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{{Era|RW}} | |||
{{Title|''Halo: Silentium''}} | {{Title|''Halo: Silentium''}} | ||
{{Novel infobox | {{Novel infobox | ||
|name= | |name=Halo: Silentium | ||
|image=[[File:Silentium_cover_front.jpg|300px]] | |||
|image | |||
|author=[[Greg Bear]] | |author=[[Greg Bear]] | ||
|publisher=[[Tor Books]] | |||
|publication=[[2013|March 19, 2013]] | |||
|publisher=[[Tor Books]] | |||
|publication=[[2013|March 19, 2013]] | |||
|media=Print (paperback, hardcover); audiobook | |media=Print (paperback, hardcover); audiobook | ||
|length= | |length= | ||
|ISBN= | |ISBN= | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Halo: Silentium''''' is the third and final novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Primordium]]''. It was released on | '''''Halo: Silentium''''' is the third and final novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo: Primordium]]''. It was released on March 19, 2013, with an audio edition released simultaneously.<ref name="delay">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/22/Tor-Books-Updates-Release-Date-of-the-Third-Halo-Novel-by-Legendary-Science-Fiction-Author-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books updates release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref> | ||
==Official summary== | ==Official summary== | ||
{{Article | {{Article Quote|In the last years of the [[Forerunner]] empire, chaos rules. The [[Flood]] — a horrifying shape-changing parasite — has arrived in force, aided by [[05-032 Mendicant Bias|unexpected allies]]. Internal strife within the [[ecumene]] has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses. Too little, too late, the legal [[rate]] of [[Juridical]]s is only now investigating possible crimes by the [[Faber|Master Builder]] and others. Evidence-gathering agents known collectively as [[Catalog]] have been dispatched to collect testimony from the [[Librarian]] and both Didacts: the [[Ur-Didact]], treacherously abandoned in a Flood-infested system, and the [[IsoDidact|Bornstellar Didact]], who accompanies the Librarian as she [[Conservation Measure|preserves specimens]] against the dire possibility of [[Halo Array|Halo]] extermination. | ||
Facing the imminent collapse of their civilization, the Librarian and the Ur-Didact reveal what they know about the relationship between the long-vanished [[Precursor]]s and the Flood. The Precursors created many technological species, including humanity and the Forerunners. But the roots of the Flood may be found in an [[Forerunner-Precursor war|act of enormous barbarity]], carried out beyond [[Milky Way|our galaxy]] ten million years | Facing the imminent collapse of their civilization, the Librarian and the Ur-Didact reveal what they know about the relationship between the long-vanished [[Precursor]]s and the Flood. The Precursors created many technological species, including humanity and the Forerunners. But the roots of the Flood may be found in an [[Forerunner-Precursor war|act of enormous barbarity]], carried out beyond [[Milky Way|our galaxy]] ten million years before... Because of that barbarism, a greater evil looms. Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian -- husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict -- hold the keys to a solution. Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time — to prevent an insane evil from dominating the entire universe."''<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765323982/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=heaprcom05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creativeASIN=0765323982 '''Amazon.com official book description''']</ref>}} | ||
==Plot synopsis== | ==Plot synopsis== | ||
{{Spoiler | {{Spoiler}} | ||
Like the first two novels in the ''Forerunner Saga'', ''Silentium'' is framed with an in-universe conceit, being presented as a series of Forerunner logs under investigation by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] in the modern era. The files in question are said to have been extracted from two sources: the carapace of a deceased [[Catalog]] (designated Forerunner remains #879) and a damaged [[monitor]]. Both the "Bornstellar Relation", the fictional document that encompasses the narrative of ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' and ONI's recovery of [[343 Guilty Spark]] which acts as the framing device for the plot of ''[[Halo: Primordium]]'', are referenced. | Like the first two novels in the ''Forerunner Saga'', ''Silentium'' is framed with an in-universe conceit, being presented as a series of Forerunner logs under investigation by [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] in the modern era. The files in question are said to have been extracted from two sources: the carapace of a deceased [[Catalog]] (designated Forerunner remains #879) and a damaged [[monitor]]. Both the "Bornstellar Relation", the fictional document that encompasses the narrative of ''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' and ONI's recovery of [[343 Guilty Spark]] which acts as the framing device for the plot of ''[[Halo: Primordium]]'', are referenced. | ||
