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Forerunner: Difference between revisions
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*[[IsoDidact]] | *[[IsoDidact]] | ||
*[[Faber-of-Will-and-Might]] | *[[Faber-of-Will-and-Might]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Wise-Hands-to-Forge]] | ||
*[[Chant-to-Green]] | *[[Chant-to-Green]] | ||
|othernames=*The Gods | |othernames=*The Gods | ||
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===Return=== | ===Return=== | ||
[[File:H4 | [[File:HTMCC-H4 ThisTombIsNowYours.png|thumb|275px|The Didact overpowers John-117.]] | ||
{{Quote|Time was your ally, human, but now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners... have returned.|The Ur-Didact to John-117, after being awakened in the interior of Requiem.}} | {{Quote|Time was your ally, human, but now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners... have returned.|The Ur-Didact to John-117, after being awakened in the interior of Requiem.}} | ||
The years following the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]] saw the revival of a Forerunner presence in the galaxy, with the reawakening of the [[Ur-Didact]], once the supreme commander of the Forerunner Warrior-Servants. A zealous Forerunner supremacist with a renegade hatred for humans, the Ur-Didact sought to use a machine known as the [[Composer]] to convert all of humanity into [[Promethean Knight|subservient war machines]] near the end of the Forerunners' war with the Flood. To prevent this, the [[Librarian]] imprisoned the Didact in a Cryptum on the shield world [[Requiem]], where he remained for the next 100,000 years. | The years following the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]] saw the revival of a Forerunner presence in the galaxy, with the reawakening of the [[Ur-Didact]], once the supreme commander of the Forerunner Warrior-Servants. A zealous Forerunner supremacist with a renegade hatred for humans, the Ur-Didact sought to use a machine known as the [[Composer]] to convert all of humanity into [[Promethean Knight|subservient war machines]] near the end of the Forerunners' war with the Flood. To prevent this, the [[Librarian]] imprisoned the Didact in a Cryptum on the shield world [[Requiem]], where he remained for the next 100,000 years. | ||
In [[2557|July 2557]], the Ur-Didact and his mechanized [[Promethean]] forces were accidentally awakened by [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] who had stumbled upon Requiem. His views unchanged by his long exile, the Didact disregarded humanity's Reclaimer status and maintained his belief that only the Forerunners were worthy of the Mantle. The Didact and his Prometheans, allied with a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant faction]], went to war against humanity, aiming to prevent them from attaining the Mantle. Attempting to use the Composer to digitize humanity, the Didact [[New Phoenix Incident|attacked Earth]]. However, the Master Chief and his [[Smart AI|AI]] [[Cortana]] stopped and defeated the hateful Forerunner, casting him into a slipspace portal, and subsequently destroying the Composer and the [[Mantle's Approach|Didact's ship]]. They were aided in this by the Librarian, who had left an imprint of her memories behind on [[Requiem]]. The Librarian's essence augmented the Master Chief's genetic code in order to allow him to face the Didact, giving him, along with other things, an immunity to the Composer that saved his life. However, the Didact survived his fall into slipspace and intended to finish what he started. While the Didact was eventually "contained" as a threat by the Master Chief and his [[Blue Team|squad-mates]],<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue 10]]</ref> the Promethean-Covenant alliance was not defeated by this setback and the conflict was still in progress in early [[2558]] when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} [[Requiem | In [[2557|July 2557]], the Ur-Didact and his mechanized [[Promethean]] forces were accidentally awakened by [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] who had stumbled upon Requiem. His views unchanged by his long exile, the Didact disregarded humanity's Reclaimer status and maintained his belief that only the Forerunners were worthy of the Mantle. The Didact and his Prometheans, allied with a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant faction]], went to war against humanity, aiming to prevent them from attaining the Mantle. Attempting to use the Composer to digitize humanity, the Didact [[New Phoenix Incident|attacked Earth]]. However, the Master Chief and his [[Smart AI|AI]] [[Cortana]] stopped and defeated the hateful Forerunner, casting him into a slipspace portal, and subsequently destroying the Composer and the [[Mantle's Approach|Didact's ship]]. They were aided in this by the Librarian, who had left an imprint of her memories behind on [[Requiem]]. The Librarian's essence augmented the Master Chief's genetic code in order to allow him to face the Didact, giving him, along with other things, an immunity to the Composer that saved his life. However, the Didact survived his fall into slipspace and intended to finish what he started. While the Didact was eventually "contained" as a threat by the Master Chief and his [[Blue Team|squad-mates]],<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue 10]]</ref> the Promethean-Covenant alliance was not defeated by this setback and the conflict was still in progress in early [[2558]] when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} [[Requiem Campaign|returned to Requiem]]. After a lengthy campaign, Requiem was destroyed by the Covenant leader [[Jul 'Mdama]], along with all Promethean constructs present on the shield world.<ref name="halo 4">'''Halo 4'''</ref> | ||
