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Balaho: Difference between revisions
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An unpredictable and dangerous world, Balaho is a mostly frozen planet with temperatures ranging from -33°C to 5°C (-27°F to 41°F).{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} It has two [[natural satellite]]s, [[Buwan]] and [[Padpad]], respectively the primary and secondary satellites.<ref>[http://majornelson.com/2011/08/26/news-from-halo-fest/ '''Xbox Live's Major Nelson''': ''News From Halo Fest'']</ref> With an atmosphere rating of 5.7, the terrestrial planet has significant amounts of [[methane]] in the atmosphere, in addition to [[carbon dioxide]] and [[helium]], necessitating that Unggoy wear [[methane tank]]s while off-world. This gas forms a largely opaque layer of clouds that prevents much of the world from being seen from orbit.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}{{Ref/Note|Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (about 23 times stronger than carbon dioxide), making it very effective at insulating an atmosphere. As such, it is strange that Balaho is so cold when the planet's atmosphere is composed mainly of methane. The most likely explanation is that Balaho is much farther from Tala than most other habitable planets are from their stars and that is warm enough to support life because of its methane atmosphere. This also explains why the planet was not engulfed when Tala expanded into a blue supergiant.}} | An unpredictable and dangerous world, Balaho is a mostly frozen planet with temperatures ranging from -33°C to 5°C (-27°F to 41°F).{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} It has two [[natural satellite]]s, [[Buwan]] and [[Padpad]], respectively the primary and secondary satellites.<ref>[http://majornelson.com/2011/08/26/news-from-halo-fest/ '''Xbox Live's Major Nelson''': ''News From Halo Fest'']</ref> With an atmosphere rating of 5.7, the terrestrial planet has significant amounts of [[methane]] in the atmosphere, in addition to [[carbon dioxide]] and [[helium]], necessitating that Unggoy wear [[methane tank]]s while off-world. This gas forms a largely opaque layer of clouds that prevents much of the world from being seen from orbit.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}{{Ref/Note|Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (about 23 times stronger than carbon dioxide), making it very effective at insulating an atmosphere. As such, it is strange that Balaho is so cold when the planet's atmosphere is composed mainly of methane. The most likely explanation is that Balaho is much farther from Tala than most other habitable planets are from their stars and that is warm enough to support life because of its methane atmosphere. This also explains why the planet was not engulfed when Tala expanded into a blue supergiant.}} | ||
The parts of the surface that are not covered by polar ice caps or fresh [[water]] are equatorial brackish tidal flats where naturally occurring pillars of fire exist when the planet's methane condenses. Most of the Unggoy live in this area where the cold season is not as harmful to them. The planet is also home to several swamps | The parts of the surface that are not covered by polar ice caps or fresh [[water]] are equatorial brackish tidal flats where naturally occurring pillars of fire exist when the planet's methane condenses. Most of the Unggoy live in this area where the cold season is not as harmful to them. The planet is also home to several swamps, dire marshes,{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc 308}} and shallow volcanic mountain ranges at the equator.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=209}} The world is still recovering from an environmental collapse caused by massive global over-industrialization prior to the activation of the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} Balaho continues to experience environmental degradation and has become increasingly less hospitable over the centuries. Balaho's severe exploitation by the [[Covenant]] has only caused the environment to suffer further.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} Until the Covenant's arrival, the planet's population was threatened by two consecutive winter seasons, plagues, and a general lack of food.<ref name="enc151">''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe'', p. 151</ref> [[Blue Death]] is a risk to all Unggoy that were exposed to Balaho's harsh climate.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 237</ref> | ||
The planet's hostile conditions and the methane atmosphere of Balaho sustains unusually hardy forms of life,{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} most notably the Unggoy who are believed to have evolved from smaller amphibious primates. Balaho is home to many voracious predators, with the Unggoy evolving to have a rigid exoskeleton lined with spikes and barbs along their body to deter such threats.{{Ref/Reuse|unggoy waypoint}} The luminescent [[Zap-jelly|zap-jellies]] filled the brackish seas of Balaho,<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 186</ref> with [[mud wasp]]s and [[shade crab]]s being commonly [[Hunting rock|hunted]] for sport, particularly by Unggoy youth. Balaho is also home to [[scrub grub]]s, an arthropodic pest that feeds on machinery.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 90</ref> Some methane tanks used by Unggoy resemble the [[Balahoan octopoda]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg4}} | The planet's hostile conditions and the methane atmosphere of Balaho sustains unusually hardy forms of life,{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} most notably the Unggoy who are believed to have evolved from smaller amphibious primates. Balaho is home to many voracious predators, with the Unggoy evolving to have a rigid exoskeleton lined with spikes and barbs along their body to deter such threats.{{Ref/Reuse|unggoy waypoint}} The luminescent [[Zap-jelly|zap-jellies]] filled the brackish seas of Balaho,<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 186</ref> with [[mud wasp]]s and [[shade crab]]s being commonly [[Hunting rock|hunted]] for sport, particularly by Unggoy youth. Balaho is also home to [[scrub grub]]s, an arthropodic pest that feeds on machinery.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 90</ref> Some methane tanks used by Unggoy resemble the [[Balahoan octopoda]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg4}} | ||
