Sze'ras - The Architect of Abominations

[Appleby0]

Spoiler: Music

"Science. Technology. The Vortessence. Life. All can be turned to our purpose."
-First line of the code of the Vos'Rallan, wrriten by Sze'ras



Sze'ras
The Architect of Abominations

Age: 1172
Date of Birth: 845 AD (Earth Years)
Place of Birth: Es'Penoid Rapids
Tribe: Alva'Sari Collective (Former) - None (Current)
Affiliation: Vos'Rallan - Founder
Skin Colour: Grey
Eye Colour: Blue
Occupation: None
Cohesion Status: Standard

Spoiler: The Architect's Tale

1,143 years ago, the Vortigaunt known as "Sze'ras" was born in the Agathosi Spawning in the Es'Penoid Rapids region of Al'Thum-Gramash. Whilst most of those who spawned alongside him went into one of many large tribes gathered for the sacred ritual, Sze'ras elected to remain with the wise men of the Alva'Sari Collective, his keen mind and hunger for knowledge making him a natural choice to belong with scholars of his race.

Sze'ras spent the first centuries of his life entirely within the Es'Penoid Rapids, studying the ancient Qui'Sherek in great detail and delving deep into the millennia old lore of his race. As he dug deeper and deeper however, Sze'ras began to notice how very little the Vortigaunts had changed as a species. The quasi-mythical tribes featured in the histories of the Qui'Sherek operated and functioned almost exactly like their modern day counterparts, even the overall culture and traditions were practically identical.

However, when he asked the elders of his tribe they simply stated that this was their destiny. The Vortessence had shown them precisely how things were meant to be done, and as everyone knew from it what their role was and how to perform it, there was no need for innovation or change. Every Vortigaunt worked harmoniously and as one, there was no infighting, no struggles. Theirs was a peaceful and happy existence, and one which would continue on the same way forevermore.

It was at this point the seeds of doubt were lain Sze'ras' mind. As he approached 500 he suddenly went out on numerous expeditions all over Al'Thum-Gramash, leaving his home rapids for the first time and visiting every ancient ruin or cultural site he could, all the while endlessly pouring over copies of texts and histories he had taken with him, endlessly searching for an answer. His mistrust of the Vortessence only grew as he felt increasing pressure from those around him to submerge himself deeper into it as he approached the age of becoming a full weaver, wondering why this physic force demanded its users wade ever deeper into it before it divulged more power. His archaeological trips too only confirmed his growing belief that the Vortessence was a blight upon his kind, the only thing holding them back from advancing on and gaining full dominion over all through their vortal energies. As he made his return to the Es'Penoid Rapids for his Alagunda'Mok, Sze'ras finally reached his conclusion.

In order for the Vortigaunt race to claim their rightful dominion over the stars, the Vortessence had to die.

As the time-honored coming of age ritual began in earnest, Sze'ras started to worry about how it would affect him. It would mean he would become far more in tune with the Vortessence, much more than the unavoidable level he was at now. And despite the Elders' insistence it was only a good thing, Sze'ras saw only chains about to bind him. The Vortessence had bound his people to the past for too long, and he was not about to let it do the same to him.

Refusing to participate, Sze'ras approached the leading Shaman of his tribe and presented all of his findings to him, he covered how the shared memory pool meant that Vortigaunts never invented anything new as they instinctively did everything the way their ancestors did, he spoke of how the close bonds between Vortigaunts perpetuated a tribal existence and caused them to remain as primitives little better than the Antlions they hunted. And lastly, his belief that with the mental link severed and with a new way of passing down the knowledge of Vortal manipulation, the Vortigaunts would be able to rapidly modernize and become one the most powerful and advanced civilization in the galaxy.

Naturally, the Shaman was horrified at what Sze'ras had just said. Stunned by the fact that a Vortigaunt could have said such things about one of the most central aspects of their lives. Sze'ras was exiled and made an outcast, the Alva'Sari hoping he would see the error of his misguided beliefs after a small time in isolation and they could then welcome him back with open arms.

But Sze'ras never came back to the Es'Penoid rapids, a deep sense of resentment and hatred only grew within him. The Vortigaunts deserved better than this basic existence, what had the Vortessence even given them in return? Greater knowledge? Tribal safety? Knowing each other's names? It was pathetic, and in turn it took oh so much through those little gut feelings and foggy instincts.

Sze'ras turned cold and bitter from his long years in exile, it was in these harsh unforgiving wastes he realized that nothing was too valuable to be sacrificed in the name of his people. No methods too barbaric, no lines that could not be crossed. Anything was permitted when it came to the survival and ascension of all Vortkind. Sze'ras would give them the tools to make an empire that would last an eternity, and if he had to drag them kicking and screaming into that golden future? So be it.

