Forum:Catalog

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Thought a forum topic on thoughts and speculation regarding Halo Waypoint's Catalog character might be appropriate.

On the whole this is something I've wanted to see for a long time and the best thing 343i has come up with in a while. Not only in providing answers for us fans but also as a two-way process, potentially alerting the 343 Industries writing team to issues they might need to look into or subjects the fans may want to hear about. I hope this thing is going to last as long as possible, though the queries have already piled up so much that Catalog is going to be processing them for months if it doesn't speed up its processing.

I'm not too sold on the gratuitous Latin ("cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelom" = "of which it is only by his even unto the Heavens - what is that supposed to mean?), the avoidance of questions that could realistically be answered (the exact nature of the "sublimation device" at X-50 or the Reverence/Covenant cruiser classification), or the sometimes obtrusive ambiguity.

Moving on, I wonder if Catalog is actually the Halo universe technical writer recently hired by 343i. It could also be many people posting under one alias, mirroring the nature of the in-universe Catalog (though given the consistency of the posts' presentation I'd wager it's one person who consults the rest of the writing team when necessary). --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Johnson's Flood immunity

"Catalog, can the augmentation process that made Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson "immune" to Flood infection be replicated?"

"Query Answer: No known biological [scaffolding] augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process."

I suppose we finally get a confirmation on the ambiguity of whether Johnson survived because a quirk in his ORION augmentations somehow made him immune or just because of his combat skill alone (I thought the latter was already made clear by Breaking Quarantine). Either that, or it's because the Flood chose to ignore him.--Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Yeah, the idea of a virtually omnipotent cosmic force being thwarted by a more-or-less failed genetic experiment was hard to swallow. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Reclaimers

"Query Answer: "Reclaimer" is not a legitimate client species status. Edom [control] reference New Council emergency directives [leges posteriores priores contrarias abrogant] given on authority of [Librarian] and [Didact]. Master Juridical concurrence not recorded [ius nullum?]. Status conferred by analysis of geas [symphonia]."

"Alert! Substantial alteration of [canonical] implemention of Human [supplicium] detected in [symphonia] scope."

The Ur-Didact is apparently not the only Forerunner who has a problem with the Reclaimer thing. Then again, Catalog has been left out of the loop on some matters for a very long time so its information is probably outdated. I'm thinking the last part is referring to the Librarian's own, unsanctioned modifications to humanity's geas which were, originally, supposed to be punitive in nature as mandated by the Old Council.--Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

The Bestiarum's Reclaimer entry obviously refers to John specifically. However, the confirmation that Reclaimers are genetically modified makes me think Homo sapiens augueous could refer to the entire genetic line of genesong-implanted humans. Then again, [EDIT: H. sapiens augueous] may just as well apply only to Spartans. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

But then we have Guilty Spark referring to Miranda Keyes as a Reclaimer ("Please, use caution! This Reclaimer is delicate."). So I suspect it's got to do with all humans who carry a geas in one form or another (we still don't know the different ways these things can manifest themselves). In Miranda's case, she's the daughter of Halsey so it's only natural she's got the same genetic markers as her omnidisciplinary super-genius mother. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

My last post wasn't clearly written. When I said, "... it may just as well apply only to Spartans", I was referring to Homo sapiens augueous. I think the idea that only certain humans are Reclaimers meshes well with The Forerunner Saga. Compare Bungie's take on the Forerunners to 343i's and the very concept of Reclamation takes on a new light. That being said not many humans have been identified as Reclaimers: Halsey, Miranda, the S-IIs, and Anders go without saying; Johnson probably was as well. Fireteam Crimson is probably composed of Reclaimers given how they can interface with Forerunner technology like it's second nature. Am I leaving any out? --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 10:21, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Installation 07's quarantine?

"What is the status of Installation 07's quarantine?"

"Query Answer: Records provided to Human naval authorities by allied [macto cognatus] indicate implementation of adequate containment and sterilization protocols within infected zone. Edom [control] unable to contact installation monitor for [ERR,REGRES] cycles. Requesting [site] status from ecumene [control]."

