Vortigaunt PSA Thread

[Laura]

PSA THREAD

Thread for important announcements regarding the Vortigaunt faction.

Watch this space.​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

We now have faction rules. You can find them in Vortigaunt Guide²

RULES

1. Standard server rules apply to the Vortigaunt faction.

2. No OOC “memeing” around whatsoever, especially during low population hours. (Example: Killing each other for fun, acting blatantly out of character, treating the gamemode as if it were sandbox etc.)

3. Standard PK rules apply - this involves death in inter-group conflicts, capture or negligence of FearRP.

4. If your character is PKed, you must reapply to the faction. If applications are closed, start a forum conversation with the faction leader(s).

5. You cannot apply for a Vortigaunt who has explicit Combine sympathies (e.g actively fighting for them/aiding them against the resistance).

6. No poor or abusive behavior, whether in or outside the faction/server. (E.g being toxic to someone, whether in OOC chat, on Steam or in Discord.)

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

OPENING EVENT PSA

All Vortigaunts will start as 'free' within the opening event.

Those who would like to start in captivity can arrange it by sending me a PM. An asterisk will be placed next to your name on the roster.


Being a captive vortigaunt will allow you to roleplay alongside the majority of the playerbase during the opening week, whereas being a free vortigaunt will allow you to engage in resistance activity right off the bat.​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

EVENT PSA

Vorts who are in the Conscript Biotic faction can now ask for a transfer to Free Vort, no question asked.

Given that the prison complex is in shambles, your characters will not have had any trouble slipping out. We would rather you experienced the heavy consequences of captivity later in the iteration.

Those who insist on it can remain in the Biotic whitelist, but be warned; your character will have a week or less to live before they're completely drained of their life-force by the Combine.​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

VORTS, COATS AND BOATS

Vortigaunt faction members will be allowed to make use of their coated models (as well as the 2004 model) after tomorrow's event.

Ask staff to change your model.​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

VORT CAPTURES

From this point on, Vortigaunts who engage in offensive actions against Combine and die as a result of resisting capture will be PKed. (Attacks, ambushes, skirmishes during patrols, etc.)

This does not apply to Vortigaunts who avoid engagements, or otherwise engage in defensive actions. (Retreating, holding out bases, reacting to a Combine offensive, etc.)

SHACKLES

Vortigaunt shackles' sole purpose is to restrict the use of your abilities. They no longer provide any sort of tracking or fatal electrocution pulses. It's on the Combine to stop you conventionally if you make a successful escape attempt.

Dying during an escape attempt is a PK.

Refer to the Vortigaunt Guide² for more information on captured Vortigaunts.​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

SECOND CHANCES

Vortigaunts who face a PK at the hands of Combine forces can now request to be transferred to the Biotic faction to give them a 'second lease' on life (should they successfully escape).

ICly the Combine will have brought them back wounded, so they will have less time before their PK (3 days) and will undergo a driling process right away (as opposed to waiting 3 days for it)

In addition, the guide has been updated with this rule as well as the previous PSA rulings. The changes are highlighted below:
​

​

In general, refusing to surrender carries no penalty beyond an NLR. The current exception is if you attack first and get singled out/cornered afterwards.

Once captured, Vortigaunts are secured into essence-inhibiting shackles and confined to the nearest pod facility for their powers to be drained. These shackles' sole purpose is to restrict the use of vortessence; they have no tracking devices nor lethal countermeasures to escape attempts.

Vortigaunts facing a PK at the hands of Combine can request to be transferred to the Biotic whitelist instead. They will be drilled right away & will only have 3 OOC days to escape. before being PKed.

​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

CUSTOM POWERS

Vortigaunt "custom powers" can no longer be used in S2K. They are now strictly limited as S2RP tools. This makes their utilities more niche, but they'll no longer come with drawbacks or severe restrictions on how often they can be used. It also affords me greater freedom in accepting more creative submissions.

Some players with sensitive custom powers will be contacted about this adjustment, others will have theirs remain unchanged.


