Editing Forerunner (section)

==Technology==
[[File:Forerunner AI.jpg|thumb|275px|A [[Sentinel]] and a [[Monitor]]. Both are Forerunner creations with specific tasks.]]
The Forerunners' technological achievements were almost without parallel in the known galaxy with them being rivaled by ancient humanity and the San'Shyuum before the latter two species defeat in the human-Forerunner wars and with only the Precursors being known to surpass the Foreunners technologically. They managed to create solidified surfaces out of light by using technology known as [[hard light]], use [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] to [[Slipspace translocation|teleport]] between locations almost instantaneously, and create numerous forms of advanced machinery. Another of their greatest achievements is their ability to initiate premature stellar collapses of stars and create planets in less than 10,000 years. The [[Halo Array]] and the [[shield world]]s are, above all others, the most significant pieces of surviving Forerunner technology. The planet Onyx and its inner [[Dyson sphere]], [[Sarcophagus|Shield World 006]], in particular demonstrated both their ability for engineering on a grand scale, and their near-transcendent grasp of slipspace technology. Forerunner technology is remarkably resilient, being able to remain intact for over a hundred millennia.{{Ref/Game|CE}}

Even after millions of years, Forerunner technology still advanced at a comparatively rapid rate, with a number of new breakthroughs and developments occurring within even a single millennium.{{Ref/Reuse|C9}} It was believed by some [[Builder]]s that the Forerunners had possessed more advanced technologies in their distant past that they had later lost during periods of technological regression. This was at least partially true, as demonstrated by ten-million-year-old Forerunner [[probability mirror]]s, used for large-scale spacetime reconciliation, and similarly ancient cloaking technology used to obfuscate the interior of an entire star system in the [[Large Magellanic Cloud]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=113}}

They employed a wide variety of [[artificial intelligence]] constructs, generally known to them as [[ancilla]]s. These ranged from simple personal assistants integrated in their armors to various kinds of robotic [[Monitor]]s and immensely powerful [[Metarch-class ancilla|Metarch]]-level AIs, of which the most sophisticated type was the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3terminals}}

The Forerunners had mastered the use of various energy fields, including [[buffer field]]s which they used to manipulate gravity,{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=304}} [[constraint field]]s used to restrain individuals, [[confinement field]]s used to block the movement of entire ships, and the containment and collection fields they used to harness entire stars for energy production.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Cry30|Cry|Chapter=30}} Entire planets could be made habitable even in conditions of lethal stellar radiation via [[planetary shield]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=254}}

[[File:HCE-HardLightEnergyBridge-screen.jpg|thumb|275px|left|[[Light bridge]]s are a common application of the Forerunners' [[hard light]] technology.]]
The Forerunners had an unparalleled knowledge of quantum science, which enabled them much of their sophisticated technology.{{Ref/Novel|Id=C10|Cry|Chapter=10}} After a number of instances of catastrophic data loss in their history, they had abandoned conventional digital storage in binary code entirely in favor of storing information in substrates of [[Wikipedia:Quantum foam|quantum foam]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=131}} Virtually all Forerunner technology was powered by harnessing and draining the energies of untold numbers of nascent alternate realities in the form of [[vacuum energy]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=279}} This enabled the Forerunners to harness enormous amounts of energy, with a single slipspace-based transmission noted as requiring more energy than the generation capacity of all [[UNSC]] assets combined.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=29}}

In addition to their superior grasp of slipspace travel, the Forerunners had mastered many other methods of higher-dimensional manipulation. They were capable of altering the fabric of time and space within [[Slipspace bubble|contained "bubbles" of slipspace]], allowing the storage of enormous masses and volumes within a comparatively tiny space; as an extreme example, the 300-million-kilometer [[Sarcophagus|Shield World 006]] was held in a space only 23 centimeters in diameter in normal space. In these bubbles, the flow of time could be [[Timelock|suspended altogether]], or numerous millennia could be made to transpire while only seconds had passed in normal space.{{Ref/Novel|Pri|Page=366}} The Forerunners routinely employed the higher dimensions of slipspace in their fleet engagements and created defenses which extended into slipspace,{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=211}} most prominently the [[Maginot Line]].{{Ref/Comic|HBL}}

