### We’ve Previously Encountered the Fanatical Followers of the Great Serpent in *Starfield*. But What Insights Do We Have About House Va’ruun?
As *Starfield* continues to enthrall players with its vast universe, one faction remains enveloped in enigma: House Va’ruun. Players may have crossed paths with the zealous adherents of the Great Serpent during a brief questline in the main game, yet the faction itself has primarily stayed obscured. Nonetheless, with the forthcoming expansion, *Shattered Space*, Bethesda has pledged to illuminate this mysterious group further. This article intends to investigate all that we presently understand about House Va’ruun and our expectations from the expansion.
### What is House Va’ruun?
House Va’ruun is a religious faction dedicated to the veneration of the Great Serpent, an ancient deity they believe was the creator of the Milky Way galaxy. Established roughly 140 years prior to the events of *Starfield* by an individual named Jinan Va’ruun, the faith’s origins are unclear, but its central conviction is that the Great Serpent has been in a dormant state for centuries and is soon to awaken and consume the galaxy—spare for its devoted followers.
The belief of the Va’ruun faith is not merely passive. Adherents regard it as their duty to convert others, convinced that such actions will shield them from the Serpent’s fury. However, this mission has frequently been interpreted through an extreme lens, inciting violent clashes with rival factions.
### The Great Serpent and the Crusade
At the heart of the Va’ruun faith lies the Great Serpent. Their doctrine asserts that the Serpent will only rouse to devour the galaxy once all non-believers have been eliminated. This conviction sparked the “Great Crusade of the Snake,” a brutal conflict sparked by Jinan Va’ruun himself, essentially a holy war against the remaining humanity, stretching over 23 years and concluding only with Jinan’s demise.
The aftermath of the war left profound scars across the galaxy, and following Jinan’s passing, House Va’ruun retreated into seclusion. Jarek Va’ruun, Jinan’s successor, sought reconciliation with other factions and even initiated diplomatic ties, including establishing an embassy in New Atlantis. However, as the events of *Starfield* unfold, House Va’ruun has largely faded from public consciousness.
### The Current Condition of House Va’ruun
At the outset of *Starfield*, House Va’ruun has diminished significantly. Their homeworld, Va’ruun’kai, remains concealed, and there have been no communications from the faction for years. The embassy in New Atlantis lies deserted, with only a few violent extremists remaining to terrorize the galaxy’s outer fringes. These zealots stand as remnants of the once formidable faction, and their erratic appearances in the game serve as a chilling reminder of the group’s tumultuous history.
### What Can We Anticipate from *Shattered Space*?
The impending *Shattered Space* expansion is set to dive deeper into the lore of House Va’ruun. Bethesda has confirmed that the expansion will unveil new locations, characters, and weapons, alongside a meticulously crafted area likely to serve as the backdrop for the faction’s narrative. This stands in contrast to the main game’s predominantly procedurally generated settings, indicating that the expansion will provide a more concentrated and story-driven experience.
One of the most thrilling elements of *Shattered Space* is the chance to explore Va’ruun’kai, the enigmatic homeland of House Va’ruun. Players can expect to uncover what has transpired with the faction during their years of withdrawal and gain further insights into their beliefs, societal structure, and the fate of their leaders.
### The Chronicle of House Va’ruun
To truly grasp House Va’ruun, examining their history is vital. Bethesda has compiled a timeline of significant milestones in the faction’s past, which aids in placing their current status into context:
#### Notable Events in House Va’ruun’s Timeline:
– **2190** – A ship disappears, signaling the initial emergence of the Va’ruun faith.
– **2191** – The first adherents of the Great Serpent arise.
– **2193** – The establishment of Dazra, a pivotal site within the Va’ruun faith.
– **2197** – A crucial transformation within Va’ruun society leads to a more theocratic structure.
– **2200** – The Great Serpent is elevated as the central figure of their belief system.
– **2207** – The Va’ruun begin exploring gravity manipulation, possibly linked to their religious doctrines.
– **2230** – Initial contact with other factions throughout the galaxy.
– **2240** – The commencement