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Morolaath: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|no=two|q1=Those strange [[Wikipedia:Dinosaur|dinosaur]]-looking creatures?|[[Olympia Vale]]|q2=In your [[Human languages|tongue]] it means 'blind wolf', though it has been some time since [[humans]] have encountered them.|[[000 Tragic Solitude]]|[[Installation 00]]'s [[monitor]] explains ''morolaath'' to diplomat Olympia Vale.}}<ref name="HHITD12">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', ''Chapter 12''</ref> | {{Quote|no=two|q1=Those strange [[Wikipedia:Dinosaur|dinosaur]]-looking creatures?|[[Olympia Vale]]|q2=In your [[Human languages|tongue]] it means 'blind wolf', though it has been some time since [[humans]] have encountered them.|[[000 Tragic Solitude]]|[[Installation 00]]'s [[monitor]] explains ''morolaath'' to diplomat Olympia Vale.}}<ref name="HHITD12">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', ''Chapter 12''</ref> | ||
[[File:HHITD BW closeup.PNG|thumb|right|350px|At least some of the ''morolaath'' encountered on [[Installation 00]] in early [[2555]] were under the influence of its [[monitor]], [[000 Tragic Solitude]].<ref name="HHITD18"/>]] | [[File:HHITD BW closeup.PNG|thumb|right|350px|At least some of the ''morolaath'' encountered on [[Installation 00]] in early [[2555]] were under the influence of its [[monitor]], [[000 Tragic Solitude]].<ref name="HHITD18"/>]] | ||
'''''Morolaath''''' ('''"blind wolves"''' in [[English]]) are predatory [[List of animals|creature]]s found on various [[Forerunner]] installations.<ref name="HHITD12"/><ref name="HODTRE">''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'', [[ | '''''Morolaath''''' ('''"blind wolves"''' in [[English]]) are predatory [[List of animals|creature]]s found on various [[Forerunner]] installations.<ref name="HHITD12"/><ref name="HODTRE">''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'', [[The Ring Experience]]</ref> Known to [[Ancient humanity|human]]s in the ancient past, in the modern era operatives of the [[United Nations Space Command]] have observed ''morolaath'' on [[Installation 00]] and at least one [[Halo ring]].<ref name="HHITD12"/><ref name="HODTRE"/> They are formidable [[Wikipedia:pack hunter|pack hunter]]s that primarily rely on sound to direct their attacks.<ref name="HHITD12"/><ref name="HHITD9"/> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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In [[2552#December|December of 2552]] an [[Installation 08|unfinished]] [[Halo ring]] was fired above the Ark, spelling death for the many [[sentient]] creatures which inhabited its surface.<ref name="HHITD1">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', ''Chapter 1''</ref><ref name="HM122">''[[Halo Mythos]]'', ''page 122''</ref><ref group="note">The ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]]'', set in [[2552]] [[New Mombasa]], includes audible public announcements, one of which informs those present that a child's "My Pet Blind Wolf" [[toy]] has been found and that its owner should claim it at a lost and found. [[000 Tragic Solitude]] claimed in [[2555]] that it had been some time since humans had encountered ''morolaath''. Whether this announcement should be treated as nothing more than an [[Easter egg]] or as actually having canonical implications is unknown.</ref><ref name="H2T">''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]]''</ref> The Ark's [[monitor]], [[000 Tragic Solitude]], eventually then began to breed new life forms.<ref name="HHITD18"/> Among these were more ''morolaath'', at least some of which the monitor imbued with particular [[Geas|genetic triggers]] it could control through some impulse or neural communication system. In this way they were made servile to him but also predisposed to attack any future interlopers Solitude did not expressly allow to pass by them unmolested.<ref name="HHITD18"/> In [[2555#March|March of 2555]] a team of [[human]]s and [[Sangheili]] representing the [[United Nations Space Command]] and [[Swords of Sanghelios]], respectively, encountered a pack of six ''morolaath'' shortly after traveling to the Ark.<ref name="HHITD9"/> The group managed to escape detection at first, but the appearance of ''[[chaefka]]'' created a commotion which drew the ''morolaath'' to join the ensuing struggle.