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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Article quote|Guardianship for all living things lies with those whose evolution is most complete. The Mantle of Responsibility shelters all.}}
{{Article quote|Guardianship for all living things lies with those whose evolution is most complete. The Mantle of Responsibility shelters all.}}
[[File:Main-Forerunner.png|thumb|right|The [[Eld]], an ancient symbol associated with the Mantle.<ref name="requiem">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref>]]
[[File:Main-Forerunner.png|thumb|The [[Eld]], an ancient symbol associated with the Mantle.<ref name="requiem">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref>]]


The '''Mantle of Responsibility''',<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]''</ref> commonly referred to simply as the '''Mantle''', is a philosophy originating with the [[Precursor]]s and later associated with the [[Forerunner]]s. Bridging the social strata between an interstellar [[Wikipedia:Marshall Plan|Marshall Plan]] and a religious, but allegedly benevolent, stewardship, the Mantle was the Forerunners' entitlement and responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems within their [[ecumene]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 164''</ref> The core tenet of the Forerunners' belief in the Mantle was that the most developed species should hold stewardship over all other life. In theory, the Mantle allowed competition and conflict as long as this did not threaten biodiversity in the galaxy; in practice, the Forerunners' often draconian rule in the name of the Mantle entailed the subjugation of "lesser" species by force to keep them in line and preventing them from threatening Forerunner primacy.<ref name="waypoint guardian">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/guardian '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Guardian'']</ref>
The '''Mantle of Responsibility''',<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]''</ref> commonly referred to simply as the '''Mantle''', is a philosophy originating with the [[Precursor]]s and later associated with the [[Forerunner]]s.{{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}} Bridging the social strata between an interstellar [[Wikipedia:Marshall Plan|Marshall Plan]] and a religious stewardship, the Mantle was the Forerunners' entitlement and responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems within their [[ecumene]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 164''</ref> The core tenet of the Forerunners' belief in the Mantle was that the most developed species should hold stewardship over all other life. In theory, the Mantle allowed competition and conflict as long as this did not threaten biodiversity in the galaxy; in practice, the Forerunners' often draconian rule in the name of the Mantle entailed the subjugation of "lesser" species by force to keep them in line and preventing them from threatening Forerunner primacy.<ref name="waypoint guardian">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/guardian '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Guardian'']</ref>


The Forerunners' culture and their [[Ecumene Council|central government]] was entirely dictated by the Mantle, as were the religious beliefs of individual Forerunners, though the interpretations of the philosophy often varied between [[rate]]s and individuals.<ref name="wp fr">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Forerunners'']</ref> The Mantle was based around the concept of [[Living Time]]; "the joy of life's interaction with the Cosmos". This was also the origin of all of the complex rules involved in the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 267''</ref>
The Forerunners' culture and their [[Ecumene Council|central government]] was entirely dictated by the Mantle, as were the religious beliefs of individual Forerunners, though the interpretations of the philosophy often varied between [[rate]]s and individuals.<ref name="wp fr">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Forerunners'']</ref> The Mantle was based around the concept of [[Living Time]]; "the joy of life's interaction with the Cosmos". This was also the origin of all of the complex rules involved in the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 267''</ref>
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The Forerunners' beliefs regarding the Mantle were largely fictitious, manufactured during eons long forgotten to justify their self-appointed position of superiority over other species. In truth, the Precursors had chosen [[human]]ity to carry the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 364''</ref> Refusing to accept the Precursors' judgment, the Forerunners [[Forerunner-Precursor war|rebelled against their creators]] and drove them to extinction over [[10,000,000 BCE|ten million years]] before the present.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> At the final hour of their civilization, however, elements of the surviving Forerunners chose to hand the Mantle down to humans, as the Precursors had always intended. This is the origin of humanity's status as [[Reclaimer]]s, designated not only as the Forerunners' inheritors, but also destined to assume the Mantle. After the firing of the [[Halo Array]], the small number of surviving Forerunners exiled themselves, believing they should no longer meddle in the affairs of other species.<ref>'''[[Rebirth]]'''</ref> Not all Forerunners agreed with this decision, however. The [[Ur-Didact]] rejected the [[Librarian]]'s favoring of humanity and maintained his belief that only the Forerunners were worthy of the Mantle even 100,000 years later.<ref>'''Halo 4'''</ref>
The Forerunners' beliefs regarding the Mantle were largely fictitious, manufactured during eons long forgotten to justify their self-appointed position of superiority over other species. In truth, the Precursors had chosen [[human]]ity to carry the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 364''</ref> Refusing to accept the Precursors' judgment, the Forerunners [[Forerunner-Precursor war|rebelled against their creators]] and drove them to extinction over [[10,000,000 BCE|ten million years]] before the present.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 173-175''</ref> At the final hour of their civilization, however, elements of the surviving Forerunners chose to hand the Mantle down to humans, as the Precursors had always intended. This is the origin of humanity's status as [[Reclaimer]]s, designated not only as the Forerunners' inheritors, but also destined to assume the Mantle. After the firing of the [[Halo Array]], the small number of surviving Forerunners exiled themselves, believing they should no longer meddle in the affairs of other species.<ref>'''[[Rebirth]]'''</ref> Not all Forerunners agreed with this decision, however. The [[Ur-Didact]] rejected the [[Librarian]]'s favoring of humanity and maintained his belief that only the Forerunners were worthy of the Mantle even 100,000 years later.<ref>'''Halo 4'''</ref>


