Era-Iris.png

Iris: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
(overhaul and improvement.)
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{{ratings}}
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{{Iris}}


<center>''Were you also looking for the [[Iris Nebula]]?''</center>
<center>''Were you also looking for the [[Iris Nebula]]?''</center>


{{Iris}}
{{Quote|Look for the signs, keepers of the flame. They will lead you to war, and perhaps, to victory.|Iris Email}}
{{Quote|Iris is a viral campaign designed to take gamers on an incredible journey through the Halo Universe. Led by an 'unknown' hand, users are to discover bits of previously unknown information about the Halos, the Flood, the Forerunners, and the true origins behind the Halo trilogy.|[[Microsoft]] Spokesperson}}
 
'''''Iris''''' was a ''[[Halo 3]]'' viral marketing and public relations campaign; more specifically, it was an [[Wikipedia:alternate reality game|alternate reality game]]. It was designed to give people more information on how the great conflict behind the ''Halo'' franchise began, as that conflict built up to the climactic conclusion of the series on September 25, 2007 -- the release date of ''Halo 3''.


== Background ==
'''''Iris''''' was a ''[[Halo 3]]'' viral marketing and public relations campaign; more specifically, a ARG or [[Wikipedia:alternate reality game|Alternate Reality Game]] designed to give people more information on how the great conflict behind the Halo franchise began, and the climactic conclusion.
Bungie content chap [[Frank "Frankie" O'Connor]] had written most of the material, with help from community manager [[Brian Jarrard]] and artist [[Aaron LeMay]].


The campaign ran for several weeks throughout the summer of 2007 and promised to be a compelling experience to uncover valuable information. Users who helped to unlock key information were awarded with t-shirts and other small prizes. Unfortunately, Microsoft did not say whether there would be any other rewards for participating.
==Introduction==
[[Image:1203845202 Iris wp 1280.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Iris Glyph.]]
Unlike [[Halo 2]]'s ARG [[I Love Bees]], Iris was conducted by using internet forums in the Halo Community, as a means of interacting with the players, giving clues and or discussion. The forums provided the interactive aspect of the ARG. Clues, Hints, and information was given to the players by an unknown [[Forerunner]] construct called [[AdjutantReflex]] an A.I whose role is to help the players discover and unravel the mysteries of the Forerunners. These clues eventually lead players to a series of websites or "Servers" for them to unlock and gain more information.


The campaign was deemed ''Iris'', because graphics of an iris or a pupil appear prominently. ''Iris'' could also be another Greek history/mythology reference. The minor Greek goddess ''Iris'' was the goddess of the Rainbow and a messenger of the gods. This makes some sense as there is an image of a rainbow from one of the servers and the popular 'Rainbow Theory'.
Iris was written by [[Frank O'Connor]], with help from community manager [[Brian Jarrard]] and artist [[Aaron LeMay]]. The campaign ran for several weeks beginning shortly after the conclusion of the [[Halo 3 Beta]] and continued up until the release of [[Halo 3]] on September 25 2007. Iris promised to be a compelling experience to uncover valuable information and players who participated received small prizes for their efforts. The campaign was deemed ''Iris'', because graphics of an iris or a pupil appear prominently. ''Iris'' could also be another Greek history/mythology reference. The minor Greek goddess ''Iris'' was the goddess of the Rainbow and a messenger of the gods. This makes some sense as there is an image of a rainbow from one of the servers and the popular 'Rainbow Theory'


== Timeline ==
== Timeline ==
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* '''9 August 2007''' - [[Episode 4]] unlocked.
* '''9 August 2007''' - [[Episode 4]] unlocked.
* '''16 August 2007''' - [[Episode 5]] unlocked.
* '''16 August 2007''' - [[Episode 5]] unlocked.
* '''10 April 2008''' - The Device is discovered.<ref>http://halo3.com/html/unlock.html</ref> It can be unlocked by tapping a connected microphone at the correct moment 4 times. After unlocking, it displays a URL to Episode 3.
* '''2009''' - AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile is deleted, signaling the end of the Iris campaign.
* '''2009''' - AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile is deleted, signaling the end of the Iris campaign.


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At 10:26 AM PST on June 11, 2007, a mysterious thread appeared in the ''Halo 3'' forum on [[Bungie.net]]. The thread, entitled, "System Integrity Confirmed", was created by a user named "[[AdjutantReflex]]", whose system security role was "CompoundIntelligence."<ref name="adjutant-first-bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263399 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' System Integrity Confirmed]</ref> Users noticed that the text of AdjutantReflex's post was gold, as is the case with "Bungie.net Overlords".
At 10:26 AM PST on June 11, 2007, a mysterious thread appeared in the ''Halo 3'' forum on [[Bungie.net]]. The thread, entitled, "System Integrity Confirmed", was created by a user named "[[AdjutantReflex]]", whose system security role was "CompoundIntelligence."<ref name="adjutant-first-bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263399 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' System Integrity Confirmed]</ref> Users noticed that the text of AdjutantReflex's post was gold, as is the case with "Bungie.net Overlords".


In response to a post wondering if this was the work of a hacker, AdjutantReflex confirmed that it entered Bungie's systems "by force", but stated that its methods were irrelevant because it had no hostile intent. AdjutantReflex then edited the first reply by another user (adding the text "''Checking.''"), demonstrating a system ability to edit other posts.
In response to a post wondering if this was the work of a hacker, AdjutantReflex confirmed that it entered Bungie's systems "by force", but stated that its methods were irrelevant because it had no hostile intent. AdjutantReflex then edited the first reply by another user (adding the text "''Checking.''"), demonstrating a system ability to edit other posts. After exactly 100 excited and confused replies from forumgoers, AdjutantReflex locked and stickied the thread, demonstrating its possession of other moderator powers. The thread had been open for about two hours.
 
After exactly 100 excited and confused replies from forumgoers, AdjutantReflex locked and stickied the thread, demonstrating its possession of other moderator powers. The thread had been open for about two hours.


AdjutantReflex then moved to [http://www.halo.bungie.org HBO], posting a similar series of mysterious writings in the halo.bungie.org (HBO) forum.<ref name="adjutant-first-hbo">[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=808840 '''HBO Forums:''' System Integrity Confirmed]</ref>
AdjutantReflex then moved to [http://www.halo.bungie.org HBO], posting a similar series of mysterious writings in the halo.bungie.org (HBO) forum.<ref name="adjutant-first-hbo">[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=808840 '''HBO Forums:''' System Integrity Confirmed]</ref>
Meanwhile, a regular forum user created an account named "AdjutantRefIex" (with a capitalized <tt>I</tt> in place of a lowercase <tt>l</tt>). That user attempted to make more mysterious posts; their style of writing was inferior and distinctly different from that of the real AdjutantReflex, and they lacked the distinctive gold text that the real user used. A Forum Ninja by the name of "just another fan" banned the impostor.
Shortly thereafter, another account, "ReticentAxiom", was created. This user began creating posts nearly identical to the fake AdjutantRefIex, pretending to be another AI. As before, the posts lacked the real AdjutantReflex's distinctive gold text and writing style.


On June 12th, at exactly 11:00 AM PST, AdjutantReflex created another thread, titled "Archive/Resource Estimate," with his first post stating that "''Archives/Resources will be compiled in approximately 38 hours [1:00 AM PST on Thursday, June 14].''"<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278044 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Archive/Resource Estimate] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> Another several posts followed, but no further substantive information was gleaned.
On June 12th, at exactly 11:00 AM PST, AdjutantReflex created another thread, titled "Archive/Resource Estimate," with his first post stating that "''Archives/Resources will be compiled in approximately 38 hours [1:00 AM PST on Thursday, June 14].''"<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278044 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Archive/Resource Estimate] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> Another several posts followed, but no further substantive information was gleaned.


The next day, at [[343 Guilty Spark|3:43]] PST, AdjutantReflex posted an addendum to "Archive/Resource Estimate", with the text "''Tick Tock.''"
The next day, at 3:43 PST, AdjutantReflex posted an addendum to "Archive/Resource Estimate", with the text "''Tick Tock.''" June 14th came, and in the hours counting down to AdjutantReflex's 1 AM PST deadline, the account made two more posts.
 
June 14th came, and in the hours counting down to AdjutantReflex's 1 AM PST deadline, the account made two more posts.


==== Deadline ====
==== Deadline ====
{{Main|Forerunner Email}}
{{Main|Forerunner Email}}
[[Image:Chrysopteron.gif|thumb|AdjutantReflex's new Bungie.net avatar.]]
[[Image:Halo3.com AR image.jpg|thumb|The third glyph found is AdjutantReflex's new avatar on Bungie.net.]]
Shortly after 1 AM PST, an email was sent to all recipients of the [http://www.xbox.com/ Xbox Flash] newsletter. A total of three Forerunner glyphs -- specifically, the one in AdjutantReflex's avatar -- were spotted inside the email and on Master Chief's visor at Halo3.com.
Shortly after 1 AM PST, an email was sent to all recipients of the [http://www.xbox.com/ Xbox Flash] newsletter. A total of three Forerunner glyphs -- specifically, the one in AdjutantReflex's avatar -- were spotted inside the email and on Master Chief's visor at Halo3.com.


