We know that Bornstellar, and the Didact survived the initial firing of the rings, but is it possible that the Forerunners survived in bulk? With thousands, maybe millions passing the time in shield worlds or slipspace rifts? The Ark is outside of the galaxy, and the librarian send various life workers to the ark to fire the rings, is it assumed that they survived?
Another question, what happened to Bornstellar? Did he simply die out of old age? I thought their suits essentially made them immortal?
If any Forerunners survived, I’m curious to know why they haven’t returned yet. What are they waiting for?
> If any Forerunners survived, I’m curious to know why they haven’t returned yet. What are they waiting for?
If you listen to the rebirth audiofile from Silentium Bornsteller said he wanted to stay out of human affairs.
> > If any Forerunners survived, I’m curious to know why they haven’t returned yet. What are they waiting for?
>
> If you listen to the rebirth audiofile from Silentium Bornsteller said he wanted to stay out of human affairs.
Not just Human affairs, but the affairs of the galaxy as a whole. They left the Galaxy after the reseeding process as atonement for their sin.
> If any Forerunners survived, I’m curious to know why they haven’t returned yet. What are they waiting for?
The Forerunners, after finally realizing that their misuse of the Mantle resulted in the downfall of the galaxy, exiled themselves after activating the Halos (probably to Path Kethona) and now only have one goal: save the current generation of galactic existence from repeating their sins.
From Halo: Rebirth.
> “But what of you? Where will the Forerunners live?”
>
> “I do not know,” Bornstellar said, “Not yet. All I know for certain is that we cannot return to these places. We have already meddled too much in the affairs of others.”
>
> Riser grimaced. “Forerunners refusing to meddle? Is that a promise?”
>
> “A promise,” Trial said.
>
> “Truly this will be a different place,” Riser said.
>
> “The portal will stay,” said Bornstellar.
>
> “Ah, then you have lied,” Riser said, but with no anger or surprise.
>
> “It will be buried to be found when needed. Perhaps one day your children will make their way back, and, I hope, meet our children.”
>
> “I doubt even I will long enough to see that day,” said Riser.
>
> “But it is good to think our young will rise to another challenge, as brothers should, making trouble, finding strength.” Bornstellar felt this deeply, and even with his armour to protect him, the emotion was almost too much. “Hope,” was all he could say. Then they returned to the fish-ship and left the humans alone to find their way.
As for how many Forerunners survived, we do not know - but Rebirth makes it apparent that it’s very few. Just the IsoDidact, a group of Lifeworkers, and at least one other Warrior-Servant who is aide to the IsoDidact.
I believe one of the Essential Visual Guides states that Mendicant turned over the location of the shield worlds to the Gravemind.
Idk, its just hard to believe they would stay out of our affairs knowing how bad the galaxy is turning out to be. We (humans) are going down the same path as them. I’m sure they can see what is going on, unless they all died out which I doubt. Sure they gave us hints and stuff to prepare ourselves, but we know that its just causing more difficulties among each other because everyone wants power. Show yourself forerunners, we are in a desperate time of need especially with the Didact’s hate towards humanity still continues.
> Idk, its just hard to believe they would stay out of our affairs knowing how bad the galaxy is turning out to be. We (humans) are going down the same path as them. I’m sure they can see what is going on, unless they all died out which I doubt. Sure they gave us hints and stuff to prepare ourselves, but we know that its just causing more difficulties among each other because everyone wants power. Show yourself forerunners, we are in a desperate time of need especially with the Didact’s hate towards humanity still continues.
What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
It’s possible they also want to see if we can sort it out ourselves. They’ve already meddled with us a fair bit with this geas stuff. If they have to hold our hand every step of the way, they might as well just come back and be their old empire.
> [What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
I have a feeling that they are in some position to act, as they seem to have the Ur-Didact on trial. But perhaps the cultural shift towards a society based entirely on a blend of Lifeworkers and Warriors has something to do with their inaction?
Will be interesting to see.
Especially because the slipspace portal that the Didact fell into was piping composed minds back to Requiem. So how he ended up standing before his… peers?.. is certainly a mystery. Either they intervened while he was in Slipspace or got him on Requiem.
> > Idk, its just hard to believe they would stay out of our affairs knowing how bad the galaxy is turning out to be. We (humans) are going down the same path as them. I’m sure they can see what is going on, unless they all died out which I doubt. Sure they gave us hints and stuff to prepare ourselves, but we know that its just causing more difficulties among each other because everyone wants power. Show yourself forerunners, we are in a desperate time of need especially with the Didact’s hate towards humanity still continues.
>
> What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
Humans have been in contact with Aliens for barely over 30 years. It’d be quite a bit premature to come to the assumption that things are all that bad (as compared to how the Forerunners handled inter-species politics) and unless the Flood is on its way back now - then I think that it’s very premature for them to show up and offer advice to the galaxy.