In the opening chapter, a [[Juridical|Senior Juridical]] sent under the orders of the [[Master Juridical]] meets [[Haruspis]], the guardian of the [[Domain]]. He demands to be granted access to classified information pertaining to the [[Precursor]]s and crimes against the Mantle, but Haruspis refuses him, telling that no one has such authority. Just as the Juridical tells Haruspis that he ''does'' have the authority to bypass him, the Domain itself requests to testify to the Juridical, who initially denies that it is | In the opening chapter, a [[Juridical|Senior Juridical]] sent under the orders of the [[Master Juridical]] meets [[Haruspis]], the guardian of the [[Domain]]. He demands to be granted access to classified information pertaining to the [[Precursor]]s and crimes against the Mantle, but Haruspis refuses him, telling that no one has such authority. Just as the Juridical tells Haruspis that he ''does'' have the authority to bypass him, the Domain itself requests to testify to the Juridical, who initially denies that it is suddenly alive and giving orders. The Domain then lets the Juridical access it, but only to quickly overwhelm and kill him by the sheer amount of knowledge it forces into him. | ||
On [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], Catalog observes the evacuation effort of the planet. Catalog is here to investigate the [[Battle of the Capital]], which resulted in the deaths of the entire Old Council, and demands a testimony from both the Librarian and her husband - the [[IsoDidact]], formerly Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, a warning of an approaching [[Flood]] fleet results in the IsoDidact having to leave to defend the territory, so Catalog is sent off with the Librarian. While it accompanies her, she tells it about the events that led to her becoming a Lifeshaper, and her growing split from the original Didact due to their differing opinions about humanity. | On [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], Catalog observes the evacuation effort of the planet. Catalog is here to investigate the [[Battle of the Capital]], which resulted in the deaths of the entire Old Council, and demands a testimony from both the Librarian and her husband - the [[IsoDidact]], formerly Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, a warning of an approaching [[Flood]] fleet results in the IsoDidact having to leave to defend the territory, so Catalog is sent off with the Librarian. While it accompanies her, she tells it about the events that led to her becoming a Lifeshaper, and her growing split from the original Didact due to their differing opinions about humanity. | ||
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Over a thousand years earlier, shortly before the Ur-Didact went into exile, he and the Librarian gathered together at their estate on the world of [[Nomdagro]]. An associate of Haruspis visited their home and helped guide the Ur-Didact in the [[Cryptum]]'s preservation process. After the Didact's exile, things continued to deteriorate on the Forerunner political scene. To remain seen as an asset to the Master Builder, the Librarian proposed an expedition to a local galaxy known as [[Path Kethona]] to learn about the Flood's origins. Legend dictated that 10 million years ago, ancient Forerunners journeyed to Path Kethona, but actual records detailing this journey had long since vanished. The Old Council approved of this venture and the ship ''[[Audacity]]'' was constructed for the long journey to Path Kethona. The crew consisted of the Librarian, a Builder named [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a [[Miner]] named [[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]], and two Lifeworkers named [[Chant-to-Green]] and [[Birth-to-Light]]. Arriving at Path Kethona, the crew of ''Audacity'' would find it seemingly completely devoid of life. However, they discovered that Precursor architecture existed this far out of the Milky Way. Amongst the artifacts was a vast fleet of ancient Forerunner vessels of war. The Librarian and her crew scanned the Forerunner vessels and found nothing of true interest; any records inside had been destroyed thousands of years ago, as they were uploaded in