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Subject: The Domain[Cryptum/Primordium spoilers]

Note: Please forgive my terrible wording skills and inability to think anything through.

The Forerunners, according to Cryptum, made a sort of internet for consciousness, usable by any Forerunner using a functional suit of armor to have access to a lot of if not all the information the Forerunners came up with. According to both Cryptum and Primordium, the domain has been inaccessible to Forerunners since before their downfall. The wording used towards the end of Primordium is easy to read too much into imo.

The Forerunners had, fora time, the Domain. I have never been able to access the Domain. Perhaps it no longer touches any part of our universe. If that is the case, then nobody will ever understand the history of the motivations of the Didact or any other Forerunner...
That means, however long I continue to exist, I will never understand why any of this had to happen.


Perhaps it no longer touches any part of this universe... could it be that the Domain is an alternate dimension of sorts? Where data or even consciousnesses of Forerunners past are stored somehow?

Then there's a moment in Cryptum when Bornstellar manages to access the Domain but only briefly(iirc);

Just before oblivion struck, again I felt a brush with the Domain.
They are about to give it powers it never had before.
Just as they did ages ago. . . .
Those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it.

I thought I recognized whomever or whatever had deposited this message, but could not place the memory. It was not the Didact, that was certain.
It might not have even been a Forerunner.


It may well have been the Prisoner(or some other Precursor, but as the Prisoner was still alive at that time and it was more or less a god it would probably have had no trouble cutting into the Domain) making an observation. About what, I didn't reread the chapters around the quote to be able to make a reasonable guess, so I won't risk it.

On to the point: Could the Prisoner have put itself into the Domain before it was killed, and since it's implied that the Domain still exists somewhere, could it use it to somehow come back? It's also heavily implied that the Prisoner was an extremely sophisticated Gravemind. Maybe the Halo 2-3 Gravemind accessed the Domain and attained the knowledge of that one, depositing its own into the enigmatic dimension as well? Could the Domain have a much bigger role than it looks like it has at first glance?

(secondary note: I only mentioned it because I didn't see many people talking about it. Then again, I don't visit the 343 forums or anywhere else that discusses Halo canon and speculation really.)

EDIT: When I ask if the Prisoner could have put itself into the Domain, I don't mean literally. I just mean its consciousness.

[Edited on 01.14.2012 1:26 AM PST]

  • 01.14.2012 1:22 AM PDT

I dont think the forerunners created the domain, they just discovered it.

I dont think the domain is simply a technology........i think its something else entirely. Something even the forerunner dont understand.

  • 01.14.2012 2:44 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"

Reading this is very enthralling. Here are two ideas I'd like to submit for discussion. They are separate guesses, so don't think that they are two parts to the same coin.

1.) Could the Domain be some sort of Geas, long ago instilled in the Forerunner?

2.) Perhaps the Domain is how the Flood operate as a hivemind, once a Gravemind has been produced? Maybe knowledge of infected is "uploaded" there? (*See note lower down). Could this be how the Gravemind in Halo 3 was able to "talk" to Master Chief, those chilling, gravely moments where your HUD fisheyes and you can hear Gravemind. Perhaps Cortana found a way to piggy back into such a function, and that is how she was able to communicate, albeit sporadically, to John. It might explain some things.

*Perhaps the Composer plays a role here. It was stated that, without the help of the composer, it comes back a like child (iirc), with no explanation as to what "it" and "like a child" really means. Could the composer allow the Flood to assimilate any infected host's knowledge into the Domain, if my hypothesis was correct. Perhaps "like a child" refers to a Gravemind having no knowledge and experience. Not really a stretch, I think. This could explain why, in Primordium, it was necessary to have infected Forerunner help manage systems on the Halo during the pass near the planet. They did have those...things that "swam" through them that were from the Composer, no?

  • 01.14.2012 9:23 AM PDT

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

Posted by: prometheus25
2.) Perhaps the Domain is how the Flood operate as a hivemind, once a Gravemind has been produced? Maybe knowledge of infected is "uploaded" there? (*See note lower down). Could this be how the Gravemind in Halo 3 was able to "talk" to Master Chief, those chilling, gravely moments where your HUD fisheyes and you can hear Gravemind. Perhaps Cortana found a way to piggy back into such a function, and that is how she was able to communicate, albeit sporadically, to John. It might explain some things.

*Perhaps the Composer plays a role here. It was stated that, without the help of the composer, it comes back a like child (iirc), with no explanation as to what "it" and "like a child" really means. Could the composer allow the Flood to assimilate any infected host's knowledge into the Domain, if my hypothesis was correct. Perhaps "like a child" refers to a Gravemind having no knowledge and experience. Not really a stretch, I think. This could explain why, in Primordium, it was necessary to have infected Forerunner help manage systems on the Halo during the pass near the planet. They did have those...things that "swam" through them that were from the Composer, no?


This was an idea that I was exploring in a fan fic of mine last Summer, it could also be the reason why Mendicant Bias lockd the Forerunners out of it.

However, it is noted that data gets sporadically changed naturally in the Domain, which is why the Forerunners don't use it to send messages because they can be somehow altered. That'd be a bit of a flaw if employed as the basis of a hive mind's way of communicating.