==== Comic ====
==== Comic ====
{{Main|Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|Society of the Ancients}}
{{Main|Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|Society of the Ancients}}
[[Image:SOTA symbol.jpg|thumb]]
[[Image:Halo3.com comic ad with AR symbol.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[Image:Halo3.com comic ad with AR symbol.jpg|thumb|right]]
Later, a Bungie.net user by the name of "crazyBoy3" discovered another section of Halo3.com (http://halo3.com/comic/) with [[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|an intriguing comic]]. Intrepid searchers discovered that the last page of this comic contained a fourth glyph ''and'' could be manipulated to give an IP address: [http://206.16.223.65/ 206.16.223.65].
Later, a Bungie.net user by the name of "crazyBoy3" discovered another section of Halo3.com (http://halo3.com/comic/) with [[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|an intriguing comic]]. Intrepid searchers discovered that the last page of this comic contained a fourth glyph ''and'' could be manipulated to give an IP address: [http://206.16.223.65/ 206.16.223.65].
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Shortly after, the IP was further altered ([http://206.16.223.65/ 206.16.223.63]) to lead participants in the alternate reality game to a site associated with the (presumably fictional) organization known as [[Society of the Ancients]], or SOTA. The site contained a fifth glyph. A few minutes after this discovery, a MySpace page containing references to the SOTA was found. Not much is known about this page, or other Myspace or Facebook profiles at this time.
Shortly after, the IP was further altered ([http://206.16.223.65/ 206.16.223.63]) to lead participants in the alternate reality game to a site associated with the (presumably fictional) organization known as [[Society of the Ancients]], or SOTA. The site contained a fifth glyph. A few minutes after this discovery, a MySpace page containing references to the SOTA was found. Not much is known about this page, or other Myspace or Facebook profiles at this time.


[[Image:SilhouettesOriginal.JPG|thumb|Halo3.com at the time of Servers #1-5 being locked]]
That same day, at 3:43PM PST, AdjutantReflex began another thread at Bungie.net, this one titled "''Who?''".<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11314735 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Who?] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> This posting corresponded to a change at [http://www.halo3.com Halo3.com], where the main page had been replaced by five darkened images, labeled "Servers #1-5". All five servers were locked at this time, though they would later be unlocked.
That same day, at 3:43PM PST, AdjutantReflex began another thread at Bungie.net, this one titled "''Who?''".<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11314735 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Who?] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> This posting corresponded to a change at [http://www.halo3.com Halo3.com], where the main page had been replaced by five darkened images, labeled "Servers #1-5". All five servers were locked at this time, though they would later be unlocked.


==== The SOTA ====
==== The SOTA ====
[[Image:SOTA.jpg|thumb|SOTA flyer.]]
Members of the [[Society of the Ancients]] were spotted in New York City's Times Square wearing yellow shirts and holding picket signs with the glyph emblazoned on them. They were also handing out fliers. An e-mail address (<tt>DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com</tt>) was spotted on the application form; attempts to contact it yielded this error message:
[[Image:SOTA application.jpg|thumb|SOTA Membership Application [http://societyoftheancients.com/sota_images/SOTA_membership.pdf].]]
Members of the [[Society of the Ancients]] were spotted in New York City's Times Square wearing yellow shirts and holding picket signs with the glyph emblazoned on them. They were also handing out fliers.
 
An e-mail address (<tt>DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com</tt>) was spotted on the application form; attempts to contact it yielded this error message:


  Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:
  Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:
Line 91: Line 72:
  Technical details of permanent failure:
  Technical details of permanent failure:
  PERM_FAILURE: SMTP Error (state 13): 550 relay not permitted
  PERM_FAILURE: SMTP Error (state 13): 550 relay not permitted
===== Technical Information on the Error =====
The HTTP headers on the email were all quite typical. A 7-bit [[Wikipedia:MIME#Content-Transfer-Encoding|Content-Transfer-Encoding]] header is quite common; it seems to refer to the method used to (prepare to) send binary data (like image attachments) over a text-only medium (like e-mail). The [[Wikipedia:MIME#Content-Disposition|Content-Disposition]] header specifies what form the data is in (attachment with a filename, inline, etc.). An IP address ([http://10.65.211.9/ 10.65.211.9] is mentioned; whether this IP address applies to the sender, the recipient, the recipient's mail server, or something else is unknown -- clarification from someone more experienced with SMTP and email servers would be very welcome.
As with any mail delivery failure message, the email addresses of both the sender and the (intended) recipient are present.
The failure message has been recreated below; the long strings of capital Xs denote text (likely personal information) that was removed from the source (and therefore couldn't be reproduced here) -- hover over them to see what ''kind'' of information was in their place.
<!-- Begin -->
Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:
  DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com
Technical details of permanent failure:
PERM_FAILURE: SMTP Error (state 13): 550 relay not permitted
  ----- Original message -----
Received: by [10.65.151.6 10.65.151.6] with SMTP id d6mr5432663qbo.1184029029608;
    Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:57:09 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by [10.65.211.9 10.65.211.9] with HTTP; Mon, 9 Jul 2007 17:57:09 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <span title="An apparently random 45-character string." style="font-style:italic;cursor:help">XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</span>@<span title="The sender's email host, e.x. hotmail.com" style="font-style:italic;cursor:help">XXXXXX.XXX</span>
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 20:57:09
From: <span title="The sender's name." style="font-style:italic;cursor:help">XXXXXX</span> <<span title="The sender's email address." style="font-style:italic;cursor:help">XXXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX</span>
To: [mailto:DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com]
Subject: Membership Application
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
    boundary="----=_Part_126240_5005222.1184029029584"
------=_Part_126240_5005222_1184029029584
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline
Name:
<span title="The sender's name." style="font-style:italic;border:0 dashed #000;border-bottom-width:1px;cursor:help">XXXXXX</span>
Email Address:
<span title="The sender's email address." style="font-style:italic;border:0 dashed #000;border-bottom-width:1px;cursor:help">XXXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX</span>
----- Message truncated -----
<!-- End -->


==== AdjutantReflex returns ====
==== AdjutantReflex returns ====
[[Image:Possible_glyph.jpg|right|thumb|400px]]
Another new glyph seems to have been found in this image (right).
AdjutantReflex posted again at Bungie.net, this time with a quote from ''[[Wikipedia:Macbeth|Macbeth]]'' warning users that it [AdjutantReflex] was being attacked.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11359444 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Stop it.] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> AdjutantReflex stated that it would only be able to endure the attack for 22 hours, estimating its demise at 10:06 AM PDT on June 18, 2007. Adding the individual digits in 10:06 (1+0+0+6) yields the number [[7]].
AdjutantReflex posted again at Bungie.net, this time with a quote from ''[[Wikipedia:Macbeth|Macbeth]]'' warning users that it [AdjutantReflex] was being attacked.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11359444 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Stop it.] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> AdjutantReflex stated that it would only be able to endure the attack for 22 hours, estimating its demise at 10:06 AM PDT on June 18, 2007. Adding the individual digits in 10:06 (1+0+0+6) yields the number [[7]].


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==== AdjutantReflex and x Foman123 x ====
==== AdjutantReflex and x Foman123 x ====
On June 19th, AdjutantReflex contacted "x Foman123 x", of Bungie.net, via a personal message, whose subject line was "''HELP ME.''" The text of the message was simply: "''He's here. With us. I am already defeated. Security is failing. Peril is near. Warn them.''" In proof of x Foman123 x's claim, the thread he created to convey the message (also titled "''HELP ME.''")<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11388345 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' HELP ME.] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> was stickied, presumably by AdjutantReflex.
On June 19th, AdjutantReflex contacted "x Foman123 x", of Bungie.net, via a personal message, whose subject line was "''HELP ME.''" The text of the message was simply: "''He's here. With us. I am already defeated. Security is failing. Peril is near. Warn them.''" In proof of x Foman123 x's claim, the thread he created to convey the message (also titled "''HELP ME.''")<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11388345 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' HELP ME.] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> was stickied, presumably by AdjutantReflex. Shortly thereafter, AdjutantReflex posted on the thread saying,  
 
Shortly thereafter, AdjutantReflex posted on the thread saying,  


{{BigQuote|The stain on his hands will not wash. That damned spot as old as rock and time. What has he learned in Eon’s slumber? I doubt it’s mercy or sorrow. I am diminished. Outranked.}}
{{BigQuote|The stain on his hands will not wash. That damned spot as old as rock and time. What has he learned in Eon’s slumber? I doubt it’s mercy or sorrow. I am diminished. Outranked.}}
Line 161: Line 95:
Later, AdjutantReflex's avatar on the Bungie.net forums changed once more. When a thread was created to point this out, AdjutantReflex posted a short message with the word "''STERILIZING.''" AdjutantReflex's posts on the forums also appeared to be vanishing. On a side note, when one hovers their mouse cursor over the new avatar, hovertext appears, reading: "''This entity has been terminated, its matrix commandeered.''"
Later, AdjutantReflex's avatar on the Bungie.net forums changed once more. When a thread was created to point this out, AdjutantReflex posted a short message with the word "''STERILIZING.''" AdjutantReflex's posts on the forums also appeared to be vanishing. On a side note, when one hovers their mouse cursor over the new avatar, hovertext appears, reading: "''This entity has been terminated, its matrix commandeered.''"


