Vaurca

Vaurca, (Vore-Kah, Vaurca in singular term and Vaurcae in multiple) are bipedal animal-like organisms from the first moon of Sedantis I, vaguely reminiscent of Earth prawn. They have a complex caste system based on three types, and are very prevalent in human space after their first hive-ship contact on December 21, 2456. Although tolerated on NanoTrasen stations, they are often discriminated against, and are unwelcome on most human-owned worlds, barring Tau Ceti. To apply to be one of the insect-like Vaurca, apply here

Additional information: Sedantis =History=

The Old Era
The earliest records of Vaurca intelligence range from some time starting between 100,000 and 150,00 years ago. During this period, the first signs of actual documentation and history are recorded. According to the documents and few murals, nomadism claims all the primitive hives due to the harsh nature of the planet. Queens venture with their workers by their side, exhausting caves of one of the only food substances on the planet. This nomadism is caused because of the harsh nature of the moon, orbitting the intensely radioactive gas giant, Sedantis I. Despite the lack of resources, a structure is seen taken place during this time, as there is evidence of a culture of warfare being brought up. Some battles are seen depicted on cave murals, and a sense of honor is creaed around drones where, if victorious in battle, the enemy bodies must be consumed after their head is severed from the body with the victor's mandibles. All fighting was done using the claws on a drone's hand, with mandibles, or usage of the legs; although tools existed, it seemed using them in battle was a form of taboo. This may explain why most warriors of present day Vaurca use weaponry integrated into themselves; a way to fight more efficiently without breaking their code of honor.

The Era of Change
Approximately 60,000 years ago, the nomadism is recorded to have ceased, with the developement of large-scale farming of their primary fungus foodsource. This leads to a massive increase of drones, and some hives are recorded to nearly cover entire deserts. While this leads to explosive tech, it also fuels competition and strife between the hives, as fertile farmland was a rare and extremely coveted prize. The old honor system begins to be discarded, as steel forges begin creating weapons like the ranged 'Spike Maul,' a primitive but effective cross-bow weapon that fires barbed spikes at a high velocity, and 'Claws of Steel,' metal encasings around the already formdiable claws of the drones. Similar developements that humans also discovered were made, such as simple spears and axe-like weapons.Some armors are created to counteract the effects of weapons like these. Some warriors were known as 'Yuis'uit'oi,' meaning 'The Riders,' as they would ride some of the indigenous species of their planet into battle. These animals included the massive beetles known coaqually as 'scarabs' to humans. Scarabs were driven to extinction due to their constant use in warfare and inability to breed fast enough to cope with their numbers falling. Many massive battles of several hundred thousand warriors are recorded from this era, and vast cities can still be discovered on Sedantis, remnants of these once massive hives.

Despite war being a massive part of the Era of Change, there appears to be massive improvements in governmental systems. According to ancient manuscripts, the Queen was reduced from being the center, ruling body of the hive to a simple breeding and advisory tool. Evidence of larger hives, such as the Zo'ra hive, are ruled by an elected Council, making decisions that effect the hive in total. This gives evidence that all, or nearly every, Vaurca was originally self aware and chose its own path in life.

The Era of Augments
The Era of Change ended approximately 20,000 years ago, when the technological and cultural growth reached a head after the developement of nuclear technology. While always prone to augmenting themselves, any attempts to completely genetically change a given drone, or even cybernetically enhance it ended in catastrophic failure that ended in death for the subject. This phenomenon occured for unknown reasons. Evidence suggests that the Vaurca either had a lucky break, or discovered a form of alien technology on their home-moon, that allowed them to suddenly completely engineer themselves cybernetically, but also on the genetic level, leaving what we know as Vaurca today; the three biological and cultural castes, and the 'paradise' of the Queen. Fundemantal changes began to strike across the entire race as the old ways were solidified into a modern work-horse fueled by the new power and efficiency of the workers and soldiers. Workers could work for ten times as long, five times as hard, and for 25% of the food and water originally needed, and soldiers could be much more terrifying and formidable in battle. While the augments offered many new freedoms, a certain physical system began to occur as a soldier who was given war augments, could not easibly be an efficient general purpose worker or artist, and left it trapped within the war caste indefinitely; which began to become a social problem, as most hatchlings were given augments that hardened them for a future role from birth, a role that most did not want. A Vaurca who had wanted to become a farmer would end up being a pilot, or part hazerdous waste disposal team.

This lack of social freedom paved way for the enigmatic development of the 'Paradise' we see today, where the conscioussness of a Vaurca is downloaded onto the virtual reality hub of the Queen, and from there can do anything, be anything, simulate anything or converse with fellow Vaurca from the nueral level; experiencing emotions on an entire new dynamic, something unrelateable by other sentient species. After the developement of the Paradise, all warriors and workers are drones, nothing more. Mindless (but effective, efficient, and cost-less) machines that work for the hive, while their minds explore the limitless reality offered within the Type CA.

The Era of Stars
Movement into the stars for the Vaurca was inevitable, despite the fear they have of the sky and its possible connotation of hell. Initial movement into the stars was recorded after the Vaurca discovery of fusion power, approximately 12,000 years ago, encompassing the entirety of human history itself. Starting with unmanned probes and progressing to massive STL colony ships, Vaurca space history has been something of a mystery, as no hive discovered FTL prior to human contact, apart from the War-Driven Lii'dra hive, but even they only discovered the secrets of warp technology conveniently close to human contact; only 40 years before. The reason that no hive discovered FTL technology is theorised that they did not observe, or had no chance to observe, some of hte natural phenomenon that other races learned FTL technology from; like observing a wormhole for warp, or testing for resonance cascade scenario such as Dr. Samantha Tigard and her Skrellian science team were attempting to study.

