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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|TF|HGN}}
{{Flood infobox
{{Flood Species Infobox
|name=Proto-Gravemind  
|name=Proto-Gravemind  
|image=[[Image:Flood Brain Form.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Protograve.png|350px]]
|height=12.5 meters (41 feet)
|height=Variable depending on creation stage
|distinctions=Large, with tentacles connecting the being to a command post
|distinctions=Large, with tentacles connecting the being to its surroundings
|species=[[Flood]] (Various combined Forms)
|species=[[Flood]] (various combined forms)
|attacks=Unknown,Passive
|attacks=Tentacles
|notable=[[Jacob Keyes]]
|notable=
}}
}}
Very little is known about the '''Proto-Gravemind'''. Unlike other [[Flood]] Forms, it is apparently immobile and passive in combat. They have never been observed to move on their own, even when other [[Combat Form]]s are fighting nearby. They have never been observed to keep any of their hosts' or [[weapons]]. They use some of their hosts legs as feet and you can slightly see some of the hosts' bodies, albeit deformed. They also have not been observed being damaged by small arms fire, although small bits of flesh and Flood matter will come off. It's unknown if this causes the Brain Form any injury.
The '''Proto-Gravemind''', also known as the '''Brain Form'''<ref>''Halo Encyclopedia (2011)'', page 167</ref> or the '''Proto-Compound Intelligence''',<ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', [[Library (feature)|Library]]''</ref> is an advanced [[Flood]] form created from the biomass of the most intelligent living organisms available, with the ultimate goal of creating a fully-functional [[Gravemind]]. Its creation allows the Flood to move from [[Feral Stage]] to [[Coordinated Stage]].<ref>''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref>


==Background==
==Overview==
Proto-Graveminds are a coagulation of multiple other [[Flood]] forms all merged together. It appears that when an advanced task is at hand for the Flood, such as piloting a [[starship]], they will create a Proto-Gravemind to do that task by merging together as many hosts as possible with that knowledge, such as former pilots and officers. Rather than completely destroying a victim's consciousness, as a normal Flood form generally does, it interrogates its victims slowly, allowing their consciousnesses to feed it information. The form tortures the host's mind with a loud buzzing sound, thus erasing all thought. However, only then does the host's life signal die out. It can be argued that the host does not die until that occurs, even though he/she is infected. 
===Creation and physiology===
Proto-Graveminds are created when the Flood has amassed sufficient bodies and minds to become sentient. In order to create a viable "mind", large numbers of Flood forms and corpses are merged into a globular mass, which uses the combined knowledge derived from each host. They are usually formed in order to handle advanced tasks, such as piloting a [[starship]], in which case Flood forms will merge as many hosts as possible with that knowledge, such as former pilots and officers. The Proto-Gravemind is stationary, and likely directs nearby combat forms to pilot the ships, similar to the way a fully-formed Gravemind will direct Flood forms to execute battle strategies or other complex tasks.<ref name="keyes">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Keyes]]''</ref><ref name="TML">''[[The Mona Lisa]]''</ref>


Proto-Graveminds are only seen piloting more complex vehicles that require trained pilots. While [[Combat Forms]] can easily, aibiet clumsily, pilot smaller vehicles like [[Warthog]]s, [[Scorpion Tank]]s, [[Wraiths]] and [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghosts]], Proto-Graveminds are needed for larger vehicles like a spaceship. Proto-Graveminds have the same color as an [[Infection Form]], but they are bulbous in shape and connect to things by using brownish tentacle-like appendages, that are presumed to stick to the walls and grounds that they connect to.
Rather than completely destroying a victim's consciousness, as a normal Flood form generally does, it interrogates its victims slowly, even speaking telepathically to them, and allowing their nervous systems to feed it information. The form tortures the host's mind with a loud buzzing sound, thus erasing all thought. Only after the host is stripped of all knowledge is the host killed by the Proto-Gravemind, although it is sometimes possible for a host to die before the Flood form has a chance to assimilate all of its memories.<ref name="novel">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''</ref><ref name="terminal">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminal 9]]''</ref>


== Appearances ==
[[File:CEABrainFormDecay.png|350px|thumb|Various human faces from left to right: being absorbed, recently absorbed, absorbed, slightly decayed, moderately decayed, severely decayed.]]
Proto-Graveminds have been observed several times, each time taking on a different appearance to match the different hosts that made up the form.  
Unlike all other known Flood forms, Proto-Graveminds are immobile and passive in combat. They have never been observed to move on their own, even when combat forms are fighting nearby. In fact, even when [[John-117]] punched through the side of the Proto-Gravemind present aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' during the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the Flood form did not react at all; it is likely that until the transformation into a true Gravemind is complete, Proto-Graveminds are nothing more than an amalgamation of inactive bodies. In most instances, they use some of their hosts' legs as a means to support themselves, and one can see some of the bodies of the most recently assimilated, embedded in the Proto-Gravemind's mass, albeit deformed.{{Ref/Reuse|keyes}} As the corpses become more deformed, a Proto-Gravemind's appearance take on a large body of Flood tissue and biomass.{{Ref/Reuse|TML}}