Forerunner technology could also produce certain objects remarkably quickly without extensive production facilities. For example, personal armor could be manufactured by small engineering units on board a starship,{{Ref/Reuse|C10}} and entire ships could be "grown" from a "[[design seed]]", being manufactured on-site from preprogrammed "blueprints" and construction materials obtained from local resources.{{Ref/Reuse|C9}} Likewise, certain automatons — such as [[Promethean Crawler]]s — could be "conjured" on-site and constructed in a matter of seconds from raw materials present in the ground.{{Citation needed}} Most Forerunner technology could disassemble and reconfigure itself into a completely different form, and automatically gather any additional construction materials if necessary; this was demonstrated when the [[Librarian]] had a {{Class|Gargantua|transport}} use both itself and resources mined locally to construct the [[Excession]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=324}} The Forerunners did use dedicated production plants for large-scale industry. An example of this is the vast [[Sentinel manufacturing facility]] on [[Onyx]], which could produce a new [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinel]] every six seconds.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=34}}

The [[Huragok]], [[nanotechnology|nanomechanical]] "supercomputers" created by the Forerunners for the purposes of maintaining their technology, remained behind after the activation of the Halo Array. Many were eventually incorporated into the Covenant.{{Citation needed}}
{{Clear}}
===Spacecraft===
{{Main|Forerunner fleet#Technology and capabilities|l1=Forerunner fleet technology}}
Forerunner spacecraft used special [[Slipspace flake|crystals]] embedded in their [[slipspace drive]]s to travel through slipspace. In order to move through ordinary space, they utilized [[reaction drive]]s which harnessed virtual particles as a propulsive force; however, they still required the use of onboard reaction mass.{{Ref/Novel|Id=c124|Cry|Page=124}} The reaction drive of a mere automated cargo transport allowed travel from Edom to Erde-Tyrene, (a distance of 100 million kilometers at the time), within forty-eight hours; this was considered a mundane trip that did not warrant slipspace manipulation.{{Ref/Reuse|Cry1}} In addition, the Forerunners created a network of [[slipspace portal]]s for high-traffic slipspace transit across the galaxy.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=200}} Aboard starships, limited inertial dampening was achieved through the use of buffer fields,{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=114}} but during extreme acceleration, the occupants' armors had to be locked to the deck.{{Ref/Reuse|c129}}

Forerunner warships could be enormous in scale; the most recent models of [[Fortress-class vessel]] were around a hundred kilometers in length,{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=312}} while the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s personal command vessel, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was 371 kilometers in height and was even then surpassed in size by the largest Forerunner ships.{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg193|H4EVG|Page=193}}

The interiors of all Forerunner ships were not entirely composed of matter; for example, the structure of a [[planet-breaker]] was only half matter, with one third being fuel and reaction mass and the rest being comprised of [[hard light]], allowing the captain to configure the ship's internal layout and decoration at will. At least some types of Forerunner craft can alter their geometry to better suit their current situation; for example, making the ship more aerodynamic in preparation for surface landing.{{Ref/Reuse|c124}}

Forerunners could also create [[upgrade seed]]s to upgrade vessels of other species into seamless hybrids of their original technology and Forerunner technology. The inclusion of a Forerunner [[slipspace flake]] would give the vessel a Forerunner slipspace drive. Other known upgrades include stealth capability, upgraded weapons, comm and navigational systems kept within the framework of the ship's original operating functional capability.{{Ref/Reuse|Renegades}}

===Communications and sensors===
Forerunners used a type of quantum entanglement for [[superluminal communications|communications]], allowing instant data transfer over vast distances. These communications were routed over proprietary encryption protocols, which could be used to track the source or destination of the communication.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=125}} Forerunners did not use electromagnetic radiation (light, radio, microwaves, etc.) to communicate,{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=144}} presumably due to latency, interference, and security issues. Despite this, mundane radar emitters still played a role in short-range detection of incoming objects, such as on [[Seclusion Spiral]], a remote gas mining station.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=defender-storm|Fra|Story=Defender of the Storm}} They also used a form of superluminal communication involving wormholes; however, these communications were significantly slower than communication via the [[Domain]].{{Ref/Game|CEA|CEA:Terminal|Terminal 4}}

Forerunner sensors were capable of instantaneous scanning and detection across interstellar distances. As a particularly impressive example of their available sensor ranges, the Forerunners' [[core authority]] routinely tracked individual slipspace jumps across the galaxy.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=136}} They were also capable of viewing various alternate spaces adjoining the physical universe—including [[denial of locale]], [[natal void]], [[shunspace]], [[trick geodetics]] and a photon-only realm known as [[the Glow]]—and ascertaining events or objects in normal space through their signatures sometimes visible in these realms.{{Ref/Reuse|C10}} Forerunners shipboard sensors were also highly accurate, being capable of providing a detailed analysis of a single planet's geological and ecological composition from lightyears away through the use of long-range entanglements.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=121}}