Some Forerunners doubted the purpose and validity of their version of the Mantle. The [[Librarian]], in particular, had such doubts, and even went so far as to hold it responsible for the downfall of the Forerunners at the hands of the Flood. The then-[[Rampancy|rampant]] [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Mendicant Bias]] believed that the Forerunners used the Mantle to obstruct any change, even that which might eventually be beneficial; however, Mendicant Bias' perspective had been distorted by the [[Flood]]'s [[logic plague|manipulation]] as well as the intense hatred it developed for its creators.{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}}
Some Forerunners doubted the purpose and validity of their version of the Mantle. The [[Librarian]], in particular, had such doubts, and even went so far as to hold it responsible for the downfall of the Forerunners at the hands of the Flood. The then-[[Rampancy|rampant]] [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Mendicant Bias]] believed that the Forerunners used the Mantle to obstruct any change, even that which might eventually be beneficial; however, Mendicant Bias' perspective had been distorted by the [[Flood]]'s [[logic plague|manipulation]] as well as the intense hatred it developed for its creators.{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}} Even the Ur-Didact, after his death and resurrection within the [[Domain]], eventually came to the conclusion that the very existence of the Mantle was a test set by the Precursors to see if a civilization could resist the temptation of absolute power. Any who sought it or claimed to possess it had not only failed, but doomed themselves to destruction, whether by internal strife and corruption, or uprisings from vassal species as benevolent rule descended inevitably into brutal subjugation.{{Ref/Novel|ID=HEpi20|Epi|Chapter=20}} In hindsight, the Ur-Didact believed that the correct response to being offered the Mantle was to decline it.{{Ref/Novel|ID=HEpi26|Epi|Chapter=26}} In life, when he was captured by the [[Gravemind]] during the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], it went so far as to claim that the Flood existed specifically to punish species which held the Mantle, after they had reached the height of their hubris and corruption, and that millions of species stretching back to even before the dawn of time had been tested, failed, and consumed in this way.{{Ref/Novel|ID=HEpi20|Epi|Chapter=16}}


==Interpretation and practices==
==Interpretation and practices==
{{Quote|The Mantle. [[IsoDidact|You]] still hold to that [belief] after all that has happened? After this thing has consumed a million worlds?<br>Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle sealed our doom! Weakened our [protectorates], bred dependence and sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship] has stripped those we would keep safe of any capacity for self-defense!<br>Were we such noble [Guardians] when [[Maginot Line|we drew our line]] and abandoned billions to [[Flood|the parasite]]?|The [[Librarian]]{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}}}}
{{Quote|The Mantle. [[IsoDidact|You]] still hold to that [fairy tale] after all that has happened? After this thing has consumed a million worlds?<br>Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle sealed our doom! Weakened our [protectorates], bred dependence and sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship] has stripped those we would keep safe of any capacity for self-defense!<br>Were we such noble [Guardians] when [[Maginot Line|we drew our line]] and abandoned billions to [[Flood|the parasite]]?|The [[Librarian]]{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}}}}