The first Proto-Gravemind encountered by humanity was in the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level, [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]]. This form was made up of several [[Combat Form|Elite Combat Forms]], Human Combat Forms and [[Captain Jacob Keyes]],  and was found in the control center of the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'', presumably so that it could pilot the vessel and allow the Flood to escape Halo. This form was found by the [[Master Chief]], who killed the newly absorbed [[Captain Keyes]], depriving the form of Keyes' expertise. The form was destroyed by [[Covenant]] Special Operational forces shortly thereafter. <ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', level [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]]</ref>
Proto-Graveminds are capable of jamming or distorting radio signals within a significant radius around them. The means by which they do this is unknown; however, it may be related to the unexplained telepathy the Flood use to communicate with one another. During the [[Battle of Trove]], a Proto-Gravemind was shown to be capable of both jamming a real transponder signal and replicating it from its own position to draw in nearby human forces.<ref name="Flood">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[The Flood (level)|The Flood]]''</ref>


Another Proto-Gravemind was observed on the Covenant ship ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' around the same time. This one appeared to be made up of [[Grunt]]s, [[Engineer]]s, [[Combat Form|Human Combat Form]]s and animals from the ship's hunting preserve. The form was constructed in the ship's Engine Room, near the core, probably because the command center of the ship was not accessible to the Flood. This form was destroyed by [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] before it could pilot the ''Infinite Succor'' out of the system. <ref>''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', story ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''</ref>
===Further evolution===
The Proto-Gravemind must grow incredibly in size to reach its next stage of evolution, known as a [[Gravemind]], a near-omniscient Flood form made of thousands of host bodies infused with the knowledge of each host that was used to make the Gravemind.<ref name="art">'''[[The Art of Halo]]'''</ref> While a smaller Proto-Gravemind could direct combat forms, a larger Proto-Gravemind could be in control of multiple [[Flood colony|Flood colonies]] for coordinated gestation and attack on nearby life forms. The Proto-Gravemind and Flood colonies also become interdependent on each other; sending colonies into a dormant state would weaken the local Proto-Gravemind, while destroying the Proto-Gravemind would kill the colonies.{{Ref/Reuse|Flood}} Graveminds are created once a Proto-Gravemind reaches a certain "critical mass" and develops a centralized intelligence.


== Further Evolution ==
Only two Graveminds are known to have ever been created; however, they seem to have the same memories, since the Gravemind present during the [[Human-Covenant War]] possessed detailed knowledge concerning the [[Forerunner-Flood war]] and even described the actions of the previous Gravemind during that time period as if they were its own.<ref>''Halo 3'', campaign level [[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]</ref>
The Proto-Gravemind must grow incredibly in size to reach its next stage of evolution, known as a [[Gravemind]], a near-omniscient [[Flood]] form made of thousands of host bodies infused with the knowledge of each host that was used to make the Gravemind. <ref>''[[The Art of Halo]]''</ref> Graveminds are created once a Proto-Gravemind reaches a certain "critical mass" and develops a centralized intelligence. This happens only on extremely rare occasions, usually because the [[Flood]] is seldom loose on a large enough scale to allow Proto-Graveminds to grow large enough to become a [[Gravemind]]. Only two Graveminds are known to have ever been created, however they seem to have the same memories since the ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[Gravemind]] knew about the history before the Halo array was first activated. This seems to show that each Gravemind inherits the knowledge and memory that the others have obtained. However, many Proto-Graveminds have been seen, although only one in game. Its also safe to assume that the [[Forerunners]] had to deal with numerous Graveminds.
<gallery>
File:Flood Brain Form.jpg|A small Proto-Gravemind onboard the ''Truth and Reconciliation''.
File:HW Protogravemind.png|A mid-sized Proto-Gravemind on the surface of the Etran Haborage .
File:HW2_LargeProtoGravemind.png|A large Proto-Gravemind, maturing into a [[Gravemind]], on [[Installation 00]].
</gallery>
{{clear}}


== ''[[Halo 3]]'' ==
==History==
Even though a Proto-Gravemind is not present in ''[[Halo 3]]'' it is probable that there was one at-hand aboard the Flood Controlled ship that crashed near [[Voi]] as the ship would have needed a higher level of intelligence to pilot the complex vessels (like the one in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''). It is possible that the form was not destroyed or killed in the crash, although it is safe to assume it was destroyed when the Elites [[glassed]] the area surrounding the [[Portal]].
Proto-Graveminds have been encountered several times, in varying stages of size and potency.


