Species/Vox

Introduction

The Vox are an enigmatic, nomadic species; most commonly sighted on the frontier aboard skipjacks, ramshackle trade vessels, and their ever-mysterious Arks. The Vox are stereotypically viewed as less intelligent due their poor grasp of Common, their apathy towards most other sentient life, their short, scaly forms, and their dependence on phoron to breathe.

Biology

Physicality

Current specimen was recovered from the Nagybold system. The cadaver is remarkably well-preserved, despite prolonged exposure to the void. I can only hope any future Vox we retrieve are this well-kept. -Dr. Henry Hill, OriCon Institute for Xenobiology in Canopus

To the unprepared, the Vox are immediately an odd sight. Resembling some aspects of both avians and reptiles, the Vox can’t quite be categorized as the xenos equivalent of either. Their bodies follow a somewhat traditional humanoid structure, with markedly different branching points. Their arms terminate in three-digit claws; one thumb and two fingers. Their legs are digitigrade, ending in three-digit foot-claws. Both pairs of claws terminate in sharp, black talons. Vox also sport a long, prehensile tail used to provide balance. Their faces are dominated by long beaks, behind which are situated a pair of seemingly solid eyes. These eyes show the standard variances in colour seen in humans, although yellow and blue are the most common.

Vox are warm-blooded, and covered by a unique form of scales. These scales are typically green in coloration with varying degrees of brightness or sheen. Alternate colours - such as grey and brown - are not uncommon. Unlike the scales of the Unathi - or other xeno-reptilian species - the scales of the Vox are more akin to adjustable, rigid plates. Miniature in scale, a Vox can be lined in thousands upon thousands of plate-scales, which lay over a softer layer of more traditional scales. These plates can lock together to form a rigid seal capable of providing insulation sufficient to protect the Vox from exposure to vacuum. Coupled with a robust nervous system and an internal body temperature to match the extreme cold, Vox can survive the void of space with little to no difficulty.

The Vox possess dense musculature, and an equally heavy skeletal system. This means the average Vox, which typically stands somewhere in the range of 121-152cm (4-5’), can weigh an average of 130 kg (286 lbs). In spite of this bulk their bodies are capable of quickly releasing energy, allowing them to run much faster than the average human. However, extensive strain on their heavy musculature can cause excessive and dangerous build-up of lactic acids. Therefore, extended strain on their muscles must be counteracted by periods of long rest. While it is unknown exactly how the Vox reproduce, members of this species are just as likely to have genitalia as they are to lack it. To some extent, Vox are born neutered. Many are content to remain that way. More recently, a growing trend of Vox possessing recognizable humanoid genitalia has been noted. These alterations appear to be genetic modifications, and should not be assumed to be natural. Vox are known to have a relaxed view on modifying their bodies with cybernetics or bio-ware, so long as the additions add some form of utility.

Perhaps the most robust part of Vox biology is their digestive system. The intestinal tract and stomach of a Vox dominates the upper part of its body from the beak to torso. The Vox possess several organs analogous with humans, including a heart, air capillaries, and waste filtration organs. These are contained within their rib cages in a visceral sack. The Vox beak is lined with needle-point teeth, through which food is rendered and sent down an extremely powerful intestinal tract. This digestive process is capable of digesting almost anything a Vox can eat, from standard foodstuff, to waste materials. There have been reports of Vox consuming more exotic materials, such as rocks and broken glass. It is suspected that Vox might eat such things to aid in digestion. Waste is processed in a similar way to specific classes of Earth avians; when a Vox needs to expel waste, it will puke out an indigestible pellet. Since Vox can process nearly every material, these pellets are primarily slag devoid of any utility, and thus easily disposable. Although Vox morphology appears to be superior in nearly every way to a Human’s, the Vox are far from perfect. Their species seems to have evolved on a world with a completely phoron-based atmosphere. As such, they cannot live in standard human-centric environments without a portable phoron tank and breathing apparatus. When deprived of these, Vox succumb to a mixture of oxygen poisoning and asphyxiation in short order.

Vox have an estimated lifespan of sixty to sixty-five standard years. Vox do not appear to feel the effects of their age until reaching late forties or fifties. Cybernetics and gene-therapy can extend the typical Vox lifespan to approximately seventy years.

The Subspecies

The above is a broad overview of the typical Vox subspecies, the Vox Primalis (Astraraptora prima). However, they are not the only one example of their kind. Others have been directly observed, or are the subject of here-say and rumors. Below is a general overview of the different skews of Vox, real or otherwise.

Vox Novalis (Insectiraptora nova): Where this new subspecies of Vox came from is unclear. The standard Primalis kin act as if they have always existed, even though they appeared, seemingly all at once, circa 2552. Scattered reports from across the galaxy confused OriCon anthropologists, who had assumed that eye-witnesses had seen a similar, yet different, alien species that had somehow joined the Vox. The worries of a growing Vox empire were assuaged when it was revealed that these creatures were, indeed, Vox.

The Vox Novalis are notable for being a radical departure from the baseline Primalis; in place of a beak, they sport a pair of dominant mandibles, more like an insects than a bird's. When closed, these mandibles form a blunted, smooth beak, as the mandibles fold neatly into the jaw. Above their beaks are a trio of oval-shaped eyes, solid in coloration, much like their Primalis brethren. Their bodies are lankier, more gaunt in appearance, and carry a more predatory posture. They still possess quills, but rather than being short and spikey, these quills are long, flexible, and behave more like human hair than any spikey keratin appendage. Their tails split at the end, into two forked appendages. Coloration varies, but it is known that they can differ wildly compared to Primalis; not just varying shades of green, but also blue, brown, orange, and even pale white.

