities also harbors a potential for malevolence. Like a domino effect, if one Vortigaunt succumbs to negative impulses, it can trigger a cascade of similar behavior among others. In essence, their collective consciousness can amplify not just benevolence, but also darker inclinations.

This realization prompts reflection on our own nature. Are we, too, susceptible to unseen influences that sway our moral compass? The Vortigaunts' plight serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to confront the shadows within ourselves and strive for moral autonomy.
As we delve deeper into the complexities of the Vortessence, we are reminded that knowledge is a double-edged sword. While it illuminates, it also exposes the depths of our vulnerabilities. In this pursuit of understanding lies the potential for enlightenment, yet also the risk of confronting uncomfortable truths about our own capacity for good and evil.

Illustration showing the source of the Electromagnetic waves that the Vortigaunts refer to as "The Vortessence"
OOC Note: This document is more of a scientific/propagandist view of the Vortigaunts from the Combines eyes, but it still contains a bit of lore and knowledge.
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