Halo: Cryptum: Difference between revisions

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{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Novel infobox
{{Novel infobox
|name=Halo: Cryptum
|name=''Halo: Cryptum''
|variant=Forerunner
|image=[[File:Cryptum - Cover.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Cryptum - Cover.jpg|300px]]
|author=[[Greg Bear]]
|author=[[Greg Bear]]
|cover artist=[[Nicolas Bouvier]]
|illustrator=
|editor=
|audio=Holter Graham
|publisher=[[Tor Books]] (2011)<br>[[Simon & Schuster]] (2019)
|publisher=[[Tor Books]] (2011)<br>[[Simon & Schuster]] (2019)
|publication=[[2011|January 4, 2011]] (original)<br>March 26, 2019 (2019 edition)
|publication=[[2011|January 4, 2011]] (original)<br>March 26, 2019 (2019 edition)
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|length=352 pages (original)<br>336 pages (2019 edition)
|length=352 pages (original)<br>336 pages (2019 edition)
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0765323966|0765323966]], [[Special:BookSources/978-0765323965|978-0765323965]], [[Special:BookSources/978-1982111755|978-1982111755]]
|ISBN=[[Special:BookSources/0765323966|0765323966]], [[Special:BookSources/978-0765323965|978-0765323965]], [[Special:BookSources/978-1982111755|978-1982111755]]
|series=[[The Forerunner Saga]]
|preceded=
|followed=''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
|multiseries=
|notable=A [[Halo: Cryptum/Glossary|glossary]] was released to help understand terms in this novel.
}}
}}
'''''Halo: Cryptum''''' is the first novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. The novel explores [[Forerunner]] society and their shared history with [[human]]ity. The story is told in a first-person narrative, from the perspective of a Forerunner [[Manipular]] known as [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]],<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint?blend=2&ob=1#p/u/7/PZAkTzMzGGk '''YouTube''': ''SDCC: Halo Universe Panel Part 4'']</ref><ref name="cryptum">[http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/12/excerpt-halo-cryptum-chapter-one-by-greg-bear? '''Tor.com''' — ''Halo: Cryptum'' chapter one excerpt]</ref> and follows Bornstellar's adventures with the ancient [[Promethean]] military commander known as the [[Didact]] and two humans, [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]].
'''''Halo: Cryptum''''' is the first novel in ''[[The Forerunner Saga]]'' by [[Greg Bear]]. The novel explores [[Forerunner]] society and their shared history with [[human]]ity. The story is told in a first-person narrative, from the perspective of a Forerunner [[Manipular]] known as [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]],<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/user/HaloWaypoint?blend=2&ob=1#p/u/7/PZAkTzMzGGk '''YouTube''': ''SDCC: Halo Universe Panel Part 4'']</ref><ref name="cryptum">[http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/12/excerpt-halo-cryptum-chapter-one-by-greg-bear? '''Tor.com''' — ''Halo: Cryptum'' chapter one excerpt]</ref> and follows Bornstellar's adventures with the ancient [[Promethean]] military commander known as the [[Didact]] and two humans, [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]].


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==Plot synopsis==
==Plot synopsis==
{{Spoiler/begin}}
{{Spoiler/begin}}
Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting is a young Forerunner [[Manipular]] who refuses to follow in [[Bornstellar's father|his father]]'s footsteps and become a [[Builder]]. Bornstellar's rebellion prompts his father to send him to live with the [[Miner]]s, a [[rate]] lower than Builders. After living with the Miners on [[Mars|Edom]] in the [[Sol system]] for some time, he is inspired by his assigned [[ancilla]] to hunt for artifacts left by the [[Precursor]]s — beings of extraordinary power that preceded the Forerunner civilization.
Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting is a young Forerunner [[Manipular]] who refuses to follow in [[Wise-Hands-to-Forge|his father]]'s footsteps and become a [[Builder]]. Bornstellar's rebellion prompts his father to send him to live with the [[Miner]]s, a [[rate]] lower than Builders. After living with the Miners on [[Mars|Edom]] in the [[Sol system]] for some time, he is inspired by his [[Bornstellar's ancilla|assigned]] [[ancilla]] to hunt for artifacts left by the [[Precursor]]s — beings of extraordinary power that preceded the Forerunner civilization.