<ref name="HHITD9"/> Those that survived were chased off, but a couple of them returned shortly thereafter only to be discouraged from further violence this time by [[Mammoth (Installation 00)|an animal]] which resembled a large [[Wikipedia:Gomphothere|gomphothere]] or [[Wikipedia:Mammoth|mammoth]].<ref name="HHITD10"/> One other pack was encountered during that particular [[Operation: FAR STORM|mission]] on the extragalactic installation, but it retreated under a barrage of gunfire.<ref name="HHITD18"/> | In [[2552#December|December of 2552]] an [[Installation 08|unfinished]] [[Halo ring]] was fired above the Ark, spelling death for the many [[sentient]] creatures which inhabited its surface.<ref name="HHITD1">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', ''Chapter 1''</ref><ref name="HM122">''[[Halo Mythos]]'', ''page 122''</ref><ref group="note">The ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]]'', set in [[2552]] [[New Mombasa]], includes audible public announcements, one of which informs those present that a child's "My Pet Blind Wolf" [[toy]] has been found and that its owner should claim it at a lost and found. [[000 Tragic Solitude]] claimed in [[2555]] that it had been some time since humans had encountered ''morolaath''. Whether this announcement should be treated as nothing more than an [[Easter egg]] or as actually having canonical implications is unknown.</ref><ref name="H2T">''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]]''</ref> The Ark's [[monitor]], [[000 Tragic Solitude]], eventually then began to breed new life forms.<ref name="HHITD18"/> Among these were more ''morolaath'', at least some of which the monitor imbued with particular [[Geas|genetic triggers]] it could control through some impulse or neural communication system. In this way they were made servile to him but also predisposed to attack any future interlopers Solitude did not expressly allow to pass by them unmolested.<ref name="HHITD18"/> In [[2555#March|March of 2555]] a team of [[human]]s and [[Sangheili]] representing the [[United Nations Space Command]] and [[Swords of Sanghelios]], respectively, encountered a pack of six ''morolaath'' shortly after traveling to the Ark.<ref name="HHITD9"/> The group managed to escape detection at first, but the appearance of ''[[chaefka]]'' created a commotion which drew the ''morolaath'' to join the ensuing struggle.<ref name="HHITD9"/> Those that survived were chased off, but a couple of them returned shortly thereafter only to be discouraged from further violence this time by [[Mammoth (Installation 00)|an animal]] which resembled a large [[Wikipedia:Gomphothere|gomphothere]] or [[Wikipedia:Mammoth|mammoth]].<ref name="HHITD10"/> One other pack was encountered during that particular [[Operation: FAR STORM|mission]] on the extragalactic installation, but it retreated under a barrage of gunfire.<ref name="HHITD18"/> | ||
''Morolaath'' were later observed on at least one [[Halo Array|Halo installation]] and footage of them was obtained by [[QQ-55 Honeybee]] drones and broadcast to [[Earth]] for viewing by those in attendance at an [[Outpost Discovery]].<ref name="HODTRE" | ''Morolaath'' were later observed on at least one [[Halo Array|Halo installation]] and footage of them was obtained by [[QQ-55 Honeybee]] drones and broadcast to [[Earth]] for viewing by those in attendance at an [[Outpost Discovery]].<ref name="HODTRE"/><ref group="note">''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'', a traveling experience canonically set at some point between [[2554]] and [[2557]], includes an attraction called [[The Ring Experience|"The Ring Experience"]] which involves viewing a [[Wavespace|live]] feed from a [[QQ-55 Honeybee]] drone exploring a [[Halo ring]]. Multiple ''morolaath'' can be seen in the environment. The planet which the ring is shown orbiting discounts the possibility that it could be [[Installation 05|Delta]] or [[Gamma Halo]], and executive producer of The Ring Experience, Jason Ambler, believes it is supposed to be [[Installation 07|Zeta Halo]]. If this is the case, the experience cannot be set any earlier than the point in [[2555]] when the [[Zeta Halo project|exploration]] of that installation began. [[000 Tragic Solitude]]'s claim in ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' that ''morolaath'' had not been encountered by humans for some time would also suggest they had not been seen elsewhere before those who traveled to the Ark ran into some. Officially the identity of the installation shown in The Ring Experience is presently undefined by [[343 Industries]]. It should also be noted that the canonical dating of ''Outpost Discovery'' may be able to be further narrowed by a display which claims it is believed [[343 Guilty Spark]] was destroyed in [[2552]]. It was in late [[2555]] that the [[UNSC]] first learned of this [[monitor]]'s survival.