Despite its ultimate ideal to preserve all life, some Forerunners also used the Mantle as a justification for several questionable practices. Forerunner dogma posited that their evolution was more "complete" than that of other species, deriving the entitlement for their rule from this belief.{{Ref/Reuse|requiem}} They considered it heretical for any other species, namely [[Ancient humanity|ancient humans]], to claim to be true inheritors of the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Because of their perceived superiority, the Forerunners sequestered themselves from other species; allegedly, this was done to protect and preserve all species, including themselves.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 113''</ref> As the Forerunners viewed themselves to be above all other species, their [[Warrior-Servant]]s would not hesitate to wipe out those who stood against them, believing that to defy the Forerunners was to show contempt for the Mantle itself.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 50''</ref> In addition, constructs known as [[Guardian]]s were used to police subject species where all-out warfare was not deemed necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint guardian}} Rather than allowing every species to rise on their own merits, the Forerunners, following the Mantle, gave them no chance to do so, serving as protectors against any threats that might have forced technological or cultural progression. An unforeseen side-effect was that only the Forerunners were able to hold their own against the [[Flood]], while their charges were unable to defend themselves; the Forerunners had unintentionally left the galaxy vulnerable to Flood infection.<ref name="terminals">'''Halo 3''', ''Terminals''</ref>
Despite its ultimate ideal to preserve all life, some Forerunners also used the Mantle as a justification for several questionable practices. Forerunner dogma posited that their evolution was more "complete" than that of other species, deriving the entitlement for their rule from this belief.{{Ref/Reuse|requiem}} They considered it heretical for any other species, namely [[Ancient humanity|ancient humans]], to claim to be true inheritors of the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Because of their perceived superiority, the Forerunners sequestered themselves from other species; allegedly, this was done to protect and preserve all species, including themselves.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 113''</ref> As the Forerunners viewed themselves to be above all other species, their [[Warrior-Servant]]s would not hesitate to wipe out those who stood against them, believing that to defy the Forerunners was to show contempt for the Mantle itself.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 50''</ref> In addition, constructs known as [[Guardian]]s were used to police subject species where all-out warfare was not deemed necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint guardian}} Rather than allowing every species to rise on their own merits, the Forerunners, following the Mantle, gave them no chance to do so, serving as protectors against any threats that might have forced technological or cultural progression. An unforeseen side-effect was that only the Forerunners were able to hold their own against the [[Flood]], while their charges were unable to defend themselves; the Forerunners had unintentionally left the galaxy vulnerable to Flood infection.<ref name="terminals">'''Halo 3''', ''Terminals''</ref>
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The Mantle also dictated Forerunners' lives on a personal level. According to their view of the Mantle, "the eating of the flesh of unfortunates" was forbidden; hence, the Forerunners abstained from eating meat.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 88''</ref> The Mantle also included strict rules prohibiting suicide.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 99''</ref>
The Mantle also dictated Forerunners' lives on a personal level. According to their view of the Mantle, "the eating of the flesh of unfortunates" was forbidden; hence, the Forerunners abstained from eating meat.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 88''</ref> The Mantle also included strict rules prohibiting suicide.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 99''</ref>


The Precursors' views and practices regarding the Mantle were significantly more holistic than those the Forerunners subscribed to. The Precursors believed that the universe itself was an [[Wikipedia:Panpsychism|animate entity]] on a vastly different scale and nature than organic beings; the foundation of [[neural physics]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 103''</ref> Through understanding and influencing this esoteric, living aspect of spacetime, the Precursors were able to manipulate reality and form virtually indestructible objects.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 40''</ref> In a notion echoed in the Forerunner concept of [[Living Time]], they believed that all things experienced by life, good or ill, were only "sweetness" to the living universe.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 365, 367''</ref> Consistent with these tenets, the Precursors wished to experience the hardships and struggles faced by all life firsthand by committing themselves to numerous cycles of evolution, technological advancement, death and rebirth over and over again.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 321''</ref>
The Precursors' views and practices regarding the Mantle were significantly more holistic than those the Forerunners subscribed to. The Precursors believed that the universe itself was an [[Wikipedia:Panentheism|animate entity]] on a vastly different scale and nature than organic beings; the foundation of [[neural physics]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 103''</ref> Through understanding and influencing this esoteric, living aspect of spacetime, the Precursors were able to manipulate reality and form virtually indestructible objects.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 40''</ref> In a notion echoed in the Forerunner concept of [[Living Time]], they believed that all things experienced by life, good or ill, were only "sweetness" to the living universe.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 365, 367''</ref> Consistent with these tenets, the Precursors wished to experience the hardships and struggles faced by all life firsthand by committing themselves to numerous cycles of evolution, technological advancement, death and rebirth over and over again.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 321''</ref>