== Trivia ==
The first recorded Proto-Gravemind was discovered on the surface planet of the Forerunner [[shield world]] [[Trove]] during a massive Flood outbreak in [[2531]]. Judging by its huge size and its connection to several [[Flood Colony|Flood colonies]], it is likely that this Proto-Gravemind was on the verge of becoming a Gravemind. This Proto-Gravemind was destroyed by UNSC forces led by [[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]] and [[Spartan-II]] [[Red Team]]. It had been duplicating Professor [[Ellen Anders]]' transponder signal to lure in the UNSC forces and infect them. After the Proto-Gravemind was destroyed, the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s forces were able to detect Anders' real signal{{Ref/Reuse|Flood}} and follow it into the shield world itself.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[Shield World (level)|Shield World]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[Cleansing]]''</ref> Its remains were destroyed when the Etran Harborage was destroyed by the ''Spirit of Fire'' shortly thereafter.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[Escape (Halo Wars level)|Escape]]''</ref>
*It is rumored that there is a Proto-Gravemind in the [[Pelican]] on the level on ''[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]''. This is untrue: it is just a hunk of [[Flood]] bio-mass.
*If one listens carefully when next to the Proto-Gravemind on the level [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]], you can hear the [[Flood]] form making raspy growling noises.
*[[Jacob Keyes|Keyes]] is the only notable human to become part of a Proto-Gravemind.
*It has also been observed that plasma grenades do not stick onto its surface, although sometimes they will land on one of its humps, exploding shortly after, but with no visible effect to the creature. It is unknown why the grenades do not stick on it in the same manner they do to the other Flood forms.
*If you turn your flashlight off, it will glow a sort of eerie green.
*If you look at it closely, you can see that it does move slightly, to breathe, but it doesn't show up as a small blip on the motion tracker.
*Little bits of liquid will fall off of one of the tentacles sticking from the ceiling.
*It has [[7]] tentacles, another 7 reference
*If you examine a Proto-Gravemind carefully, you will see the outlines of different bodies that were used as biomass. This obviously includes Captain Keyes' tortured face.


== References ==
[[File:ProtoKeyes.png|thumb|250px|John-117 with the Proto-Gravemind onboard ''Truth and Reconciliation''.]]
<references/>
During the [[Battle of Installation 04]] in [[2552]], John-117 found a Proto-Gravemind aboard the bridge of {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''. The Proto-Gravemind would have allowed the Flood to use the ''Truth and Reconciliation'' to spread beyond Installation 04. It had assimilated [[Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] and attempted to learn from him the coordinates of [[Earth]]. Keyes fought with his willpower to prevent the Flood from gaining this information, burying the knowledge deep down within him and forcing the Proto-Gravemind to systematically discard every other memory he possessed.{{Ref/Reuse|terminal}} [[John-117]] arrived at the Proto-Gravemind just as the Flood form was about to finally extract the memory it wanted, and punched through the Captain's skull in order to retrieve his [[neural implants]], thereby robbing the Proto-Gravemind of the knowledge of [[Earth]]'s location for good. The Proto-Gravemind was destroyed shortly thereafter by the [[Covenant]] Special Ops as it was no longer present when human forces captured the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|keyes}}{{Ref/Reuse|novel}}
 
[[File:Legate.png|thumb|200px|left|The infected [[Minister of Etiology]], reduced to a disembodied head, while being absorbed into a Proto-Gravemind.]]
Another Proto-Gravemind was observed on the Covenant ship ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' during the concurrent [[Skirmish on Infinite Succor|Skirmish on ''Infinite Succor'']]. The biomass was made up of [[Unggoy]], Sangheili, human combat forms, and even animals from the ship's hunting preserve. The form was constructed in the ship's engine room, near the core, probably because the command center of the ship was not accessible to the Flood. Near the end of the battle, the Proto-Gravemind gained the ability to speak and spoke through the infected [[Minister of Etiology]]. This form was destroyed by [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] before it could pilot the ''Infinite Succor'' out of the system.<ref name="InfiniteSuccor">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''</ref>
 
