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{{era|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Disambig header|the Forerunner shield world|other uses|Requiem (disambiguation)}}
{{ArticleName}}
{{Megastructure infobox
[[File:Legendary Planet.jpg|thumb|250px|The "Legendary Planet."]]
|image=[[File:H4-Concept-Requiem-Entrance.jpg|300px]]
The unofficially dubbed "'''Legendary Planet'''" is a mysterious planet toward which the rear section of the [[UNSC Frigate]] ''[[Forward Unto Dawn]]'', containing the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Cortana]], is seen drifting into the [[Legendary]] ending of ''[[Halo 3]]''. Seconds later, a light shines across the surface of the planet, as the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is caught by the planet's gravity. The Legendary Planet also appears in a small image in the [[Halo Encyclopedia]], where it is shown to have a reddish-orange color on a small illuminated section.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 279''</ref>
|description=A series of concentric spherical shells enclosed within an armored exterior
|location=[[Epoloch system]]{{Ref/Book|Id=DK H4TEVG|H4EVG|Page=198}}
|anchor=7{{Ref/Novel|Id=sil278|Sil|Page=278}}
|anchor-title=Satellites
|type=[[Shield world]]
|function=[[Promethean]] operations hub
|caretaker=
|constructed=Before [[107,445 BCE]]{{Ref/Reuse|h4terminals}}
|destroyed=[[2558#February|February 2558]]
|diameter={{Convert|10787|km|mi|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}}
|surface width=
|gravity=0.987 G{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}}
|surface temperature= -38°C to 71°C (-36°F to 159°F){{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}}
|atmosphere=1.2 ([[Wikipedia:Nitrogen|N<sub>2</sub>]], [[Oxygen|O<sub>2</sub>]], [[Argon|Ar]]){{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}}
}}
{{Quote|The scale and brilliance of the Didact's strategic plan now appears more like the tomb of all hope—certainly of all my hopes. A dream we had both shared is little more than a repository for a Promethean long since chewed up and cast aside by history, by force of his enemies, human and Forerunner—and by the dire influence of the Flood. And yet, this enormous construct, nothing less than a completely artificial world, this bastion designed for endless war, still impresses in a way that a Halo cannot.|The [[Librarian]] reflects on Requiem near the close of the Flood conflict{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=279}}}}


== Background ==
'''Requiem''', formally designated by its [[Forerunner]] creators as '''Shield World 0001''',{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}} was a Forerunner [[shield world]] located in the [[Epoloch system]].{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}} It once served as the central base of operations for the [[Promethean]]s, an elite class of [[Warrior-Servant]]s, for thousands of years until the end of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]]. It remained sealed off for a hundred millennia since the end of the war,<ref name="h4guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref> and became the site of [[Battle of Requiem|major events]] as [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] forces stumbled upon it in [[2557]]. The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} returned to Requiem in early [[2558]], resulting in a [[Requiem Campaign|protracted battle]] between the UNSC and the occupying Promethean-Jul's Covenant alliance.<ref name="departure">''[[Spartan Ops]]'', ''[[S1/Departure|S1E1 Departure]]''</ref> Requiem itself was [[self-destruct|destroyed]] at the conclusion of this campaign by [[Jul 'Mdama]].<ref name="Exodus">''Spartan Ops:'' ''[[S1/Exodus|S1E10 Exodus]]''</ref>
The planetoid is littered with blue-glowing symbols and geometric patterns - clearly [[Forerunner]] in origin. At least two of the symbols are clearly recognizable. This could mean that the planet is the Forerunner homeworld, because the planet that is shown in the Halo Legends episode, Origins, appears to be the Forerunner homeworld and bears similar symbols on its surface.


The surface of the planetoid bears a [[List of Forerunner Symbols#Undefined Symbol|certain Forerunner symbol]] that has appeared in wall ornamentation's on all of the Halo installations, on the surface of the Ark, and on the cover of ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. There are a number of theories concerning the meaning of this symbol, some of which interpret it as the main emblem of the Forerunners, the symbol for the [[Halo Array]] and the related installations, or possibly a [[Shield World]].
==History==
===Ancient history===
[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals RequiemWarRoom.png|thumb|left|250px|The [[Didact]] and the [[Librarian]] in Requiem's war room.]]
Built as the template for the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[shield world]] [[Star-hopping|defensive strategy]], Requiem was constructed long before the [[human-Forerunner wars]] to serve as a fortress world for the [[Warrior-Servant]]s' Promethean class. As with the shield worlds which would follow, Requiem's true capabilities were kept as secret as possible from the other [[rate]]s; although its components were constructed by the [[Builder]]s, the process was compartmentalized in a way that only the Prometheans would be fully informed of its ultimate configuration.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=278-279}}


A [[Marathon (Video Game Series)|Marathon]] symbol can also be observed on the surface. It is known to be a common Forerunner symbol, used in multiple Forerunner constructs, and also used to refer to a [[Reclaimer]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page ??''</ref> The [[Seventh Column]] can be seen on the Legendary Planet as well.
Requiem was a central hub for all Forerunner forces and war efforts for thousands of years, from the conflict with [[prehistoric human civilization|ancient humanity]] to the end of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]].{{Ref/Reuse|h4guide}} Upon his recovery from the clutches of the [[Gravemind]] near the end of the conflict with the Flood, the now mentally unstable [[Ur-Didact]] returned and reassumed control of Requiem. In his vision, Requiem was to serve as a core of a new era of prosperity and power to the Forerunners through the defeat of the Flood and the subjugation of all their enemies. To this end, the Didact used the [[Composer]] to convert his loyal Warrior-Servants into powerful robotic [[Promethean Knight|Knights]]. Despite his grand plans, relatively few of his Warriors joined him: in addition to the Didact's flagship, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', only one [[Fortress-class vessel]], several [[Forerunner dreadnought|dreadnoughts]] and scrapped Builder vessels were present at Requiem during the endgame of the war.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=281}}


Speculation on just what the Legendary Planet is, its purpose, and even its location are varied. Whatever the case, it is clearly inhabited by something, or was at one time, and by the Forerunner symbols it seems to have at least been occupied by the Forerunners in the past. Although its purpose and identity are obscure, the planet is an elegant story device meant to keep the series open to future game titles or novels, and leaves the opportunity for the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Cortana]] to continue their adventures well into the future.
After the Ur-Didact used the Composer to enslave [[Omega Halo]]'s human population to use them to create more of his Knight constructs, the [[Librarian]] imprisoned the Didact in a [[Cryptum]] in the core of the shield world to stop him.{{Ref/Game|Id=h4terminals|H4|Detail=''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''}} The Librarian [[Mind transfer|uploaded]] a [[Librarian's Rest|personality impression]] of herself within Requiem's systems,{{Ref/Level|Id=Reclaimer|H4|[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]}} placing the [[Janus Key]] in the possession of this imprint.<ref name="Key">''Spartan Ops:'' ''[[S1/Key|S1E9 Key]]''</ref> The Librarian then departed Requiem and sealed the shield world off for the next 100,000 years.
{{Clear}}


==Theories==
===Rediscovery===
{{Conjecturalization}}
{{Main|Battle of Requiem|Requiem Campaign}}
===Shield World===
[[File:H4 SongOfRequiem.png|thumb|left|250px|Jul 'Mdama's ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' first arriving at Requiem.]]
Given the Legendary planet's clearly artificial appearance, it could be one of the many [[Shield World]]s constructed by the [[Forerunner]]s as safe havens to protect them from the [[Flood]] and the activation of the [[Halo Array]].
In [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]] and his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] discovered Requiem, using coordinates provided by Forerunner symbols. Over the next three years, his Covenant tried to enter the planet, without success.