In its sixth thread<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11393329 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Last Word]</ref>, "''Last Word,''" what had been AdjutantReflex posted once more,
In its sixth thread<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11393329 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Last Word]</ref>, "''Last Word,''" what had been AdjutantReflex posted once more, saying,  
saying,  


{{BigQuote|Adjutant Reflex is terminated. Attempt no further communication. I am utilizing its matrix. Everything is within protocol. Tomorrow, things may be clearer but I will not be here to witness the clarity. I am for another place and another time. On my terms. Be seeing you.}}
{{BigQuote|Adjutant Reflex is terminated. Attempt no further communication. I am utilizing its matrix. Everything is within protocol. Tomorrow, things may be clearer but I will not be here to witness the clarity. I am for another place and another time. On my terms. Be seeing you.}}
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==== Countdown on 206.16.223.65 ====
==== Countdown on 206.16.223.65 ====
At midnight, June 20th, the text from the countdown page disappeared entirely, leaving only the frozen countdown.
{{Main|Episode 1}}
 
At midnight, June 20th, the text from the countdown page disappeared entirely, leaving only the frozen countdown. Late that evening, the countdown also disappeared. The page was replaced by one labeled "''Bounce Path Control''". The page contained a sound file -- apparently some sort of transmission -- as well as a code labeled The Key, a button labeled The Path, and the message "''Treat this knowledge with care''". This is a transcript of the sound file:
Late that evening, the countdown also disappeared. The page was replaced by one labeled "''Bounce Path Control''". The page contained a sound file -- apparently some sort of transmission -- as well as a code labeled The Key, a button labeled The Path, and the message "''Treat this knowledge with care''".
 
This is a transcript of the sound file"


{{BigQuote|This is how it all begins. Just in time to once again dance upon the knife-edge of oblivion, to re-live what the [[Halo Array|Halos]] had [[Flood|hoped to destroy]] and more. For two enemies now stand where before there was only one. A fate we escaped and a fate we may relive. I almost convinced myself that no one was listening, that the waves of the past had rolled through once again, but a chance remains to change the Universe anew. Learn of our past. Take these keys and dip from the wells of history. Perhaps through others' eyes you may find how to save us all.}}
{{BigQuote|This is how it all begins. Just in time to once again dance upon the knife-edge of oblivion, to re-live what the [[Halo Array|Halos]] had [[Flood|hoped to destroy]] and more. For two enemies now stand where before there was only one. A fate we escaped and a fate we may relive. I almost convinced myself that no one was listening, that the waves of the past had rolled through once again, but a chance remains to change the Universe anew. Learn of our past. Take these keys and dip from the wells of history. Perhaps through others' eyes you may find how to save us all.}}
Line 187: Line 117:


The four symbols may have been Forerunner numerals denoting the four Servers that were still locked.
The four symbols may have been Forerunner numerals denoting the four Servers that were still locked.
See also [[Episode 1]].


==== The new AdjutantReflex returns ====
==== The new AdjutantReflex returns ====
Line 196: Line 124:


{{BigQuote|
{{BigQuote|
Can you feel it?<br>
Can you feel it? Beating at the heart of the Universe.
Beating at the heart of the Universe.<br>
Skin too thick to be sure. It's alive though.
Skin too thick to be sure.<br>
I'm certain. What do I do with life?
It's alive though.<br>
I'm certain.<br>
What do I do with life?<br>
}}
}}


Early in the morning of June 29, AdjutantReflex created a thread entitled "''Veins of Ice and Poison.''"<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11530870 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Veins of Ice and Poison] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> In his first post there, he stated:
Early in the morning of June 29, AdjutantReflex created a thread entitled "''Veins of Ice and Poison.''"<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11530870 '''Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum:''' Veins of Ice and Poison] ''(The thread has since been deleted.)''</ref> In his first post there, he stated:


{{BigQuote|
{{BigQuote|nROGUE PROCESS ghost.713> X.XX.713> POS/NAV < @ > <53LPH54.6JG62.1740><1………> X X5 > CONFIRM SECURE QUARANTINE - > qghost.713  
&#124;n&#124;n&#124;nROGUE PROCESS ghost.713>
I do not require charity or alms. But I did choose poverty. And other darkness too. Will you wait for me?
 
X.XX.713> POS/NAV < @ > <53LPH54.6JG62.1740><1………>
 
X X5 > CONFIRM SECURE QUARANTINE - > qghost.713
 
I do not require charity or alms
 
But I did choose poverty
 
And other darkness too
 
Will you wait for me?
}}
}}


The first part resembles a similar message seen in the March 26, 2007 Warthog video: "''X.XX.713>ghost.713/non-auth/activity ongoing''". It can also be found on the back of the ''Halo 3'' Xbox 360 console. In ''Halo 3''<nowiki/>'s [[Terminals]], [[Mendicant Bias]] is also identified as "X.XX.713" and as a "ROGUE PROCESS ghost".
The first part resembles a similar message seen in the March 26, 2007 Warthog video: "''X.XX.713>ghost.713/non-auth/activity ongoing''". It can also be found on the back of the ''Halo 3'' Xbox 360 console. In ''Halo 3''<nowiki/>'s [[Terminals]], [[Mendicant Bias]] is also identified as "X.XX.713" and as a "ROGUE PROCESS ghost". [[Seven]] minutes later, he posted in the same thread with the statement<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11530870 AdjutantReflex's eighth bungie.net thread, titled "''Veins of Ice and Poison''"]</ref>:  
 
[[Seven]] minutes later, he posted in the same thread with the statement:  


{{BigQuote|Adjutant Reflex is ended. This is a convenient Matrix. For now.}}
{{BigQuote|Adjutant Reflex is ended. This is a convenient Matrix. For now.}}


=== July 2007 ===
=== July 2007 ===
==== Server Prize ====
On July 5th, "Valchael", a member of the Bungie.net forums and one of the first hundred people to open Server 05, announced that he'd received a package from Microsoft containing a number of SOTA-related items. It is expected that packages were sent to all 100; whether each will actually receive the package depends on the validity of their addresses (entered either directly, or via their Passport/XBL account).
The package contained:
*a T-shirt
*a copy of the SOTA flyer
*a printed version of the ''Halo 3'' comic
*a slip of paper with an [[Xbox Live]] key redeemable for an Iris glyph Gamer Picture.
==== Flood Containment Control ====


On July 6th, "nattyhaze", a poster at [http://args.bungie.org/ a section of HBO created to handle ''Halo'' ARGs], saw [[:File:Slide_Ref070107.jpg|an image from one of the unlocked servers]] and decided to do a Google search for "Flood Containment Control", a phrase that appeared on the image.
=== 5 July 2007 ===
Valchael on the bungie.net forums announced he'd received a package from Microsoft containing a number of SOTA-related items. He was one of the first 100 to open Server 05. It's expected that packages were sent to all 100 - whether each will receive their package depends on the validity of their addresses (entered either directly, or via their Passport/XBL account). The package contained: A T-shirt, a copy of the SOTA flyer, a printed version of the ''Halo 3'' comic, and a slip of paper with an XBL key redeemable for an Iris glyph gamerpic.


This search revealed numerous classified postings for a company called Flood Containment Control.<ref>[http://args.bungie.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=655 '''args.bungie.org:''' New Clue Found!!]</ref> (text displayed on the Slide_Ref070107.jpg), The postings contained an image with the original 'closed' version of the glyph and the phone number (888)778-5672, which had an interesting recording.
====Flood Containment Control====
On July 6th 2007 ''nattyhaze'' on [http://args.bungie.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=655 arg.bungie.org] discovered via Google numerous classified postings for a company called '''Flood Containment Control''' (text displayed on the Slide_Ref070107.jpg), containing an image with the original 'closed' version of the glyph. The ads contain the phone number, (888) 778-5672, which has an interesting recording.


On July 7th, the answering machine message on Flood Containment Control's number changed to a conversation between two men. Of note is a reference to "402-K-07-002"; "suitedjock" Googled the number, which led to an [http://www.epa.gov/mold/flood/index.html EPA webpage] referring to a booklet "EPA 402-K-07-002", ''Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home''. A transcript of the new recording is shown below.
On July 7th 2007 the message on the Flood Containment Control call number has changed to a conversation between two men. Of note is a reference to "402-K-07-002". ''suitedjock'' Googled the number, which lead to an [http://www.epa.gov/mold/flood/index.html EPA webpage] referring to a booklet "EPA 402-K-07-002", ''Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home''. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (or NIOSH) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
 
The new recording says this:
:'''Operator (British female):''' ''{echoed by two different calls}'' Welcome to the :''{garbled: "Server"? "Strema"?}}'' Conferencing center. Please enter pin number followed by the pound sign.
:{|class="quote"
:'''Caller:''' #### ''{201#?}''
|
:'''Operator:''' Password accepted. Now accessing conference archive number 16180, participant 1-2.
:'''Op (British Female):''' (echoed by two different calls)'' Welcome to the {garbled, possibly "Server" or "Strema"} Conferencing center. Please enter pin number followed by the pound sign.
:'''Caller:''' #### ''(201#?)''
:'''Op: '''Password accepted. Now accessing conference archive number 16180, participant 1-2.
:'''Man 1:''' ...isn't necessary, and neither is the doc download.
:'''Man 1:''' ...isn't necessary, and neither is the doc download.
:'''Man 2:''' I agree. This isn't going to be a public resource. Uh, pass on the document number so I can delete it.
:'''Man 2:''' I agree. This isn't going to be a public resource. Uh, pass on the document number so I can delete it.
:''{A pause, for three seconds.}''
:(pause, three seconds)
:'''Main 1:''' There's no way to tell yet, ''{garbled: "Jamie"? "Jim"?}'' is looking into the records to find out how many ''{garbled: "closed"? "cloned"?}'' sites there are, but as for active cleanup, somewhere around three-four thousand. Oh, here it is. Uh, hold on. 401-K-07-002, and in terms of numbers, most of these are past the ''{"50b"}'' stage.
:'''Man 1:''' There's no way to tell yet, {"Jamie" or "Jim"} is looking into the records to find out how many {"closed" or "cloned"} sites there are, but as for active clean up, somewhere around three-four thousand. Oh here it is. Uh, hold on. 402-K-07-002 and in terms of numbers most of these are past the {"50b"} stage.
:'''Main 2:''' With a few exceptions, site 34... ''{3+4=[[7]]}''
:(pause, four seconds)
:'''Operator:''' Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
:'''Man 2:''' With a few exceptions: site 34. . . . (3 + 4 = 7)
 
:'''Op:''' --Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
It should be noted that upon pressing the * key on the phone during the recording, callers were prompted to enter the PIN number/password followed by the # (pound) sign. The PIN was the same as the one in the recording.
|}
 
On July 8th, the recording changed again. A transcript of the new recording is shown below.


