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  • Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.5
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.5
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Posted by: Lord Snakie

Ah just a little thought I had while reading, kinda lost my train of thought halfway through to be honest, and just went for it. But I don't get what you are saying in the second part of your first sentence the "then a small group of surviving Precursor escaped the Precursor-Flood war and fled to the Milky Way galaxy, becoming Humans."

What exactly are you saying?

  • 09.28.2009 3:15 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Person25
But I don't get what you are saying in the second part of your first sentence the "then a small group of surviving Precursor escaped the Precursor-Flood war and fled to the Milky Way galaxy, becoming Humans."

What exactly are you saying?

Let me try to be a bit more clear.

With the Precursor/Lord of the Rings scenario, a small group of Precursor believed that what the Precursor were doing (IE "creating" a life-form from the ground up in order to serve them how they wished with absolutely no allowed free thought) was wrong. Because of their beliefs, they were either exiled from the Precursor empire, or they willingly left it. They came to the Milky Way galaxy, changed their name to the Forerunner ("Those Who Come Before", as opposed to the definition of Precursor, "Those Who Came Before", suggesting that the Forerunner believed that something would follow them), and began existing in our galaxy with similar ideology to that of the more ancient Precursor. Existing here, however, caused them to lose technology and some of their old thoughts and capabilities, sending them tumbling down from Tier 0 to Tier 1, becoming "Sentient" again, as we define it, rather than "Trans-Sentient" as their true Precursor brothers were.

The Precursor, meanwhile, created the Flood and prospered for a time while the Forerunner set up their Empire in the Milky Way. The Flood turned on the Precursor eventually, however, and destroyed them as the Forerunner predicted. A few Precursor made it to the Milky Way, almost devoid of technology and preparation, and settled on Earth; these Precursor became the Humans, related to the Forerunner in their direct ancestry, but slightly different because they spent more time away from the Milky Way and less time in it, also evolving while in the Milky Way with next-to-no technology. This explains how the Chief inherently knew Forerunner symbols, because his genetic memory could tell him that they were really Precursor symbols, still used by the Forerunner after they traveled to the Milky Way.

The Flood attack the Milky Way and the Forerunner begin to fight them, knowing that they are extra-galactic in origin because of their preparations to fight the abominations of their now-distant cousins for centuries. The war comes quickly and ends quickly, but in the meantime, the Forerunner discover Earth, and what they call "the secrets to our own past", hinting further at a shared ancestry between the Forerunner and Humanity. The Forerunner either die out during the war, escape to the Ark and breed with Humanity, or disappear; the only remnants left of the Precursor are modern-day Humans.

  • 09.28.2009 3:56 PM PDT

Plekpedia - The most epic site in the history of ever.

So, I am a bit lost, because I haven't checked here in a while, though I am very interested. I have a question. I do not disagree with this theory, but I... I don't know what to say exactly, except that:

1: How did the Forerunners, and especially the Precursors lose? (explained somewhere below)

or

2: The Flood, though we already believe that they are incredibly powerful, might be even stronger then imagined.


I have gotten all of this from Combat Skin. Now, reading this, (assuming that Combat Skin is NOT an enviorment (spell?) suit), but instead is ranked in terms of shields and strength, I would like to know how the Forerunners, and ultimately the Precursors (who I assume were much more powerful then even the Forerunners), lost. A theory on that page is that Combat Skin 12 would be like 6x Overshields, or maxing out your shield strength in custom games. Now, if either of those is true, then Combat Skin 18 would be incredibly powerful. In fact, if a Spartan was in a Combat Skin 18, they'd be.... wow..... Now, my thoughts from this make me wonder....

How did the Flood touch the Forerunners? I have a few thoughts about this:

1: The beginning scouting party that arrived on the planet/moon with the Flood on it, MUST have had a lower Combat skin. How else could the Flood have killed them. How else- I have an idea. which brings me to 2.

