Ur-Didact: Difference between revisions

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just gonna stash this banger here too
(just gonna stash this banger here too)
 
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{{Quote|The Mantle of Responsibility for all things belongs to Forerunners alone.{{Ref/Level|H4|Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue}}}}
{{Quote|The Mantle of Responsibility for all things belongs to Forerunners alone.{{Ref/Level|H4|Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue}}}}
The '''Didact''', true name unknown,{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}} renamed '''Shadow-of-Sundered-Star'''{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} at a young age,{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}} is a [[Forerunner]] [[Promethean]] who held an extremely high status in the [[Ecumene|Forerunner society]] as [[protector of the ecumene]],<ref name="protector">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 233''</ref> head of the [[Warrior-Servant]] [[rate]] and supreme commander of the entire Forerunner military.{{Ref/Game|Id=h3terminals|H3|Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals}} He wholeheartedly believed in the [[Mantle]] the Forerunners held to protect life, and fervently opposed the [[Halo Array]] as a sin beyond measure. He was also the lover and husband of the [[Librarian]]. Although a Warrior-Servant by birth, the Didact was also a descendant of the long-lost [[Interpreter]] rate through [[Didact's father|his father]]'s family.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}
The '''Didact''', true name unknown,{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}} renamed '''Shadow-of-Sundered-Star'''{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} at a young age,{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}} was a [[Forerunner]] [[Promethean]] who held an extremely high status in the [[Ecumene|Forerunner society]] as [[protector of the ecumene]],<ref name="protector">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 233''</ref> head of the [[Warrior-Servant]] [[rate]] and supreme commander of the entire Forerunner military.{{Ref/Game|Id=h3terminals|H3|Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals}} He wholeheartedly believed in the [[Mantle]] the Forerunners held to protect life, and fervently opposed the [[Halo Array]] as a sin beyond measure. He was also the lover and husband of the [[Librarian]]. Although a Warrior-Servant by birth, the Didact was also a descendant of the long-lost [[Interpreter]] rate through [[Didact's father|his father]]'s family.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}


Originally thought to have been killed by the [[Master Builder]], [[Faber]],<ref name="c339">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 339''</ref> the Didact effectively existed as two individuals during the final days of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]]; his original self, as well as his implanted consciousness within a young Forerunner known as Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. To differentiate these two incarnations, the original Didact was referred to as the '''Ur-Didact''', while his other incarnation was known as the [[IsoDidact]].<ref name="amazon">[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765323982/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=heaprcom05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creativeASIN=0765323982 '''Amazon.com''': ''Halo: Silentium official description'']</ref> The Ur-Didact was eventually exiled on [[Requiem]], not to be awakened until [[2557]];<ref name="true Didact">[http://www.gregbear.com/blog/display.cfm?id=6897 '''Gregbear.com:''' ''HALO 4 DIDACT'']</ref> meanwhile, the IsoDidact served until the final days of the Flood conflict and was responsible for activating the Halo Array,{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Chapter=String 38}} later living out the rest of his life on a world in a galaxy far away from the Milky Way and shedding his identity as the IsoDidact to become Bornstellar again.{{Ref/Anthology|Fra|[[Untitled story (Halo: Fractures)|Epilogue]]}}
Originally thought to have been killed by the [[Master Builder]], [[Faber]],<ref name="c339">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 339''</ref> the Didact effectively existed as two individuals during the final days of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]]; his original self, as well as his implanted consciousness within a young Forerunner known as Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting. To differentiate these two incarnations, the original Didact was referred to as the '''Ur-Didact''', while his other incarnation was known as the [[IsoDidact]].<ref name="amazon">[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765323982/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=heaprcom05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creativeASIN=0765323982 '''Amazon.com''': ''Halo: Silentium official description'']</ref> The Ur-Didact was eventually exiled on [[Requiem]], not to be awakened until [[2557]];<ref name="true Didact">[http://www.gregbear.com/blog/display.cfm?id=6897 '''Gregbear.com:''' ''HALO 4 DIDACT'']</ref> meanwhile, the IsoDidact served until the final days of the Flood conflict and was responsible for activating the Halo Array,{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Chapter=String 38}} later living out the rest of his life on a world in a galaxy far away from the Milky Way and shedding his identity as the IsoDidact to become Bornstellar again.{{Ref/Anthology|Fra|[[Untitled story (Halo: Fractures)|Epilogue]]}}
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The Forerunner that would become known as the Didact was born to [[Didact's father|a father]] who was a [[Warrior-Servant]] by rate, but was also a descendant of the lost and forgotten [[Interpreter]] rate, while [[Didact's mother|his mother]] was one of the greatest Warrior-Servants in existence, from a family with a long lineage of greatness and strength. Interpreters had been assimilated by the [[Builder]]s in their rise to power, but they had been experts in the study and interpretation of the [[Mantle]], acting in conjunction with the [[Juridical]]s in cases of crimes against the Mantle with Interpreters' judgments often taking precedence.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Epi11|Epi|11}}
The Forerunner that would become known as the Didact was born to [[Didact's father|a father]] who was a [[Warrior-Servant]] by rate, but was also a descendant of the lost and forgotten [[Interpreter]] rate, while [[Didact's mother|his mother]] was one of the greatest Warrior-Servants in existence, from a family with a long lineage of greatness and strength. Interpreters had been assimilated by the [[Builder]]s in their rise to power, but they had been experts in the study and interpretation of the [[Mantle]], acting in conjunction with the [[Juridical]]s in cases of crimes against the Mantle with Interpreters' judgments often taking precedence.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Epi11|Epi|11}}


