Editing The Cauldron

{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Multiplayer map infobox
|pagelabel=Spartan Ops map
|pagegamelabel=H4
|name=The Cauldron
|image=[[File:SO-EP1-CH5.png|300px]]
|game=''[[Halo 4]]''
|devname=<code>ff81_scurve</code>{{Ref/File|Id=H4EK|H4EK|H4EK\tags\levels\firefight\ff81_scurve\ff81_scurve.scenario}}
|location=[[Requiem]]
|terrain=
|playernumber=1-4
|gametypes=[[Spartan Ops]]
}}
'''The Cauldron''', designated '''Site Req//8934-8829''',<ref name="VIS">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', pg. 202</ref> was the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] codename for a location on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]]. 

==Background==
Buried within a large volcanic mountain range, the site dubbed "The Cauldron" appeared to be a thermal processing system created by the Forerunners to power large-scale tension modifiers, which were used to stabilize atmosphere pockets deep within the planet. The Cauldron was the site of numerous conflicts, and eventually led to the discovery of [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|a valuable artifact]] the [[Covenant remnants]] desperately sought. This object and the secrets it held made The Cauldron one of the most significant battleground sites on Requiem, later leading the UNSC to the mysterious [[Janus Key]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/requiem '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Requiem'']</ref>

==History==
During the [[Requiem Campaign]] in [[2558]], Covenant archaeological teams were operating in this location, and the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} sent [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]] [[Fireteam Crimson]] to investigate the area. After dispatching the Covenant forces in the area, Fireteam Crimson was attacked by [[Promethean]] forces. The Spartans then found [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|a Forerunner artifact]] hidden in the facility. The team extracted the artifact and evacuated the area.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Departure/Core|S101 Core]]</ref>

A science team was deployed to the base led by Dr. [[Morgan Rivera]]. They came under attack by Covenant forces and were forced to flee behind an energy shield. Fireteam Crimson responded to their distress beacon and cleared out the Covenant forces. The science team was rescued.<ref>''Spartan Ops'' [[Artifact/For Science|S102 For Science]]</ref> However, "the Cauldron" later fell again to the Covenant.

Fireteam Crimson later tracked [[Jul 'Mdama]] to this location in their continued pursuit of him and gave chase before he narrowly escaped an airstrike coordinated by [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] and [[Robert Dalton]] and teleported to safety. In his hasty getaway, he dropped a mysterious artifact known as the "[[Didact's Gift]]," which was later retrieved by Crimson and transported to [[Galileo Base]] for further study.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Didact's Hand/The Chase|S104 The Chase]]</ref>

After touching the artifact, [[Gabriel Thorne]] was translocated to "the Cauldron" where he was confronted by [[seven]] [[Sangheili Storm]].<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Memento Mori|S105 Memento Mori]]</ref> After a fight, Thorne was overpowered and captured by the Covenant who took him prisoner per Jul's orders who wanted anyone who came through the shrine alive.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Scattered|S106 Scattered]]</ref>

Sometime later, UNSC forces set up a forward operations base known as "[[Magma Base|Magma]]" in the area. Magma Base came [[Assault on Magma Base|under attack]] by Covenant forces, forcing them to send a distress signal. Fireteam Crimson was sent in response. The Covenant focused their attack on the base's generators. The Spartans, along with [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Mantis|Mantises]] and [[M3063 deployable turret|autoturret]] support, were able to hold off multiple Covenant waves. After successfully holding off the attack, [[Roland]] noticed [[Gabriel Thorne]]'s IFF tag in the area, but when Crimson went to investigate they only found the tag, leaving Roland and [[Jared Miller|Miller]] to wonder what happened.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Memento Mori/The Cauldron Base|S105 The Cauldron Base]]</ref>

The Covenant later launched another counterattack on the base, in which they successfully shot down and captured a [[UNSC Army]] [[D79-TC Pelican]], which was then brought back to "[[Lockup]]." This Pelican acted as a listening post until Crimson [[Raid on Lockup|raided]] "Lockup" and aided the ''Infinity'' in destroying it.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Expendable/Crystal Ball|S108 Crystal Ball]]</ref> Later, Jul 'Mdama returned to the Cauldron to activate Requiem's [[self-destruct]], prompting the shield world to eventually collide with its sun.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Exodus|S1010 Exodus]]</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:H4 Cauldron Layout Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the region's top-down layout.
File:H4 Cauldron Layout Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the region's top-down layout.
File:H4-Concept-Cauldron.jpg|Concept art.
File:H4-Concept-Cauldron-2.jpg|Concept art.
File:H4 SO Cauldron Concept Art.jpg|Cauldron concept art.
File:H4-SpartanOps-7.jpg|A lava stream.
File:H4-SpartanOps-5.jpg|A Forerunner complex.
File:H4-SpartanOps-6.jpg|The last area of the chapter.
File:H4 SO S01E10 Jul 'Mdama with Storm.jpg|Jul 'Mdama in The Cauldron.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Requiem locations]]