At some point after the Didact's attack on Earth, Cortana learned about the existence of [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a Forerunner Builder alive on [[Genesis]] and went after him, but the Builder managed to escape from her. | At some point after the Didact's attack on Earth, Cortana learned about the existence of [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a Forerunner Builder alive on [[Genesis]] and went after him, but the Builder managed to escape from her. | ||
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==Physiology== | ==Physiology== | ||
[[File:H4 | [[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals ProtectorOfTheEcumene.png|thumb|275px|The Ur-Didact, a full-rate Promethean, before undergoing a procedure to achieve Flood immunity which left him disfigured.]] | ||
The Forerunners were a bipedal species resembling humans in overall shape, though they were larger in stature. Over the course of their lives, Forerunners underwent a number of [[Forerunner mutations|artificially-induced mutations]], modifying their bodies to better suit the field of work of their [[rate]]. More specific aspects of their appearance varied with lineage, age and even personal tastes.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint forerunner}} They relied heavily on [[Forerunner personal armor|personal body-assist armor]] which, in addition to protecting the wearer from harm, augmented their physiology and mental faculties. Among many other advantages, it made their lifespans virtually indefinite by providing constant life support and medical care.<ref name="c47">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 47-48''</ref>{{Ref/Note|It is never directly stated that the Forerunners' armor granted them truly indefinite lifespans, although this can be inferred from several statements in ''The Forerunner Saga''. In ''Halo: Cryptum'', Bornstellar notes that Forerunners died only on rare occasions, usually by accident or during war (''Cryptum'', page 47). In ''Halo: Silentium'', the Librarian mentions having visited the collection of a former [[Theoretical]] on [[Keth Sidon]] (''Silentium'', page 67); since the Theoretical rate was dissolved a million years earlier, the former Theoretical would have been at least a million years old at the time, although it is not explicitly stated that the Theoretical in question was still alive.<br>Nonetheless, ''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide'' asserts that the Composers were originally designed to transfer old essences into youthful bodies. While this may seem rather trivial given the Forerunners' effective immortality, it is known that older members of the species (such as the [[Confirmer]]) could become significantly disfigured with age. [https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/composer The Composer entry on Halo Waypoint] reiterates ''The Essential Visual Guide''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s statement and further reveals that composed essences may have been integrated into the Domain, granting them true permanence.}} | The Forerunners were a bipedal species resembling humans in overall shape, though they were larger in stature. Over the course of their lives, Forerunners underwent a number of [[Forerunner mutations|artificially-induced mutations]], modifying their bodies to better suit the field of work of their [[rate]]. More specific aspects of their appearance varied with lineage, age and even personal tastes.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint forerunner}} They relied heavily on [[Forerunner personal armor|personal body-assist armor]] which, in addition to protecting the wearer from harm, augmented their physiology and mental faculties. Among many other advantages, it made their lifespans virtually indefinite by providing constant life support and medical care.<ref name="c47">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 47-48''</ref>{{Ref/Note|It is never directly stated that the Forerunners' armor granted them truly indefinite lifespans, although this can be inferred from several statements in ''The Forerunner Saga''. In ''Halo: Cryptum'', Bornstellar notes that Forerunners died only on rare occasions, usually by accident or during war (''Cryptum'', page 47). In ''Halo: Silentium'', the Librarian mentions having visited the collection of a former [[Theoretical]] on [[Keth Sidon]] (''Silentium'', page 67); since the Theoretical rate was dissolved a million years earlier, the former Theoretical would have been at least a million years old at the time, although it is not explicitly stated that the Theoretical in question was still alive.<br>Nonetheless, ''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide'' asserts that the Composers were originally designed to transfer old essences into youthful bodies. While this may seem rather trivial given the Forerunners' effective immortality, it is known that older members of the species (such as the [[Confirmer]]) could become significantly disfigured with age. [https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/composer The Composer entry on Halo Waypoint] reiterates ''The Essential Visual Guide''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s statement and further reveals that composed essences may have been integrated into the Domain, granting them true permanence.}} | ||
