Seaward
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Seaward | |
|---|---|
| Astrographical | |
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System: |
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Orbiting: |
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| Physical | |
|
Gravity: |
Approx. 1.375 G[2] |
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Atmosphere: |
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Surface temperature: |
–25°C to 41°C[2] |
| Societal | |
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Species: |
Forerunner (non-native) (formerly) |
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Population: |
Approx. 1,000,000 (pre-Forerunner-Flood War)[3] |
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Government: |
Independent community (formerly) |
Seaward,[3] formally catalogued as G 617 g 1[Note 1] by humanity,[1] is a moon[Note 2] of G 617 g[2] in the G 617 system, which is situated within the Milky Way's galactic halo. Once home to a Forerunner colony largely independent from the ecumene,[3] the system eventually saw the return of the Flood to the galaxy around 97,745 BCE. The moon's inhabitants were the first Forerunner victims of the parasite during the Forerunner-Flood War.[1]
Description[edit]
The moon was officially designated an uninhabited world to allow a small community of wealthy Forerunners to use it as a "private, expensive sanctuary". Supplies were regularly delivered to the settlement via transorbital balloon; the colony's inhabitants exported artwork and energy supplies in exchange for these supplies. Aside from these transactions, the planet was largely left alone and ignored. Communication with the rest of the ecumene was nearly nonexistent. The moon's inhabitants gave up most of the ecumene's advanced technology in favor of a more primitive lifestyle. Most of the Forerunners in the settlement did this out of a desire to live close to nature and to eventually age and die naturally. The moon had one known settlement, Wharftown, which contained little more than homes, parks, and a small area of agricultural land.[3]
The setting of its twin suns caused a unique optical effect that the local Forerunners referred to as "Twofire". As the stars fell below the horizon, their combined light was reflected from the horizon onto the clouds above.[3]
History[edit]
Around 97,745 BCE, the Flood made landfall on Seaward from G 617 g. Their arrival was noted by the Auditor and the Prelate, who were informed of the event through an automated notification system employing several devices (a trade beacon, a medical station, and a local painter's jetbrush). They then agreed to inform the Didact of the Flood's return.[Note 3]
This would be the last time the Forerunners had any contact with the planetary system. The invasion of the planet was the beginning of the Forerunner-Flood War, which lasted three centuries and ended with the firing of the Halo Array, killing all sentient life in the galaxy.
Trivia[edit]
- The designation of the system given by the terminal is a reference to Genesis 6:17, wherein God warns Noah that he's about to unleash a devastating flood upon the world.
- The designation is of human origin,[1] implying that the moon had already been observed and catalogued by humanity prior to the Battle of Installation 00.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Soma the Painter (First appearance)
- Halo: Last Light (Indirect mention)
Notes[edit]
- ^ The exact formatting of the moon's designation differs depending on the source. Soma the Painter referred to it as "G617 g1", whereas the Bestiarum referred to it as "G617 g 1". Neither follows real-world convention, since Roman numerals would always be used over Arabic numerals, but the space between the "g" and the "1" is absolutely essential. "G 617 g 1" is used over "G617 g 1" in this article for consistency.
- ^ Although Seaward is described in Soma the Painter as a "massive planet", the "1" in the designation used in the text implies that it is instead a moon of G 617 g. This is supported by the Bestiarum, which directly refers to G 617 g 1 as a satellite of G 617 g.
- ^ In "Soma the Painter", the Auditor tells the Prelate to "send word for the Didact" upon being informed of the Flood invasion. However, Halo: Cryptum reveals that the Didact was still exiled in his Cryptum at this time and would not awaken until centuries later. One may infer that the Auditor and Prelate wished to revive him, a measure that, perhaps due to the Master Builder's political influence, did not come to pass.
