Starfield:The Serpent's Path
The Serpents Path served as a promotional initiative conducted through the official social media channels of Bethesda Game Studios in the lead-up to the first story expansion of Starfield, titled Shattered Space.
These posts featured lore about the House Va'ruun faction, which is the central focus of the expansion, and included an audio log from a Dataslate recorded by Kessic Mohar, a member of House Va'ruun. Mohar embarked on a pilgrimage back to Va'ruun'kai following the loss of his crew at the hands of the unbelievers.
Posts[edit]
First Post[edit]
Message:
In the year 2190, the colony ship Archimedes jumped from Mars’ orbit on a historic journey beyond settled space. Contact was lost with the vessel soon after.
On its final grav jump, something went wrong—a passenger, named Jinan Va'ruun, encountered a celestial entity known as the “Great Serpent,” and his life was forever changed.
Dataslate transcript:
Great Serpent, bless this wretch, Kessic Mohar, who seeks only to walk in your light, to serve you. The others are dead... Dust at the tainted hands of unbelievers. For six weeks I have sailed the stars in penance, weighing my options. I cannot prepare the way alone. As much as it pains me, I must return to Va'ruun'kai. And so I will make this journey a pilgrimage. Retracing the footsteps of Jinan to rekindle the flame. Your flame which burns within me always. From foul colony space, I leap into the beyond. Like Jinan in the mighty Archimedes when he first touched your grace. Hear me, Great Serpent, that I may know your eternal embrace.
Second Post[edit]
Message:
Under the guidance of the Great Serpent, Jinan Va’ruun rose in influence. The wisdom he attributed to the cosmic being grew into a full-fledged religion. Jinan led his followers to found Dazra, the future capital city of House Va’ruun.
Dataslate transcript:
I have jumped now for many days. I sense your touch in the blur. Like a great weight is lifted from my chest. With each jump, I feel closer to you, closer to home. Though I return in the shame of temporary defeat. I do long to walk again on the streets of Dazra, to taste warm Koza again on my lips. To be once more among the Promised. I can feel Jinan beside me, guiding me, as you Great Serpent guided him to break ground and make your great city so. I've not prayed in the Scaled Citadel for 17 years. I hope my people have kept her well.
Third Post[edit]
Message:
40 years after disappearing, the heavily modified Archimedes reemerged in the Volii System under a new title: Mourning, flagship of House Va’ruun. For ten years, House Va'ruun secretly recruited warriors and gathered supplies, arms, and starships in preparation for a great crusade.
Dataslate transcript:
At last, I have reached the Volii System. These stars bore witness to the revelation of the great Mourning in accursed space as Jinan proclaimed its magnificence. I would have loved to have been by the prophet's side on that day, to see his cunning unfold as he fanned diplomacy in one hand and raised an army with the other, right under the noses of the vile heretics who would be made dust. What glory it must have been to look upon the Va'ruun fleet at its strength. I've heard rumors of Promised nearby, honored heroes of the great crusade, who served under Jinan himself. With your blessing Great Serpent, I will find them, seek their wisdom, and persuade them to fight once more in your name.
Fourth Post[edit]
Message:
In the year 2240, Jinan Va'ruun led his armada on the Great Serpent’s Crusade, a brutal holy war intent on purging the galaxy of “unbelievers” in the name of the Great Serpent.
Dataslate transcript:
Fools! Blasphemers! Cowards! I'd hoped to find heroes of the great crusade and all I found were weak and broken old men. Worse yet, Great Serpent, they shamed you, and the purity spread in your name throughout the settled systems. I dreamt of meeting warriors like these since when I was a child, the purest of the Promised. I was played insane, blood and gratitude in greatest rest. I told them of my wish to continue your fight, that your will to purge the universe of unbelievers has not waned. They call me a Zealot! They spoke of the horrors of war, claimed that they'd committed atrocities, and were ashamed of what they'd done as heralds of your judgment!? Bah! Fear not, Great Serpent, for I will not succumb to this trial of faith. Your fire burns brighter, even now, more than ever.
Fifth Post[edit]
Message:
Soon after Jinan’s death, his son, Jarek, ended the crusade and brokered an armistice with the United Colonies and Freestar Collective. His belief in non-violent worship caused a rift in House Va'ruun society that would grow for decades.
Dataslate transcript:
I grow weary. It has been 15 days since I've left the false Promised warriors, and still, their weakness sickens me. It is the work of Jinan's sniveling, gutless worm of a son Jarek, who prostrated himself at the feet of our enemies, the moment his father left our world to join your side. Jarek abandoned Jinan's dream of conquest, left our people to rot in isolation, where his blasphemous ideas could fester. I pray his son Anasko finds his way back to your path. Or House Va'ruun will fall. I'm low on supplies and fear I am not well. I... I hear voices in the void. Whispering sinful things. Please, Great Serpent, I beg you, take me home.
Sixth Post[edit]
Message:
Upon Jarek’s passing in 2298, his son, Anasko, became the Speaker of House Va’ruun. In recent years, he’s disappeared from the public eye, rarely leaving the Scaled Citadel. It is rumored he works night and day on some kind of secret experiments. In his absence, tension between the other noble houses has risen, further compounding Dazra’s political divide.
Dataslate transcript:
Oh Great Serpent, praise your wisdom and benevolence, I have found the Promised! True Promised! I have been alone for so long but they found me and welcomed me aboard their ship. They fed me and shared with me news of home. News that together we planned to confirm in person on Va'ruun'kai. Apparently, Anasko has sequestered himself in the Scaled Citadel, conducting some kind of clandestine experiments. Experiments of a religious nature that draw great power from the city. I know not of his true intent but no son of Jarek can be trusted to wield such technology alone. If our suspicions are confirmed we will seize control by force, if we must. The Shrouding is coming. True believers must take charge to prepare the way. This technology, whatever it is, may it guide the Promised back to the radiance of your word and renew our blades with devastating purpose. The galaxy will tremble before House Va'ruun once more!
note[edit]
- The Shroudbearer can be seen under the right side of the mourning, hinted that the ship was used during the Serpent's Crusade