ARTIFACTS

Sometime in the near future, a category of items will enter the rotation which will be exclusively interactable by the Vortigaunt whitelist. These will substitute as the faction's unique method of healing and/or affecting themselves and others via the Vortessence through a quantifiable resource that we can balance around.


Also apps are open go be green alien​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

MIND PROBING

From now on, Vortigaunts who attempt to "probe" another character's mind (exploring their thoughts, memories, etc.) via the Vortessence will require OOC consent from the player they're taking this action upon, regardless of circumstance. Furthermore, the refusal of such a request cannot be used ICly against the character in any way.
​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

i cannot fucking believe i have to say this

dont use weed on your vorts (or any human drug for that matter)

dont make descriptions that have you "smell" of weed or hint to its use in any other way

dont accept it from humans or anywhere else

if you want to be a druggie vort use xenian psychedelics ICly (and soon there will be scripts to go with this so hold onto your hats)

thank you, and prepare for my fist to go up your alien double anus if i find out this happens again

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

VORTIGAUNTS IN CITY 24

Vortigaunts in City 24 will be given the choice to remain free, or take up shackles in order to blend into the city.

These will be real shackles. You will be in the Biotic faction and will be unable to use your abilities until you're broken out.

You may be broken out at any point when you wish to return to your 'free Vortigaunt' state. Such attempts must be cleared through a conversation with myself and @Numbers first. Multiple Vortigaunts may be broken out of captivity at a time.

You will have a guaranteed opportunity to transfer back to the Free Vortigaunt faction when we switch away from this map.

Alternatively, you may create a new character as a Biotic, separately from your Vortigaunt. Make a forum conversation with myself and @Numbers for this.

BIOTICS IN CITY 24

Enslaved Vortigaunts ('Biotics') will no longer be on a PK timer for the duration of this map.

They will not be 'drilled' except as a severe punitive measure from Overwatch. Such attempts must be authorized by a Rank Leader/Ordinal.

As before, shackles have no tracking or electrocution properties (though Overwatch will be notified of a freeing attempt, successful or not).

While this means you'll be able to mingle with the rebel side freely; being caught doing so and/or being considered 'missing' from the city for too long may result in a PK.

Death during escape attempts is still a PK.​

This post is now null and void because it doesn't work & Dispatch being down allows for a new dynamic.

Here's the new system:

UNDERCOVER BIOTICS

Vortigaunt players may request a transfer to the Biotic whitelist whenever they wish to enter the city.

They will not be able to use their powers, but they will not be subject to PKs for being 'recognized' either.

Once they're back on the rebel side, they may request to be transferred back to Free Vortigaunt.

This can only be done once a day.

ICly, you have blended in as part of workforce reinforcements & backup power needs of the city. Due to Dispatch no longer functioning, Combine can't keep track of where you are, nor be notified when you're unshackled via rudimentary means; and they often won't care to.

You may be PKed if you 'unshackle' yourself in the city and are caught & killed.


HIGH PRIORITY BIOTICS


Are traditionally captured Free Vortigaunts. They work the same way as before.

Being captured in combat, being PKed under legitimate circumstances, or being killed as an Undercover Biotic under the pretext of a terminal violation will see you transferred to this status.

You will not be allowed outside of the Nexus yard without Civil Protection supervision. You may interact with the Security Council to some extent.

Your name will have a 'BIOTIC-' prefix if you are a high priority biotic.
​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

NEW VORTIGAUNT MODELS

@constantdisplay

optional, not mandatory

ask an admin to set you to model models/ccr/vortigaunt/vortigaunt.mdl from Vortigaunt Clothes pack

you may use any bodygroup outlined in the screenshot & some others

those playing with 2004 vort models are highly recommended to swap to this since it has the vort swep animations, crouching animations & ep2 animations

be careful with anims the eyelid looks goofy in some angles, try not to stare straight down too much in general

you may NOT use: beanie bodygroups, rebel vest & equipment bodygroups, the artsy colorful robe & the purple vort skin

make sure you are subscribed to this https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2756700186

prepare to look goofy on character selection screen, ignore it, models work fine ingame​

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

VORTIGAUNT HEALING ITEMS
(better late than never edition)

Vortigaunt healing items have existed for a while, but not much information has been given on their variants, use and means of acquisition until now. This changes now.