I don’t want the Forerunners to show up at all unless there’s something insane happening that requires there presence. I’d be pretty happy with us finding them, but not really the other way around unless it’s something along the lines of “The Flood is coming, and UNSC-Arbiter alliance and the Covenant Remnants-now with human rebels are still fighting without regard to the danger that’s about to hit them.”
And I’d still prefer the Covenant Remnants (With human rebels) to be the major enemy in the Reclaimer Saga, which I’d like to see end with cliffhanger to the real Flood threat.
EDIT: Along with the Didact, obviously.
> > [What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
>
> I have a feeling that they are in some position to act, as they seem to have the Ur-Didact on trial. But perhaps the cultural shift towards a society based entirely on a blend of Lifeworkers and Warriors has something to do with their inaction?
>
> Will be interesting to see.
>
> Especially because the slipspace portal that the Didact fell into was piping composed minds back to Requiem. So how he ended up standing before his… peers?.. is certainly a mystery. Either they intervened while he was in Slipspace or got him on Requiem.
So glad that somebody else is pondering the same thing. I don’t usually elaborate too much where no logic can not be applied, but this “trial,” the Ur-Didact is undergoing is definitely mystery. The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How’s are just not satisfied in order for this to happen. I mean I know the Forerunner Juridicial class is probably the culprit here behind this “trial,” for all intensive purposes. If any juridicials actually survived the halo array they’d likely appoint a new Master Juridicial who intercepted the Ur-Didact while the Didact was on his comfy little slipspace voyage back to Requiem. It does make sense that Forerunners would like to reel in their own renegade, out of control members to prevent too much damage to the mantle and sentient life that had prospered for so long without their meddling. My guess is that had master chief not intervened; then observing forerunners of some sort would have stopped the Ur-Didact from composing earth. This is evidence that the Forerunner have been watching all along and are likely hoping that mankind can step in to secure the mantle, in conjunction with the Librarian’s dying wishes.
I just don’t understand why the observing Forerunners were silent when the flood threat reemerged several times; as containment had been broken on numerous occasions… And again silentium as the Covenant damn-near fired the halo array a second time; which would have wiped out everything again, including any residual Forerunner peeking-toms in the process. It all seems a little odd, I guess the Forerunner are keeping a watchful eye while trying to stay out of everything, a concept that has been alien to them since their existence.
I think no Forerunners are going to come out… The only two likely scenarios for Forerunner presence are: the flood threatening total extinction or humans actually finding the residual Forerunners (Perhaps with the Janus key). Or maybe the chief will find a way to trace their signal in the next halo game… If you all remember, John could hear Forerunners communicating (I.E. The Ur-Didact throughout halo 4) when Cortana could not. Whatever the Librarian’s imprint did to John, I think it’s likely he can perhaps use this new gift to relocate residual Forerunners that survived the first halo array. It’d be even cooler if he could grab one of their ancillas to replace Cortana in the process… Just a couple of thoughts - feel free to criticize or add a couple thoughts to this.
There might be less than a hundred Forerunner remaining by the time of Halo: Rebirth. Bornstellar said he did not know where they would go. Perhaps they left the galaxy, like the ancient Forerunners before them. It’s also possible they’re still somewhere in the Milky Way, possibly in a Shield World somewhere remote.
The Ur-Didact’s return and subsequent actions might cause whatever remaining Forerunner to come out of their exile. Or at least for Bornstellar to come back.
My best guess is the Spider Galaxy.
> > Idk, its just hard to believe they would stay out of our affairs knowing how bad the galaxy is turning out to be. We (humans) are going down the same path as them. I’m sure they can see what is going on, unless they all died out which I doubt. Sure they gave us hints and stuff to prepare ourselves, but we know that its just causing more difficulties among each other because everyone wants power. Show yourself forerunners, we are in a desperate time of need especially with the Didact’s hate towards humanity still continues.
>
> What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
Guess we will never know till 343i is ready to let the cat out of the bag, but personally I would love to see the Forerunners (Bornsteller mainly) still alive.
> > > Idk, its just hard to believe they would stay out of our affairs knowing how bad the galaxy is turning out to be. We (humans) are going down the same path as them. I’m sure they can see what is going on, unless they all died out which I doubt. Sure they gave us hints and stuff to prepare ourselves, but we know that its just causing more difficulties among each other because everyone wants power. Show yourself forerunners, we are in a desperate time of need especially with the Didact’s hate towards humanity still continues.
> >
> > What if they don’t realize how bad the galaxy is or are in no position to help if they wanted to?
>
> <mark>Guess we will never know till 343i is ready to let the cat out of the bag</mark>, but personally I would love to see the Forerunners (Bornsteller mainly) still alive.
You know they’re sitting there reading this with smiles on their faces 
My guess is we haven’t seen the last of the Librarian and Didact, flood too, and no more than one or two additional Forerunners whether AI or not.
Then again, could be the exact opposite and a whole army of Forerunners show up.