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Forerunner: Difference between revisions
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==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||
[[File:Forerunner AI.jpg|thumb|right|275px|A [[Sentinel]] and a [[Monitor]]. Both are Forerunner creations with specific tasks.]] | [[File:Forerunner AI.jpg|thumb|right|275px|A [[Sentinel]] and a [[Monitor]]. Both are Forerunner creations with specific tasks.]] | ||
The Forerunners' technological achievements were without parallel in the known galaxy. They managed to create solidified surfaces out of light by using technology known as [[hard light]], use slipspace to [[Slipspace translocation|teleport]] between locations almost instantaneously, and create numerous forms of advanced machinery. Another of their greatest achievements is their ability to initiate pre-mature stellar collapses of stars and create planets in less than 10,000 years. The [[Halo Array]] and the [[shield world]]s are, above all others, the most significant pieces of surviving Forerunner technology. The planet Onyx and its inner [[Dyson sphere]], [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], in particular demonstrated both their ability for engineering on a grand scale, and their near-transcendent grasp of slipspace technology. Forerunner technology is remarkably resilient, being able to remain intact for over a hundred millennia. | The Forerunners' technological achievements were without parallel in the known galaxy. They managed to create solidified surfaces out of light by using technology known as [[hard light]], use slipspace to [[Slipspace translocation|teleport]] between locations almost instantaneously, and create numerous forms of advanced machinery. Another of their greatest achievements is their ability to initiate pre-mature stellar collapses of stars and create planets in less than 10,000 years. The [[Halo Array]] and the [[shield world]]s are, above all others, the most significant pieces of surviving Forerunner technology. The planet Onyx and its inner [[Dyson sphere]], [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], in particular demonstrated both their ability for engineering on a grand scale, and their near-transcendent grasp of slipspace technology. Forerunner technology is remarkably resilient, being able to remain intact for over a hundred millennia.{{fact}} | ||
They employed a wide variety of [[artificial intelligence]] constructs, known as [[ancilla]]s. These ranged from simple personal assistants integrated in their armors to various kinds of [[monitor]]s and immensely powerful [[metarch]]-level AIs, of which the most sophisticated type was the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]]. | They employed a wide variety of [[artificial intelligence]] constructs, known as [[ancilla]]s. These ranged from simple personal assistants integrated in their armors to various kinds of [[monitor]]s and immensely powerful [[metarch]]-level AIs, of which the most sophisticated type was the [[Contender-class artificial intelligence|Contender-class]].{{fact}} | ||
The Forerunners had mastered the use of various energy fields, including [[buffer field]]s which they used to manipulate gravity,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 304''</ref> [[constraint field]]s used to restrain individuals, [[confinement field]]s used to block the movement of entire ships, and the containment and collection fields they used to harness entire stars for energy production.<ref name="c243">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 243''</ref> Forerunners utilized various camouflaging technologies, including [[dazzler]]s, which generated visual and auditory delusions, or [[baffler]]s, which created geometric distortions that could effectively hide a large area not only from plain sight, but also a starship's sensors.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 43''</ref> | The Forerunners had mastered the use of various energy fields, including [[buffer field]]s which they used to manipulate gravity,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 304''</ref> [[constraint field]]s used to restrain individuals, [[confinement field]]s used to block the movement of entire ships, and the containment and collection fields they used to harness entire stars for energy production.<ref name="c243">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 243''</ref> Forerunners utilized various camouflaging technologies, including [[dazzler]]s, which generated visual and auditory delusions, or [[baffler]]s, which created geometric distortions that could effectively hide a large area not only from plain sight, but also a starship's sensors.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 43''</ref> | ||
