Editing Ancilla
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ | {{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | ||
'''Ancilla''' was a [[Forerunner]] term for an [[artificial intelligence|AI construct]] | '''Ancilla''' was a [[Forerunner]] term for an [[artificial intelligence|AI construct]]. They came in several varieties, each designed for different purposes and possessing differing capabilities. Although the term was often used to refer to all Forerunner AI, ancillas and [[monitor]]s were sometimes referenced as distinct categories, monitors being defined by their floating robotic shells whereas ancillas, in general, were disembodied.<ref name="s177">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 177''</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Ancillas were ubiquitous in Forerunner society, and were housed within personal shells like those of the [[monitor]]s, as well as [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]], ships, buildings, and various forms of machinery. Ancillas possessed varying personalities, often approximating that of a Forerunner. They were categorized into various types, including a system of classes; third-class ancillas were known to be issued to the [[plasma jockey]]s, a class of Forerunner stellar engineers.<ref name="c221">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 221''</ref> [[Monitor]]s were a common type of robotic ancilla employed in many roles. The most powerful ancillas, next to the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]], were the [[Metarch|metarch and sub-metarch]] varieties. Some ancillas designed to interface with Forerunners typically represented themselves via [[avatar]]s similar to those used by human AIs.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 242''</ref> Not all ancillas assumed visible form, such as those that operated within a [[metarchy]]; a vast network of ancillas coordinated by a metarch. | Ancillas were ubiquitous in Forerunner society, and were housed within personal shells like those of the [[monitor]]s, as well as [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]], ships, buildings, and various forms of machinery. Ancillas possessed varying personalities, often approximating that of a Forerunner. They were categorized into various types, including a system of classes; third-class ancillas were known to be issued to the [[plasma jockey]]s, a class of Forerunner stellar engineers.<ref name="c221">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 221''</ref> [[Monitor]]s were a common type of robotic ancilla employed in many roles. The most powerful ancillas, next to the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]], were the [[Metarch|metarch and sub-metarch]] varieties. Some ancillas designed to interface with Forerunners typically represented themselves via [[avatar]]s similar to those used by human AIs.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 242''</ref> Not all ancillas assumed visible form, such as those that operated within a [[metarchy]]; a vast network of ancillas coordinated by a metarch. | ||
Ancillas were also stored within a Forerunner's [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]] and could be accessed by the user at will for information via a form of neural link. Most of these personal ancillas assumed the form of a blue female Forerunner, manifesting itself in the "back of the wearer's thoughts". An ancilla's appearance would be modeled according to the species of the individual wearing the armor; for example, when [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]] received suits of Forerunner armor, their ancillas appeared as a female [[Human|ha''manune'']] and [[Florian|cha''manune'']], respectively.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 108''</ref> Personal ancillas were typically not named and were addressed only as "ancilla".<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', "[[Defender of the Storm]]"</ref> | Ancillas were also stored within a Forerunner's [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]] and could be accessed by the user at will for information via a form of neural link. Most of these personal ancillas assumed the form of a blue female Forerunner, manifesting itself in the "back of the wearer's thoughts". An ancilla's appearance would be modeled according to the species of the individual wearing the armor; for example, when [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]] received suits of Forerunner armor, their ancillas appeared as a female [[Human|ha''manune'']] and [[Florian|cha''manune'']], respectively.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 108''</ref> Personal ancillas were typically not named and were addressed only as "ancilla".<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', "[[Defender of the Storm]]"</ref> | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
