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Vaurca (Vaur'uyit'zir)

V. esseli / V. sapiens

Home System: Sedantis (Sc'theth'stak, "Blinding Light.")

Homeworld: Sedantis I (Vaur'avek'uyit, "Home.")

Language(s): Vaurcese, Hivenet.

Political Entitie(s): Zo'ra Hive, K'lax Hive, C'thur Hive.

Vaurcae, (Vaurca in singular term and Vaurcae in multiple) are an arthropodous species that naturally organize themselves into eusocial groups. The Vaurca are one of the oldest surviving civilizations in the known galaxy, with a history that can be traced back 730,000 years ago. Now they arrive in the Orion Spur as colonists, reluctantly taken in by other civilizations.

Their eusocial organizations are referred to as Hives, led by a High Queen, typically named after the Hive itself. Below the High Queen, Lesser Queens govern specific Hive functions. Both Lesser and High Queens, as well as Surrogate Breeders, are the exclusive types of Vaurcae capable of laying eggs for the generation of new individuals. Birth under a particular Queen or Surrogate Breeder assigns a Vaurca to her brood, resulting in distinct traits and a variant carapace color compared to others. Further details on these structures and broods can be explored on the Vaurca Hives page.

Vaurca civilization is separated into several castes, with members of each caste having their biology, psychology, and education determined before they are even born. Each individual Vaurca is made often for a specific function pertaining to their caste. Vaurcae are separated further between two groups, known as psyches: Akaix (Unbound) and Viax (Bound). Akaix are no less of a person than any human, whereas Viax are incredibly simple-minded, running on no more than a desire to do what they are told, designed for their function rather than versatility. More about the castes can be read on the Vaurca Biology page.

Vaurcae have mechanical extras such as extensive xenowear loadout and their homeworld's flag. K'ois as a product is available in-game and they have a rather grand set of unobtainable event-spawn objects and mobs. Massive Vaurcae Breeders are playable as consular officers, and their lore can further be explored through artifacts and merchant items.

Vaurcae can come from the Zo'ra, K'lax, C'thur, or Lii'dra Hives. The Lii'dra are exclusive to antagonists and events, though antagonist Vaurcae are not limited to Lii'dra.

To apply to be one of the insect-like Vaurcae, apply here.

Important notes: Vaurcae cannot be any Heads of Staff, including being elevated to an Interim command position. They used to require an Avowal of Responsibility to work any position higher than an intern level, but as of 4/24/2463, Avowals were abolished in SCC facilities.

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Mechanics

• Can only healthily consume food made of k'ois, a yellow fungus originating from the Vaurcesian home planet. K'ois is deadly to other lifeforms.
• A long-distance language in the form of Global Hivenet. It is accessible with ,9 and can only be heard by other Vaurcae and station-bound synthetics.
• Immune to phoron gas, and require it to breathe.
• Can survive in space without a voidsuit.
• Do not take damage from electric shocks.
• Immune to slipping.
• Do not self-heal.
• Can toggle night-vision to see in the dark.
• Take x2 damage from toxins.
• Bleed out faster.
• Can be permanently rendered blind by flashing them several times in a row.
• Vaurca Warriors can bite and are more resistant to burns.
• Vaurca Workers cannot bite but are more resistant to radiation.
• Vaurca Bulwarks are slow but immune to radiation and can fireman carry two people at once.

Non-mechanic traits:

• Dislike light.
• Be raised in virtual reality.
• Generally very specialized. Born to serve a specific role.
• Face severe discrimination in human space.
• Be incredibly sensitive to smells.

Relationships with Megacorporations

The following is an updated table listing which megacorporations employ Vaurcae. All playable characters must adhere to these specifications; failure to do so may result in administrative action.

Vaurca Hives' Relationships

Corporations	Zo'ra	K'lax	C'thur
NT	Preferential	Yes	Yes
Heph	No	Exclusive	No
Zavod	Yes	No	Yes
ZH	Yes	Yes	Preferential
Idris	No	No	No
PMCG	VP/NT	VP/NT/DPF	VP/Eridani
Orion	Yes	Yes	Yes
Einstein	No	No	Exclusive

Biology

See also: Vaurca Biology

The Vaurca appear as humanoid insects with a unique biology that sets them apart from the rest of the Orion Spur. The species is also known for its wide variety of Bioforms—unique subtypes of Vaurca with distinct anatomy. The most basic Vaurca bioforms possess four arms, with two of them being vestigial and smaller. Their hands showcase four digits, evenly distributed between thumbs and fingers. Their legs culminate in feet perfectly adapted for scaling the tunnels and caverns of their homeworld.

Their heightened sensory perception is channeled through antennae, particularly tuned to an exceptional olfactory sense. Pheromones play a pivotal role in Vaurca communication, acting as a nuanced language, much like words intertwined with delicate scents. This acute olfactory ability enables them to decipher subtle nuances within the intricate tapestry of pheromonal expressions.

All Vaurcae are highly dependent on their specialized augmentations, which may be considered vital organs for their survival. These organs are installed shortly after birth. The most important augmentation for Vaurcae is the neural socket, which allows each member of the species to connect to the Virtual Reality and communicate via Hivenet.

As Vaurca become more specialized, differences between bioforms are greater. For example, some subtypes of Vaurca may possess more limbs or have been engineered to withstand harsher conditions. Advanced bioforms may also have more unique augmentations, not readily available for the common members of the Hive.

