Genesis
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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29,374 kilometers (18,252 mi)[1] |
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0.91 G[1] |
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Genesis, also known as Nomos II[8] and formally designated as Shield World 0111 is a Forerunner shield world,[3][9][10] the second planet in the Nomos system, artificially constructed by the Builders.[7] The world was originally constructed to conduct observation and study of the domain,[5] and as such housed a Lithos facility on the world named the "Gateway". Outside of this, the world was also responsible for the production of seed worlds under the direction of its monitor, 031 Exuberant Witness.[6][4]
During the Forerunner-Flood war, Genesis was repurposed to serve as a strategic centre for the Ecumene's military campaign against the Flood,[5] with facilities to support the maintenance and repair of Forerunner starships.[11]
Overview[edit]
Topography and ecology[edit]
- "There's a formalness and precision to it all. It seems… artificial, but still organic."
- — Linda-058, after she and Blue Team arrive on Genesis[7]
As Linda-058 noted during Blue Team's operations on Genesis, the topography of the planet appeared organic with an artificial flair to it. The plant and rock structures on the planet could be best described as "alien". It is obvious that the planet had been artificially constructed, not naturally evolved, as the world's rock formations have exquisite attention to detail on them.[7]
Genesis is home to a coral-like plant, known as fractal plants, which are abundantly found across the world's surface.[12] Other types of vegetation include paddle grass, fiber optic succulents, aloe husks, floating lotuses, and warbled fans.[13] To serve its purpose as a Builder refugee world, a variety of animal species were placed on this planet. The lumenon, a common creature found on Builder worlds, lived on Genesis and hunted smaller animals on the surface of Genesis' vast oceans. The logrodites were transported to Genesis to scavenge the world's surface for harmful bacteria and maintain the planet's delicate ecological balance.[14]
Locations[edit]
History[edit]
Ancient history[edit]
Before the firing of the Halo Array, Genesis was constructed by the Forerunner Builders as a shield world and manufacturer of "seed worlds", artificial planets used to house civilizations to ensure their continued existence. Natural satellites placed in orbit around the planet were mined, and new bodies were created using the resources. The planets were then populated with a diverse array of flora and fauna found on the surface of Genesis.[1] Outside of its construction functions, Genesis was also used for observation and study of deep layers of the Domain.[5] As such, the world housed a Lithos facility, the gateway, hidden on the surface of the planet surrounded by dense coral-like structures to mask its existence. This gateway was monitored and rarely utilized by the Forerunners, with most of their civilization not even aware of its existence, instead using passive conduits to connect to the Domain.[1] Monitor 031 Exuberant Witness was installed on Genesis by the Builders to help maintain its systems and the secret gateway to the Domain.[6]
During the Forerunner-Flood war, Genesis was converted for use by the Forerunner military as a strategic hub for their campaign against the Flood.[5] The world boasted facilities that could be used for the repair of the Forerunner fleet.[11] When the Halo Array was activated at the end of the conflict, the gateway on Genesis closed and the Domain was believed to be destroyed.[1] With the Halos' firing, Exuberant Witness was given charge of the entire installation and she halted Genesis' normal production of seed worlds. Genesis entered a dormant state and very little happened on the world for the following one hundred thousand years.[6]
Post-war[edit]
- "Genesis is really a magnificent planet. It's usually less… busy. Quite lonely, actually. But magnificent!"
