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'''Catalog''' was a collective entity of [[Forerunner]] [[Juridical]] agents charged with recording, observing, and uploading information to the [[Juridical|Juridical | '''Catalog''' was a collective entity of [[Forerunner]] [[Juridical]] agents charged with recording, observing, and uploading information to the [[Juridical|Juridical network]]. There were many individuals identified as Catalog, all of whom were formally considered to be the same being as a peculiar cultural convention.<ref name="same">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 17''</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
{{Quote|I do not judge. I record.|Catalog}} | {{Quote|I do not judge. I record.|Catalog}} | ||
Catalog's task was to record evidence related to a given case, and to determine what would be passed on for the Juridicals to analyze. Catalog gathered information in a variety of ways, including direct observation via their various sensor equipment and taking the testimonials of individuals connected to the cases at hand. When on an official mission mandated by the [[Ecumene Council]], no one, no matter their rank or position, was allowed to interfere with Catalog's investigation.<ref name="same"/> | Catalog's task was to record evidence related to a given case, and to determine what would be passed on for the Juridicals to analyze. Catalog gathered information in a variety of ways, including direct observation via their various sensor equipment and taking the testimonials of individuals connected to the cases at hand. When on an official mission mandated by the [[Ecumene Council]], no one, no matter their rank or position, was allowed to interfere with Catalog's investigation.<ref name="same"/> Catalog was almost constantly connected to the Juridical network, which it used to share information. The [[Gravemind]], upon capturing Catalog, noted an "amusing" similarity between Catalog and itself; much like the Flood's pervasive collective consciousness, Catalog was an extension of a collective which shared memories and experience.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 173''</ref> | ||
Catalog were chosen from volunteering individuals of all [[rate]]s who had committed crimes and assumed the role as an act of penance.<ref name="guilt"/> Forerunners who became Catalog were stripped of individuality and personhood; in translations, Catalog is referenced with the neutral pronoun "it". Some Forerunners occasionally referred to Catalog as individuals (e.g. ''a'' Catalog as opposed to Catalog), which was considered improper but forgivable. Committing to life as Catalog was known as "assuming the carapace". This process, which few outsiders truly understood, involved many oaths and heavy conditioning in preparation for the role.<ref name="sil28">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 28''</ref> While Catalog generally appeared to outsiders as being identical in mannerisms and personality, each individual's distinct origins inevitably resulted in subtle differences between their behaviors, sometimes enough for an attentive outsider to be able to discern Catalog's rate of origin.<ref name="guilt"/> Catalog was not supposed to reveal its origins or its individual reasons for assuming the carapace to others, as its former identity was supposed to have been suppressed in favor of that of Catalog.<ref name="sil125">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 125-126''</ref> Due to their excessive involvement with legal matters, Catalog often appeared somewhat paranoid in regards to potential crimes.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 19''</ref> | Catalog were chosen from volunteering individuals of all [[rate]]s who had committed crimes and assumed the role as an act of penance.<ref name="guilt"/> Forerunners who became Catalog were stripped of individuality and personhood; in translations, Catalog is referenced with the neutral pronoun "it". Some Forerunners occasionally referred to Catalog as individuals (e.g. ''a'' Catalog as opposed to Catalog), which was considered improper but forgivable. Committing to life as Catalog was known as "assuming the carapace". This process, which few outsiders truly understood, involved many oaths and heavy conditioning in preparation for the role.<ref name="sil28">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 28''</ref> While Catalog generally appeared to outsiders as being identical in mannerisms and personality, each individual's distinct origins inevitably resulted in subtle differences between their behaviors, sometimes enough for an attentive outsider to be able to discern Catalog's rate of origin.<ref name="guilt"/> Catalog was not supposed to reveal its origins or its individual reasons for assuming the carapace to others, as its former identity was supposed to have been suppressed in favor of that of Catalog.<ref name="sil125">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 125-126''</ref> Due to their excessive involvement with legal matters, Catalog often appeared somewhat paranoid in regards to potential crimes.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 19''</ref> Catalog often used the phrase ''"I am Catalog"'' as a personal mantra,<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 16, 57''</ref> occasionally proclaiming it aloud to formally declare its presence.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 92''</ref> | ||