The Forerunner government used an automated network to collate data from all technological equipment across their ecumene, from mundane devices such as a [[jetbrush]] to communications satellites and [[space station]]s; overseen by non-intelligent automatons, the system filtered unusual observations and relayed possible significant anomalies to the authorities, specifically the [[Prelate (Forerunner)|Prelate]]. Such anomalies included catastrophes or "Xenovents" - supposedly referring to contact with alien lifeforms. This is how the Forerunners first learned of the Flood's reemergence around [[97,745 BCE]].{{Ref/Reuse|Soma}}

"[[Luminary|Luminaries]]", which were originally designed to pinpoint Forerunner technology, were used to find "relics" by the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=6}} They are also capable of locating Reclaimers. A misunderstanding of a Luminary's readings led to [[First Battle of Harvest|the outbreak]] of the Human-Covenant War.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=16}}

Forerunners utilized various camouflaging technologies, including [[dazzler]]s, which generated visual and auditory delusions, or [[baffler]]s, which created geometric distortions that could effectively hide a large area not only from plain sight, but also a starship's sensors.{{Ref/Reuse|Cry2}} Cloaking systems were standard on most warships, ranging from small [[Harrier-class vessel|attack harriers]] to enormous command ships like ''[[Mantle's Approach]]''.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=273}} While ships could not use their energy weapons or projectiles while cloaked without giving away their position, gravitic weaponry allowed the ship to remain undetected.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=213}}
{{Clear}}

===Pattern transfer===
{{Main|Mind transfer}}
The Forerunners were capable of extracting an individual's complete mental and biological patterns and memories, which could then be encoded in either another biological body or stored as data. A Forerunner could create an offshoot of their consciousness housed in an ancillary system, as the [[Librarian]] did on [[Requiem]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=297}} An individual's pattern could also be imprinted over another body; an example of this was the [[Ur-Didact]]'s creation of the [[IsoDidact]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=20}} Typically, a dead Forerunner's final memories were recovered and stored in a time-locked container known as a [[Durance]].{{Ref/Reuse|Cry2}} An abstracted consciousness could also be used as a template for an [[ancilla]]; [[343 Guilty Spark]] was created in this manner.{{Ref/Novel|Pri|Page=356-357}}

The Forerunners had the technology to reproduce entire individuals from encoded DNA/RNA/silicon samples in data streams.<ref>''Bestiarum'': "''DNA/RNA/Silicon samples are encoded in this data stream. Reproduction of individuals for analysis is prohibited by this facility.''"</ref> This was the primary manner of indexing biological beings during the [[Conservation Measure]]; due to their lack of resources, the Lifeworkers were forced to reduce most specimens into data, although their patterns and memories would be reconstituted during the [[reintroduction]].{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=57}} Recovered essences or specific commands could also be coded into a sentient being through a genetic imprint known as a ''[[geas]]'', which could potentially be passed on for numerous generations, with encoded memories or actions programmed to trigger under specified circumstances.{{Ref/Reuse|Cry2}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=Cry3|Cry|Chapter=3}}

As part of an effort to protect themselves against the [[Flood]], the Forerunners created a machine known as the [[Composer]]. Designed to process Flood victims ''en masse'', the Composer also reduced its targets to ash, denying the Flood access to any biomass. In the original plan, new bodies would be created for the abstracted individuals, now free of infection. However, the Forerunners never mastered the process and the victims' original forms could no longer be restored.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=40}} The Composer was later used by the Didact in an attempt to create an army of [[Promethean]] [[Promethean Knight|war machines]], which led to his imprisonment on [[Requiem]].{{Ref/Reuse|H4R}}

The Forerunners' metaphysical information repository known as the Domain retained the essences of deceased Forerunners in an esoteric, transcendent state only partially accessible to living Forerunners.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=256}} The Forerunners believed that upon death, one's essence would be uploaded into the Domain where they would have access to the sum of all knowledge contained therein.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=55}} As the Domain was created by the [[Precursor]]s as a means to collect all life-patterns and "living wisdom",{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=322}} these beliefs may well hold true.