binary. | Over a thousand years earlier, shortly before the Ur-Didact went into exile, he and the Librarian gathered together at their estate on the world of [[Nomdagro]]. An associate of Haruspis visited their home and helped guide the Ur-Didact in the [[Cryptum]]'s preservation process. After the Didact's exile, things continued to deteriorate on the Forerunner political scene. To remain seen as an asset to the Master Builder, the Librarian proposed an expedition to a local galaxy known as [[Path Kethona]] to learn about the Flood's origins. Legend dictated that 10 million years ago, ancient Forerunners journeyed to Path Kethona, but actual records detailing this journey had long since vanished. The Old Council approved of this venture and the ship ''[[Audacity]]'' was constructed for the long journey to Path Kethona. The crew consisted of the Librarian, a Builder named [[Keeper-of-Tools]], a [[Miner]] named [[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]], and two Lifeworkers named [[Chant-to-Green]] and [[Birth-to-Light]]. Arriving at Path Kethona, the crew of ''Audacity'' would find it seemingly completely devoid of life. However, they discovered that Precursor architecture existed this far out of the Milky Way. Amongst the artifacts was a vast fleet of ancient Forerunner vessels of war. The Librarian and her crew scanned the Forerunner vessels and found nothing of true interest; any records inside had been destroyed thousands of years ago, as they were uploaded in binary. | ||
Eventually, the Librarian, Keeper and Chant discovered | Eventually, the Librarian, Keeper and Chant discovered a planet with [[Path Kethona Forerunner|a civilization of primitive Forerunners]] confined to the planet and lacking any form of advanced technology; however, the planet's ecology was completely based upon Forerunner genetics. The crew landed on the planet to encounter the natives in person. An old female named [[Glow-of-Old-Suns]] took the Librarian to a valley where microbiological growths recorded the locals' history - essentially an organic analog to the [[Domain]]. By accessing this information reserve, the Librarian would learn that Warriors drove the Precursors to Path Kethona during the Forerunners' [[Forerunner-Precursor war|genocidal campaign]] against their creators ten million years earlier, and that the planet's inhabitants were descendants of Forerunners exiled there as punishment for refusing to partake in the destruction of the Precursors. | ||
Back in the present, the Ur-Didact emerges from a | Back in the present, the Ur-Didact emerges from a stasis-bubble on a broken-down Builder hulk drifting in a Burn, the designation for a Flood infected star system. Also on-board is a former Promethean named [[Sharp-by-Striking]], another Catalog and a Builder named [[Maker-of-Moons]]. Sharp lost favor with Faber and Maker was going to give Catalog testimony against Faber, so all three found themselves on the broken ship as well. Their destination is a Flood-infested world called [[Uthera Midgeerrd]]. Eventually a Precursor artifact composed of slithering [[star road]]s appears and threatens to destroy the ship. The Ur-Didact, willing to confront whatever lies in the Precursor artifact, remains on the ship while the others escape; only Catalog stays to accompany him. | ||
The Ur-Didact and Catalog are captured by the Gravemind and the Ur-Didact's sanity is severely shaken by the resulting encounter. The Gravemind then reveals the true nature of the Precursors. They did indeed reject Forerunners for the Mantle and intended for humans to hold it. The Forerunners did not accept this and drove the Precursors from the galaxy and beyond. Some Precursors survived by going dormant, others became powder that could regenerate their old selves in time, but time rendered it defective and it only created sickness and disease. The Precursors vowed that none of their creations would rise against them again and that all life would suffer and be in perpetual agony, through their new form as the Flood. | The Ur-Didact and Catalog are captured by the Gravemind and the Ur-Didact's sanity is severely shaken by the resulting encounter. The Gravemind then reveals the true nature of the Precursors. They did indeed reject Forerunners for the Mantle and intended for humans to hold it. The Forerunners did not accept this and drove the Precursors from the galaxy and beyond. Some Precursors survived by going dormant, others became powder that could regenerate their old selves in time, but time rendered it defective and it only created sickness and disease. The Precursors vowed that none of their creations would rise against them again and that all life would suffer and be in perpetual agony, through their new form as the Flood. | ||