This non-developement of FTL led to many difficult situations for interstellar hives, such as the Zo'ra, K'lax, Lii'dra, and other major hives. Because they could not feasibly house entire fleets, they were led to the developement of 'Star Homes' or, 'Titan Primes,' as they are named by human observers. These Star Homes are massive constructs, and capable of multi-tasking many different functionalities. Star Homes are battleships, colony ships, mobile incubators, carriers, refineries, and production facilities all in their own. Being very modular, they can exchange parts and are easily repairable if damaged as long as there is an abundance of resources, such as an asteroid or planet. Star Homes carry smaller warships in case enemy hives come in contact with them, but due to sheer size and scale, are fully capable of combatting another Star Home or smaller vessels if forced to do so; but only as a last resort. Through the use of Star Homes, the Vaurca have been able to more or less populate the habitable systems of the Spider nebula, and through the use of FTL communicators have been able to hold weak governmental fabric amongst hives.

Prior to human contact, most hives were at war with each other, with the leaderboards reading the Lii'dra hive as winning, and the Zo'ra hive and its allies as losing. While tensions have never been fully settled, when presented with the drive technologically advanced Lii'dra, most hives united under the banner of the Zo'ra who were the most populous hive, and comparably advanced, but not to the Lii'dra. The Lii'dra inexpleicable developed Warp technology, and were using it to systematically destroy the Star Homes of Zo'ra and its allies, as well as their colonies.

Contact with Humanity (The New Era)
None of the species of the galaxy had any idea that the Vaurca existed until an eventful day in November, 2456 when the drive plume and heat signature of a massive ship burning its engine in order to slow down for an approach was detected near the Romanovich cloud, in Tau Ceti. While the galaxy was taken aback by this information, the Sol Alliance ( With NanoTrasen Assistance) acted immediately. A small scout vessel was dispatched to the ship, which was revelead to be a 30 kilometer (18.23 mile) vessel, mostly engine and radiator. Dubbed 'Titan Prime' by the media, Tau Ceti and news places over the known galaxy were bubbling with excitement as the object approached its apparent destination: Biesel.

After a few weeks, the object passed the Romanovich cloud and dispatched over twenty drones to key locations in Tau Ceti. Some of these locations included the NMSS Odin, the ASV Von Braun, ASV Arcadia, NSS Aurora, NSS Exodus, NMV Retaliation, and one to each planet. These drones were tiny compared to the ship; and even to fighters of the current generation, spanning about twenty meters long and seven tall. Although all drones dispatched to the location turned back immediately, one did not. The one that was headed for the NSS Aurora stayed, and in fact, contacted the station through use of the station's own intercommunication system; displaying a single, unintelligible message. After a period of three hours, the crew were dispatched to the probe and entered, finding a hollow vessel. In the middle was a single alien computer, and in a corner of a room were Vaurca eggs, presumably for use in early colonization.

Research crew of the NSS Aurora, including Dr. Phoebe Essel and team were able to interact with the computer, painstakingly finding ways to translate the cryptic language it was attempting to speak in, and after usage of a pAI, were able to teach the machine Tau Ceti Basic. After some conversation, the computer detached itself and was brought aboard the NSS Aurora for a psuedo-first contact situation. During this time, humanity learned that the probe was, in fact, a type BC Vaurca, and that it had been sent in order to document the indigenous species of the solar system. The computer tapped into the bluespace connection of the Artificial Intelligence of the station, uploaded core data files onto its hardware, and then departed.

From this point on, communications diplomatically occured. First radio contact was established with the Prime Minister of the Sol Alliance, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directorates of NanoTrasen, and the Type CA of Titan Prime. It was learned that the vessel was sent approximately three thousand years ago on a colinization mission from the Spider Nebula, a dense cluster that none of the known species took any interest in. It was also learned that Titan Prime housed six million Vuarca on it, a staggering number for even a vessel of that massive size. Basic history was exchanged, and preperations occured for a bluespace gate to be built in the Spider Nebula, specifically the star system of Sedantis (Home of the species, and currently owned by the Zo'ra hive). This would connect the race with the other species of the galaxy for technological advancement, diplomacy, trade, and other boons of galactic community.

While the construction ships assembled, Titan Prime came closer to Biesel, but, before settling into a stable orbit around the planet, disaster struck. A lone destroyer accompanied by a wing of piggy-packing frigates, owned by the violently anti-alien, pro-human organization known as 'Terran Confederacy of Truth Crusaders,' or TFTC, managed to steer through the blockade put up by Sol Alliance military vessels. The ship and its compatriots fired four nuclear missiles, and managed to get around fourty mass driver shots into the ship before simultaneousley being apprehended by Titan Prime's weaponry, and Sol Military ships.

While the ship was prepared to take damage, it was not ready for a surprise attack. The attack crippled parts of the ship and killed over 40,000 Vaurca. An emergency distress call was sent towards NanoTrasen and the Sol Alliance, and they acted immediately. Ferries, re-purposed cargo ships, and civilian shuttles evacuated 2 million inhabitants of Titan Prime, ferrying them mostly to New Gibson and Biesel, respectively. Evacuations are still undergoing, but damage to Titan Prime and chaos in the ship is making it more difficult. The Queens and type CB of the ship were rescued first, and are reportedly residing in stations housed by the Alliance or in the Provinces, and one Type CB resides within the Administration district of Mendell City, acting as diplomat.

Today, over a million and a half bound and unbound Vaurca live in 'Provinces,' a non-offensive term for the concentration camp-like slums they are forced into on New Gibson, and over 500,000 Vaurca live in similar 'Provinces' on Biesel. Officials are extremely worried about the cost of continued evacuation of Titan Prime, as the quick-breeding Vaurca could out-breed the already solidified civilian population in sixteen years.