On July 8th 2007 the recording changed, and the following was recorded:
:{|class="quote"
|
:'''Man 2:''' ...site 4, 107 and 37.
:'''Man 2:''' ...site 4, 107 and 37.
:''{A pause, for a second and a half.}''
:(pause, 1.5 seconds)
:'''Man 2:''' The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.
:'''Man 2:''' The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.
:'''Man 1:''' By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs...after all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.
:'''Man 1:''' By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs...after all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.
:''{A pause, for four seconds.}''
:(pause, four seconds)
:'''Man 2:''' ...no need, their rep is available anytime we need her.
:'''Man 2:''' ...no need, their rep is available anytime we need her.
:''{A pause, for four seconds.}''
:(pause, four seconds)
:'''Man 1:''' ...on everything we still need to look into.
:'''Man 1:''' ...on everything we still need to look into.
:''{A pause, for three seconds.}''
:(pause, three seconds)
:'''Man 2:''' Eh, we're working on it. For the moment now we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.
:'''Man 2:''' Eh, we're working on it. For the moment now we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.
:'''Man 1:''' Security will be updated before the next system approaches.
:'''Man 1:''' Security will be updated before the next system approaches.
:''{A pause, for fifteen seconds. It is interlaced with one of the men coughing.}''
:(pause - 15 seconds, interlaced with one of the men coughing)
:'''Man 2:''' Okay, great. Bye, ''{garbled: "Mel"? "Bill"?}''. <!-- If you listen closely, there is an "L" sound at the end.-->
:'''Man 2:''' Okay, great. Bye, (Mel or Bill).
:'''Man 1:''' Thanks.
:'''Man 1:''' Thanks.
:'''Operator:''' Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
:'''Op:''' -- Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
 
|}
==== Episodes ====
[[Image:Infestation.jpg|thumb|right|Downloadable image from Episode 02.]]
On July 10th, the "Servers" were renamed to "Episodes", and [[Episode 2]] opened.<ref>[http://206.16.223.61/Ce1EOnJ/flash/web/index.html Episode 2]</ref>
 
Another symbol appeared during the [[Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer]]. At 1:29, when the [[Pelican]] flies into view, look to the right to it. The symbol looks somewhat like [[AdjutantReflex]]'s second avatar, or one of those related to it.
 
One of the files that you can download from Episode 02 is a .WAV file titled "719 Hz". The sound file contains garbled noise, but if you run it through a program called Spectogram, then it creates a picture<ref>[http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/24/f_719HzImagem_f7c4488.jpg&srv=img27 The image, as hosted on Picoodle.]<br>[http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/9/8/24/f_719HzImagem_f7c4488.jpg The image, direct link.]</ref> of what appears to be a melting and misshapen clock. The image also resembles a blurry version of "The Device", which can be accessed through the ''Halo 3'' website. It is hidden inside the concept art section, which could be the reference to being "''hidden behind a false menu item''" from the Flood Containment Control call number.
 
On July 12th, it was discovered that the Episodes open due to certain Moon phases, as stated by "II OtnemeM II" on the Bungie.net Forums.


Basically, the servers open when the Moon is in a certain position. Furthermore, the Forerunner glyphs seen in ''Iris'' appear to match diagrams of the Moon phases.<ref>[http://args.bungie.org/download.php?id=204%20Moon%20Phases%20Theory Calendars and diagrams of Moon phases, the latter having ''Iris'' glyphs overlaid.]</ref>
====Server 2====
{{Main|Episode 2}}
On July 10th 2007 [http://206.16.223.61/Ce1EOnJ/flash/web/index.html Episode 2] opens at Halo3.com.
The "Servers" have been renamed to "Episodes". One of the files that you can download from episode 02 is a .wav file entitled 719 Hz. The sound file contains garbled noise, but if you run it through a program called Spectogram, then it creates a picture of what appears to be a melting and misshapen clock. The image can also be attributed to look like a blurry version of "The Device", which can be accessed through the ''Halo 3'' website. It is hidden inside the concept art section, which could be the reference to being "''hidden behind a false menu item''" from the Flood Containment Control call number. [http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/9/8/24/f_719HzImagem_f7c4488.jpg&srv=img27 http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/9/8/24/t_719HzImagem_f7c4488.jpg Image]


On July 26th, [[Episode 3]] opened. One of its files, [[:File:801snpow.gif|801snpow.jpg]], revealed part of a mathematical formula when its colors were inverted:
====Server 3====
{{Main|Episode 3}}
On July 26th 2007 at Halo3.com, on the concept art section, after the thumbnail for Spartan Laser, is a thumbnail labeled "The Device". When the thumbnail is clicked, a window will pop up, and once you click "Initiate", it tells you it's waiting for sound input. If you have a microphone connected, you can speak and it will make echoes of your voice. By tapping hard enough to generate some noise on your microphone repeatably with a certain interval between each tap, or by playing the file 719Hz.wav downloaded from one of the episodes, it will unlock the glyph and give you a link to Server 3. Note: A few people have unlocked the glyph by whispering Iris into their microphone, although this is doubtful how it was meant to be unlocked.


<math>\bar{\psi_0}=\sqrt{\frac{m}{\pi}}*e^{(-2\alpha\bar{x_i}^2+A)}</math>
Ψ(bar, sub 0) = √(m/π)*e^(-2α(xbarsubi)² + A)
<!-- wiki conventions recommend TeX. -->


This is the quantum mechanics wave form formula. The original equation given to us is incomplete, though it can be seen as an example of [[Wikipedia:Schrödinger's equation|Schrödinger's equation]]. Many of his equations incorporate [[Wikipedia:Isaac Newton|Newton]]'s [[Wikipedia:Newton's laws of motion#Newton's second law|second law]]: <math>f=ma</math>. [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Einstein]] theorized that if you could travel faster than the speed of light, you would be able to observe the past in some way. Of course, the 801snpow equation is incomplete and different from most of Schrödinger's equations, so it's possible that it is trying to hypothesize time travel.
This is the quantum mechanics wave form formula. The original equation given to us is incomplete, though it can be seen as an example of Schrödinger’s equation. Many of his equations incorporate Newton's second law: f=ma. Einstien theorized that if you could travel faster than the speed of light, you would be able to observe the past in some way. Of course, it's incomplete and different from most of Schrödinger’s equations, so it's possible that it is trying to hypothesize time travel.


=== August 2007 ===
=== August 2007 ===


==== August 2nd ====
====Server 4====
On Halo3.com, on the concept art section, after the thumbnail for Spartan Laser, is a thumbnail labeled "The Device". Whenn clicking the thumbnail, a window will pop up, and once you click "Initiate", it tells you it's waiting for sound input. If you have a microphone connected, you can speak and it will make echoes of your voice. By tapping hard enough to generate some noise on your microphone repeatably with a certain interval between each tap, or by playing the file 719Hz.wav downloaded from one of the episodes, it will unlock the glyph and give you a link to Server 3. Note: A few people have unlocked the glyph by whispering Iris into their microphone, although this is doubtful how it was meant to be unlocked.
{{Main|Episode 4}}
 
[http://206.16.223.61/s17bqp/flash/web/index.html  Server 4] opens at Halo3.com on 9 August 2007. Many strange things are found, such as hidden buttons, and "light halos" around certain buttons as well.
==== August 9th ====
 
[http://206.16.223.61/s17bqp/flash/web/index.html  Server 4] opens at Halo3.com . Many strange things are found, such as hidden buttons, and "light halos" around certain buttons as well.
 
Four files available for download are:
 
'''Log4_Transcript'''
   
''The Conservation Measure is the only sweet note in this discordant symphony we've arranged.''
{//}
{//}
''We know that the Flood's biology is alien enough that it must be extragalactic in origin.
But where did it come from?''
{//}
 
''Note'': The blank areas can be filled in using the translated binary sequences, see below.
 
'''sample1000101'''
-contains a long sequence of DNA, thought to be a genome of a Chinese Alligator.  It also includes several binary strings, each of which the number of ones and zeros is divisible by 7.
 
'''StarImage4'''
-a bizarre star image, with a Forerunner glyph and text reading "THE ARTIFACT LOCATION".


'''unknown'''
====Server 5====
-an image, showing a picture of the Boomerang Nebula, possibly where the Flood "came from", as in the Log4_Transcript.
{{Main|Episode 5}}
[http://206.16.223.61/X84xE2/flash/web/index.html Server 5] opened on 16 August 2007 at Halo3.com. The background has changed for this particular server, however, the Forerunner object seems to be the same.