Bornstellar escapes to the nearby world of [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], the ancient homeworld of the human species and their last repository after the humans' [[Prehistoric human civilization|ancient spacefaring civilization]] lost [[Human-Forerunner War|a devastating war]] to the Forerunners who devolved them and exiled them on their homeworld as punishment. Erde-Tyrene was then left under the stewardship of the Forerunner [[Lifeshaper]], the [[Librarian]], whose guidance allowed the humans to begin an arduous process of recovery. On Erde-Tyrene, Bornstellar crosses paths with two humans - [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]], who guide him on his search for Precursor artifacts. In the [[Djamonkin Crater]], they find an artifact that is revealed to be a [[Cryptum]] — a "warrior keep" created by a Forerunner [[Warrior-Servant]] group known as the [[Promethean]]s, guarded by ancient [[war sphinx]]es.
Bornstellar escapes to the nearby world of [[Earth|Erde-Tyrene]], the ancient homeworld of the human species and their last repository after the humans' [[Ancestors|ancient spacefaring civilization]] lost [[Human-Forerunner War|a devastating war]] to the Forerunners who devolved them and exiled them on their homeworld as punishment. Erde-Tyrene was then left under the stewardship of the Forerunner [[Lifeshaper]], the [[Librarian]], whose guidance allowed the humans to begin an arduous process of recovery. On Erde-Tyrene, Bornstellar crosses paths with two humans - [[Chakas]] and [[Riser]], who guide him on his search for Precursor artifacts. In the [[Djamonkin Crater]], they find an artifact that is revealed to be a [[Cryptum]] — a "warrior keep" created by a Forerunner [[Warrior-Servant]] group known as the [[Promethean]]s, guarded by ancient [[war sphinx]]es.


To Bornstellar's surprise, the Cryptum is unlocked by a code the humans had been unknowingly [[Geas|programmed with]]. Upon opening the Cryptum's seal, Bornstellar finds that it belongs to an ancient military leader known as the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], who is then unwillingly revived from his millennial hibernation. Some days after the Didact's revival, a [[fleet]] of Forerunner ships arrives in the area, apparently aware of the Didact's presence despite the [[baffler]] that hides the central region of the crater. The Didact realizes that the ships have arrived to ask for his help in something that is at this point unclear to Bornstellar. However, the Didact has other plans. He deduces that his revival, Bornstellar and the humans were part of a larger plan engineered by the Librarian, his wife. He decides to make his escape using [[Didact's ship|a ship]] created from a [[design seed]] planted under the crater's central peak, taking Bornstellar, the humans and his war sphinxes with him.
To Bornstellar's surprise, the Cryptum is unlocked by a code the humans had been unknowingly [[Geas|programmed with]]. Upon opening the Cryptum's seal, Bornstellar finds that it belongs to an ancient military leader known as the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], who is then unwillingly revived from his millennial hibernation. Some days after the Didact's revival, a [[fleet]] of Forerunner ships arrives in the area, apparently aware of the Didact's presence despite the [[baffler]] that hides the central region of the crater. The Didact realizes that the ships have arrived to ask for his help in something that is at this point unclear to Bornstellar. However, the Didact has other plans. He deduces that his revival, Bornstellar and the humans were part of a larger plan engineered by the Librarian, his wife. He decides to make his escape using [[Didact's ship|a ship]] created from a [[design seed]] planted under the crater's central peak, taking Bornstellar, the humans and his war sphinxes with him.
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As they approach Janjur Qom, it becomes apparent that they have walked into a trap engineered by the Didact's ancient enemy, the [[Faber|Master Builder]]. The world is in ruins, swarming with Forerunner ships and war machines; the San'Shyuum have attempted [[Battle of Janjur Qom|a rebellion]] that is now being violently suppressed. The Didact's ship is swiftly intercepted and dismantled by a superior force of Forerunner warships and its occupants are captured and taken aboard the Master Builder's ship. Before this, Bornstellar witnesses a [[Halo Array|Halo ring]] transition over the San'Shyuum world. Bornstellar is then questioned by the Master Builder, but has few answers. Frustrated, the Master Builder sends Bornstellar back to his family, while the Didact and the two humans remain in captivity.