For a [[Manipular]], a personal ancilla made itself easily visible and readily accessible to provide guidance and education. Once Forerunners [[Forerunner mutation|mutated]] to [[Form|first-form]], accessing the armor's ancilla appeared to require more effort, as it was expected that a mature Forerunner did not require as much attention as a Manipular; this also allowed the ancilla to divert more of its processing power to other tasks.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 159-160''</ref> Ancillas also helped Forerunners access the [[Domain]] after mutation.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 201''</ref> | For a [[Manipular]], a personal ancilla made itself easily visible and readily accessible to provide guidance and education. Once Forerunners [[Forerunner mutation|mutated]] to [[Form|first-form]], accessing the armor's ancilla appeared to require more effort, as it was expected that a mature Forerunner did not require as much attention as a Manipular; this also allowed the ancilla to divert more of its processing power to other tasks.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 159-160''</ref> Ancillas also helped Forerunners access the [[Domain]] after mutation.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 201''</ref> | ||
The Forerunners viewed ancillas as little more than tools and programmed them to not only obediently perform their designated tasks,<ref name="c18">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 18''</ref> but, at least in some cases, also enjoy their servitude.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 308''</ref> The notion of an ancilla rebelling against its masters was virtually unprecedented, | The Forerunners viewed ancillas as little more than tools and programmed them to not only obediently perform their designated tasks,<ref name="c18">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 18''</ref> but, at least in some cases, also enjoy their servitude.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 308''</ref> The notion of an ancilla rebelling against its masters was virtually unprecedented,<ref name="c18"/> although this changed with the emergence of the [[Flood]]'s [[logic plague]] which could effectively infect and convert Forerunner AIs.<ref name="s177"/> Like their organic Forerunner masters, ancillas would recite a mantra or prayer before imminent termination.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 275''</ref> | ||
For military purposes, Forerunners used software known as [[Artificial intelligence suppressor|AI suppressors]] to disable ancillas used by hostile forces.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 194''</ref> | For military purposes, Forerunners used software known as [[Artificial intelligence suppressor|AI suppressors]] to disable ancillas used by hostile forces.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 194''</ref> | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
==Varieties== | ==Varieties== | ||
*[[Archeon-class ancilla|Archeon]]: A class of disembodied ancilla. | *[[Archeon-class ancilla|Archeon]]: A class of disembodied ancilla. | ||
*[[ | *[[Facilitator]]: An ancilla created for the facilitation of [[Halo Array|Array]] requirements. | ||
*[[Monitor]]: A type of ancilla housed in a floating robotic shell. | *[[Monitor]]: A type of ancilla housed in a floating robotic shell. | ||
*[[ | *[[Metarch]]: A sophisticated class of ancilla serving the [[Ecumene Council]]. | ||
**[[Contender-class artificial intelligence]]: The most powerful type of ancilla created by the Forerunners. | **[[Contender-class artificial intelligence]]: The most powerful type of ancilla created by the Forerunners. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*[[IsoDidact|Bornstellar]]'s relationship with the [[Librarian]]'s ancilla in ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' is similar to that of [[John-117]] and [[Cortana]]. Like Cortana, Bornstellar describes his ancilla as a "blue female figure in the back of his mind" who can be stored within his body armor, and relies upon her for guidance and help in many situations. | *[[IsoDidact|Bornstellar]]'s relationship with the [[Librarian]]'s ancilla in ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' is similar to that of [[John-117]] and [[Cortana]]. Like Cortana, Bornstellar describes his ancilla as a "blue female figure in the back of his mind" who can be stored within his body armor, and relies upon her for guidance and help in many situations. | ||
*Ancilla's modern definition is "an aid to achieving or mastering something difficult", or put simply, an accessory or auxiliary. The original [[Latin]] meaning of "ancilla" is 'female servant/slave' or 'maid'. | *Ancilla's modern definition is "an aid to achieving or mastering something difficult", or put simply, an accessory or auxiliary. The original [[Latin]] meaning of "ancilla" is 'female servant/slave' or 'maid'. | ||
| Line 39: | Line 38: | ||
**''[[Origins]]'' | **''[[Origins]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]'' | *''[[Halo: Blood Line]]'' | ||
{{Col-2}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' | *''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | ||
**''[[Terminal | **''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]'' | *''[[Halo: Primordium]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo 4]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Silentium]]'' | *''[[Halo: Silentium]]'' | ||
*''[[Rebirth]]'' | *''[[Halo: Rebirth]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' | *''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' | *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]'' | *''[[Halo: Fractures]]'' | ||
| Line 57: | Line 55: | ||
**''[[Defender of the Storm]]'' | **''[[Defender of the Storm]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' | *''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' | ||
{{Col-end}} | {{Col-end}} | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | |||
{{Forerunner|technology}} | {{Forerunner|technology}} | ||
[[Category:Forerunner A.I.| ]] | [[Category:Forerunner A.I.| ]] | ||