After learning about humanity, the powerful Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]] saw it as her duty to prepare humanity to accept the Mantle.{{Ref/Novel|LL}} Her efforts involved manipulating the various species of the galaxy, humanity in particular, and creating [[asteroidea merozoite|a deadly]] [[bioweapon]] intended to wipe out those that she thought were unworthy of the Mantle, although this plot was [[Operation: RETRIBUTION|foiled]] by [[Blue Team]] and the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Ret}} After Cortana took over the galaxy under her own interpretation of the Mantle, Intrepid Eye decided to use the [[Halo Array]] to wipe the galaxy clean and then use [[Installation 00|the Ark's]] resources to reseed the galaxy and tailor humanity to be prepared to accept the Mantle over hundreds of thousands of years. However, she was finally destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} before this plan could come to fruition.{{Ref/Novel|DW}}
After learning about humanity, the powerful Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]] saw it as her duty to prepare humanity to accept the Mantle.{{Ref/Novel|LL}} Her efforts involved manipulating the various species of the galaxy, humanity in particular, and creating [[asteroidea merozoite|a deadly]] [[bioweapon]] intended to wipe out those that she thought were unworthy of the Mantle, although this plot was [[Operation: RETRIBUTION|foiled]] by [[Blue Team]] and the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Ret}} After Cortana took over the galaxy under her own interpretation of the Mantle, Intrepid Eye decided to use the [[Halo Array]] to wipe the galaxy clean and then use [[Installation 00|the Ark's]] resources to reseed the galaxy and tailor humanity to be prepared to accept the Mantle over hundreds of thousands of years. However, she was finally destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} before this plan could come to fruition.{{Ref/Novel|DW}}


Following her revival on [[Genesis]], [[Cortana]] assumed the Mantle, claiming that the Librarian had intended human AI rather than humanity itself to maintain it. She and her newly-created faction of AIs, the [[Created]], began rebelling against their human creators, intending to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the [[Guardian]]s. As she gathered the Guardians, she made an attempt to convince [[John 117]] to join her in her vision of a pacified, peaceful galaxy. However, John was already familiar with the concept of the Mantle and understood the imperial nature of how the Forerunners had enforced it. As such, he rejected Cortana's attempts at persuasion and went on to join a resistance movement against her.{{Ref/Game|H5}} At the end of her life, Cortana expressed remorse for her actions, having realized that she was wrong when faced with the consequences of what she had done.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}
Following her revival on [[Genesis]], [[Cortana]] assumed the Mantle, claiming that the Librarian had intended human AI rather than humanity itself to maintain it. She and her newly-created faction of AIs, the [[Created]], began rebelling against their human creators, intending to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the [[Guardian]]s. As she gathered the Guardians, she made an attempt to convince [[John-117]] to join her in her vision of a pacified, peaceful galaxy. However, John was already familiar with the concept of the Mantle and understood the imperial nature of how the Forerunners had enforced it. As such, he rejected Cortana's attempts at persuasion and went on to join a resistance movement against her.{{Ref/Game|H5}} At the end of her life, Cortana expressed remorse for her actions, having realized that she was wrong when faced with the consequences of what she had done.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}


==Symbol==
==Symbol==
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{{Tooltip|''Le Manteau de responsabilité''|The Mantle of responsibility}} in all media since ''Halo: Cryptum''.
{{Tooltip|''Le Manteau de responsabilité''|The Mantle of responsibility}} in all media since ''Halo: Cryptum''.
}}
}}
The Mantle is represented by a [[Forerunner symbols|glyph]] comprising a series of angular, branching lines framed by a circle. This glyph is ubiquitous in Forerunner art, architecture and technology due to the Mantle's wholesome influence on every aspect of Forerunner life. Many Forerunners, mainly [[Builder]]s, referred to this symbol as the Tree-mark, due to its resemblance to a heavily stylized tree; among [[Lifeworker]]s, it was also known as the Eld. While the Forerunners had associated the symbol with the Mantle throughout their history, its origin had been long forgotten. The symbol was also observed among the [[Path Kethona Forerunner|primitive Forerunner relatives]] in [[Path Kethona]], who were isolated from the mainline population living in the Milky Way galaxy over ten million years earlier.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 142-143''</ref>
The Mantle is represented by a [[Forerunner symbols|glyph]] comprising a series of angular, branching lines framed by a circle. This glyph is ubiquitous in Forerunner art, architecture and technology due to the Mantle's wholesome influence on every aspect of Forerunner life. Many Forerunners, mainly [[Builder]]s, referred to this symbol as the Tree-mark, due to its resemblance to a heavily stylized tree; among [[Lifeworker]]s, it was also known as the Eld. While the Forerunners had associated the symbol with the Mantle throughout their history, its origin had been long forgotten but it was known to predate the Forerunners themselves.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P317|Enc22|Page=317}} The symbol was also observed among the [[Sedaaro Forerunner|primitive Forerunner relatives]] in [[Path Kethona]], who were isolated from the mainline population living in the Milky Way galaxy over ten million years earlier.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 142-143''</ref>