Yet another Proto-Gravemind was present on the [[prison ship]] ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' shortly after the destruction of Installation 04. Flood on board the ship were attempting to access the ship's FTL drive by collecting and absorbing the knowledge of UNSC pilots into this Proto-Gravemind. It was destroyed during [[Skirmish on Mona Lisa|the skirmish onboard]] when [[Ngoc Benti]] killed it with fragmentation grenades.{{Ref/Reuse|TML}}
 
After [[Voridus]] of the [[Banished]] [[Outbreak on Installation 00|released the Flood]] from [[High Charity]]'s crash site on [[Installation 00]] in [[2559]], a Proto-Gravemind quickly formed nearby. One of the tentacles blocked [[Pavium]]'s retreat<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]''', campaign level ''[[Fighting Retreat]]''</ref> and its existence caused the Flood to develop greater coordination and sophistication as time went on, in particular recognizing the threat posed by the controls to reactivate the Ark's Sentinel defense network.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]''', campaign level ''[[The Archive]]''</ref> This Proto-Gravemind retained a measure of the deceased [[Gravemind]]'s intellect, but the Gravemind's new vessel had to feed and spread in order for the Gravemind to fully manifest once again.<ref name="IH2">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - ''Proto-Gravemind''</ref> By the time Banished forces discovered the Proto-Gravemind, it was very close to becoming a new Gravemind.  Pavium and Voridus led an assault on the creature, aided by the Ark's reactivated Sentinel defense network and [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]s the Banished constructed nearby. After severely damaging the Proto-Gravemind, impairing its impending transformation into a Gravemind with each attack, the Banished were able to clear out a nearby Sentinel lock and summon a [[Retriever Sentinel]]. With the help of the added firepower of the Retriever, the Banished were able to kill the Proto-Gravemind. With the Proto-Gravemind dead, the Banished and the Ark's Sentinels were finally able to contain the Flood outbreak.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]''' campaign level ''[[Manifestation]]''</ref>
 
==Gameplay==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
The Proto-Gravemind first appeared in the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' campaign level ''[[Keyes]]'', as a part of the level's Binary Space Partitioning geometry. Although it moves slightly in its place, it does not offer gameplay interactions and cannot be damaged in any way.
 
===''Halo Wars''===
The main objective of the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' campaign level ''[[The Flood (level)|The Flood]]'' is destroying the Proto-Gravemind, which is known in-game as a Flood building under the name "Flood Boss". By attacking the Flood colonies throughout the level and sending each into a dormant state, the Proto-Gravemind could be attacked in a weakened state. This may not be necessary, particularly on the lower difficulties. Players could launch a direct attack on the Proto-Gravemind with all of their forces. With upgraded leader powers, particularly the Carpet Bombing and forces mainly made up of Hornets, players could destroy the Proto-Gravemind without much difficulty.
 
===''Halo Wars 2''===
The Proto-Gravemind in the ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]'' level ''[[Manifestation]]'', which is far bigger and more powerful than the ''Halo Wars'' Proto-Gravemind, requires more complicated tactics to defeat. There is also a time limit as the player only has a certain amount of time until the Proto-Gravemind reaches critical mass and becomes a [[Gravemind]]. Each time the creature takes damage, the percentage until critical mass drops. First, the player needs to clear out a nearby Flood base and build a Banished Minibase with a [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion|Mega Turret]]. The player must spot the three nearby tentacles so that the Mega Turret can clear them out for the Banished forces to proceed to the creature itself. Before clearing out the tentacles completely, the player should build up their chosen forces to the maximum and upgrade them as far as possible. After reaching the creature, the player must clear out a nearby Flood base and plant a Minibase with a Mega Turret to attack the Proto-Gravemind, causing it to rise up out of the ground, rendering it vulnerable to attack. While fighting off defending Flood forces, the player must target the carapace on the side of the Proto-Gravemind and after blasting through it, attack the exposed sacs. After the sacs are destroyed, the Proto-Gravemind will expose its core, which must then be targeted until it retreats and seals itself off. The player must repeat this twice, but on the third time, the Proto-Gravemind will not expose its core, as it has become too strong and the Mega Turrets no longer have an effect. On [[Pavium]]'s orders, the player must clear out a nearby Sentinel lock which will summon a [[Retriever Sentinel]] that will then be under the player's control. Dodging Flood attacks, the player must focus all Banished fire, bolstered by the Retriever, upon the Proto-Gravemind until it exposes its core. Once it is exposed, target the core until the Proto-Gravemind is killed. This time, the Proto-Gravemind will not retreat when its health is depleted though the player must continue to avoid the Flood forces sent to defend it. Throughout this, the player must build new forces to replace those that they have lost to aid in the attack on the Proto-Gravemind.
 
