Vortigaunt
Vortigaunts (sometimes known as "alien slaves") are a fictional species from the Half-Life video game series. They are frequently encountered enemies in the original game, and rarely-appearing allies in its sequel.
Physical description
In appearance, a Vortigaunt is somewhat humanoid with two legs and two arms, but has an additional arm protruding from its chest. This extra limb is a feature also found in the other bipedal, sentient species from Xen, including the Alien Grunt and Nihilanth. This similarity, along with other shared features such as red eyes and bird-style legs, is strongly suggestive of a common ancestry (instead of a single arm, the Gargantua creature has two digit-less tentacles, which may indicate that it is not part of the same lineage). Apparently, this third arm used as a feeding arm, since grunts are often seen bending over slain victims while feeding with it. The Vortigaunt has a hunched back, and its face is dominated by a large, single red eye, surrounded by five smaller eyes. In Half-Life 2, only two of these eyes are noticeably visible, but closer inspection of a Vortigaunt will reveal the other four.
Communication and the "Vortessence"
While they have their own language, Vortigaunts are also able to speak in English (and remark humourously on the etiquette of which language to use in Half-Life 2). Vortigaunts can communicate with one another telepathically through a life-force they call the "Vortessence", which they believe is the fabric of the universe, made of "vortal cords", of which everything is woven (and therefore everything is connected). 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.
In Half-Life 2, the Vortigaunts are voiced by Louis Gossett, Jr..
The idea of Vortessence is very similar to the theorem of force in the film Star Wars.
Offensive and defensive abilities
In Half-Life and its expansion packs, Vortigaunts are common enemies in both Black Mesa and Xen. While they usually attack aggressively, they often become timid when injured, preferring to run away rather than risk further combat and possible death. They have two modes of attack: a slow-charging energy attack in which they "fire" green, lightning like energy beams. When close to opponents, they attack with their claws. Significantly, in Half-Life all of the Vortigaunts wear green collars and wrist bands. Later events reveal these to be a means by which they are controlled by a remote master (the Nihilanth). Vortigaunts often act as support for the tougher Alien Grunts in Half-Life, making them more likely to be able to use their attack, as the player is usually concentrating on killing the tougher Grunts.
In Half-Life 2, their electrical attack is far more devastating, tending to kill whatever it hits immediately, and quite often knocks back its target a considerable distance. Only objects with significant mass can resist being knocked back, such as the Strider (which appears to be fully immune to the beam) and Antlion Guards. It should be noted that these attacks never occur during the singleplayer, and the only way to see a Vortigaunt in combat is to spawn it with enemies using the console. It is also suggested that Vortigaunts can siphon an opponent's lifeforce with their energy beam attack, as they are heard saying phrases like "Give over your essence!" or "Empower us!" during some of their attacks in Half-Life 2.
Note: In the Half-Life 1 expansion Decay and in a Half-Life 1 modification, Point Of View (aka POV), the player plays as a Vortigaunt (in Decay in a bonus mission, in POV throughout the entire game), the beam attack does indeed 'steal' lifeforce from enemies.
Role in Half-Life 2
In Half-Life 2, Gordon Freeman meets up with the creatures again. This time, however, they are eager to assist in overthrowing the Combine. In the time between the two games, the Vortigaunts have been freed from their former master, and most remaining on Earth have joined the resistance against the Combine. It is also revealed that the Vortigaunts are capable of using their electrical attack productively, as a blue stream that can recharge batteries and power electronics. The Vortigaunts credit Gordon Freeman with their freedom, as the Nihilanth's death is what released them.
However, not all Vortigaunts have been freed. In the first chapter of Half-Life 2 - "Point Insertion" - it is possible to catch a brief glimpse of a Vortigaunt working under the Combine. Wearing a collar and armbands similar to those worn in Half-Life (though with an additional section around its waist looks more gray than green, but that may be personal opinion), the Vortigaunt is shown slowly and meticulously using a push-broom to sweep dirt and garbage in the City 17 train station. Also, in the Nova Prospect section of Half-Life 2, a Vortigaunt with the collar and armbands may be seen sitting in what looks to be an operating chair, hooked up to a force field. The Combine is in fact using the Vortigaunt as a living power plant.
Roles in other Half-Life titles and mods
In the co-op expansion Half-Life: Decay, players who manage to obtain an A rank on all of the regular missions may unlock a bonus mission titled "Xen Attacks", where both players play as Vortigaunts. Although short on story, the mission gives some unique insight into the Vortigaunts' role in the Black Mesa incident. The players control "Drone Subjects" X-8973 and R-4913, two Vortigaunts sent to Earth by Nihilanth. The mission Nihilanth has assigned them is the retrieval of crystals stolen from Xen by the Black Mesa science team. Both Vortigaunts are able to regain health by damaging objects or enemies, further supporting the theory that Vortigaunts can drain lifeforce/energy with their beam attacks.
There is also a single-player modification for Half-Life known as Point Of View, where one can play as a Vortigaunt during the Black Mesa Incident. Point of View 2 is currently under development under the name Azure Stand. This will also be a sequel to Azure Sheep, a single-player modification for Half-Life, and will, according to the developers, "be set during the Seven Hour War" [1].
"The All-Knowing Vortigaunt"
In what appears to be a carefully hidden Easter egg, Half-Life 2 introduces a unique member of this species during the course of the Water Hazard stage.
Near the end of the chapter (d1_canals_13), Freeman must destroy a hunter-killer "chopper" that has been following his trail. After this is completed, the player must open a large, sliding metal grate to proceed further. At this stage, near the dam, there are two visible drainage tunnels set into the face of the rock. The grate on the left tunnel is shown to be peeled back. Should the player choose to adventure further, they must travel through a small stretch of radioactive waste, before coming upon a large, underground cavern. This cavern is home to a character occasionally referred to by fans as "The All-Knowing" (or "Sore Throat") Vortigaunt.
The Vortigaunt in question is shown roasting a headcrab over an open fire while chanting, eventually breaking to "hack" and "wheeze" for a moment. The player may safely approach the creature, applying the "use" key to reveal various pieces of dialogue. Using this method, the player may then discover several cryptic "secrets" pertaining to Black Mesa, Xen, the G-Man, and Nihilanth, among several other topics.
However, given enough prompting by the player, much, if not all, of the information imparted by the "All-Knowing Vortigaunt" are also spoken by other Vortigaunts encountered in Half-Life 2.
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