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After the Unggoy allied themselves with Cortana, both [[Promethean]] and Unggoy forces destroyed the UNSC embassy, killing almost all the personnel on the embassy. Spartan [[Edward Buck]] and Captain [[Veronica Dare]] traveled to Balaho to recruit Spartan Agu and reform [[Alpha-Nine]]. Both managed to extract Romeo in a [[D81-LRT Condor]] but failed to rescue the embassy survivors, who were killed by [[Z-1800 Phaeton]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|badbloodchapt3}} | After the Unggoy allied themselves with Cortana, both [[Promethean]] and Unggoy forces destroyed the UNSC embassy, killing almost all the personnel on the embassy. Spartan [[Edward Buck]] and Captain [[Veronica Dare]] traveled to Balaho to recruit Spartan Agu and reform [[Alpha-Nine]]. Both managed to extract Romeo in a [[D81-LRT Condor]] but failed to rescue the embassy survivors, who were killed by [[Z-1800 Phaeton]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|badbloodchapt3}} | ||
With the Created's control over local systems curtailed, attacks on Balaho and nearby colonies by Covenant splinters and pirates has been vastly reduced by warships built and crewed by the Unggoy, eager to free their kind and other abused minor races from slavers and raiders.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | |||
==Government and society== | ==Government and society== | ||
Balaho is ruled by matriarchal tribes of [[Unggoy]],{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} led by den mothers struggling to maintain their society.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} In [[2142]], the [[Covenant]] annexed Balaho, aggressively converting the Unggoy and forcing them into servitude.{{Ref/Reuse|unggoy waypoint}} Under the Covenant's rule, Balaho was a backwater world in a vast empire, avoided by most shipping routes. However, infant mortality decreased and life expectancy doubled on Balaho, with geronticide no longer being necessary for the survival of a tribe.{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} Following the collapse of the Covenant, a new [[Unggoy government]] was set-up and running Balaho.{{Ref/Reuse|badbloodchapt3}} Under the [[Created]]'s control, Balaho has flourished and industry has returned to the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|driving}} | Balaho is ruled by matriarchal tribes of [[Unggoy]],{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} led by den mothers struggling to maintain their society.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} In [[2142]], the [[Covenant]] annexed Balaho, aggressively converting the Unggoy and forcing them into servitude.{{Ref/Reuse|unggoy waypoint}} Under the Covenant's rule, Balaho was a backwater world in a vast empire, avoided by most shipping routes. However, infant mortality decreased and life expectancy doubled on Balaho, with geronticide no longer being necessary for the survival of a tribe.{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} Following the collapse of the Covenant, a new [[Unggoy government]] was set-up and running Balaho.{{Ref/Reuse|badbloodchapt3}} Under the [[Created]]'s control, Balaho has flourished and industry has returned to the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|driving}} | ||
Harsh environments on Balaho moulded the Unggoy into a tenacious, hardy species,{{Ref/Reuse|enc 308}} with the Unggoy once concerning themselves with food shortages and burning plague victims, until the Covenant's arrival.{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} Balaho is known for its own form of [[martial arts]].{{Ref/Reuse|glory}} While the Unggoy see their world as "ugly, foul, and frozen", many still think fondly of their homeworld.{{Ref/Reuse|enc 308}} Once home to billions and under the threat of overpopulation, Balaho now maintains a small population of 320 million, with most Unggoy living off-world, though many desire to return.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} | Harsh environments on Balaho moulded the Unggoy into a tenacious, hardy species,{{Ref/Reuse|enc 308}} with the Unggoy once concerning themselves with food shortages and burning plague victims, until the Covenant's arrival.{{Ref/Reuse|enc151}} Balaho is known for its own form of [[martial arts]].{{Ref/Reuse|glory}} While the Unggoy see their world as "ugly, foul, and frozen", many still think fondly of their homeworld.{{Ref/Reuse|enc 308}} Once home to billions and under the threat of overpopulation, Balaho now maintains a small population of 320 million, with most Unggoy living off-world, though many desire to return.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} Much of the population is clustered in modest hovel networks, with a few larger and more developed cities granted blessing of technology from the Prophets.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | ||
==Production notes== | ==Production notes== | ||