</ref><ref name="HR13">''[[Halo: Renegades]]'', ''Chapter 13''</ref><ref name="TMOTRE">''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'', ''The Making of The Ring Experience''</ref> When the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Materials Group]] designed the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I (J) ADS|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I [J] armor defense system]], it was equipped with sonic emitters meant to specifically repel ''morolaath''.<ref name="PLGM">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', [[Phoenix Logs]], Green Machine</ref>[[File:BlindWolfHead.PNG|thumb|200px|right|''Morolaath'' are covered in scales.<ref name="HHITDC">''[[Hunters in the Dark]]'' cover</ref>]] | ||
==Anatomy and physiology== | ==Anatomy and physiology== | ||
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{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
[[File:Blind wolf by Marcus Lehto.jpg|thumb|300px|right|This image show's Marcus Lehto's original sketch of the "blind wolf" and its insectoid companion.<ref name=" | [[File:Blind wolf by Marcus Lehto.jpg|thumb|300px|right|This image show's Marcus Lehto's original sketch of the "blind wolf" and its insectoid companion.<ref name="Twitter4">[[Marcus Lehto]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/game_fabricator/status/464432470616571904]</ref>]] | ||
{{Quote|no=four|q1=Look, it's the blind wolf!|[[Shi Kai Wang]]|q2=Big, beloved blind wolf.|[[Marcus Lehto]]|q3=That was back when you could ride it.|Shi Kai Wang|q4=Yeah, yeah. You could actually mount the thing and ride it. A.I.... A.I. couldn't, uh... Couldn't handle it on the A.I. side. Couldn't flock 'em, couldn't, uh... fit them into gameplay.|Marcus Lehto|Marcus Lehto, ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' art director, and Shi Kai Wang, a concept artist, discuss the attempts made to include "blind wolves" in the first ''Halo'' game.}}<ref name="H2LCE">''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Limited Collector's Edition Disc (Halo 2)|Limited Collector's Edition]]''</ref> | {{Quote|no=four|q1=Look, it's the blind wolf!|[[Shi Kai Wang]]|q2=Big, beloved blind wolf.|[[Marcus Lehto]]|q3=That was back when you could ride it.|Shi Kai Wang|q4=Yeah, yeah. You could actually mount the thing and ride it. A.I.... A.I. couldn't, uh... Couldn't handle it on the A.I. side. Couldn't flock 'em, couldn't, uh... fit them into gameplay.|Marcus Lehto|Marcus Lehto, ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' art director, and Shi Kai Wang, a concept artist, discuss the attempts made to include "blind wolves" in the first ''Halo'' game.}}<ref name="H2LCE">''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Limited Collector's Edition Disc (Halo 2)|Limited Collector's Edition]]''</ref> | ||
The "blind wolf" was a creature designed by ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' art director [[Marcus Lehto]] to be included in that game.<ref name="H2LCE"/><ref name="Twitter2">[[Paul Russel]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/Dr_Abominable/status/464351948297089024]</ref> According to that early design, a blind wolf would have a symbiotic relationship with some kind of [[Wikipedia:Insect|insectoid]] creature.<ref name="Twitter"/> This "bug" would plant its stinger at the base of the wolf's [[Wikipedia:Cranium|cranium]] and in this way allow it to see through the eyes of the bug.<ref name="Twitter5">[[Marcus Lehto]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/game_fabricator/status/1150951715228700673]</ref> Then, when the blind wolf caught and killed its prey, the bug would be permitted to share in eating the carcass of whatever had been killed.<ref name="Twitter">[[Paul Russel]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/Dr_Abominable/status/464531323785576449]</ref><ref name="Twitter5"/> Not only would blind wolves exist in groups in some environments of the game, but they were planned to be able to be ridden by [[John-117|the player's character]].<ref name="H2LCE"/> Ultimately, they had to be cut from the game because of problems with [[Wikipedia:Artificial intelligence in video games|artificial intelligence]].