After being composed himself, the [[Ur-Didact]] would learn that this belief was true. The Didact was sent to the outer boundaries of the Domain where he learned that both the Forerunners who died and the humans who fell victim to the Composer -- both [[Ancestors]] and from the [[New Phoenix Incident]] -- had also been uploaded to the Domain. However, the damage to the Domain done by the [[Great Purification]] resulted in it shutting out nearly all of the Forerunners who perished in the [[Halo Array]]'s firing, leaving them trapped in the outer boundaries with the [[Warden Eternal]] blocking entrance afterwards.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Epi14|Epi|Chapter=14}} The one known exception to this was the [[Librarian]] who, as someone whose connections and contributions to [[Living Time]] exceeded all hopes and expectations, was pulled into the Domain when the Array was fired.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Epi10|Epi|Chapter=10}} The Didact rallied the essences trapped outside of the Domain to destroy the Warden Eternal and reopen the Domain. Afterwards, the Didact welcomed the essences of both the Forerunners and humans into to Domain, giving them a home, a place to heal and rest, to commune and explore.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi25}}{{Ref/Reuse|Epi26}}{{Ref/Reuse|Epi27}}

===Weaponry===
[[File:Old HW Armament.jpg|275px|thumb|A group of Forerunner soldiers firing light-based weaponry.]]
The Forerunners used a broad variety of weapons, encompassing various forms of [[directed energy weapon]]ry as well as [[AI suppressor|electronic warfare]] and offensive technologies based upon [[Confinement field|energy fields]]. Forerunner energy weapons proved to be very effective when battling the Flood, burning Flood forms to the point that they cannot be revived by [[Pod infector|infection forms]]. Additionally, after the Flood's emergence, certain weapons were designed to disintegrate their targets upon inflicting a critical hit, preventing the Flood from making use of any biological matter.{{Citation needed}}

Forerunner infantry weapons utilize various forms of ammunition, including hard light, accelerated beams of ionized particles, antimatter,{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=101}} or combinations thereof. Although many, such as the [[Scattershot]] and [[Lightrifle]], fill relatively basic roles and have clear analogues in human weaponry, many of these weapons also have exotic properties, such as the Scattershot's ricocheting projectiles or the [[Boltshot]]'s secondary burst function. Forerunner ground forces also use [[Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized|pulse grenades]] which generate an energy-drain field before collapsing, destroying any targets within its effective radius.{{Ref/Reuse|H4}} In most contexts these weapons are operated by dedicated automatons, one example of which are the bipedal [[armiger]] constructs.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFKeynote|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-under-locke-keynote|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Under Locke & Keynote|D=23|M=12|Y=2019}} When participating in combat operations, the biological Forerunners themselves used advanced [[powered exoskeleton|exoskeletons]] called [[combat skin]]s which ranged greatly in size and capability from more conventional, ground-based battle suits to much larger infantry armatures that were capable of spaceflight, such as [[war sphinx]]es and [[seeker (vehicle)|seekers]].

The many varieties of Forerunner [[sentinel]]s carry a wide array of weaponry. The [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s use moderately effective [[Sentinel beam|beam weapons]], which can also be wielded by humans and certain Covenant races. Meanwhile, [[Enforcer]]s are equipped with [[Forerunner missile launcher|missile launchers]] and a pair of [[shard cannon]]s, which fire clusters of smaller red Needler-like projectiles or bolts of energy at an incredibly high rate of fire. The [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels of Onyx]] had significantly more powerful weaponry and shielding. Their energy weapons functioned via a single, slow-charging, extremely powerful golden beam which was effective against energy shields and armor alike.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO12|GoO|Chapter=12}} The Forerunners also constructed stationary [[Forerunner automated turret|automated turrets]], resembling stripped-down sentinels. [[Monitor]]s are capable of defending themselves with high-powered pulse weapons akin to those used by Sentinels, as well as with gravity manipulation technology.{{Ref/Level|H3|H3:Floodgate|Floodgate}}{{Ref/Level|H3|H3:Halo|Halo}} As one example of Forerunner weapons technology, certain types of beams could be merged into one stream to amplify its power; this capability was used on both [[Unidentified Forerunner weapon|infantry weapons]] as well as [[Unidentified Forerunner dreadnought class|starship weaponry]].{{Ref/Film|Id=Origins|HLeg|Story=Origins}}