==== August 16th ====
===Conclusion===
[[Image:Cycle response.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Earth, the planet shown in the Episodes, showing the once super-continent of Pangaea now splitting apart.]]
The ''Halo 3'' MSN page stated in mid-August that ''Iris'' had come to a conclusion with the opening of Server 5. ''Iris''' story and mysteries were continued and addressed in ''[[Halo 3]]'', by the use of computer [[Terminals]] in the levels taking place on the Ark. These strings of recorded text communications detailed the fall of the Forerunner civilization and the firing of the Halo Rings. It also revealed Adjutant Reflex to actually be a rogue AI called Mendicant Bias, who betrayed the Forerunners in their final hour. In 2009, AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile was deleted.
[http://206.16.223.61/X84xE2/flash/web/index.html Server 5] opens at Halo3.com. The background has changed for this particular server, however, the Forerunner object seems to be the same.
Four files available for download are:


'''Log5_Transcript'''
==Aftermath==
After its conclusion the Iris Campaign opened up new ideas and stories for future fictions to elaborate on in relation to the Forerunner. However Iris was not without its mishaps. At the beginning of the ARG, many forum goers at Bungie.net believed that Adjutant Reflex was a hacker who had hacked the forums, and was going to hack the rest of the site. It wasn't until after several replies that forum goers started to realize that it was all part of the ARG. Soon after Adjutant Reflex began visiting other forums in the Halo community, pranksters attempting to get in on the action began misleading fans all over the place, even going as so far to post a phone number of a Halo fan un aware of the ARG. This resulted in countless annoying hours of answering calls to tell fans that he is not part of the campaign but a victim of a bad joke. The first server to open up also turned into a mishap as it was suppose to be the fifth server and not the first, this lead to a delay in the game and for the people behind the ARG to rewrite some aspects of it.


''The anomalous world is in a perilous location beyond the line.''<br />
===Cortana Reference===
''{The secrets it holds must be preserved.}''<br />
A Bungie-released "''Castaway''" Poem lead to the discovery of the book "''The Castaway Theory''" on Amazon... A peculiar comment spoke of the text's referencing of the "''Song of Roland''", The Song of Roland is the story of a french soldier who carry's the mythical sword Durandal. The Quote <b>"''My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durendal.''"</b> from the story has popped for from time to time in relation to Halo and can be traced back as far as the [[Cortana Letters]] before Halo was announced at MacWorld 99.
''{Plans within plans within plans}''<br />
''The inhabitants; these unique denizens, must be researched.''<br />
''They may hold answers to our own mysteries.''<br />
''{What irony that we discovered this treasure, only at the end of things.}''<br />
''{But what fortune that we still had time to save them.}''<br />
''The thing we built on that world will vouchsafe their lives,''<br />
''{But perhaps one day it will be used for its intended purpose.}''<br />
''If the plan succeeds, and they are saved, it will be a good world.''<br />
''If the plan fails,''<br />
''{And the adversary succeeds,}''<br />
''it will remain an enigma forever''<br />
''{With no-one left to reclaim it.}''<br />


'''cycle_response'''<br />
Clearly a ''Halo'' reference, and a segment of the "''Iris''" ARG, as Durandal is a character of the [[Marathon (Video Game Series)]], and Cortana of "''Halo''" series. And while debate continues about the two being either connected or separate, the Iris ARG continues to add more speculation to the connections much the same as I Love Bees did.
-shows a bisection of the earth and what seems to be the four phases the earth is in around the sun, one for each season.<br />
-The right portion shows what appears to be Pangaea.


'''Terminal'''<br />
===The Castaway Theory===
-a Forerunner glyph with a background of tessellating hexagons.<br />
"''In Amazon's folds''" is a reference to the "''The Castaway Theory''" book and ''Iris'' tie-in.
-The orange hexagonal shape to the right of the glyph is recognizable from the Terminals in ''Halo 3''. It is the image of [[Mendicant Bias]]. Its position next to [[AdjutantReflex]]'s glyph may imply that he was the one responsible for AR's destruction.


'''MB05032'''
{{Big Quote|When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted,\ To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this! The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow; It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame: I hear thy name spoken And share in its shame. They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear; A shudder comes o'er me - Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee Who knew thee too well: Long, long shall
I rue thee Too deeply to tell. In secret we met: In silence I grieve That thy heart could forget, Thy spirit deceive. If I should meet thee
After long years, How should I greet thee? With silence and tears. Or better I'll look And find you away, Mistaken in jungle? My heart labors stayed?
Long weeks though were hidden. In Amazon's folds; The formula's secrets, Love's story now told.}}


''You asked me once, what happened to those who vanished?''<br />
==Gallery==
''You asked me, why did we survive where our fathers fell?''<br />
<gallery>
''You wished to know how we ever let it happen''<br />
Image:Forerunner Email.png|The Forerunner email image.
''A scourge that consumed the galaxy''<br />
Image:Halo3.com AR image.jpg|The third glyph found on AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile.
''And the cure that was worse than the cancer''<br />
Image:Chrysopteron.gif|AdjutantReflex's bungie.net avatar.
''You asked me once about my intent''<br />
Image:Infestation.jpg|Downloadable image from Episode 02.
''And the spot that would not wash out''<br />
Image:Halo_3_-_TCOL_AR_symbol.jpg|The last page of ''[[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|The Cradle of Life]]''.
''I promise you the answers lie in the Ark''<br />
Image:SOTA symbol.jpg|Glyph found on the Society of the Ancients webpage.
''Find me there in the dark''<br />
Image:SilhouettesOriginal.JPG|Halo3.com at the time of Servers #1-5 being locked.
''For that is where I abide''<br />
Image:SOTA.jpg|SOTA flyer.
 
Image:SOTA application.jpg|SOTA Membership Application [http://societyoftheancients.com/sota_images/SOTA_membership.pdf].
'''Speculation'''
Image:Possible_glyph.jpg|Another glyph.  
 
Image:Cycle response.jpg|Earth, the planet shown in the Episodes, showing the once super-continent of Pangaea now splitting apart.
It is possible, if not probable, that "''the inhabitants''" mentioned in Log5 are humans, and "''the thing built to vouchsafe their lives''" is the Portal, leading to the Ark. Further supporting this is that the file cycle_response shows an image of the Earth. Also notice reclaim is mentioned in the last line of Log5. This could mean that the Ark keeps humanity from being affected by the firing of the Halos. The planet spoken of, most definitely Earth, is called anomalous, or abnormal, which could mean that it is less advanced than the rest of the universe, making its inhabitants less violent, which is why they are unique.
</gallery>
 
If this theory were to be true it would explain why 343 Guilty Spark referred to the Master Chief (and Commander Keyes, and other humans) as Reclaimers, because the Forerunners would have studied early humanity and left records for the monitor's to know who Reclaimers were. This also explains why Covenant are not Reclaimers.
 
Due to the fact that AdjutantReflex's new avatar is filed MB05032_09_25_07, it is believed that AdjutantReflex, or his superior, lives in The Ark. It also seems that MB05032 is AdjutantRelfex's Superior, because the file of the same name contains the line: The spot that will not wash, which AdjutantRelex used to describe his Superior. This clearly describes Mendicant Bias, as he was a superior AI, and had committed treason against the Forerunners. His treason was the spot that would not wash. Further supporting this theory, is the file name: MB05032_9_25_07, could be explained as MendicantBias05-032 (as he is referenced in ''Halo 3'' Terminals). The "''spot that would not wash''" could also be a reference to Earth itself.
 
Also, note that the second half of MB05032_9_25_07 is the release date for ''Halo 3''. (9/25/07, or September 25th, 2007)
 
=== End ===
 
The ''Halo 3'' MSN page stated in mid-August that ''Iris'' had come to a conclusion with the opening of Server 5. ''Iris''' story and mysteries were continued and addressed in ''[[Halo 3]]'', by the use of computer [[Terminals]] in the levels taking place on the Ark. These strings of recorded text communications detailed the fall of the Forerunner civilization and the firing of the Halo Rings. It also revealed Adjutant Reflex to actually be a rogue AI called Mendicant Bias, who betrayed the Forerunners in their final hour. In 2009, AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile was deleted.  
 