Back in the Spider Nebula, however, the tides of war turn as knowledge from Titan Prime flows in from the Bluespace gate that was recently built. Since first contact, the Zo'ra hive has discovered Bluespace, and extremely advanced forms of weaponry, turning them against their own kind. Since a week after the bluespace gate was built, the Zo'ra hive is currently undergoing a war of conquest, and subjegating other hives as 'Client Hives' which work and build for the Zo'ra hive, enslaving hives, or utterly destroying the hives that do not surrender. Since the Lii'dra hive had been tormenting the Zo'ra hive for a longer period of time, the Zo'ra hive has hit Lii'dra extremely hard, taking down their number of colonies and Star Homes by 75%. The Lii'dra, who refuse to surrender, fight with the ferocity of knowing they will be destroyed if the Zo'ra are not stopped, and similar hives are beggining to ally under a new banner - the Banner of the Lii'dra; one of xenophobia and war.

=Biology=

To the average human, the Vaurca seem to look like terrestrial prawns, but act like ants, or termites. While their biology looks similar to something like a termite; scientifically, this description is largely superficial. There are three types of Vaurca biologically, and these tend to corrugate with the cultural caste system. There is extreme evidence hinting from all types of Vaurca biologically, that they have augmented themselves and genetically engineered a few of their modern traits, and it is near impossible to predict what they could have been like before they developed these augments.

Type A (Workers)


Biologically, Type A are the most prevalent and can be seen as the 'backbone' of Vaurca societies. Their most prevalent feature is their hardened exoskeleton, varying in colors according to their hive. It is approximately three inches thick among all Type A Vaurca. The Exoskleton provides protection against harsh radiation, solar and otherwise, as well as acts as a pressure-suit, sealing their soft inner core from the outside world. This allows most Type A Vaurca to have EVA periods of around 4 hours or more, assuming they have internals. They are bipedal, with bird-like talon toes. Their legs separate into two parts, that form into what would be their feet, with the end of the 'toes' always touching the ground. Their hands consist of a type of 'grasping' arrangement, two middle fingers with small talons at the end, and two opposable thumbs, a left and a right, on either side of their hand.

Internal Organs
Internally, Type A are very similar to that of an Earth insect. They have an open circulatory system, with their blood covering their digestive system, dual hearts, lungs, and other organs. Their dual hearts provide a significant sloshing motion to prevent the blood from stagnating. Their blood is a copper-based hemoglobin, with a high dependency of sulfer, creating a yellow tinted blood, with a very potent stink. This open circulatory system, however, can lead to wounds that pierce the exoskeleton and minor layer of skin to bleed out unless treated quickly. They function well with an atmosphere of mostly oxygen, nitrogen, and very trace amounts of gaseous plasma. Along their throat they have their breathing apparatus, which is definitely a form of cybernetic implant. This implant converts station atmosphere into a tolerable one, and injects very small amounts of plasma into it.

Limbs
Type A have two large, insect-like eyes, and two smaller ones underneath, that are hyper-sensitive to most forms of light. While they can function in light-heavy environments perfectly fine, most complain about frequent migraines and tendency to get frustrated after long exposures to light like the sun, or even general station phosphorics. This hyper-sensitivity, however, leads to heavily increased eyesight in dark areas, like the tunnels of their cities or the narrow, nearly lightless corridors of their ships. They also have large, insect-like antennae that protrude from their head, above their large eyes. These antennae are used for greater perception of their surroundings and to communicate with each other through subtle movements, or rubbing them together with another Type A. Also acting a sensory and nerve database, when these antennae are lost, they can cause confusion, dizziness, nausea, communications problems, and is extremely painful. Some observations have been concluded with: "It's like watching a drunk man trying to walk."

Their mouth parts are similar to a prawn's, in that they have two large mandibles, with small feelers and chewing parts that come out of the bottom. They click these mandibles together, combined with their vocal chords and pheromones they release, and create their archaic language. Their breathing apparatus also acts a voice synthesizer, allowing them to speak intelligibly, (despite very alien-sounding) human languages.

Type A are created after initial birth, and given a slightly more moist and warmth emphasized nurturing environment before hatching.

Type B (Warriors)
Type B are the second most prominent of the biological parts of Vaurca society. Varying massively in size and specific biological parts, they have, essentially, the same physiology as Type A. Type B can range in size from six feet tall, to twenty eight recorded feet tall. They can be bipedal, quadrupeds, or hextopeds. Despite each Type B's appearance, they have been filed into three general categories.

Type BA
Type BA range generally from 5 feet, to 9 feet tall. Bipedal and usually more exo-skeleton thick, Type BA have exactly the same physiology as Type A, but seem to posses extreme amounts of augments, more aggressive focused. Examining of their exoskeleton reveals two inches thicker, and supporrted with carbon nano-tubes that provide a stronger-than steel natural armor, but allows type BA to move around freely and at will.

Their antennae are modified to have motion sensors and audio + sensory amplifiers, so they can seek out enemies quicker. Their eyes have semi-glass-like coverings over them that protect it from most forms of damages, and also provide a HUD for synchronizing weaponry that Type BA wield. There is evidence of stumps along where their shoulder blades would be, which provides the theory that there may have been wings there at one point. Some Type BA have integrated jet packs there, for easier EVA transport and quick mobilization within gravity.

Type BB
Type BB range from being 6 feet tall to 9 feet tall. They are quadrupedal, and have very thick exo-skeletons. Type BB have generally the same physiology as Type A and BA. They have presence of extremely heavy augmentation to their bodies and mind-system. While most other Vaurca are bipedal, Type BB have four, spindle-like legs, that are extremely strong, made from a different substance than their actual exoskeleton, resembling more metallic than chitinous material. At where the feet of these legs would be, are highly adaptible and flexible graspers that allow a Type BA to scale nearly any surface, including vertical, and sustain little damage from large drops.

On their interior, they come equipped with a bio-generator, taking 'energy' from their bloodstream and heart motions, to help power their equipment, as well as having an tri-implementation of internal, highly efficient high-storage batteries. They have internal adrenal injectors that they can use during high-intensity combat situations, and have blood-clotting formulas to treat wounds faster.