Forerunner weapons are manufactured out of various forms of exotic matter on an atomic level in hyper-precise nanofabrication forges in accordance with instructions programmed into [[design seed]]s by Forerunner pattern-weavers working in conjunction with an [[ancilla]]. Because of the fidelity of these manufacturing methods, every weapon and piece of technology could be built perfectly identical down to the atomic level. While the [[Builder]]s designed most of their technology to be highly uniform, the [[Warrior-Servant]]s preferred to craft their weapons and armor to be unique and aesthetically pleasing whenever possible. However, the Warrior tradition of custom-crafted equipment waned almost completely as the Forerunners' war with the Flood became increasingly desperate, leaving little room for design considerations beyond lethality and efficiency. Forerunner firearms, like the rest of their technology, are highly sophisticated; most are composed of disparate parts held together by energy fields and display self-assembling capabilities. At least some Forerunner weapons are designed to operate differently according to their wielder; for example, the [[Z-390 incineration cannon|Incineration Cannon]] known as the ''River of Light'' will only unlock its full capabilities in the right hands while reducing its destructive power when wielded by a [[Promethean Knight]] construct.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFUncharted|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-uncharted-waters|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Uncharted Waters|D=30|M=09|Y=2017}}

===Art and architecture===
[[File:HTMCC-H2A_—_Installation_05_Library.png|thumb|300px|The Library of [[Installation 05]], a classic example of Forerunner architecture.]]

Forerunner architecture incorporates heavy use of geometric angles, usually at either extremely sharp degrees - Forerunner buildings are usually trapezoidal - or at forty-five degree angles. Most Forerunner architecture is constructed with a special type of silver-gray metal that resists deterioration, bullets, plasma bolts and fire, as made evident by Forerunner structures standing in pristine condition 100,000 - 150,000 years after they were built. However, their resistance to heavy [[plasma]] fire is limited; concentrated plasma discharge is capable of destroying some Forerunner architecture.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO33|GoO|Chapter=33}}{{Ref/Level|Id=The Great Journey|H2|H2:The Great Journey|The Great Journey}} Other structures and [[Council ship|certain starships]] were built with a golden-bronze colored metal.

The Forerunners were also highly skilled at creating stone architecture. Typically, these buildings were built from a pale brown or tan stone.{{Ref/Reuse|ttw}} These structures were more subject to wear and aging, but their architectural sophistication remains apparent after 100,000 years.{{Ref/Map|H3|Sandtrap}}{{Ref/Level|H2|H2:Delta Halo|Delta Halo}} A particularly prominent example of intact Forerunner stone architecture could be found within [[Onyx]]'s [[Zone 67]], which contained a massive Forerunner city constructed entirely of polished [[Onyx (material)|chalcedonic quartz]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO30|GoO|Chapter=30}} In some structures, such as the [[Menachite portal complex|Forerunner complex]] beneath [[Reach]]'s [[Menachite Mountain]], patterns and symbols had been embedded in the rock itself by manipulating its mineral inclusions.{{Ref/Novel|FS|Page=139}} Most interestingly, certain Forerunner buildings incorporated "mutable" stonework: [[Temple of the Abiding Truth|a stone Forerunner structure]] in [[Ontom]], [[Sanghelios]] featured passages that could shift and change by literally reshaping the stone from which their walls were built.{{Ref/Reuse|ttw}}

In addition to physical structures, a large portion of Forerunner architecture is actually composed of sophisticated [[hard light]] construction. Such architecture is often crafted in the likeness of corporeal matter, most commonly gray Forerunner metal. Hard light structures can form complex shapes and in many cases, be entirely indistinguishable from physical construction,{{Ref/Novel|Pri|Page=116}}{{Ref/Novel|Pri|Page=201}} making it difficult to determine which structural components are made up of actual matter.{{Citation needed}} This technology has many uses, from acting as basic structural components such as platforms or walls to decorating and furnishing everything from Forerunner homes and public spaces to starship interiors.{{Ref/Reuse|Cry30}} Many Forerunner structures are capable of materializing when needed and then melting away when deactivated, a feature most likely facilitated through the use of hard light. The immaterial and flexible nature of this technology lends it a great deal of uses, but as a drawback, it is susceptible to power failures;{{Ref/Novel|Pri|Page=50}} nonetheless, certain Forerunner ships, such as the command warship ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', employ hard light bonding as a means of maintaining the vessel's structural integrity.{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg193}} Some Forerunner structures, including many of those on [[Requiem]], incorporate components which float in the air without any physical support.{{Ref/Game|Id=H4|H4}}

Many symbols and patterns on Forerunner structures employ complex geometr