Before their first mutation, as [[Manipular]]s, Forerunners were tall and slender, and possessed patches of fine, purple-pink or white fur on the top of their heads, along their nape and shoulder area, as well as the backs of their hands.<ref name="prim33">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 33-34''</ref> Their facial features were similar to those of humanity, and they were capable of making analogous expressions, but this changed as they mutated to their higher forms, which characteristically had stiffer facial muscles and a more limited ability to convey emotions.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 28''</ref> There was also a cultural stigma associated with expressing emotions; while even certain higher forms were capable of producing some semblance of a smile or laughter, for example, such uncontrolled display of emotions was regarded as barbaric.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 89''</ref> Unlike humans, Forerunners lacked pronounced noses or ears, having two | Before their first mutation, as [[Manipular]]s, Forerunners were tall and slender, and possessed patches of fine, purple-pink or white fur on the top of their heads, along their nape and shoulder area, as well as the backs of their hands.<ref name="prim33">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 33-34''</ref> Their facial features were similar to those of humanity, and they were capable of making analogous expressions, but this changed as they mutated to their higher forms, which characteristically had stiffer facial muscles and a more limited ability to convey emotions.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 28''</ref> There was also a cultural stigma associated with expressing emotions; while even certain higher forms were capable of producing some semblance of a smile or laughter, for example, such uncontrolled display of emotions was regarded as barbaric.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 89''</ref> Unlike humans, Forerunners lacked pronounced noses or ears, having two slited nostrils and a set of bulbous protrusions instead.{{Ref/Reuse|halo 4}} Their skulls otherwise bore a very strong resemblance to those of humans, with subtle differences. The Forerunners also had a genetic code that was remarkably similar to humans, though they were not known to be genetically related.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 26''</ref> However the defunct Theoretical rate of the Forerunners own studies of human and Forerunner origins concluded that humanity share a genetic structure homogeneous to the Forerunners.<ref>'''Halo: Point of Light''', ''page 18''</ref> | ||
The Forerunners exhibited sexual dimorphism largely mirroring that of humans, with the females being more slender and somewhat smaller in stature than the males. The height of higher-form males ranged from around three to four meters; for example, the [[Ur-Didact]] was three and a half meters tall,<ref name="evgdidact">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 16''</ref> while [[ | The Forerunners exhibited sexual dimorphism largely mirroring that of humans, with the females being more slender and somewhat smaller in stature than the males. The height of higher-form males ranged from around three to four meters; for example, the [[Ur-Didact]] was three and a half meters tall,<ref name="evgdidact">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 16''</ref> while [[Wise-Hands-to-Forge]], a high-ranking Builder, was around four meters. [[Maker-of-Cherished-Mountains|His wife]], a female Builder of the same social standing, was just over two meters in height,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 224-225''</ref> while the [[Librarian]], head of the Lifeworker rate, was nearly three meters tall.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 17''</ref> Males of higher forms also bore less resemblance to humans, while the females appear to have been more human-like in appearance.{{Ref/Reuse|prim33}} A large portion of this dimorphism was artificially induced with their mutations and determined by rate.<ref name="sil141">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 141''</ref> | ||
[[File:Didactskull2.png|thumb|left|150px|The skull of the Didact, a [[Warrior-Servant]] who underwent a great amount of mutations.]] | [[File:Didactskull2.png|thumb|left|150px|The skull of the Didact, a [[Warrior-Servant]] who underwent a great amount of mutations.]] | ||
Their skin color ranged greatly, including gray, black, blue, pink, or a mixture thereof. The number of fingers Forerunners possessed varied according to their rate and form; the most common number of fingers per hand appears to have been six, with two opposable thumbs,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 339''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 83''</ref> although some [[Lifeworker]]s could have as many as seven fingers per hand.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 166''</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Librarian]] had only five fingers in each hand,{{Ref/Reuse|halo 4}} although this was a deviation from the norm.{{Ref/Reuse|sil141}} | Their skin color ranged greatly, including gray, black, blue, pink, or a mixture thereof. The number of fingers Forerunners possessed varied according to their rate and form; the most common number of fingers per hand appears to have been six, with two opposable thumbs,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 339''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 83''</ref> although some [[Lifeworker]]s could have as many as seven fingers per hand.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 166''</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Librarian]] had only five fingers in each hand,{{Ref/Reuse|halo 4}} although this was a deviation from the norm.{{Ref/Reuse|sil141}} | ||