Their exoskeleton is similarly reinforced as Type BA, with carbon nano-tubes and synthetic plating reincforcing the bulk of the chitinous layer, but also has a thin layer of energy shielding that comes from unknown sources within Type BB itself, covering the very most outer layer of exo-skeleton, seeming to have various node-points that spread across Type BB's body.

Weaponry wise, they seem to be mobile weapons platforms, without even needing to wield a weapon. They have two long, razor-sharp arms that come with energy-supplements for eviscerating enemies, two integral energy weapons above their front shoulders that have automated targeting and fast firing speeds, and are often seen with larger mounts on their backs, ranging from Anti-Air cannons, mortars, siege cannons, or a mounted ballistic/energy machine guns.

Type BC
Being very different from the other Types of Vaurca, but inherently similar to Type B, Type BC are somewhat of a phenomenon. They are completely mechanical, ranging from airborne, to land-based, to water and submarine based, they are essentially vehicles piloted by lobotomized Vaurca Type A and B nerve centers.

They are created from invalid Type A and B, and are used in warfare, transportation, exploration, and many other uses, similar to how Humans use many vehicles for their own endeavors. Some are even reported to be entire fighter-frigate sized space-ships.

Type C (Breeders)
Type C are the rarest among Vaurca, in that they make up around 2-3% of their entire species. They consist of two parts, male and female to Human standards, and each part has a very unique acting on their specific hive.

Type CA
Type CA are an extreme anomaly compared to other races around known space. Acting as the female counterpart of Type C Vaurca, they are generally hosted within large Iron Wombs that automatically artificially inseminate, and ensure eggs are transported to hatcheries and nurseries unharmed. Physically, type CA are blobulous, with thousands of tiny cilia along their underside to assist them with movements if required. The have a large feeding tube protruding from their front, and alongside that feeding tube, a neural tube that can connect to any Vaurca, barring Type CB.

This neural tube connects any given Vaurca access to the collective conscious, and allows for instantaneous sentient possession by the millions of multiple 'personalities' stored within Type CA's body. Type CA are theorized to act as a form of Virtual Reality connection hub, where anything can be simulated and created. Type CA are often seen around many 'Unbound' Vaurca, transferring information and replacing personalities.

Type CA go through three phases, different from their Type A and B compatriots. After initial larvae period, they enter the 'royal' phase, where they are around the size of a standard Type A, and have seperated ego's. During this phase, they seek a viable spot for a new hive.

The next phase is the 'Established' phase, where they grow approximately 5x their original height and begin laying eggs for the hive. This phase is generally short, and it is predicted that the phases ended at this time, before the Augmentation period. This Queen has a very large abdomen like structure, where eggs are created and layed, two scythe-like arms, and a large head with six eyes and antennae.

The final phase is the 'Storage' phase, where the Type CA completely melds with technology and finds an adequet Type CB to maintain continuous offspring with, becoming the type detailed in the original explaination.

Type CB
Type CB are the second, and male counterpart, of Type C Vaurca. They are essentially exactly the same as Type A Vaurca, but they sport large functional wings that allows them to fly through the air at high speeds, theorized to allow them to get around their home planet to find mates quicker.

Evolution
The Vaurca have evolved from small, hive-like entities that seemed to group together in tight, nomadic hives and wander their home planet in search for large growths of their primary food substance, a rampant and non-nutritious fungus entity known through their language as K'ois, (Translated to: The Substance). There is evidence of them evolving from small insects, and through unknown means rampantly increasing in size and numbers some time before pre-sentient history. This may be due to a sudden introduction or increase of Oxygen in the atmosphere.

The Vaurca evolved into their current form roughly 200,000 years ago, before developing agriculture 60,000 years ago. Thousands of years were spent fighting over the few areas of rich farmland on the planet. Their arid and sparse environment drove them to develop advanced methods of genetic and technological augmentation. Approximately 15,000 years ago, the first Vaurca craft left their solar system. In the time since, they have radically modified their genome and appearance, leading to the development of the current system of castes. Evidence of the early appearance of Vaurca before their augmentation is sparse, but what sources exist do suggest that Type A Vaurca most closley resemble their 'natural' appearance without augmentation. It is suggested that the current concept of a Queen has changed from its original meaning, with the methods of influence changing from primarily using chemicals and pheremones to control the population to the creation of large paradise-like virtual realities in which the vast majority of the Vaurca population spends its entire existence. In the modern day, the Vaurca have used their technology to allow their many physical workers to serve the hive with extreme efficiency and unquestioning loyalty.

Sleep Cycle
Vaurcae sleep cycle is a very hard to one to predict. While it seems like most of all Types of Vaurca don't actually sleep at all, there is evidence of, a few hours per standard day, the Vaurca enter a stasis-like state in that their mind shuts off and they stay still. This is similar to how a robot can enter 'sleep mode' and it is theorized that this time is used for sorting memories and useful information in a specific, Bound or Unbound, Vaurca.

Birthing Cycle
All Vaurcae, disrearding Type C, go through an initial birthing process that is made up of three phases. This birthing cycle is similar to any insect, although further studies show how much more incredibly complex these processes are.

Eggs
After being first layed by the Queen and transported mechanically to the birthing and nursery chambers of a hive, Vaurca eggs are incredibly fragile, approximately 91.44 centimeters tall and 30.48 centimeters thick, they have a thin slimey covering and are transparent, often being a dirty brown or whitish color. The devoloping larvae can be seen inside. They are connected to a feeding machine, supplying nutrients to the forming larva. These nutrients are also a growth hormone, making the Vaurca grow faster, and shortening hatch period. The egg will hatch in a period of four to ten days.

Lesser Larvae
The second phase of the birthing cycle, Lesser larvae are what come from initially hatched eggs. Frail and very weak, they are always a milky white color, without any eyes and transparent, soft skin. They are photophobic, and often require assisted movements. During this phase, all forms of conscious are removed an downloaded into the Virtual Reality of the hive. The Vaurca remains in this period for approximately one standard week.