==Trivia==
*Ironically, the Proto-Gravemind was originally called "The [[Librarian]]".<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Feast_of_Bones ''Bungie.net'': Feast of Bones]</ref>
*In the campaign level ''[[Keyes (level)|Keyes]]'', the original idea was for John-117 to burn Keyes's skull out of the Proto-Gravemind. However, the idea was scrapped when the [[M7057 flamethrower|flamethrower]] was removed from the Xbox version of the game due to time constraints.{{Ref/Reuse|art}}
*The Proto-Gravemind in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' has [[seven]] tentacles.
*When the Proto-Gravemind in ''Halo Wars'' is destroyed, it will spurt liquid everywhere. It is possible that Flood biomass functions like a water balloon, having a solid exterior and being filled with liquid.
 
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Proto-Graveminds}}
<gallery>
File:HCE_ProtoGravemind_Concept.jpg|Early concept art of a Proto-Gravemind.
File:HCE - John killing Keyes.png|John-117 punches Keyes who was assimilated into a Proto-Gravemind in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Proto-Gravemind.png|A Proto-Gravemind in ''[[Halo Legends]]:'' ''[[Origins]]''.
File:TML - engine room.png|A Proto-Gravemind in the engine room of the ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' in ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''.
File:HCEA Proto-Compound Intelligence.png|A proto-Gravemind in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:Keyes Protogravemind.jpg|A Proto-Gravemind in [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|''Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> terminals]].
File:CEA Keyes Death.jpg|Jacob Keyes' face absorbed into the Proto-Gravemind.
File:HW2_GravemindTentacles_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles in the mission [[Manifestation]].
File:HW2_ProtoGravemind_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2_ProtoGravemind_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2_GravemindTentacles.jpg|One of the Proto-Gravemind's tendrils.
File:HW2 PhoenixLog Proto-Gravemind.png|A large Proto-Gravemind in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2-Manifestation.png|[[Pavium]], [[Voridus]], and a large number of Unggoy stand before one of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles.
File:HW2-Victoryscreech.png|Pavium and Voridus let out a victory roar after killing the Proto-Gravemind.
File:HW2-Protogravemind&Lich.png|The dead Proto-Gravemind seen from above.
File:HW2-Atriox&Protogravemind.png|Atriox stands before the dead Proto-Gravemind.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
**''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare|Awakening the Nightmare]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Flood}}
{{Flood}}
 
{{HW buildings}}
[[Category:The Flood]]
[[Category:Flood forms]]
[[Category:Bosses]]

Latest revision as of 19:31, December 13, 2024

Proto-Gravemind
Protograve.png
General overview

Distinctions:

Large, with tentacles connecting the being to its surroundings

Height:

Variable depending on creation stage

Method of attack:

Tentacles

 

The Proto-Gravemind, also known as the Brain Form[1] or the Proto-Compound Intelligence,[2] is an advanced Flood form created from the biomass of the most intelligent living organisms available, with the ultimate goal of creating a fully-functional Gravemind. Its creation allows the Flood to move from Feral Stage to Coordinated Stage.[3]

Overview[edit]

Creation and physiology[edit]

Proto-Graveminds are created when the Flood has amassed sufficient bodies and minds to become sentient. In order to create a viable "mind", large numbers of Flood forms and corpses are merged into a globular mass, which uses the combined knowledge derived from each host. They are usually formed in order to handle advanced tasks, such as piloting a starship, in which case Flood forms will merge as many hosts as possible with that knowledge, such as former pilots and officers. The Proto-Gravemind is stationary, and likely directs nearby combat forms to pilot the ships, similar to the way a fully-formed Gravemind will direct Flood forms to execute battle strategies or other complex tasks.[4][5]

Rather than completely destroying a victim's consciousness, as a normal Flood form generally does, it interrogates its victims slowly, even speaking telepathically to them, and allowing their nervous systems to feed it information. The form tortures the host's mind with a loud buzzing sound, thus erasing all thought. Only after the host is stripped of all knowledge is the host killed by the Proto-Gravemind, although it is sometimes possible for a host to die before the Flood form has a chance to assimilate all of its memories.[6][7]

Various human faces from left to right: being absorbed, recently absorbed, absorbed, slightly decayed, moderately decayed, severely decayed.