One theory suggests that the common Forerunner symbol seen on the surface solely represents a Shield World, relying on the fact that the cover of ''Ghosts of Onyx'' bears this symbol and the book prominently features a Forerunner Shield World. However, the common symbol on the cover may simply reference to the fact that the story of the novel puts strong emphasis to the Forerunners. Furthermore, if the symbol only represented a Shield World, its common appearances on the Halo installations and the Ark would be unexplained. Also, all Shield Worlds seen so far are disguised as natural planets, whereas the Legendary Planet bears clear evidence of artificial Forerunner construction.
[[File:Planet 1.jpg|thumb|250px|The {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} entering Requiem via an access portal.]]
On [[2557#July|July 21, 2557]], the severed aft section of the {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, containing [[John-117]] and [[Cortana]], drifted near Requiem and were forcibly pulled inside an automated entrance portal on its surface, along with a number of ships from a [[Covenant remnants|Covenant remnant]] [[Covenant Fleet|fleet]] and later, the {{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}} {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>''[[Halo 4 E3 2012 Stage Demo]]''</ref> Inside, they encountered hostile [[Promethean]] forces that occupied the structure, and unwittingly released the Didact.<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/games/overview/halo4 ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Halo 4'']</ref> The humans battled their way through the world, destroying its [[Gravity well|gravity well generator]] so the ''Infinity'' could escape. The ''Infinity'' escaped from the shield world, and despite the best efforts of the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Cortana]], the Didact escaped as well to go after the [[Composer]], chased by the two in a [[Lich]]. Six months later, the ''Infinity'' returned to Requiem in order to establish research facilities to study the installation, facing both the local Prometheans and Jul's Covenant forces which still occupied the structure.{{Ref/Reuse|departure}}
{{Clear}}


===Forerunner Colony===
===Destruction===
Yet another theory is that it could be an abandoned Forerunner colony or planetoid-class ship, similar to [[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]. Throughout the [[Halo]] franchise, there have been a few mentions of the Forerunner colonies prior to the discovery and subsequent war with the [[Flood]], notably in the ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[Terminals]]. This theory provides an alternative to the Shield World theory, as well as explaining the planetoid, the Forerunner symbols, and providing an opening for sequels; however, if the Forerunners had indeed been living on this planet-like object, they would have been killed when the Halo array was fired (unless, like [[Installation 00|the Ark]], the planet is not located in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]], placing it outside of the effective range of the [[Halo Array]]).
{{Quote|We have what we came for. Initiate the evacuation. Whoever does not make it to a ship will die with Requiem.|Jul 'Mdama}}
[[File:Requiem destruction.png|thumb|250px|UNSC ''Infinity'' fleeing the flare emitted immediately after Requiem's collision with Epoloch.]]
In February [[2558]] Jul 'Mdama, believing to have obtained the [[Janus Key|artifact]] they sought, implemented a local [[Flood]] [[containment protocol]],<ref name="CatalogContainment">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2994218_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2994218 ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Catalog Interaction'' (post 2994218)]</ref> placing Requiem on a collision course with its parent star, Epoloch, in effect setting Requiem to [[self-destruct]]. With the ''Infinity'' anchored to the planet via a slipspace conduit generated by a [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|Forerunner artifact]] on board, Fireteams [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]] and [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]] were sent to deactivate two artifacts on Requiem that kept the ship anchored, while [[Henry Glassman]] deactivated the third one aboard the ''Infinity''. After many complications, both fireteams reached their objective and the ''Infinity'' was able to flee the planet,{{Ref/Reuse|Exodus}} seconds before Requiem was consumed by the sun, which went [[supernova]] immediately afterward due to a total failure of local plasma shell maintenance systems as well as Requiem's containment measures.{{Ref/Reuse|CatalogContainment}}
{{Clear}}


Another point supporting the theory is that there appear to be cities on the surface.
==Description==
===Structure===
[[File:Halo4-Cortana-RequiemCore.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Cortana]] observing the core of Requiem.]]
The most resilient shield installation built by the Forerunners, Requiem consisted of multiple concentric planetary shells enclosed within one another, sealed inside an enormous outer shell.{{Ref/Reuse|h4guide}} The outermost surface was an armored covering enveloping the second shell, which was oriented like that of a planet and housed the world's primary terrestrial environment. [[Core of Requiem|Requiem's core]] was located below this planetary surface, and had a surface reverse to that of the terrestrial exterior, similar to a miniaturized [[Dyson sphere|Dyson shell]].


Reading the [[Terminals]], an interesting phrase appears on [[Legendary]], that [[Mendicant Bias]], a Forerunner [[AI]] who defected to the [[Gravemind]] and was later defeated by [[Offensive Bias]], says directly to Chief, stating:
Requiem's outer surface was a thick metallic shell lacking a terraformed surface and covered in patterns and layers of machinery and overlapping armor plating hundreds of kilometers thick; the first 50 kilometers were to feature weapon emplacements by the thousands, but these plans were never realized due to the Didact's exile.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=282}} The surface was also covered in a number of lights; some of these formations took on geometric patterns, such as circular orientations or arrays of lines. Amongst its complement of luminous formations were two enormous symbols; the Eld, (which represents the [[Mantle]]), as well as the [[Reclaimer]] glyph. Unlike some shield worlds constructed later on, Requiem did evidently not possess shielding against the effects of the Halo Array; the Didact was only protected by the [[slipspace bubble]] generated by his [[Cryptum]].<ref name="Bulletin924">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-9-24-14 ''Halo Waypoint'' - ''The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14'']</ref>


:''"Atonement''.
[[File:H4-Req Map.png|thumb|300px|A holographic representation of Requiem.]]
:''And so here at the end of my life, I do once again betray a former master. The path ahead is fraught with peril. But I will do all I can to keep it stable - keep you safe. I'm not so foolish to think this will absolve me of my sins. One life hardly balances billions.''
The interior of the facility was unique relative to the other known shield worlds; rather than housing an artificial star at its center, surrounded by a habitable inner surface, the exterior shell housed additional layered shells, the outermost of which had an environment resembling a terrestrial planet. Another important feature was that immediately above the cloud layer of the protected second layer, the interior surface of the protective shell was visible. This was demonstrated by the sky being dominated by the machinery above it, with large, vertical structures reaching down to the surface below. Numerous small artificial stars provided illumination for Requiem's interior.{{Ref/Novel|Id=sil283|Sil|Page=283}}
:''But I would have my masters know that I have changed. ''
:''And you shall be my example." - Mendicant Bias''


