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Blightlands: Difference between revisions

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(expanded the intro and added a dedicated overview section for page layout purposes, corrected capitalisation of blightlands and replaced the main image with project foundry image)
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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:TerminalHaloInfested.jpg|300px|thumb|[[343 Guilty Spark]] imagines a Flood infestation on [[Installation 04]].]]
[[File:PF BlightlandsEnvironment Screenshot.png|thumb|300px|Blightlands on a [[Halo Array|Halo]] in [[Project Foundry]].]]
'''Blightlands''' are large regions which have been infested by the [[Flood]]. While the Flood are capable of operating in almost any environment (including the vacuum of space), the [[Flood Super Cell]] (FSC) generally has a fairly narrow band of habitability where it is most effective. In more localised [[Flood outbreak]]s, this kind of ideal environment can be established in the climate-controlled conditions of a [[Flood hive]]; however, for larger infestations, conversion of a region into blightlands offers many of the same functions.{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Blightlands}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=413}} This conversion generally begins once the Flood has entered the [[Coordinated Stage]] of an outbreak.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
'''Blightlands''' are large regions which have been infested by the [[Flood]], with the parasite [[terraforming]] the local environment to suit its needs. They are generally typified by the presence of extreme amounts of [[Flood spore]]s, structures constructed from [[Flood Super Cell]] (FSC) and engineered warm, humid conditions ideal to grow more Flood forms to spread the infestation.{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Blightlands}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=413}}
 
==Overview==
While the Flood are capable of operating in almost any environment (including the vacuum of space), the FSC generally has a fairly narrow band of habitability where it is most effective. In more localised [[Flood outbreak]]s, this kind of ideal environment can be established in the climate-controlled conditions of a [[Flood hive]]; however, for larger infestations, conversion of a region into blightlands offers many of the same functions.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} This conversion generally begins once the Flood has entered the [[Coordinated Stage]] of an outbreak.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


The establishment of a blightland begins around a hive or [[Cocooned base]]{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Cocooned Base}}, with specialised Flood growths emerging that are designed to harvest nutrients from the soil, soak up solar energy, and consume all native life within its boundaries. Eventually, these zones are consumed to provide biomass for the construction of city-sized spore towers, oceans of FSC, and pseudo-organs that are designed to finish the process of consuming an entire planet.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
The establishment of a blightland begins around a hive or [[Cocooned base]]{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Cocooned Base}}, with specialised Flood growths emerging that are designed to harvest nutrients from the soil, soak up solar energy, and consume all native life within its boundaries. Eventually, these zones are consumed to provide biomass for the construction of city-sized spore towers, oceans of FSC, and pseudo-organs that are designed to finish the process of consuming an entire planet.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


Static Flood growths generally found inside infested regions such as Blightlands include [[Flood blister|blisters]], [[Flood hive|hives]], [[Flood den|dens]], [[Flood nest|nests]], [[Flood colony|colonies]], [[Spore Mound]]s, [[Flood launcher|spore launchers]], [[Flood root|roots]], [[porta]]s, and [[Flood vent|vents]]. Flood [[Blightstalker]]s are also some of the most dangerous [[keymind]] inhabitants of the blightlands, alongside any [[Gravemind]]s or [[Proto-Gravemind]]s that may reside at their heart.
Static Flood growths generally found inside infested regions such as blightlands include [[Flood blister|blisters]], [[Flood hive|hives]], [[Flood den|dens]], [[Flood nest|nests]], [[Flood colony|colonies]], [[Spore Mound]]s, [[Flood launcher|spore launchers]], [[Flood root|roots]], [[porta]]s, and [[Flood vent|vents]]. Flood [[Blightstalker]]s are also some of the most dangerous [[keymind]] inhabitants of the blightlands, alongside any [[Gravemind]]s or [[Proto-Gravemind]]s that may reside at their heart.


==History==
==History==
===Trove===
===Trove===
[[File:Old HW Infestation.png|thumb|250px|An infected [[Sangheili]] in the Blightlands on the outer surface of Trove.]]
[[File:Old HW Infestation.png|thumb|250px|An infected [[Sangheili]] in the Blightlands on the outer surface of Trove.]]
Prior to [[2531]], a Flood outbreak on the surface of [[Trove]] had led to the establishment of Flood Blightlands across the [[shield world]]'s outer surface. The infection of [[human]]s from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and [[Covenant]] forces would lead to the establishment of Flood [[Flood den|den]]s, [[Flood hive|hive]]s, [[Flood nest|nest]]s, [[Flood colony|colonies]] and, most importantly, a [[Proto-Gravemind]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Anders' Signal}}{{Ref/Level|HW|The Flood (level)|The Flood}}{{Ref/Level|HW|Shield World (level)|Shield World}} The shield world's [[Battle of the Trove|destruction]] would ultimately destroy the blightlands here.
Prior to [[2531]], a Flood outbreak on the surface of [[Trove]] had led to the establishment of Flood blightlands across the [[shield world]]'s outer surface. The infection of [[human]]s from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and [[Covenant]] forces would lead to the establishment of Flood [[Flood den|den]]s, [[Flood hive|hive]]s, [[Flood nest|nest]]s, [[Flood colony|colonies]] and, most importantly, a [[Proto-Gravemind]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Anders' Signal}}{{Ref/Level|HW|The Flood (level)|The Flood}}{{Ref/Level|HW|Shield World (level)|Shield World}} The shield world's [[Battle of the Trove|destruction]] would ultimately destroy the blightlands here.


