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{{Status|Canon}}

{{Merge|Forerunner mutation|Articles' focus and content overlap considerably}}

[[File:Forerunner forms.png|thumb|300px|Various Forerunner forms and rates. From left to right: a [[Promethean]], a [[Lifeworker]], the [[Librarian]], the [[Ur-Didact]]'s previous form, the Ur-Didact's final form, a [[Miner]], a [[Builder]], a [[Warrior-Servant]], and [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]].]]

'''Forms''' were different physical stages assumed by the [[Forerunner]]s over the course of a lifetime. The Forerunners were able to mutate into various forms through an [[Forerunner mutation|artificially-induced transformation]]. [[Manipular]], or Form Zero, was the first and simplest form, assumed by Forerunners at birth.{{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}} It was noted that Manipulars bore a striking resemblance to [[human]]s; however, this would change with higher forms.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 28''</ref> The original anatomy of a Forerunner would also be distorted when mutating to higher forms, which typically had stiffer facial muscles than Manipulars and thus a more limited capability to convey emotions; for example, with certain higher forms, the ability to smile was lost almost completely.<ref name="c261">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 261''</ref>

In each mutation, a Forerunner would acquire the genetic imprint of their mentor, typically the individual's parent. However, [[Warrior-Servant]]s sometimes performed "brevet mutations" in battlefield conditions, where the imprint would be supplied by one's commander.{{Ref/Reuse|c262}} In rare cases, a brevet mutation could fail and result in deformities, although cosmetic changes or corrections could be made to ameliorate the damage to some extent.<ref name="c262">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 262-263''</ref> There were rumors that Forerunners whose mutations had failed were sequestered in special enclaves and hidden from the general population.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 146''</ref>

The form one would mutate into was dictated by their [[rate]], the person who performed the mutation and the affiliation of the ship or other facility where the mutation was performed.{{Ref/Reuse|c261}} For example, Warrior-Servants were noticeably taller, more rugged and muscular than [[Builder]]s, whose forms were more refined.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 206''</ref> Aside outward appearances, there were also differences in mental and neurological functions.{{Ref/Reuse|c261}} Higher forms of Warrior-Servants, for example, had extraordinary mental abilities; they could absorb massive amounts of information from one another in an instant,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 140''</ref> share sensory input with thousands of warriors during battle,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 162''</ref> or splinter their perception of reality into multiple simultaneous streams with alternating flows of time.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 316''</ref> While typically, the conditions of a mutation were carefully chosen to reflect the individual's rate of choice, abnormal circumstances could result in a peculiar mixture of features. [[IsoDidact|Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]] originated as a Builder and his imprint was supplied by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], a Warrior-Servant, in a [[Lifeworker]]-provided vessel; as a result, he initially resembled a blend of all three rates, before the Didact's Warrior pattern settled in on him.{{Ref/Reuse|c261}}

A new mutation pattern was being introduced in the final decades of the Forerunner civilization. Instead of being subjected to multiple mutations over several centuries, one would undergo a series of changes over a single year. This would result in fewer inherent physical or mental distortions. Most Forerunners mutated according to this new pattern came from Builder families, with a small number of Warrior-Servants among them.{{Ref/Reuse|c262}}

**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''

*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]''

*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''

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[[Category:Forerunner culture]]