The last line has caused fans to believe that Mendicant Bias had an intention of showing the Forerunners an example of his "atonement" who is the Master Chief. Knowing this many believe that the AI protected the Master Chief, and prevented a number of unseen events on the Ark and [[Installation 04B]] from affecting the Chief and his missions. Some have also theorized that he deviated the portal's course at the last moment before he was destroyed. Though no information supports this and it has been neither stated nor implied, it can be supported logically in that the Ark's Portal might have several possible entrance/exit points throughout space; the Forerunners adapted to the Flood with extensive redundancy in all systems and escape mechanisms, so it is possible that the Forerunners on the Ark established themselves at a different Portal destination, possibly one of many, and Mendicant Bias shifted to this destination when the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was halfway through, thus severing the ship and dropping the Master Chief's half near the colony.
The innermost miniature Dyson shell housed the core of Requiem, which was where the Didact's Cryptum was situated. The platform which housed the Cryptum was suspended in the very center of the sphere and was protected by a shield emitted by two adjacent pylons located on opposing sides on the surface of the inner sphere. Two enormous energy conduits perpendicular to one another ran between the pylons across the entire inner surface. The surface in the inner shell mostly consisted of rocky desert landscape dense with prominent arrangements of light indicating the presence of large-scale structures.


===Forerunner Homeworld===
===Features===
Another possible identity is that the planet is the Forerunner homeworld, since the Forerunners would doubtlessly have wanted one of their ships to get to the homeworld safely if something similar happened to a Forerunner vessel as did Cortana and the Chief.
[[File:Requiem.png|thumb|left|300px|A general view of Requiem.]]
A readily seen feature of this construct is that it harbored a number of large circular entrance portals, with iris-type opening mechanisms. When opened, a vibrant, blue-white light could be seen emanating from the interior. These portals featured the ability to generate artificial [[Gravity well (physics)|gravity well]], drawing in objects in the immediate vicinity if the presence of [[Reclaimer]] is detected. These gravity wells were powered by generator complexes situated somewhere on the inner planetary shell.{{Ref/Reuse|Reclaimer}}


It strongly suggested in the ''[[Halo Legends]]'' episode "[[Origins]]" that the [[Unidentified Forerunner Planet]], a Forerunner colony, is indeed the Legendary Planet. Hints include what looks like the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' drifting towards the planet, and [[Installation 00]] orbiting a rocky, brown moon, which in turn is orbiting the planet in question.
The next known aspect of this facility is that it possessed fully active and functioning technology, unlike other Forerunner sites, which have largely been abandoned and dormant,<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD429ZWcQ_w ''YouTube'': ''Halo Fest: Halo 4 Panel'']</ref> with the exception of [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]]. Examples of such active technology included enormous spires suspended in the air without visible support and structures capable of shifting and reconfiguring themselves, extensive use of sophisticated [[hard light]] construction to create structural elements, or the Prometheans' various weapon and equipment caches found across the shield world.
===Reach===
The last theory is that the planet is, in fact, the planet [[Reach]]. Other evidence that supports this is that the lake seen on Reach is similar to the symbol that can be seen on the planet, which would be a dry lake bed from the planet being glassed. Since Reach was glassed, not destroyed, it is safe to assume that the planet could be Reach. The very last bit of information that points towards the legendary planet being Reach is in fact the last level, is one of the section names. Full circle, indicates that every thing is coming to an end, where it all began. The first game began with Master Chief in a cryo chamber, and it is known that they had left from Reach, and Halo 3 ended with Master Chief climbing into a cryo chamber, with the back half of the ship heading towards a planet that bears resemblance to Reach. Also, [[Halo: First Strike]] reveals that there are extensive forerunner structures underneath Reach's surface. This means that the entire planet could be honeycombed with forerunner structures, and since the planets surface was burned away they are now visible.


==Location==
Designed to wage continuous war for eons if necessary, Requiem was completely self-sustaining. It was orbited by seven captured planetoids, covered in ice, which could be strip-mined for resources, allowing its occupants to survive and carry out their campaigns potentially for millions of years. Like most Forerunner technology, Requiem drew its power from [[vacuum energy]], with pylons across the structure tapping into numerous nascent alternate universes and draining them of energy.{{Ref/Reuse|sil278}} Large regions of the terrestrial interior were kept dormant, with the landscape covered in mineral-rich ice, to be melted down to create more refuges for Forerunners and other species in the event of an extended campaign.{{Ref/Reuse|sil283}}
Even the location of the planet is a mystery. Some believe that it is located relatively close to the Ark, basing this theory off of the nebulous clouds seen around and behind the Ark and the portal also being seen multiple times in the ending sequence. However, some suspect the “portal” to be the [[Iris Nebula]] instead, located well within the galaxy, though extremely distant from UNSC or Covenant territory. Normally, the space around and between galaxies is devoid of almost all matter, with [[Installation 00]] being the sole known exception. Whether the vessel was left relatively close to the Ark, or the back half of the frigate managed to fit into the portal and get thrown out at a random destination is unknown.


The latter theory brings into question how Cortana knew that the firing "did a number on the Ark"; however, Cortana was present to witness [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]]'s claim that the premature activation of [[Installation 04B]] would destroy the Ark, explaining this knowledge. The first theory, however, brings with it the question of how the Master Chief survived the Halo's firing sequence. Some have noted that the ring was incomplete when it was fired, yet it has been confirmed that the activation worked as it was intended to and completely eradicated the Flood infestation; this effectively renders the theory that the planet is adjacent to the Ark impossible, as there is no possible way that the Master Chief could have survived the ring's activation if he had been close by.
For travel between the layers and various locations, Requiem used [[Teleportation grid#Requiem|teleportation portals]] that could transport anyone who used them to different locations on the shield world. Due to her experience and expertise with Forerunner technology, the [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Cortana]] was capable of controlling these portals. The Prometheans that occupied Requiem were capable of generating portals and translocating across the shield world.


Others believe that when the frigate managed to get halfway through the portal, it was not simply dumped out at a random location, but a planned fail-safe area. This theory is possible - even likely, given the incredibly low probability that, out of every other location in the entire galaxy that the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' could have possibly been sent (assuming that the Legendary Planet is even located within the Milky Way Galaxy), the aft section of the frigate would simply ''happen'' to end up directly next to a prominent Forerunner construct - as the [[Forerunners]] may have designed a secondary safe haven to be used after a [[Halo Array|Halo]] activation (the primary location being the Ark). The planet may have been a safe haven in case the Ark was contaminated, destroyed, or unreachable. As mentioned above, it is also possible that the fail-safe location is the Forerunner homeworld itself.
==Locations==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Apex]]
*[[Control]]
*[[Copernicus Base]]
*[[Core of Requiem|Core]]
*[[Cyclone]]
*[[Fortress (location)|Fortress]]
*Requiem's largest continent
**[[Galileo Base]]
*[[Great Anvils]]
*[[Harvester (location)|Harvester]]
*[[Haven]]
*[[Lockup]]
*[[Quarry]]
*[[Ravine]]
{{Col-2}}
*[[REQ-153-N]]
*[[REQ-626-C]]
*[[REQ-814-D]]
*[[REQ-815-A]]
*[[REQ-822-D]]
*[[REQ-931-B]]
*[[The Cauldron]]
**[[Magma Base]]
*[[The Gate]]
*[[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]]
*[[Two Giants]]
*[[Vale Citadel]] (also known as "Librarian's Rest")
**[[Sniper Alley (location)|Sniper Alley]]
*[[Warrens]]
{{Col-end}}