Now certain in his convictions, Sze'ras hid away in the remotest regions of his world, setting up a makeshift laboratory and starting work immediately. Specimen by specimen, experiment by experiment, Sze'ras inched ever closer to discovering a way to pass on the secrets of vortal manipulation without the Vortessence, and then severe one from it entirely. He gathered a small following at this time, a collective of exiles and outcasts along with a few who shared his beliefs. This pseudo-tribe came to be known as "Vos'Rallan" or as the horrified Vortigaunts called them 'The Abominations.' This moniker was not unearned, for Sze'ras frequently required Vortigaunt subjects to experiment upon, living or otherwise. Though they were almost certainly the latter once his tests were complete. Despite his great aversion to shedding Vortigaunt blood, and use of proxies to do so, Sze'ras was committed to his cause and certain this was for the greater good of his kind. Better a few die so that the species evolve than they live and it remains frozen in time.

Perhaps it is for the best then, the Nihilanth came.

XEN

Having survived the Combine invasion along with many of the Vos'Rallan, Sze'ras followed his kin right into the clutches of the Nihilanth. Marked out almost immediately by the Controllers as an oddly unscrupulously leader among his people, Sze'ras was given a choice. Help them control and manage their new slaves or labour alongside them. Working as a slave would have meant an end to his experiments, so Sze'ras agreed, on the condition he and the Vos'Rallan scientists be allowed to continue their work.

The Controllers agreed, and their dark bargain was struck. Whilst his kin slaved away in a drone-like state, Sze'ras and his fellow scientists acted as lieutenants and assistant overseers, maximizing efficiency and productivity in exchange for test subjects and laboratories, all done under the watchful eyes of the Controllers.

It was in the factories of Xen that Sze'ras gained his fascination with machinery and technology. He become completely enraptured with it, throwing out decades of work using alchemy and redoing all of his experiments with cybernetics involved.

The results were astounding.

Declaring technological enhancement to be the future of the Vortigaunt race and the answer to the Vortessence, Sze'ras began experimenting upon subjects with reckless zeal. The horrors created within the depths of the Vos'Rallan laboratories were beyond count, each one used as a stepping stone towards the ultimate Vortigaunt evolution. Sze'ras' vision for the future was becoming clearer now, and he poured every single resource at his disposal towards gaining it as quickly and efficiently as possible. His actions as a lieutenant became harsher and more cruel, favoring speed above all else so he could meet his quota and return to the labs as fast as possible. In his mind this totally justified, a small sacrifice for something that would benefit all Vortigaunts. But by this point, Sze'ras found himself having to justify his actions to himself less and less, having become desensitized over the centuries of constant experimentation on all too live subjects.

EARTH

The fall of the Nihilanth was as unexpected as it was catastrophic for Sze'ras. His lab, his authority and his supply of test subjects were all gone. The only thing he had left was himself and his most loyal and devoted followers in the Vos'Rallan. Hated and actively hunted by his kin for his treason, Sze'ras turned to the former legions of the Nihilanth for aid. The simple grunts were easily convinced, the mark of the Nihilanth upon his chest further cementing Sze'ras' authority over them.

With enough protection now amassed, Sze'ras and the Vos'Rallan made their way across a planet falling apart, settling down in the ruins of an old scientific institute in France, Sze'ras had his followers raid and capture endless numbers of the local fauna for further experimentation. However, no matter how many unfortunate humans or other locals he dissected and crammed full of cybernetics, Sze'ras' progress slowed to a crawl. Whilst his methods of cybnertic enhancement were becoming better by the day, he was no closer to finding a way to bypass the Vortessence and ultimately severe it, something which was almost always just out of reach.

Realizing he would not get any further without more Vortigaunt test subjects, Sze'ras split his forces in three. One of his lieutenants would head to America whilst the other would go into Asia while Sze'ras remained in Europe, with the Vos'Rallan divided equally among them, hoping to find and bring back suitable subjects for tests as well as ensuring that even if one group was wiped out then the others could continue on their vital work.

Sze'ras would never know how well the other members of the Vos'Rallan fared, for 3 months later the eldritch horror from beyond the void came to claim a new prize.

THE COMBINE

Unlike with the Nihilanth, there would be no negotiating with the Combine, Sze'ras and his retinue of guards and acolytes attempted to go underground but were quickly caught early into the first year of Combine occupation, Sze'ras' endless quest for more test subjects becoming his undoing when one of the grunts was spotted coming and going from their new hiding place.