I wonder if this was supposed to be referring to Installation 05? Installation 07 has no quarantine that we know of. And wasn't the Flood on Installation 07 fully contained before it was sent to its final location - as in, it wouldn't have an "infected zone"? --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Maybe Catalog will issue errata soon. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Didact's Epilogue speech

"Query Answer: Selected quote is part of [evidential] proceedings recorded in local [cache] prior to loss of Domain contact."

When this happened is anyone's guess, since we know it couldn't have happened in Silentium.--Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Catalog's records must have been tampered with. I detect logic plague markers. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

6 page thread debating/getting ready to rip apart Catalog all within 24 hours.Sith-venator Wavingstrider (Commlink) 02:02, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

The plot thickens. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 05:43, 9 July 2014 (EDT)

I think it might have happened during his imprisonment in the Cryptum. Wasn't he supposed to have access to the Domain? Perhaps he recorded this statement before the Domain was destroyed, because he wanted to defend his position, his sin. He was also conscious that his wife would prepare the Reclamation. After re-reading it, I can totally see his speech at this point, don't you think so? But eventually, he wouldn't change his mind since the Domain was destroyed. Imrane-117 (talk) 15:23, 9 July 2014 (EDT)

Technical briefing

"Query Answer: A technical architecture briefing of client species is currently under construction by [scriba]."

343i is working on a proper Halo universe technical manual which actually goes into detail about tech like FTL comms? Would be a dream come true.--Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

A guide along the lines of the Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual would be stellar. I think I'm going to dig out my copy now. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Palmer's rank

"Query Answer: Human records indicate that [exploratore] Palmer was [rated] E-4 and placed for acceleration consideration for E-5 at time of transfer."

Oh, come on. That wasn't the right answer. I get that they want to tell us how great of a combatant she is (no doubt in reaction to some backlash to Spartan Ops that she never gets her hands dirty) but they could've done that while still maintaining the rank that made sense. But it would certainly explain why she seems to be so out of her depth in her current job. A good foot soldier does not automatically a good leader make.--Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Thanks to Initiation we know Palmer is terribly underqualified in addition to having a colossal inferiority complex. What was Musa thinking? At least it explains her wretchedly unprofessional demeanor. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Maybe Musa has been converted by the Parangosky faction of ONI and received the requisite lobotomy it entails? Or Parangosky/Osman still maintain a firm grip on the Spartans and will only place people they can easily control in positions of command.

On the matter of the SPARTAN-IVs, I'd love to see a story dealing with how the surviving Gamma Company Spartans get along with them. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

To be fair, Palmer did get her hands dirty in Spartan Ops...by going after a fan favorite character...on orders from an organization which is almost universally demonized by the fandom and creators...which probably made people dislike her even more...and I'll stop now. -- SFH (talk) 19:00, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

It's easy and tempting to jump on the hate bandwagon (not saying either of you have, just making a general observation) but I just wish they'd acknowledge Palmer's flaws and use that to build a growth arc for her. Not act like her behavior is perfectly acceptable of someone of her rank and responsibility. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Which is one reason I like Halo: Escalation. Palmer is actually likable. As for Palmer's rank...can we kidnap Catalog?Sith-venator Wavingstrider (Commlink) 02:20, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

I don't hate Palmer as a character (though she's dead weight in her own comic series). I just don't like 343i treating her as a Mary Sue the fans can't get enough of. Chris Schlerf did a superb job writing her in Escalation. It does a nice job of deconstructing her behavior during Spartan Ops even if it doesn't justify her acting like a whiny toddler in Initiation. Maybe she has an undiagnosed neurochemical imbalance like the Assembly suggests of Dr. Halsey. --Our vengeance is at hand.(Talk to me.) 10:36, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