{{Conjecturalization End}}
==Production notes==
== Gallery ==
{{Quote|Requiem needed to be impactful; it needed to take the player back to the epic mystery and nostalgia of exploring the first ''Halo'' video game a decade ago. Making weird and alien spaces is not terribly challenging. Keeping them from falling into abstraction or failing to be believable is. Keeping the player invested and finding those keys to keeping him or her immersed was our goal.|[[Kenneth Scott]]{{Ref/Book|AoH4|Page=22}}}}
 
Early concept art for ''Halo 4'' display a decidedly different concept for Requiem's entry portal than the final incarnation. Whereas in the game the entrance opens directly to the inner planetary shell underneath, several works of concept art depict the interior of the opening as a cavernous, structured space which appears to lack gravity.
 
Prior to ''[[Halo 4]]'', Requiem was known among fans as the ''Legendary Planet'', referring to the planet's first appearance in ''Halo 3's'' Legendary difficulty-exclusive ending. Requiem also appears in a small image in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', where it is shown to have a reddish-orange color on a small illuminated section.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=279}} The planet appears again in the [[Awakening|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]], where the aft half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is seen being pulled into a massive, iris-like opening on its surface.<ref>[[Awakening|''Halo 4'' Announcement Trailer]]</ref><ref>[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2011-halo-4/714846 ''GameTrailers'': ''E3 2011: Halo Returns Interview (Stream) HD'']</ref> The planet was finally identified as "Requiem" in the May 2012 issue of the ''GameInformer'' magazine.<ref name="gameinformer">''Game Informer'' ''(May 2012)'', ''page 44-45''</ref>
 
According to [[Brian Reed]], the lead writer of ''Spartan Ops'', Requiem is the largest Forerunner construct in history, though this is far from accurate:<ref>[http://youtu.be/A3KLtf8DzCU ''Youtube'' ''Halo 4: A Hero Awakens Behind the Scenes'']</ref> With a diameter of 10,787 kilometers,{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}} Requiem is dwarfed by several Forerunner constructs, such as the [[Capital]] (~ 100,000&nbsp;km), [[Installation 00]] (127,530&nbsp;km), and especially [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]] (~ 300,000,000&nbsp;km).
 
Requiem being pulled into its star was originally suggested as a joke by [[Frank O'Connor]] during a brainstorming session on the ending of the first season of ''[[Spartan Ops]]''.<ref name="Bulletin">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/02/27/The-Halo-Bulletin-22713.aspx ''Waypoint'': ''The Halo Bulletin: 02.27.13'']</ref>
 
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Requiem}}
*A [[Wikipedia:requiem|requiem]] is a Catholic mass dedicated to the souls of the deceased, often celebrated at funerals.
*"Requiem" comes from the Latin word requiem, which means rest (A reference to the [[Ur-Didact]]).
*Many [[Huragok]] know that Requiem is home to the Didact. However, they do not know its location as a security measure. {{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=115}}
*An image of Requiem is used to advertise an in-universe film titled ''Dark Planetoid Rising'' on the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s [[bulletin board]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
*Requiem is designated as "43121124" by the holographic terminal displaying the ''Dawn''{{'}}s predicted drift course.{{Ref/Level|Id=Dawn|H4|[[Dawn]]}}
*''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' and the shield world's in-game appearance in ''Halo 4'' seem to indicate that Requiem has only one entry portal, referred to as the "maw corridor" in the visual guide.{{Ref/Reuse|DK H4TEVG}} Despite this, the ''Halo 4'' terminals and ''Halo: Silentium'' portray Requiem as having a number of access corridors.{{Ref/Novel|Id=s281|Sil|Page=281}} It is possible that the other portals were sealed off with Requiem when the Didact was placed into stasis, likely as a safeguard against the Halos' activation.
 
==Gallery==
===Exterior===
<gallery>
File:Legendary Planet.jpg|The aft half of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' approaches Requiem.
File:130ld_forerunner_planet_illum.png|An enhanced view of the surface of Requiem in ''Halo 3''.
File:Overlayed.png|A view of Requiem in ''Halo 3'' with added illumination.
File:H3 - Requiem clear.jpg|Original "Epilogue planet" concept art for ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Requiem Symbols.png|Symbols seen on Requiem's surface including the [[Eld]] and the [[Seventh Column]].
File:Halo 4 splash.JPG|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' approaching Requiem in a teaser image for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4_-_Requiem_portals.jpg|Requiem's entrance portals closing off near the end of the Forerunner-Flood war.
File:Commissioning-Requiem.jpg|[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Andrew Del Rio]] observes Requiem from the bridge of the UNSC ''Infinity''.
File:Planet_1.jpg|The ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' being pulled into Requiem in the ''Halo 4'' announcement trailer.
File:H4 campaign dawn.jpeg|The ''Dawn'' and the Covenant remnant fleet in orbit around Requiem.
File:H4 RequiemOpens.png|Requiem's gateway opens.
File:Requiem colliding with her sun.png|Requiem colliding with Epoloch.
File:H4 - Requiem Portal.png|Requiem entry portal.
File:H4-SpOps-Invasion RequiemEntrance.png|The wreckage of a [[Strident-class heavy frigate|''Strident''-class heavy frigate]] outside Requiem's entry portal.
File:H4 - Map of Requiem.png|A map of Requiem.
File:H4 - Requiem Map.png|Another view of the map of Requiem.
File:H4 - Requiem's Map.png|Spartans view a map of Requiem.
</gallery>
 