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At the lesser Ark, the remaining six Halos are assigned their monitor caretakers in preparation for their distribution across the galaxy, [[Installation 07]] having been deployed years prior. The IsoDidact has a brief conversation with Chakas, in which he gives him his new designation, [[343 Guilty Spark]], and assigns him to [[Installation 04]]. The IsoDidact then asks Chakas [[Two Betrayals|if he would fire the rings, were it his choice]], but receives no response. | At the lesser Ark, the remaining six Halos are assigned their monitor caretakers in preparation for their distribution across the galaxy, [[Installation 07]] having been deployed years prior. The IsoDidact has a brief conversation with Chakas, in which he gives him his new designation, [[343 Guilty Spark]], and assigns him to [[Installation 04]]. The IsoDidact then asks Chakas [[Two Betrayals|if he would fire the rings, were it his choice]], but receives no response. | ||
On Requiem, the Librarian sneaks aboard with the ''Audacity'' by trailing behind the ''Mantle's Approach''. Requiem's defenses also view her as a friendly and let her in. The Librarian finds [[Endurance-of-Will]], a | On Requiem, the Librarian sneaks aboard with the ''Audacity'' by trailing behind the ''Mantle's Approach''. Requiem's defenses also view her as a friendly and let her in. The Librarian uncovers the Ur-Didact's plans with the [[Promethean Knight]]s and finds one Promethean left uncomposed, [[Endurance-of-Will]]. Endurance, a former love interest of the Ur-Didact, is convinced to help the Librarian take down the Ur-Didact and seal him in a Cryptum. Once done, the Librarian tasks Endurance to watch over the Didact for as long as she can. As she leaves Requiem for Earth, the Librarian is confronted by a large group of Knights and wonders if Endurance chose to become one herself. | ||
The Librarian then draws the Flood towards Earth to allow the IsoDidact to fire the seven Halo rings. She sends Chant-to-Green off to the lesser Ark with the planet's remaining humans and passes her title of Lifeshaper on to Chant while remaining on Earth herself. During her last days on Earth, the Gravemind sends down ancient human essences, including the Lord of Admirals, to reveal that the Domain was created by the Precursors as the collection of wisdom from over 100 billion years of knowledge and that it was ingrained in Precursor architecture for safekeeping. In short, the Domain is the mythical [[Organon]]. Sadly, the Librarian realizes that the Halos will destroy all of this, and that without the Domain, the Ur-Didact will spend the eons to come in complete silence, dwelling on his own madness and rage. As she watches the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]]'s construction, she sincerely hopes humanity will one day inherit the Mantle. | The Librarian then draws the Flood towards Earth to allow the IsoDidact to fire the seven Halo rings. She sends Chant-to-Green off to the lesser Ark with the planet's remaining humans and passes her title of Lifeshaper on to Chant while remaining on Earth herself. During her last days on Earth, the Gravemind sends down ancient human essences, including the Lord of Admirals, to reveal that the Domain was created by the Precursors as the collection of wisdom from over 100 billion years of knowledge and that it was ingrained in Precursor architecture for safekeeping. In short, the Domain is the mythical [[Organon]]. Sadly, the Librarian realizes that the Halos will destroy all of this, and that without the Domain, the Ur-Didact will spend the eons to come in complete silence, dwelling on his own madness and rage. As she watches the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]]'s construction, she sincerely hopes humanity will one day inherit the Mantle. | ||
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===Epilogue=== | ===Epilogue=== | ||
{{Main|Rebirth}} | {{Main|Halo: Rebirth}} | ||