<ref name="H2LCE"/> In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the blind wolf was referenced by an ambient announcement on the [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]].<ref name="H2T"/> | The "blind wolf" was a creature designed by ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' art director [[Marcus Lehto]] to be included in that game.<ref name="H2LCE"/><ref name="Twitter2">[[Paul Russel]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/Dr_Abominable/status/464351948297089024]</ref> According to that early design, a blind wolf would have a symbiotic relationship with some kind of [[Wikipedia:Insect|insectoid]] creature.<ref name="Twitter"/> This "bug" would plant its stinger at the base of the wolf's [[Wikipedia:Cranium|cranium]] and in this way allow it to see through the eyes of the bug.<ref name="Twitter5">[[Marcus Lehto]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/game_fabricator/status/1150951715228700673]</ref> Then, when the blind wolf caught and killed its prey, the bug would be permitted to share in eating the carcass of whatever had been killed.<ref name="Twitter">[[Paul Russel]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/Dr_Abominable/status/464531323785576449]</ref><ref name="Twitter5"/> Not only would blind wolves exist in groups in some environments of the game, but they were planned to be able to be ridden by [[John-117|the player's character]].<ref name="H2LCE"/> Ultimately, they had to be cut from the game because of problems with [[Wikipedia:Artificial intelligence in video games|artificial intelligence]].<ref name="H2LCE"/> In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the blind wolf was referenced by an ambient announcement on the [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Terminal (level)|Terminal]].<ref name="H2T"/> | ||
In [[2007]] a ''Halo'' [[Wikipedia:Massively multiplayer online game|massively multiplayer online game]] being worked on by [[Ensemble Studios]] was cancelled.<ref name="EESCPWHM">[https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20153 '''Gamasutra''' - ''Exclusive: Ensemble Studios' Canceled Project Was Halo MMO'']</ref> Called ''[[Titan (canceled game)|Titan]]'' and set during the time of the Forerunners, [https://www.halopedia.org/images/1/1e/Jaggmaw.jpg one known piece of concept art] for the game shows a creature referred to in the artwork as a "jaggmaw sailtail" which bears a strong resemblance to the blind wolf cut from ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="H2LCE"/><ref name="EESCPWHM"/><ref name="Twitter6">[[Graeme Devine]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/zaphodgjd/status/1151524900592640003]</ref> The jaggmaw sailtail is drawn as a an eyeless bipedal carnivorous creature lacking any form of forelimbs, but unlike the blind wolf it bears notable protrusions along the dorsal surface of its tail. The largest of these is used in the imagery to mount a seat occupied by a [[Jiralhanae]] rider.<ref name="EESCPWHM"/> When a [[Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved|''Halo''-themed texture pack]] was released for [[Wikipedia:Minecraft|Minecraft]] in [[2014]], it allowed [[Wikipedia:Horse|horse]]s in the game to be re-skinned to resemble "blind wolves".<ref name="HMUME">''[[Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved|''Minecraft'' ''Halo Mash-Up'']]''</ref> The blind wolves were formally introduced to ''Halo'''s canon the following year in the [[Halo novels|novel]] ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', where they were also first identified as ''morolaath''.<ref name="HHITD12"/> This term may be partly inspired by the [[Japan | In [[2007]] a ''Halo'' [[Wikipedia:Massively multiplayer online game|massively multiplayer online game]] being worked on by [[Ensemble Studios]] was cancelled.<ref name="EESCPWHM">[https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20153 '''Gamasutra''' - ''Exclusive: Ensemble Studios' Canceled Project Was Halo MMO'']</ref> Called ''[[Titan (canceled game)|Titan]]'' and set during the time of the Forerunners, [https://www.halopedia.org/images/1/1e/Jaggmaw.jpg one known piece of concept art] for the game shows a creature referred to in the artwork as a "jaggmaw sailtail" which bears a strong resemblance to the blind wolf cut from ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="H2LCE"/><ref name="EESCPWHM"/><ref name="Twitter6">[[Graeme Devine]] on Twitter [https://twitter.com/zaphodgjd/status/1151524900592640003]</ref> The jaggmaw sailtail is drawn as a an eyeless bipedal carnivorous creature lacking any form of forelimbs, but unlike the blind wolf it bears notable protrusions along the dorsal surface of its tail. The largest of these is used in the imagery to mount a seat occupied by a [[Jiralhanae]] rider.