The original ideas for the VCR are within this post: http://www.livejournal.com/community/tekalalmuck/1750.html - The entry below was constructed from scratch using a 'word of mouth' summary, and thus there are multiple differences between the original development concept, and the concept that is forwarded below. It would be best to consider the original idea above as the canonical version of the VRC, but the one below as the 'popularized' version specifically developed for "VRC Elysium", which was intended to be much more romanticized and fantastical than the '19th century luddite-deathists' feel of the original.
Strongly rooted in Topwarp, if not the founding faction of it, the VRC are known for living as if post-scarcity, and its corresponding social revolution, never occured. Very probably a reaction to the endless hedonistic existentialism, the VRC set about to re-install purpose on life through various archaic social orders, usually involving working for the sake of work, stratified class structure, reserved dress, and an avoidance of most technologies, especially instantiator level ones. Being a purist faction, it is important to note there are indications that most remaining members are at least partially heretical to the stated principles, some shunning class stratification or the stricter luddite tendencies of the faction. However, all adhere at some level or another to these principles:
There are two known branches at this time: The VRC of 'Elysium' and the Clave VRC related to Claver and Roque. There are only mild differences between the two branches in basic principles, so neither can really lay claim to being the [truest] VRC faction (the closest player to that faction is Reginald?, who is disaffected from it). The Clave VRC use decanting technology and hypnopaedia to reproduce, bypassing nearly all that unnecessary, embarrassing sex. Elysium, currently rebuilding its numbers, still uses archaic/traditional methods, and consequently has typical 'hypocritical' quandaries.
No one is sure which clave or claves are behind the project, but The Child's Garden appears to be a VRC subfaction celebrating the archaic ephemerality of youth.
"Vickies", as they are coloquially known about the Mess, seemed to be a nearly extinct presence. However, Elysium is reversing this trend by 'unearthing' members, apparently secreted away before the still-unknown disaster that depopulated the island.
There are people that exist as wayward children of the VRC.
(People interested in playing properly named victorians (at least females) should look here: [1] )