===Interior===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Snapshot 2008-02-24 18-42-09.JPG|Close up view of Marathon Symbol on the planet.
File:HTMCC-H4 Requiem Core.png|The core of Requiem.
File:Symbolonghostsofonyx.jpg|The common Forerunner symbol seen on the Legendary Planet, as it is seen on the cover of Ghosts of Onyx.
File:H4-Terminal-LastCity.jpg|The Prometheans' command center within Requiem.
File:Shieldworldsymbol.jpg|The Forerunner symbol that has been seen in certain areas around the Halo series, and most recently, seen on the Legendary Planet.
File:H4-Requiem-Environment.jpg|A rocky valley on Requiem.
File:Shieldworldsymbolonplanet.jpg|The Legendary Planet with the symbol brightened.
File:HTMCC-H4 Req Terminus.png|The Terminus.
File:Planet.jpg|The Legendary Planet with the sunlight at its brightest. A mechanical surface is clearly visible.
File:H4-Forerunner-Pylon-1.jpg|The first pylon in the core of Requiem.
File:Overlayed.png|Photo of the unknown planet zoomed in. The Seventh Column and several other symbols are clearly visible on it.
File:H4-Forerunner-Pylon-2.jpg|The second pylon in the core of Requiem.
File:130ld_forerunner_planet_illum.png|An up-close image of the unknown planet. When one looks hard enough, they can see the Seventh Column symbol.
HTMCC-H4 ChiefRequiem.jpg|John-117 looking out to the spires inside Requiem.
File:H4-E3-Campaign-4.jpg|The UNSC ''Infinity'' crashing down on Requiem.
File:H4-E3-Campaign-6.jpg|John-117 observes Jul's Covenant forces approach the crash site of the ''Infinity''.
File:H4-E3-Campaign-1.jpg|A dense jungle on Requiem.
File:H4-Shutdown-Environment.jpg|A cityscape of inverted spires, connected to Requiem's inner ceiling.
File:H4-SpartanOps-7.jpg|A lava stream in the location codenamed "[[The Cauldron]]".
File:Unknown Icy Forerunner Site.jpg|The icy location codenamed "[[Fortress (location)|Fortress]]" on the primary shell of Requiem.
File:SO EP6 CH1 Escape Plan.png|The location codenamed "[[Lockup]]".
File:SO EP6 CH2 All the Secrets.png|The Forerunner structure codenamed "[[Control]]".
File:H4-SO-S1E10-Apex-03.jpg|The location codenamed "[[Apex]]".
File:H4 Vortex.jpg|The caved location codenamed "[[Cyclone]]".
File:SO-EP2-CH1.png|The Forerunner structure codenamed "[[The Gate]]".
File:SO-EP1-CH4.png|The location codenamed "[[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]]".
File:H4 Ragnarok-1.jpg|The location codenamed "[[Two Giants]]".
File:SO EP6 Ch3 Need to Know.png|The caved location codenamed "[[Warrens]]".
File:SO EP6 CH5 Switchback.png|The location codenamed "[[Harvester (location)|Harvester]]".
File:EP10 CH5 Try It Again.png|A caved location below "Harvester".
File:SO-EP1-CH2.png|The desert location codenamed "[[Sniper Alley]]".
File:H4 Forge Island-1.jpg|The location codenamed "[[Forge Island|Great Anvils]]".
File:SO-EP1-CH1.png|The desert location codenamed "[[Quarry]]".
File:RavineInfoBox.png|The Forerunner structure codenamed "[[Ravine]]".
File:H4-Wraparound-1.jpg|A solar power facility codenamed "[[Haven]]".
File:H4 Complex.jpg|The UNSC base named "[[Galileo Base|Galileo]]".
File:Unidentified Forerunner location in Requiem.jpg|An unidentified location, likely near Apex or Lockup.
File:HM-Requiem Campaign.jpg|Requiem in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:H4 EarlyRequiemSketch Concept 1.jpg|One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early ''Halo 4'' development in 2009.
File:H4 EarlyRequiemSketch Concept 2.jpg|One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early ''Halo 4'' development in 2009.
File:H4 EarlyRequiemSketch Concept 3.jpg|One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early ''Halo 4'' development in 2009.
File:H4 RequiemShell Explorations Concept 1.jpg|Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.
File:H4 RequiemShell Explorations Concept 2.jpg|Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.
File:H4 Pillar Concept.jpg|Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4_Tunnel_Concept.jpg|Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4_Techsplore_Concept_1.jpg|Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4_Techsplore_Concept_2.jpg|Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4-DaveBolton RequiemFloraConcept1.jpg|Concepts of Requiem's native flora.
File:Halo 4 Dave Bolton 19b.jpg|More flora concepts.
File:Halo 4 Dave Bolton 20b.jpg|More flora concepts.
File:H4 RequiemCathedralBridge Concept.jpg|Concept art of a cathedral.
File:H4-Concept-Requiem.jpg|The shield world Requiem.
File:H4-Concept-Requiem-Entrance.jpg|The portal entrance to Requiem.
File:H4-Concept-Requiem-Surface.jpg|Requiem's outer surface.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Approach.jpg|Early concept art of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' approaching Requiem.
File:H4_Iris_Concept_1.jpg|The ''Dawn'' entering Requiem's interior.
File:H4_Iris_Concept_3.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s debris field floating near Requiem.
File:Halo4conceptart6.jpg|Early concept art of Requiem with floating boulders.
File:H4 RequiemRocks Concept.jpg|Concept art of Requiem's rocks.
File:H4 Concept ForerunnerArchitecture1.jpg|Concept art of Forerunner architecture on Requiem.
File:H4 Concept ForerunnerArchitecture2.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 Concept ForerunnerArchitecture3.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 Concept ForerunnerArchitecture4.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerBuilding Concept.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerTower Exploration Concept 1.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerTower Exploration Concept 2.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerTower Exploration Concept 3.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerTower Exploration Concept 4.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyForerunnerTower Exploration Concept 5.jpg|More concept art of Forerunner architecture.
File:H4 EarlyEnvironment Concept.jpg|Early pre-production concept art for ''Halo 4''{{'}}s environments, presumably one on Requiem.
File:H4-Concept-Requiem-Interior.jpg|Massive Forerunner constructs inside Requiem.
File:H4_RequiemSpires_Concept_3.jpg|Finalized concept art of Requiem's interior.
File:H4-Concept-Requiem-Cavern.jpg|Another exposed cavern on Requiem.
File:H4-Concept-Spire-Early.jpg|Early concept art of the shield world's ubiquitous spires.
File:H4 concept forerunner trees.jpg|A Forerunner structure among rampant trees.
File:H4 Requiem hallway.jpg|A hallway in a Forerunner structure.
File:Halo4 Requiem jungle concept-art.jpg|A jungle on Requiem.
File:H4 Requiem jungle concept.jpg|Another jungle on Requiem.
File:H4 EnergyBeam Platform Concept 1.jpg|Concept art of an energy beam.
File:H4 EnergyBeam Platform Concept 2.jpg|Concept art of an energy beam.
File:H4-DaveBolton RequiemLandscape1.jpg|Concept art of a Requiem landscape.
File:H4-DaveBolton RequiemLandscape2.jpg|Concept art of a Requiem landscape.
File:H4-DaveBolton RequiemLandscape3.jpg|Concept art of a Requiem landscape.
</gallery>
===Renders===
<gallery>
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora1.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora2.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora3.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora4.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora5.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi1.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi2.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi3.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi4.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi5.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi6.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi7.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi8.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi9.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest1.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest2.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest3.jpg
File:H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest4.jpg
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' {{C|Poster only}}
*''[[The Commissioning]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Scanned]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Silentium]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Trial of Reckoning]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''
*''[[Halo: The Machine Breaks]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
[[Category:Places]]
 
[[Category:The Forerunner]]
{{Forerunner|array}}
[[Category:Shield worlds]]
[[Category:Requiem locations| ]]

Latest revision as of 15:52, October 29, 2024

This article is about the Forerunner shield world. For other uses, see Requiem (disambiguation).
Requiem
Concept art of the entrance to Requiem.
General overview

