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Kung Fu Man (talk | contribs) Per AfD and discussion, redirecting for now until it can be re-explored once a Universe of Half-Life article is created Tag: New redirect |
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#REDIRECT [[Half-Life (series)]] |
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{{General CVG character |
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| name = Vortigaunt |
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| image = [[Image:Vortigaunt.png|245px|A Vortigaunt in ''Episode Two'']] |
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| caption = A Vortigaunt as seen in ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]'' |
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| series = [[Half-Life (series)|''Half-Life'' series]] |
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| firstgame = ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' (1998) |
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| voiceactor = [[Louis Gossett, Jr.]]<br />[[Tony Todd]] |
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}} |
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'''Vortigaunts''' are a fictional [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] race in the [[Half-Life (series)|''Half-Life'' series]] by the [[Valve Corporation]]. In ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' and its three expansions, Vortigaunts are frequently encountered by the player as hostile [[non-player character]]s. The Vortigaunts are depicted in ''Half-Life'' as being an enslaved race native to an [[multiverse|alternate dimension]] called [[Xen (Half-Life)|Xen]], subserviant a large Xen creature called the [[Nihilanth]], which itself is a slave to undisclosed masters. In ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', the Vortigaunts have broken free of their slavery, and actively assist the player and other humans in resisting the [[Combine (Half-Life)|Combine]] occupation of [[Earth]]. |
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Vortigaunts are shown as a very communal and cultural race, believing in force that binds the fabric of the universe and each Vortigaunt together, as well as producing a tradition of poetry and music. Vortigaunts also display the ability to summon and command energy with no technology. In the video games, this ability is used for various activities, including as an attack method or simply to power up electrical equipment. In addition to their role within the ''Half-Life'' series, Vortigaunts have been made into a [[plush toy]] by the Valve Corporation. |
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==Character design== |
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In ''Half-Life 2'', the Vortigaunts are voiced by [[Louis Gossett, Jr.]] It is mentioned in ''[[Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar|Raising the Bar]]'' that Gossett was chosen partially due to his role as the alien in the film ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]''. In ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode Two|Episode Two]]'', he is replaced by [[Tony Todd]]. |
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==Attributes== |
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===Society=== |
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Vortigaunts are intelligent and social creatures. Throughout the entire ''Half-Life'' series they are capable of developing intelligent strategies. |
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Brief glimpses into Vortigaunt culture can be gained by occasional speeches given by them in ''Half-Life 2'', and in scenes in the original ''Half-Life''. In the original game, Vortigaunts were an [[slavery|enslaved]] species to the [[Nihilanth]], used as factory workers and drone soldiers. According to comments, Vortigaunts have suffered enforced servitude for generations up to the events of the first ''Half-Life''. Vortigaunts have many traditions, including an apparent oral tradition of passing down [[poetry]] and [[song]]s from generation to generation. One particular comment made by a Vortigaunt — "''We have lost all dear to us''" — suggests that they lost their original civilization. Vortigaunts also have a collective consciousness - each moment (Gordon killing the Nihilanth, Gordon's arrival at Black Mesa East, etc.) through time appears to them as one. |
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Vortigaunts possess their own method of vocal communication, which, in ''Half-Life 2'', they can be heard using and referring to as "flux shifting". This method of communication involves both speakers vocalising at the same time and cannot be understood by "those whose Vortal inputs are impaired" i.e. humans. |
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In the first part of ''Half-Life'', the Vortigaunts use scattered English words they heard from the humans to taunt them in combat ("''Die!''"). By the beginning of ''Half-Life 2'', however, Vortigaunts have learned to speak at least the [[English language]] fluently. The Vortigaunts use archaic, even [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearian]], [[vocabulary|words]] and [[grammar|grammatical structures]]. It is not known whether this is a lack of understanding or a deliberate choice on their part. |
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The Vortigaunts believe in a binding life-force which they call the "Vortessence", which could be a religion or a popular belief. They believe the Vortessence is the fabric of the universe, made of "vortal cords", of which everything is woven (and therefore everything is connected). Due to their use of this force, which remains untapped by the human species, the Vortigaunt species is capable of a form of [[telepathy]], at least amongst their own kind. The Vortigaunts are able to read and control this force for their electrical powers, nearly hive-mind telepathy and, likely, their ability to take power from objects. The Nihilanth's powers and enslavement of the Vortigaunts were also gained through control of the Vortessence. |
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===Depiction=== |
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In appearance, a Vortigaunt is a somewhat [[humanoid]] figure with two legs and two arms, but has an additional arm protruding from its thorax. Vortigaunts possess [[digitigrade]] legs, allowing them to move quickly. In addition, Vortigaunts have mottled green-brown skin, sharp [[teeth]] and [[claw]]ed hands. Vortigaunts have a slightly hunched posture, and their faces are dominated by a large red eye, surrounded by five smaller eyes. Vortigaunts are also able to summon energy to their command without the need for any equipment. In-game, this ability is most commonly used as a means of attack, with Vortigaunts hurling the energy towards foes. In addition, Vortigaunts have been shown to be able to use the energy for other purposes, such as assisting in repair work, removing rubble and blockages, recharging the player's [[HEV suit]] or powering up electrical generators. Enslaved Vortigaunts are depicted with green collars and shackles, although the means by which these control Vortigaunts is not explored. Vortigaunts are not typically seen wearing clothing, although one Vortigaunt in ''Episode Two'' is observed wearing a lab coat. |
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== Appearances == |
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===''Half-Life''=== |