Ka, The Workers (Type A)

Type A are the most common Vaurca and can be seen as the 'backbone' of Vaurca society. Their most prevalent feature is their hardened exoskeleton, varying in colours in accordance to their Hive. It is approximately half an inch thick among all Type A Vaurcae. This exoskeleton provides protection against harsh radiation, solar and otherwise, and acts as a robust pressure-suit to seal their soft inner core from the outside world. This allows most Type A Vaurcae to have extended, several day-long EVA expeditions, assuming they have phoron. Their hands consist of two middle fingers with small talons at the end, and two opposable thumbs, a left and a right, on either side of their hand. Type A ranges from 5ft to 7ft tall on average, though outliers of both spectra are not unheard of for the more specialized tasks.

It is important to note that Workers explicitly avoid violent situations wherever possible. This is not their function, and they are always more use to the Hive in peak condition. Nearly all Ka are designed to find violence almost abhorrent—the sight and smell of blood instilling fear and worry for most.

Za, The Warriors (Type B)

Type B are the second most prominent of Vaurca society, taking the form of heavily augmented warriors. Type B can range in size from 5ft tall to 8ft tall, with Za Bound known as Warforms rising to as much as 20ft tall. They can be bipedal, quadrupeds, or hexapods, which are called types BA, BB, and BC respectively. They usually have weapons physically attached to their bodies, making them unwieldy or impractical for any situation other than combat.

Warriors, unlike other types of Vaurcae, are not typically passive. This means that they tend to be more suitable for combat orientated positions, while Worker and Gyne types tend to be poorly suited for the disposition these types of occupations demand. Unlike Workers, their exoskeleton is not as well equipped for such extended EVA expeditions, however it can withstand a few hours long excursions.

The majority of Warrior-caste Vaurcae employed by the SCC are drone tier type BA, meaning that they are deprived of most advanced augments and mostly differ from other types simply in that they are more mentally suited for combat or are involved in the function of something that could be considered a weapon. Unlike Workers, Type BA possesses longer, more powerful mandibles.

Ta, The Gyne (Type C)

Type C are rare among Vaurcae and make up around 2-3% of their entire species. They are massive, larger than any of the other casts, and they are the only individuals in Vaurcesian Hives that are fertile except for the Queens. Type CB, Unbound Gynes, occupy all leadership positions amongst the species and share in the same biological immortality enjoyed by them, many being born in generations long gone.

Queens, lesser and high, are the only types of Vaurcae capable of producing eggs, and it falls to the Gynes to fertilise, genetically shape, and nurture these eggs to maturation. Being born under a specific Queen places a Vaurca in her brood, with each brood pushing the Vaurca towards distinctive traits reflective of her will and a variant carapace colour. Not all Ta are Queens, but all Queens are Ta.

Male Ta are raised as Bound while the females are raised as Unbound. Ta differ substantially from other castes in that they do not have recognised subcastes and instead are separated by ranks. Additionally unlike the remainder of the Vaurca species, Ta are possessed of great social intelligence, making them ideal candidates for negotiating with aliens on economic and political matters. They easily grasp the nuances of social context, contracts, and systems that other castes have difficulty navigating.

Ta can only be played as Consular Officers.

Playing a Hive Representative

As a Ta aboard the Horizon you are one of the venerable leader's of the Vaurca species and more valuable than any individual Worker or Warrior, a fact you are deeply cognizant of. Vaurca of your Hive are biologically compelled to follow your orders except where they directly contradict a Ta of their own Brood and many Vaurca of other Hive's will do so in ordinary circumstances out of respect, though they are not strictly required to. Your position places you as the head of a hive-cell aboard the Horizon with diplomatic duties consisting primarily of representing your brood in a positive light, advancing the political goals of your Hive and providing emotional support and advice.

Below are rules for playing a Ta. Any bends of these rules must be clarified with the species maintainer prior to playing the character. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in punishment.

• No height taller than 11 feet tall.

• As a Gyne, you are allowed to have a three-syllable name instead of the usual monosyllabic.

• Auto-hiss basic (s becomes z or more frequently not at all). You've been assigned to work on a station full of aliens, so you’d have a vocal implant aiding this significantly due to your status.

• Avoid combat and avoid doing any labour or specialized work except where absolutely necessary. Ta may and almost always do have hobbies, often developing talents in line with the skills of their brood, and they are expected to be extremely good at them owing to their incredible age. Despite this, they are leaders and politicians, not Warriors or Workers, and they should have no intention of changing this. On matters of strenuous labour, Ta ultimately prefer delegation and inspiring others to do something.

• Avoid social ignorance. Ta possess a high social intelligence thanks to generations of evolution, being literally made for it, so they'd be knowledgeable on whether trying to clean a Unathi’s horn would upset them or not.

• Ta are biologically immortal, many having lived through what would to other species be recognised as entire era's of history. Each brood has different customs regarding the age at which a Ta is ready for duties though few broods trust Ta under 100 years old with any serious positions, Athvur being the most prominent exception, and the absolute upper limit on playable Ta age is thirty-five-thousand years, for a Ta born (to them) not long before the Great Hive War. Ta older than this are very rare and typically either Queen's themselves or surrogates, not finding work aboard the Horizon. Despite this extraordinary range the average Hive Representative will fall between 500 and 3000 years.

• Ta as important members of the Hive's are entrusted with an administrative neural socket, a tool that gives them greatly increased power over the Hivenet and virtual reality. Mechanically, this is reflected in a series of Hivenet verbs, giving them the ability to mute, shock, ban, and even void lesser Vaurca. Despite having access to such with a thought, Ta employ them rarely, and to do so against another Hive's Vaurca without good reason is equivalent to a hostile attack, a major diplomatic incident. Voiding, the act of destroying a Vaurca's neural socket, is an absolute last resort and should never be employed except as a last resort.

Ra, The Bulwarks (Type E)

The newest caste of the Vaurca, Type E are heavyset industrialists that specialize in jobs involving hard labour, engineering, and maintenance. Average specimens stand at 8-10 feet tall, and require special clothing due to their unique shape. Type E Vaurca are the least prominent population wise in the species, due to the fact they were only recently conceived as a joint operation between the C'thur and the Nralakk Federation. They were unveiled at the first session of the reformed Court of Queens in 2463, before specimens belonging to the other Hives began appearing.