There is no notable differences in terms of psychology between Novalis and Primalis, and both subspecies treat each other equally. Whatever purpose they were made for is entirely new, and their more alien forms are becoming more and more common along the frontiers of civilization. The worrying prospect of the Vox 'evolving' has been prevalent; whether this is true or not remains to be seen.

Vox Armalis (Astraraptora fortitudo): This particular variant of Vox is notable for being akin to their Primalis brethren...except more. Armalis are hulking, massive examples of Vox, towering at an average of 10' in height and possessing more defined musculature. Armalis are not like the Novalis above, in that they have always appeared alongside Primalis Vox, as far back as the earliest accounts go. To the Vox, the story is simple; one day, they were alone, and their masters took some of their number and made them better. Stronger, taller, more commanding. These Vox served, back in those days, as captains (quills), foremen, and other leadership positions, separate from the caste systems of the Primalis.

In the modern era, however, the Armalis have been downgraded. Some still find their way into leadership roles, but they are more often found amongst the laborers than not. As for why this is the case? The Primalis remain tight-beaked about it. Only vague accounts of 'abuse' remain as to what could've happened to the Armalis to lose such a prestigious position in Vox society. They still serve alongside their Primalis brethren, but never as equals. What form of control the Primalis have over them is, again, unknown. Even more strange are tales of Armalis Vox who were almost entirely unorganic, to where they could scarcely be called 'Vox' anymore beneath so many augmentations of alien design.

Vox Armalis exist based off the Novalis subspecies as well ('Insectiraptora nova-fortitudo'). Much like the aesthetic differences between Primalis and Armalis, the Nova Armalis are scaled-up versions of the Novalis, except even more predatory and lean in appearance, almost animalistic. They have the posture and appearance of some kind of Vox equivalent to a tiger, even walking on all fours when the time arises (such as sprinting or stalking). Their existance has only just been verified by anthropology departments within OriCon; how wide-spread they are is, at the moment, unknown.

Vox Auralis: What information exists regarding the Auralis is sketchy, at best. They have shown up scarcely within historical record, and the common Vox is unlikely to tell others about them. They are a great secret among the clans, one worth protecting. And it is easy to understand why.

These are the True Vox (Astraraptora pudicitia). The last living ancestors of an ancient species, the genetic template from which all Vox subspecies are drawn from. They are the purest spawn of the original Vox species, and they are akin to demigods in their stature and place within Vox society. While still bound to the same cortical stack designs as their lesser kin, the Auralis possess unique quirks within theirs; through methods seemingly arcane, they can communicate instantly to one-another, mentally. A mental link can be shared with over a dozen of these beings, linking them together in a shared hivemind.

Biologically, they are even taller than Armalis, standing at a staggering fourteen to sixteen feet in height. Their features, if one ever gets to see an Auralis, are akin to a more natural-looking Vox Primalis. Scale-plates are, instead, normal scales. Quills become feathers. Eyes are more natural, less solid and more avian in appearance. They possess incredible strength, and a mental capacity unheard of within any sentient being. If their minds are put to a task, they become akin to living supercomputers. There is, however, a slight problem; many Auralis think too much for their own good. As such, paranoia and anxiety run rampant within their ranks. They do not trust Primalis, or Armalis, or even each other. They never leave the Arkships they dwell upon, and reside within private sanctums, wherein it is rumored the last remnants of the Vox homeworld flourish. Due to this intense fear of the unknown, they have never been recorded outside the Arks; any information about them comes from Vox who have had truly nothing left to lose in telling the tales of the 'True Vox'.

Apex (???): The Vox respect and fear the Apex, in equal measure. They are respected for their position as caretakers of the cortical stacks, the decider of all life within an Ark, and as ancient repositories of knowledge. However, they are equally feared for their...erratic behaviors. The millenia have not been kind to their mental states, and each Apex presents its own quirks and ideas, some of which can prove disastrous for any Vox who has the misfortune of being nearby.

The Apex differ immensely from other Vox; they aren't even Vox, but more akin to massive lumps of biomechanical flesh, typically affixed near the center-top of the Arkship's internal superstructure. It is here where the Apex tends to racks upon racks of dormant cortical stacks; the exact number varies from clan to clan, but each is a priceless relic of precursor technology, possessing the brain-state of a single individual Vox. When newborn Vox are of age to receive their stack they take part in the 'Ascension'. It is here where, with the attendance of Vox Haruspex (aids to the Apex), the living supercomputer will decide upon a brain-state to implant within the aspiring Vox youth. Once done, it will brand them with the marking of their caste, and send them on their way. This is a process that is so ingrained into the Apex, it's practically automated.

And with any form of automation, it is prone to breaking down. An individual Apex body can possess odd quirks in how it chooses Vox cortical stacks to implant. It could be that it mixes up caste brandings, and gives someone destined to be a laborer a high-ranking position within the leadership caste. It could be that it simply forgets to brand them at all, dooming them to be servitors. And in some destructive cases, it simply forgets to put a cortical stack inside a Vox. Or, through some insane logic, decides that one Vox should be punished, at random. This Vox will have his cortical stack ripped out, and their body tossed back into the spawning pits that birthed them.

These eccentricities have led to a rising crisis within the Vox clans; the emergence of the Pariah. This will be detailed further below.