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[[Image:Vortigaunt Slave.png|thumb|right|An enslaved Vortigaunt in ''Half-Life'']] |
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Vortigaunts are first introduced as one of the primary enemies in ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]''. They are frequently encountered by players throughout ''Half-Life'' and its three expansions, ''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force|Opposing Force]]'', ''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift|Blue Shift]]'' and ''[[Half-Life: Decay|Decay]]''. They are portrayed as one of the sentient races of [[Xen (Half-Life)|Xen]], often working in groups or with more heavily armored Xen troops.<ref name="VortHL1">{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HLGameInfo.Detail&id=7&game=4|title=Life Forms|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> In the later stages of ''Half-Life'', Vortigaunts are seen working in factory-like environments, constructing or maturing the more heavily armored Xen troops in [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]]-like capsules under the direction of other aliens in the Xen hierarchy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=hlstrategies.detail&id=17&game=4|title=''Half-Life''—Walkthrough: Interloper|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> |
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In the [[Split screen (computer graphics)|cooperative multiplayer]] expansion ''Decay'', players have the opportunity to assume the role of two Vortigaunts if they score highly on all missions. In this bonus mission, entitled "Xen Attacks", two Vortigaunts, given the designations Drone Subjects X-8973 and R-4913, are given a mission by the [[Nihilanth]], the highest creature in the Xen hierarchy, to retrieve a number of crystals stolen from Xen by human scientists from the [[Black Mesa Research Facility]].<ref name="Decay">{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Previews.Detail&id=67|title=''Half-Life: Decay''|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2006-11-12|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> |
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=== ''Half-Life 2'' === |
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The role of the Vortigaunts is substantially changed in ''[[Half-Life 2]]''. Now acting as allies to the player, Vortigaunts are shown to have been freed as a result of [[Gordon Freeman]] killing the [[Nihilanth]] at the end of ''Half-Life''. Instead of acting with hostility towards humanity, the Vortigaunts are actively engaged in assisting the human resistance against the [[Combine (Half-Life)|Combine]], a multi-dimensional empire that has invaded and occupied [[Earth]] in between ''Half-Life'' and ''Half-Life 2''.<ref name="VortHL2"/> Vortigaunts are frequently shown at resistance compounds and stations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HL2Walkthroughs.Detail&id=15&game=3|title=''Half-Life 2'' Walkthrough—Chapter 4: Water Hazard|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> often performing maintenance work or providing help with experiments, and sometimes assist the player by using their energy abilities to recharge the player's [[HEV suit]].<ref name="VortHL2">{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HL2GameInfo.Detail&id=2&game=3|title=''Half-Life 2'' Allies|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> However, a number of Vortigaunts are still shown to be in captivity, as at various points in the game, Vortigaunts are shown to be used as slave labor by the Combine.<ref name="VortHL2"/> |
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Vortigaunts play a greater part in the story of the series in ''Half-Life 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s continuations, ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode One|Episode One]]'' and ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode Two|Episode Two]]''. In ''Episode One'', Vortigaunts use unexplained powers to rescue [[Alyx Vance]], the series' main female character, from the top of the Combine Citadel in [[City 17]], saving her from the explosion of the Citadel's reactor at the end of ''Half-Life 2''.<ref name="VortHL2E">{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HL2GameInfo.Detail&id=23&game=3|title=''Half-Life 2: Episode Two'' Allies|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> The Vortigaunts also free Gordon Freeman from the [[stasis]] imposed on him at the end of ''Half-Life 2'' by his enigmatic employer, the [[G-Man (Half-Life)|G-Man]], much to the G-Man's irritation. ''Episode Two'' dedicates much of the early part of the game to the Vortigaunts, with a group of four Vortigaunts working to heal Alyx Vance after she is injured by a [[Half-Life 2: Episode Two#Enemies|Combine hunter]].<ref name="VortHL2E"/> One Vortigaunt accompanies the player and acts as combat support on an expedition into an [[antlion (Half-Life)|antlion]] hive. In the latter stages of ''Episode Two'', a number of Vortigaunts are observed in the [[White Forest]] missile silo, performing various tasks to facilitate the launch of a satellite to close the Combine's [[Portal (fiction)|super portal]]. |
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==Cultural impact== |
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===Merchandise=== |
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[[Image:Vortigaunt (plush toy).jpg|thumb|right|The Vortigaunt plush toy, complete with a [[Santa Claus]] hat]] |
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The character of the Vortigaunt has been popular enough to inspire the creation of a Vortigaunt [[plush toy]]. Designed by one of Valve's own artists, Dhabih Eng,<ref name="Vorttoy">{{cite web|url=http://store.valvesoftware.com/productshowcase/productshowcase_HL2Vortigaunt.html|title=''HL2'' Vortigaunt Collectible|publisher=[[Valve Corporation]]|date=2006-12-05|accessdate=2008-05-23}}</ref> the toy was released in December 2006. Due to the proximity to Christmas, the Vortigaunt was accompanied by a to-scale [[Santa Claus]] hat.<ref name="Vorttoy"/> |
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===Reception=== |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{wikiquote|All-Knowing Vortigaunt}} |
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* [http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Vortigaunt Vortigaunt] at Combine OverWiki, a ''Half-Life'' [[Wikia]] |
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{{Half-Life}} |
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[[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial species]] |
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[[Category:First-person shooter creatures]] |
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[[Category:Half-Life characters]] |
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[[ca:Vortigaunt]] |
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[[es:Vortigaunt]] |
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[[fr:Vortigaunt]] |
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[[uz:Vortigaunt]] |
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[[pl:Vortigaunt]] |
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[[ru:Вортигонт]] |
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[[fi:Vortigaunt]] |
Latest revision as of 00:23, 19 July 2023
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