Catalog was encased in a mechanical carapace designed for optimum observation and recording, and allowing it to interview quickly and efficiently while contacting the network as often as necessary. This carapace was also capable of surviving in hard vacuum and other dangerous environmental conditions. The Catalog carapace possessed five legs and an array of optical recording devices it could extend or retract at will.<ref name="sil92">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 92-93''</ref> Like all Forerunners, Catalog was equipped with a personal [[ancilla]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 23''</ref> | Catalog was encased in a mechanical carapace designed for optimum observation and recording, and allowing it to interview quickly and efficiently while contacting the network as often as necessary. This carapace was also capable of surviving in hard vacuum and other dangerous environmental conditions. The Catalog carapace possessed five legs and an array of optical recording devices it could extend or retract at will.<ref name="sil92">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 92-93''</ref> Like all Forerunners, Catalog was equipped with a personal [[ancilla]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 23''</ref> | ||
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Catalog was assigned to [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]] to collect testimony from the [[Librarian]] and the [[IsoDidact]]. This individual was formerly a [[Warrior-Servant]],<ref name="sil28"/> and became Catalog after going against the orders of their mentor out of anger.<ref name="guilt"/> However, it took the carapace after the Master Builder's rule in the Council ended, and did not participate in the [[human-Forerunner wars]].<ref name="subverted"/> After the IsoDidact departed to command defensive operations of the [[Orion complex]], this Catalog recorded the Librarian's testimony about her journey to [[Path Kethona]]. | Catalog was assigned to [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]] to collect testimony from the [[Librarian]] and the [[IsoDidact]]. This individual was formerly a [[Warrior-Servant]],<ref name="sil28"/> and became Catalog after going against the orders of their mentor out of anger.<ref name="guilt"/> However, it took the carapace after the Master Builder's rule in the Council ended, and did not participate in the [[human-Forerunner wars]].<ref name="subverted"/> After the IsoDidact departed to command defensive operations of the [[Orion complex]], this Catalog recorded the Librarian's testimony about her journey to [[Path Kethona]]. | ||
Another Catalog had been assigned to [[Maker-of-Moons]] to collect testimony about the Master Builder some time earlier; this unit was later heavily damaged and abandoned by the Master Builder's forces on a Builder hulk near [[Uthera Midgeerrd]]. A former [[Miner]], this individual assumed the carapace after prematurely triggering a planet's destruction, killing | Another Catalog had been assigned to [[Maker-of-Moons]] to collect testimony about the Master Builder some time earlier; this unit was later heavily damaged and abandoned by the Master Builder's forces on a Builder hulk near [[Uthera Midgeerrd]]. A former [[Miner]], this individual assumed the carapace after prematurely triggering a planet's destruction, killing his crèche-mate and twelve of the latter's crew in the process; he did this out of jealousy toward his crèche-mate, who had been chosen to be married with the heir to the Miner rate's most powerful family.<ref name="sil125"/> It chose to remain on the hulk with the [[Ur-Didact]] when the ship was surrounded by the [[Flood]]; as a result, the Didact considered it honorable, even appointing it into an honorary Warrior-Servant. It was subsequently captured by the [[Gravemind]] which latently infected it with the [[logic plague]], intending to send it back to the heart of the ecumene to spread the software infection to other Catalog units and [[ancilla]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 209-210''</ref> | ||
Catalog collected testimony from the Ur-Didact after his recovery from the [[Burn]], being forced to compel the Didact to recall his encounter with the Gravemind after he refused to continue his testimony due to his reluctance to relive the horror he suffered at the clutches of the Flood. Catalog was also assigned to the Ur-Didact on [[Nomdagro]] in anticipation for his meeting with the IsoDidact and the Librarian; this unit formed a triad with two other Catalog assigned to Bornstellar and the Lifeshaper when they arrived. Catalog also attended the gathering of the Forerunner leadership on the [[greater Ark]], and was likewise present in [[Omega Halo]]'s [[control room]] when the ring was fired. This unit was saved from the collapsing control center, along with the IsoDidact, by [[343 Guilty Spark|Monitor Chakas]] aboard his [[Gargantua-class transport]]. It was slightly damaged but ultimately survived and made it to [[Installation 00]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 306''</ref> | Catalog collected testimony from the Ur-Didact after his recovery from the [[Burn]], being forced to compel the Didact to recall his encounter with the Gravemind after he refused to continue his testimony due to his reluctance to relive the horror he suffered at the clutches of the Flood. Catalog was also assigned to the Ur-Didact on [[Nomdagro]] in anticipation for his meeting with the IsoDidact and the Librarian; this unit formed a triad with two other Catalog assigned to Bornstellar and the Lifeshaper when they arrived. Catalog also attended the gathering of the Forerunner leadership on the [[greater Ark]], and was likewise present in [[Omega Halo]]'s [[control room]] when the ring was fired. This unit was saved from the collapsing control center, along with the IsoDidact, by [[343 Guilty Spark|Monitor Chakas]] aboard his [[Gargantua-class transport]]. It was slightly damaged but ultimately survived and made it to [[Installation 00]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 306''</ref> | ||