The Cortical Stack

While a Vox would be alien enough with its outward physical appearance, the most unusual component of a Vox individual's biology is the non-organic component: the cortical stack. These devices are implanted in every Vox ever seen outside their shoals (space stations) or Arkships. These devices are complex arrangements of exterior brain casings, spinal plug-ins, and micro-engineering on a level unheard of in modern science within the Orion Confederation. Little was known about these devices until recent negotiations were undertaken between NanoTrasen and the Vox of the Sigmar-based shoal 'Endurance', and the insight of the Vox living aboard the shoal has been a great boon to NanoTrasen's researchers.

In an example of convergent design, the cortical stack serves a similar function to the newly produced mirrors; each cortical stack is a saved consciousness, from 'a different time'. When a newborn Vox reaches a certain age, roughly one or two years after their initial spawning, they will be implanted with the first part of the cortical stack, the spinal component. This component rapidly accelerates the physical aging process, until they are an adult member of the species. From there, the second half the procedure begins, reinforcing the natural 'meat-brain' with the complex components necessary to run the stack. When complete, the cortical stack activates, and a startling transformation takes place. The brainstate within the cortical stack takes over; the former inhabitant, for all intents and purposes, does not exist anymore.

Each time a cortical stack activates, it resets the active brainstate; memories from prior activations are locked away within heavily encrypted memory onboard the cortical stack's arcane processors. It is, theoretically, possible for these memories to be accessed, but to do so would not only require knowledge of the stack's technological processes (something that even the Vox themselves are unsure on), but it would be considered tantamount to sacrilege, as the risk of destroying the stack (and the mindstate of an immortal Vox) is very likely.

These cortical stacks have much more functionality besides serving as memory repositories; Vox bodies heavily rely on the cortical stack to supplement the brain and allow it to maintain the more esoteric portions of their biology. They've become so integrated that a Vox is not considered alive if they have not been implanted with a cortical stack. As a Vox ages, activity within the cortical stack will begin to increase, in parallel with the decline of motor function. When a Vox nears death, brain and stack processes will increase sharply, as the cortical stack attempts to save the current activation period into its memory. Once complete, a subspace signal is broadcast from the cortical stack; to most Vox, it is received as a simple 'knowing', a hunch that one of their own has died, and they will be compelled to gather the body whenever possible. Attempting to fight against this compulsion is possible, but mentally taxing, and emotionally draining.

There are, however, examples of Vox who have not received cortical stacks. They are known as Pariahs. They come from any Vox subspecies, but their is one clear connection between them; they, for whatever reason, lack a cortical stack. This does not bode well for any Vox; the cortical stack is necessary for their continued existence, and life without it will be much shorter, and much more painful. Without a cortical stack to regulate vital body functions as they get older, they will gradually start to lose physical and mental faculties. Eventually, as they near their mid-twenties to thirties, their bodies will be practically rotting from the inside, as organs gradually fail and mental acuity slips. Then, mercifully, the Pariah will die, leaving behind a body that had died long before its inhabitant knew it. However, there is something curious about Pariahs; they tend to have differing mindsets compared to otherwise normal Vox, not simply due to the circumstances of their existence. Without a pre-determined mind-state, this Vox body becomes its own individual; it develops a personality and self all of its own, separate from whatever personality is hard-wired to replace it. What this means is hard to say, but as cases of Pariahs continue to appear throughout the Arkships, complications could arise from those who have stacks, and those who don't.

Mentality

What? Give yous this? Nothings come free, dustlung! Something to offer, perhaps? Supposings the gun in your holster is good trade, yaya? -Trader Ikitchikiya, prior to being investigated for gun running charges.

The individual Vox is typically more self-centered than other sentient species. This changes in the presence of other Vox. As a species, Vox tend to group together, finding solace and solidarity in the rare company of their fellows. To be a Vox is to be cut off from other species; by the disparity in environments, by life-long biases they hold and have held against htme, and by the very air they breathe. In that regard, it takes a while for a Vox to reveal anything resembling a normal personality to ‘dustlungs’. A Vox will close itself off, preferring to keep to itself or a smaller community of Vox when possible. Typically, unfamiliar or new Vox will keep conversations with non-Vox to a minimum, unless necessity demands more interaction. This can change with time, but it is reasonable to expect that a Vox will not be the friendliest person in the world.

History

Origin System

Best advice, spacer; if you value your thalars, you stay away from O’del. The Vox there are grifters, all of ‘em. -Flynn McGraw, former starship captain, currently bartender

Xenoanthropologists have been frustrated by the nomadic tendencies of the Vox for decades. The Vox call no system their home; their Arkships constantly roam spacelanes, making pinning down their exact location a fruitless task. However, there is one exception; a single system, situated on the edge of a nebula. This system - referred to as O’Del on Nav galactic maps - has seen an atypical amount of traffic from the Vox. The system has only one planetoid, the system’s namesake: a rocky barren world designated O’Del I. This barren system seems a strange place for such an elusive species to congregate. Arkships, too big to hide their signatures, gather here in small numbers, with trading vessels darting back and forth between the parked, moon-sized vessels. Scavenged battleships, painted in the Ark clan’s colors, protect the system from ambush while these traders conduct their business.

To be an outsider entering the O’Del system for trade would be to see the remnants of something terrible. Moon-sized vessels layered in scrounged-together metal from ages-old starships, orbit a forgotten star in cold silence. Swarms vessels flutter between these artificial moons like moths around braziers, their thrusters like torchlights, laden with all manner of goods and personnel. Ships of the line, stolen from other species and covered in scrap plating, orbit these spherical giants; the last line of defense against whatever attempted to antagonize the Vox before, and whatever may think to do so again.