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===Societal classes=== | ===Societal classes=== | ||
{{Main|Rate}} | {{Main|Rate}} | ||
Forerunner society was divided into a number of different classes known as rates, each rate specializing in a particular field of work. The [[Builder]]s, who designed most Forerunner technology, from ships and weapons to their various megastructures, were the highest rate and wielded the most political power. The second rate were the [[Miner]]s, who obtained construction materials for the Builders' projects and were responsible for planetary and stellar engineering. Below the Miners were the [[Lifeworker]]s, who were responsible for medicine and biological research. The [[Juridical]]s were a rate whose duties encompassed legal matters within the ecumene. The [[Warrior-Servant]]s served as the primary fighting force of the ecumene, while the [[Engineer (rate)|Engineers]] maintained technology and machinery. | Forerunner society was divided into a number of different classes known as rates, each rate specializing in a particular field of work. The [[Builder]]s, who designed most Forerunner technology, from ships and weapons to their various megastructures, were the highest rate and wielded the most political power. The second rate were the [[Miner]]s, who obtained construction materials for the Builders' projects and were responsible for planetary and stellar engineering. Below the Miners were the [[Lifeworker]]s, who were responsible for medicine and biological research. The [[Juridical]]s were a rate whose duties encompassed legal matters within the ecumene. The [[Warrior-Servant]]s served as the primary fighting force of the ecumene, while the [[Engineer (rate)|Engineers]] maintained technology and machinery.{{Ref/Site|Id=CryptumGlossary|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/text/cryptum-glossary/62e29c59-a3f9-4b63-af76-def71fda5459|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cryptum Glossary|D=14|M=03|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Halo: Cryptum/Glossary}} | ||
The rates, in turn, were divided into smaller units, [[guild]]s, [[Maniple]]s and [[clan]]s. Adolescent individuals, known as [[Manipular]]s, were not considered to be part of a rate until their mutation into first-form. During special occasions, each rate of Forerunners wore unique ceremonial headgear except for one day of [[Grand Star Season]], when all rates would wear similar headgear.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 37''</ref> | The rates, in turn, were divided into smaller units, [[guild]]s, [[Maniple]]s and [[clan]]s. Adolescent individuals, known as [[Manipular]]s, were not considered to be part of a rate until their mutation into first-form. During special occasions, each rate of Forerunners wore unique ceremonial headgear except for one day of [[Grand Star Season]], when all rates would wear similar headgear.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 37''</ref> | ||
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Even after millions of years, Forerunner technology still advanced at a comparatively rapid rate, with a number of new breakthroughs and developments occurring within even a single millennium.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 98''</ref> It was believed by some [[Builder]]s that the Forerunners had possessed more advanced technologies in their distant past that they had later lost during periods of technological regression. This was at least partially true, as demonstrated by ten-million-year-old Forerunner [[probability mirror]]s, used for large-scale spacetime reconciliation, and similarly ancient cloaking technology used to obfuscate the interior of an entire star system in the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 113''</ref> | Even after millions of years, Forerunner technology still advanced at a comparatively rapid rate, with a number of new breakthroughs and developments occurring within even a single millennium.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 98''</ref> It was believed by some [[Builder]]s that the Forerunners had possessed more advanced technologies in their distant past that they had later lost during periods of technological regression. This was at least partially true, as demonstrated by ten-million-year-old Forerunner [[probability mirror]]s, used for large-scale spacetime reconciliation, and similarly ancient cloaking technology used to obfuscate the interior of an entire star system in the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 113''</ref> | ||
They employed a wide variety of [[artificial intelligence]] constructs, generally known to them as [[ancilla]]s. These ranged from simple personal assistants integrated in their armors to various kinds of robotic [[Monitor]]s and immensely powerful [[ | They employed a wide variety of [[artificial intelligence]] constructs, generally known to them as [[ancilla]]s. These ranged from simple personal assistants integrated in their armors to various kinds of robotic [[Monitor]]s and immensely powerful [[Metarch-class ancilla|Metarch]]-level AIs, of which the most sophisticated type was the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3terminals}} | ||
