Primordial: Difference between revisions

The '''Primordial''', also called the '''Captive''' or the '''Timeless One''',<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/text/cryptum-glossary/62e29c59-a3f9-4b63-af76-def71fda5459 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: Cryptum Glossary'']</ref> and the '''Beast''' by the [[Tudejsa]],<ref name="p67">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 67-68''</ref> was a mysterious being of great power once detained on [[Charum Hakkor]], and supposedly the last surviving [[Precursor]],<ref name="Cryptum">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 342''</ref> its physical form altered to survive enormous stretches of time.<ref name="mythos 9">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 9''</ref> While its body was ultimately destroyed, the Primordial would transfer its consciousness into the [[Gravemind]], the [[Flood]]'s compound intelligence, using the parasite as an instrument with which to exact its final vengeance on the [[Forerunner]]s.<ref name="mythos 32">'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 32''</ref>

When the {{Class|Contender|artificial intelligence}} [[Mendicant Bias]] tested [[Installation 07]], one of the original twelve [[Halo Array|Halo rings]], in the [[Charum Hakkor system]], the Halo's energies destroyed every Precursor structure on the planet, freeing the prisoner. The creature was then taken to Mendicant Bias's Halo for study; both the Halo and Mendicant Bias disappeared soon after, not to return for 43 years.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 326''</ref>

After reclaiming Installation 07, the [[IsoDidact]] imprisoned the Primordial within a reverse-[[Timelock|stasis chamber]], and alongside the wounded [[Chakas]], interrogated the entity. During the course of their conversation, they came to realize that the Primordial was not what they initially thought it was. Even as it was being broken down by the reversed stasis chamber, the Primordial claimed that the Flood and the Precursors were synonymous, though despite the Didact's queries, it did not disclose the precise nature of their relationship. The Primordial provided further clarification on the subject of the Mantle, the purpose of the Flood, and the role of the humans in its ancient plan: the Forerunners were never meant to inherit the Mantle, and that humanity would succeed them in order to be tested for inheriting the Mantle.<ref name="prim362">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 362-365''</ref>

However, as later demonstrated during the [[Ur-Didact]]'s encounter with the [[Gravemind]], the Primordial's consciousness had survived the destruction of its physical body, having [[mind transfer|transferred]] itself into the Flood's compound mind intact.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos 32}} Intent on exacting its vengeance on the Didact in its new form, the Primordial inflicted unspeakable horrors upon the Promethean before releasing him and allowing him to return to the ecumene, aware that the Didact's resulting madness would demoralize the Forerunners and engender chaos and indecision among their ranks.<ref name="s167">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 167'' (''"This being was not the Primordial I encountered on Charum Hakkor, but something else entirely-though it retained the Primordial's motives and thoughts and memories. It was a Gravemind-the Gravemind, more accurately. It was the Primordial's final act of revenge."'')</ref> Now synonymous with the Gravemind, the Primordial had ensured its consciousness would survive for as long as the Flood prevailed.{{Ref/Reuse|mythos 32}}

File:GregBearPrecursor.jpg|A preliminary sketch of the Primordial drawn by [[Greg Bear]].

File:Enc22 Primordial.png|A depiction of the Primordial in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.

**''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]]'' {{C|As [[Flood Super Cell|"LF.Xx.3273"]]}}