Rangmejo
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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  Two rangmejo subtypes, both superficially resembling Pteranodon species, despite having a total of six limbs and long tails.[1][2]
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Rangmejo (as they were known to Forerunner Lifeworkers), or "quadwings", are a species of large interplanetary pterosaur-like creatures with dual sets of wings.[1] They are among the most ubiquitous varieties of fauna that have been encountered on Forerunner installations by the United Nations Space Command, as they have been observed on Installation 00 and multiple Halo rings.[1][2][3] At least two subtypes have been observed.[4] Rangmejo have been known to gather in significant numbers within artificially-constructed chambers.[2]
History[edit]
Rangmejo were among the creatures preserved by the Librarian against the firing of the Halo Array in 97,445 BCE. Following this destructive event they were seeded upon at least two Halo rings, installations 03 and 05, while also being left to flourish on the Ark, Installation 00, far beyond the Milky Way galaxy. Rangmejo had been specifically selected and adapted by Lifeworkers to play diverse and important roles within a wide range of ecosystems, helping to contribute to the overall health and stability of various biomes.[1][6]
During the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's crash on Installation 04, one subtype of rangmejo was observed around the area near the beacon towers.[4]
In November of 2552 rangmejo were observed by the battling forces of the Covenant and United Nations Space Command when their war brought them to Installation 05.[3] In December of that same year an unfinished Halo ring was fired above the Ark, spelling death for the many sentient creatures which inhabited its surface. The Ark's monitor, 000 Tragic Solitude, eventually then began to breed new life forms.[7] Among these were more rangmejo.[2] Following the discovery and subsequent exploration of Installation 03 by humanity in 2552 and 2553, rangmejo were witnessed there.[2] Respected scientist Doctor Luther Mann's observations of those on Gamma Halo made him certain it would not be safe to get close to them.[2]
In March of 2555 a small group of humans and Sangheili representing the United Nations Space Command and Swords of Sanghelios, respectively, encountered a large number of the creatures within a dimly lit cavern near the Ark's Foundry. Fortunately for them, the rangmejo left abruptly soon after they were sighted.[2][Note 1][8][9][10] By 2558 the UNSC had procured a few individual specimens for scientific study.[1]
Anatomy, physiology, and behavior[edit]
Rangmejo are large creatures with two sets of impressive wings flanking a narrow, muscular body.[1] At one end of that body is a head featuring a strong, lengthy beak and a protruding crest—often brightly colored. At the other is a long tail that can represent over half of the length of the individual's body.[1] Their considerable size is matched by their two large wingspans, the wings of which flap and beat heavily.[2] Rangmejo somewhat resemble the pterosaur Pteranodon, thanks to their prominent head crests.[2][3] There are at least two distinct phenotypes of rangmejo: the first, which has been seen on Installation 05 and Installation 00, and the second, encountered on Installation 04.[11] The first is the most Pteranodon-esque of the two, possessing a straight, bony crest, a single pair of eyes, and semicircular protrusions on their beaks, similar to another extinct pterosaur, Tropeognathus. The second phenotype features a fleshy crest, two pairs of eyes and multiple fleshy fin-like structures across its body and tail.[11] Rangmejo blood is red.[3] The specimens acquired by the UNSC show remarkable evidence of genetic optimization, their ancestors having been specially adapted by Forerunner Lifeworkers.[1] Rangmejo have been noted to make a squealing sound while flocking together in large numbers.[2]
Production notes[edit]
- "They are basically space pigeons, or flying rats. All they do is breed, poop and fly slowly around. Their only known skill is the ability to predict human marksmen and turn just exactly as you were about to shoot them."
- — Frank O'Connor, franchise development director at 343 Industries, responds to a question about quadwings in jest on April Fools' Day.[12]
Quadwings were first developed during the production of Halo: Combat Evolved, and had a model created for inclusion in the game at least around the time of the year 2000. The original model was later released for use in 2023 by the Digsite restoration project, for use in mods created via the Halo Editing Kit.[13] They were ultimately cut from the game for unknown reasons,[13] though would return in Halo 2 as ambient skybox creatures within the campaign missions Delta Halo and Regret.[3][14]
They are absent from Halo 3's campaign but are featured in two of its multiplayer maps: Epitaph and Guardian.