The Forerunners had mastered the use of various energy fields, including [[buffer field]]s which they used to manipulate gravity,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 304''</ref> [[constraint field]]s used to restrain individuals, [[confinement field]]s used to block the movement of entire ships, and the containment and collection fields they used to harness entire stars for energy production.<ref name="c243">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 243''</ref> Entire planets could be made habitable even in conditions of lethal stellar radiation via [[planetary shield]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 254''</ref> | The Forerunners had mastered the use of various energy fields, including [[buffer field]]s which they used to manipulate gravity,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 304''</ref> [[constraint field]]s used to restrain individuals, [[confinement field]]s used to block the movement of entire ships, and the containment and collection fields they used to harness entire stars for energy production.<ref name="c243">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 243''</ref> Entire planets could be made habitable even in conditions of lethal stellar radiation via [[planetary shield]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 254''</ref> | ||
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Forerunner spacecraft used special [[Slipspace flake|crystals]] embedded in their [[slipspace drive]]s to travel through slipspace. In order to move through ordinary space, they utilized [[reaction drive]]s which harnessed virtual particles as a propulsive force; however, they still required the use of onboard reaction mass.<ref name="c124">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 124''</ref> The reaction drive of a mere automated cargo transport allowed travel from Edom to Erde-Tyrene, (a distance of 100 million kilometers at the time), within forty-eight hours; this was considered a mundane trip that did not warrant slipspace manipulation.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 19 and 20''</ref> In addition, the Forerunners created a network of [[slipspace portal]]s for high-traffic slipspace transit across the galaxy.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 200''</ref> Aboard starships, limited inertial dampening was achieved through the use of buffer fields,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 114''</ref> but during extreme acceleration, the occupants' armors had to be locked to the deck.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo: Cryptum, page 129}} | Forerunner spacecraft used special [[Slipspace flake|crystals]] embedded in their [[slipspace drive]]s to travel through slipspace. In order to move through ordinary space, they utilized [[reaction drive]]s which harnessed virtual particles as a propulsive force; however, they still required the use of onboard reaction mass.<ref name="c124">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 124''</ref> The reaction drive of a mere automated cargo transport allowed travel from Edom to Erde-Tyrene, (a distance of 100 million kilometers at the time), within forty-eight hours; this was considered a mundane trip that did not warrant slipspace manipulation.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 19 and 20''</ref> In addition, the Forerunners created a network of [[slipspace portal]]s for high-traffic slipspace transit across the galaxy.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 200''</ref> Aboard starships, limited inertial dampening was achieved through the use of buffer fields,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 114''</ref> but during extreme acceleration, the occupants' armors had to be locked to the deck.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo: Cryptum, page 129}} | ||
Forerunner warships could be enormous in scale; the most recent models of [[Fortress-class vessel]] were around a hundred kilometers in length,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 312''</ref> while the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s personal command vessel, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was | Forerunner warships could be enormous in scale; the most recent models of [[Fortress-class vessel]] were around a hundred kilometers in length,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 312''</ref> while the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s personal command vessel, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was 371 kilometers in height and was even then surpassed in size by the largest Forerunner ships.<ref name="h4evg193">'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 193''</ref> | ||
The interiors of all Forerunner ships were not entirely composed of matter; for example, the structure of a [[planet-breaker]] was only half matter, with one third being fuel and reaction mass and the rest being comprised of [[hard light]], allowing the captain to configure the ship's internal layout and decoration at will. At least some types of Forerunner craft can alter their geometry to better suit their current situation; for example, making the ship more aerodynamic in preparation for surface landing.{{Ref/Reuse|c124}} | The interiors of all Forerunner ships were not entirely composed of matter; for example, the structure of a [[planet-breaker]] was only half matter, with one third being fuel and reaction mass and the rest being comprised of [[hard light]], allowing the captain to configure the ship's internal layout and decoration at will. At least some types of Forerunner craft can alter their geometry to better suit their current situation; for example, making the ship more aerodynamic in preparation for surface landing.{{Ref/Reuse|c124}} | ||