Below are the currently available 'artifacts':

Spoiler: VORTIGAUNT ARTIFACTS

Revolting Secretions
Heals 75 hp
Applied instantly
Takes 15 seconds to heal fully
Decays quickly
Only usable by the Vortigaunt whitelist (can be 'applied to' humans by a Vortigaunt wielder)

Uncanny Fungus
Heals 50 hp
Applied instantly
Takes 15 seconds to heal fully
Does not decay
Only usable by the Vortigaunt whitelist (can be 'applied to' humans by a Vortigaunt wielder)

Inert Sludge

Heals 150 hp
Applied instantly
Takes 30 seconds to heal fully
Does not decay
Only usable by the Vortigaunt whitelist (can be 'applied to' humans by a Vortigaunt wielder)

Peculiar Remnants
Applies a Stamina buff that lasts until disconnect/server restart.
Usable by anyone.

HOW TO GET THEM

The most consistent way is to be part of a Vortigaunt Cell ('Cluster'). You can apply for these the same way you apply for Lambda contracts. These groups must consist near-exclusively of Vortigaunts. They will be supplied a small amount of these items every week. More information on Vortigaunt 'Clusters' can be found in the Vortigaunt Guide, under the ALLEGIANCES section.

Other than that, they may be handed out in events. 'Revolting Secretions' may drop from creatures at times, 'Uncanny Fungus' may be found in infestation areas. 'Înert Sludge' and 'Peculiar Remnants' will remain more exclusive.

Credit to @OneClassyBanana for helping me write & balance these novelties into existence.​

 

[Laura]

Changes, changes and more changes.

I'll be taking over the faction lead position as was said in the roster post.
Along with that announcement I said that the vortigaunt faction size will be reduced from 20 to 8.
This is due to some changes to their powers currently in development.

Further more:
Clusters
As outlined by @Appetite Ruining Kebab in the Vortigaunt Guide ( Under ‘Allegiances’ category ).
Vortigaunt clusters can perform extraordinary feats with the bond formed in a cluster of Vortigaunt’s.

Clusters will be categorized as a group of vortigaunt’s who share a strong bond in vortessence.
A cluster won’t need an outright application process, just PM the faction lead and list the vortigaunt’s who will be part of your cluster. Briefly go over any character development & interactions you’ve had between each other that have strengthened your bonds.

So go out there, create genuine bonds, and when it counts. You and your kin can draw on that bond.
But remember, Vortigaunt’s who’ve only known each other for a few days, or rarely interact, cannot perform as a cluster when needed.


If you have any further questions, concerns or complaints. Please feel free to directly message me.​

 

[Laura]

ACTIVITY CHECK
Activity check will be happening this weekend.
DM / Open a forum conversation if you are no longer interested in playing a vortigaunt.

APPLICATIONS
Applications will be opened next week, pending applications will be looked at first.​

 

[Laura]

NEW YEAR, NEW FROGS
With the start of the new iteration, vortigaunts have yet to be introduced.
Those who apply and are accepted within the next week will be taking part in their introduction to the server.
Edit: You'll start as free vortigaunts.

Something to keep in mind that the new iteration takes place only months after the Seven Hour War.
In these Early Days™, vortigaunts are an unknown aliens to humans. And humans, in turn, are unknown aliens to them.
Your character will have little actual knowledge of humans and humanity at large.

NEW FROGS, OLD RULES
@Appetite Ruining Kebab's Vortgaunt Guide²'s rules are still in effect.
Although most of the information isn’t relevant to the Early Days Iteration.
Information regarding the powers, behaviour ( excluding human monikers ) and parts of 'conflict' are still relevant.
Direct message me on the forums or on Discord if you have any questions regarding the vortigaunts.​