A code to a hidden audio epilogue, titled ''"Rebirth"'', is included in the form of Forerunner symbols featured in some of the chapter headings for the novel. The code can be used on [[Halo Waypoint]] to unlock a forty-minute narration by Greg Bear, describing the [[reintroduction]] phase from the perspective of [[Riser]]. Having survived the destruction of the greater Ark, Riser, [[Vinnevra]] and other humans are relocated on Installation 00 among many other species, where Forerunners watch over them until they are returned to their homeworld. At Riser's request, [[Florian|his people]] are relocated on [[Wikipedia:Flores|a series of islands]]. Riser meets with the IsoDidact one last time before the Forerunners leave and the humans begin settling in their new home. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 5 additional minutes to the epilogue, describing the trial of Mendicant Bias after its defeat at the [[Battle of the Maginot Sphere]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3YLl2NLVFA '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''The Trial of Mendicant Bias'']</ref> | A code to a hidden audio epilogue, titled ''"Rebirth"'', is included in the form of Forerunner symbols featured in some of the chapter headings for the novel. The code can be used on [[Halo Waypoint]] to unlock a forty-minute narration by Greg Bear, describing the [[reintroduction]] phase from the perspective of [[Riser]]. Having survived the destruction of the greater Ark, Riser, [[Vinnevra]] and other humans are relocated on Installation 00 among many other species, where Forerunners watch over them until they are returned to their homeworld. At Riser's request, [[Florian|his people]] are relocated on [[Wikipedia:Flores|a series of islands]]. Riser meets with the IsoDidact one last time before the Forerunners leave and the humans begin settling in their new home. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 5 additional minutes to the epilogue, describing the trial of Mendicant Bias after its defeat at the [[Battle of the Maginot Sphere]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3YLl2NLVFA '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''The Trial of Mendicant Bias'']</ref> | ||
{{Spoiler/end}} | {{Spoiler/end}} | ||
== | ==Characters== | ||
===Forerunners=== | |||
*[[Birth-to-Light]] {{1st}} | *[[Birth-to-Light]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] {{1st}} | *[[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Boundless (Forerunner)|Boundless]] {{ | *[[Boundless (Forerunner)|Boundless]] {{First mentioned}} | ||
*[[Carrier-of- | *[[Carrier-of-Immunity]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Catalog]] {{1st}} | *[[Catalog]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Celebrator-of- | *[[Celebrator-of-Birth]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Chant-to-Green]] {{1st}} | *[[Chant-to-Green]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]] {{1st}} | *[[Clearance-of-Old-Forests]] {{1st}} | ||
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*[[Tactician]] {{1st}} | *[[Tactician]] {{1st}} | ||
*[[Ur-Didact]] | *[[Ur-Didact]] | ||
===Artificial intelligences=== | |||
*[[Chakas]]/[[343 Guilty Spark]] | *[[Chakas]]/[[343 Guilty Spark]] | ||
*[[Mendicant Bias]] | *[[05-032 Mendicant Bias]] | ||
*[[Offensive Bias]] | *[[Offensive Bias]] | ||
*[[Warden]] {{ | *[[Warden]] {{mo}} | ||
===Humans=== | |||
*[[Forthencho]] | *[[Forthencho]] | ||
*[[Riser]] {{Mo}} | *[[Riser]] {{Mo}} | ||
*[[Vinnevra]] {{Mo}} | *[[Vinnevra]] {{Mo}} | ||
===Others=== | |||
*[[Gravemind]] | *[[Gravemind]] | ||
*[[Primordial]] {{Mo}} | *[[Primordial]] {{Mo}} | ||
==Production notes== | ==Production notes== | ||
The novel was originally set to be released on January 8, 2013,<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/11/Tor-Books-Reveals-Title-Cover-Art-And-Release-Date-of-Third-Halo-Novel-By-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref> but the release was later delayed to March 19. | The novel was originally set to be released on January 8, 2013,<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/11/Tor-Books-Reveals-Title-Cover-Art-And-Release-Date-of-Third-Halo-Novel-By-Greg-Bear.aspx '''Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear''']</ref> but the release was later delayed to March 19.<ref name="delay"/> For the last three months of the novel's writing process, Greg Bear worked closely with 343 Industries Franchise Writer [[Jeremy Patenaude]] to incorporate story elements from ''Halo 4'' and other fiction and to ensure that the stories fit together seamlessly.<ref name="sparkast">[http://waypointassets.blob.core.windows.net/mobilecontent/legacysupport/content/assets/en-us/podcast/343Sparkast_017.mp3 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''343 Sparkast 017'']</ref><ref>[http://www.gregbear.com/blog/display.cfm?id=6817 '''Greg Bear Discussion Board''': ''Halo: Silentium'']</ref> A number of additional references to previous continuity were also included to the novel as a result of this collaboration. Greg Bear jokingly noted that he and Patenaude bonded as "blood brothers" and stated that he calls Patenaude "boss".<ref name="sparkast"/> | ||