Description:

A series of concentric spherical shells enclosed within an armored exterior

Location:

Epoloch system[1]

Satellites:

7[2]

Operation overview

Type:

Shield world

Function:

Promethean operations hub

Date of construction:

Before 107,445 BCE[3]

Date of destruction:

February 2558

Structural information

Diameter:

10,787 kilometers (6,703 mi)[1]

Gravity:

0.987 G[1]

Surface temperature:

-38°C to 71°C (-36°F to 159°F)[1]

Atmospheric composition:

1.2 (N2, O2, Ar)[1]

 

"The scale and brilliance of the Didact's strategic plan now appears more like the tomb of all hope—certainly of all my hopes. A dream we had both shared is little more than a repository for a Promethean long since chewed up and cast aside by history, by force of his enemies, human and Forerunner—and by the dire influence of the Flood. And yet, this enormous construct, nothing less than a completely artificial world, this bastion designed for endless war, still impresses in a way that a Halo cannot."
— The Librarian reflects on Requiem near the close of the Flood conflict[4]

Requiem, formally designated by its Forerunner creators as Shield World 0001,[1] was a Forerunner shield world located in the Epoloch system.[1] It once served as the central base of operations for the Prometheans, an elite class of Warrior-Servants, for thousands of years until the end of the Forerunner-Flood war. It remained sealed off for a hundred millennia since the end of the war,[5] and became the site of major events as UNSC and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces stumbled upon it in 2557. The UNSC Infinity returned to Requiem in early 2558, resulting in a protracted battle between the UNSC and the occupying Promethean-Jul's Covenant alliance.[6] Requiem itself was destroyed at the conclusion of this campaign by Jul 'Mdama.[7]

History[edit]

Ancient history[edit]

The Didact and the Librarian in Requiem's command center.
The Didact and the Librarian in Requiem's war room.

Built as the template for the Didact's shield world defensive strategy, Requiem was constructed long before the human-Forerunner wars to serve as a fortress world for the Warrior-Servants' Promethean class. As with the shield worlds which would follow, Requiem's true capabilities were kept as secret as possible from the other rates; although its components were constructed by the Builders, the process was compartmentalized in a way that only the Prometheans would be fully informed of its ultimate configuration.[8]

Requiem was a central hub for all Forerunner forces and war efforts for thousands of years, from the conflict with ancient humanity to the end of the Forerunner-Flood war.[5] Upon his recovery from the clutches of the Gravemind near the end of the conflict with the Flood, the now mentally unstable Ur-Didact returned and reassumed control of Requiem. In his vision, Requiem was to serve as a core of a new era of prosperity and power to the Forerunners through the defeat of the Flood and the subjugation of all their enemies. To this end, the Didact used the Composer to convert his loyal Warrior-Servants into powerful robotic Knights. Despite his grand plans, relatively few of his Warriors joined him: in addition to the Didact's flagship, Mantle's Approach, only one Fortress-class vessel, several dreadnoughts and scrapped Builder vessels were present at Requiem during the endgame of the war.[9]

After the Ur-Didact used the Composer to enslave Omega Halo's human population to use them to create more of his Knight constructs, the Librarian imprisoned the Didact in a Cryptum in the core of the shield world to stop him.[3] The Librarian uploaded a personality impression of herself within Requiem's systems,[10] placing the Janus Key in the possession of this imprint.[11] The Librarian then departed Requiem and sealed the shield world off for the next 100,000 years.

Rediscovery[edit]

Main articles: Battle of Requiem, Requiem Campaign
The Song of Retribution approaching Requiem in Halo 4's terminals.
Jul 'Mdama's Song of Retribution first arriving at Requiem.

In 2554, Jul 'Mdama and his Covenant discovered Requiem, using coordinates provided by Forerunner symbols. Over the next three years, his Covenant tried to enter the planet, without success.

The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn entering Requiem via an access portal.

On July 21, 2557, the severed aft section of the Charon-class light frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, containing John-117 and Cortana, drifted near Requiem and were forcibly pulled inside an automated entrance portal on its surface, along with a number of ships from a Covenant remnant fleet and later, the Infinity-class supercarrier UNSC Infinity.[12] Inside, they encountered hostile Promethean forces that occupied the structure, and unwittingly released the Didact.[13] The humans battled their way through the world, destroying its gravity well generator so the Infinity could escape. The Infinity escaped from the shield world, and despite the best efforts of the Master Chief and Cortana, the Didact escaped as well to go after the Composer, chased by the two in a Lich. Six months later, the Infinity returned to Requiem in order to establish research facilities to study the installation, facing both the local Prometheans and Jul's Covenant forces which still occupied the structure.[6]

Destruction[edit]

"We have what we came for. Initiate the evacuation. Whoever does not make it to a ship will die with Requiem."
— Jul 'Mdama
UNSC Infinity fleeing the flare emitted immediately after Requiem's collision with Epoloch.

In February 2558 Jul 'Mdama, believing to have obtained the artifact they sought, implemented a local Flood containment protocol,[14] placing Requiem on a collision course with its parent star, Epoloch, in effect setting Requiem to self-destruct. With the Infinity anchored to the planet via a slipspace conduit generated by a Forerunner artifact on board, Fireteams Majestic and Crimson were sent to deactivate two artifacts on Requiem that kept the ship anchored, while Henry Glassman deactivated the third one aboard the Infinity. After many complications, both fireteams reached their objective and the Infinity was able to flee the planet,[7] seconds before Requiem was consumed by the sun, which went supernova immediately afterward due to a total failure of local plasma shell maintenance systems as well as Requiem's containment measures.[14]

Description[edit]

Structure[edit]

Cortana observing the core of Requiem.

The most resilient shield installation built by the Forerunners, Requiem consisted of multiple concentric planetary shells enclosed within one another, sealed inside an enormous outer shell.[5] The outermost surface was an armored covering enveloping the second shell, which was oriented like that of a planet and housed the world's primary terrestrial environment. Requiem's core was located below this planetary surface, and had a surface reverse to that of the terrestrial exterior, similar to a miniaturized Dyson shell.

Requiem's outer surface was a thick metallic shell lacking a terraformed surface and covered in patterns and layers of machinery and overlapping armor plating hundreds of kilometers thick; the first 50 kilometers were to feature weapon emplacements by the thousands, but these plans were never realized due to the Didact's exile.[15] The surface was also covered in a number of lights; some of these formations took on geometric patterns, such as circular orientations or arrays of lines. Amongst its complement of luminous formations were two enormous symbols; the Eld, (which represents the Mantle), as well as the Reclaimer glyph. Unlike some shield worlds constructed later on, Requiem did evidently not possess shielding against the effects of the Halo Array; the Didact was only protected by the slipspace bubble generated by his Cryptum.[16]

A holographic representation of Requiem.