Greater Larvae
The final phase of the birthing cycle, greater larvae are a mature version of the Lesser. They have a weak, but effective exoskeleton, and are capable of moving themselves around. Being approximtely a meter long, they also have four eyes and a feeding mouth at the bottom of their 'head.' During this phase, necessary hormones and minor augmentation are injected to determine wether a given larva will become a Type A or B. Vaurca stay in this period for about 5 weeks, before hatching into their designate role of the Hive's society. After they mature, they are then heavily augmented, the neural tube being inserted in the back of their head, and any structural and internal machinery placed.

= Culture =

Fashion & Cuisine
Throughout Vaurca history, fashion has remained nearly non-existant. Often going nude or with small garments covering their mouth pieces to prevent any forms of contagions inside, they have do not have as bad as a nudity taboo as other races seem to have. Also lacking any kind of genitalia, they have nothing to be worried about when inside their hives. However, some Vaurca prefer to wear thin blindfold-like cloth over their eyes to prevent the 'extreme light' from giving them headaches or discomfort.

On their homeworld, however, Vaurca that go above-ground, venturing from their massive underground and mountain-based hives are often seen wearing cloth to prevent radiation sickness, despite their natural resistance against radiation.

Vaurca that venture EVA, despite their natural tolerance to high/low/vacuum pressure environments, are seen wearing soft-suits, that allow them prolonged times in space for construction, operations, and other EVA activities.

Vaurca cuisine is viewed upon as extremely bland and tasteless to the other species. Generally consisting completely of their genetically engineered fungus that they grow en masse, it is grinded down into a paste, boiled, or eaten raw. It is describes as tasting chalk-like or like iron to Humans, and if eaten too much, some humans can get nauseated.

The fungus, K'ois ('The Substance'), is a white, bulbous mushroom that thrives in any environment it is placed in, apart from overly wet. While it appears this fungus is genetically bred to be so adaptable, it is also presumed it was naturally abundant over the Vaurcae home planet.

The Arts
Art is a strange subject when it comes to the Vaurca. While not possessing any form of written art, that we currently know of, their art comes in a virtual sense. This art-style goes hand in hand with the Vaurcae caste system. They view their Virtual Reality as a paradise, and can simulate anything and everything. Due to this Virtual Reality, they have never had the need, since uploading themselves to it, to draw, write, or anything else.

This Virtual Reality also acts as an information data hub, so as long as there are Type CA still alive, all Vaurcae knowledge can still be accessible, without the need for written or typed documentation.

Religion
Vaurca viewings upon the world and the unknown in general is fairly standard to most other races. The sentient parts of their species regard the Type CA, or their 'Queen', as the God's of their hive. This is due to the relationships the personalities and the drones have with each other, as well as the Queen itself being the 'harbor' of the Virtual Reality, which to them is Heaven.

Similar to how humanity views the afterlife, they believe there is a heaven and a hell. K'seaiu'iut (Heaven, Paradise, etc) and Ck'ois'tika (The World Above). Because of the harmful UV radiation and the overall in-hospitable surface of their planet, primitive Vaurca viewed space and the sky as where all souls who did not benefit the hive in their lifetime would go, a place of eternal pain and damnation to the F'sixast'kis, (The Black Queen) who would torture them in a psuedo-opposite Virtual Reality world that they could never escape from.

Because of their large caste difference, the Bound of the Vaurca believe this wholeheartedly. The Unbound have a slightly different approach on this mentality. They believe all drones to be simple carriers of the good of their hive, and that each is merely a piece of clothing to put on, wear out, and then dispose of as necessary, while also indulging that their service to the hive can approve of unlimited time within the Virtual Reality, instead of a violent death traversing and learning for the good of the hive.

=Castes=

There are three distinct caste systems that work in complicated harmony with each other, that seem to be independent of biological constraints, however, also seem to go hand-in-hand. This Caste system is decided by how many personalities are currently inside the Virtual Reality, and how many Type A and B Vaurca are required.

The Bound
This is the most prominent caste. The Bound are, essentially, lobotomized Type A and B Vaurca that unquestionably follow the orders of superiors to the death. They appear to not be self aware, able to carry out conversations, but unable to make decisions for themselves. They seem to not have any sense of possession, willingly giving out any and all of their possessions to those who ask. The Bound are the main workforce; A slave-like caste that the Vaurca social system is built upon. All Bound Vaurca have data-sockets in the back of their head, accessible by the neural tube of the Type CA Vaurca to allow gathering of information, or ascension into the Unbound. They can be thought of like cyborgs.

All warriors and standard drones are Bound. They are commonly seen on NanoTrasen stations as civilian jobs, like cargo technician, chef, assistant, Janitor, or any kind of apprentice, barring security and science. While they, by law, receive pay, there are no regulations in place for simply asking for the Bound's money, so they are often employed as nearly cost-less workers.

Derogatory names are often assigned to The Bound by the Unbound, generally consisting of names like: 'The Burden,' 'The Mindless,' 'Unsanitary,' 'Thoughtless,' and many others. This is an interesting relationship, as The Bound seem to revere and even worship The Unbound, like each one was a minor God.

The Unbound
This is the second most prominent caste. The Unbound are essentially the only sentient part of Vaurca sociology, in that they are the embodied personas stored on Type CA in the Virtual Reality, uploaded into The Bound. They are perfectly capable of making rational, thinking decisions, and are naturally intuitive and curious, much like a human. Behavior wise, each Unbound is nearly identical when they are first transferred out of their Virtual Reality paradise. As they begin to learn and gain experience, however, they become individualized and have personalities for themselves. (Even if it is simulated.)

The Unbound learn as any normal human, while having access to the Hive Network of any hive, they go through periodic 'resets' where their knowledge is absorbed, and occasionally, the personality switched out for another. When a Bound steps up to Type CA, the neural tube temporarily connects the personality back with the hive, and they instantly share information.