Homeworld

Yous ship is now property of Clan Sharp-Claw! Hand over all shiny bits, and yous will not have to be sent into space, yaya! -Typical first contact with Clan Sharp-Claw raiding vessels, recorded from black box found on a ruined cargo freighter in the Lilac system.

If the Vox have a homeworld, it has been lost for millennia. The number of worlds possessing a purely phoron-based atmosphere is astronomically slim, and the Vox instantly clam up whenever questions on the topic are raised. At best, they will try and direct attention away from such topics. At worst, they consider the questioner to be sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, and react with varying degrees of hostility. It is clear that Vox consider the question of their homeworld, and its whereabouts, to be a sensitive topic. How long they can keep it secret, however, remains to be seen.

All Vox seem to come from the Arkships, now. Each planetoid-sized vessel is home to a single clan; each clan composed of the Arkships' whole population, from the ship’s elders down to the lowliest servitors. Clans are very important among Vox; a clan’s prestige is a Vox’s prestige. A number of Vox clans are notable enough to be listed in NavMin’s records.

(Note: Vox arks invariably have elaborate, long names; the Vox language is deceptively complex in this regard. For example, the Arkship of Clan Sharp-Claw is Ikitchiktiniktarikta, which roughly translates into "The Throne Bane, The Light of the Lost Star, The Bearers of the Long Compact, and The Vanguard of All". Needless to say, the truncated clan names are more preferred when talking to 'dustlungs'.)

Clan Speak-Beak: The most open of the Vox clans, willing to trade with most. Being the most open is a bit of a stretch, but they have no qualms about letting non-Vox dock at their Arks and trade ships.
Clan Sharp-Claw: On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have the most hostile clan of Vox. Entirely given over to the Raider caste, these Vox are constantly on the move, sending out skipjacks to perform hit-and-run raids, to repair their constantly-breaking Arkship.
Clan Sun-Dive: Constantly traversing between systems with bright stars, the Arkship of this clan refuels itself with raw materials harvested from the stars themselves. Their Vox, fittingly, are known for their daring nature; performing raids with high stakes, with much to lose and even more to gain.
Clan Dirt-Shifter: This clan picks it’s targets among planetoids, not ships or stations. They seem to be invested in the search for lost items; they have been spotted raiding archaeological dig sites, barren cities, and long-dead worlds.
Clan Spark-Light: The Vox of Clan Spark-Light have the largest reserve of existing Vox technology; their Arkship is in peak condition, their weaponry is all Vox-made, and their armor is uniform carapace plating and pressure suits. Trading with them is difficult, but immensely worthwhile in the eyes of many Vox.

History

Unfortunately for OriCon’s xenohistorical department, the Vox are a notoriously tight-beaked species. Historical records thus come from secondary sources such as the kingdoms of Moghes, various archaeological digs, and carbon dating of remains and recovered artefacts.

According to records, the Vox emerged onto the galactic scene sometime in the past few millennia. While OriCon’s exploration efforts have covered much of the frontier, the Vox have no such compulsion to establish colonies, making attempts to find where they have previously settled across the galaxy difficult. Signs of battles long gone, remains of Vox vessels, and scattered references in other species’ historical records are the best indicators of where the Vox have been, and what ares of space they previously controlled. Thanks to the aforementioned xenoarchaeological efforts, it is believed the Vox at one time controlled over 60 star systems on the galactic frontier. However, references to the Vox amongst other historical accounts cease sometime around three thousand years ago, and have only relatively recently returned to what is considered the modern standard.

The bubble of space believed to have once been the Vox empire borders the galactic space surrounding Virgo-Erigone, and signs of conflict that align with Vox weaponry and tactics have been uncovered during digs on Virgo 4. All such studies have been suspended for the foreseeable future, as the native inhabitants of Virgo 4 - the Zorren - do not take kindly to researchers speaking of the Vox, or looking too deeply into the species’ historical presence on Virgo 4.

As for how the Vox controlled such territories without formal colonization, experts look to their mysterious Arkships for an answer. A method of force projection beyond the likes of traditional colonization, Arkships allowed the Vox to spread wide and exploit planetary resources from orbit. Often, historical reports mention these Arkships bringing along considerable fleets intended to retain these territories after the Arkship had moved on. The largest event in Vox history recorded and catalogued by OriCon is the Vox-Unathi War. In 2203, after a brief lull in the conflicts on the quarrelsome world of Moghes, a Unathi exploration vessel came under fire from a Vox skipjack. The raid itself was hardly notable to any galactic authority except for the Unathi themselves. The then-scattered Unathi kingdoms saw this as interference by a hostile species, and they refused to let such a – in their eyes – blatant act of war go unanswered.

After capturing another skipjack from the Vox and recovering a significant amount of information regarding a nearby Arkship, the Unathi kingdoms rallied their disparate Navies. Military forces convened in orbit above Moghes, before launching themselves into blue-space as a hastily established Unathi coalition. The Arkship was caught off guard at the sudden arrival of a punitive war fleet in their immediate vicinity. While the Vox had superior technology, and the might of the Arkship, the Unathi possessed a feverish desire for revenge and a marked numerical advantage. The following battle saw Unathi battleships trading blows with scavenged Vox cruisers as fighters and skipjacks tore through local space. Above it all, and the heaviest ships of the Coalition line waged bloody war against the Arkship. Hundreds, if not thousands, were killed, leaving both sides depleted. Perhaps the greatest casualty in this war was the Arkship itself; the clan name unknown, this vessel was hulked in orbit above Moghes, and forced surviving Vox fleet elements into a bloody scramble to escape. The disparate Unathi kingdoms were victorious, and in celebration, they christened their new moon Sss'rinatach, or 'Birdman's Folly'. While much of the vessel has been stripped of its components today, the husked Arkship still serves as a symbol of Unathi unity, and a constant reminder of the saying 'pride cometh before the fall'.

