The Vortigaunt (sometimes known as an "alien slave") is a fictional species from the Half-Life video game series. Its scientific name, according to one source, is Xenotherium subservillia. The Vortigaunt is a commonly encountered creature in the original game and a rarely-appearing ally in the sequel. Its appearance is somewhat humanoid with two legs and two arms, but with one additional vestigial arm protruding from its chest. (Several other bipedal species of Xen, including the "Alien Grunt" and Nihilanth, also bore these vestigial arms; however, the "Gargantua" creature did not. This may indicate that Gargantua was not a native species of Xen.) The Vortigaunt has a hunched back, and its head sports a large single red eye, surrounded by a number of smaller eyes.

These creatures were bred for submissive behaviour, hardiness, and unswerving loyalty. They will attack anything with a mindless, insect-like vigour at the will of their masters. Sometimes, however, they display a timid personality, preferring to run away rather than risk combat and possible death. It is of interest to note that "enslaved" Vortigaunts wear green collars and arm bands, apparently to keep them in line. Any attempt to remove it will result in torment and death. The slave has two modes of attack: a slow-charging electric attack that shoots forth green currents, and claws for close combat in a vicious flurry of swipes.

In Half-Life 2, Gordon Freeman meets up with the creatures again. This time, however, they are eager to assist in overthrowing the Combine. In the time between the two games, the Vortigaunts had been freed from whatever masters they once had, and most have joined the resistance to the Combine. The Vortigaunts' reverence towards Gordon (particulary in their use of calling him "the Free Man") seem to indicate that they credit him with freeing them from their servitude, most probably the result of the Nihilanth's death.

However, not all Vortigaunts have been freed. In the first chapter of the game - "Point Insertion" - the player is able to catch some brief glimpses of a Vortigaunt working under the Combine. Wearing the traditional green collar and armbands along with an additional piece around its waist, the Vortigaunt is shown slowly and meticulously using a push-broom to sweep dirt and garbage in the City 17 train station.

There is also a single-player modification for Half-Life known as Point Of View , where one can play as a Vortigaunt during the Black Mesa Incident. Point of View 2 is currently under development under the name Azure Stand , which will also be the sequel of Azure Sheep, a single-player modification for Half-Life, and will, according to the developers, "be set during the 7-hours War" [1].

"The All-Knowing Vortigaunt"

Half-Life 2 introduces a unique member of this species during the course of the Water Hazard stage. Near the end of the chapter, Gordon must destroy a hunter-killer "chopper" that has been following his trail. After this is completed, the player must open a large, sliding metal grate to proceed further.

At this stage, near the dam, there are two visible drainage tunnels set into the face of the rock. The grate on the left tunnel is shown to be peeled back. Should the player choose to adventure further, he must travel through a small stretch of radioactive waste, before coming upon a large, underground cavern. This cavern is home to a character occassionally referred to by fans as "The All-Knowing" (or "Sore Throat") vortigaunt.

The Vortigaunt in question is shown roasting a headcrab over an open fire while chanting, eventually breaking down only to "hack" and "wheeze" for the moment. The player may safely approach the creature, applying the "use" key to reveal various pieces of dialogue. Using this method, the player may then discover several cryptic "secrets" pertaining to Black Mesa, Xen, and Nihilanth, among several other topics. Samples of said dialogue are shown below:

• "We remember the Freeman. We are coterminous."
• "There is no distance between us. No false veil of time or space may intervene."
• "We see you still in Black Mesa. Clearly we see you in the Nihilanth's chamber."
• "We bear witness to the bright eternity of the Nihilanth's demise. You leap, you fall, we see you flash beyond the barriers."
• "For a brief time you joined with us. You are one. Between the worlds."
• "Communion of the vortessence. And that other: a deeper mystery. No deeper than the void itself."
• "We cannot forget those whose cords you cut. Forgiveness is not ours to bestow."
• "Unity of purpose, the shattering of common shackles, a single road we tread."
• "Your song we sing and shall sing for eternity. No matter the consequences of this struggle."
• "You have brought us grief and jubilation beyond measure."
• "We are there still, in observance of your final stroke."
• "While our own lay scattered at your feet, you severed the vortal cord that bound the Nihilanth to life, and to us."
• "That sharp spur of hope has not dulled to this day. For once the lesser master lay defeated, we knew the greater must also fall in time."
• "With you beside us, a talisman of victory, the day of freedom draws nigh."
• "Your bright face obscures your darker mask."
• "We call you sib, although your mind and meaning are a mystery to us. "
• "Far distant eyes look out through yours."
• "Something secret steers us both. We shall not name it."
• "We have endured these chafing bonds for eons, yet a single moment of further servitude seems intolerable!"
• "How often have we slipped our yoke, only to find it choking us again."
• "Let this war end in either total victory or our extinction. No further compromise shall we allow."
• "We take our stand beside you, here, upon this miserable rock."
• "The way ahead is dark for the moment."
• "What seems to you a sacrifice is merely, to us, an oscillation. We do not fear the interval of darkness."
• "We are a tapestry woven of vortessence. It is the same for you if only you would see it."
• "How many are there in you? Whose hopes and dreams do you encompass?"
• "Could you but see the eyes inside your own, the minds in your mind, you would see how much we share."
• "We are you, Freeman. And you are us."
• "We have lost all dear to us."
• "The Combine will pay in kind for their depravity."
• "Hope is in sight."
• "This marks a turning point."
• "Such pessimism will doom us all."
• "We have survived darker times."
• "We are mindful of the words of our greatest philosopher: companum gannennen vorgenot!"
• "You humans, always in the qualidity."
• "We deem this company inviolable."
• "Your companionship is greatly belabored."
• "Freeman, we could be of use to you."
• "We shall share the vortessence."
• "Our life is worthless unless spent on freedom."
• "We never dreamed to meet you in corporeal form."