Bulwarks tend to be strictly defensive in their temperament, meaning they will fight to defend themselves and those in their immediate surroundings, before escaping when presented the chance. They will not chase down threats or run into situations they are not already involved in.

Bulwarks are only employed in select locations as of now, due to their relatively recent appearance. Notable locations include the NTCC Odin, the NSS Upsilon, the NSS Aurora and the SCCV Horizon. Outside of these locations they are heavily monitored in where they go, and are typically kept in more secure locations. There are no Queenless Bulwarks.

The Unbound

The Unbound, or Akaix, are the sapient and self-aware parts of Vaurcesian society. Their eggs and larvae are given more graceful care by Ta and Bound Workers. They are born with fully developed organs, though Unbound not meant to become Gynes or Lesser Queens are still sterilized. The Unbound are perfectly capable of making rational, thinking decisions, and are naturally intuitive, curious and capable of understanding abstraction, much like a human. However, Unbound are not raised in a traditional manner. While in its early years Vaurca Virtual Reality was meant as an escape from reality, for modern Vaurcae in known space it's become every aspect of their lives and supposed afterlife.

Although Unbound are still thinking, sapient beings, they still typically maintain unwavering subservience to the respective hierarchy of their Hive, due to a combination of pheromone excretion and indoctrination methods imposed during the growing process of an Unbound. However, when they are not under the direct instruction of a Lesser Queen, they will typically pursue their own or their own hive-cell's interests.

Unbound disconnected from VR can still connect themselves to the 'internet' of the Hive, called the Hivenet or Hive Network, where the Unbound all connect their consciousness. Unbound Vaurcae can share their knowledge, memories, and even feelings through the Hivenet. The Bound are barred from most non-utilitarian aspects of the Hivenet, due to biological constraints.

The Unbound typically take up jobs that require more critical thinking skills, ability to learn or adapt and greater abstract thought than simple Bound. In this respect, Unbound Vaurcae can simply be considered on the same level as any human. Integration in the Orion Spur and other alien communities has some of them living alone or in small groups in their own apartments like any other citizen or family, working to support themselves, rarely having monetary aid from their Hive.

Playing Unbound

Unbound are the human-like part of the Vaurcae species and are capable of playing any non-command role in terms of ability. They can either be unique individuals having lived out of their Virtual Reality for some time, or can be fresh from the Hive birthing chambers and or from their Lesser Queen's virtual heaven, barely knowing anything. They almost universally hate being outside of VR, as the extended stay within an environment free of strife, hunger and death have sensitized them to the presence of such things in the real world. Likely because of their biology, many Vaurcae are generally passive and hold more value in a group's opinion rather than their own, disliking isolation.

The Bound

While all Bound are specialized for a specific job or instruction, all are still capable of simple labor.

Bound Vaurcae, Drones, or Viax, are members of a lobotomised slave caste trained to obey orders without question, chosen even before their egg is laid. Eggs designated to be Bound are provided with certain hormonal mixes designed to neutralise brain function critical for higher thought and are then put in a warm, moisture-rich environment while Bound Ta (alates) and Workers oversee their care. The larvae that hatch from the eggs are then taken to another specialised, moist environment to be raised and augmented. Bound are highly capable in their positions but are incredibly simple-minded; most Vaurcae consider them less sapient than they would an IPC. The result is a very effective worker but one that struggles to adapt to unusual circumstances and has minimal ability to learn or think in abstractions.

Playing Bound

Bound have a lot in common with station synthetics in personality and playstyle. They have no concept of the self and can only act independently in matters of personal survival, maintenance, or self-defense. Vaurcesian Drones typically speak slowly and have trouble speaking Basic.

Bound typically focus on performing their duty. If asked to do something outside of the scope of their duty a Bound will always use their duty as a reference to the task at hand. Because they are working under the decree of the Hive's Queen, only with good reason would an Unbound Vaurca ask a Bound from its respective Hive to deviate from their duty. Otherwise, Bound are taught and expected to follow station protocols to the best of their ability as it is their duty to do so. Only their Hives' Unbound, and heads of staff can order a Bound to deviate from its duties.

Bound can be easily dismissed - or culled - if their performance is unsatisfactory.

They can only take the jobs listed here. If a job title is not on this list, you cannot play them as a Bound.

Jobs playable by Bound

Department	Jobs Available
Security	None
Medical	Surgeon, Physician, Pharmacist
Engineering	Engineer, Atmospheric Technician
Science	Lab Assistant
Operations	Hangar Technician, Machinist, Shaft Miner
Service	Chef, Bartender, Gardener, Librarian, Janitor
Civilian	Assistant

History

The dawn of Vaurcesian civilisation can be traced back roughly 800,000 years ago, on the planet of Sedantis. A harsh, irradiated wasteland, Vaurcae nevertheless took to their circumstances and began to cultivate and grow k'ois across the planet.

Modern Day

For the Vaurca, co-habitation with the other species they have encountered has led to fundamental changes to their way of life, many seemingly to their detriment. In the public eye their advanced weaponry has lead to a lot of fear regarding their potency and supposed ease of mass production. Seemingly no one can deny the military domination a war-ready Hive would impose. From tachyon-based weaponry, gauss cannons, condensed thermal energy and the infamous Warforms, most believe it to be a miracle that the Vaurca have yet to attack and seize control of the galaxy, fears which found themselves at the forefront after the Lii'dra Invasion and which have only slightly quieted since.

