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{{Era|Forerunner|HCW}}
{{Era|Forerunner|HCW}}
[[File:Ark.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The Cartographer of Installation 00.]]
[[File:Ark.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The Cartographer of Installation 00.]]
The '''Cartographer''', also known as '''map room''', is a [[Forerunner]] structure on their various [[Astroengineering|megastructures]], such as the [[Halo Array]], which features a schematic of the entire installation when activated.
The '''Cartographer''', also known as a '''map room''', is a [[Forerunner]] structure on their various [[Astroengineering|megastructures]], such as the [[Halo Array]], which features a schematic of the entire installation when activated.<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 30''</ref>


The purpose of the Cartographer structure is to show a [[Holography|holographic]] map which can be used to navigate the massive expanse that is an Installation. They were most likely used by the Forerunners themselves when they would visit one of these Installations for any such reason. They obviously are not used by the Monitor of the Installations itself as they have built-in mapping programmed. Almost every Forerunner structure encountered so far has one of these centers.
A central component of any installation of Forerunner construction, the purpose of a Cartographer structure is to provide a real-time [[Holography|holographic]] map which can be used to navigate the massive expanse that is an installation, along with other relevant information. The Cartographer facilities on the various Forerunner installations differ in layout and design, though the map rooms on the Halo installations are buried within large structures housing a network of compartments and rooms. Like the map rooms on most Forerunner facilities, the Cartographers of the Halo installations are protected by multiple security measures.<ref name="vis"/>


==Installation 00==
==Installation 00==
[[File:TLJ Cartographer.PNG|thumb|Installation 00 Cartographer exterior.]]
[[File:TLJ Cartographer.PNG|thumb|Installation 00 Cartographer exterior.]]
The Cartographer of [[Installation 00]] was located on top of a massive spire structure, the map room itself lying in a wide open area giving a panoramic view over a massive waterfall. The map room is somewhat larger than [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]]'s Cartographer structure and also much more open to the outside. The Cartographer is a much bigger version of the one seen in  the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level, [[The Silent Cartographer]]. There are many structural similarities between the two. They also play the same role, although each on a different scale.
The Cartographer of [[Installation 00]] was located on top of a massive spire structure, the map room itself lying in a wide open area giving a panoramic view over a massive waterfall. On the other side, the Cartographer structure was protected by a massive wall. The map room is somewhat larger than [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]]'s Cartographer structure and also much more open to the outside, though their interior spaces share many structural similarities.  


The structure was explored in the ''[[Halo 3]]'' level [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]] when the player(s) cross(es) through the [[Sentinel Wall|Forerunner wall]], following [[343 Guilty Spark]], who hacks into the structure, to allow access.<ref>'''Halo 3''', ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark (Level)]]''</ref>
During the [[Battle of Installation 00]], [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and [[Sangheili]] forces breached the [[Covenant]]-held Cartographer with the aid of [[343 Guilty Spark]], and used the map facility to locate the [[Prophet of Truth]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref>


==Installation 04==
==Installation 04==
{{Main|Silent Cartographer}}
{{Main|Silent Cartographer}}
On Installation 04, the Cartographer was located in an immense underground facility, below a large island. It was protected by a security system accessible by another underground facility on the other side of the island. These facilities were a part of the installation's larger tunnel network, with a massive shaft leading to the depths of the megasturcture in between them. During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], [[John-117]] battled his way to the Cartographer in order to locate the Installation's Control Room.
On Installation 04, the Cartographer was located in an immense underground facility, below a large island. It was protected by a security system accessible by another underground facility on the other side of the island. These facilities were a part of the installation's larger tunnel network, with a massive shaft leading to the depths of the megastructure in between them. During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], [[John-117]] battled his way to the Cartographer in order to locate the Installation's Control Room.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]''</ref>


==Onyx==
==Onyx==
[[Onyx]] also featured a map room, deep below the Forerunner city in what the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] referred to as [[Zone 67]]. [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] used this Cartographer structure during the [[Battle of Onyx]], when she was trying to find the way to the [[core room antechamber|portal]] that led to the [[Shield World]] in the core of the artificial planet.
[[Onyx]] also featured a map room, deep below the Forerunner city in what the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] referred to as [[Zone 67]]. Onyx's map center was located below a massive domed structure in the city.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 270-271''</ref> Below one of seven massive landing pads in the interior was a spiraling staircase which led into a smaller chamber.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 273-274''</ref> The chamber housed an [[energy bridge]], which led to the map room itself; a half-spherical chamber about 20 meters across. In the center was a holographic console which could project detailed schematics of the entire Onyx construct.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 275''</ref> The room also featured a [[Teleporter|translocation platform]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 311''</ref>
 
