The vitruvians were originally created by philosophers seeking to design an ideal body, seeking to use complex math, science, and art to create something as close to "perfect" as possible, defined by the circular and rectangular proportions created by using the limbs as radii, and the proportions of their bodily features. The project was coopted by military leaders, seeking to use them as weapons. The conflict between these two groups exposed their intentions and led a couple of rogue philosophers and engineers in both camps to unite and steal it. They took it to a secret place where they set about seeking instead to create a being that reflected the internal life of mortals. In the end, all three groups influenced the creation of the first virtruvian, a complex network of systems that generated a being that came to life with a spark of systemic complexity.

After the first virtruvian came to life, its creators realized they had made something more than a machine. They engaged in philosophical and technical discussion with the Manifest, eventually agreeing to help her create other vitruvians. Once this began, a communal identity began to develop, and soon, the small group of existing vitruvians asserted their need for independence and a place of their own. Parting on good terms with those few who finally created them, they left to create a home elsewhere, building the floating city Virtruvia.

Every vigtruvian has a role in the vast network of their community. They take care of some essential task that contributes to the running of their world. The most common roles include network engineer, mechanical engineer, custodian, materials processor, pilot, zailor, data specialist, troubleshooter, and vitallian (more or less a doctor).

They live in simple pods, but gather to socialize in dance clubs, conversation rooms, and libraries. They take special pleasure in reading physical books, despite being able to process digital copies much quicker. Some substances (certain rare metals or minerals) have hallucinogenic or euphoric effects on virtruvians, and they take them recreationally. These are carefully controlled because they can cause vitruvians to become delinquent in their roles, but they are allowed.

The idea of gender or family is unknown to vitruvians. Though they are capable of love and affection, they have no special bonding or commitment ceremonies. There is no sexual reproduction, and such distinctions have no meaning to them. Those who enjoy each others' company spend time with each other, and that is the extent of their affiliation. When a new vitruvian is built by the vitallia, other vitruvians are assigned to train them. Strong bonds can form between mentor and trainee.

The heart of vitruvian society is the Mother Nexus and her concillium, a group of the most skilled and educated among the vitruvians. These make the policies and plans for the community and are selected by the Mother Nexus from the most experienced of the major societal roles. A different body, called the summus, is elected by everyone (even brand new vitruvians may vote). The summus votes on and creates proposals to send to the concillium. If the concillium rejects their proposals, they can resend it five times. If on the fifth time, they still fail, they may either send the proposal to the entire populace or let it fall. It is rare that the populace goes against the concillium, and the summus rarely tests this.

Trade is a major part of the work of the concillium and summus. They regulate trade with other communities very heavily. Internal trade is almost always equitable because of the networked hive mind. Those who engage in trade with outsiders are have significant taxes.

The vitruvians keep a strong skyforce military to protect them, especially from Urayme.