Unlike all other known Flood forms, Proto-Graveminds are immobile and passive in combat. They have never been observed to move on their own, even when combat forms are fighting nearby. In fact, even when John-117 punched through the side of the Proto-Gravemind present aboard the Truth and Reconciliation during the Battle of Installation 04, the Flood form did not react at all; it is likely that until the transformation into a true Gravemind is complete, Proto-Graveminds are nothing more than an amalgamation of inactive bodies. In most instances, they use some of their hosts' legs as a means to support themselves, and one can see some of the bodies of the most recently assimilated, embedded in the Proto-Gravemind's mass, albeit deformed.[4] As the corpses become more deformed, a Proto-Gravemind's appearance take on a large body of Flood tissue and biomass.[5]

Proto-Graveminds are capable of jamming or distorting radio signals within a significant radius around them. The means by which they do this is unknown; however, it may be related to the unexplained telepathy the Flood use to communicate with one another. During the Battle of Trove, a Proto-Gravemind was shown to be capable of both jamming a real transponder signal and replicating it from its own position to draw in nearby human forces.[8]

Further evolution[edit]

The Proto-Gravemind must grow incredibly in size to reach its next stage of evolution, known as a Gravemind, a near-omniscient Flood form made of thousands of host bodies infused with the knowledge of each host that was used to make the Gravemind.[9] While a smaller Proto-Gravemind could direct combat forms, a larger Proto-Gravemind could be in control of multiple Flood colonies for coordinated gestation and attack on nearby life forms. The Proto-Gravemind and Flood colonies also become interdependent on each other; sending colonies into a dormant state would weaken the local Proto-Gravemind, while destroying the Proto-Gravemind would kill the colonies.[8] Graveminds are created once a Proto-Gravemind reaches a certain "critical mass" and develops a centralized intelligence.

Only two Graveminds are known to have ever been created; however, they seem to have the same memories, since the Gravemind present during the Human-Covenant War possessed detailed knowledge concerning the Forerunner-Flood war and even described the actions of the previous Gravemind during that time period as if they were its own.[10]

  • A small Proto-Gravemind onboard the Truth and Reconciliation.

    A small Proto-Gravemind onboard the Truth and Reconciliation.

  • A mid-sized Proto-Gravemind on the surface of the Etran Haborage .

    A mid-sized Proto-Gravemind on the surface of the Etran Haborage .

  • A large Proto-Gravemind, maturing into a Gravemind, on Installation 00.

    A large Proto-Gravemind, maturing into a Gravemind, on Installation 00.

History[edit]

Proto-Graveminds have been encountered several times, in varying stages of size and potency.

The first recorded Proto-Gravemind was discovered on the surface planet of the Forerunner shield world Trove during a massive Flood outbreak in 2531. Judging by its huge size and its connection to several Flood colonies, it is likely that this Proto-Gravemind was on the verge of becoming a Gravemind. This Proto-Gravemind was destroyed by UNSC forces led by Sergeant John Forge and Spartan-II Red Team. It had been duplicating Professor Ellen Anders' transponder signal to lure in the UNSC forces and infect them. After the Proto-Gravemind was destroyed, the UNSC Spirit of Fire's forces were able to detect Anders' real signal[8] and follow it into the shield world itself.[11][12] Its remains were destroyed when the Etran Harborage was destroyed by the Spirit of Fire shortly thereafter.[13]

John-117 with the Proto-Gravemind onboard Truth and Reconciliation.

During the Battle of Installation 04 in 2552, John-117 found a Proto-Gravemind aboard the bridge of Ket-pattern battlecruiser Truth and Reconciliation. The Proto-Gravemind would have allowed the Flood to use the Truth and Reconciliation to spread beyond Installation 04. It had assimilated Captain Jacob Keyes and attempted to learn from him the coordinates of Earth. Keyes fought with his willpower to prevent the Flood from gaining this information, burying the knowledge deep down within him and forcing the Proto-Gravemind to systematically discard every other memory he possessed.[7] John-117 arrived at the Proto-Gravemind just as the Flood form was about to finally extract the memory it wanted, and punched through the Captain's skull in order to retrieve his neural implants, thereby robbing the Proto-Gravemind of the knowledge of Earth's location for good. The Proto-Gravemind was destroyed shortly thereafter by the Covenant Special Ops as it was no longer present when human forces captured the ship.[4][6]

The Minister of Etiology is infected by the Flood.
The infected Minister of Etiology, reduced to a disembodied head, while being absorbed into a Proto-Gravemind.

