VICEs
Voluntary Isonomic Celibate Extraterrestrials of the Zone
Here in the Kirinal Concordance Zone, all sophonts are welcome, as long as they follow our Concordant Mandates. Even members of species once considered irredeemably hostile can earn a place in our civilization if they abide by our laws.
These Voluntary Isonomic Celibate Extraterrestrials (V.I.C.E.s for short) swear never to use other sophonts in their reproductive cycles or other biological processes. Of course, the policy is "trust but verify". Every VICE lives under some level of monitoring. But many have proven themselves to be welcome additions to our society.
I kill brain eaters. It's right there in the name. I'm welcome in any creche of the Silver Sea. I'm even an honorary kith'rak. So yeah, my skin still crawls when I see 'em here on our streets. I know I can take care of myself, but what about the kids who can't. Still... plenty of folks still feel that same way about us orcs. If the VICEs are following the rules, I'd be a hypocrite to pull the ladder up behind me.
One of the most interesting subcultures in the Zone is made up of mostly alien species whose reproductive cycles would normally parasitize or consume other mortals. To live here, they have taken a vow of celibacy, searing to never use sophonts in that way. They are well known for the vows they use to start their meetings "People, not prey!"
Although there are plenty of species native to Erathia that would qualify to join VICE, most of the members come from outside the Crystal Sphere of Kirinal or from other worlds in the multiverse. Among their number are a t'diktii sommelier in a sheep's body, a technarch prince with a poet's heart, and a world-ending Old One who loves karaoke.
When the talking sheep walk in my office, I was not surprised. Of course, I get a few awakened animal or plant coming in for their ident-a-hedron every month. But this one smelled different. It was a t'dikt. I almost kill it! They caused me so much trouble in my Kitchen that one time! But he say he different. He say he don't want to own people. I believe him. Now he works at my kitchen and he's the best sommelier I ever had!
People are friends, not food!!! I really like Sarge's insight about how objecting to VICEs would be like pulling the ladder up behind him. Fascinating concept. Would love to know more about some of the individuals eventually!
Explore Etrea | WorldEmber 2025
I had some ideas for it, but I've been too busy after the initial burst of creativity to get to it!
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak. Visit my Worldember 2025 Hub as I work on 50,000 words in December!