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Cryptum: Difference between revisions
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{{Era|Forerunner}} | {{Era|Forerunner}} | ||
{{Disambig header|the artifacts|the novel|Halo: Cryptum}} | {{Disambig header|the artifacts|the novel|Halo: Cryptum}} | ||
[[File:H4-DidactPrometheanCryptum.png|thumb|right|250px|The Ur-Didact's | [[File:H4-DidactPrometheanCryptum.png|thumb|right|250px|The Ur-Didact's combat Cryptum.]] | ||
'''Cryptums''', or '''Warrior Keeps''', were objects created by the [[Promethean]]s, the highest class of [[Warrior-Servant]]s in the [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. | '''Cryptums''', or '''Warrior Keeps''', were objects created by the [[Promethean]]s, the highest class of [[Warrior-Servant]]s in the [[Forerunner]] [[ecumene]]. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
A Cryptum is a sealed capsule where a high-ranking [[Promethean]] would enter self-imposed exile as punishment for failure or dishonor. When in use, their Forerunner occupants would enter a state of meditative hibernation known as "timeless [[xankara]]". During this time, the Forerunner would become unaware of the physical world around him, and could remain in a state of suspended animation for thousands of years. Cryptums required an extraordinary amount of force to breach once sealed. They denied access to every species except Forerunners; however, after being designated as [[Reclaimer]]s, [[human]]s have been shown to be capable of unsealing Cryptums.<ref name="halo 4">'''Halo 4'''</ref> The nature of a Cryptum was unknown to most Forerunners, including [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]]. However, he was aware that the violation of a Cryptum invoked dire consequences, one of which was angering the powerful Prometheans.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', "Chapter 2"</ref> | A Cryptum is a sealed capsule where a high-ranking [[Promethean]] would enter self-imposed exile as punishment for failure or dishonor. When in use, their Forerunner occupants would enter a state of meditative hibernation known as "timeless [[xankara]]". In this state, the Forerunner would have clear access to the [[Domain]] and the ability to explore the immense stores of information contained therein. During this time, the Forerunner would become unaware of the physical world around him, and could remain in a state of suspended animation for thousands of years. Cryptums required an extraordinary amount of force to breach once sealed. They denied access to every species except Forerunners; however, after being designated as [[Reclaimer]]s, [[human]]s have been shown to be capable of unsealing Cryptums.<ref name="halo 4">'''Halo 4'''</ref> The nature of a Cryptum was unknown to most Forerunners, including [[IsoDidact|Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]]. However, he was aware that the violation of a Cryptum invoked dire consequences, one of which was angering the powerful Prometheans.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', "Chapter 2"</ref> | ||
===Djamonkin Crater=== | ===Djamonkin Crater=== | ||
A Cryptum was discovered in [[Djamonkin Crater]] on [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]] by the young Forerunner Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting, containing the meditating [[Didact]]. The Cryptum vessel, colored copper and steel, was ovoid-shaped, over ten meters high and at least as wide. When the millennial seal was unsealed, the Cryptum emitted an intense flash of blue light, which apparently caused anyone in the vicinity to feel as if time had been suspended. As the Cryptum opened, it parted outward in three sections above the middle, revealing its meditating occupant inside.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 62-64''</ref> | A Cryptum was discovered in [[Djamonkin Crater]] on [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]] by the young Forerunner Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting, containing the meditating [[Didact]]. The Cryptum vessel, colored copper and steel, was ovoid-shaped, over ten meters high and at least as wide. When the millennial seal was unsealed, the Cryptum emitted an intense flash of blue light, which apparently caused anyone in the vicinity to feel as if time had been suspended. As the Cryptum opened, it parted outward in three sections above the middle, revealing its meditating occupant inside.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 62-64''</ref> | ||
While the Cryptum preserved the consciousness of the Forerunner inside for an indefinite period, the | While the Cryptum preserved the consciousness of the Forerunner inside for an indefinite period, the occupant's physical body would be maintained in a vitrified state, lacking most of its fluids. The desiccation process was conducted prior to entry in a Cryptum by drinking a chemical known as ''inchukoa'', which caused the body to shed most of its fluids via heavy sweating.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 51-55''</ref> Once the Forerunner was removed from the Cryptum, the body would be administered an initial supply of electrolytes, nutrients and other essential substances and then placed in a restorative bath where it would continue its recovery. The body's muscle structure would then be regenerated, a process requiring several days. | ||
===Requiem=== | ===Requiem=== | ||
The [[Ur-Didact]] | The [[Ur-Didact]]'s flagship, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', was equipped with a personal "combat Cryptum",<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 292''</ref> which possessed many capabilities beyond the conventional one he used during his first exile. The Librarian sealed the Ur-Didact in this Cryptum, which was discovered over 100,000 years later by [[John-117]] and the [[AI]] [[Cortana]] on the Forerunner [[Shield World]] [[Requiem]]. This Cryptum was spherical in shape, with a black outer casing broken by a pattern of angular, orange-glowing "cracks." Unlike the one discovered by Bornstellar, this Cryptum had not withered the user, as the Ur-Didact remained as physically fit as he had been when he entered; it is unknown if this was the work of the Cryptum itself or the fact that the Ur-Didact wore his [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]] during hibernation. The Ur-Didact also appeared to be awake in it to some degree, since he was able to perform covert tasks like hinder use of a [[Cartographer]]<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> and manipulate radio transmissions.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]</ref> | ||
As a combat Cryptum, this Cryptum doubled as a means of transport, being able to travel at massive speeds or even through [[slipspace]] if necessary, as demonstrated when the Ur-Didact escaped Requiem's core in his Cryptum via a slipspace rift. It also had the capability to scan its surrounding environment or data networks in order to gather information. However, it had no weapons and was vulnerable to UNSC ones such as [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MACs]] and missiles.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level [[Infinity (level)|Infinity]]''</ref> This Cryptum was destroyed when the Master Chief detonated a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon|HAVOK nuclear warhead]] inside the Ur-Didact's flagship, ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' which it had joined with.<ref name="halo 4"/> | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||