2: The Flood were infected Precursors. This is my only other idea (unless I have forgotten something- because I am tired). The Precursors are the only known species that are assumingly (spell?) more powerful then the Forerunners, so, if the scouting party had high Combat Skin, the Precursors were able to top that. But this brings up another problem:

3: If the Flood the scouting party encountered was Precursors, how is THAT possible? Now, right now, I am assuming that Precursors had even more powerful "Combat Skin" or armor. Because if THAT is true, how did the Flood infect them? It could be possible, as stated in your theory Snakie, that the Flood ARE Precursors.


Sorry if that was confusing, or I missed something obvious and that was all dumb. Although I don't think it was.... then again I am very tired right now.

But anyway, this is all something that popped in my mind. I also apologize if this has been explained before, as I said in the beginning, I haven't checked here in a while, and I am tired.

Thanks. =)

[Edited on 09.30.2009 6:50 AM PDT]

  • 09.29.2009 7:47 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Pokezilla Linked
Yep, probably tired.

The entire theory essentially claims that the Flood became very integrated into the Precursor system by the time the Gravemind struck, and that his surprise attack decimated most or all resistance, essentially wiping out the Precursor in one deft swoop. That would be how he defeated the Precursor, and then the Flood traveled to the Milky Way galaxy, finding and facing the Forerunner there with some scraps of Precursor knowledge or technology, infecting Forerunner and becoming a formidable force.

  • 09.30.2009 1:23 PM PDT

Plekpedia - The most epic site in the history of ever.

Posted by: Lord Snakie
Posted by: Pokezilla Linked
Yep, probably tired.

The entire theory essentially claims that the Flood became very integrated into the Precursor system by the time the Gravemind struck, and that his surprise attack decimated most or all resistance, essentially wiping out the Precursor in one deft swoop. That would be how he defeated the Precursor, and then the Flood traveled to the Milky Way galaxy, finding and facing the Forerunner there with some scraps of Precursor knowledge or technology, infecting Forerunner and becoming a formidable force.


Wow.

I am now going to go buy a dunce hat to wear for the next week. Goodbye.

  • 09.30.2009 1:26 PM PDT
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Posted by: Lord Snakie


So you are agreeing that the humans are from Precursor descent, I was just wondering if you agreed with that or not, I probably should have made that more clear. But the way you explained it was great.

  • 09.30.2009 2:59 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Person25
So you are agreeing that the humans are from Precursor descent, I was just wondering if you agreed with that or not, I probably should have made that more clear. But the way you explained it was great.

Well, I'm also suggesting that the Forerunner are of Precursor descent, but yes, I am one of the new theorists to support the Human/Precursor theory.

  • 09.30.2009 3:02 PM PDT
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Posted by: Lord Snakie

Yes I have understood that since you added that part to your thread, just didn't know where you stood with the Precursor=Human theory.

[Edited on 09.30.2009 3:51 PM PDT]

  • 09.30.2009 3:50 PM PDT

My troll sense is tingling.

I think I have a contribution to this theory, not sure if it's mentioned. Engineers are organic supercomputers made by the Forerunners, so does this mean Gravemind could be a failed attempt at a super-engineer? Or maybe a collection of dead engineers (to explain his namesake)? It makes sense since the Engineers tend to re arrange mechanics, same way whenever a flood infects something, it rearranges it's body and genetic structure.

  • 10.07.2009 1:43 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: darthnazgul
I think I have a contribution to this theory, not sure if it's mentioned. Engineers are organic supercomputers made by the Forerunners, so does this mean Gravemind could be a failed attempt at a super-engineer? Or maybe a collection of dead engineers (to explain his namesake)? It makes sense since the Engineers tend to re arrange mechanics, same way whenever a flood infects something, it rearranges it's body and genetic structure.

Good point, but the Engineers seem to come after the Gravemind, if the Precursor created the Flood and the Forerunner created the Engineers, as we now understand it. I find it much more likely that the Engineers were the first step on a path that would have brought the Forerunner to a similar end (creating an EI, or "Engineered Intelligence", like the Gravemind is considered to be), or that the Engineers were the furthest the Forerunner were willing to go on that path in the first place.