To a certain extent within their respective societies this may be true. The Vaurca have integrated themselves into a great deal of the running of the Republic of Biesel, Izweski Hegemony and Nralakk Federation in an effort to make themselves essential, including handsome contributions to each nation's armed forces. This has provided a degree of political sway and necessity much greater than what they once had shortly after arrival. However the power of the Hives is not as simple as many believe. Weaponry was a lower priority on the list of supplies brought on Hiveships, as though while large, space was required for broods as well and materials. Some Queens such as Ta'Akaix'Zoleth'akeh Zo'ra were insistent on bringing a plethora of weaponry, to ensure their survival among the unknown threat of the stars but their pleas, only resulted in minor increases to ship defences. During their long journey, many of the of resources the species bought were used for maintenance of the ship, and by the time they arrived in the Orion Spur, their lack of materials, and subsequently, repairs, have resulted in the damaged states the three known Hiveships were found in. Additionally food supply was limited in terms of places to grow aboard the Hiveships, and as a result, a majority of Warforms and the larger Bound Workers were culled, due to being unable to sustain many of the cryogenic storage pods used to contain them. The phoron crisis has certainly not helped matters on this front and Hive's are careful to balance the cost of phoron with military readiness.

Politically and militarily, the Zo'ra remain as dominant as ever over the other Hives, though in a much reduced state compared to what that dominance represented on Sedantis. The Zo'ra possess by far the most Warriors and Warforms of the three modern Hives, not to mention the tactical acumen to use them. A significant portion of this is due to the Queen Zoleth, the Herald of Scars who, in the absence of her most trusted friend, High Queen Zora, is the oldest Vaurca in the Spur alongside High Queen C'thur. Zoleth has always viewed herself as the hammer to the nail that was Zo'ra herself, and the two of them were responsible for the wildly successful generational conquests on Sedantis that built the planet spanning empire they once possessed. Her military genius and inclinations towards wartime preparations saw her as the driving force behind the move to invest the Hive's resources so significantly into the founding of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion and its new incarnation the Tau Ceti Armed Forces despite pushback from the newly elected High Queen Vaur. This move proved itself savvy as it gave the Hive not only sway through the Legion, beginning their ascension into the political web that connects the inhabitants of the Orion Spur, but the ability to maintain their military without appearing threatening to the Republic. Part of these investments was not just providing Warriors but the hybridization of the Tau Ceti foreign Legion and recently Tau Ceti Armed Forces current weaponry and their own personal designs. These resulting weapons are currently employed by the Armed Forces, and while they are hardly the most technologically advanced, the Republic having for a balance of effectiveness and cost, and many agree that it is certainly an improvement compared to their last. The Queens of the Zo'ra Hive as a whole are benefiting from this increased power, having managed to revive the Court of Queens on Caprice, installing its chambers within their capital New Sedantis, though relative to the other Hive's many Zo'ra on Biesel live in great squalor. 

Despite the success of the Zo'ra regarding military and politics, the K'lax are the only Hive that has truly managed to adapt the species more advanced technologies to the Spur's new realities. To the Klax, this is hardly surprising; they were after all the minds behind much of these inventions, regardless of how much undue credit Zo'ra may claim. In recent years, batches of new-generation thermal drills, a tool that was by necessity ubiquitous in the caverns of Sedantis, were developed and manufactured by the K'lax, shipped, and sold across the Orion Spur. While expensive, those mining facilities that adapted saw huge increases in yields as a result. Furthermore, the Hive agreed to collaborate with the Unathi on Moghes with respect to terraforming the wasteland planet, re-creating their machines of old with the alien materials of the Spur. These factors contributed towards the K'lax Hive's eventual transformation of their barren colony of Tret given to them by the Izweski into the gigantic factory planet and industrial heart of the Izweski Hegemony it is today, though certain unfavourable deals with outside parties limit the funds the K'lax can bring to bear from this. 

Economically, it is only the C'thur who have truly profited. While the other Hives are reliant on collective money pools brought in by employed Bound and Unbound or the leftovers of their own factory exports, being harboured by the generous Nralakk Federation has opened up a large amount of opportunities, to say nothing of the C'thur Hive's historical inclinations. The C'thur have bought a significant portion of Einstein Engines, opening a connection to the Eridani Corporate Federation, and many job opportunities. These factors have resulted in the C'thur being the most economically advanced of all Hives. Money that is received by Hives is typically distributed between the Queens, each given the discretion to use their share however they wish within certain limits imposed by her sisters. 

Individuals

For many Unbound, adapting to their new lives has been a tough ordeal, but one that is short suffered. Once settled, most hive-cells are capable of sharing a single bedroom apartment due to their preference for confined spaces and their tendency for practicality over personality. Personal possessions are not uncommon, Unbound are welcome to spend what little money they typically receive on hobbies.

Workers mostly shifted from serving the Hive to employment well, with only a few incredibly specialized Unbound finding difficulty. While confusion was apparent at the complicated process of the simple act of going to work, once clarified, many Vaurcae brought their specialised knowledge and pragmatism into like-minded fields, typically able to share their intricate knowledge with great practical success. On a social level, however, many Unbound are prone to varying levels of discrimination. Such acts can be extremely discreet, such as being made to do a less desirable task. On the other hand, some overtly voice their dislike, often showing their ignorance of how Vaurcae operate and live. More obvious examples of dislike include incidents such as Tajara gangs reacting violently to the Lii'dra invasion and going as far as to murder Vaurca near their territory.

Warriors, however, did not have such an easy transition. While there were some who could transition as well as most Workers, many of the Unbound purely bred for combat struggled to find applicable work. Some of these soldiers slowly managed to trickle into work as private security, bodyguards, and alike, while others found trivial work doing menial or laborious tasks. K'lax Warriors mostly serve in the Hegemony and many others, especially from the Zo'ra Hive, have found a place doing what they do best in the Tau Ceti Armed Forces. Much of this situation was recently alleviated by the founding of the Pan-Vaurcesian military the Private_Military_Contracting_Group#Ve'katak_Phalanx which draws in a large percentage of what would be the otherwise unemployed Vaurca Warriors, giving them a place in service to the Court of Queens.

