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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|Forerunner}} |
| '''Ancilla''' was a [[Forerunner]] term for an [[artificial intelligence|AI construct]] developed over many generations.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/the-new-halo-encyclopedia-is-out-today|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The New Halo Encyclopedia is Out Today|D=11|M=03|Y=2023}} 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> | | '''Ancillas''' are a type of [[Forerunner]] [[artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence construct]]. They come in several varieties, each designed for different purposes and possessing differing capabilities. Known models include the [[Monitor]]s, the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class AIs]], and the personal ancillas carried by most Forerunners. |
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| ==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.{{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}} | | Ancillas can be stored within a Forerunner's [[Forerunner body armor|body armor]] and can be accessed by the user at will. They can also be housed within personal shells like those of the [[Monitor]]s, as well as ships, buildings, and various forms of machinery. Ancillas possess varying personalities, often approximating that of a Forerunner;<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 242''</ref> despite this, it is unclear whether their personalities are merely simulated or if they are actually self-aware like [[human]] [[Smart artificial intelligence|"Smart" AIs]]. |
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| 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>
| | The most powerful ancillas, next to the Contender-class, are the [[Metarch|Metarch-class]] ancillas which were used exclusively by the [[Forerunner Council]]. When a Forerunners is a [[Manipular]], a personal ancilla makes itself easily "visible" and readily accessible to the young Forerunner. But once the Forerunner [[Forerunner mutation|mutates]] to [[Form|first-form]], the ancilla makes itself less visible so it can divert power to other tasks, making it much harder for the user to access them. It is also apparent that ancillas help Forerunners access the [[Domain]] after mutation. Interestingly, an armor's personal ancilla would assume the form of the species wearing the armor.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 108''</ref> |
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| 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>
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| 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/Reuse|c18}} although this changed with the emergence of the [[Flood]]'s [[logic plague]] which could effectively infect and convert Forerunner AIs.{{Ref/Reuse|s177}} Like their organic Forerunner masters, ancillas would recite a mantra or prayer before imminent termination.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 275''</ref>
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| 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>
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| ==Varieties== | | ==Varieties== |
| *[[Archeon-class ancilla|Archeon]]: A class of disembodied ancilla.
| | *[[Monitor]] |
| *[[Caradon-class ancilla|Caradon]]: A class of ancilla which is able to process.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HDWC15|DW|Chapter=15}}
| | *[[Metarch]] |
| *[[Facilitator-class ancilla|Facilitator]]: An ancilla created for the facilitation of [[Halo Array|Array]] requirements.{{Ref/Reuse|HDWC15}}
| | *[[Contender-class artificial intelligence]] |
| *[[Monitor]]: A type of ancilla housed in a floating robotic shell. | |
| *[[Metarch-class ancilla|Metarch]]: A sophisticated class of ancilla serving the [[Ecumene Council]]. | |
| **[[Contender-class artificial intelligence]]: The most powerful type of ancilla created by the Forerunners.
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| ==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. | | *Bornstellar's relationship with the Librarian's ancilla 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" is Latin for 'female slave', 'female servant' or 'maid'. |
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| ==List of appearances== | | ==List of appearances== |
| {{Col-begin}}
| | *''[[Halo: The Flood|Halo: The Flood (2010)]]'' {{Mo}} |
| {{Col-2}}
| | *''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' |
| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}} | | **''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' {{1st}} |
| *''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' (2010) {{C|First identified as ancilla}}
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| *''[[Halo 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
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| *''[[Halo Legends]]''
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| **''[[Origins]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
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| **''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
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| *''[[Halo 4]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Silentium]]'' | |
| *''[[Rebirth]]''
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| {{Col-2}}
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| *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | |
| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | |
| *''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
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| *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
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| **''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}}
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| **''[[Promises to Keep]]''
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| **''[[Defender of the Storm]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Renegades]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Point of Light]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
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| *''[[Halo Infinite]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Whispers from the Pyre]]''
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| {{Col-end}}
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Forerunner|technology}} | | {{Forerunner}} |
| [[Category:Forerunner A.I.| ]] | | [[Category:Forerunner A.I.| ]] |
| | [[Category:A.I.| ]] |