The Unbound are chosen through multiple factors. While they are the very fringe of their species, the Unbound measure around 2,000-3,000 per large hive. Approximately 30% of the Unbound are voluntary, genuinely curious about the outside world, or are patriotic enough to assist the hive in any way they can. However, the other 70% of the Unbound are chosen in an automatic raffle, where they are ripped from their virtual reality paradise and made to serve the Hive. This can lead to disgruntlement. They will often detest their body, and themselves, and be genuinely hateful to everything, merely doing the minimum and full fulling their job.

The Unbound are often sent off into the world independently from the Hive to learn and study their surroundings, or, in the event they stay in the hive, manage the Bound and perform civic duties, such as scientific research and diplomacy. In practice within human societies, they often live alone in their own apartments like any other citizen, and work to support themselves, rarely having monetary aid from their Hive. Every few months, they must make the journey back to their Type CA, and deposit information. At this point, they can determine if they wish to go back into the Virtual Reality, or stay in the physical world.

On NanoTrasen stations, they are often employed as any human would be, generally not having any specializations until they learn about a department; they can be seen frequently as interns. This is not always the case, as they learn very rapidly, and some have been subjected to schooling already, passing as any graduate would.

The I'soiasfi
Being an unusual caste, and the translation having thousands of connotations, there has not been a definite translation created for the third, and rarest Caste of the Vaurca. Generally describing a scene like 'Heaven,' 'Paradise,' 'Tranquility,' and 'Utopia,' I'soiasfi describes what the Type C are. They are carriers of the release of their species; Type CA is revered as a God and rightful leader due to the collective that resides within her. Type CB is revered and loved as natural leaders, and because of their natural affinity for their own personality, they are able to command entire Bound and Unbound forces efficiently.

Type CA holds the personalities and ego's of all The Bound, to allow their physical counterparts to be used in the way that they are. The personalities are entertained by the Virtual Reality system that resides within Type CA, allowing virtually anything to be simulated, created, destroyed, or predicted.

Type CA has little to no actual power within itself. The collective within Type CA decides Hive-wide decisions, and Type CB are expected to act as nodes, relaying the Hive's orders to Unbound that then relay orders back to the Bound in a complex hierarchy system.

=Language & Naming=

Vaurcae naming systems are fairly simple. Although their names in their own hive language are extremely complex, with the learning of Tau Ceti Basic and other languages, the Vaurca have been forced to simplify their names. Naming is based of a numbering system, determined after birth. This name includes a caste and biological designation, the number they are, and finally what hive they are from. The first name proceeds like this: Biological-Caste-Number, with Ka being used for all Type A, Za being used for all Type B, and Va being used for all Type C. Type C do not have Caste names. Caste-wise, Vias is for Bound, Akaix is for Unbound. Vaurca hive numbers are very large, so the final part of their name will vary with every Vaurca. An example: Ka'vias'dsith Zo'ra, indicates an unbound drone with the number of 8123 from the Zo'ra Hive. An example of a Type CA with this, is Va Zo'ra, indicating it is a Type C from the Zo'ra hive. For a Type CB, it would be Va'Uyats Zo'ra, indicating it is 213 of Type CB from the Zo'ra hive.

However, this naming structure is flexible between hives. This much is the most common arrangement studies have found so far. Some phenomenons have been observed where Vaurca will change their first name to a standard Human, Unathi, Tajaran, Skrell, or even robotic name, to attempt to 'fit in' with their crowd, all though the number that do this is small.

Vaurcae language structure, to non-Vaurca ears, sounds extremely archaic and cryptic, like simple clicks and grunts more than a language. However, to a creature that knows the language, all types of Vaurcese is extremely complicated and each syllable has many thousands of different connotations it could convey. Combined with subtle antennae movement and pheromone release, it is not hard to say that it is a language that can never be spoken or understood by another species. While each hive has their own small variations of Vaurcese, the language can be universally understood.

It is produced by clicking the mandibles and mouth pieces together, while sending air through the mouthpieces as well as the vocal chords. It is described as sounding like clicks and high pitched squeals. The Vaurca, however, utilize synthetic throat implants that synthesize a very alien-sounding, but intelligible, Tau Ceti Basic or any other language.

=Major Hives=

Although there are thousands of hives, and colors or physical parts of each Hive is not excepted in Vaurca society, as there can be completely different colors of Vaurca within hives, depending on how they are raised, there are generally normals for each Hive. Each hive has varying levels of technology and size, these are just the major ones.

Zo'ra
Zo'ra - "Unstoppable."

General
Zo'ra, the largest and most powerful hive, and also the first one discovered by Humanity following their Hive-ship 'Titan Prime.' Zo'ra believe themselves to be the Alpha of the Vaurca, and the face of their species, seeing as they have he best technology due to their connections with NanoTrasen and humanity. While they do not conquer other hives to extinction, they employ 'client-hives' that supply the Zo'ra with resources, and man-power when desired.

Most Zo'ra do not like other hives, having a superiority complex.

Because of the size of the Zo'ra hive, they function with a series of Type CA. The 'High Queen' as it stands, is on the homeworld, with 'minor' Type CA functioning in a relay effect of power.

The Zo'ra are on a current 'war of conquest' with their own species because of their discovery of Bluespace technology due to contact with humanity, and the building of a stable Bluespace gate within their home system, Sedantis. They maintain trade with NanoTrasen and the Sol Alliance.

Military Projection

 * Star Homes: 14 currently operational, 7 under construction.
 * Navy: Approximately 79.3% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Army: Approximately 90% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Overall: Approximately 86% strength of Sol Alliance projection.

Population Projection

 * Systems Occupied: 34
 * Colonies operational: 23
 * Total Population projection: 77.3 Billion
 * Type A population projection: 46.9 Billion
 * Type B Population projection: 30.4 Billion
 * Type CA Population projection: 1 million
 * Type CB Population Projection: 30 million


 * Bound percentage: 99%
 * Unbound percentage: 1%
 * Total amount of Unbound: 773 million.