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{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Forerunners}} | {{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Forerunners}} | ||
{{See also|Terminal_(Halo_3)#Human-Forerunner_connection|l1=Terminal (Halo 3) Human-Forerunner connection}} | |||
*According to [[Bungie]] employee [[David Candland]],<ref name="blam">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive36.pl?read=1070818 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Why retcons don't bother me anymore''] (Evil Otto: ''"One of the most striking retcons to me is the basic concept of whole role of humanity. Originally (back in Halo 1) the reason why humans weren't conquered and incorporated into the Covenant collective was because their presence defied Covenant religion. When the Covenant discovered humans, they knew they were forerunners, but their presence implied the "great journey" failed. They also weren't the all powerful gods they worshiped, so the Prophets wanted to "sweep them under the carpet," as it were."'')</ref> Bungie's original intention for the connection between humanity and Forerunners was that they were one and the same; this was hinted repeatedly throughout the ''Halo'' Trilogy<ref name="blam2">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive36.pl?read=1070818 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Why retcons don't bother me anymore''] (Evil Otto: ''"The plot lines in our games imply this everywhere - the chief being called reclaimer, only humans being able to retrieve and insert the index, Spark telling the chief, "you are forerunner." etc."'')</ref> and alluded to in [[Joseph Staten]]'s novel ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''. During the development of ''[[Halo 3]]'', Bungie was internally split on the relationship of humans and Forerunners. This has been described as there having been a "Game" team, and a "Terminals" team.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=SplitBungie|docabominable|1603050616028368897|Paul Russel|Quote=From what I have gathered by talking to people involved offline: The game and terminal writers were separate teams with overlap; they didn't think the discrepancy would matter; management vetting never read or cared about continuity...|D=18|M=12|Y=2022}} The "Game" team seemed to continue the original intention, as certain dialogue from ''Halo 3's'' story would imply,{{Ref/Twitter|Id=TerminalsAddPrecursors|docabominable|1603095968345620480|Paul Russel|Quote=The way I understand it is that the terminal version is the same but adds the precursor angle of selecting a subset of humans to advance.|D=14|M=12|Y=2022}} while the "Terminals" team added the idea that Forerunners were a "…subset of early humans uplifted by another group (the precursors?)."{{Ref/Twitter|Id=TerminalIntention|docabominable|1603053863866880000|Paul Russel|Quote=One of the writers said that the (terminal) forerunners were a '…subset of early humans uplifted by another group (the precursors?)'. Also 'I don’t believe that management gave a single shit about any story element...they only cared about shipping a game.'|D=18|M=12|Y=2022}}This is echoed in [[Terminal (Halo 3)|''Halo 3's'' terminals]], and also material released as part of the game's marketing campaign, but such materials do not explicitly comment on the connection between Forerunners and humanity. Because Bungie management were more focused on getting the game finished than canon,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=SplitBungie}} the game shipped with both versions and both were approved.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=BothApproved|docabominable|1602720596328169475|Paul Russel|Quote=I hoped that came across as MAYBE the discrepancy came up and didn’t seem important against everything happening to get a AAA game out the door. I’m trying to be careful to not put words in others mouths. One thing for sure, H3 shipped with both versions and both were approved.|D=13|M=12|Y=2022}} | *According to [[Bungie]] employee [[David Candland]],<ref name="blam">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive36.pl?read=1070818 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Why retcons don't bother me anymore''] (Evil Otto: ''"One of the most striking retcons to me is the basic concept of whole role of humanity. Originally (back in Halo 1) the reason why humans weren't conquered and incorporated into the Covenant collective was because their presence defied Covenant religion. When the Covenant discovered humans, they knew they were forerunners, but their presence implied the "great journey" failed. They also weren't the all powerful gods they worshiped, so the Prophets wanted to "sweep them under the carpet," as it were."'')</ref> Bungie's original intention for the connection between humanity and Forerunners was that they were one and the same; this was hinted repeatedly throughout the ''Halo'' Trilogy<ref name="blam2">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive36.pl?read=1070818 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Why retcons don't bother me anymore''] (Evil Otto: ''"The plot lines in our games imply this everywhere - the chief being called reclaimer, only humans being able to retrieve and insert the index, Spark telling the chief, "you are forerunner." etc."'')</ref> and alluded to in [[Joseph Staten]]'s novel ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''. During the development of ''[[Halo 3]]'', Bungie was internally split on the relationship of humans and Forerunners. This has been described as there having been a "Game" team, and a "Terminals" team.