In the aftermath of the short-lived war, the Vox implemented a new set of unspoken rules regarding interacting with other species; these rules, known as the Vox Inviolate, have kept the species safe from protracted conflict since the bloody war of 2203. The veterans and instigators of this conflict are shunned in Vox society. Meanwhile, the disparate kingdoms of Moghes were quick to claim the victory as their own. The Coalition was short-lived, however, as the brief spark of unity faded in favour of returning once again to the Unathi’s long history of warring over honour and conquest. First contact with OriCon (and by extension, humanity) forces occurred a century later, in 2305. Unlike the encounter with the Unathi, first contact with the Vox was wary, but peaceful. This was also the first officially recorded sighting of an Arkship by OriCon naval forces.

Currently, the Vox prefer to stick to the fringes of the galaxy; slipping between the borders and cracks to ensure their clandestine motives are met. Occasional jaunts into civilized space for raids and/or trade - depending on the Vox in charge - are not uncommon, and have been met by resistance by defence fleets whenever local authorities can respond quickly enough. These Vox raids occur more frequently in OriCon space than in any other currently inhabited part of the galaxy.

Current Racial Status/Government

The Vox even keep their system of government a secret. The only public government worth speaking of is the one situated in O’Del. The Arkships that congregate there, known as the Clan Traders in GalCom, are individual clans of Vox who have gathered together to trade, mostly with themselves. Outsiders are cautiously welcomed into the system for trade. Each member clan of the Clan Traders consists of tens of thousands of Vox, divided into castes, who either live aboard the Arkship or travel alongside it in their ships. Seniority among the Clan Traders is determined by who has the bulkier Arkship. Each Arkship can have many tons of scavenged - or stolen - starship and station parts bolted onto their sleek, spherical forms. Elder Vox are typically those who have successfully brought such a piece to the Arkship. With their haul bolted on, they will usually claim it as their own home, or an establishment of their choice. Whatever the case, these Elders will now have a claim on the Ark itself, which may only be taken from them by trade, undefined legal penalties, or a reasonable amount of force from competing Vox.

Sometimes, entire stations and ships are grafted onto the Ark, like metal tumors growing from perfect spheres. These sections form expansions; housing, docking spars, trade districts, or whatever else the Vox may find appropriate. Some Arkships have been so heavily adorned with salvage that they resemble even more exotic geometrics, such as the rumored Great Pyramid of Mem-Calais V, which has never been officially recorded, but is suspected amongst the xenohistorical community to be a fringe sighting of a Vox Arkship regularly travelling along some established, clandestine route.

Technological Advancements as Understood by NanoTrasen

Begin recording. Right. Target has been set down-range. Beginning test firing of this "dark matter ray”. Safety precautions have been taken beforehand...I’m not going to enjoy firing this. Okay! Shield’s up! Range is hot! -Researcher L-142, found damaged in Archangel Station firing range.

Vox technology is hard to recover for a multitude of reasons. The average Vox assigned to a NT station does not bring any tech of their own, and the Vox themselves are disinclined to sell any of their own technology, regardless of the offered price. Recovery efforts by OriCon, however, have shed some light on what the general technological level of the Vox is, and how far they have come along.

Xenotechnicians and Anomalists have arrived comfortably at the conclusion that Vox technology is far more advanced than what is currently achievable by NanoTrasen’s own Research teams. Pin-point FTL drives are commonplace on salvaged Vox vessels, pointing towards a deeper understanding of the dimension than NanoTrasen currently holds. Dark matter, contained in an unorthodox and theoretically impossible state, is regularly harnessed as a power source for both Vox engines and weaponry.

However, the Vox seem incapable of creating anything grand. Of the Arkships, only twenty-two such vessels have been recorded, with no newly manufactured vessels having been seen following the last of these discoveries. It cannot be ascertained if this is even the final number of Arkships in the galaxy; estimates project some one-hundred possible Arkships in the galaxy. There have also been no new Vox battleships, or vessels of any stature above the standard Vox skipjacks and trade vessels. Curiously, there were accounts of such vessels before, and during, the Vox-Unathi War; whether this was due to misidentification of salvaged alien vessels, or something else entirely, remains unclear.

While one might chalk this phenomenon up to the lengthy construction time of such massive vessels, many researchers point to the lack of manufacturing capabilities observed among the Vox, as well as their deeply ingrained culture of salvaging and crudely attaching scrap to vessels, as evidence that the Vox have lost the ability to reproduce spacefaring craft of their own. This may explain why the Vox tend to scavenge much of their technology from other races, from minor devices, to full-on cybernetic organs. In spite of the tech’s apparent inferiority the Vox take what they can from other species, either by force or by trade. If these suspicions are ever proven true, it would make every remaining Arkship an irreplaceable vessel rich in both historical and technological value.

While the Vox do not build any ship larger than their shuttle-sized skipjacks, there is an exception for when settlements are needed. Due to their biology rendering nearly every planet in the galaxy uninhabitable without breathing equipment, the Vox are more inclined to build (or build onto) space stations. Orbital facilities can be turned into miniature worlds for Vox, as they expand upon them via any means necessary; from constructing stable extensions, to connecting asteroids together via long chains of metal, to simply bolting their spaceships onto the stations themselves. Collectively, these orbiting colonies are called 'shoals'; they are roughly analogous to any long-term orbital habitat, except with the stated purpose of indefinite habitation. These facilities can do a little of everything; trade is the most common, of course, but they can serve as beachheads during raids as well.