I agree. It feels like 343i set out to create the Halo equivalent of Commander Shepard (hence Jennifer Hale) but ended up with the equivalent of James Vega instead. If Vega was more neurotic and irreverent. And also an officer instead of a mere grunt. There's a funny bit of copypasta around (I believe it was originally posted on Reddit or /v/) which reinvents Palmer's manic anti-intellectualism as a result of childhood trauma — she'd wanted to pursue a career in science but her abusive father practically forced her into the military (while repeatedly yelling "egghead" at her face). It doesn't quite fit with the official story of her parents being anti-UNSC, but it would certainly explain her behavior and make her more sympathetic. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 05:43, 9 July 2014 (EDT)

Forerunner Dreadnought

"Query Answer: No [conservation lifeboats] were to be left on indexed planets. Human administrative records indicate archived [Covenant] records are currently being researched by Human and [macto cognatus] [librarian] team at [CE-80-9012 d]."

I like all these mentions of human-Sangheili cooperation. Bit of a breath of fresh air after Kilo-Five and Halo 4. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 17:13, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

It's a nice throwback to the Halo 3-era notion of the UNSC and the Arbiter's forces getting along quite well, the overly idealistic "everybody's friends now" elements having been thoroughly deconstructed. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Yeah, I never bought too much into the "humans and Elites holding hands and singing Kumbaya" approach a lot of people seemed to assume went on after the war, but there's something to be said about the direction the Covenant as a whole have been taken over the last few years, which they're clearly dialing back now. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Space-time incongruities

Harvest

"Query Answer: [slip stream space] transit records record liminal [sphere] colony [ref: Harvest] as furthest official Human colony. [slip stream space] topology is not consistent with [Euclidean] distance, but significant discrepancy is noted. Updating coordinates from Edom [control]. Searching . . . Location coincident with [CE-309-8 d] [ref: Harvest]. Location coincident with [UC-901-9081] [ref: Epsilon Indi] [CE-309-8 d]: [conservation sphere] [waystation] facility and quadrinary LF.Xx.3273 research and containment facility present. Multiple [cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelom] violations inferred. Filing cases. Request Juridical [advocates] [ad litem] for summary judgement. [UC-901-9081] system surveyed by [pioneer group]. No further records found in local [cache]. Discrepancy the result of historical [propaganda] considerations during intial [sphere] expansion [obiter dictum]."

In other words, Harvest isn't especially far from Earth in a linear sense. Rather, the nature of slipspace in the Epsilon Indi system greatly increases inbound and outbound FTL travel time. The propaganda in question was probably an appeal to the hardworking nature of the farmer-types who would one day settle Harvest. The idea of living on the most distant human colony (from a certain point of view, that is) would undoubtedly resonate with the adventurous spirit of the 25th century Vikings who settled the planet. --Our vengeance is at hand.(Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

So, I suppose modern-day astronomy can't really be relied on at all when measuring distances in the Haloverse. Though this is probably one of the better solutions to the issue, which could never really have received a completely and utterly satisfactory answer. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Path Kethona and the Arks

"Query Answer: Reconciliation costs scale non-linearly with discrepancy in [information] transfer between locations and [brane] tension. Vessel mass is primarily a consideration with [slip stream space] transit energy requirements and [buffer] generation."

This one is kind of a handwave but it's consistent with the nature of slipspace as presented in The Forerunner Saga. Long story short, a ship's mass influences the energy required for slipspace travel but doesn't directly correlate to reconciliation. The metaphorical "thickness" of the space-time brane in a given area determines the severity of reconciliation. I guess the idea that proto-Forerunner or even Precursor tech hampered Audacity's journey by disrupting local space-time isn't so far-fetched after all. --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

I like the idea that there is some arcane megascale tech that basically multiplies the geometric distance to the LMC; perhaps imposed by the early Precursors to stall their demise, or by the Forerunners themselves afterwards. It would certainly fit in with the massive species-wide guilt they had going on after the genocide. That might even justify the (obviously erroneous) reference to "millions" of lightyears in Silentium, if we assume that to be the de facto distance from a slipspace-based perspective. It's probable this will never be explained or made canon, but it's fun to speculate. There's still very little we know of the really ancient past of the Forerunners and the Precursors (and what we know comes from more or less unreliable and occasionally contradicting sources) and I think that's a good thing. There should always be some element of mystery present. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Giving it a little more thought, I think Catalog's explanation really helps make sense out of the principally understandable but mechanically abstruse reconciliation. Based on what we witness in The Forerunner Saga, one can construct a reasonable model on how the phenomenon works. Someone with a proper grasp of information theory could probably get even more out of it.

