Chaefka: Difference between revisions

[[File:Enc22 Tuskbeast.jpg|thumb|300px|The ''chaefka''.]]

The '''''chaefka''''', known to [[Ancestors|ancient human]]s as '''neldoruut''',{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD12|HitD|Chapter=12}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFJA|URL=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116041902/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-jurassic-ark|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Games|Page=Canon Fodder: Jurassic Ark}} and colloquially known in modern day as the '''tusk beast''',{{Ref/Reuse|CFJA}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p362|Enc22|Page=362}} is a large mammalian [[List of animals|creature]] that can be found on [[Installation 00]] and several [[planet]]s [[Reintroduction|reseeded]] by the [[Forerunner]]s following the [[Great Purification|firing]] of the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p362}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD9|HitD|Chapter=9}}

Long before the [[Forerunner]]s dominated [[Milky Way|the galaxy]], the ''chaefka'' could be found across thousands of [[planet]]s. Discovered by the Forerunner fairly early in their expansion into the stars, the inexplicable fact that the ''chaefka'' was discovered living on so many worlds led [[Lifeworker]]s to collect them for study. However, eons of study failed to reveal any profound secrets regarding their origins. The only notable discovery resulting from this researched involved the creature's unique ability to release

 

 

[[File:HM-FarStorm.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Zon 'Vadum]], [[Usze 'Taham]], and [[Olympia Vale]] fighting a ''chaefka'' on Installation 00.]]

In [[2554]],<ref name="provenance">'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', Report #4 ''Provenance''</ref> the {{UNSCShip|Rubicon}} arrived at [[Installation 00]] to investigate the state of the installation and begin research of its secrets.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD2|HitD|Chapter=2}} The [[monitor]] [[000 Tragic Solitude]] unleashed the installation's fauna and constructs on the [[remote contact team]]s deployed by the ''Rubicon'' and destroyed nearly all of the teams, with RCT [[Broadside]] in particular being set upon by ''chaefka''.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitDpro|HitD|Detail=Prologue}}

 

When a joint [[UNSC]]–[[Swords of Sanghelios]] task force embarked on [[Operation: FAR STORM|expedition]] to [[Installation 00]] in [[2555]], they were attacked by several ''chaefka'' seemingly also under the control of 000 Tragic Solitude.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD12}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}} A considerable number of ''chaefka'' had hunkered down on a snowy plain giving the appearance of several large snow-covered boulders grouped together. As the joint force approached, they could hear a low growling, snarling sound, but the noise was believed to have originated from a pack of ''[[morolaath]]'' heading their direction. When the ''morolaath'' passed and the force neared the snow-covered "boulder," the group of ''chaefka'' revealed themselves. They roared and charged at the UNSC and Swords personnel, and the ''morolaath'' soon returned after hearing the sounds of battle, lashing out at the ''chaefka'' as well as the [[human]]s and [[Sangheili]].{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}} In the heat of battle, 000 Tragic Solitude utilized the psychotropic properties of the ''chaefka''{{'}}s pheromones to lure [[Olympia Vale]] away from her group. Eventually, the ''chaefka'' leading her away even prompted her to ride it as it took her to the monitor.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD12}}

 

As the joint task force prepared to leave Installation 00, they came across another group of ''chaefka'' that were eating leaves from some nearby trees. Seeing the group, the ''chaefka'' simply stared blankly at them before returning to what they had been doing, seemingly showing that they were no longer under the control of the monitor, who had been destroyed at this point.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HitD18|HitD|Chapter=18}}

 

''Chaefka'' are large mammalian creatures with similar white fur and stature to the [[Wikipedia:Polar bear|polar bear]]s of [[Earth]]. Each of their four [[Wikipedia:Digitigrade|digitigrade]] legs end in paws with sharp talons. ''Chaefka'' have two large, horn-like protrusions at their shoulders, and another set of two smaller swept-back horns atop their heads. They have a pair of tusks framing their mouths, which are topped with a mammal-like snout and filled with rows of sharp teeth sealed by a set of six mandibles. ''Chaefka'' also have short fur-covered tails.{{Ref/Reuse|CFJA}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p362}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}}

 

''Chaefka'' are omnivorous, having been known to eat leaves from trees with their mandibled mouths and hunt live prey using their sharp talons.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p362}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitD18}} It appears that ''chaefka'' regularly make use of their natural camouflage, utilizing their white fur to hide during blizzards or appears as snow-covered boulders while resting.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitDpro}} When hunting, ''chaefka'' have a unique ability to produce pheromones with an agent that causes intense psychotropic effects on humans and other prey.{{Ref/Reuse|CFJA}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p362}}{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}} For intimidation purposes, ''chaefka'' are known to growl and snarl, and even roar when about to attack. ''Chaefka'' regularly travel and hunt in packs, often charging at prey with surprising speed and agility. The creatures attempt kill their prey by tearing into them with their talons and teeth, sometimes using one of their paws to pin their prey to the ground. The tusks on either side of their heads are seemingly used defensively to knock back other predators that get too close.{{Ref/Reuse|HitD9}}

The ''chaefka'', then known as the "arctic beast," was initially designed for inclusion in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. The creature was concepted and 3D modelled, though ultimately became one of [[Cut Halo Wars units#Animals|many creatures]] cut from the game. The arctic beast was likely intended to have appeared in the levels set on [[Harvest]]. The arctic beast would later re-appear in [[2015]]'s ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' as the ''chaefka'', before being given an official illustration using the original ''Halo Wars'' design in the [[2016|following year]]'s ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''.

File:HW_ArcticBeast_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the "arctic beast," created for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.

File:HW ArcticBeast HiPoly.jpg|High-poly sculpt of the "arctic beast" for ''Halo Wars''.

File:HW_ArcticBeast_Render.jpg|A model of the "arctic beast" for ''Halo Wars''.

File:HM-Chaefka.jpeg|A ''chaefka'' in ''Halo Mythos''.