Sze'ras had spent his entire life fighting what he saw as chains on the mind, how ironic that he would be chained physically first. With a collar upon his neck and shackles on his limbs, the callous and calculating scientist became just another number in a very long list of resources for the Combine to expend. Ever resourceful however, Sze'ras used his time as a biotic to examine the Combine's technology in depth, taking just a little longer cleaning a terminal to get a good look at its insides or 'accidentally' painting the wrong side of a stalker control device to get a chance to properly examine the input ports. Whilst it is a far cry to real experimentation, it is all useful information for Sze'ras.

Sze'ras never really paid much attention to where he was sent, his mind always distracted by complex equations and continuous pondering on various new methods he could use to achieve his lofty goals. Wherever he found himself, Sze'ras never took definitive sides. Sometimes he would help the combine by joining one of their many unions, at other times he would subtly assist the resistance and conduct secretive dealings with them. Ultimately, Sze'ras only ever held loyalty to the Vortigaunt race and his vision for them, everything else was just a mere tool to be used in pursuit of it.

One of the most major changes for Sze'ras under the combine however, is that his experiments on Vortigaunts have dropped in number drastically, and even then the ones he performs are nearly always simply scans and mostly harmless tests. Without his grunts to handle the dirtier side for him, Sze'ras is deprived of the vital assistance he and the Vos'Rallan exploited so ruthlessly throughout their history and thus he is forced to find an alternative, often presenting itself through corpses or unscrupulous third parties. Though this has only hardened his resolve to be rid of the Vortessence once and for all.

Now, Sze'ras finds himself being dispatched to a new city to help bolster the biotic workforce already there. Wondering if this is the place where he will finally find the answers he knows are just out of reach.

Regardless of where those answers reside, Sze'ras goals will never change. For nearly 600 years he has ruthlessly pursued them through exile, treason and slavery. He will never stop, even if countless souls have to be sacrificed to get it.

The Vortigaunts shall be freed from the chains of the Vortessence through circuitry and steel

And then?

They will rule

Relations and Relationships
(Ask to be added)

Admires | Respects | Likes | Neutral | Dislikes | Hates | Deceased

The Vos'Rallan: Ah, our finest accomplishment and grandest legacy. Regardless if we personally succeed or fail you shall always be there to carry on our mission and safeguard its legacy for all time. You are not merely my followers, you are not simply a tribe, you are not even a collection of individuals anymore. You have become an idea, and ideas cannot be killed. You have become... Immortal.

The Vortessence: Our chains, our bonds, our true enslaver... Are there any depths you will not sink to in ensuring your absolute control? We must stop you, we cannot and will not let you doom our kin forever so that you may enjoy another second of power. No matter what it takes, we shall end you.

Vortigaunts: Our kin, the supreme species. We would do anything for you, and will not stop until all of us are free and can finally claim what has so long been denied to us. We have been slaves our entire existence, and when our chains are finally broken... We shall rule.

The Elders: Mere puppets of the Vortessence, we pity you and are sorry for your sad fate. However, you stand in the way of the liberation of our species, and for that, we must oppose you. We know you will understand once you are free too.

Humanity: Most of your kind display your animal parentage on a daily basis, the vast majority of you are little better than apes and belong squarely in servitude. However... There are some among your kind we respect, even like... Individual by individual is best when it comes to your kind we think.

The Combine: The Combine... Masters of this universe... Impressive, most impressive. This is an Empire worthy of Vortikind, and shall be ours to rule soon, very soon.

Bureau of Research and Innovation: Fellow scientists and visionaries, our brotherhood extends beyond mere species and civilizations. We have nothing but respect for you and your work, and bid good fortune with your experiments.

Overwatch Transhuman Arm: Oh... Oh you are so close to being the perfect servants. Unwavering loyalty, absolute proficiency and the peak of cybernetic enhancement. Of course, we could do far better, but you are as good as humans can get we suppose. You are what the Hulkabin should have been, and what they would have if we were in command of Nihilanth's resources instead of that bloated imbecile. Still, there are several... Imperfections we cannot ignore, the slaughter of our kin you have performed for one. Hm...

Civil Protection: Incompetent thugs, we look forwards to your day of reckoning.

Combine Civil Administration: We are... Neutral towards you. So very many of you remind us of ourselves under Nihilanth, Dr Breen in particular. Others however are little more than willing slaves, pathetic petty tyrants and deranged lunatics.

The Resistance: Whilst we may mock you for your frequent short-sightedness and foolish sentiments, we cannot help but admire your stubborn refusal to bow down to the Shu'ulathoi and determination to succeed. We wish upon you most excellent fortune, and eagerly anticipate the day of your revolt. If nothing else, it should prove a brilliant experiment on the effectiveness of the transhuman soldiers.




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[Fallizs]

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