The vullards are a species featured in A Crack in Time and Rift Apart. They are cybernetically modified, reptile-like creatures who reside in the Polaris Galaxy around the Breegus System. Vullards are a nomadic species of primarily scavengers, who scrounge the galaxy for mechanical debris which they then repurpose. They are a non-aggressive species, but have poor work conditions in their factory.
Vullards have a large presence on Lumos and Torren IV. Lumos is home to a settlement which is often invaded by the agorians. Torren IV is the location of a large vullard factory, where they rebuild from the remains of an old fongoid metropolis. Vullards are also found throughout the Breegus System, particularly on space depots, as traders.
History[]
Krell Canyon, on Lumos, was once home to the Breegus System's richest raritanium mine.[1] Vullards engineered the OmniSoaker for use in such mines.[2] As years passed, Krell Canyon instead became known as the galaxy's most frequently-invaded territory.[1] Prior to their invasion in A Crack in Time, the agorians had invaded the vullard planet 117 times.[3][a]
The vullards later settled on Torren IV to mine the treasures left behind in the junkyard that the planet had become after the fongoids left, building a factory there.[4] Around Torren IV's Molonoth Fields, they used a large robot, known as the Guardian, to keep their operation hidden away from authorities.[5][b][c]
Ratchet and Alister Azimuth interacted with vullards often throughout A Crack in Time, notably helping them fight off yet another agorian invasion of Lumos. In return, the vullards guided the two to an Obsidian Eye.
Around this time, the Vullard League of Celestial Oddities began conducting research on using rare frozen isotopes from comets as a new form of energy.[7]
After the Nefarious Space Station was destroyed, the vullards were mentioned on space radio as having a large salvage job to do.[8]
Rift Apart[]
The vullards are shown to also exist in Rivet's alternate dimension with settlements on its Torren IV. The vullards on the planet live in a settlement named Little Junktown by Molonoth Gultch where they salvage junk from the planet's vast scrapyard. They are, however, frequently preyed upon by the Space Pirates who conduct numerous raids for valuables. Another settlement named Big Junktown is mentioned to exist with one vullard looking to move there and buy a lake house. The vullards travel constantly around the galaxy where they make trades for more scrap and technology at places such as Zurkie's. Like all other denizens of Rivet's dimension, the vullards here live under the rule of Emperor Nefarious and his Empire. The Emperor, however, had no interest in conquering Torren IV due to the planet's barren and disheveled state, allowing them to dwell here without direct threat from him and his forces.
After the Phase Quartz needed to power the new Dimensionator was broken, Rivet mentioned to Clank rumors of an individual on Torren IV named the Fixer who is said to be able to fix all things. The two then headed to the planet to see if they were true. The vullards here were in hiding in their homes as the pirates were set to conduct another raid soon. They had asked the Fixer to help protect them from the pirates but after days of him crushing them, he suddenly broke down. He was later reactivated and Clank was able to help him overcome his mental crisis troubling him. In thanks, he successfully repaired the broken Phase Quartz for them.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Vullards are cybernetically modified, reptile-like creatures with small, vaguely humanoid frames. They carry large, cylindrical containers on their back for collecting items, giving them a strong visual likeness to that of snails, with their packs being likened to a shell. They also have thick, short tails (also bearing similarities to a snail's body).
Behavior[]
Vullards are nomadic and resourceful. They are an industrious species of scientists,[7] entrepreneurs (albeit often shrewd and not above non-competitive tactics),[9] and scavengers. Vullards are also averse to danger and very peaceful, to a fault.[a] Vullards frequently referred to others, including Ratchet, as "outsiders", but were not hostile.[5]
Though vullards are not aggressive, they practice very poor working conditions. Though workers in the factory wore protective equipment in accordance with Polaris regulations, the factory also had frequent maiming accidents, extremely short three-minute lunch breaks, and used child labor in a "Put your Children to Work Day". The factory also encouraged long working hours that often led to hospitalization. Conditions also extended to their robots, with battery bots going on strike often.[6][10][c] These speak both to the vullard's cruelty toward their employees, as well as a toxic work culture.
Vullards are admired as engineers,[11] and their scientists' development of new forms of energy[7] speaks to their resourcefulness.
Behind the scenes[]
Vullard concept art
Cutter Garcia provided the voice for a vullard and was listed as "Vullard #2".
Pieces of pirate doorkeepers and rogues can be seen on the back of several vullard's metal backpacks.
Notes[]
Annotations[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The non-aggressive nature of the vullards likely led to their frequent invasions. Krell Canyon became the most often-invaded territory in the Polaris Galaxy,[1] and the agorian's invasion of the planet in A Crack in Time was their 118th.[3] Though the settlement was defended by a fusion turret, it was Ratchet who used it at their request.
- ↑ The Guardian appears to be operated by a vullard. After Ratchet gets around the traps and enters the Guardian's head, a vullard apologizes for the ruse,[5] implying he was controlling it.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 During Ratchet's visit, the vullard foreman called an operator named Deacon to the infirmary after they found his fingers, likely lost in an accident. The foreman announced a cafeteria lunch break commencing at 1:30 and ending at 1:33 serving roasted grunthor to celebrate three days of no accidents, implying heavy frequency. The employee of the month, Gorbo Mornak, was celebrated by the foreman for completing a 117-hour shift, but was noted to be hospitalized. The foreman also announced "Put your Children to Work Day".[6] Each of these factors likely contributed to the operation being hidden from galactic authorities,[5] as it was very likely illegal.
Citations[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Crack in Time menu § "Galactic Trivia"
- ↑ A Crack in Time menu § "Omnisoaker"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Crack in Time script § "Assault on Krell Canyon"
- ↑ A Crack in Time script § "Find Directions to Volgram Pass (gameplay)"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 A Crack in Time script § "Travel to the Hollow (gameplay)"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Crack in Time script § "Help End Code 11-13"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Crack in Time script § "Retrieve core sample from Comet (gameplay)"
- ↑ A Crack in Time script § "End Credits"
- ↑ A Crack in Time script § "Destroy the Holo-boards (gameplay)"
- ↑ A Crack in Time script § "Tow the Junk Hauler Home (gameplay)"
- ↑ A Crack in Time script § "Explore Vogal Caves (gameplay)"