35,264
edits
Cryptum: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
A Cryptum is a sealed capsule where a high-ranking Forerunner would enter self-imposed exile | A Cryptum is a sealed capsule where a high-ranking Forerunner would enter self-imposed exile, often as punishment for failure or dishonor; it was known to be used by those in power as a means with which to silence respected individuals whose punishment otherwise might prove problematic in the eyes of the public. However, some Forerunners occasionally entered a Cryptum voluntarily, in pursuit of a higher state of awareness.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 66''</ref> When in use, a Cryptum's occupant would enter a timeless state of meditative hibernation known as ''[[xankara]]''.<ref name="c63">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 63''</ref> In this state, the Forerunner's mind would be wholly immersed in the [[Domain]] and they would be able to explore the immense stores of information contained therein.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 255''</ref> The Forerunner would become unaware of the physical world around them, and could remain in a state of suspended animation for thousands of years.<ref name="c63"/> | ||
Cryptums required an extraordinary amount of force to breach once sealed. They denied access to every species except Forerunners;<ref name="c61">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 61''</ref> 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 [[Promethean]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 54''</ref> | Cryptums required an extraordinary amount of force to breach once sealed. They denied access to every species except Forerunners;<ref name="c61">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 61''</ref> 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 [[Promethean]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 54''</ref> | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
===Requiem=== | ===Requiem=== | ||
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 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> | 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" of [[hard light]] bonding. The combat Cryptum had a horizontal diameter of 86.1 meters (282.5 ft) and a height of 85.9 meters (281.7 ft).<ref name="evg"/> | ||
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 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"/> | 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"/> | ||