Forerunner technology could also produce certain objects remarkably quickly without extensive production facilities. For example, personal armor could be manufactured by small engineering units onboard a starship,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 106''</ref> and entire ships could be "grown" from a "[[design seed]]", being manufactured on-site from pre-programmed "blueprints" and construction materials obtained from local resources. Likewise, certain automatons - such as [[Promethean Crawler]]s - could be "conjured" on-site and constructed in a matter of seconds from raw materials present in the ground. | Forerunner technology could also produce certain objects remarkably quickly without extensive production facilities. For example, personal armor could be manufactured by small engineering units onboard a starship,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 106''</ref> and entire ships could be "grown" from a "[[design seed]]", being manufactured on-site from pre-programmed "blueprints" and construction materials obtained from local resources. Likewise, certain automatons - such as [[Promethean Crawler]]s - could be "conjured" on-site and constructed in a matter of seconds from raw materials present in the ground.{{fact}} | ||
The Forerunners also had an unparalleled knowledge of quantum science, which enabled them much of their sophisticated technology.<ref name="c100">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 100''</ref> Aside using slipspace for travel, they were capable of manipulating the fabric of time and space within contained "bubbles" of slipspace, allowing the storage of enormous masses and volumes within a comparatively tiny space, such as the slipspace bubble used to contain the [[Sharpened Shield]]. In these bubbles, the flow of time could be suspended altogether, or numerous millennia could be made to transpire while only seconds had passed in normal space.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 366''</ref> In addition to slipspace, the Forerunner had also discovered other realities, including [[denial of locale]], [[natal void]], [[shunspace]], [[trick geodetics]] and a photon-only realm known as [[the Glow]].<ref name="c100"/> | The Forerunners also had an unparalleled knowledge of quantum science, which enabled them much of their sophisticated technology.<ref name="c100">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 100''</ref> Aside using slipspace for travel, they were capable of manipulating the fabric of time and space within contained "bubbles" of slipspace, allowing the storage of enormous masses and volumes within a comparatively tiny space, such as the slipspace bubble used to contain the [[Sharpened Shield]]. In these bubbles, the flow of time could be suspended altogether, or numerous millennia could be made to transpire while only seconds had passed in normal space.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 366''</ref> In addition to slipspace, the Forerunner had also discovered other realities, including [[denial of locale]], [[natal void]], [[shunspace]], [[trick geodetics]] and a photon-only realm known as [[the Glow]].<ref name="c100"/> | ||
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The Forerunners used a broad variety of weapons, which mostly encompass several forms of [[directed energy weapon|energy beams]]. These weapons proved to be very effective when battling the Flood, burning Flood forms to the point that they cannot be revived by [[Flood infection form|infection forms]]. Many of these weapons were operated by dedicated automatons, allowing the Forerunners to battle the Flood without risking infection by sending biological beings to the front lines. The Forerunners made active use of [[plasma weaponry]] as well; the Covenant's own weapons and technology are based almost entirely on Forerunner artifacts. As one example of Forerunner weapons technology, certain types of beams could be merged together into one stream to amplify its power; this capability was used on both [[Unidentified Forerunner weapon|infantry weapons]] as well as [[Unidentified Forerunner dreadnought class|starship weaponry]].<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''Origins''</ref> | The Forerunners used a broad variety of weapons, which mostly encompass several forms of [[directed energy weapon|energy beams]]. These weapons proved to be very effective when battling the Flood, burning Flood forms to the point that they cannot be revived by [[Flood infection form|infection forms]]. Many of these weapons were operated by dedicated automatons, allowing the Forerunners to battle the Flood without risking infection by sending biological beings to the front lines. The Forerunners made active use of [[plasma weaponry]] as well; the Covenant's own weapons and technology are based almost entirely on Forerunner artifacts. As one example of Forerunner weapons technology, certain types of beams could be merged together into one stream to amplify its power; this capability was used on both [[Unidentified Forerunner weapon|infantry weapons]] as well as [[Unidentified Forerunner dreadnought class|starship weaponry]].<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''Origins''</ref> | ||