As they approach Janjur Qom, it becomes apparent that they have walked into a trap engineered by the Didact's ancient enemy, the [[Faber|Master Builder]]. The world is in ruins, swarming with Forerunner ships and war machines; the San'Shyuum have attempted [[Battle of Janjur Qom|a rebellion]] that is now being violently suppressed. The Didact's ship is swiftly intercepted and dismantled by a superior force of Forerunner warships and its occupants are captured and taken aboard the Master Builder's ship. Before this, Bornstellar witnesses a [[Halo Array|Halo ring]] transition over the San'Shyuum world. Bornstellar is then questioned by the Master Builder, but has few answers. Frustrated, the Master Builder sends Bornstellar back to his family, while the Didact and the two humans remain in captivity.


Bornstellar is sent to the [[Orion complex]], where he is reunited with his family. On [[Bornstellar's homeworld|their homeworld]], he studies Forerunner history and discovers the Master Builder's plan to gain more power and to diminish the role of the Warrior-Servants — a scheme that has been in motion since conclusion of the Human-Forerunner wars. This plan involves removing the Warrior rate from the [[Ecumene Council]], and a Builder weapon that would make all other weapons obsolete — Halo. Over time, Bornstellar also finds that the Didact's memories and consciousness — gained as a byproduct of his mutation — are slowly gaining more and more prominence within him, with the Didact occasionally making comments and observations in his mind.
Bornstellar is sent to the [[Orion complex]], where he is reunited with his family. On [[Molaetra|their homeworld]], he studies Forerunner history and discovers the Master Builder's plan to gain more power and to diminish the role of the Warrior-Servants — a scheme that has been in motion since conclusion of the Human-Forerunner wars. This plan involves removing the Warrior rate from the [[Ecumene Council]], and a Builder weapon that would make all other weapons obsolete — Halo. Over time, Bornstellar also finds that the Didact's memories and consciousness — gained as a byproduct of his mutation — are slowly gaining more and more prominence within him, with the Didact occasionally making comments and observations in his mind.


One day, exploring his family's vast [[domicile]], Bornstellar overhears his father and another Builder conversing in secret. It is revealed that the Master Builder activated the Halo ring at Janjur Qom, as punishment for the San'Shyuum rebellion. The Council disapproves of this use, considering Halo installations as weapons of last resort. They also discuss a [[Installation 07|missing Halo ring]] that was tested near Charum Hakkor. Further complicating this is the fact that a powerful, [[Metarch-class ancilla|metarch-class]] ancilla went missing with it. The next day, Bornstellar confronts his family with a message from the Didact within. He reveals that he knows of the missing Halo installation, and that it released the creature imprisoned on Charum Hakkor. Bornstellar's father, the designer of the Halo rings, is at first reluctant to discuss the matter, but reveals that Bornstellar has been asked to come to the Forerunner capital to testify against the Master Builder in a trial held for his violation of the Mantle.
One day, exploring his family's vast [[domicile]], Bornstellar overhears his father and another Builder conversing in secret. It is revealed that the Master Builder activated the Halo ring at Janjur Qom, as punishment for the San'Shyuum rebellion. The Council disapproves of this use, considering Halo installations as weapons of last resort. They also discuss a [[Installation 07|missing Halo ring]] that was tested near Charum Hakkor. Further complicating this is the fact that a powerful, [[Metarch-class ancilla|metarch-class]] ancilla went missing with it. The next day, Bornstellar confronts his family with a message from the Didact within. He reveals that he knows of the missing Halo installation, and that it released the creature imprisoned on Charum Hakkor. Bornstellar's father, the designer of the Halo rings, is at first reluctant to discuss the matter, but reveals that Bornstellar has been asked to come to the Forerunner capital to testify against the Master Builder in a trial held for his violation of the Mantle.