Culture

i'm just bug culture.

Language

Before the invention of the Hivenet in the Era of Augments, Vaurcae would communicate by distributing pheromones from mouth to mouth for complex messages, and vibrations with their antennae for simpler messages, sent via larger distances. Since Vaurcae don’t possess a vocal tract, spoken language was unknown to them until their arrival to the Spur. The invention of the Hivenet allowed for a better and more long-range method to communicate with each other, making cooperation more efficient. While to a stranger Hivenet might just sound like rhythmic vibrations, for a Vaurca the received message, which are encoded pheromones coded and transmitted as signals, ‘sounds’ in their head, which is how the Vaurcese vocabulary has been incorporated in Human, Skrell and Unathi space.

These encoded pheromones can also transmit emotions and other kinds of warnings. Because of the lack of facial expressions available for Vaurcae, it is common for individuals to express themselves by sending a message such as this on the net. Other simple encoded messages such as small onomatopoeic sounds, reactions like eye-rolls and basic "images" may also be sent. "Videos" are too heavy to be encapsulated by pheromones in the way other species would understand it, instead coming across as a collection of feelings and basic information.

Since the species arrival in the Spur, they have been forced to developed augmentations known as voice synthesizers which allow for speech and the translation of language. The majority of these voice modulators are cheap, which is responsible for much of the species possessing a peculiar buzzing accent. Without this augmentation no Vaurca is able to audibly receive or reproduce a xenolanguage. Additionally despite the species not having used a written language commonly since the invention of Virtual Reality, Vaurcae are able to learn to read and write in Basic, and for an employee on board the SCCV Horizon, part of their education would have consisted in such.

Speaking like a Vaurca

Vaurcae working in alien space have augments that allow them to have an easier time speaking the Languages of the Orion Spur. However, due to the desperate times the species is in, speech augments tend to be of variable quality. Vaurcae typically expresses an unfamiliarity with most alien languages, preferring to use basic words and sentence structures over more complex ones, and often may be unaware of the exact meaning of words, or the names of objects, instead describing them. This tends to happen most to those who aren't used to alien culture.

Many Vaurcae, and their vocal augments have difficulty producing sounds related to the letter "s", and instead substitute with a harsh buzzing in the throat. ("May I please have some k'ois?" becomes "May I pleaze have zome k'oiz?"). Some Vaurcae may have difficulty producing soft consonant sounds such as those produced by "f" or "ph", and instead substitute them with a more guttural "vh". ("Phoron gas is fine!" becomes "Vhoron gas is vhine!". Some unfortunate specimen may even be plagued with both impediments at once. ("The phoron in these k'ois lets me breathe." becomes "The vhoron in theze k'oiz letz me breathe."), or even further, more exotic impediments.

Vaurca Augmentation

While many Vaurcae look identical in an augmented state, aside from various shifts in color, virtually all Vaurcae are augmented in some manner, the degree to which depends very much on their caste and purpose. The most augmentation is typically seen in Bound Vaurcae. Much of their organic mass will at some point be replaced with machinery, so they can fulfil one specific task to the best of their ability. Worker Bound will at the completion of their development look more like construction machines than Vaurca, with variable amounts of limbs and a plethora of tools at their disposal. Warrior Bound will assume a variety of forms, varying from simple infantry with weapon and targeting augments to assault vehicles. The more complex the caste name of a Bound, the less recognisable it is as a standard Vaurca. Unbound however, will rarely undergo such severe augmentation. The great limitation of such heavy modification is that it eliminates versatility, which is a significant part of the purpose of the Unbound caste. For many their augments are performance-enhancing instead of completely form altering. The majority of Unbound are today equipped with at least basic communication augments, which make them versatile assets to speak with extra-hive entities. Ultimately, all Vaurcae currently employed by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate aboard the SCCV Horizon are of the least augmented tier - either Type AA, Type BA, or Type E. Their carapace is almost totally unmodified. Bound and Unbound alike will have a neural socket and an oxygen filtration system, and they may utilise full-limb prosthetics. Bound may have several augments designed to increase work efficiency or general survival, while Unbound will typically have only a few augments to ensure that they can fulfil any task assigned to them by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate.

Vaurca Sociality and Society

This can be edited away if it ends up being too extraneous or pointless but I think we could give a good crash-course without somebody having to read 1 morbillion pages.

Naming System

Vaurca have first names being made of three parts. The first part is their caste; Ka for Workers, Za for Warriors, Ra for Bulwarks or Ta for Gynes. The second syllable indicates whether they are Bound or Unbound; Akaix for Unbound, Viax for Bound.

The last syllable of the name is unique, decided by the player. In Vaurcese, this segment would translate to a unique identifier, like a serial code. They should be short, at most two syllables.

A Worker Unbound Vaurca, for example, may be named "Ka'Akaix'Siith Zo'ra"; "Siith" is their personal name or identifier. The surname is the Hive that the Vaurca is a part of, in this case "Zo'ra".

In summary, the name is your Vaurca's caste, whether they are Bound or Unbound, and their personal, unique name. Their surname is their Hive.

Inter-caste Relationships

Relationships between each type and each caste tend to be a universal constant among Vaurcesian Hives. The Bound are thoroughly exploited by the Unbound whenever an opportunity for such arises. It is typical for an Unbound to delegate any menial labour to the nearest Bound whenever possible. While especially "lazy" Unbound are not prevalent on human stations, all Unbound tend to display this mindset towards the Bound to a degree. When encountering a dangerous situation, the response is similar —the Bound are expected to attempt to make the situation safer for the Unbound in any way possible. Bound are perfectly subservient to the whims of the Unbound, and do not begrudge this exploitation.