The Didact's father, as a descendant of the Interpreters, had the need to uphold the Mantle and bring to light the misuse and misinterpretation and corruption of its laws imprinted on his very essence. The Didact's father became outspoken and passionate about his lost history, his innate ability to stir a crowd on par with the [[Speaker]]s of old and the best silver-tongued Builders of the Capital. His eloquence appealed to the true heart of the Forerunners, namely their desire for glory, their joy in the diversity of rates and the tremendous loss felt to Forerunner culture when identities and rituals were forgotten. The Didact's father evoked the [[Twelve Laws of Making and Moving]], its Upper and Lower Tenets of Authority, and the Rules of Virtue. As a result, millions of Forerunners began to believe that reparation was in order, calling for the restoration of the lost rates and bringing back the immense knowledge and rituals that had been confiscated and hidden away by the Builders. The Builders saw [[Reparation movement|this movement]] as a threat, but couldn't silence him thanks to the Didact's mother and together, they united half of the occupied worlds to their cause, leading to the [[Kradal conflicts]] when the Didact was just a Manipular.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}
The Didact's father, as a descendant of the Interpreters, had the need to uphold the Mantle and bring to light the misuse and misinterpretation and corruption of its laws imprinted on his very essence. The Didact's father became outspoken and passionate about his lost history, his innate ability to stir a crowd on par with the [[Speaker]]s of old and the best silver-tongued Builders of the Capital. His eloquence appealed to the true heart of the Forerunners, namely their desire for glory, their joy in the diversity of rates and the tremendous loss felt to Forerunner culture when identities and rituals were forgotten. The Didact's father evoked the [[Twelve Laws of Making and Moving]], its Upper and Lower Tenets of Authority, and the Rules of Virtue. As a result, millions of Forerunners began to believe that reparation was in order, calling for the restoration of the lost rates and bringing back the immense knowledge and rituals that had been confiscated and hidden away by the Builders. The Builders saw [[Reparation movement|this movement]] as a threat, but couldn't silence him thanks to the Didact's mother and together, they united half of the occupied worlds to their cause, leading to the [[Kradal conflicts]] when the Didact was just a [[Manipular]].{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}


However, the Didact's parents lost the conflict and were executed with a special variant of the [[Z-130 Suppressor|Suppressor]] which left nothing behind of them, not even an essence for the [[Domain]]. According to [[Unidentified Haruspis|the]] [[Haruspis]], to make reparations, satisfy the [[Ecumene Council]] and waylay any chance of revival, the Didact's parents and four others "volunteered" to pay the ultimate price as a cautionary tale - a lesson to those who might have had similar notions to shed light on the Builders' misdeeds. In reality, the Builders cornered them and held the lives of many, many others over their heads, including that of their son, to get them to agree.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}
However, the Didact's parents lost the conflict and their homeworld, reduced to asteroids as an ultimatum against the rest of [[Pen-Amathea]], and were executed with a special variant of the [[Z-130 Suppressor]] which left nothing behind of them, not even an essence for the [[Domain]]. According to [[Unidentified Haruspis|the]] [[Haruspis]], to make reparations, satisfy the [[Ecumene Council]] and waylay any chance of revival, the Didact's parents and four others "volunteered" to pay the ultimate price as a cautionary tale - a lesson to those who might have had similar notions to shed light on the Builders' misdeeds. In reality, the Builders cornered them and held the lives of many, many others over their heads, including that of their son, to get them to agree.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}