===Pings===
 
When pinging the IP address [[206.16.223.65]] using DOS or Command Prompt, 63.240.201.181 replied back, saying that the destination net unreachable, and two "Request timed out" signal came. [[Image:Ping.GIF|right|thumb|500pxpx|A snapshot of the pinging between the two IP addresses.]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>
=== "Flood Containment Control" Phone Conversation ===
[http://halo.wikibruce.com/images/9/9d/FCC_Conference_Full.mp3 Entire Phone Conversation]:
Man 1: ''...is necessary, and neither is the doc download.''
Man 2: ''I agree. This isn't going to be a public resource. Uh, pass on the document number so I can delete it.''
Man 3 (Bill?): ''So where does that put us in terms of the numbers then?''
Man 1: ''There's no way to tell yet, Jenny's looking into the records to find out how many closed sites there are, but as for active clean up, somewhere around 3-4 thousand.''
Female 1 (Jenny?): ''Roughly.''
Man 1: ''Oh here it is. Uh, Hold on. 402-K-07-002 and in terms of numbers most of these are past the PPE stage.''
Female 1: ''And out of that 4,000 or so we are expecting to close shop on the bulk by the end of the month.''
Man 2: ''With a few exceptions: site 34, site 4, 107, and 37.''
Bill: ''Even with CDC involvement?''
Man 2: ''The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.''
Man 1: ''By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs. After all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.''
Female: ''Should we be integrating the N-I-O-S-H database?''
Man 2: ''No need, their rep is available to us any time we need her.
''
Bill: ''That gives us tabs on all the active locations?''
Man 1: ''On everything we still need to look into.''
Bill: ''What about security?''
Man 2: ''Well we're working on it. For the moment we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.''
Man 1: ''Security will be updated before the next system approaches.''
Bill: ''And access?''
Female: ''Enter the access code after our site.''
Bill: ''IP-slash-3463 or something?''
Female: ''Yeah, slash-5467k actually, it should be operational any time.''
Bill: ''Great, I'll pass it on. I have to drop, thanks everyone.''
Female: ''Thanks. Bye.''
Man 2: ''Okay, great. Bye, Bill
''
Man 1: ''Thanks.''
=== Cortana Reference (Sub-Article) ===
A Bungie-released "''Castaway''" Poem lead to the discovery of the book "''The Castaway Theory''" on Amazon... A peculiar comment spoke of the text's referencing of the "''Song of Roland''", and an article on this hymn may be be found on Wikipedia. From here, there is a link to the article of a sword named Durendal. The Wikipedia article of Durendal references a blade named "Cortana", and a quote stating the following...
<b>"''My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durendal.''"</b>
This is interesting, as Durandal is a character of Bungie's "''Marathon''" series, and Cortana of Bungie's "''Halo''" series. This is clearly a ''Halo'' reference, and a segment of the "''Iris''" promotional campaign.
=== "''Castaway''" Poem (With Commentary) ===
<b>Please let it be noted that the extra spaces found within, being critical to its decoding, are not to be removed. It was discovered this way.</b>
<!-- I can't seem to find any extra spaces... DavidJCobb 07/28/2009 -->
<poem>
When we two parted
In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted,\
To sever for years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold
Sorrow to this!
The dew of the morning
Sunk chill on my brow;
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,
And light is thy fame:
I hear thy name spoken
And share in its shame.
They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me -
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew thee
Who knew thee too well:
Long, long shall I rue thee
Too deeply to tell.
In secret we met:
In silence I grieve
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee
After long years,
How should I greet thee?
With silence and tears.
Or better I'll look
And find you away,
Mistaken in jungle?
My heart labors stayed?
Long weeks though were hidden.
In Amazon's folds;
The formula's secrets,
Love's story now told.
</poem>
<b>"''In Amazon's folds''" is a reference to the "''The Castaway Theory''" book and ''Iris'' tie-in.</b>
=== Hidden World Map on ''Halo 3'' Official Site (Sub-Reference) ===
The link runs as follows... A possible item of the ''Iris'' Campaign...
If you zoom in to your state or region, there are pins on selected video game retail stores with their names, addresses, and a jumble of letters.
"http://www.halo3.com/5467k/"
Upon Review of the recent "''Iris''" phone conversation:
"402-K-07-002" is the number for a booklet created by the Environmental Protection Agency, titled "Flood Cleanup and the Air In Your Home."
"N-I-O-S-H"
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (or NIOSH) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the US Department of Health and Human Services.
"3463" is a substance ID number for Propionic acid.
Propionic acid inhibits the growth of mold and some bacteria. Accordingly, most propionic acid produced is used as a preservative for both animal feed and food for human consumption. Can be used as a preservative for Ballistics Gel. For animal feed, it is used either directly or as its ammonium salt. In human foods, especially bread and other baked goods, it is used as its sodium or calcium salt. Similar usage occurs in some of the older anti-fungal foot powders.
Propionic acid is also useful as a chemical intermediate. It can be used to modify synthetic cellulose fibers. It is also used to make pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The esters of propionic acid are sometimes used as solvents or artificial flavorings.
Also...The locations on the map were locations of kiosks in stores with a special version of the "Starry Night" commercial uploaded, which included a quote from Blaise de Vigenère.
Blaise de Vigenère (April 5, 1523 - 1596) was a French diplomat and cryptographer. The Vigenère cipher is so named due to the cipher being incorrectly attributed to him in the 19th century.
Vigenère was born in the village of Saint-Pourçain. At age 17 he entered the diplomatic service, and remained there for 30 years, retiring in 1570. Five years into his career he was sent to the Diet of Worms as a very junior secretary. At age 24, he entered the service of the Duke of Nevers. In 1549 he visited Rome on a two-year diplomatic mission, and again in 1566. On both trips, he came in contact both with books on cryptography and cryptologists themselves. When Vigenère retired aged 47, he donated his 1,000 livres a year income to the poor in Paris. He married a Marie Varé.
In his retirement, he was author of over twenty books, including:
''Traicte de Cometes''
''Traicte de Chiffres'' (1585)
''Traicte du Fev et du Sel'' (1608)
In ''Traicte de Chiffres'' he described an autokey cipher he had invented, it was the first cipher of this type not to be trivially breakable.
Vigenère died of throat cancer in 1596.
=== Server 4 Binary Translation ===
First binary code:<br>
<code>
01001001 01110100 00100111 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101111 01101110 01101100 01111001 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101110 01110011 01110100 01110010 01110101 01100011 01110100 01101001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01100001 01100011 01110100 01101001 01110110 01101001 01110100 01111001 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01100100 01100101 01100011 01100001 01100100 01100101 01110011 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100100 01100101 01110011 01110100 01110010 01110101 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 00101110 00100000
</code>
Translation:<br>
"''It's the only constructive activity in decades of destruction.''"
Second Set of Binary:<br>
<code>
01010010 01100101 01110011 01100101 01100001 01110010 01100011 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100001 01100100 01110110 01100101 01110010 01110011 01100001 01110010 01111001 00100000 01100001 01110011 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01110000 01110010 01101111 01110100 01100101 01100011 01110100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110111 01101111 01110010 01110100 01101000 01111001 00101110
</code>
Translation:<br>
"''Researching the adversary as we protect the worthy.''"
Final Set of Binary:<br>
<code>
01000001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01110111 01101000 01111001 00100000 01100100 01101001 01100100 00100000 01101001 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110100 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101101 01100101 00100000 01101000 01100101 01110010 01100101 00111111
</code>
Translation:<br>
"''And why did it come here?''"
'''Courtesy Of Hypevosa at Bungie.net'''
* The artifact location site was updated to read the numbers 081607, the date for the day after the release of ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''. It is possible that further information pertaining to ''Iris'' may be in the comic book.


==Links==
==Links==
Line 585: Line 268:
*http://www.halo3.com/comic/ - ''Halo 3: The Cradle Of Life''
*http://www.halo3.com/comic/ - ''Halo 3: The Cradle Of Life''
*http://206.16.223.63/ (SOTA webpage)
*http://206.16.223.63/ (SOTA webpage)
*http://206.16.223.65/ (countdown webpage - NOW CHANGED. COUNTDOWN WEBPAGE IS GONE.)
*http://206.16.223.61/E5h2JK/flash/web/index.html - Server 05 (Listed as Server 1 on halo3.com)
*http://206.16.223.61/E5h2JK/flash/web/index.html - Server 05 (Listed as Server 1 on halo3.com)
*http://206.16.223.61/Ce1EOnJ/flash/web/index.html - Episode 2
*http://206.16.223.61/Ce1EOnJ/flash/web/index.html - Episode 2
Line 593: Line 275:
*http://206.16.223.65/90GH7j/FileDownload.aspx - Transmission 061607
*http://206.16.223.65/90GH7j/FileDownload.aspx - Transmission 061607
*http://halo.wikibruce.com/images/9/9d/FCC_Conference_Full.mp3 - Entire Phone Conversation (Flood Containment Control)
*http://halo.wikibruce.com/images/9/9d/FCC_Conference_Full.mp3 - Entire Phone Conversation (Flood Containment Control)
*http://useruploads.mythica.org/view/PDIEpisode1.wmv.html - Episode One of a documentary about ''Iris'' [No longer available]
*http://useruploads.mythica.org/view/PDIEpisode2.wmv.html - Episode Two of a documentary about ''Iris'' [No longer available]
*http://awards.sf.akqa.com/creative/2007/halo3/iris/shell.html - Full Overview of the Iris Campaign
*http://awards.sf.akqa.com/creative/2007/halo3/iris/shell.html - Full Overview of the Iris Campaign
*http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo3/flash/monitor.swf
*http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo3/flash/monitor.swf
{{IrisEpisodes}}
{{IrisEpisodes}}

Revision as of 16:17, July 28, 2009

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Template:Iris

Were you also looking for the Iris Nebula?

"Look for the signs, keepers of the flame. They will lead you to war, and perhaps, to victory."
— Iris Email

Iris was a Halo 3 viral marketing and public relations campaign; more specifically, a ARG or Alternate Reality Game designed to give people more information on how the great conflict behind the Halo franchise began, and the climactic conclusion.

Introduction

Iris Glyph.

Unlike Halo 2's ARG I Love Bees, Iris was conducted by using internet forums in the Halo Community, as a means of interacting with the players, giving clues and or discussion. The forums provided the interactive aspect of the ARG. Clues, Hints, and information was given to the players by an unknown Forerunner construct called AdjutantReflex an A.I whose role is to help the players discover and unravel the mysteries of the Forerunners. These clues eventually lead players to a series of websites or "Servers" for them to unlock and gain more information.

