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Ur-Didact: Difference between revisions
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early career=== | ===Early career=== | ||
[[File:Halo4-Terminal-DidactArmor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Didact's form for the majority of his career.]] | |||
Born ''Shadow-of-Sundered-Star'', the Didact was a Promethean, a member of the highest and most powerful class of [[Warrior-Servant]]s. He was trained by [[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]], a legendary Promethean far older than the Didact himself.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 246''</ref> Early in his career, the [[Confirmer]] provided Shadow a [[Forerunner mutation|brevet mutation]] to a new [[form]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 178''</ref> He gained the name "Didact" while teaching at the [[College of Strategic Defense of the Mantle]]; his students gave him the name because they found him to be a strict and demanding teacher.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 227-228''</ref> As a cadet, he apprenticed on ''[[Deep Reverence]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 145''</ref> | Born ''Shadow-of-Sundered-Star'', the Didact was a Promethean, a member of the highest and most powerful class of [[Warrior-Servant]]s. He was trained by [[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]], a legendary Promethean far older than the Didact himself.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 246''</ref> Early in his career, the [[Confirmer]] provided Shadow a [[Forerunner mutation|brevet mutation]] to a new [[form]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 178''</ref> He gained the name "Didact" while teaching at the [[College of Strategic Defense of the Mantle]]; his students gave him the name because they found him to be a strict and demanding teacher.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''pages 227-228''</ref> As a cadet, he apprenticed on ''[[Deep Reverence]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 145''</ref> | ||
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===War against humanity=== | ===War against humanity=== | ||
{{Quote|My finest opponent, the Mantle accepts all who live fiercely, who defend their young, who build and struggle and grow, and even those who dominate — as humans have dominated, cruelly and without wisdom. But for all of us there is a time like this, when the [[Domain]] seeks to confirm our essences, and for you, that time is now. Know this, relentless enemy, killer of our children, Lord of Admirals: soon we will face the enemy you have faced and defeated. I can see that challenge coming to the Forerunners, and so do many others... And we are afraid.|The Didact to [[Forthencho|Forthencho, Lord of Admirals]], in the aftermath of the [[Battle of Charum Hakkor]]<ref>'''Halo 4''', [[Terminal (Halo 4)|''Terminal Four'']]</ref>}} | {{Quote|My finest opponent, the Mantle accepts all who live fiercely, who defend their young, who build and struggle and grow, and even those who dominate — as humans have dominated, cruelly and without wisdom. But for all of us there is a time like this, when the [[Domain]] seeks to confirm our essences, and for you, that time is now. Know this, relentless enemy, killer of our children, Lord of Admirals: soon we will face the enemy you have faced and defeated. I can see that challenge coming to the Forerunners, and so do many others... And we are afraid.|The Didact to [[Forthencho|Forthencho, Lord of Admirals]], in the aftermath of the [[Battle of Charum Hakkor]]<ref>'''Halo 4''', [[Terminal (Halo 4)|''Terminal Four'']]</ref>}} | ||
[[File: | [[File:H4 Concept DidactAndLibrarianVictory1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Ur-Didact and Librarian on Charum Hakkor after the Ancestors' defeat.]] | ||
During the [[human-Forerunner wars]], the Didact led the Forerunner military against [[prehistoric human civilization|humanity]]. His personal command vessel, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was also built during these conflicts.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 193''</ref> His method of carrying out campaigns in interstellar war involved a strategy referred to as "[[star-hopping]]", isolating and besieging points of strategic importance while ignoring any less significant targets.<ref name="pri187">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 187-188''</ref> He was also known for favoring the [[fleet spiral]] formation in space engagements.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 267''</ref> As they pushed back human forces in the galactic margins in the later phases of the war, the Didact's fleets came across thousands of worlds infested by the [[Flood]], which was already retreating from the galaxy. Though some Forerunner fleets were lost in the first encounters with the parasite, the Didact's forces eventually managed to sterilize all of the remaining infestations.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 36''</ref> | During the [[human-Forerunner wars]], the Didact led the Forerunner military against [[prehistoric human civilization|humanity]]. His personal command vessel, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was also built during these conflicts.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 193''</ref> His method of carrying out campaigns in interstellar war involved a strategy referred to as "[[star-hopping]]", isolating and besieging points of strategic importance while ignoring any less significant targets.<ref name="pri187">'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 187-188''</ref> He was also known for favoring the [[fleet spiral]] formation in space engagements.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 267''</ref> As they pushed back human forces in the galactic margins in the later phases of the war, the Didact's fleets came across thousands of worlds infested by the [[Flood]], which was already retreating from the galaxy. Though some Forerunner fleets were lost in the first encounters with the parasite, the Didact's forces eventually managed to sterilize all of the remaining infestations.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 36''</ref> | ||