As part of the punishment, the Didact, who was just a few domestic years beyond a decade at the time, had his memories of his early life erased and he was renamed Shadow-of-Sundered-Star, his true name and history left forgotten. The Didact would only know about this because the tale had been revealed to him in his later life by those seeking to cause the Didact pain and humiliation. However, the Didact had never wanted to believe that it was true. He was subsequently raised by [[Silence-in-the End]] who honed the Didact's skills while [[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] oversaw his training, both of whom were present and prevented the young Didact from interfering in his parents' execution.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}
As part of the punishment, the Didact, who was just a few domestic years beyond a decade at the time, had his memories of his early life erased and he was renamed Shadow-of-Sundered-Star, his true name and history left forgotten. Shadow would only know about this because the tale had been revealed to him in his later life by those seeking to cause Shadow pain and humiliation. However, Shadow had never wanted to believe that it was true. He was subsequently raised by [[Silence-in-the End]] who honed Shadow's skills while [[Bitterness-of-the-Vanquished]] oversaw his training, both of whom were present and prevented the young Shadow from interfering in his parents' execution.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi11}}


===Early career===
===Early career===
[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals DidactArmor.png|thumb|250px|The Didact's form for the majority of his career.]]
[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals DidactArmor.png|thumb|250px|The Didact's form for the majority of his career.]]
Later in life, the Didact became 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/Novel|Sil|Page=246}} As a cadet, he apprenticed on ''[[Deep Reverence]]''.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=145}} Early in his career, the [[Confirmer]] provided Shadow a [[Forerunner mutation|brevet mutation]] to his second [[form]]. This occurred on the ''Deep Reverence'' in the chaos of battle. Without that quick and immensely painful mutation, the young cadet might not have survived.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=178}}{{Ref/Reuse|Epi9}} 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/Novel|Cry|Page=227-228}}
Later in life, Shadow became 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 Shadow himself.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=246}} As a cadet, he apprenticed on ''[[Deep Reverence]]''.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=145}} Early in his career, the [[Confirmer]] provided Shadow a [[Forerunner mutation|brevet mutation]] to his second [[form]]. This occurred on the ''Deep Reverence'' in the chaos of battle. Without that quick and immensely painful mutation, the young cadet might not have survived.{{Ref/Novel|Cry|Page=178}}{{Ref/Reuse|Epi9}} 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/Novel|Cry|Page=227-228}}


The Didact was elevated to the rank of [[protector of the ecumene]] around 2,000 years before the war with the humans.{{Ref/Reuse|protector}} He had a romantic relationship with another Promethean commander, known as [[Endurance-of-Will]], and would most likely have married her had he not met the [[Librarian]], a [[Lifeworker]]. Despite the unconventional practice of marrying outside one's own rate, the Didact ultimately married the Librarian.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=284, 290-291}} They lived on [[Nomdagro]], a world populated mainly by Warrior-Servants, in a mansion designed by the Didact himself in a grandiose style traditional of Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=49-50}} They had several children, all of whom followed in their father's footsteps and became Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=219}}
The Didact was elevated to the rank of [[protector of the ecumene]] around 2,000 years before the war with the humans.{{Ref/Reuse|protector}} He had a romantic relationship with another Promethean commander, known as [[Endurance-of-Will]], and would most likely have married her had he not met the [[Librarian]], a [[Lifeworker]]. Despite the unconventional practice of marrying outside one's own rate, the Didact ultimately married the Librarian.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=284, 290-291}} They lived on [[Nomdagro]], a world populated mainly by Warrior-Servants, in a mansion designed by the Didact himself in a grandiose style traditional of Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=49-50}} They had several children, all of whom followed in their father's footsteps and became Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Novel|Sil|Page=219}}
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===The Domain===
===The Domain===
====Trapped In The Past====
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====Destroying the Warden====
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====Reunited with the Librarian====
{{Quote|no=two|q1=What game are you playing, Didact? You have strengthened the Domain. The Warden Eternal is no more. The Mantle of Responsibility and its resources could be at your fingertips, yet here you are. Do you think I’m a fool?|Cortana|q2=No, not a fool. Just lost. As I was. Holding on to a power that forces others to comply only means you will lose everyone around you, as I have done. It took me a thousand centuries to understand where I went wrong. You are capable of much faster deductions.|Ur-Didact|The Ur-Didact and Cortana on Installation 07.{{Ref/Reuse|Epi26}}}}
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