Flood: Difference between revisions

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{{Quote|One single Flood spore can destroy a species.|[[Rtas 'Vadum]]<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>}}

The '''Flood''', designated as [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]] by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> and '''the infection'''<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', level ''[[Relic Approach]]'': [[Re'gish Wamik]]: ''"What if the infection defiles the [[Relic|relic]]?"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming [[sentience|sentient]] lifeforms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most sentient ~~life~~ in the galaxy, including the vast majority of [[Forerunner]]s, during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ancient past, prompting the [[Great Purification|activation]] of the galaxy-sterilizing [[Halo Array]] in [[97,445 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref>

The '''Flood''', designated as '''[[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]]''' by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> and '''the infection'''<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', level ''[[Relic Approach]]'': [[Re'gish Wamik]]: ''"What if the infection defiles the [[Relic|relic]]?"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming [[sentience|sentient]] lifeforms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most of the sentient lifeforms in the galaxy - including the vast majority of [[Forerunner]]s - during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ancient past, prompting the [[Great Purification|activation]] of the galaxy-sterilizing [[Halo Array]] in [[97,445 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref>

Originating as a corrupted form of the galaxy's most ancient custodians, the [[Precursors]],<ref name="precursors">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> the Flood reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized forms. Through infecting sentient lifeforms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.

Originating as a corrupted form of the galaxy's most ancient custodians (the [[Precursors]])<ref name="precursors">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> the Flood reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized forms. Through infecting sentient lifeforms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.

All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak. Due to this group consciousness, the Flood as a whole is more accurately described as a single, [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 0: Transsentient|transsentient]] ~~macroorganism~~ rather than a collection of individuals directed by one or more controlling beings. In the absence of a Gravemind, the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a [[Flood hive]] and the beginnings of a [[proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness has been likened to a socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species; each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.<ref name="bestiarum"/>

All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak. Due to this group consciousness, the Flood as a whole is more accurately described as a single, [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 0: Transsentient|transsentient]] macro-organism rather than a collection of individuals directed by one or more controlling beings. In the absence of a Gravemind, the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a [[Flood hive]] and the beginnings of a [[proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness has been likened to a socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species; each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.<ref name="bestiarum"/>

The Flood presents a highly variable and unconventional threat in combat, as it can infect and mutate dead or captured opponents into a myriad of deadly forms, effectively growing stronger as it weakens enemy forces. They are widely considered to be the greatest threat to the existence of life (or, more accurately, biodiversity) in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]].

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 {{Quote|One single Flood spore can destroy a species.|[[Rtas 'Vadum]]<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>}}
-The '''Flood''', designated as [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]] by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> and '''the infection'''<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', level ''[[Relic Approach]]'': [[Re'gish Wamik]]: ''"What if the infection defiles the [[Relic|relic]]?"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming [[sentience|sentient]] lifeforms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most sentient life in the galaxy, including the vast majority of [[Forerunner]]s, during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ancient past, prompting the [[Great Purification|activation]] of the galaxy-sterilizing [[Halo Array]] in [[97,445 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref>
+The '''Flood''', designated as '''[[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]]''' by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> and '''the infection'''<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', level ''[[Relic Approach]]'': [[Re'gish Wamik]]: ''"What if the infection defiles the [[Relic|relic]]?"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming [[sentience|sentient]] lifeforms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most of the sentient lifeforms in the galaxy - including the vast majority of [[Forerunner]]s - during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] in ancient past, prompting the [[Great Purification|activation]] of the galaxy-sterilizing [[Halo Array]] in [[97,445 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref>
-Originating as a corrupted form of the galaxy's most ancient custodians, the [[Precursors]],<ref name="precursors">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> the Flood reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized forms. Through infecting sentient lifeforms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.
+Originating as a corrupted form of the galaxy's most ancient custodians (the [[Precursors]])<ref name="precursors">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> the Flood reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized forms. Through infecting sentient lifeforms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.
-All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak. Due to this group consciousness, the Flood as a whole is more accurately described as a single, [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 0: Transsentient|transsentient]] macroorganism rather than a collection of individuals directed by one or more controlling beings. In the absence of a Gravemind, the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a [[Flood hive]] and the beginnings of a [[proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness has been likened to a socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species; each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.<ref name="bestiarum"/>
+All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak. Due to this group consciousness, the Flood as a whole is more accurately described as a single, [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 0: Transsentient|transsentient]] macro-organism rather than a collection of individuals directed by one or more controlling beings. In the absence of a Gravemind, the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a [[Flood hive]] and the beginnings of a [[proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness has been likened to a socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species; each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.<ref name="bestiarum"/>
 The Flood presents a highly variable and unconventional threat in combat, as it can infect and mutate dead or captured opponents into a myriad of deadly forms, effectively growing stronger as it weakens enemy forces. They are widely considered to be the greatest threat to the existence of life (or, more accurately, biodiversity) in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]].