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[[File:CEA Terminal - Didact.jpg|thumb|230px|The Didact's symbol as seen in the final terminal of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.]] | [[File:CEA Terminal - Didact.jpg|thumb|230px|The Didact's symbol as seen in the final terminal of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.]] | ||
*The Didact is voiced by [[Wikipedia:Keith Szarabajka|Keith Szarabajka]],<ref>'''''Halo 4'' credits'''</ref> known for his role as the voice of [[Masseffect:Harbinger|Harbinger]] in ''[[Wikipedia:Mass Effect 2|Mass Effect 2]]''. Szarabajka also voiced Dr. [[Cameron Alexander]], a scientist in ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' [[Didact's Hand/The Didact's Gift|Episode 4 Chapter 5]]. | *The Didact is voiced by [[Wikipedia:Keith Szarabajka|Keith Szarabajka]],<ref>'''''Halo 4'' credits'''</ref> known for his role as the voice of [[Masseffect:Harbinger|Harbinger]] in ''[[Wikipedia:Mass Effect 2|Mass Effect 2]]''. Szarabajka also voiced Dr. [[Cameron Alexander]], a scientist in ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' [[Didact's Hand/The Didact's Gift|Episode 4 Chapter 5]]. | ||
*The Didact is the main antagonist of ''Halo 4'' and the third story arc of ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', "The Next 72 Hours". At the time of ''Halo 4'''s release, it was stated he would become a pivotal character in post-''Halo 4'' media, though the significance of this statement is unclear.<ref name="gttv">[http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/qevv7h/gt-tv-halo-4 '''GameTrailers''': ''GTTV: Halo 4'']</ref> He was originally planned to have a role in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''; at some point during the game's development, however, he was deemed to have become "extraneous" to the story. "The Next 72 Hours" was subsequently written to explain his absence from the narrative of ''Halo 5: Guardians''; according to writer [[Brian Reed]], the manner of his removal from the story would still allow 343 Industries to use him as an antagonist in later media if they so chose, as the franchise was considered to be lacking in recurring villains.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation|Halo: Escalation Library Edition Volume #1]]''', ''"The Next 72 Hours" developer commentary''</ref> | *The Didact is the main antagonist of ''Halo 4'' and the third story arc of ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', "The Next 72 Hours". At the time of ''Halo 4''{{'}}s release, it was stated he would become a pivotal character in post-''Halo 4'' media, though the significance of this statement is unclear.<ref name="gttv">[http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/qevv7h/gt-tv-halo-4 '''GameTrailers''': ''GTTV: Halo 4'']</ref> He was originally planned to have a role in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''; at some point during the game's development, however, he was deemed to have become "extraneous" to the story. "The Next 72 Hours" was subsequently written to explain his absence from the narrative of ''Halo 5: Guardians''; according to writer [[Brian Reed]], the manner of his removal from the story would still allow 343 Industries to use him as an antagonist in later media if they so chose, as the franchise was considered to be lacking in recurring villains.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation|Halo: Escalation Library Edition Volume #1]]''', ''"The Next 72 Hours" developer commentary''</ref> | ||
*The ''Composing A Universe'' featurette included in the limited edition of the ''Halo 4 Soundtrack'' includes a scene paying tribute to the memory of deceased voice actor {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0686257/ David Anthony Pizzuto]}}, who can be seen performing a sample of the Didact's dialogue. The sample is an alternate version of the Didact's awakening seen in the final game; in the sample, the Didact first recognizes and assesses a Sangheili devotee he assumes to be responsible for his awakening, only to discover it to be the work of a human instead. Whether this was only an audition reel or if Pizzuto was actually cast for the role of the Didact before his death is unknown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c4X2xUj8kI '''YouTube''': ''Didacts Revival performed by David Anthony Pizzuto'']</ref> | *The ''Composing A Universe'' featurette included in the limited edition of the ''Halo 4 Soundtrack'' includes a scene paying tribute to the memory of deceased voice actor {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0686257/ David Anthony Pizzuto]}}, who can be seen performing a sample of the Didact's dialogue. The sample is an alternate version of the Didact's awakening seen in the final game; in the sample, the Didact first recognizes and assesses a Sangheili devotee he assumes to be responsible for his awakening, only to discover it to be the work of a human instead. Whether this was only an audition reel or if Pizzuto was actually cast for the role of the Didact before his death is unknown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c4X2xUj8kI '''YouTube''': ''Didacts Revival performed by David Anthony Pizzuto'']</ref> | ||
