Durance
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
A Durance is a Forerunner device designed to contain the essence; the extracted memories and personality impressions of an individual.[1][2]
History[edit]
Durances were a key element of Forerunner funeral proceedings. Upon the death of a Forerunner, their last memories and mental patterns were stored inside a time-locked Durance. The Durance and a bit of plasma from the immolation of the body were then presented to the closest family members of the deceased. Durances had a half-life of a million years. Their resting places were closely guarded by the family, such that the violation of a Durance was considered sacrilege.[1]
Following the end of the Forerunner-Flood war, three durances containing the essences of the final three members of the Criterion; the Grand Edict, the Chief Judicate, and Inspector Meritious, were housed inside three statues interred inside the Silent Auditorium on Zeta Halo. The statues were placed inside the chamber where the three had sentenced the Xalanyn to internment on the ring.[3]
The Promethean Knights' essences are also contained in a form of Durance, one of which, named by the Covenant as the "Didact's Gift", was recovered and studied by the UNSC during the Requiem Campaign.[4][5]
On X50, the artificial moon of Draetheus V, an unspecified type of sublimation device immolated Spartan Edward Davis' body and placed the remains, along with his last impressions, into a Durance. The Durance broadcast Davis' last transmission for help, leading Spartan Sarah Palmer to it. Palmer recovered the Durance and shut it down to give her friend peace.[6][Note 1]
Gallery[edit]
The remains of Spartan Davis being absorbed into a Durance.
The Durance housing Davis' remains closes.
The Silent Auditorium chamber on Zeta Halo; the three statues contain the durances of the members of the Criterion.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo: Cryptum (First appearance)
- Halo 4
- Halo: Spartan Assault
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo 5: Guardians (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Bad Blood
- Halo Infinite
- Story Shard: Precipice (Simulation only)
- Halo: Edge of Dawn
Notes[edit]
- ^ While it is never identified as a Durance in-game, the device housing the remains of Davis' consciousness is a Durance by definition, as the term encompasses any "imprint matrix" used to contain an extracted essence. The immolation of Davis' body further suggests that the transfer of his impressions may have been part of an automated version of a traditional Forerunner funerary ritual. Furthermore, the simulated Durance featured in Story Shard: Precipice houses Davis' memories, as stated by Proxy.
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b Halo: Cryptum, page 47-48
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Cryptum Glossary (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
- ^ Halo: Edge of Dawn, chapter 33
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 134
- ^ Spartan Ops
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Operation F: Hydra
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