Culture

The Typical Vox Experience

To be born a Vox is to inherit a set lot in life; to be assigned to a caste and expected to do your duties effectively aboard your Ark. A Vox is born into one of five castes:

The bottom caste, the Servitors, are those Vox destined perform basic functions that they can’t trust a “pile of scrap” like a machine to do. Their bodies are covered in simple markings, or even no markings at all. Maintenance, cleaning, waste processing, and other tedious duties, are all under the purview of the Servitors. They possess a baseline knowledge of Vox machinery, to ensure systems are maintained at the minimum, and updated whenever possible.

Second in rank come the Labourers, whose bodies are covered in somewhat more complex markings. Labourers are expected to do the heavy lifting; managing cargo, construction, and other such functions. A decent grasp of engineering tasks is common among Labourers, as it helps them keep the integrity of any vessel they’re assigned - from Arkship to Skipjack - serviceable for the rest of its inhabitants.

The third caste, the middle stage in the hierarchy, are common Citizens; often referred to by the Vox as “cannon fodder”. These Citizens make up the majority of Vox society. Performing whatever tasks they see fit, they tend to create and manage business, charities - even if such a concept is laughable in the context of the Vox, clan functionary work, and the myriad other facets of average life. The majority of Vox traders, who ply their wares across space lanes far and wide, come from this caste.

The fourth caste are the Raiders. While one would expect this caste to primarily consist of nothing but soldiers, it also includes, oddly enough, the equivalent of Vox scientists. Perhaps the hunt is universal in Vox society, and the pursuit of Knowledge is seen as equivalent to the pursuit of Scrap. Perhaps, instead, the soldiers of this caste need to divine the nature of the technology they inevitably plunder and scavenge. Whatever the case, the two groups work claw-in-claw under the Raider caste banner.

The final caste, bearing the most complex markings of all, is the Leaders. These Vox encompass a wide variety of leadership positions; from raid team leaders, to the heads of merchant guilds. Leaders are the captains of Vox vessels and the foremen of Engineering teams. These Vox are entrusted with shouldering the burdens that come with leading disparate groups. Possessing advanced mental prowess compared to the other castes, and even a better grasp at non-Vox languages, these Vox are every bit the superiors of their lesser kin.

There is, however, another caste. Below even the Servitors come the Pariahs; Vox who are shunned by all of their kind. These Vox have had the misfortune of not being given a cortical stack to begin with, or having theirs removed for some perceived slight against the Apex. The Vox who live in this state are treated less than the Servitor caste; they are seen as degenerates, and doomed to live in squalor on the Arkships. Many Pariahs seek escape from the culture that despises them so much; rarely is it ever given to them, beyond the release of death. Pariahs have been growing steadily in number across all Arkships, and it is only a matter of time until something must be done to address the continued existence of this new underclass.

To be born amongst any of these castes is to live aboard either the sprawling, ramshackle cities of the Arkships, the cramped confines of a spacecraft, or entirely alone on the frontier with some other group of interest. Whatever an individual Vox now calls home, or used to call home, they inherit the remains of something vast and mighty, that they can never hope to repair - only maintain.

Vox Beyond the Arks

While relatively uncommon, more and more Vox are being drawn to the frontier for extended periods of time. These Vox do so for many reasons; most are of the Raiders, bringing valuable supplies back to their Ark. Others are traders, looking to offload wares. And yet, many more do it just to leave the Arks and settle somewhere else, to live beyond the confines of the moon-like megastructures. These Vox are the most likely to end up working for non-Vox. Typically, Raiders end up working for mercenary companies or pirating interests; it is a rare few who end up in positions like 'security advisor' for a corporation. Leaders almost never end up working for non-Vox. It is simply not in their nature. The vast majority of Vox who serve in non-Vox institutions are Servitors and Laborers; the Citizen caste almost never leaves the safety of the Arkships. Pariahs also try their best to work in these areas, if only to escape their homes.

For NanoTrasen specifically, employment offers a number of benefits; steady paychecks and a place to live are more than enough for members of the lower castes to sign up. Otherwise, tempting offers can be put out to Raiders who wish to join in NanoTrasen's Exploratory Division. And as for Pariahs? Well, most non-Vox will tolerate them, and that is often enough.

A unique example of NanoTrasen and Vox interests working together is within the Sigmar sector itself; the Vox shoal known as 'Endurance' lies in orbit over a barren world, three or four jumps away from the system harboring Lythios, an established NanoTrasen research facility. While tensions between the two parties boiled over occasionally, resulting in organized raids on corporate vessels, common ground would be found during the Great Awakening, and the re-emergence of 'magical' cults that threatened both parties. It was during the summer of 2560 that Endurance and NanoTrasen would establish an agreement, through clenched teeth and beaks; the Vox of the Endurance shoal would offer many of their own to work for NanoTrasen, and even assist in dealing with the various cults that were then rising up within the sector, protecting NanoTrasen shipping vessels and so on. In return, NanoTrasen promised that any dead Vox, regardless of affiliation, would have their body shipped to Endurance, allowing them to take care of their dead. NanoTrasen would also share with them trading access, and membership into their affiliate program with the Nebula Gas company.

While the threat of the cults has waned in the Sigmar sector, the agreement still stands, as neither party has really reneged on it. Vox pirates remain a problem, but Endurance claims that they are not affiliated with them, and are just 'passing through'...which is something that many NT officials hardly believe.