<ref name="EESCPWHM"/> When a [[Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved|''Halo''-themed texture pack]] was released for [[Wikipedia:Minecraft|Minecraft]] in [[2014]], it allowed [[Wikipedia:Horse|horse]]s in the game to be re-skinned to resemble "blind wolves".<ref name="HMUME">''[[Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved|''Minecraft'' ''Halo Mash-Up'']]''</ref> The blind wolves were formally introduced to ''Halo'''s canon the following year in the [[Halo novels|novel]] ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', where they were also first identified as ''morolaath''.<ref name="HHITD12"/> This term may be partly inspired by the [[Japan]]ese animated film ''[[Wikipedia:Princess Mononoke|Princess Mononoke]]'', which features a wolf-god named "Moro".<ref name="GWM">[https://ghibli.fandom.com/wiki/Moro '''Ghibli Wiki''' - ''Moro'']</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:BlindWolf.jpg|This image shows a three-dimensional model of a blind wolf created for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | File:BlindWolf.jpg|This image shows a three-dimensional model of a blind wolf created for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | ||
File:Blind wolf - deletemat (textured).jpg|This image provides a more detailed look at the unused model of a blind wolf.<ref name="Twitter4" | File:Blind wolf - deletemat (textured).jpg|This image provides a more detailed look at the unused model of a blind wolf.<ref name="Twitter4"/> | ||
File:Blind Wolves.jpg|A pack of blind wolves run past a [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] in an early build of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | File:Blind Wolves.jpg|A pack of blind wolves run past a [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] in an early build of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | ||
File:BlindWolfCut2.PNG|The player character rides a blind wolf in an early build of ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | File:BlindWolfCut2.PNG|The player character rides a blind wolf in an early build of ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="H2LCE"/> | ||
File:BlindWolfTrailer.PNG|A Warthog drives past a blind wolf in [[Halo E3 2000 trailer|the first]] trailer shown for ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="E32000">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]] [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[2000]] ''[[Halo E3 2000 trailer|trailer]]</ref> | File:BlindWolfTrailer.PNG|A Warthog drives past a blind wolf in [[Halo E3 2000 trailer|the first]] trailer shown for ''Combat Evolved''.<ref name="E32000">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]] [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[2000]] ''[[Halo E3 2000 trailer|trailer]]</ref> | ||
File:Hunters in the Dark full cover.jpg|[[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Spartan]] [[Frank Kodiak]] face off against several ''morolaath'' on the cover art for ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''.<ref name="HHITDC"/> | File:Hunters in the Dark full cover.jpg|[[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Spartan]] [[Frank Kodiak]] face off against several ''morolaath'' on the cover art for ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''.<ref name="HHITDC"/> | ||
File:HOD MorolaathSide.PNG|This portion of a promotional image for ''The Making of The Ring Experience'' at ''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'' shows how ''morolaath'' appear within [[ | File:HOD MorolaathSide.PNG|This portion of a promotional image for ''The Making of The Ring Experience'' at ''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]'' shows how ''morolaath'' appear within [[The Ring Experience|the experience]].<ref name="HODTRE"/><ref name="TMOTRE"/> | ||
File:HOD Morolaath.PNG|A "blind wolf" reacts to a [[UNSC]] [[QQ-55 Honeybee]] drone flying by it.<ref name="HODTRE"/> | File:HOD Morolaath.PNG|A "blind wolf" reacts to a [[UNSC]] [[QQ-55 Honeybee]] drone flying by it.<ref name="HODTRE"/> | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||