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=SplitBungie|docabominable|1603050616028368897|Paul Russel|Quote=From what I have gathered by talking to people involved offline: The game and terminal writers were separate teams with overlap; they didn't think the discrepancy would matter; management vetting never read or cared about continuity...|D=18|M=12|Y=2022}} The "Game" team seemed to continue the original intention, as certain dialogue from ''Halo 3's'' story would imply,{{Ref/Twitter|Id=TerminalsAddPrecursors|docabominable|1603095968345620480|Paul Russel|Quote=The way I understand it is that the terminal version is the same but adds the precursor angle of selecting a subset of humans to advance.|D=14|M=12|Y=2022}} while the "Terminals" team added the idea that Forerunners were a "…subset of early humans uplifted by another group (the precursors?)."{{Ref/Twitter|Id=TerminalIntention|docabominable|1603053863866880000|Paul Russel|Quote=One of the writers said that the (terminal) forerunners were a '…subset of early humans uplifted by another group (the precursors?)'. Also 'I don’t believe that management gave a single shit about any story element...they only cared about shipping a game.'|D=18|M=12|Y=2022}}This is echoed in [[Terminal (Halo 3)|''Halo 3's'' terminals]], and also material released as part of the game's marketing campaign, but such materials do not explicitly comment on the connection between Forerunners and humanity. Because Bungie management were more focused on getting the game finished than canon,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=SplitBungie}} the game shipped with both versions and both were approved.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=BothApproved|docabominable|1602720596328169475|Paul Russel|Quote=I hoped that came across as MAYBE the discrepancy came up and didn’t seem important against everything happening to get a AAA game out the door. I’m trying to be careful to not put words in others mouths. One thing for sure, H3 shipped with both versions and both were approved.|D=13|M=12|Y=2022}} | ||
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File:HCr Promethean Concept.png|Bungie concept art of a [[Promethean]] [[combat skin]], later reused for the design of a [[Prefect]]'s armor. | File:HCr Promethean Concept.png|Bungie concept art of a [[Promethean]] [[combat skin]], later reused for the design of a [[Prefect]]'s armor. | ||
File:MMO ForerunnerCity Concept 1.jpg|Concept art made by Ensemble Studios for ''[[Titan (canceled game)|Titan]]'' of a Forerunner city in its prime. | File:MMO ForerunnerCity Concept 1.jpg|Concept art made by Ensemble Studios for ''[[Titan (canceled game)|Titan]]'' of a Forerunner city in its prime. | ||
File: | File:HLeg IsoDidactArmor.png|A Forerunner Combat Skin, as seen in ''[[Origins]]''. | ||
File:Old_HW_Commanders.png|A group of Forerunner military leaders within the [[Control Room]] of a [[Halo Array|Halo Installation]]. | File:Old_HW_Commanders.png|A group of Forerunner military leaders within the [[Control Room]] of a [[Halo Array|Halo Installation]]. | ||
File:Forerunner Apex.jpg|A Forerunner activating a console, showing a remarkable similarity to a human hand. Note that this depiction may not be accurate.<ref>''Halo Legends'': ''Origins'': Commentary: Frank O'Connor: "This is a bit of a trick, you see? Cortana doesn't ''actually'' know what they look like, so their appearance may be further explored in future ''Halo'' canon.</ref> | File:Forerunner Apex.jpg|A Forerunner activating a console, showing a remarkable similarity to a human hand. Note that this depiction may not be accurate.<ref>''Halo Legends'': ''Origins'': Commentary: Frank O'Connor: "This is a bit of a trick, you see? Cortana doesn't ''actually'' know what they look like, so their appearance may be further explored in future ''Halo'' canon.</ref> | ||
| Line 325: | Line 325: | ||
File:ForeunnerCGI.jpg|A Lifeworker facing a [[Monitor]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|terminals]]. | File:ForeunnerCGI.jpg|A Lifeworker facing a [[Monitor]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|terminals]]. | ||
File:H4 - Lifeworkers.jpg|Two Forerunner Lifeworkers in ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]]. | File:H4 - Lifeworkers.jpg|Two Forerunner Lifeworkers in ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]]. | ||
File:H4 | File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals DidactAndLibrarian.png|The Didact and the Librarian. | ||
File:HM-Forerunnerships1.png|Forerunner ships in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''. | File:HM-Forerunnerships1.png|Forerunner ships in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''. | ||
File:HTV-Forerunnerstuff.png|Forerunner technology in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''. | File:HTV-Forerunnerstuff.png|Forerunner technology in ''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''. | ||
File:HTV-Thermopylae-DeadLifeworker.jpg|A dead Forerunner scientist in ''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 376: | Line 377: | ||
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
{{Col-3}} | |||
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
| Line 419: | Line 420: | ||
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: The Television Series]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | *''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Vertical Umbrage]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son]]'' {{C|Technology only}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Fireside]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]'' | *''[[Halo: Epitaph]]'' | ||
{{Col-end}} | {{Col-end}} | ||