Cryptum

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This article is about the artifacts. For the novel, see Halo: Cryptum.

Cryptums, or Warrior Keeps, were powerful objects created by the Prometheans. A Cryptum was a sealed capsule where a high-ranking Warrior-Servant would enter self-imposed exile as punishment for failure or dishonour, involving a state of meditative hibernation known as "timeless xankara". During this time, the Forerunner would become unaware of the physical world around him, and could remain in a state of suspended animation for thousands of years. Cryptums required an extraordinary amount of force to breach once sealed. They denied access to every species except Forerunners.

While the Cryptum preserved the consciousness of the Forerunner inside for an indefinite period, the Forerunner's physical body would still deteriorate, albeit at a significantly reduced rate, in a process similar to natural mummification. The body would shrivel and loose most of its moisture. Removing a Forerunner from a Cryptum almost never happened, and the procedure is complicated. Once the Forerunner is removed from the Cryptum, the body must be placed in a restorative bath, and the body's supply of electrolytes, nutrients and other essentials replenished. The body's muscle structure must then be regenerated, a process requiring several days.

The nature of a Cryptum was unknown to most Forerunners, including Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. However, he was aware that the violation of a Cryptum invoked dire consequences, one of which was angering the powerful Prometheans.

A Cryptum was discovered in Djamonkin Crater by the young Forerunner Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting, containing the meditating Didact.

Trivia

• The millennial seal on the Didact's Cryptum was sealed by two forces known as "The Wisdom of Harbou" and "Strength of Lang". Who or what Harbou and Lang were is unknown.

List of appearances

• Halo: Cryptum (First appearance)