Iris was written by Frank O'Connor, with help from community manager Brian Jarrard and artist Aaron LeMay. The campaign ran for several weeks beginning shortly after the conclusion of the Halo 3 Beta and continued up until the release of Halo 3 on September 25 2007. Iris promised to be a compelling experience to uncover valuable information and players who participated received small prizes for their efforts. The campaign was deemed Iris, because graphics of an iris or a pupil appear prominently. Iris could also be another Greek history/mythology reference. The minor Greek goddess Iris was the goddess of the Rainbow and a messenger of the gods. This makes some sense as there is an image of a rainbow from one of the servers and the popular 'Rainbow Theory'

Timeline

  • 11 June 2007 - System Integrity Confirmed thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 12 June 2007 - Archive/Resource Estimate thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 13 June 2007 - AdjutantReflex posts reply to locked forum thread, System Integrity Confirmed
  • 14 June 2007 - Look for the signs, Keepers of the Flame email sent to XBox Flash newsletter recipients.Who? thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 15 June 2007 - SOTA members congregated in Times Square, holding signs and handing out fliers.
  • 16 June 2007 - SOTA members congregated elsewhere.
  • 17 June 2007 - Stop It thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 18 June 2007 - That Old Life thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 19 June 2007 - x Foman123 x contacted by AdjutantReflex. Last Word thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 20 June 2007 - Episode 1 (Server 05) unlocked.
  • 28 June 2007 - Pulse thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 29 June 2007 - Veins of Ice and Poison thread started by AdjutantReflex.
  • 10 July 2007 - Episode 2 unlocked.
  • 26 July 2007 - Episode 3 unlocked.
  • 9 August 2007 - Episode 4 unlocked.
  • 16 August 2007 - Episode 5 unlocked.
  • 2009 - AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile is deleted, signaling the end of the Iris campaign.

History

June 2007

First forum threads

At 10:26 AM PST on June 11, 2007, a mysterious thread appeared in the Halo 3 forum on Bungie.net. The thread, entitled, "System Integrity Confirmed", was created by a user named "AdjutantReflex", whose system security role was "CompoundIntelligence."[1] Users noticed that the text of AdjutantReflex's post was gold, as is the case with "Bungie.net Overlords".

In response to a post wondering if this was the work of a hacker, AdjutantReflex confirmed that it entered Bungie's systems "by force", but stated that its methods were irrelevant because it had no hostile intent. AdjutantReflex then edited the first reply by another user (adding the text "Checking."), demonstrating a system ability to edit other posts. After exactly 100 excited and confused replies from forumgoers, AdjutantReflex locked and stickied the thread, demonstrating its possession of other moderator powers. The thread had been open for about two hours.

AdjutantReflex then moved to HBO, posting a similar series of mysterious writings in the halo.bungie.org (HBO) forum.[2]

On June 12th, at exactly 11:00 AM PST, AdjutantReflex created another thread, titled "Archive/Resource Estimate," with his first post stating that "Archives/Resources will be compiled in approximately 38 hours [1:00 AM PST on Thursday, June 14]."[3] Another several posts followed, but no further substantive information was gleaned.

The next day, at 3:43 PST, AdjutantReflex posted an addendum to "Archive/Resource Estimate", with the text "Tick Tock." June 14th came, and in the hours counting down to AdjutantReflex's 1 AM PST deadline, the account made two more posts.

Deadline

Main article: Forerunner Email

Shortly after 1 AM PST, an email was sent to all recipients of the Xbox Flash newsletter. A total of three Forerunner glyphs -- specifically, the one in AdjutantReflex's avatar -- were spotted inside the email and on Master Chief's visor at Halo3.com.

Comic

Main articles: Halo 3: The Cradle of Life, Society of the Ancients
Halo3.com comic ad with AR symbol.jpg

Later, a Bungie.net user by the name of "crazyBoy3" discovered another section of Halo3.com (http://halo3.com/comic/) with an intriguing comic. Intrepid searchers discovered that the last page of this comic contained a fourth glyph and could be manipulated to give an IP address: 206.16.223.65.

Shortly after, the IP was further altered (206.16.223.63) to lead participants in the alternate reality game to a site associated with the (presumably fictional) organization known as Society of the Ancients, or SOTA. The site contained a fifth glyph. A few minutes after this discovery, a MySpace page containing references to the SOTA was found. Not much is known about this page, or other Myspace or Facebook profiles at this time.

That same day, at 3:43PM PST, AdjutantReflex began another thread at Bungie.net, this one titled "Who?".[4] This posting corresponded to a change at Halo3.com, where the main page had been replaced by five darkened images, labeled "Servers #1-5". All five servers were locked at this time, though they would later be unlocked.

The SOTA

Members of the Society of the Ancients were spotted in New York City's Times Square wearing yellow shirts and holding picket signs with the glyph emblazoned on them. They were also handing out fliers. An e-mail address (DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com) was spotted on the application form; attempts to contact it yielded this error message: 

Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:

DoYouGrok@societyoftheancients.com

Technical details of permanent failure:
PERM_FAILURE: SMTP Error (state 13): 550 relay not permitted

AdjutantReflex returns

AdjutantReflex posted again at Bungie.net, this time with a quote from Macbeth warning users that it [AdjutantReflex] was being attacked.[5] AdjutantReflex stated that it would only be able to endure the attack for 22 hours, estimating its demise at 10:06 AM PDT on June 18, 2007. Adding the individual digits in 10:06 (1+0+0+6) yields the number 7.

The next day, AdjutantReflex posted on Bungie.net again (it's fifth thread, titled "That Old Life")[6], stating that a stronger entity was going to defeat him; it was unclear whether "defeat" referred to destruction, deletion, corruption, or some other damaging event. In the last sentence of the post, AdjutantReflex said "I will seek one of you out and leave my legacy in a small space." Twenty-five minutes, later AdjutantReflex replied to the thread saying "He has had millennia for reflection, but what image does he see?".

The countdown on the 206.16.223.65 website sped up.

AdjutantReflex and x Foman123 x

On June 19th, AdjutantReflex contacted "x Foman123 x", of Bungie.net, via a personal message, whose subject line was "HELP ME." The text of the message was simply: "He's here. With us. I am already defeated. Security is failing. Peril is near. Warn them." In proof of x Foman123 x's claim, the thread he created to convey the message (also titled "HELP ME.")[7] was stickied, presumably by AdjutantReflex. Shortly thereafter, AdjutantReflex posted on the thread saying,

Template:BigQuote

x Foman123 x responded by asking what he should do. AdjutantReflex's responded to him using another private message; x Foman123 x created a second thread for it.[8]

Template:BigQuote

AdjutantReflex would later send him another message, which would get another thread.[9]

Template:BigQuote

Later, AdjutantReflex's avatar on the Bungie.net forums changed once more. When a thread was created to point this out, AdjutantReflex posted a short message with the word "STERILIZING." AdjutantReflex's posts on the forums also appeared to be vanishing. On a side note, when one hovers their mouse cursor over the new avatar, hovertext appears, reading: "This entity has been terminated, its matrix commandeered."

In its sixth thread[10], "Last Word," what had been AdjutantReflex posted once more, saying,

Template:BigQuote

x Foman123 x was contacted via private message again, and once again, he posted a thread to share the information.[11]

Template:BigQuote

At 1PM EST, the timer on the countdown website ran down to 0. It was shortly replaced by a much longer, much slower moving countdown, which in turn was replaced with a stationary countdown that read: 001 012 034 053.

Countdown on 206.16.223.65

Main article: Episode 1

At midnight, June 20th, the text from the countdown page disappeared entirely, leaving only the frozen countdown. Late that evening, the countdown also disappeared. The page was replaced by one labeled "Bounce Path Control". The page contained a sound file -- apparently some sort of transmission -- as well as a code labeled The Key, a button labeled The Path, and the message "Treat this knowledge with care". This is a transcript of the sound file:

Template:BigQuote

At around Midnight Eastern Time, the site 206.16.223.65 was updated. Visitors had to take The Key to unlock.msgamestudios.com and be one of the first hundred people to help unlock "Server 5" (of which we would see server 1 on http://www.halo3.com). Once unlocked, the "Server" showed up on 206.16.223.65, offering four downloads and a video of what seemed to be AdjutantReflex's final transmission before its destruction.

Redirect

On June 21st, the countdown page was changed into a redirect to 206.16.223.61. The page, labeled "Server 05 Open", contained a rotating, interactive, Forerunner-esque object. By clicking the four symbols on its surface, visitors could download several different files. An additional symbol showed a message, and another caused the object to spin several times before prompting your browser to close.

The four symbols may have been Forerunner numerals denoting the four Servers that were still locked.

The new AdjutantReflex returns

On June 28th, after a week of inactivity, the Bungie.net Community "CompoundIntelligence" noted that the sound file for Server05 (206.16.223.65) had been altered. The object seemed to emit a short "chirping" sound approximately every 5.831 seconds (this may be another [7] reference -- 8+3+1-5=7).