The preliminary cover art for the novel, illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]], depicts a vast Forerunner structure with a [[Cryptum]] floating in the center and several ships flying by, while the final cover art depicts the Ur-Didact observing a hologram of a Cryptum and his wife, the [[Librarian]]; the preliminary cover image remains in the background, although the Cryptum in the background is absent. The original cover illustration was used to promote the novel without giving spoilers as to the appearance of the Forerunner characters, which was not revealed until ''[[Halo 4]]''. The final cover art was done as a collaboration between Sparth and ''Halo 4'' concept artist [[Gabriel Garza]].<ref>[http://sparth.tumblr.com/post/37282071285/greg-bear-silentium-book-covers-we-actually-had '''SPARTH''']</ref> | The preliminary cover art for the novel, illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]], depicts a vast Forerunner structure with a [[Cryptum]] floating in the center and several ships flying by, while the final cover art depicts the Ur-Didact observing a hologram of a Cryptum and his wife, the [[Librarian]]; the preliminary cover image remains in the background, although the Cryptum in the background is absent. The original cover illustration was used to promote the novel without giving spoilers as to the appearance of the Forerunner characters, which was not revealed until ''[[Halo 4]]''. The final cover art was done as a collaboration between Sparth and ''Halo 4'' concept artist [[Gabriel Garza]].<ref>[http://sparth.tumblr.com/post/37282071285/greg-bear-silentium-book-covers-we-actually-had '''SPARTH''']</ref> | ||
==Promotion== | ==Promotion== | ||
On February 11, 2013, an announcement was released on [[Halo Waypoint]] that in the weeks leading up to the release of ''Silentium'' Tor Books and 343 Industries would be sending out encrypted communications via halowaypoint.com bulletins and forums, which will allow fans to unlock additional content. There will also be embedded data in the text of the ''Halo: Silentium'' paperback and e-book editions.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/02/11/Halo-Fans-Can-Unlock-Additional-Content-and-Gain-XP-with-the-Release-of-Halo-Silentium.aspx '''Halo Waypoint Blogs''': ''Halo Fans Can Unlock Additional Content and Gain XP with the Release of Halo Silentium'']</ref> Players can unlock this content in the [[Halo Waypoint#Classified|Classified menu]] at Halo Waypoint. The unlocked contents are 20,000 experience points for multiplayer and an audio video called "''Rebirth''", a story narrated by Greg Bear and acts as an epilogue for ''Silentium''. It tells the story of [[Riser]] and his last encounter with the IsoDidact. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 50,000 XP, a new emblem (Overachiever), and 5 additional minutes to Epilogue "Rebirth", which consist of a trial made | On February 11, 2013, an announcement was released on [[Halo Waypoint]] that in the weeks leading up to the release of ''Silentium'' Tor Books and 343 Industries would be sending out encrypted communications via halowaypoint.com bulletins and forums, which will allow fans to unlock additional content. There will also be embedded data in the text of the ''Halo: Silentium'' paperback and e-book editions.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/02/11/Halo-Fans-Can-Unlock-Additional-Content-and-Gain-XP-with-the-Release-of-Halo-Silentium.aspx '''Halo Waypoint Blogs''': ''Halo Fans Can Unlock Additional Content and Gain XP with the Release of Halo Silentium'']</ref> Players can unlock this content in the [[Halo Waypoint#Classified|Classified menu]] at Halo Waypoint. The unlocked contents are 20,000 experience points for multiplayer and an audio video called "''Rebirth''", a story narrated by Greg Bear and acts as an epilogue for ''Silentium''. It tells the story of [[Riser]] and his last encounter with the IsoDidact. Days after, a new code was revealed, adding 50,000 XP, a new emblem (Overachiever), and 5 additional minutes to Epilogue "Rebirth", which consist of a trial made by the Forerunners survivors to Mendicant Bias after the latter's defeat against Offensive Bias. | ||
Similar to the preceding novels, a sneak peek of the first two chapters of the novel was released on Halo Waypoint and Tor.com on March 13, 2013.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/13/Silentium-Sneak-Peek.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Silentium Sneak Peek'']</ref> | Similar to the preceding novels, a sneak peek of the first two chapters of the novel was released on Halo Waypoint and Tor.com on March 13, 2013.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/03/13/Silentium-Sneak-Peek.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Silentium Sneak Peek'']</ref> | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