In combat, the Forerunners themselves used advanced [[powered exoskeleton|exoskeletons]] called [[combat skin]]s, powerful vehicles such as [[war sphinx]]es, and wielded a formidable arsenal of weaponry. Among these were handheld directed-energy weapons, such as the [[Scattershot]] and [[Lightrifle]]. These weapons utilize various forms of ammunition, including hard light or accelerated beams of ionized particles, or combination thereof. During the conflict with the Flood, these weapons were designed to disintegrate their targets upon inflicting a critical hit, preventing the Flood from making use of any biological matter. Although they fill relatively basic roles and have clear analogues in human weaponry, many of these weapons also have exotic properties, such as the Scattershot's ricocheting projectiles or the [[Boltshot]]'s secondary burst function. Forerunner firearms, like the rest of their technology, are highly sophisticated; most are composed of disparate parts held together by energy fields and display self-assembling capabilities. Forerunner ground forces also use [[Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized|pulse grenades]] which generate an energy-drain field before collapsing, decimating any targets within its effective radius. | In combat, the Forerunners themselves used advanced [[powered exoskeleton|exoskeletons]] called [[combat skin]]s, powerful vehicles such as [[war sphinx]]es, and wielded a formidable arsenal of weaponry. Among these were handheld directed-energy weapons, such as the [[Scattershot]] and [[Lightrifle]]. These weapons utilize various forms of ammunition, including hard light or accelerated beams of ionized particles, or combination thereof. During the conflict with the Flood, these weapons were designed to disintegrate their targets upon inflicting a critical hit, preventing the Flood from making use of any biological matter. Although they fill relatively basic roles and have clear analogues in human weaponry, many of these weapons also have exotic properties, such as the Scattershot's ricocheting projectiles or the [[Boltshot]]'s secondary burst function. Forerunner firearms, like the rest of their technology, are highly sophisticated; most are composed of disparate parts held together by energy fields and display self-assembling capabilities. Forerunner ground forces also use [[Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized|pulse grenades]] which generate an energy-drain field before collapsing, decimating any targets within its effective radius.{{fact}} | ||
The many varieties of Forerunner [[sentinel]]s also carry a wide array of weaponry. The [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s use moderately effective [[Sentinel beam|beam weapons]], which can also be wielded by humans and certain Covenant races. Meanwhile, [[Enforcer]]s are equipped with [[Forerunner missile launcher|missile launchers]] and a pair of [[pulse beam]]s, which fire clusters of smaller red Needler-like projectiles or bolts of energy at an incredibly high rate of fire. The [[Constructor]]s' [[Construction beam|repair beam]] can also be considered a weapon, but with minimal damage output. The [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels of Onyx]] had significantly more powerful weaponry and shielding. Their energy weapons functioned via a single, slow-charging, extremely powerful golden beam which was effective against energy shields and armor alike.<ref name="GoO">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''</ref> The Forerunners also constructed stationary [[Forerunner automated turret|automated turrets]], resembling stripped-down sentinels. [[Monitor]]s are capable of defending themselves with high-powered pulse weapons akin to those used by Sentinels, as well as with gravity manipulation technology.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | The many varieties of Forerunner [[sentinel]]s also carry a wide array of weaponry. The [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s use moderately effective [[Sentinel beam|beam weapons]], which can also be wielded by humans and certain Covenant races. Meanwhile, [[Enforcer]]s are equipped with [[Forerunner missile launcher|missile launchers]] and a pair of [[pulse beam]]s, which fire clusters of smaller red Needler-like projectiles or bolts of energy at an incredibly high rate of fire. The [[Constructor]]s' [[Construction beam|repair beam]] can also be considered a weapon, but with minimal damage output. The [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels of Onyx]] had significantly more powerful weaponry and shielding. Their energy weapons functioned via a single, slow-charging, extremely powerful golden beam which was effective against energy shields and armor alike.<ref name="GoO">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''</ref> The Forerunners also constructed stationary [[Forerunner automated turret|automated turrets]], resembling stripped-down sentinels. [[Monitor]]s are capable of defending themselves with high-powered pulse weapons akin to those used by Sentinels, as well as with gravity manipulation technology.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | ||