[[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Halsey]] used this Cartographer structure during the [[Battle of Onyx]], when she was trying to find the way to the [[core room antechamber|portal]] that led to the [[Shield World]] in the core of the artificial planet.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 276''</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The Cartographers always seem to appear over a chasm.
*The Cartographers always seem to appear over a chasm.
*Monitors only have built-in map systems for their own Installations, (eg. 343 Guilty Spark only has a map of Installation 04) which is why you have to visit a Cartographer on the Ark in ''Halo 3''.
*[[Monitor]]s only have built-in map systems for their own Installations, (eg. 343 Guilty Spark only has a map of Installation 04) which is why the UNSC forces have to visit a Cartographer on the Ark in ''Halo 3'', despite being accompanied by the 343 Guilty Spark.
*The multiplayer level [[Construct (level)|Construct]] takes place on the Cartographer building of [[Installation 00]].
*The multiplayer level [[Construct (level)|Construct]] takes place on the Cartographer building of [[Installation 00]].
*The waterfall in Installation 00's Cartographer could be leading to the [[narrows|cooling systems]], or could just be a decoration.


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==

Revision as of 08:04, October 6, 2011

The Cartographer of Installation 00.

The Cartographer, also known as a map room, is a Forerunner structure on their various megastructures, such as the Halo Array, which features a schematic of the entire installation when activated.[1]

A central component of any installation of Forerunner construction, the purpose of a Cartographer structure is to provide a real-time holographic map which can be used to navigate the massive expanse that is an installation, along with other relevant information. The Cartographer facilities on the various Forerunner installations differ in layout and design, though the map rooms on the Halo installations are buried within large structures housing a network of compartments and rooms. Like the map rooms on most Forerunner facilities, the Cartographers of the Halo installations are protected by multiple security measures.[1]

Installation 00

Installation 00 Cartographer exterior.

The Cartographer of Installation 00 was located on top of a massive spire structure, the map room itself lying in a wide open area giving a panoramic view over a massive waterfall. On the other side, the Cartographer structure was protected by a massive wall. The map room is somewhat larger than Alpha Halo's Cartographer structure and also much more open to the outside, though their interior spaces share many structural similarities.

During the Battle of Installation 00, UNSC and Sangheili forces breached the Covenant-held Cartographer with the aid of 343 Guilty Spark, and used the map facility to locate the Prophet of Truth.[2]

Installation 04

Main article: Silent Cartographer

On Installation 04, the Cartographer was located in an immense underground facility, below a large island. It was protected by a security system accessible by another underground facility on the other side of the island. These facilities were a part of the installation's larger tunnel network, with a massive shaft leading to the depths of the megastructure in between them. During the Battle of Installation 04, John-117 battled his way to the Cartographer in order to locate the Installation's Control Room.[3]

Onyx

Onyx also featured a map room, deep below the Forerunner city in what the Office of Naval Intelligence referred to as Zone 67. Onyx's map center was located below a massive domed structure in the city.[4] Below one of seven massive landing pads in the interior was a spiraling staircase which led into a smaller chamber.[5] The chamber housed an energy bridge, which led to the map room itself; a half-spherical chamber about 20 meters across. In the center was a holographic console which could project detailed schematics of the entire Onyx construct.[6] The room also featured a translocation platform.[7]

Dr. Halsey used this Cartographer structure during the Battle of Onyx, when she was trying to find the way to the portal that led to the Shield World in the core of the artificial planet.[8]

Trivia

  • The Cartographers always seem to appear over a chasm.
  • Monitors only have built-in map systems for their own Installations, (eg. 343 Guilty Spark only has a map of Installation 04) which is why the UNSC forces have to visit a Cartographer on the Ark in Halo 3, despite being accompanied by the 343 Guilty Spark.
  • The multiplayer level Construct takes place on the Cartographer building of Installation 00.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 30
  2. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  3. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Silent Cartographer
  4. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 270-271
  5. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 273-274
  6. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 275
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 311
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 276