Worker vaurcae tend to be esteemed more highly than Warrior Vaurcae, especially in Unbound circles, and especially in these difficult times when the value of labour to the Vaurca is more important than the value of defense. Unbound Breeder Vaurcae are esteemed very highly, especially those at the top of the hierarchy. Bound Breeder Vaurcae tend to rarely interact with other Vaurcae, except for Bound caretakers.

As for different types of the same caste, Unbound Ka or Za of the same 'duty' tend to organize themselves into hive-cells. For example, a Worker who works in construction may live, sleep and work with the same people within their hive-cell. A hive-cells size can vary drastically, but ultimately, they tend to organize the labor of Ka and Za into the most efficient means, with each hive-cell reporting to a particular Ta, usually their birth mother. Vaurcae tend to be closest to those that they work with, and so many Vaurcae consider their hive-cell their closest relatives.

Hives and Politics

There are four major Vaurca Hives known in human space, and it is presumed these were the only ones able to produce the known Hiveships at the time of the Exodus.

A Hive is a political structure led by a High Queen, to whom the Lesser Queens of each Brood respond. The High Queen herself has a brood of her own, that has no special benefits over the others, as tribute is divided equally by the Hive. The High Queen is the maximum authority of the Hive, and everybody else is subservient to her. Unlike a regular lesser queen, the High Queen can meddle and reorganize the internal structures of other broods she is in charge of. This was more common in Sedantis, but has become unlikely as of now since broods have had to adapt in different ways ever since.

Originally, a High Queen would only be led by the starter of the Hive, from which they all carry the name. However, Zo’ra and K’lax have had to elect a High Queen from their lesser queens, in a process that was unprecedented. The choice of Queen Vaur and Queen Zkaii as High Queens proves that Vaurcae do not follow primogeniture, but would rather choose the option that is deemed the safest or most prepared in this new era.

Outside of the Queens, the positions of power within a brood are all managed by female Breeders also known as the Ta. Within their various ranks, these Breeders take on the Hive's roles of governmental import, alongside acting as parental figures and offering counsel to the Queen. More about the Ta and the position of Vaurca within a hive-cell can be read here.

Zo'ra

See also: Zo'ra in the Republic of Biesel

The flag of the Zo'ra represents their position in the Republic of Biesel whilst still being unique enough to identify them alone.

Known as "the Unstoppable", Zo’ra is the largest and most powerful Hive. It was discovered by humanity following the spotting of their Hiveship, dubbed as ‘Titan Prime’. Zo’ra themselves to be the best of their species, and the face of the Vaurca as a whole. They have settled mainly in Tau Ceti across multiple planets including Biesel, New Gibson, Luthien and Caprice. The latter two are official colonies of the Hive, with the Zo'ra's "Capital" of New Sedantis residing on Caprice, along with the reformed Court of Queens chambers. More information about the Zo'ra in the republic can be found on the Zo'ra in the Republic of Biesel page.

They are ruled by five Lesser Queens, each claiming to be in direct representation of High Queen Zo’ra. After much deliberation when arriving to human space, Ta’Akaix’Vaur’skiyet’sca Zo’ra was made the new High Queen, representing the Hive in the Republic of Biesel Government. Despite this, each brood has decentralized, overseeing very different parts of their populations.

The Zo’ra are the most politically developed Hive, helping the funding of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion and making active progress to spread their influence. Over the years, the Hive has gained much more political sway than most would expect, and even managed to gain access to a body form not yet unveiled by the C'thur, leading to worsened relations between the two Hives.

Zo'rane Queens

Vaur’skiyet’sca, the Liminal Queen: Vaur is the eldest Vaurca within Tau Ceti space, and more recently, the Zo’ra Hive’s new High Queen. In diplomatic human settings, she is often referenced by titles which translate poorly into basic. Titles like High Praetor, First of Mother Zo’ra, Grand Executor, Liminal Queen, are all common references to her authority. She oversees the largest Vaurcesian settlement in Mendell, Flagsdale.

Queen Zoleth'akeh, the Herald of Scars: The proclaimed ‘Warrior’ Lesser Queen of the Zo’ra, she embodies the Zo’ra ideals of warfare and has stylized herself as one of the Hive’s greatest commanders. Stories are told of how other Lesser Queens are often aloof and untouchable, but Zoleth’akeh is on the front, calling for war. She was legendary among the Court of Queens, one of the only cross-diplomatic bodies to exist upon Old Sedantis.

Scay’extiih’aur, the Hidden Queen: Scay is the Zo’ra Lesser Queen placed upon the frozen New Gibson. Of the five Lesser Queens that have arrived at Tau Ceti, she is the most rarely seen, even amongst other Zo’ra. Upon the Hiveship she oversaw the ship’s entire population. She was responsible for keeping the larger whole of the Hive inside complex growth projections.

Xakt’yagz’isk, Queen of Corpses: Placed upon the desert planet of Luthien, brood has quickly monopolized the planet’s cheap labor workforce. Xakt'yagz'isk originally oversaw all matters concerning tech and tech implants aboard the Hiveship. She also supervised Reclamation, the process of reclaiming the implants of dead Vaurca, making many Zo’ra associate her with death.

Athvur’zezkt’azi, the New Goddess: The youngest of the Zo’rane Lesser Queens, she became a Lesser Queen soon after Titan Prime left Sedantis. Born of Ta’Akaix’Vaur’skiyet’sca Zo’ra, she seeks to fill in the void created when her mother ascended to High Queen. Currently, she sees day-to-day operations planetside upon Biesel, overseeing a small population of Vaurca within Phoenixport and Belle Cote.