Another Proto-Gravemind was observed on the Covenant ship Infinite Succor during the concurrent Skirmish on Infinite Succor. The biomass was made up of Unggoy, Sangheili, human combat forms, and even animals from the ship's hunting preserve. The form was constructed in the ship's engine room, near the core, probably because the command center of the ship was not accessible to the Flood. Near the end of the battle, the Proto-Gravemind gained the ability to speak and spoke through the infected Minister of Etiology. This form was destroyed by Rtas 'Vadumee before it could pilot the Infinite Succor out of the system.[14]

Yet another Proto-Gravemind was present on the prison ship Mona Lisa shortly after the destruction of Installation 04. Flood on board the ship were attempting to access the ship's FTL drive by collecting and absorbing the knowledge of UNSC pilots into this Proto-Gravemind. It was destroyed during the skirmish onboard when Ngoc Benti killed it with fragmentation grenades.[5]

After Voridus of the Banished released the Flood from High Charity's crash site on Installation 00 in 2559, a Proto-Gravemind quickly formed nearby. One of the tentacles blocked Pavium's retreat[15] and its existence caused the Flood to develop greater coordination and sophistication as time went on, in particular recognizing the threat posed by the controls to reactivate the Ark's Sentinel defense network.[16] This Proto-Gravemind retained a measure of the deceased Gravemind's intellect, but the Gravemind's new vessel had to feed and spread in order for the Gravemind to fully manifest once again.[17] By the time Banished forces discovered the Proto-Gravemind, it was very close to becoming a new Gravemind. Pavium and Voridus led an assault on the creature, aided by the Ark's reactivated Sentinel defense network and Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlions the Banished constructed nearby. After severely damaging the Proto-Gravemind, impairing its impending transformation into a Gravemind with each attack, the Banished were able to clear out a nearby Sentinel lock and summon a Retriever Sentinel. With the help of the added firepower of the Retriever, the Banished were able to kill the Proto-Gravemind. With the Proto-Gravemind dead, the Banished and the Ark's Sentinels were finally able to contain the Flood outbreak.[18]

Gameplay[edit]

Halo: Combat Evolved[edit]

The Proto-Gravemind first appeared in the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign level Keyes, as a part of the level's Binary Space Partitioning geometry. Although it moves slightly in its place, it does not offer gameplay interactions and cannot be damaged in any way.

Halo Wars[edit]

The main objective of the Halo Wars campaign level The Flood is destroying the Proto-Gravemind, which is known in-game as a Flood building under the name "Flood Boss". By attacking the Flood colonies throughout the level and sending each into a dormant state, the Proto-Gravemind could be attacked in a weakened state. This may not be necessary, particularly on the lower difficulties. Players could launch a direct attack on the Proto-Gravemind with all of their forces. With upgraded leader powers, particularly the Carpet Bombing and forces mainly made up of Hornets, players could destroy the Proto-Gravemind without much difficulty.

Halo Wars 2[edit]

The Proto-Gravemind in the Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare level Manifestation, which is far bigger and more powerful than the Halo Wars Proto-Gravemind, requires more complicated tactics to defeat. There is also a time limit as the player only has a certain amount of time until the Proto-Gravemind reaches critical mass and becomes a Gravemind. Each time the creature takes damage, the percentage until critical mass drops. First, the player needs to clear out a nearby Flood base and build a Banished Minibase with a Mega Turret. The player must spot the three nearby tentacles so that the Mega Turret can clear them out for the Banished forces to proceed to the creature itself. Before clearing out the tentacles completely, the player should build up their chosen forces to the maximum and upgrade them as far as possible. After reaching the creature, the player must clear out a nearby Flood base and plant a Minibase with a Mega Turret to attack the Proto-Gravemind, causing it to rise up out of the ground, rendering it vulnerable to attack. While fighting off defending Flood forces, the player must target the carapace on the side of the Proto-Gravemind and after blasting through it, attack the exposed sacs. After the sacs are destroyed, the Proto-Gravemind will expose its core, which must then be targeted until it retreats and seals itself off. The player must repeat this twice, but on the third time, the Proto-Gravemind will not expose its core, as it has become too strong and the Mega Turrets no longer have an effect. On Pavium's orders, the player must clear out a nearby Sentinel lock which will summon a Retriever Sentinel that will then be under the player's control. Dodging Flood attacks, the player must focus all Banished fire, bolstered by the Retriever, upon the Proto-Gravemind until it exposes its core. Once it is exposed, target the core until the Proto-Gravemind is killed. This time, the Proto-Gravemind will not retreat when its health is depleted though the player must continue to avoid the Flood forces sent to defend it. Throughout this, the player must build new forces to replace those that they have lost to aid in the attack on the Proto-Gravemind.

Trivia[edit]

  • Ironically, the Proto-Gravemind was originally called "The Librarian".[19]
  • In the campaign level Keyes, the original idea was for John-117 to burn Keyes's skull out of the Proto-Gravemind. However, the idea was scrapped when the flamethrower was removed from the Xbox version of the game due to time constraints.[9]
  • The Proto-Gravemind in Halo: Combat Evolved has seven tentacles.
  • When the Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars is destroyed, it will spurt liquid everywhere. It is possible that Flood biomass functions like a water balloon, having a solid exterior and being filled with liquid.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • Early concept art of a Proto-Gravemind.