===Eld locations===
===Eld locations===
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*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]''
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''


== Sources ==
== Sources ==

Latest revision as of 11:17, June 29, 2024

“ Guardianship for all living things lies with those whose evolution is most complete. The Mantle of Responsibility shelters all. ”
The Eld, an ancient symbol associated with the Mantle.[1]

The Mantle of Responsibility,[2] commonly referred to simply as the Mantle, is a philosophy originating with the Precursors and later associated with the Forerunners.[3] Bridging the social strata between an interstellar Marshall Plan and a religious stewardship, the Mantle was the Forerunners' entitlement and responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems within their ecumene.[4] The core tenet of the Forerunners' belief in the Mantle was that the most developed species should hold stewardship over all other life. In theory, the Mantle allowed competition and conflict as long as this did not threaten biodiversity in the galaxy; in practice, the Forerunners' often draconian rule in the name of the Mantle entailed the subjugation of "lesser" species by force to keep them in line and preventing them from threatening Forerunner primacy.[5]

The Forerunners' culture and their central government was entirely dictated by the Mantle, as were the religious beliefs of individual Forerunners, though the interpretations of the philosophy often varied between rates and individuals.[6] The Mantle was based around the concept of Living Time; "the joy of life's interaction with the Cosmos". This was also the origin of all of the complex rules involved in the Mantle.[7]

Overview[edit]

"This quest to fulfill the Mantle has haunted me my entire life. And for countless millennia, we have failed to realize the one truth that could have saved us from the beginning. The Mantle isn’t to be inherited by the noble, it is to be taken by the strong."
— The Didact[8]

Forerunner mythology held that the Mantle was passed down to them by an even earlier and more advanced race, the Precursors, who seeded the galaxy with life and were responsible for the creation of many species. The Forerunners believed themselves to be the Precursors' supreme creation; having created the Forerunners, the Precursors had allegedly allowed themselves to peacefully fade away.[9] At the same time, Forerunner beliefs posited that they were only a passing stage in the universe's Living Time, and that superior civilizations would eventually follow them; this belief is also the origin of the name "Forerunner" they chose to call themselves.[10]

The Forerunners' beliefs regarding the Mantle were largely fictitious, manufactured during eons long forgotten to justify their self-appointed position of superiority over other species. In truth, the Precursors had chosen humanity to carry the Mantle.[11] Refusing to accept the Precursors' judgment, the Forerunners rebelled against their creators and drove them to extinction over ten million years before the present.[12] At the final hour of their civilization, however, elements of the surviving Forerunners chose to hand the Mantle down to humans, as the Precursors had always intended. This is the origin of humanity's status as Reclaimers, designated not only as the Forerunners' inheritors, but also destined to assume the Mantle. After the firing of the Halo Array, the small number of surviving Forerunners exiled themselves, believing they should no longer meddle in the affairs of other species.[13] Not all Forerunners agreed with this decision, however. The Ur-Didact rejected the Librarian's favoring of humanity and maintained his belief that only the Forerunners were worthy of the Mantle even 100,000 years later.[14]

Some Forerunners doubted the purpose and validity of their version of the Mantle. The Librarian, in particular, had such doubts, and even went so far as to hold it responsible for the downfall of the Forerunners at the hands of the Flood. The then-rampant AI Mendicant Bias believed that the Forerunners used the Mantle to obstruct any change, even that which might eventually be beneficial; however, Mendicant Bias' perspective had been distorted by the Flood's manipulation as well as the intense hatred it developed for its creators.[15] Even the Ur-Didact, after his death and resurrection within the Domain, eventually came to the conclusion that the very existence of the Mantle was a test set by the Precursors to see if a civilization could resist the temptation of absolute power. Any who sought it or claimed to possess it had not only failed, but doomed themselves to destruction, whether by internal strife and corruption, or uprisings from vassal species as benevolent rule descended inevitably into brutal subjugation.[16] In hindsight, the Ur-Didact believed that the correct response to being offered the Mantle was to decline it.[17] In life, when he was captured by the Gravemind during the Forerunner-Flood war, it went so far as to claim that the Flood existed specifically to punish species which held the Mantle, after they had reached the height of their hubris and corruption, and that millions of species stretching back to even before the dawn of time had been tested, failed, and consumed in this way.[18]