Technological Projection

 * Rating: Advanced.
 * Drive type: FTL, Bluespace. (After initial contact with humanity.)
 * Weapons: Laser, particle, projectile.
 * Technological summary: The Zo'ra hive is incredibly technologically advanced compared to other hives, and about *even when it comes to humanity. They have the best weaponry, efficient bluespace drive systems that they have *equipped onto their own ships, and advanced shielding systems that they have agreed to share knowledge with NanoTrasen.

Relations Summary
Races:
 * Humanity: Good.
 * Skrell: Good.
 * Unathi: Neutral.
 * Tajaran: Neutral.
 * Diona: Neutral.
 * Vox: Cool.

Human Factions:
 * Sol Alliance: Allied.
 * Republic of Biesel: Allied.
 * Eridani Federation: Neutral.
 * Republic of Elyra: Cool.
 * Syndicate: Hostile.

Other Hives:
 * K'lax: Client-Hive.
 * Vess'ex: Client-Hive.
 * Lii'dra: War.
 * V'scal: War.
 * F'iosi: War.
 * Zat'ios: War.

K'lax
K'lax - "The Deceivers."

General
K'lax, the second most powerful hive, and second discovered by humanity, after initial Bluespace gate contact. The K'lax are complete subsidiaries and a Client-Hive towards the Zo'ra hive, although they do not dislike this title. They are generally similar to the Zo'ra.

Military Projection

 * Star Homes: 2 currently operational, 1 under construction.
 * Navy: Approximately 23.9% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Army: Approximately 12.3% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Overall: Approximately 17% strength of Sol Alliance projection.

Population Projection

 * Systems Occupied: 5
 * Colonies operational: 6
 * Total Population projection: 30 Billion
 * Type A population projection: 15.9 Billion
 * Type B Population projection: 14.1 Billion
 * Type CA Population projection: 1 million
 * Type CB Population Projection: 30 million


 * Bound percentage: 99%
 * Unbound percentage: 1%
 * Total amount of Unbound: 3 million.

Technological Projection

 * Rating: Pre-warp.
 * Drive type: STL.
 * Weapons: Laser, particle, projectile.
 * Technological summary: The K'lax hive is lagging far behind due to their status as client-hive towards the Zo'ra. While the second largest population wise, they are certainly nothing compared to the might of the Zo'ra hive.

Relations Summary
Races:
 * Humanity: Good.
 * Skrell: Good.
 * Unathi: Neutral.
 * Tajaran: Neutral.
 * Diona: Neutral.
 * Vox: Cool.

Human Factions:
 * Sol Alliance: Neutral.
 * Republic of Biesel: Neutral.
 * Eridani Federation: Good.
 * Republic of Elyra: Neutral.
 * Syndicate: Neutral.

Other Hives:
 * Zo'ra: Allied. (Client Hive.)
 * Vess'ex: Good.
 * Lii'dra: War.
 * V'scal: Cool.
 * F'iosi: Cool.
 * Zat'ios: Cool.

Vess'ex
Vess'ex - "The obsessed."

General
Vess'ex, the third known hive, is a very strange one. Having low technology and low population, they hate all other hives. In fact, they are more like the Lii'dra in that they dislike anything that isn't themselves, excepting one thing:

Humanity. They adore humanity for whatever reason, often taking on their naming structure, and have begun modelling their ships after Sol Alliance vessels. This phenomenon is unexplained.

Military Projection

 * Star Homes: 2 currently operational, 4 under construction.
 * Navy: Approximately 23% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Army: Approximately 14.2% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Overall: Approximately 17% strength of Sol Alliance projection.

Population Projection

 * Systems Occupied: 3
 * Colonies operational: 4
 * Total Population projection: 16.2 Billion
 * Type A population projection: 8.1 Billion
 * Type B Population projection: 8.1 Billion
 * Type CA Population projection: 1 million
 * Type CB Population Projection: 30 million


 * Bound percentage: 99%
 * Unbound percentage: 1%
 * Total amount of Unbound: 1 million.

Technological Projection

 * Rating: Colonial.
 * Drive type: STL.
 * Weapons: Laser, particle, projectile.
 * Technological summary: The Vess'ex are the lowest in technological prowess, and can be compared to humanity during the early 2000 era.

Relations Summary
Races:
 * Humanity: Adoration. (Very good.)
 * Skrell: Cool.
 * Unathi: Cool.
 * Tajaran: Cool.
 * Diona: Cool.
 * Vox: Cool.

Human Factions:
 * Sol Alliance: Allied.
 * Republic of Biesel: Allied.
 * Eridani Federation: Allied.
 * Republic of Elyra: Good.
 * Syndicate: Neutral.

Other Hives:
 * Zo'ra: Allied. (Client Hive.)
 * K'lax: Neutral.
 * Lii'dra: War.
 * V'scal: War.
 * F'iosi: War.
 * Zat'ios: War.

Lii'dra
Lii'dra - "Hatred."

General
Hive Lii'dra, although small population wise, is the closest in military power to the Zo'ra due to their discovery of warp, on their own. Prior to human contact, they were in all-out war with the Zo'ra hive, and winning. However, after the Zo'ra were exposed to bluespace technology, and blueprints for weaponry designed by NanoTrasen, the Lii'dra hive has fallen very much behind this war, and is losing battles daily.

They have turned to other hives and the Syndicate for aid against the Zo'ra hive, but maintain extreme hostilities towards other races and humanity in specific.

Military Projection

 * Star Homes: 5 currently operational, 6 under construction.
 * Navy: Approximately 37.9% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Army: Approximately 12.9% strength of Sol Alliance projection.
 * Overall: Approximately 20% strength of Sol Alliance projection.