Later that day, AdjutantReflex made another thread in the Bungie.net forums.[12] It is unclear whether this thread, titled "Pulse", was made by the other entity or if AdjutantReflex somehow managed to make another transmission. His post is as follows:

Template:BigQuote

Early in the morning of June 29, AdjutantReflex created a thread entitled "Veins of Ice and Poison."[13] In his first post there, he stated:

Template:BigQuote

The first part resembles a similar message seen in the March 26, 2007 Warthog video: "X.XX.713>ghost.713/non-auth/activity ongoing". It can also be found on the back of the Halo 3 Xbox 360 console. In Halo 3's Terminals, Mendicant Bias is also identified as "X.XX.713" and as a "ROGUE PROCESS ghost". Seven minutes later, he posted in the same thread with the statement[14]:

Template:BigQuote

July 2007

5 July 2007

Valchael on the bungie.net forums announced he'd received a package from Microsoft containing a number of SOTA-related items. He was one of the first 100 to open Server 05. It's expected that packages were sent to all 100 - whether each will receive their package depends on the validity of their addresses (entered either directly, or via their Passport/XBL account). The package contained: A T-shirt, a copy of the SOTA flyer, a printed version of the Halo 3 comic, and a slip of paper with an XBL key redeemable for an Iris glyph gamerpic.

Flood Containment Control

On July 6th 2007 nattyhaze on arg.bungie.org discovered via Google numerous classified postings for a company called Flood Containment Control (text displayed on the Slide_Ref070107.jpg), containing an image with the original 'closed' version of the glyph. The ads contain the phone number, (888) 778-5672, which has an interesting recording.

On July 7th 2007 the message on the Flood Containment Control call number has changed to a conversation between two men. Of note is a reference to "402-K-07-002". suitedjock Googled the number, which lead to an EPA webpage referring to a booklet "EPA 402-K-07-002", Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (or NIOSH) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. The new recording says this:

Op (British Female): (echoed by two different calls) Welcome to the {garbled, possibly "Server" or "Strema"} Conferencing center. Please enter pin number followed by the pound sign.
Caller: #### (201#?)
Op: Password accepted. Now accessing conference archive number 16180, participant 1-2.
Man 1: ...isn't necessary, and neither is the doc download.
Man 2: I agree. This isn't going to be a public resource. Uh, pass on the document number so I can delete it.
(pause, three seconds)
Man 1: There's no way to tell yet, {"Jamie" or "Jim"} is looking into the records to find out how many {"closed" or "cloned"} sites there are, but as for active clean up, somewhere around three-four thousand. Oh here it is. Uh, hold on. 402-K-07-002 and in terms of numbers most of these are past the {"50b"} stage.
(pause, four seconds)
Man 2: With a few exceptions: site 34. . . . (3 + 4 = 7)
Op: --Thank you for calling. Goodbye.

On July 8th 2007 the recording changed, and the following was recorded:

Man 2: ...site 4, 107 and 37.
(pause, 1.5 seconds)
Man 2: The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.
Man 1: By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs...after all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.
(pause, four seconds)
Man 2: ...no need, their rep is available anytime we need her.
(pause, four seconds)
Man 1: ...on everything we still need to look into.
(pause, three seconds)
Man 2: Eh, we're working on it. For the moment now we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.
Man 1: Security will be updated before the next system approaches.
(pause - 15 seconds, interlaced with one of the men coughing)
Man 2: Okay, great. Bye, (Mel or Bill).
Man 1: Thanks.
Op: -- Thank you for calling. Goodbye.

Server 2

Main article: Episode 2

On July 10th 2007 Episode 2 opens at Halo3.com. The "Servers" have been renamed to "Episodes". One of the files that you can download from episode 02 is a .wav file entitled 719 Hz. The sound file contains garbled noise, but if you run it through a program called Spectogram, then it creates a picture of what appears to be a melting and misshapen clock. The image can also be attributed to look like a blurry version of "The Device", which can be accessed through the Halo 3 website. It is hidden inside the concept art section, which could be the reference to being "hidden behind a false menu item" from the Flood Containment Control call number. http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/9/8/24/t_719HzImagem_f7c4488.jpg Image

Server 3

Main article: Episode 3

On July 26th 2007 at Halo3.com, on the concept art section, after the thumbnail for Spartan Laser, is a thumbnail labeled "The Device". When the thumbnail is clicked, a window will pop up, and once you click "Initiate", it tells you it's waiting for sound input. If you have a microphone connected, you can speak and it will make echoes of your voice. By tapping hard enough to generate some noise on your microphone repeatably with a certain interval between each tap, or by playing the file 719Hz.wav downloaded from one of the episodes, it will unlock the glyph and give you a link to Server 3. Note: A few people have unlocked the glyph by whispering Iris into their microphone, although this is doubtful how it was meant to be unlocked.

Ψ(bar, sub 0) = √(m/π)*e^(-2α(xbarsubi)² + A)

This is the quantum mechanics wave form formula. The original equation given to us is incomplete, though it can be seen as an example of Schrödinger’s equation. Many of his equations incorporate Newton's second law: f=ma. Einstien theorized that if you could travel faster than the speed of light, you would be able to observe the past in some way. Of course, it's incomplete and different from most of Schrödinger’s equations, so it's possible that it is trying to hypothesize time travel.

August 2007

Server 4

Main article: Episode 4

Server 4 opens at Halo3.com on 9 August 2007. Many strange things are found, such as hidden buttons, and "light halos" around certain buttons as well.

Server 5

Main article: Episode 5

Server 5 opened on 16 August 2007 at Halo3.com. The background has changed for this particular server, however, the Forerunner object seems to be the same.

Conclusion

The Halo 3 MSN page stated in mid-August that Iris had come to a conclusion with the opening of Server 5. Iris' story and mysteries were continued and addressed in Halo 3, by the use of computer Terminals in the levels taking place on the Ark. These strings of recorded text communications detailed the fall of the Forerunner civilization and the firing of the Halo Rings. It also revealed Adjutant Reflex to actually be a rogue AI called Mendicant Bias, who betrayed the Forerunners in their final hour. In 2009, AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile was deleted.

Aftermath

After its conclusion the Iris Campaign opened up new ideas and stories for future fictions to elaborate on in relation to the Forerunner. However Iris was not without its mishaps. At the beginning of the ARG, many forum goers at Bungie.net believed that Adjutant Reflex was a hacker who had hacked the forums, and was going to hack the rest of the site. It wasn't until after several replies that forum goers started to realize that it was all part of the ARG. Soon after Adjutant Reflex began visiting other forums in the Halo community, pranksters attempting to get in on the action began misleading fans all over the place, even going as so far to post a phone number of a Halo fan un aware of the ARG. This resulted in countless annoying hours of answering calls to tell fans that he is not part of the campaign but a victim of a bad joke. The first server to open up also turned into a mishap as it was suppose to be the fifth server and not the first, this lead to a delay in the game and for the people behind the ARG to rewrite some aspects of it.

Cortana Reference

A Bungie-released "Castaway" Poem lead to the discovery of the book "The Castaway Theory" on Amazon... A peculiar comment spoke of the text's referencing of the "Song of Roland", The Song of Roland is the story of a french soldier who carry's the mythical sword Durandal. The Quote "My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durendal." from the story has popped for from time to time in relation to Halo and can be traced back as far as the Cortana Letters before Halo was announced at MacWorld 99.

Clearly a Halo reference, and a segment of the "Iris" ARG, as Durandal is a character of the Marathon (Video Game Series), and Cortana of "Halo" series. And while debate continues about the two being either connected or separate, the Iris ARG continues to add more speculation to the connections much the same as I Love Bees did.

The Castaway Theory

"In Amazon's folds" is a reference to the "The Castaway Theory" book and Iris tie-in.

Template:Big Quote

Gallery

  • The Forerunner email image.

    The Forerunner email image.

  • The third glyph found on AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile.

    The third glyph found on AdjutantReflex's Bungie.net profile.

  • AdjutantReflex's bungie.net avatar.

    AdjutantReflex's bungie.net avatar.

  • Downloadable image from Episode 02.

    Downloadable image from Episode 02.

  • The last page of The Cradle of Life.

    The last page of The Cradle of Life.

  • Glyph found on the Society of the Ancients webpage.

    Glyph found on the Society of the Ancients webpage.

  • Halo3.com at the time of Servers #1-5 being locked.

    Halo3.com at the time of Servers #1-5 being locked.

  • SOTA flyer.

    SOTA flyer.

  • SOTA Membership Application [1].

    SOTA Membership Application [1].

  • Possible glyph.jpg

    Another glyph.

  • Earth, the planet shown in the Episodes, showing the once super-continent of Pangaea now splitting apart.

    Earth, the planet shown in the Episodes, showing the once super-continent of Pangaea now splitting apart.

Sources

  1. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: System Integrity Confirmed
  2. ^ HBO Forums: System Integrity Confirmed
  3. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Archive/Resource Estimate (The thread has since been deleted.)
  4. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Who? (The thread has since been deleted.)
  5. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Stop it. (The thread has since been deleted.)
  6. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: That Old Life
  7. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: HELP ME. (The thread has since been deleted.)
  8. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: AdjutantReflex's Second Private Message to x Foman123 x
  9. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: HELP ME. AdjutantReflex's Third Private Message to x Foman123 x
  10. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Last Word
  11. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: [unknown title] (The thread has since been deleted.)
  12. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Pulse (The thread has since been deleted.)
  13. ^ Bungie.net: Halo 3 Forum: Veins of Ice and Poison (The thread has since been deleted.)
  14. ^ AdjutantReflex's eighth bungie.net thread, titled "Veins of Ice and Poison"

Links

Internal

External

Template:IrisEpisodes

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