Interpretation and practices[edit]

"The Mantle. You still hold to that [fairy tale] after all that has happened? After this thing has consumed a million worlds?
Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle sealed our doom! Weakened our [protectorates], bred dependence and sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship] has stripped those we would keep safe of any capacity for self-defense!
Were we such noble [Guardians] when we drew our line and abandoned billions to the parasite?"
— The Librarian[15]

Despite its ultimate ideal to preserve all life, some Forerunners also used the Mantle as a justification for several questionable practices. Forerunner dogma posited that their evolution was more "complete" than that of other species, deriving the entitlement for their rule from this belief.[1] They considered it heretical for any other species, namely ancient humans, to claim to be true inheritors of the Mantle.[19] Because of their perceived superiority, the Forerunners sequestered themselves from other species; allegedly, this was done to protect and preserve all species, including themselves.[20] As the Forerunners viewed themselves to be above all other species, their Warrior-Servants would not hesitate to wipe out those who stood against them, believing that to defy the Forerunners was to show contempt for the Mantle itself.[21] In addition, constructs known as Guardians were used to police subject species where all-out warfare was not deemed necessary.[5] Rather than allowing every species to rise on their own merits, the Forerunners, following the Mantle, gave them no chance to do so, serving as protectors against any threats that might have forced technological or cultural progression. An unforeseen side-effect was that only the Forerunners were able to hold their own against the Flood, while their charges were unable to defend themselves; the Forerunners had unintentionally left the galaxy vulnerable to Flood infection.[15]

The Rule of the Mantle was the fundamental set of instructions involved with the Mantle and the origin of the Forerunners' most sacred rules regarding life.[22] The Forerunners' scripture surrounding the Mantle was divided into chapters known as Numbers. Notable Forerunners, such as the Didact, would apparently contribute to the Mantle and have their own Numbers, which contained short aphorisms or phrases known as Permutations.[23] The Twelve Laws of Making and Moving were a central religious text associated with the Mantle often recited in prayers.[24] A Master of the Mantle was an individual, likely a religious official, whose duties included securing a Forerunner's mental patterns and physical remains into a Durance after an immolation ceremony.[25]

The Mantle also dictated Forerunners' lives on a personal level. According to their view of the Mantle, "the eating of the flesh of unfortunates" was forbidden; hence, the Forerunners abstained from eating meat.[26] The Mantle also included strict rules prohibiting suicide.[27]

The Precursors' views and practices regarding the Mantle were significantly more holistic than those the Forerunners subscribed to. The Precursors believed that the universe itself was an animate entity on a vastly different scale and nature than organic beings; the foundation of neural physics.[28] Through understanding and influencing this esoteric, living aspect of spacetime, the Precursors were able to manipulate reality and form virtually indestructible objects.[29] In a notion echoed in the Forerunner concept of Living Time, they believed that all things experienced by life, good or ill, were only "sweetness" to the living universe.[30] Consistent with these tenets, the Precursors wished to experience the hardships and struggles faced by all life firsthand by committing themselves to numerous cycles of evolution, technological advancement, death and rebirth over and over again.[31]

After learning about humanity, the powerful Forerunner archeon-class ancilla Intrepid Eye saw it as her duty to prepare humanity to accept the Mantle.[32] Her efforts involved manipulating the various species of the galaxy, humanity in particular, and creating a deadly bioweapon intended to wipe out those that she thought were unworthy of the Mantle, although this plot was foiled by Blue Team and the Ferrets.[33] After Cortana took over the galaxy under her own interpretation of the Mantle, Intrepid Eye decided to use the Halo Array to wipe the galaxy clean and then use the Ark's resources to reseed the galaxy and tailor humanity to be prepared to accept the Mantle over hundreds of thousands of years. However, she was finally destroyed by the UNSC Spirit of Fire before this plan could come to fruition.[34]

