Bungie Universe
This topic has moved here: Subject: Uncertainty of the lifespan of the Forerunners.
  • Subject: Uncertainty of the lifespan of the Forerunners.
Subject: Uncertainty of the lifespan of the Forerunners.

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

This is a subject I've never been too sure about, exactly how long is the average lifespan of a Forerunner? Cryptum says that death rarely happens in Forerunner society, given that they number in the trillions I've been led to assume they're immortal unless killed in battle.

But all organic matter is subject to decay. Is it possible that their suits manage to keep them alive? Could part of their culture involve passing their memories and knowledge down to another to survive (like the Didact did to Bornstellar)?

  • 04.25.2011 2:10 PM PDT

I always assumed that Forerunner armour was capable of essentially running and maintaining a Forerunner's basic bodily functions and requirements indefinitely. As long as a Forerunner had access to their armour they would never die of natural causes.

  • 04.25.2011 2:14 PM PDT


Posted by: ajw34307
Is it possible that their suits manage to keep them alive?


Yes. That's the actual reason why they live so long. Don't know if you've read Cryptum, but Born specifically states that in this book.

Though living forever might be too much of a stretch. Precursors could likely be immortal, but Forerunners just had a multi-thousand year life-span.

  • 04.25.2011 2:15 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Posted by: ROBERTO jh
Posted by: ajw34307
Is it possible that their suits manage to keep them alive?


Yes. That's the actual reason why they live so long. Don't know if you've read Cryptum, but Born specifically states that in this book.

Though living forever might be too much of a stretch. Precursors could likely be immortal, but Forerunners just had a multi-thousand year life-span.


Thanks. I have read Cryptum but must have not fully comprehended that bit with Bornstellar.

Now that I have clarification, a fan fiction of mine can actually work (a Forerunner seeking immortality when already immortal wouldn't make much sense). :)

  • 04.25.2011 2:19 PM PDT

It would certainly be a short story.

  • 04.25.2011 2:22 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Posted by: Omanisat
It would certainly be a short story.


It'd make a rather poor soliloquy too.

  • 04.25.2011 2:26 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Deva Path


Posted by: DecepticonCobra

We are all going to get banned aren't we?

What i didn't understand is if they are immortal where are the other forerunners?

Like, where are the parents of the librarian,didact, bornstellers parents parents,etc?

It seems that this long lifespan is a "recent" achievement, though the fact the durances have a half life of millions of years doesn't sit right with me.

  • 04.25.2011 2:38 PM PDT

There are multiple references to 25,000 years throughout Cryptum, which leads me to believe that this is approximately how long they have been a Tier 2 technology race.

  • 04.25.2011 2:47 PM PDT

I doubt they can live forever, a very long time, but we don't see any that lived through this hinted at Forerunner-Precurser War. So assume they weren't all wiped out, then we can assume they all died, or more likely decided to end their lives. I got the impresion that a forerunner was downloaded or something after they died, like as an AI of some sort, so maybe when they stop enjoying being 34,867 years old, they download themselves. Seems to make sense to me, as we still see the massive populations of an undieing race.

  • 04.25.2011 3:04 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Deva Path


Posted by: DecepticonCobra

We are all going to get banned aren't we?


Posted by: Black Hole 000
I doubt they can live forever, a very long time, but we don't see any that lived through this hinted at Forerunner-Precurser War.


Well the domain is hinted at containing pretty much the entire forerunner race. Even then, it is possible that after the war the forerunners regressed in terms of technology (which seems to have happened).

  • 04.25.2011 3:06 PM PDT

http://www.halo-forum.com

As far as I can tell, based off Crytums implication, Forerunner do not die at all save for fatalities in war or from sickness, both in rare occasions. Their suits also feed and treat the users.

I would surmise that a Forerunner's lifespan is indefinite.

  • 04.25.2011 10:23 PM PDT

In memory of those fallen in the defense of Earth and her colonies.

March 3, 2553

One of the forerunners in Cryptum lived for over 4000 years. So a very long time

  • 04.26.2011 12:18 AM PDT
  • gamertag: tsassi
  • user homepage:

I would assume it's theoretically infinite. They don't die in natural causes. Eternal life isn't completely impossible. Their tissue is either very or infinitely long lasting or just regenerates faster than dies. In both cases they can have theoretically infinite lifespan.

It could be that their suit keeps their tissue alive or regenerates new where it is needed.

  • 04.26.2011 1:18 AM PDT