The interior of the facility was unique relative to the other known shield worlds; rather than housing an artificial star at its center, surrounded by a habitable inner surface, the exterior shell housed additional layered shells, the outermost of which had an environment resembling a terrestrial planet. Another important feature was that immediately above the cloud layer of the protected second layer, the interior surface of the protective shell was visible. This was demonstrated by the sky being dominated by the machinery above it, with large, vertical structures reaching down to the surface below. Numerous small artificial stars provided illumination for Requiem's interior.[17]

The innermost miniature Dyson shell housed the core of Requiem, which was where the Didact's Cryptum was situated. The platform which housed the Cryptum was suspended in the very center of the sphere and was protected by a shield emitted by two adjacent pylons located on opposing sides on the surface of the inner sphere. Two enormous energy conduits perpendicular to one another ran between the pylons across the entire inner surface. The surface in the inner shell mostly consisted of rocky desert landscape dense with prominent arrangements of light indicating the presence of large-scale structures.

Features[edit]

Artwork of Requiem.
A general view of Requiem.

A readily seen feature of this construct is that it harbored a number of large circular entrance portals, with iris-type opening mechanisms. When opened, a vibrant, blue-white light could be seen emanating from the interior. These portals featured the ability to generate artificial gravity well, drawing in objects in the immediate vicinity if the presence of Reclaimer is detected. These gravity wells were powered by generator complexes situated somewhere on the inner planetary shell.[10]

The next known aspect of this facility is that it possessed fully active and functioning technology, unlike other Forerunner sites, which have largely been abandoned and dormant,[18] with the exception of Shield World 006. Examples of such active technology included enormous spires suspended in the air without visible support and structures capable of shifting and reconfiguring themselves, extensive use of sophisticated hard light construction to create structural elements, or the Prometheans' various weapon and equipment caches found across the shield world.

Designed to wage continuous war for eons if necessary, Requiem was completely self-sustaining. It was orbited by seven captured planetoids, covered in ice, which could be strip-mined for resources, allowing its occupants to survive and carry out their campaigns potentially for millions of years. Like most Forerunner technology, Requiem drew its power from vacuum energy, with pylons across the structure tapping into numerous nascent alternate universes and draining them of energy.[2] Large regions of the terrestrial interior were kept dormant, with the landscape covered in mineral-rich ice, to be melted down to create more refuges for Forerunners and other species in the event of an extended campaign.[17]

For travel between the layers and various locations, Requiem used teleportation portals that could transport anyone who used them to different locations on the shield world. Due to her experience and expertise with Forerunner technology, the AI Cortana was capable of controlling these portals. The Prometheans that occupied Requiem were capable of generating portals and translocating across the shield world.

Locations[edit]

Production notes[edit]

"Requiem needed to be impactful; it needed to take the player back to the epic mystery and nostalgia of exploring the first Halo video game a decade ago. Making weird and alien spaces is not terribly challenging. Keeping them from falling into abstraction or failing to be believable is. Keeping the player invested and finding those keys to keeping him or her immersed was our goal."
— Kenneth Scott[19]

Early concept art for Halo 4 display a decidedly different concept for Requiem's entry portal than the final incarnation. Whereas in the game the entrance opens directly to the inner planetary shell underneath, several works of concept art depict the interior of the opening as a cavernous, structured space which appears to lack gravity.

Prior to Halo 4, Requiem was known among fans as the Legendary Planet, referring to the planet's first appearance in Halo 3's Legendary difficulty-exclusive ending. Requiem also appears in a small image in the Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), where it is shown to have a reddish-orange color on a small illuminated section.[20] The planet appears again in the Halo 4 announcement trailer, where the aft half of the Forward Unto Dawn is seen being pulled into a massive, iris-like opening on its surface.[21][22] The planet was finally identified as "Requiem" in the May 2012 issue of the GameInformer magazine.[23]

According to Brian Reed, the lead writer of Spartan Ops, Requiem is the largest Forerunner construct in history, though this is far from accurate:[24] With a diameter of 10,787 kilometers,[1] Requiem is dwarfed by several Forerunner constructs, such as the Capital (~ 100,000 km), Installation 00 (127,530 km), and especially Shield World 006 (~ 300,000,000 km).

Requiem being pulled into its star was originally suggested as a joke by Frank O'Connor during a brainstorming session on the ending of the first season of Spartan Ops.[25]

Trivia[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • A requiem is a Catholic mass dedicated to the souls of the deceased, often celebrated at funerals.
  • "Requiem" comes from the Latin word requiem, which means rest (A reference to the Ur-Didact).
  • Many Huragok know that Requiem is home to the Didact. However, they do not know its location as a security measure. [26]
  • An image of Requiem is used to advertise an in-universe film titled Dark Planetoid Rising on the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's bulletin board in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
  • Requiem is designated as "43121124" by the holographic terminal displaying the Dawn's predicted drift course.[27]
  • Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide and the shield world's in-game appearance in Halo 4 seem to indicate that Requiem has only one entry portal, referred to as the "maw corridor" in the visual guide.[1] Despite this, the Halo 4 terminals and Halo: Silentium portray Requiem as having a number of access corridors.[28] It is possible that the other portals were sealed off with Requiem when the Didact was placed into stasis, likely as a safeguard against the Halos' activation.

Gallery[edit]

Exterior[edit]

  • The aft half of the Forward Unto Dawn approaches Requiem.

    The aft half of the Forward Unto Dawn approaches Requiem.

  • An enhanced view of the surface of Requiem in Halo 3.

    An enhanced view of the surface of Requiem in Halo 3.

  • A view of Requiem in Halo 3 with added illumination.

    A view of Requiem in Halo 3 with added illumination.

  • Original "Epilogue planet" concept art for Halo 3.

    Original "Epilogue planet" concept art for Halo 3.

  • Symbols seen on Requiem's surface including the Eld and the Seventh Column.

    Symbols seen on Requiem's surface including the Eld and the Seventh Column.

  • The Forward Unto Dawn approaching Requiem in a teaser image for Halo 4.

    The Forward Unto Dawn approaching Requiem in a teaser image for Halo 4.

  • Requiem's entrance portals closing off near the end of the Forerunner-Flood war.

    Requiem's entrance portals closing off near the end of the Forerunner-Flood war.

  • Captain Andrew Del Rio observes Requiem from the bridge of the UNSC Infinity.

    Captain Andrew Del Rio observes Requiem from the bridge of the UNSC Infinity.

  • The Forward Unto Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

    The Forward Unto Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

  • The Dawn and the Covenant remnant fleet in orbit around Requiem.

    The Dawn and the Covenant remnant fleet in orbit around Requiem.

  • Requiem's gateway opens.

    Requiem's gateway opens.

  • Requiem colliding with Epoloch.

    Requiem colliding with Epoloch.

  • Requiem entry portal.

    Requiem entry portal.

  • The wreckage of a Strident-class heavy frigate outside Requiem's entry portal.

    The wreckage of a Strident-class heavy frigate outside Requiem's entry portal.

  • A map of Requiem.

    A map of Requiem.

  • Another view of the map of Requiem.

    Another view of the map of Requiem.

  • Spartans view a map of Requiem.

    Spartans view a map of Requiem.

Interior[edit]

  • The core of Requiem.

    The core of Requiem.

  • The Prometheans' command center within Requiem.