  • 01.14.2012 9:28 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"


Posted by: ajw34307
Posted by: prometheus25
2.) Perhaps the Domain is how the Flood operate as a hivemind, once a Gravemind has been produced? Maybe knowledge of infected is "uploaded" there? (*See note lower down). Could this be how the Gravemind in Halo 3 was able to "talk" to Master Chief, those chilling, gravely moments where your HUD fisheyes and you can hear Gravemind. Perhaps Cortana found a way to piggy back into such a function, and that is how she was able to communicate, albeit sporadically, to John. It might explain some things.

*Perhaps the Composer plays a role here. It was stated that, without the help of the composer, it comes back a like child (iirc), with no explanation as to what "it" and "like a child" really means. Could the composer allow the Flood to assimilate any infected host's knowledge into the Domain, if my hypothesis was correct. Perhaps "like a child" refers to a Gravemind having no knowledge and experience. Not really a stretch, I think. This could explain why, in Primordium, it was necessary to have infected Forerunner help manage systems on the Halo during the pass near the planet. They did have those...things that "swam" through them that were from the Composer, no?


This was an idea that I was exploring in a fan fic of mine last Summer, it could also be the reason why Mendicant Bias lockd the Forerunners out of it.

However, it is noted that data gets sporadically changed naturally in the Domain, which is why the Forerunners don't use it to send messages because they can be somehow altered. That'd be a bit of a flaw if employed as the basis of a hive mind's way of communicating.


You are absolutely right about the manipulation factor of information. Maybe it was the Primordial who was altering the information. He could have had access to the Domain while being imprisoned, and manipulated data, either intentionally or not.

It's definitely stated that the origin of the Domain are murky at absolute best. This is all conjecture, of course, but not ouside the realm of plausibility, I feel.

  • 01.14.2012 9:36 AM PDT

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

Posted by: prometheus25
You are absolutely right about the manipulation factor of information. Maybe it was the Primordial who was altering the information. He could have had access to the Domain while being imprisoned, and manipulated data, either intentionally or not.

It's definitely stated that the origin of the Domain are murky at absolute best. This is all conjecture, of course, but not ouside the realm of plausibility, I feel.


I think that it's possible that the manipulation of information could indeed have been the work of the TO. For example, the Forerunners seemed to have completely forgotten about their war with the Precursors - perhaps, over time, this part of their history was changed until it became 'nonexistent' to the Forerunners which would ultimately weaken them when the Precursors would return.

  • 01.14.2012 9:41 AM PDT

yas334229812

The Domain another thing we have not touched upon and have little knowledge whatsoever. It may be so complicated that Bear could not describe it and only left it vague to define what is incomprehensible to the human mind. Some things are, although i will love for some explanation, i just do not want too much of an answer more or less vague, to keep Halo lore feel like the unknown.

The inability to comprehend the Domain, without feeling it is what i believe the best way to make the Halo universe amazing. It is a place where we can speculate and debate, and let our imagination give us the meaning of it. While at the same time not having anyones dreams crushed because someone at last had to explain it and give us what it exactly meant.

  • 01.14.2012 9:50 AM PDT

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

Posted by: risay_117
The inability to comprehend the Domain, without feeling it is what i believe the best way to make the Halo universe amazing. It is a place where we can speculate and debate, and let our imagination give us the meaning of it. While at the same time not having anyones dreams crushed because someone at last had to explain it and give us what it exactly meant.


I touched on this in my fic, the way I interpret the Domain is told through the perspective of one of the characters:
She found herself standing atop a colossal structure that twisted in many abstract patterns and connected to billions of others. It wasn't dark in the Domain, but it wasn't light either... Nor was there the sensation of wind or smell or touch...

Each structure held sources of information; they were all massive data relays where records were stored on individual topics from the darkest secrets of the Forerunner Ecumene to the latest recipe for a delicacy during the Grand Star Season. But the Forerunners had never been capable of accessing the 'ground' of the Domain; far below the structures was a thick swirling mass of ever-changing colour and light. It was disorienting to look at. It had the effect of reliving a bad memory, and for that reason, it was totally ignored.


[Edited on 01.14.2012 10:06 AM PST]

  • 01.14.2012 10:01 AM PDT

yas334229812

that is actually great. I liked the story you are writing so far.
And yeah i noticed where you stayed away from trying to explain everything but only a little. And what is understandable.

  • 01.14.2012 10:24 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"


Posted by: ajw34307
Posted by: prometheus25
You are absolutely right about the manipulation factor of information. Maybe it was the Primordial who was altering the information. He could have had access to the Domain while being imprisoned, and manipulated data, either intentionally or not.

It's definitely stated that the origin of the Domain are murky at absolute best. This is all conjecture, of course, but not ouside the realm of plausibility, I feel.


I think that it's possible that the manipulation of information could indeed have been the work of the TO. For example, the Forerunners seemed to have completely forgotten about their war with the Precursors - perhaps, over time, this part of their history was changed until it became 'nonexistent' to the Forerunners which would ultimately weaken them when the Precursors would return.