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*[[Ur-Didact]] {{1st}}
*[[Ur-Didact]] {{1st}}
*[[Librarian]]
*[[Librarian]]
*[[Bornstellar's father]] {{1st}}
*[[Wise-Hands-to-Forge]] {{1st}}
*[[Bornstellar's mother]] {{1st}}
*[[Maker-of-Cherished-Mountains]] {{1st}}
*[[Bornstellar's sister]] {{1st}}
*[[Bornstellar's sister]] {{1st}}
*[[Faber]] {{1st}}
*[[Faber]] {{1st}}
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*[[Unidentified millipede]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified millipede]] {{1st}}
|title-3=Organizations|
|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Ancestors]] {{1st}}
*[[Ecumene]] {{1st}}
*[[Ecumene]] {{1st}}
**[[Ecumene Council]] {{1st}}
**[[Ecumene Council]] {{1st}}
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*[[Erde-Tyrene civilization]] {{1st}}
*[[Erde-Tyrene civilization]] {{1st}}
*[[Human-San'Shyuum alliance]] {{Fm}}
*[[Human-San'Shyuum alliance]] {{Fm}}
*[[Prehistoric human civilization]] {{1st}}
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
|title-4=Locations|
|title-4=Locations|
*[[Bornstellar's homeworld]] {{1st}}
*[[Molaetra]] {{1st}}
*[[Charum Hakkor system]] {{1st}}
*[[Charum Hakkor system]] {{1st}}
**[[Ben Nauk]] {{1st}}
**[[Ben Nauk]] {{1st}}
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|title-5=Events|
|title-5=Events|
*[[Forerunner-Flood war]]
*[[Forerunner-Flood war]]
**[[Battle of the Capital]] {{1st}}
**[[Fate of Maethrillian]] {{1st}}
*[[Forerunner-Precursor war]] {{Fm}}
*[[Forerunner-Precursor war]] {{Fm}}
*[[Grand Star Season]] {{1st}}
*[[Grand Star Season]] {{1st}}
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*[[Baffler]] {{1st}}
*[[Baffler]] {{1st}}
*[[Buffer field]] {{1st}}
*[[Buffer field]] {{1st}}
*[[Confinement bubble]] {{1st}}
*[[Confinement field]] {{1st}}
*[[Confinement field]] {{1st}}
*[[Constraint field]] {{1st}}
*[[Constraint field]] {{1st}}
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*[[Vigilant]] {{1st}}
*[[Vigilant]] {{1st}}
|title-9=Miscellaneous|
|title-9=Miscellaneous|
*[[Kasna]] {{1st}}
*[[Pentad]] {{1st}}
*[[Pentad]] {{1st}}
}}
}}
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*The cover of the novel, as well as that of ''Halo: Primordium'', was created as concept art for ''[[Halo 4]]''. Both images were illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP2gSLNzKSc&feature=related '''Halo Fest 2011''' - ''Halo 4 Discussion Part 1'']</ref>
*The cover of the novel, as well as that of ''Halo: Primordium'', was created as concept art for ''[[Halo 4]]''. Both images were illustrated by [[Nicolas Bouvier|Nicolas "Sparth" Bouvier]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP2gSLNzKSc&feature=related '''Halo Fest 2011''' - ''Halo 4 Discussion Part 1'']</ref>
*A preview of the novel containing the first two chapters was released online on December 22, 2010.{{Ref/Reuse|cryptum}}
*A preview of the novel containing the first two chapters was released online on December 22, 2010.{{Ref/Reuse|cryptum}}
*In a goof in Chapter 27, Bornstellar mentions having dreams because his armor no longer has an ancilla. A couple of pages later, when a [[Builder Security]] team asks the crew of the ship that he's on to strip their armor, Bornstellar is mentioned not to be wearing any with the implication that it had been stripped from him by Faber's forces. Later, on page 235, Bornstellar mentions that his armor was taken away from him [[Janjur Qom]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==