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{{Era|Forerunner}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:H4-DuranceMatrix-ScanRender.png|thumb|300px|Views of a Durance used to contain a [[Promethean Knight]]'s essence, in its external container and unlocked Durance shell.]]
{{Stub}}
A '''Durance''' is a [[Forerunner]] device designed to contain the extracted memories and personality impressions of an individual.<ref name="Cryptum">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 47-48''</ref>{{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}}
{{New Content}}
==History==
A '''Durance''' was a type of [[Forerunner]] memory storage device. Upon the the death of a Forerunner, the individual's last memories and mental patterns were stored inside a Durance. The Durance and a bit of [[plasma]] from the immolation of the body were then presented to the closest family members of the deceased.<ref name="Cryptum">'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''', chapter two</ref>
Durances were a key element of Forerunner funeral proceedings. Upon the death of a Forerunner, their last memories and mental patterns were stored inside a [[timelock|time-locked]] Durance. The Durance and a bit of [[plasma]] from the immolation of the body were then presented to the closest family members of the deceased. Durances had a half-life of a million years. Their resting places were closely guarded by the family, such that the violation of a Durance was considered sacrilege.{{Ref/Reuse|Cryptum}}


Durances had a half-life of a million years. Their resting places were closely guarded by the family, such that the violation of a Durance was considered sacrilege.<ref name="Cryptum"/>
The [[Promethean Knight]]s' essences are also contained in a form of Durance, one of which, named by the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant |Covenant]] as the "[[Didact's Gift]]", was recovered and studied by the UNSC during the [[Requiem Campaign]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 134''</ref><ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]'''</ref>
 
On [[X50]], the artificial moon of [[Draetheus V]], an unspecified type of [[Mind transfer|sublimation device]] immolated [[Edward Davis|Spartan Edward Davis']] body and placed the remains, along with his last impressions, into a Durance. The Durance broadcast Davis' last transmission for help, leading Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]] to it. Palmer recovered the Durance and shut it down to give her friend peace.<ref name="Hydra">'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]''</ref>{{Ref/Note|While it is never identified as a Durance in-game, the device housing the remains of Davis' consciousness is a Durance by definition, as the term encompasses any "imprint matrix" used to contain an extracted essence. The immolation of Davis' body further suggests that the transfer of his impressions may have been part of an automated version of a traditional Forerunner funerary ritual. Furthermore, the simulated Durance featured in Story Shard: ''Precipice'' houses Davis' memories, as stated by Proxy.}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HSA Davis remains.jpg|The remains of Spartan Davis being absorbed into a Durance.
File:HSA-ForerunnerDevice.jpg|The Durance housing Davis' remains closes.
File:HWF Monitor Diagram.jpg|A cross-sectional diagram of a Monitor, with a Durance-like artifact on its core.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Cryptum]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
**[[Story Shard]]: ''[[Precipice]]'' {{C|Simulation only}}
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Forerunner}}
{{Forerunner|technology}}
[[Category:Forerunner technology]]
[[Category:Forerunner technology]]

Latest revision as of 14:33, July 27, 2024

Views of a Durance used to contain a Promethean Knight's essence, in its external container and unlocked Durance shell.

A Durance is a Forerunner device designed to contain the extracted memories and personality impressions of an individual.[1][2]

History[edit]

Durances were a key element of Forerunner funeral proceedings. Upon the death of a Forerunner, their last memories and mental patterns were stored inside a time-locked Durance. The Durance and a bit of plasma from the immolation of the body were then presented to the closest family members of the deceased. Durances had a half-life of a million years. Their resting places were closely guarded by the family, such that the violation of a Durance was considered sacrilege.[1]

The Promethean Knights' essences are also contained in a form of Durance, one of which, named by the Covenant as the "Didact's Gift", was recovered and studied by the UNSC during the Requiem Campaign.[3][4]

On X50, the artificial moon of Draetheus V, an unspecified type of sublimation device immolated Spartan Edward Davis' body and placed the remains, along with his last impressions, into a Durance. The Durance broadcast Davis' last transmission for help, leading Spartan Sarah Palmer to it. Palmer recovered the Durance and shut it down to give her friend peace.[5][Note 1]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ While it is never identified as a Durance in-game, the device housing the remains of Davis' consciousness is a Durance by definition, as the term encompasses any "imprint matrix" used to contain an extracted essence. The immolation of Davis' body further suggests that the transfer of his impressions may have been part of an automated version of a traditional Forerunner funerary ritual. Furthermore, the simulated Durance featured in Story Shard: Precipice houses Davis' memories, as stated by Proxy.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo: Cryptum, page 47-48
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint, Cryptum Glossary (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  3. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 134
  4. ^ Spartan Ops
  5. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Operation F: Hydra