Language

Over the millennia, Vox language developed into a song of harsh screeches, eerie creels, and piercing shrieks, known colloquially as Vox-Pidgin. This language is much more complex than the previous description would imply; the Vox are capable of communicating complex ideas in what other species would interpret as little more than annoying shrieks.

Despite common belief, there is no connection between Vox-Pidgin and Birdsong; xenoanthropologists fluent in and educated on the nuance latter have had no luck in deciphering Vox-Pidgin. It seemingly has no roots or links to any known language, and only advanced omni-translators have been capable of deciphering the language of the Vox.

As to be expected, only a Vox is capable of speaking the language fluently. A human who wanted to learn Vox-Pidgin would have to undergo significant throat surgery to perform the necessary shrieks and creels, and even then, it would sound to the Vox as Vox sound when speaking GalCom; simple and stunted.

Naming Conventions

Vox names are, seemingly, little more than harsh noises, with a reliance on vowels and repeating noises. For many castes, Vox simply possess formal names; these are analogous to first and last names, except the Vox have a single name. Vox favor I’s, A’s, K’s, and T’s in their names. Examples include Hikakikia, Yakakia, Krikikachi, and Tichikaka. Variations with more letters may be used as well, like Koratchaki, Yakichika, or Tuchakiki. Then there are use-names. These are simple one-to-two syllable words that work as effective descriptors of the Vox. These are easier for non-Vox to pronounce than the formal names. These names come from notable physical or mental features of the Vox in question; for example, “Scanner” for a Vox working in a medical center, “Brick” for a notably unintelligent Vox, or “Knife” for a Vox of ill-repute.

Religion

God’? That some ruler with yous humans? Seemings silly, whole idea of it. -Kikitchaka, Chaplain

Religion seems to be a foreign concept to the Vox. They do not care for the various belief systems they’ve been exposed to during their travels across the galaxy. While there is some degree of reverence for those considered Elders, this cultural respect is apparently the limit of ritual tradition for the Vox. However, rumors abound amongst the lower castes – and certain cabals in the higher castes – of beings higher than the Vox; the Apex.

The nature of these alleged Apex is hard to pin down, with theories among the xenoanthropological community ranging from a secret, even higher tier of Vox caste, to a gestalt intelligence which holds dominion over all Vox. The widely accepted theory held by the community is that the Apex is simply a fabrication passed down through Vox culture as a way for the fallen civilization to describe their Empire before the diaspora.

Relationships With Other Species

Yatcaki havings many friends around here! Yous not last long out here without makings friends, yaya. What kind? Rude to ask such things while he working, yaya! -Yatchaki, janitor aboard the NSB Chimera.

The Vox have what can charitably be called a ‘strained’ relationship with most other sentient lifeforms in the galaxy. To the average Vox, any sentient non-Vox is something to be wary of, and never something to be trusted. In some extremes, a Vox can come to view a non-Vox as “dumb meat”; something that has to be talked down to, lest it get uppity. This same sentiment can spread to IPCs or other advanced synthetic lifeforms. It might even be worse for them as the Vox notoriously enjoy abusing and dismantling the “walking scrap” that don’t even require hard work to loot.

These attitudes, however, are less prevalent among Vox serving aboard NanoTrasen space stations and installations. This may perhaps result of their semi-permanent residence on these vessels. At the very least, it is an act, to keep the ‘dustlungs’ placated. There remains the possibility, however, that a natural understanding of other lifeforms has led these Vox to a point of acceptance and tolerance. Whatever the case, station-bound Vox who have to deal with sentient species beyond other Vox are much more amicable than their brethren aboard the Arks. Whatever attitude they have, the Vox constantly separate themselves from the other notable species in the galaxy by their dependence on phoron to breathe, the existence of “Trees”, and how capable they are as natural spacefarers.

Humanity: The Vox do not share much ill-will with humanity, nor its many, many off-shoots. They are seen as easy marks, and enjoyable bargaining partners, but the economic and military might of OriCon and humanity's megacorps keeps the Vox from attempting anything too egregious. Even then, a Vox can have any number of attitudes when it comes to Monkies, as they often refer to humans.

The Skrell: In contrast to humanity, the Skrell are a race the Vox are especially wary of. Skrell society predates the Vox to an unknown degree. They aren’t as easy to push around as lesser races like the Teshari, or even humanity. On top of this, the methods utilized by the Skrell to keep their populace in check are seen as disturbing to the Vox. The Vox sentiment towards Skrell is easily summed up in their preferred nickname among Vox crews: Useless Jellies.

Teshari: Historically, the Teshari have no history with the Vox, and vice versa. However, the Vox have found the Teshari exceptionally easy to push around – to an extreme degree. Fried Teshari is considered a delicacy, and the illegal trade of captive Teshari is quickly becoming a widely known issue on the galactic stage. Moldy Feathers are prime targets of abuse by predatory Vox.

The Diona: Considered an oddity by the Vox, the Diona do not breathe oxygen, are tree-like, and they are as far from the Vox as is possible, being clusters of nymphs bound together into a humanoid being. The Vox leave them be because of this. Their nymphs, however, are considered a supreme delicacy, if caught alive. Walking Trees are treated with the usual amount of caution, but not much else.

The Unathi: Following the Unathi-Vox war, the Unathi are treated with a barely restrained amount of disgust by the Vox. It was, after all, the Unathi that nearly shattered an Arkship so long ago, and the Vox have especially long memories. The Unathi, of course, share similar grievances with the Vox; fights between them onboard NT stations are not necessarily common, but they aren’t rare either. Vox are likely to treat these Rottenscales with naked prejudice if they have not had a lengthy adjustment period.