  • 10.07.2009 1:46 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution (V2)

From Cyro to Meta

is it possible that the precursor can still be alive somewhere, maybe hiding or un found?

  • 10.08.2009 3:31 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: monkyw1thagun
is it possible that the precursor can still be alive somewhere, maybe hiding or un found?

I find it likely that at least one remnant of the Precursor is still alive. In a theory that I am planning out even now, I will discuss that remnant, their impacts on galactic history, and deliver a (possibly) shocking query to the forum-at-large.

More to come.

  • 10.08.2009 3:35 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.5

Do not want

This all makes perfect sense, after hours of cross referencing facts from books, games, and the halo wiki; this makes perfect sense and I saw no flaw. congratulations! If you need any help with any of your Forerunner/ precursor theories, I would be glad to help. Forerunner history is far more fun then real history. (I know I'm a pathetic nerd for saying that, but, oh well.)

  • 10.08.2009 4:31 PM PDT
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As you progress throughout your life you realize that the older you get the closer your are to death, the only thing you cannot change.

That was really well thought out, and it was one of the most intelligent finds I have ever seen in the Halo lore.

I do have one disagreement with you, throughout the course of the theory you seem to state there is only one Gravemind, which I think is an impossibilty.

There probaly are way more, and if the Flood go to ravenge a galaxy they probaly have to take one, or bring a small force, collect Biomass and wait thousands of years for one to form.
Or
What is the gravemind we know is just a freagment, a piece of the original, since it seems to have a split in knowledge, it seems to know only a very small amount about the flood away from the Milky Way, and the Precursor, it also explains the lack of usage of Forerunner and Precursor tech.

Just my 2 cents.

  • 10.12.2009 6:22 AM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Gdude
I do have one disagreement with you, throughout the course of the theory you seem to state there is only one Gravemind, which I think is an impossibilty.

I'm not suggesting that there's only been one throughout the series, I'm suggesting that there was only one at the beginning of the Precursor-Flood war. It is quite possible that more formed during and after the war, and it's highly likely that the Flood in our galaxy had at least two Graveminds during the Forerunner-Flood war, and the Gravemind from Installation 05 was likely "new construction", so to speak.

I'm simply suggesting that it doesn't really matter if there's more than one Gravemind or not; they all share the same basic knowledge and goals. If you have the same intelligence in your head, you're going to act like others that do, as well.

  • 10.12.2009 6:28 AM PDT
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Some can come away from reading "War and Peace" thinking it a simple adventure story, while others can read the ingredients on a gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

I think the Precursor, like any civilization, would have been divided. Cults, religions, and belief would have varied. Creating the flood would be like cloning a human today. Much controversy.

Now I think when the Gravemind achieved sentience, he thought himself a monster as well. A creature that could no co-exist with any other life.


As you brought up yourself Snakie, the Gravemind has a will. If he tried, he could arguably stop himself from consuming life (he would die of course). Now if he does see himself as something that did not belong in this universe, why didn't he do just this? Rage.

He would have lashed out against the Precursors, bent on consuming them for the horrible sin. They brought him into a doom existence, so they would live forever within him, a suffer eternal torment.

Hey that sounds allot like another bible reference. Hell. The Gravemind consumes all for that one sin. They created there own demise.

A fathers sins, pass to his son

I conclude the gravemind is in the midst of blood rage. Still lashing out against the Precursors and there descendants. A millenia to him is like a day. I firmly bilieve that the garvemind is not a "living AI" but behaves like one. And that is because he formed in a similar way.

AI's are brains that where cloned and there though processes copied. The gravemind first achieves knowledge by consuming a multicellular organism (like a human). He thus absorbs there knowledge. So they both start out with a "brain", then both build upon that knowledge, increasing there capacity. So if the Gravemind follows the same rules of rampancy. He will reach stability eventually.