*Before the official confirmation that the Didact was to be the antagonist of ''Halo 4'', a number of sources made several suggestions that this may be the case. Near the end of ''Origins, Part 1'', the Didact's empty armor is seen being placed into storage by another Forerunner after the activation of the Array, with his body nowhere to be seen; however, as this is based on the semi-rampant Cortana's interpretation of the available data, it is possible that such an event never really occurred. In the final [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|terminal]] of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', [[343 Guilty Spark]] wishes that the Didact and his Prometheans would return to put humanity in their place, and the Didact's symbol flashes momentarily. However, the symbol is the original version seen in the ''Halo 3'' terminals as opposed to the more simple "unbound" variation featured in ''Halo 4''. Additionally, there are hints throughout ''Halo: Primordium'' that humans are once again faced by the Didact; most prominently in the very end of the novel.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 378'' (''"You and I are brothers in many ways... not least in that we faced the Didact before, and face him now, and perhaps ever after."'')</ref> Finally, the Didact's unbound symbol appears in the ''[[Halo 4 Cinematic Trailer]]'', in which the icon is shown overtaking the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s monitors while a wave of orange light scans throughout the ship. The icon is later seen turning over in the end of the trailer, superimposed by the text ''"An ancient evil awakens,"'' while a then-unidentified voice, later revealed as belonging to the Didact, is heard saying ''"I have long dreamt of this day, Reclaimer."'' | *Before the official confirmation that the Didact was to be the antagonist of ''Halo 4'', a number of sources made several suggestions that this may be the case. Near the end of ''Origins, Part 1'', the Didact's empty armor is seen being placed into storage by another Forerunner after the activation of the Array, with his body nowhere to be seen; however, as this is based on the semi-rampant Cortana's interpretation of the available data, it is possible that such an event never really occurred. In the final [[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|terminal]] of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', [[343 Guilty Spark]] wishes that the Didact and his Prometheans would return to put humanity in their place, and the Didact's symbol flashes momentarily. However, the symbol is the original version seen in the ''Halo 3'' terminals as opposed to the more simple "unbound" variation featured in ''Halo 4''. Additionally, there are hints throughout ''Halo: Primordium'' that humans are once again faced by the Didact; most prominently in the very end of the novel.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 378'' (''"You and I are brothers in many ways... not least in that we faced the Didact before, and face him now, and perhaps ever after."'')</ref> Finally, the Didact's unbound symbol appears in the ''[[Halo 4 Cinematic Trailer]]'', in which the icon is shown overtaking the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s monitors while a wave of orange light scans throughout the ship. The icon is later seen turning over in the end of the trailer, superimposed by the text ''"An ancient evil awakens,"'' while a then-unidentified voice, later revealed as belonging to the Didact, is heard saying ''"I have long dreamt of this day, Reclaimer."'' | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
===Development images=== | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H4 Didact's head concept art-2.jpg|Concept art of the Didact's head; this art would be later use as the canonical appearance of the IsoDidact. | File:H4 Didact's head concept art-2.jpg|Concept art of the Didact's head; this art would be later use as the canonical appearance of the IsoDidact. | ||
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File:H4 - early Didact.jpg|Early ''Halo 4'' concept art of a more mechanical Didact. | File:H4 - early Didact.jpg|Early ''Halo 4'' concept art of a more mechanical Didact. | ||
File:Didact kenneth.jpg|Concept art of the Ur-Didact's face. | File:Didact kenneth.jpg|Concept art of the Ur-Didact's face. | ||
File:H4 Concept DidactScream.jpg|Concept art of the Ur-Didact screaming. | |||
File:URDidact.jpg|Armorless look at the Ur-Didact's face. | File:URDidact.jpg|Armorless look at the Ur-Didact's face. | ||
File:H4 Ur-Didact Render.png|Render of the Ur-Didact in Halo 4. | File:H4 Ur-Didact Render.png|Render of the Ur-Didact in Halo 4. | ||
File:H4 Didact 3d model.jpg|Three-dimensional model of the Ur-Didact in armor. | File:H4 Didact 3d model.jpg|Three-dimensional model of the Ur-Didact in armor. | ||
File:H4 Didact 3d model 2.jpg|Three-dimensional model of the Ur-Didact in armor, with and without his helmet. | File:H4 Didact 3d model 2.jpg|Three-dimensional model of the Ur-Didact in armor, with and without his helmet. | ||
</gallery> | |||
===Screenshots and artwork=== | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Commissioning Didact Logo.png|The Ur-Didact's unbound symbol appearing as he hijacks the UNSC ''Infinity'' in ''[[The Commissioning]]'' trailer. | File:Commissioning Didact Logo.png|The Ur-Didact's unbound symbol appearing as he hijacks the UNSC ''Infinity'' in ''[[The Commissioning]]'' trailer. | ||
File:H4L - J117 facing Didact.jpg|John-117 facing the Ur-Didact in the ''[[Scanned]]'' trailer. | File:H4L - J117 facing Didact.jpg|John-117 facing the Ur-Didact in the ''[[Scanned]]'' trailer. | ||