    Early concept art of a Proto-Gravemind.

  • John-117 punches Keyes who was assimilated into a Proto-Gravemind in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    John-117 punches Keyes who was assimilated into a Proto-Gravemind in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • A Proto-Gravemind in Halo Legends: Origins.

    A Proto-Gravemind in Halo Legends: Origins.

  • A Proto-Gravemind in the engine room of the Mona Lisa in The Mona Lisa.

    A Proto-Gravemind in the engine room of the Mona Lisa in The Mona Lisa.

  • A proto-Gravemind in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    A proto-Gravemind in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • Jacob Keyes' face absorbed into the Proto-Gravemind.

    Jacob Keyes' face absorbed into the Proto-Gravemind.

  • Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles in the mission Manifestation.

    Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles in the mission Manifestation.

  • Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

    Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

  • Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

    Concept art of the Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

  • One of the Proto-Gravemind's tendrils.

    One of the Proto-Gravemind's tendrils.

  • A large Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

    A large Proto-Gravemind in Halo Wars 2.

  • Pavium, Voridus, and a large number of Unggoy stand before one of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles.

    Pavium, Voridus, and a large number of Unggoy stand before one of the Proto-Gravemind's tentacles.

  • Pavium and Voridus let out a victory roar after killing the Proto-Gravemind.

    Pavium and Voridus let out a victory roar after killing the Proto-Gravemind.

  • The dead Proto-Gravemind seen from above.

    The dead Proto-Gravemind seen from above.

  • Atriox stands before the dead Proto-Gravemind.

    Atriox stands before the dead Proto-Gravemind.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011), page 167
  2. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library
  3. ^ Bestiarum
  4. ^ a b c Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Keyes
  5. ^ a b c The Mona Lisa
  6. ^ a b Halo: The Flood
  7. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Terminal 9
  8. ^ a b c Halo Wars, campaign level The Flood
  9. ^ a b The Art of Halo
  10. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  11. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Shield World
  12. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Cleansing
  13. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Escape
  14. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
  15. ^ Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare, campaign level Fighting Retreat
  16. ^ Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare, campaign level The Archive
  17. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs - Proto-Gravemind
  18. ^ Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare campaign level Manifestation
  19. ^ Bungie.net: Feast of Bones

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Known Flood forms
Regular Spore • Pod • Seeder • Tadpole • Dispersal pod
Growths Stalk • Blister
Other Flood Super Cell (FSC)
Infected
Structures
Hives Hive • Den • Nest • Colony • Spore Mound • Cocooned base • Blightlands
Defensive Launcher • Root
Other Porta • Vent

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Buildings in the Halo Wars series

v • d • e
 
Halo Wars buildings

v • d • e
 
UNSC
Firebase (Station • Fortress) • Minibase
Base structures
Air Pad • Barracks • Field Armory • Reactor (Advanced Reactor) • Supply Pad (Heavy Supply Pad) • Turret • Vehicle Depot
Other structures

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Covenant
Citadel (Outpost • Keep) • Minibase
Base structures
Factory • Gravity Lift • Hall • Shield generator • Summit • Temple • Warehouse (Blessed Warehouse)
Turret sites
Turret (Medium Turret • Large Turret)
Other structures

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Flood
Colony • Den • Nest • Launcher • Proto-Gravemind • Root • Stalk • Vent

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Insurrection
Bases
Turret slots
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Halo Wars 2 buildings

v • d • e
 
UNSC
Firebase (Combat Station • Command Center • Headquarters)
Minibase • Stronghold (gametype specific)
Base slots
Airpad • Armory • Barracks • Garage • Generator (Advanced Generator) • Supply Pad (Heavy Supply Pad)
Turret slots
Turret Emplacement (Anti-Infantry • Anti-Vehicle • Anti-Air) • Watchtower • Siege Turret
Other deployable structures

v • d • e
 
Banished
Banished outpost (Stronghold • Citadel • Fortress)
Minibase • Stronghold (gametype specific)
Base slots
Apex • Foundry • Harvester (Augmented Harvester) • Mega-turret • Banished Power Extractor (Augmented Extractor) • Banished Raid Camp • Banished War Council
Turret slots
Turret (Anti-Infantry • Anti-Vehicle • Anti-Air) • Sensor Tower • Shield Generator • Cloaking Generator
Other deployable structures

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Forerunner

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Flood
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