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While the majority of Forerunner buildings are composed of metals and alloys, the Forerunners were also highly skilled at creating stone architecture. Typically, these buildings were built from a pale brown or tan stone.<ref name="ttw"/> These structures were more subject to wear and aging, but their architectural sophistication remains apparent after 100,000 years.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer map ''[[Sandtrap]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref> Most interestingly, certain Forerunner buildings incorporated "mutable" stonework: [[Temple of the Abiding Truth|a stone Forerunner structure]] in [[Ontom]], [[Sanghelios]] featured passages that could shift and change by literally reshaping the stone from which their walls were built.<ref name="ttw"/> | While the majority of Forerunner buildings are composed of metals and alloys, the Forerunners were also highly skilled at creating stone architecture. Typically, these buildings were built from a pale brown or tan stone.<ref name="ttw"/> These structures were more subject to wear and aging, but their architectural sophistication remains apparent after 100,000 years.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer map ''[[Sandtrap]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref> Most interestingly, certain Forerunner buildings incorporated "mutable" stonework: [[Temple of the Abiding Truth|a stone Forerunner structure]] in [[Ontom]], [[Sanghelios]] featured passages that could shift and change by literally reshaping the stone from which their walls were built.<ref name="ttw"/> | ||
In addition to physical structures, a large portion of Forerunner architecture is actually composed of sophisticated [[hard light]] construction. Such architecture is often crafted in the likeness of corporeal matter, most commonly gray Forerunner metal. Hard light structures can form complex shapes and in many cases, be entirely indistinguishable from physical construction,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 116, 201''</ref> making it difficult to determine which structural components are made up of actual matter.<ref name="halo 4"/> This technology has many uses, from acting as basic structural components such as platforms or walls to decorating and furnishing everything from Forerunner homes and public spaces to starship interiors.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 242''</ref> Many Forerunner structures are capable of materializing when needed and then melting away when deactivated, a feature most likely facilitated through the use of hard light. The immaterial and flexible nature of this technology lends it a great deal of uses, but as a drawback, it is susceptible to power failures and as such cannot be used in the most crucial supporting components of a structure. | In addition to physical structures, a large portion of Forerunner architecture is actually composed of sophisticated [[hard light]] construction. Such architecture is often crafted in the likeness of corporeal matter, most commonly gray Forerunner metal. Hard light structures can form complex shapes and in many cases, be entirely indistinguishable from physical construction,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 116, 201''</ref> making it difficult to determine which structural components are made up of actual matter.<ref name="halo 4"/> This technology has many uses, from acting as basic structural components such as platforms or walls to decorating and furnishing everything from Forerunner homes and public spaces to starship interiors.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 242''</ref> Many Forerunner structures are capable of materializing when needed and then melting away when deactivated, a feature most likely facilitated through the use of hard light. The immaterial and flexible nature of this technology lends it a great deal of uses, but as a drawback, it is susceptible to power failures and as such cannot be used in the most crucial supporting components of a structure.{{fact}} | ||
Many symbols and patterns on Forerunner structures employ complex geometric shapes that appear to operate in dimensions higher than human understanding can comprehend.<ref name="GoO"/> The Forerunners also decorated the interiors of their structures with a complex pattern of engraved straight lines and applied decorative touches and designs to nearly everything that they built, from structures to weapons. Even Sentinel drones possess small holographic Forerunner script around their "eyes". | Many symbols and patterns on Forerunner structures employ complex geometric shapes that appear to operate in dimensions higher than human understanding can comprehend.<ref name="GoO"/> The Forerunners also decorated the interiors of their structures with a complex pattern of engraved straight lines and applied decorative touches and designs to nearly everything that they built, from structures to weapons. Even Sentinel drones possess small holographic Forerunner script around their "eyes".{{fact}} | ||