- — 031 Exuberant Witness, to Fireteam Osiris[15]
Genesis became active in galactic affairs once again in 2557, following the destruction of the Forerunner warship Mantle's Approach in the New Phoenix Incident. During the incident, much of the ship was destroyed by a nuclear weapon, though the self-preservation functions meant that the ship's core was shunted through slipspace to Genesis; the closest available repair facility.[5] The smart AI Cortana was believed to have been destroyed in the incident, though was in actuality pulled into the Domain and and "cured" of her rampancy.[7] While in the Domain, Cortana came to the conclusion that the Mantle of Responsibility was meant to be claimed by herself and other artificial intelligences, not humanity, as the Librarian had originally intended. Once uploaded on Genesis, Cortana seized control of the world from Exuberant Witness, with the help of the Warden Eternal. Once in control, Cortana began activating the Guardians across the galaxy, calling them to Genesis to rally before dispersing them to populated worlds as a means to enforce the Mantle and her rule upon all races.[15]
Brought aboard a Guardian from Meridian upon Cortana's request, John and the rest of Blue Team soon arrived at Genesis in the coral highlands. While Cortana wanted Blue Team by her side, the Warden Eternal disagreed and sent many Prometheans to battle the Spartans who were also forced to fight Covenant forces inadvertently brought to the planet by Guardians.[7] Meanwhile, Spartan-IV Fireteam Osiris arrived at Genesis aboard a Guardian from Sanghelios, seeking to stop Cortana and find Blue Team. With the help of Exuberant Witness, Osiris was able to fight their way past numerous Promethean forces and located Blue Team at the Gateway.[15] However, Cortana teleported Blue Team to her location and, after the Spartans refused to aid her, imprisoned them within a Cryptum.[16] Using her link to the Domain, Cortana was able to disperse her Guardians upon the galaxy,[17] taking control of the majority of charted space in the process and aligning many AIs with her and the Warden.[1] However, due to the actions of Osiris, Exuberant Witness was able to retake control of Genesis and free Blue Team.[17] Fireteam Osiris and Blue Team were eventually able to reach a Pelican pulled to Genesis by a Guardian and used a slipspace portal opened by Exuberant Witness to return to Sanghelios in the vessel.[18]
Genesis was subsequently sent through a slipspace portal by Exuberant Witness in order to take it beyond Cortana's reach,[10] leaving the UNSC with no idea where it ended up. The UNSC believed that Cortana had been responsible for this act.[2] Afterwards, the monitor set out to return all who had been transported to Genesis back to where they belonged, aided by a group of former Covenant soldiers led by Sangheili Dham 'Mashatt who dedicated themselves to helping Exuberant Witness protect the shield world.[10]
Production notes[edit]
|
Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
The term genesis refers to the mode of formation of an object, referencing Genesis' function for the Forerunners. For Halo 5: Guardians, 343 Industries sought to create an original alien planet that felt "like the logical manifestation of the Forerunner lore" with a lush alien environment composed of geometric patterns that are reflected in the gleaming architecture; the result was Genesis. To get creative inspiration, members of 343i's art team traveled to Iceland for a week of reference gathering. Genesis' final design was very different from its original conception, but the world did retain many influences from Iceland, including the country's waterfalls.[19]
Gallery[edit]
Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art of Genesis.
Concept art of a vista on the world.
Concept art of a vista on the world.
Concept art of a Forerunner structure.
Concept art of a Forerunner structure.
A Forerunner entrance on Genesis.
Mountains on Genesis.
Another concept art for mountains.
Concept art of Genesis' native flora.
Concept art of Genesis' flora.
The lush surface on Genesis.
A spire on Genesis.
A cavern guarded by Promethean constructs.
The Gateway's exterior.
A Forerunner structure requiring activation for the Gateway to open.
Blue Team on Genesis.
The Master Chief engaging the Warden Eternal on Genesis.
Genesis seen from a Guardian.
The Gateway's destination.
Another view of the Gateway to the Domain.
Structure on Genesis.
The imposing view of Guardians at the horizon.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo 5: Guardians (First appearance)
- Halo Mythos
- Halo: Bad Blood
- Halo: Point of Light (Mentioned only)
- Halo Infinite (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Epitaph
- Halo: The Machine Breaks
- Halo: Empty Throne (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Fifth Canticle
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo Waypoint, Genesis (Retrieved on Mar 9, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo: Empty Throne, chapter 7
- ^ a b Halo: Point of Light, chapter 40
- ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 361
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Warfleet, page 91: "Genesis - Forerunner hubworld crafted to study and observe deep levels of the Domain. During the Flood War it was repurposed to serve as a strategic center."
- ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, 031 Exuberant Witness (Retrieved on Oct 25, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Reunion
- ^ Halo Channel, Encyclopedia
- ^ Halo: Epitaph, chapter 15
- ^ a b c Halo: Fifth Canticle
- ^ a b Halo: Warfleet, page 86
- ^ ArtStation, Fractal Plant, Halo 5 (Retrieved on Aug 23, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Tumblr, Autodestruct (Retrieved on Aug 23, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Fauna Getaway (Retrieved on Jul 9, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b c Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Genesis
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level The Breaking
- ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Guardians
- ^ Halo: Bad Blood, chapter 1
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Halo 5 Art Showcase (Retrieved on Jul 9, 2021) [archive]