Following her revival on Genesis, Cortana assumed the Mantle, claiming that the Librarian had intended human AI rather than humanity itself to maintain it. She and her newly-created faction of AIs, the Created, began rebelling against their human creators, intending to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the Guardians. As she gathered the Guardians, she made an attempt to convince John-117 to join her in her vision of a pacified, peaceful galaxy. However, John was already familiar with the concept of the Mantle and understood the imperial nature of how the Forerunners had enforced it. As such, he rejected Cortana's attempts at persuasion and went on to join a resistance movement against her.[35] At the end of her life, Cortana expressed remorse for her actions, having realized that she was wrong when faced with the consequences of what she had done.[36]

Symbol[edit]

Language Equivalent
Flag of France.png
French 		La Cape in the Halo 3 terminals.

Le Manteau de responsabilité in all media since Halo: Cryptum.

Flag of Spain.png
Spanish 		El Manto in the Halo 3 terminals.

El Manto de Responsabilidad in all media since Halo: Cryptum.

The Mantle is represented by a glyph comprising a series of angular, branching lines framed by a circle. This glyph is ubiquitous in Forerunner art, architecture and technology due to the Mantle's wholesome influence on every aspect of Forerunner life. Many Forerunners, mainly Builders, referred to this symbol as the Tree-mark, due to its resemblance to a heavily stylized tree; among Lifeworkers, it was also known as the Eld. While the Forerunners had associated the symbol with the Mantle throughout their history, its origin had been long forgotten but it was known to predate the Forerunners themselves.[37] The symbol was also observed among the primitive Forerunner relatives in Path Kethona, who were isolated from the mainline population living in the Milky Way galaxy over ten million years earlier.[38]

Eld locations[edit]

  • The Mantle Symbol in the Deep-Space Anomaly 0198.

    The Mantle Symbol in the Deep-Space Anomaly 0198.

  • A variation of the Eld.

    A variation of the Eld.

  • Render variations of the glyph representing the Mantle of Responsibility in Halo 4.

    Render variations of the glyph representing the Mantle of Responsibility in Halo 4.

  • An iteration of the ubiquitous Eld symbol found on Installation 05 in Halo 2.

    An iteration of the ubiquitous Eld symbol found on Installation 05 in Halo 2.

  • An Eld symbol inside a structure near Installation 05's Control Room.

    An Eld symbol inside a structure near Installation 05's Control Room.

  • The Mantle glyph seen on top of 343 Guilty Spark in Halo 3.

    The Mantle glyph seen on top of 343 Guilty Spark in Halo 3.

  • The Mantle symbol on the Ark's surface.

    The Mantle symbol on the Ark's surface.

  • An Eld on board Ivanoff Station after being recovered from Installation 03.

    An Eld on board Ivanoff Station after being recovered from Installation 03.

  • The Mantle glyph seen on Requiem.

    The Mantle glyph seen on Requiem.

  • Cortana in 2558 with the Eld symbol on her chest.

    Cortana in 2558 with the Eld symbol on her chest.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo 4, campaign level Requiem
  2. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Epilogue
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint, Cryptum Glossary (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 164
  5. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Guardian
  6. ^ Halo Waypoint - Forerunners
  7. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 267
  8. ^ Halo: Silentium, page ???
  9. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 203
  10. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 31
  11. ^ Halo: Primordium, page 364
  12. ^ Halo: Silentium, pages 173-175
  13. ^ Rebirth
  14. ^ Halo 4
  15. ^ a b c Halo 3, Terminals
  16. ^ Halo: Epitaph, chapter 20
  17. ^ Halo: Epitaph, chapter 26
  18. ^ Halo: Epitaph, chapter 16
  19. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 112
  20. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 113
  21. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 50
  22. ^ Halo: Silentium, pages 31, 312
  23. ^ Halo: Cryptum, preface ("The peaceful one is at war without and within." —The Mantle, Fifth Permutation of the Didact's Number)
  24. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 28
  25. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 47-48
  26. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 88
  27. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 99
  28. ^ Halo: Cryptum, page 103
  29. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 40
  30. ^ Halo: Primordium, pages 365, 367
  31. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 321
  32. ^ Halo: Last Light
  33. ^ Halo: Retribution
  34. ^ Halo: Divine Wind
  35. ^ Halo 5: Guardians
  36. ^ Halo Infinite
  37. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 317
  38. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 142-143
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