I think in future Halo games this is how they would defeat him. By inducing stability somehow. He would realize what he has done, stop growth, and die.

  • 10.12.2009 2:43 PM PDT
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: Agustus
I actually covered everything you said, down to Engineered Intelligence rather than Artificial Intelligence, in one or two of the sub-theories.

  • 10.12.2009 2:51 PM PDT
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Some can come away from reading "War and Peace" thinking it a simple adventure story, while others can read the ingredients on a gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

Posted by: Lord Snakie
Posted by: Agustus
I actually covered everything you said, down to Engineered Intelligence rather than Artificial Intelligence, in one or two of the sub-theories.


To many edits to keep track.

=P

  • 10.12.2009 3:07 PM PDT

Do not want

emphasis on the "lord" part of Lord Snakie. this theory was better the second time through. Bungie needs to hire you.

  • 10.23.2009 11:33 PM PDT

Will test for snacks!

KOTOR. JOIN.

Posted by: AlexWIWA sXe
emphasis on the "lord" part of Lord Snakie. this theory was better the second time through. Bungie needs to hire you.


I'm going to laugh so hard when Snakie reads this. Kind of an inside joke.

  • 10.25.2009 2:23 AM PDT

I am a god! I am prescient!
I am religion!
I see the future, I see the past
Follow me, follow the vision.
I have become the ultimate power, I am protection.
I am messiah, I am a tyrant.
i show the path to redemption to man and the universe!

It's nice to see speculation threads about me... >_>


On a more serious side, I like these theories. I've always wondered about the forerunners and precursers, and even though this isn't confirmed info, its still good info to ponder.

  • 10.25.2009 5:36 PM PDT
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stephany<333
ALL MY HALO 2 GAMES ARE GONE !!!!!
¯\/¯/ |¯|)¯)/¯/\¯\ \¯\/¯/
♠ ♠ ♠ Raiken ♠ ♠ ♠
/_/\_\ |_|)_)\_\/_/ /_/\_\

wat r we taLKING about...?

  • 10.25.2009 5:42 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.5
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“To say more would spoil be it’s overall its a game that needs to be played.” - Aristotle

Posted by: crakapleez911
Posted by: AlexWIWA sXe
emphasis on the "lord" part of Lord Snakie. this theory was better the second time through. Bungie needs to hire you.


I'm going to laugh so hard when Snakie reads this. Kind of an inside joke.

One of these days I'm going to *facedesk* so hard that I wind up getting a concussion and dying.


Posted by: precurser
It's nice to see speculation threads about me... >_>

yo dawg i herd u liek precursors so i put some precursers in ur thred about precursor so u can read about precursors when u read stuff from precursers.


Posted by: Raiken 97
wat r we taLKING about...?

Stuff you likely would not understand, good sir forum troll!

  • 10.26.2009 1:28 PM PDT
Subject: The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6

What a waste....

Best. Theory. Ever.

I think I have an edit to the Gravemind theory. What if, perhaps, the Precursors found the Grave mind, a remnant of another species, on G 365 (is that it?). They attempted to tamper with it, but it became hostile after a while of storing the information. It used the infection forms to wipe the colony of G 365, created Flood forms, captured a starship, and destroyed them.
************************

The Halo Encyclopedia states that the Forerunner used Halo to kill by using harmonic frequencies to destroy certain nervous system cells of all sentient species. They programed the installations to kill all but themselves. After the galaxy was all clear, they set down the species on all the planets. They had to be simple cells, otherwise they would be sentient. Then, they left the galaxy.

What does this have to do with the Precursor theory? Well, it clearly states that they could kill anything in the galaxy. So why didn't they just wipe the flood? Because they had thousands of mutated cells. That is why the Precursor didn't kill them; they also didn't realize their ability to starve the Flood. Kabloop.

  • 10.27.2009 6:39 PM PDT