Interesting. There is definitely a lot of validity in this TO/Gravemind/Domain web.

  • 01.14.2012 10:24 AM PDT

yas334229812

Just to ask does the primodrium actually have the ability to understand the domain, to go through it and send messages, or control it. He may have the ability to comprehend it, being quite a great intelligent creature.

  • 01.14.2012 10:25 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"


Posted by: risay_117
Just to ask does the primodrium actually have the ability to understand the domain, to go through it and send messages, or control it. He may have the ability to comprehend it, being quite a great intelligent creature.


To answer that question would require more information about the TO, and the Domain, than we have at the moment. We don't even know if the TO has access to the Domain.

  • 01.14.2012 10:29 AM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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

Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?

  • 01.14.2012 10:48 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"


Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.

  • 01.14.2012 10:50 AM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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


Posted by: prometheus25

Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.


Because medicant bias sucked all of the knowledge out of it, shutting it down. Which is why there machines still cannot access it to this date.

  • 01.14.2012 11:15 AM PDT

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


Posted by: grey101

Posted by: prometheus25

Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.


Because medicant bias sucked all of the knowledge out of it, shutting it down. Which is why there machines still cannot access it to this date.


The details of what MB did to the Domain aren't known, he just said:
"I have exhausted the Domain." ~ Mendicant Bias, page 301

  • 01.14.2012 11:18 AM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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


Posted by: ajw34307

Posted by: grey101

Posted by: prometheus25

Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.


Because medicant bias sucked all of the knowledge out of it, shutting it down. Which is why there machines still cannot access it to this date.


The details of what MB did to the Domain aren't known, he just said:
"I have exhausted the Domain." ~ Mendicant Bias, page 301




exhaust
v. ex·haust·ed, ex·haust·ing, ex·hausts
v.tr.
1. To wear out completely.
2. To drain of resources or properties; deplete:
3. To use up completely:
4. To treat completely; cover thoroughly: exhaust a topic.
5. To draw out the contents of; drain: exhaust a tank gradually.
6. To let out or draw off

  • 01.14.2012 11:22 AM PDT

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


Posted by: grey101

Posted by: ajw34307

Posted by: grey101

Posted by: prometheus25

Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.


Because medicant bias sucked all of the knowledge out of it, shutting it down. Which is why there machines still cannot access it to this date.


The details of what MB did to the Domain aren't known, he just said:
"I have exhausted the Domain." ~ Mendicant Bias, page 301




exhaust
v. ex·haust·ed, ex·haust·ing, ex·hausts
v.tr.
1. To wear out completely.
2. To drain of resources or properties; deplete:
3. To use up completely:
4. To treat completely; cover thoroughly: exhaust a topic.
5. To draw out the contents of; drain: exhaust a tank gradually.
6. To let out or draw off


Point taken. It's still pretty vague though.

  • 01.14.2012 11:35 AM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"


Posted by: grey101

Posted by: ajw34307

Posted by: grey101

Posted by: prometheus25

Posted by: grey101
Where was it implied that the Domain is still active somewhere?


Was it ever stated to be inactive? As far as I can remember, it was only discussed that the Forerunner could no longer access it.


Because medicant bias sucked all of the knowledge out of it, shutting it down. Which is why there machines still cannot access it to this date.


The details of what MB did to the Domain aren't known, he just said:
"I have exhausted the Domain." ~ Mendicant Bias, page 301




exhaust
v. ex·haust·ed, ex·haust·ing, ex·hausts
v.tr.
1. To wear out completely.
2. To drain of resources or properties; deplete:
3. To use up completely:
4. To treat completely; cover thoroughly: exhaust a topic.
5. To draw out the contents of; drain: exhaust a tank gradually.
6. To let out or draw off


Are you serious? You are joking right? I don't have time for this.

  • 01.14.2012 11:40 AM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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

Help me understand.

  • 01.14.2012 11:46 AM PDT

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." - Albert Einstien


Posted by: grey101
Help me understand.

No one can do that.

  • 01.14.2012 11:49 AM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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


Posted by: UL7IM4 G33K

Posted by: grey101
Help me understand.

No one can do that.


baaahah, Perhaps,..Perhaps..

  • 01.14.2012 11:58 AM PDT

"What they don't knw Can't hurt Them

wow grey, u really are inclined to ... every forum up. no need to be a smartass every other second.

  • 01.14.2012 8:35 PM PDT

yas334229812

Just to say exhausted may mean he has seen throught the whole Domain. Also if MB had taken up all the domain, how did Bornsteller have brush with the domain for some fraction of a time.

A whisper that was sent, and was not, MB but someone we may know or may not.

  • 01.14.2012 9:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: DecepticonCobra

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


Posted by: risay_117
Just to say exhausted may mean he has seen throught the whole Domain. Also if MB had taken up all the domain, how did Bornsteller have brush with the domain for some fraction of a time.

A whisper that was sent, and was not, MB but someone we may know or may not.


IIRC that was on his journey to the capital or right when he got there right? In other words, it was BEFORE MB stated his line.

  • 01.15.2012 9:23 AM PDT

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