All-Knowing Vortigaunt

"The All-Knowing Vortigaunt"


In what appears to be a carefully hidden Easter egg, Half-Life 2 introduces a unique member of this species during the course of the Water Hazard stage.

Near the end of the chapter (d1_canals_13), Freeman must destroy a hunter-chopper that has been following his trail. After this is completed, a large, sliding metal gate must be opened to proceed further. After going through the gate, on the left 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. Inside this tunnel, beyond a stretch of radioactive waste is a large, underground cavern, home to a character referred to by fans as "The All-Knowing" (or "Sore Throat") Vortigaunt. While the waste is damaging, there is a large store of healing items near the Vortigaunt, and it is possible to minimize damage by sprinting across it.

The Vortigaunt in question is shown roasting a Headcrab over an open fire while chanting, eventually pausing to hack and wheeze for a moment. By talking to the Vortigaunt, the player may hear many cryptic statements pertaining to Black Mesa, Xen, the G-Man, and the Nihilanth, among other topics.

However, given enough prompting by the player, all of the information imparted by the "All-Knowing Vortigaunt" is also spoken by other Vortigaunts encountered in Half-Life 2.