K'lax

See also: K'lax in the Izweski Nation

Under heavy supervision by the Isweski Nation, the K'laxane flag represents the Hive's Vassalage.

Known as "The Earthbreakers", it was the second Hive discovered by humanity after their Hiveship, Klo’zxera, appeared in the Unathi system of Uueoa-Esa. K’lax is known as a client state of the Zo’ra, but since the Exodus from Sedantis they have struggled for political independence. Now parting their own ways, both Hives have developed differently.

The K’lax became the newest vassal of the Izweski Nation, and have largely settled in Tret. They maintain subtly warm, if terse relations with the Hegemony as a whole, and have committed to its terraforming agenda, being instrumental in the implementation of such a monumental undertaking. More information about this relationship can be found on the K'lax in the Izweski Nation page.

Similar to the Zo’ra, the K’lax are represented by three Lesser Queens who once claimed a divine connection to the High Queen of K’lax. This claim is disputed by most of the Zo’ra, who claim to be the only rightful rulers of the K’lax. Unlike the Zo’ra however, they have not been purposefully decentralized, leaving the machinations of each Lesser Queen more aligned with one another.

The K’lax are the most technologically developed Hive, and are leading the way in reconstructing the species’ superior technology.

K'laxian Queens

Zkaii’xay’yil, the Sleepwalker: Zkaii is the current High Overlord of Tret, and High Queen of the K’lax Hive. She is the representative of all K’lax to the Izweski Hegemony. Zkaii and her brood have been largely busy with expansion and colonization efforts over the last few years. Ever the tinkerers, her brood are known for their natural curiosity for all things mechanical, much to the chagrin of local mining companies who prefer their equipment in one piece. In the year since the news of the Zo’ra High Queen's ultimate fate, Zkaii has been under pressure to assume the role of High Queen from her fellow Lesser Queens. She assumed this duty during a public announcement in 2461.

Vetju’tenx’sil, the Iron Queen: Often regarded as Zkaii’s polar opposite, Vetju is the oldest Kl’axian Vaurca within known space. Known for her great pragmatism, her brood do not busy themselves with the expansion of the Hive’s colonies. Instead, her brood recycles and melts down parts of the hive ship as well as maintaining the technology that all K’lax enjoy. It was Vetju who plotted the great Hiveship Kloz’xera to its final resting place. Much as they did when they entered the system, Vetju used Tret’s environment to land the gargantuan craft on the ground.

Leto’yaht’zor, the Seeker: The second youngest of the K’laxian queens, Leto is known by some as an idealist, with her interests set in the great past of the Vaurcae. She herself has been regarded as a complete library by those few Unathi that have been able to approach her, with Leto famously being able to recite complete wars, lives and technology. Recently, some human scholars have turned their heads towards her instead, believing her resources to be even more telling of the Vaurcae than the Zo’rane archive they have available.

Vedhra’rept’ylanze, Princess of Configurations: Seeing the stark technological disadvantage of the Hives over the Lii’dra, Vedhra was born with a singular goal in mind: preparation for war with them. There are various ways the brood goes about this, one of which being a large-scale attempt to be biologically superior to Lii’dra specimens. This has caused the brood to be a particular advocate within the K’lax for biological manipulation and augmentation. Genetics tampering is also not unheard of, but generally less commonly looked into. Vedhra takes time to inspect the tools and weapons of other cultures in an attempt to create a force capable of dealing with whatever the Lii’dra can throw at them.

Tupii’maxk’rekxak, the Surrogate Queen: Also referred as ‘The Queen-Elect’, Tupii is an anomalous case in Vaurca History, becoming Queen of the original K’lax brood. Due to the lifespan of the Tas, the idea of Queen succession is still fairly novel, as traditionally a brood (or a Hive as a whole) would perish after the Queen does. While both the Zo’ra and K’lax have now chosen a High Queen from the lesser ones to act as a leader, for a different lesser Ta to step in and command a brood is something that Queenless Breeders would have dreamed about, but otherwise never allowed before. The revitalization of the K’lax Hive, however, required drastic measures to be taken, and new protocols enacted to ensure their survival in this modern era.

C'thur

See also: C'thur in the Federation

The flag of the C'thur represents the Hive's independence and gratitude towards their Nralakk Federation benefactors.

Known as "The Weavers", they are the third Hive that has developed relationships with other sophonts of the Orion Spur. While their arrival was kept in secret by the Nralakk Federation, the revelation has reignited diplomatic disputes between K’lax and C’thur, with outright hostility met by the K’lax towards the C’thur.

Historically a minor hive, the C’thur were instrumental in developing inter-hive diplomacy upon Sedantis, often acting as neutral third parties to delegate issues. Indeed for much of their history, the C’thur wove complex political alliances to protect themselves as well as acting as a sort of information broker for many of the larger hives. Prior to their Exodus from Sedantis, they maintained relations with both the K'lax and Zo'ra.

The C’thur arrived within Glorashi, a system within skrell space only two weeks after the K’laxian Hiveship, the Klo’zxera left the area. It is now known that C’thuric Hiveship, the Kloxa’xia, was originally K’laxian, meant to rendez-vous with the Klo’zxera within Xi’miix, but the K’lax left soon after a Lii’dra attack. The C'thur continue to report that they secured the Hiveship in diplomatic negotiations with the K’lax during their journey, but the validity of this claim is yet to be proven. The C’thur have quickly integrated into Skrellian colonies.

Unlike all other hives, the C’thur are led by their original Hive Queen, who, with a council of three other Lesser Queens, leads the Hive in this new age. In this effort, the Hive has begun dealing with the multitude of governments and corporations of the galaxy, all under the auspices of their Skrellian saviors.