The Forerunners were highly skilled at creating natural-looking habitats, such as those of the Halo installations, which tend to be very elaborate and include realistic weather patterns and self-sustaining biomes. Forerunner structures were designed to compliment the natural landscape, as opposed to the human idea of replacing it. | The Forerunners were highly skilled at creating natural-looking habitats, such as those of the Halo installations, which tend to be very elaborate and include realistic weather patterns and self-sustaining biomes. Forerunner structures were designed to compliment the natural landscape, as opposed to the human idea of replacing it.{{fact}} | ||
===Astroengineering=== | ===Astroengineering=== | ||
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While the Forerunners' architectural and technological prowess is legendary, their masterpieces also extended to the fields of stellar and planetary engineering. | While the Forerunners' architectural and technological prowess is legendary, their masterpieces also extended to the fields of stellar and planetary engineering. | ||
[[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], a full-size [[Dyson sphere|Dyson shell]], existed in [[slipstream space]], where planets and stars cannot ordinarily exist. In addition, the slipspace bubble containing the enormous construct was enclosed within [[Onyx]], a planet-sized structure composed of trillions of [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]] arranged into a complex structural scaffolding and covered by a terrestrial crust. The Forerunners also created many smaller shield worlds, essentially planet-sized Dyson shells with terrestrial inner and outer surfaces as well a miniaturized sun in the center. Some works of Forerunner engineering are also located beyond the confines of the galaxy, including [[Installation 00]], a vast, flower-shaped construct with a terrestrial surface and its own artificial star for illumination. Another example of the Forerunners' mastery of megascale engineering was the [[capital]], a structure which surpassed even the Ark in sheer enormity and complexity. | [[Trevelyan|Shield World 006]], a full-size [[Dyson sphere|Dyson shell]], existed in [[slipstream space]], where planets and stars cannot ordinarily exist. In addition, the slipspace bubble containing the enormous construct was enclosed within [[Onyx]], a planet-sized structure composed of trillions of [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]] arranged into a complex structural scaffolding and covered by a terrestrial crust. The Forerunners also created many smaller shield worlds, essentially planet-sized Dyson shells with terrestrial inner and outer surfaces as well a miniaturized sun in the center. Some works of Forerunner engineering are also located beyond the confines of the galaxy, including [[Installation 00]], a vast, flower-shaped construct with a terrestrial surface and its own artificial star for illumination. Another example of the Forerunners' mastery of megascale engineering was the [[capital]], a structure which surpassed even the Ark in sheer enormity and complexity.{{fact}} | ||
In addition to moving and manipulating stars for use in their megastructures, the Forerunners experimented with manipulating young stars, employing stellar-class [[Engineer (rate)|Engineers]] known colloquially as "[[plasma jockey]]s".<ref name="c221">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 221''</ref> They had also harnessed dozens of stars for energy production by using sophisticated energy fields to direct the energy output of a star.<ref name="c243"/> In addition to stellar manipulation, the Forerunners were capable of considerably speeding up a planet's formation, artificially collapsing an [[asteroid]] field into a molten mass, then cooling it down and forming it into a terrestrial planet in less than ten thousand years; a relatively short period of time for the ageless Forerunners.<ref name="c221"/> | In addition to moving and manipulating stars for use in their megastructures, the Forerunners experimented with manipulating young stars, employing stellar-class [[Engineer (rate)|Engineers]] known colloquially as "[[plasma jockey]]s".<ref name="c221">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 221''</ref> They had also harnessed dozens of stars for energy production by using sophisticated energy fields to direct the energy output of a star.<ref name="c243"/> In addition to stellar manipulation, the Forerunners were capable of considerably speeding up a planet's formation, artificially collapsing an [[asteroid]] field into a molten mass, then cooling it down and forming it into a terrestrial planet in less than ten thousand years; a relatively short period of time for the ageless Forerunners.<ref name="c221"/> | ||