===Miscellaneous=== | ===Miscellaneous=== | ||
[[Wiktionary:Silentium|"Silentium"]] is [[Latin]] for "silence", "stillness", "inactivity" or "cessation", which reflects the effect of the Halo Array's galaxy-wide activation on the Forerunner civilization and life in the galaxy. It is also the last word in the novel, appearing as a line spoken by 343 Guilty Spark as the Halo Array fires and he forgets his humanity.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 330''</ref> | |||
===References=== | |||
*The Ur-Didact exclaims "And loose damnation on the stars?" in retort to the IsoDidact's statement that using the Halos may be the Forerunners' only chance to stop the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 224''</ref> This is a reference to a line spoken by [[Cortana]] on the level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' in ''[[Halo 3]]'': ''"For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation upon the stars."''. | *The Ur-Didact exclaims "And loose damnation on the stars?" in retort to the IsoDidact's statement that using the Halos may be the Forerunners' only chance to stop the Flood.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 224''</ref> This is a reference to a line spoken by [[Cortana]] on the level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' in ''[[Halo 3]]'': ''"For a moment of safety, I loosed damnation upon the stars."''. | ||
*During his final conversation with 343 Guilty Spark, before deploying the Halo Array, the IsoDidact asks the monitor ''"Tell me, Chakas, if this was your choice, after all we have seen and survived... would you fire the rings?"''<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 314''</ref> This references a statement made by Guilty Spark to [[John-117]] in the opening cinematic of the level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'' in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': ''"Last time, you asked me, if it were my choice, would I do it? Having had considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed."'' | *During his final conversation with 343 Guilty Spark, before deploying the Halo Array, the IsoDidact asks the monitor ''"Tell me, Chakas, if this was your choice, after all we have seen and survived... would you fire the rings?"''<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 314''</ref> This references a statement made by Guilty Spark to [[John-117]] in the opening cinematic of the level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'' in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': ''"Last time, you asked me, if it were my choice, would I do it? Having had considerable time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed."'' | ||
*The novel describes a gathering of the Halo installation monitors aboard a Lifeworker vessel over the lesser Ark before the deployment of the Halos. This was first shown in the [[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|terminals]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''. | |||
*The novel describes a gathering of the Halo installation monitors aboard a Lifeworker vessel over the lesser Ark before the deployment of the Halos. This was first shown in the [[Terminal | |||
*The description of the Halo Array being launched from the lesser Ark via a portal closely echoes the [[:File:Array.png|depiction]] of the event from ''[[Origins]]''. However, ''Origins'' shows all seven of the final Halos entering the portal, whereas in ''Silentium'' there are only six, as [[Installation 07]] had been deployed years earlier.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 315''</ref> | *The description of the Halo Array being launched from the lesser Ark via a portal closely echoes the [[:File:Array.png|depiction]] of the event from ''[[Origins]]''. However, ''Origins'' shows all seven of the final Halos entering the portal, whereas in ''Silentium'' there are only six, as [[Installation 07]] had been deployed years earlier.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 315''</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| Line 254: | Line 119: | ||
File:Halo Silentium Cover.jpg|The preliminary cover for ''Halo: Silentium''. | File:Halo Silentium Cover.jpg|The preliminary cover for ''Halo: Silentium''. | ||
File:Silentium preliminary coverart.jpg|Full preliminary cover illustration. | File:Silentium preliminary coverart.jpg|Full preliminary cover illustration. | ||
File: | File:Halo Silentium carousel main.png|Full final jacket artwork. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | |||
{{ | {{Books}} | ||
[[Category:Novels|Silentium]] | [[Category:Novels|Silentium]] | ||
[[Category:Canon|Silentium]] | [[Category:Canon|Silentium]] | ||