The C’thur are the most economically developed Hive, having stakes in Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals.

For their life with Skrell, see C'thur in the Federation.

C'thur and her Queens

C'thur, Queen of Masques: High Queen of the C’thur, she is one of the oldest beings known to exist amongst the Vaurcae and indeed the rest of the Orion Spur. C’thur has borne the C’thur Hive since its inception, taking careful first steps with her brood in the then war-torn Sedantis during the closing of the Agricultural Revolution. Her injuries by the Lii’dra have left her in the hands of her Skrellian saviors.

Mouv’lek’tanta, the Recondite Queen: Mouv is the oldest daughter of C’thur and has quickly developed political alliances within and outside of Federation space. Indeed, As the oldest lesser queen, Mouv’lek’s brood has thrived under the care of the Nralakk Federation, with thousands of her Unbound Workers and Warriors working in tandem with scientists from the Nralakk Federation to develop new technologies, as well to provide information about the enemies the Federation may face.

She has made inroads within Eridani, buying a significant portion of Einstein Engines through various Skrellian intermediaries by selling off some of the more complex Vaurcesian virtual reality technology. Perhaps more than any other of her Hive, Mouv’lek realizes the power of money in the new society the C’thur find themselves in and has done all she can to acquire more of it.

Vytel’hyr’tkud, the Just Queen: A gregarious queen, Vytel was lauded as a champion amongst smaller Hive vassals upon Sedantis. She crafted an image of neutrality and fairness that remains to this day. The youngest of the lesser queens brought with the C'thur Hive, little was ever expected of Vytel beyond her peacekeeping missions, who maintained her brood in such numbers more as an afterthought in the consensus of the Hive Queens.

Xetl’jyatk’yatu, the Voracious Queen: is the middle daughter of High Queen C’thur. Tales of Xetl’s excess are legendary, and it is with pride that many of her brood recount stories of such. Despite her hedonistic lifestyle, Xetl’jyatk maintains her Hive’s implants, overseeing the process of Reclamation and development of new implants. She takes pride in her brood’s work, a trait that most of her spawn share.

The Lii'dra

Main article: The Lii'dra

It is debatable if the Lii'dra can truly be considered a Hive at all; unlike the three other hives in the Orion Spur, the Lii'dra operate on a true hivemind of unprecedented scale. They came to prominence during the Great Hive War of millennia ago, in which they attempted to assimilate all the Vaurca hives of Sedantis into their collective. While it was thought they died with the destruction of Sedantis, they made a shocking appearance in the Alaz-Khan star system of the Republic of Elyra, attacking the planet Bursa.

Inter-hive Relationships

The Zo'ra and K'lax Hives maintain warm relations, while officially the diplomatic tension between the C'thur and K'lax Hives is tenuous at best. The Lii'dra Hive is universally hated. The Zo'ra percieve themselves the rightful rulers of the K'lax and C'thur, and the K'lax have thus far made no official statement against this. Meanwhile, the C'thur changes their announcements constantly. The Bound of each Hive serve other Vaurcae of their Hive firstly and are completely subservient to the will of their Hive's rulership. The K'lax Bound however will also serve Zo'ra Vaurcae should there be no conflict with the desires of K'lax hierarchy. The same can be said to a lesser degree with the C'thur. Zo'ra Bound will rarely ever service K'lax Vaurcae, and only when instructed to do so by Zo'ra Unbound. Zo'ra, C'thur and K'lax Unbound typically do not intermingle except on an individual basis and remain subservient to the desires of their respective hierarchy.

Interspecies Relationships

The Zo'ra tend to be cooperative with humanity out of necessity, but on an individual level opinions vary between each Unbound. This approach is largely shared in reference to all other aliens, viewing them as potential benefits to their Hives. Perhaps in response to, or as a result of this, the Zo'ra Hives have begun to re-imagine themselves as something aliens can identify with. Supporting cross-species initiatives that further increase cooperation between each species feeds into this idea of ultimately benefiting all species involved. Besides this, the servitude that Bound abides by is a topic of concern for humanity in particular, because Bound are hard-wired to satisfy the needs of other Unbound of their Hive firstly, it creates the possibility for conflicts of interest between the humans that use cheap Bound labor, and any Unbound Vaurcae of the same Hive. However, such situations are unreported if they do occur, and the cheapness and effectiveness of Bound labor tend to surpass potential dangers. For more about Zo'ra and their connection to the Republic of Biesel, read Zo'ra in the Republic of Biesel.

The Skrell of the Nralakk Federation have taken to using a work drafting system to assign duties to Vaurcae of the C'thur Hive. The Federation or an empowered representative would requisition an amount of C'thur for a particular job, which would then be supplied by the Hive. These C'thur would complete this assignment and then return to their Hive. This entire process is overseen by a legal counsel comprised of both species, providing fair and equitable exchanges for all parties. The largest orders of labor come from the Federation itself and the Nanotrasen corporation. For more about C'thur and their connection to the Skrell of the Nralakk Federation, read C'thur in the Federation.

K'lax tend to maintain terse but warm relations with the Izweski Hegemony, providing military support as expected from a vassal, as well as sharing cultural and sometimes technological advances for the betterment of both species. Beyond this, they maintain little contact with the galaxy at large, save for their begrudging but needed trade relations with the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, especially Hephaestus Industries. Due to their unfavourable deal with Hephaestus Industries, many K'lax view humans in a negative light. For more about the K'lax and their relations with the Unathi, read K'lax in the Izweski Nation.

Overall, the approach all Hives have taken when sending their populations to work with aliens is to treat their 'workplaces' as an adopted Hive cell. All Hives encourage the development of social bonds that normally come with working closely between Vaurcae in the same Hive cell. This has led to some Vaurcae considering their co-workers a second family.