Tajara: Regarded largely the same as humans, Tajara have had little issue interacting with Vox. With no ill experiences in the past to draw upon, individual Vox tend to judge Tajara for themselves. Whether they are decent, or Moldy Furs, often comes down to the individual.

Auril and Dremachir: These two races are, respectively, lumped into one category of Flying Monkey. The Vox don’t seem to have a fine enough grasp on human religions to make the necessary distinctions, nor have they shown any interest in learning. For those that lack wings, Ring Monkies and Horned Ones are common monikers.

Rapala: Like the Teshari, are considered Moldy Feathers. Again, the Vox have no prior connection to these birdfolk, other than the insults utilized by other races to draw comparison between the two species. Thus, Rapala are met by the Vox with the usual amount of caution and casual speciesism.

Zorren: The Zorren are an odd species of note; the Vox seem to have some sympathy for them, even if the Zorren themselves do not recognize it. A long-forgotten historical event might have linked the two in the past; perhaps a great war or galactic tragedy. Whatever the case, aside from glib comments about Flatfoots, the Vox are unusually restrained with the Zorren.

Phoronids: Similarly, the Vox portray a degree of kinship with Phoronoids. The pressure-suit clad, phoron-based skeletons are considered by the Vox to share some of their struggles when it comes to living aboard NT stations. As such, there is no apparent ill-will harbored between the two groups, but that's all it is: a degree of kinship.

Adherent: The Vox have been around for as long as the Adherent have, and thus, the Vox have learned to be wary of the squids. Attempts to raid them were constantly thwarted, by Adherent vessels disabling their cores and leaving them adrift, or Vox vessels escaping just before the Adherent could strike the killing blow. Nevertheless, the mysteries of the Ver'Theim (and more importantly, their advanced technology), remain an ever-present dream of skipjack crews, to one day find their homeworld and torch the last remnants of the old era.

Species Relationship Quick Reference Chart

Species	Standing
Auril	Suspicious
Akula	UNKNOWN
Alarune	UNKNOWN
Dremachir	Suspicious
Diona	Suspicious
Humanity	Neutral
Phoronids	Positive
Rapala	Suspicious
[REDACTED]	[INFORMATION WITHELD]
Shade-Kin	UNKNOWN
Skrell	Suspicious
Tajaran	Neutral
Teshari	Hostile
Unathi	Hostile
Vulpkanin	Suspicious
Zorren	Positive

Rumors and Speculation

The Vox did not evolve. They were made.
The Vox homeworld was destroyed, or perhaps never existed.
They have a particular reverence of bluespace. Perhaps this is a sign of a deeper connection?
What does NT do with the cortical stacks they recover? Where do they go?
Why do the Zorren have history with the Vox? Why are they as equally tight-lipped about this history as the Vox are?
Why did the Vox choose the O’Del system? Is it solely for the proximity to the nearby nebula, or is there something there?

OOC Notes

Role Bans

Vox cannot play as the specified roles:

Command/Head Roles

Etiquette Guide for Vox Players

The Vox live by the Vox Inviolate; a set of rules established to keep them from overextending their reach and bringing themselves to ruin. To wit, the Vox Inviolate is as follows:

Kill as little as necessary.
Waste as little as necessary.
Preserve the Arkships.
Preserve materials.
Adapt and expand at all circumstances.

An individual Vox is an arrogant being; believing itself to be superior to all other sentient species for a host of reasons; breathing phoron, having “Trees”, having scale-plates, etc. “Domesticated” Vox, for lack of a better word, have spent much of their time amongst the “dustlungs” they claim to hate, and have had to begrudgingly admit that they aren’t as bad as they have typically been regarded in Vox society. It is usually, however, just words. While a Vox can adapt to the social niceties of station-life, and not be overtly hostile, that same sense of superiority never fully goes away. It is not impossible for a Vox to develop genuine feelings for other sentient lifeforms; it is just difficult for the Vox to grasp.

On top of all of this, the Vox have a problem with Galactic Common. Their throats have trouble pronouncing words longer than three or four syllables. So they claim, anyway. Vox often speak in broken sentences, or simplified ones, but they can understand GalCom perfectly. Most learn a form of Sign Language that works with their three-digited claws; USL, or Universal Sign Language, is not a far step. What language they do have natural mastery of, however, is Vox-Pidgin, their native language. Heavily characterized as a series of shrieks and creels, it is grating on the ears and heavily discouraged for use among public radio channels. Vox use it anyway, either for convenience or to annoy ‘dustlungs’. When it comes to business and general conversation with non-Vox, however, Vox will use GalCom.

Important Racial Terminology

Skrek: a general curse-word used amongst Vox. It means a number of things, none of them good.
Dustlung: an insult directed towards most sentient species that breathe the standard oxygen-nitrogen mix. The ‘dust’ is poisonous to a Vox, and as such, they see creatures that breathe it as unnatural.
Scrap: a derogatory term for synthetics, cyborgs, and robots, regardless of if they are sentient or not.
Yaya: a general affirmative.

---

Author: Captain Sentre

Galactic Species
Common Species	Humans, Synthetics, Skrell, Tajara, Teshari, Unathi
Uncommon Species	Akula, Alraune, Auril, Dremachir, Naramadi, Zaddat, Dnin-Nepids
Whitelisted Species	Adherent, Dionea, Phoronids, Proteans, Shadekin, Vox, Xenochimera, Xenohybrids
Misc Species & Data	Minor Races, Scori, Changelings