Firstly, I think the "information transfer" part really is key to understanding reconciliation. The more there is to reconcile between the two locations, the more causality is strained. A trip to the extragalactic void isn't particularly costly because there is little information content in the destination; it's just empty space. On the contrary, Path Kethona was filled with unique information and history not present in the parent galaxy. The idea that trips into an empty void are cheaper than intersystem travel would also explain how the Didact could casually zip up and down the galactic plane in Cryptum without major effects (there were some, but none like the ones experienced by the Audacity crew). An intragalactic voyage along a well-trafficked slipspace lane is also going to cost less, because information between the two locations is exchanged and "refreshed" regularly; the same was true when portals were established between the galaxy and the "blank" extragalactic locations of the Arks. On the other hand, there was a ten-million-year discrepancy in information between the Milky Way and the LMC.

One could interpret the second consideration, "brane tension", as referring to the strain on a particular region of space-time generated by an excess of ships traveling there; this was obviously not an issue with Audacity and the LMC, but was witnessed with the Falco's near-fatal portal transit at the end of Cryptum. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 05:43, 9 July 2014 (EDT)

Latin

I really enjoy Catalog's extensive use of Latin. It provides a nice bit of continuity with Ghosts of Onyx and (to a lesser extent) Halo 3's terminals. "Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum" is a legal term. It essentially means (in modern parlance) "He who owns a piece of land also owns the local airspace." --Our vengeance is at hand. (Talk to me.) 18:14, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Oh, thanks. Should've looked it up instead of just running it through Google Translate. --Jugus (Talk | Contribs) 01:44, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Shadow of Intent at Earth

I found it interesting that the Shadow of Intent was mentioned as leaving on March 3, 2553. This we knew from the end of Halo 3. What was interesting is that Catalog said it got to Earth on February 29 which is interesting since that would be a leap year day and a date like 2553 ending on an odd number wouldn't be a leap year. Guess Catalog isn't infallible. Also the extra "e" in many uses of the word "judgment" as "judgement" throughout its posts makes me cringe. -ScaleMaster117 (talk) 22:38, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

i'm sure Catalog would assure us that despite our quaint human notions of time measurement, February 29th exists as a chronal reconciliation event or something or other. As for judgement - that's how we spell it in Commonwealth English, and I was unaware Americans didn't until today. The more you know!-- Qura 'Morhek ^{The Autocrat of Morheka} 23:05, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

Yep, as a Canadian, I didn't even notice it. And we may soon learn that the Forerunners, in fact, had a 29-day February and a 30-day January! - NightHammer (talk) 23:19, 7 July 2014 (EDT)

I'm also Canadian, but in some of my work in the past as a technical writer, I was tasked with knowing US spelling standards. Since virtually everything that comes out of Microsoft use US writing standards, I noted the discrepancy. -ScaleMaster117 (talk) 06:34, 8 July 2014 (EDT)

Catalog responses

The Catalog just said that query responses will be delayed this week, apparently due to the destruction of Mantle's Approach. Perhaps 343i is preparing for Comic-Con. Either way, we shouldn't expect much from him for a while. - NightHammer (talk) 23:13, 17 July 2014 (EDT)

Actually, it just said that it was correcting a previous answer which was pointed out to be chronologically incorrect. You're probably right about Comic-Con being the reason for the delay, though. That or Catalog simply broke from the excessive questions. -- SFH (talk) 23:21, 17 July 2014 (EDT)

Yep, you're right. I'm not good at translating these responses! - NightHammer (talk) 23:27, 17 July 2014 (EDT)