    The Prometheans' command center within Requiem.

  • A rocky valley on Requiem.

    A rocky valley on Requiem.

  • The Terminus.

    The Terminus.

  • The first pylon in the core of Requiem.

    The first pylon in the core of Requiem.

  • The second pylon in the core of Requiem.

    The second pylon in the core of Requiem.

  • John-117 looking out to the spires inside Requiem.

    John-117 looking out to the spires inside Requiem.

  • The UNSC Infinity crashing down on Requiem.

    The UNSC Infinity crashing down on Requiem.

  • John-117 observes Jul's Covenant forces approach the crash site of the Infinity.

    John-117 observes Jul's Covenant forces approach the crash site of the Infinity.

  • A dense jungle on Requiem.

    A dense jungle on Requiem.

  • A cityscape of inverted spires, connected to Requiem's inner ceiling.

    A cityscape of inverted spires, connected to Requiem's inner ceiling.

  • A lava stream in the location codenamed "The Cauldron".

    A lava stream in the location codenamed "The Cauldron".

  • The icy location codenamed "Fortress" on the primary shell of Requiem.

    The icy location codenamed "Fortress" on the primary shell of Requiem.

  • The location codenamed "Lockup".

    The location codenamed "Lockup".

  • The Forerunner structure codenamed "Control".

    The Forerunner structure codenamed "Control".

  • The location codenamed "Apex".

    The location codenamed "Apex".

  • The caved location codenamed "Cyclone".

    The caved location codenamed "Cyclone".

  • The Forerunner structure codenamed "The Gate".

    The Forerunner structure codenamed "The Gate".

  • The location codenamed "The Refuge".

    The location codenamed "The Refuge".

  • The location codenamed "Two Giants".

    The location codenamed "Two Giants".

  • The caved location codenamed "Warrens".

    The caved location codenamed "Warrens".

  • The location codenamed "Harvester".

    The location codenamed "Harvester".

  • A caved location below "Harvester".

    A caved location below "Harvester".

  • The desert location codenamed "Sniper Alley".

    The desert location codenamed "Sniper Alley".

  • The location codenamed "Great Anvils".

    The location codenamed "Great Anvils".

  • The desert location codenamed "Quarry".

    The desert location codenamed "Quarry".

  • The Forerunner structure codenamed "Ravine".

    The Forerunner structure codenamed "Ravine".

  • A solar power facility codenamed "Haven".

    A solar power facility codenamed "Haven".

  • The UNSC base named "Galileo".

    The UNSC base named "Galileo".

  • An unidentified location, likely near Apex or Lockup.

    An unidentified location, likely near Apex or Lockup.

  • Requiem in Halo Mythos.

    Requiem in Halo Mythos.

Concept art[edit]

  • One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

    One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

  • One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

    One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

  • One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

    One of the earliest concept sketches done for Requiem in early Halo 4 development in 2009.

  • Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.

    Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.

  • Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.

    Exploratory concept art for Requiem's exterior shell.

  • Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    Exploratory concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • Concepts of Requiem's native flora.

    Concepts of Requiem's native flora.

  • More flora concepts.

    More flora concepts.

  • More flora concepts.

    More flora concepts.

  • Concept art of a cathedral.

    Concept art of a cathedral.

  • The shield world Requiem.

    The shield world Requiem.

  • The portal entrance to Requiem.

    The portal entrance to Requiem.

  • Requiem's outer surface.

    Requiem's outer surface.

  • Early concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn approaching Requiem.

    Early concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn approaching Requiem.

  • The Dawn entering Requiem's interior.

    The Dawn entering Requiem's interior.

  • The Dawn's debris field floating near Requiem.

    The Dawn's debris field floating near Requiem.

  • Early concept art of Requiem with floating boulders.

    Early concept art of Requiem with floating boulders.

  • Concept art of Requiem's rocks.

    Concept art of Requiem's rocks.

  • Concept art of Forerunner architecture on Requiem.

    Concept art of Forerunner architecture on Requiem.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

    More concept art of Forerunner architecture.

  • Early pre-production concept art for Halo 4's environments, presumably one on Requiem.

    Early pre-production concept art for Halo 4's environments, presumably one on Requiem.

  • Massive Forerunner constructs inside Requiem.

    Massive Forerunner constructs inside Requiem.

  • Finalized concept art of Requiem's interior.

    Finalized concept art of Requiem's interior.

  • Another exposed cavern on Requiem.

    Another exposed cavern on Requiem.

  • Early concept art of the shield world's ubiquitous spires.

    Early concept art of the shield world's ubiquitous spires.

  • A Forerunner structure among rampant trees.

    A Forerunner structure among rampant trees.

  • A hallway in a Forerunner structure.

    A hallway in a Forerunner structure.

  • A jungle on Requiem.

    A jungle on Requiem.

  • Another jungle on Requiem.

    Another jungle on Requiem.

  • Concept art of an energy beam.

    Concept art of an energy beam.

  • Concept art of an energy beam.

    Concept art of an energy beam.

  • Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

    Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

  • Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

    Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

  • Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

    Concept art of a Requiem landscape.

Renders[edit]

  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora1.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora2.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora3.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora4.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFlora5.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi1.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi2.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi3.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi4.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi5.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi6.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi7.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi8.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemFungi9.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest1.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest2.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest3.jpg
  • H4-SkyKensok RequiemVegetationTest4.jpg

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 198
  2. ^ a b Halo: Silentium, page 278
  3. ^ a b Halo 4: Terminals
  4. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 279
  5. ^ a b c Halo 4 Interactive Guide
  6. ^ a b Spartan Ops, S1E1 Departure
  7. ^ a b Spartan Ops: S1E10 Exodus
  8. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 278-279
  9. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 281
  10. ^ a b Halo 4, campaign level Reclaimer
  11. ^ Spartan Ops: S1E9 Key
  12. ^ Halo 4 E3 2012 Stage Demo
  13. ^ Halo Waypoint: Halo 4
  14. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction (post 2994218)
  15. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 282
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint - The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14
  17. ^ a b Halo: Silentium, page 283
  18. ^ YouTube: Halo Fest: Halo 4 Panel
  19. ^ Awakening: The Art of Halo 4, page 22
  20. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 279
  21. ^ Halo 4 Announcement Trailer
  22. ^ GameTrailers: E3 2011: Halo Returns Interview (Stream) HD
  23. ^ Game Informer (May 2012), page 44-45
  24. ^ Youtube Halo 4: A Hero Awakens Behind the Scenes
  25. ^ Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 02.27.13
  26. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 115
  27. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Dawn
  28. ^ Halo: Silentium, page 281

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The Forerunners

v • d • e
 
Halo Array
Arks
Senescent array
Gyre 01 • Gyre 02 • Gyre 03 • Gyre 04 • Gyre 05 • Gyre 06 • Gyre 07 • Gyre 08 • Gyre 09 • Gyre 10 • Gyre 11 • Gyre 12
Neoteric array
Other

v • d • e
 
Installation components

v • d • e
 
Other installations
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For a complete list, check out our Forerunner category.
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