===The Ark===
===The Ark===
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===Development images===
===Development images===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of Blightlands in ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]''.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of blightlands in ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]''.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of Blightlands in ''Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare''.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of blightlands in ''Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare''.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_4.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.  
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_4.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.  
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_5.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_Blightlands_Concept_5.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2 FloodEnvironments Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2 FloodEnvironments Concept.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_FloodMaps_Concept.jpg|''Halo Wars 2'' concept art of maps set in Blightlands.
File:HW2_FloodMaps_Concept.jpg|''Halo Wars 2'' concept art of maps set in Blightlands.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_4.jpg|Concept art of a Blightland on Installation 00.File:PF BlightlandsEnvironment Screenshot.png|Blightlands on a Halo ring in ''[[Project Foundry]]''.
File:HW2_ATNMission3Detail_Concept_4.jpg|Concept art of a blightland on Installation 00.File:PF BlightlandsEnvironment Screenshot.png|Blightlands on a Halo ring in ''[[Project Foundry]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Screenshots===
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Anniversary, The Flood.jpg|Blightlands in the [[Forerunner-Flood war]].
File:Anniversary, The Flood.jpg|Blightlands in the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], in the [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:Flood_city.jpeg|A simulation of [[New Mombasa]]-turned Blightlands.
File:TerminalHaloInfested.jpg|[[343 Guilty Spark]]'s envisioning of a blightland on [[Installation 04]].
File:Flood_city2.jpeg|Simulation of [[Flood combat form]]s in an urban Blightland.
File:Flood_city.jpeg|A simulation of [[New Mombasa]]-turned blightlands in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''{{'}}s [[Halo: Spartan Assault co-op missions|co-operative missions]].
File:HSA Flood infesting Earth.jpg|Simulation of Blightlands rapidly spreading over East [[Africa]].
File:Flood_city2.jpeg|Simulation of [[Flood combat form]]s in an urban blightland.
File:HW2-Atriox&Protogravemind.png|[[Atriox]] standing before a Proto-Gravemind in the Blightlands surrounding the destroyed ruins High Charity.
File:HSA Flood infesting Earth.jpg|Simulation of blightlands rapidly spreading over East [[Africa]].
File:HW2-Atriox&Protogravemind.png|[[Atriox]] standing before a Proto-Gravemind in the blightlands surrounding the destroyed ruins High Charity.
File:HW2_Installation00Blightlands.jpg|Blightlands on Installation 00.
File:HW2_Installation00Blightlands.jpg|Blightlands on Installation 00.
</gallery>
</gallery>
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{{Flood}}
{{Flood}}
[[Category:Flood]]
[[Category:Flood]]
__NOTOC__

Revision as of 13:35, October 10, 2024

The Blightlands environment in Project Foundry.
Blightlands on a Halo in Project Foundry.

Blightlands are large regions which have been infested by the Flood, with the parasite terraforming the local environment to suit its needs. They are generally typified by the presence of extreme amounts of Flood spores, structures constructed from Flood Super Cell (FSC) and engineered warm, humid conditions ideal to grow more Flood forms to spread the infestation.[1][2]

Overview

While the Flood are capable of operating in almost any environment (including the vacuum of space), the FSC generally has a fairly narrow band of habitability where it is most effective. In more localised Flood outbreaks, this kind of ideal environment can be established in the climate-controlled conditions of a Flood hive; however, for larger infestations, conversion of a region into blightlands offers many of the same functions.[1][2] This conversion generally begins once the Flood has entered the Coordinated Stage of an outbreak.[2]

The establishment of a blightland begins around a hive or Cocooned base[3], with specialised Flood growths emerging that are designed to harvest nutrients from the soil, soak up solar energy, and consume all native life within its boundaries. Eventually, these zones are consumed to provide biomass for the construction of city-sized spore towers, oceans of FSC, and pseudo-organs that are designed to finish the process of consuming an entire planet.[1][2]

Static Flood growths generally found inside infested regions such as blightlands include blisters, hives, dens, nests, colonies, Spore Mounds, spore launchers, roots, portas, and vents. Flood Blightstalkers are also some of the most dangerous keymind inhabitants of the blightlands, alongside any Graveminds or Proto-Graveminds that may reside at their heart.

History

Trove

An infected Sangheili in the Blightlands on the outer surface of Trove.

Prior to 2531, a Flood outbreak on the surface of Trove had led to the establishment of Flood blightlands across the shield world's outer surface. The infection of humans from the UNSC Spirit of Fire and Covenant forces would lead to the establishment of Flood dens, hives, nests, colonies and, most importantly, a Proto-Gravemind.[4][5][6] The shield world's destruction would ultimately destroy the blightlands here.

The Ark

Following the destruction of High Charity in the Battle of Installation 00, the gargantuan Flood hive's ruins were quarantined by the installation's Sentinels. Approximately three-hundred meters away from the perimeter, life stopped growing and the area was absent of any kind of noise.[7] For seven years, the Flood inside the quarantine zone would continue to fester until the shield was broken by Voridus during the Second Ark Conflict, hoping to salvage old war-era Covenant equipment from the ruins of the city.[8] The Flood would quickly escape this breach and begin turning the area surrounding the destroyed ruins of High Charity into a blightland, eventually cocooning UNSC and Banished bases and establishing a new Proto-Gravemind. The Gravemind was eventually destroyed by Banished Antlion artillery, however, and the Sentinel network activated to reenact the quarantine of the facility.[9]

Gallery

Development images

Screenshots

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Blightlands
  2. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 413
  3. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Cocooned Base
  4. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  5. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level The Flood
  6. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Shield World
  7. ^ Halo Wars 2, Pandora's Box
  8. ^ Halo Wars 2, campaign level What Could Go Wrong?
  9. ^ Halo Wars 2, campaign level Manifestation