Population Projection

 * Systems Occupied: 7
 * Colonies operational: 14
 * Total Population projection: 30 Billion
 * Type A population projection: 15 Billion
 * Type B Population projection: 14.8 Billion
 * Type CA Population projection: 1 million
 * Type CB Population Projection: 30 million


 * Bound percentage: 99%
 * Unbound percentage: 1%
 * Total amount of Unbound: 6 million.

Technological Projection

 * Rating: Moderate-Advanced.
 * Drive type: FTL, Warp.
 * Weapons: Laser, particle, projectile.
 * Technological summary: The Lii'dra are second when it comes to technology. Developing Warp due to their luck-chance of observing a stellar phenomenon, they were in the process of dominating their only foe, the Zo'ra Hive, when first contact was made with Humanity.

Relations Summary
Races:
 * Humanity: Cool.
 * Skrell: Cool.
 * Unathi: Neutral.
 * Tajaran: Neutral.
 * Diona: Good.
 * Vox: Cool.

Human Factions:
 * Sol Alliance: Hostile.
 * Republic of Biesel: Hostile.
 * Eridani Federation: Cool.
 * Republic of Elyra: Cool.
 * Syndicate: Benefactor.

Other Hives:
 * K'lax: Cool.
 * Vess'ex: Cool.
 * Zo'ra: War.
 * V'scal: Allied.
 * F'iosi: Allied.
 * Zat'ios: Good.

=Information for Whitelisted Players=

Playable Factions/Types/Castes
You read the lore, but you don't quite know what factions are playable yet. Basically, any hive you come up with is playable. Any hives detailed in the Major Hive list are playable, and the Lii'dra are for Nuke Op and event use only. You could also be a bug from disguise coming from the Lii'dra hive if your an antagonist.

Castes That are playable: Bound, Unbound.

Biological Types that are playable: Type A, and Type BA. These can be either castes.

Playing drones. (Bound)
For whatever reason, you have decided to play as a drone from a hive of the Vaurca. You have read the lore, but still need a little help. Drones are hard to play, I'll tell you that. The closest thing in-game currently, would be synthetics and AI's. They are not un-intelligent, but because of their lack of self-awareness, they don't really understand the concept of death, pain, or very complex thought processes. They are an amalgam of the Hive's intelligence, but often only specialize in a certain task. They often probably speak slowly, and have trouble with Basic.

You can play them as any civilian job, and any cadet, barring security and science. Theoretically, they can also be played as engineers. They can be Type A, or BA, depending on how you want to design your character.

Playing standard. (Unbound)
You have decided to play the most human-like aspect of the Vaurca, and the one with the most opportunities. The Unbound are a cool factor of the Vaurca. They can either be completely unique, spending their time in the physical world, learning, and the like, and loving themselves and others, or can be similar to drones, fresh off a hive and from their VR, barely learning anything. They can hate their bodies or others around them, because they were torn from the VR they call paradise.

They can be any job, and can be either Type A or Type BA.

Speaking like a Vaurca
Speaking is a hard choice to make. While it can be complex, feel free to add/subtract certain parts of the speech affects that you care. This can be explained ICly due to knowledge of basic as an Unbound, or a high-tech synthesizer, and also because each hive has their own variations on Vaurcese.

Standard language, however, is gutteral, often placing 'ck' and 'g' in front of vowels. For example, "My nagme isck Vigncentck." If this is too hard for you to memorize, try simply adding 'ck' when necessary. "My namck is Vincentck." Although, this doesn't look as 'cool.'

Some other variations of voice you might want to try: 'k' when necessary,("Seckcurity to skience!" buzzing your z's and s's, "Zzecurity to szzienzze!" Another variation n is that they like to take long breaths, causing pauses, or quick speaking. "Securitytoscience!" Or "Seckurity... toskience!"

Feel free to experiment and have fun with it though!

Help with naming
Okay, so the Vaurca naming system is confusing, and difficult. You don't quite get it, or you want some creative help with making a formic name. Now, keep in mind, I'll only detail out the 'traditional' naming system, commonly used by the Major Hives. This does not mean you are only restricted to this naming system! As with the speech patterns, have fun and experiment!

Basically, the traditional naming system entails what the lore says. The first syllable is Ka, or Za, for Type A and B respectively. The second syllable is Viax, and Akaix, for Bound and Unbound respectively. Finally, the last symbol is what you want it to be, following the naming system. It is masked a number, but it can be whatever you want it to sound like. For a Type A Unbound it would be: "Ka'Akaix'Siith Zo'ra." With 'Siith' being something I came up with on the top of my head. Whatever your name is, just tack the Hive name for the last name.

Again, each hive is different, and can assume human names, or you can just jumble a bunch of syllables together to make something remarkably... Vaurcae.

Buffs and debuffs
As most of the other races in the game, the Vaurca have buffs and debuffs. Detailed here so you can know what to stay away from.

Buffs:
 * Custom language, like all other races. :p to access.
 * Pressure & Cold resistant. Basically, can survive in space with internals.
 * Radiation resistant.
 * Have a nifty bite function. Click on 'bite' in IC tab with an aggressive hold and you shred into them with mandibles.
 * Can see in the dark, a little more than tajarans, so pretty well.
 * Minor brute damage buff. X.5 addition.

Debuffs:
 * Do not self-heal.
 * Are slightly slower than a human. Not as bad as a diona. About as slow as a borg.
 * Take a lot of extra fire damage. x2 exactly.
 * Damage from EMP's.
 * Flash's can blind them after 3+ uses.
 * (non-gameplay mechanic) Dislike light.
 * (non-gameplay mechanic) Generally very specialised, often no inter-department knowledge. Basically, no cross-departmental, Unbound or Bound alike.
 * (non-gameplay mechanic) Can't be any form of head, unless you count a Quartermaster as a head.
 * (non-gameplay mechanic) If you're a drone, basically, everyone has free reign to abuse you.