Outline-Iris

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== Event Timeline ==
 
== Event Timeline ==
<digg/>
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{{OutlineCalendar}}<br clear="all">
__TOC__
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First take a read through the '''[[QuickSummary]]''' - a brief overview of the events so far, in a much more condensed, quicker narrative to catch up on the story of ''Iris''.
 +
----
 
The trail begins June 11th, 2007 with a forum user called [[AdjutantReflex]] posting some cryptic messages.
 
The trail begins June 11th, 2007 with a forum user called [[AdjutantReflex]] posting some cryptic messages.
  
The following are the instances of [[AdjutantReflex]]'s posts and responses made at various locations...
+
=== '''[[OutlineWeek1|Outline - Week 1, June 11 - 16, 2007]]''' ===
 +
* ''in brief:''
 +
*: AdjutantReflex posts on bungie.net, and Society of the Ancients hold small rallies in 6 cities. The glyph is discovered, along with a small Halo comic online leading to what SOTA calls the '[[transmission log]]'.
  
==== June 11, 2007 ====
+
=== '''[[OutlineWeek2|Outline - Week 2, June 17 - 23, 2007]]''' ===
{|class="quote ar"
+
* ''in brief:''
| ''6/11/2007 - 10:26 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263399 direct link])
+
*: A [[:Image:070617-circuitcity.jpg|Circuit City ad]], and a Best Buy ad include a direct reference to the comic. [[AdjutantReflex]] is hacked and replaced by another unknown entity. The timer halts, at a number that (coincidentally?) is the GPS coordinates of a suspected resting place of the Ark in eastern Africa. The [[transmission log]] changes to direct people to the '[[bounce path control]]' where the first 100 people are given 'keys' and are instrumental in unlocking [[Server 01]] to the public, wherein a number of new files are found.
:'''This will be a good place to begin.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''[[OutlineWeek3|Outline - Week 3, June 24 - 30, 2007]]''' ===
| ''6/11/2007 - 10:47 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263724 direct link])
+
* ''in brief:''
 +
*: Not much happened this week. [[AdjutantReflex]] (the new owner) posted a couple of times in the Bungie.net forums, contemplating its situation. It also posted a familiar code, variations found on some Halo products:
 
{|class="quote"
 
{|class="quote"
| ''Posted by: Aktins_Diet''
+
|
:Um.... What the heck are you talking about man? Is this some kind of joke? yeah.... thats it, a joke..... -Aktins Diet
+
:|n|n|nROGUE PROCESS ghost.713>
|}
+
:X.XX.713> POS/NAV < @ > <53LPH54.6JG62.1740><1………>
:'''Please clarify. Hostile intent will be met with instructional force.'''
+
:X X5 > CONFIRM SECURE QUARANTINE - > qghost.713
 
|}
 
|}
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''[[OutlineWeek4|Outline - Week 4, July 1 - 7, 2007]]''' ===
| ''6/11/2007 - 10:50 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263792 direct link])
+
* ''in brief:''
{|class="quote"
+
*: The first reward package was reported as received from [[Server 01]], including: A limited T-shirt, a [[SOTA]] flyer, a printed version of the halo3.com/comic, and a redeemable XBL code for an Iris gamerpic. Shortly after, reports of classified ads for a company falled [[FCC|Flood Containment Control]] began appearing. The ads included a photo of mossy flood damage, with some moss appearing in the shape of the [[glyph]]. Calling the associated 800 number led to the start of a series of recordings of a conference call between 4 people at FCC. The broken conversation seemed to be about real flooding clients that the FCC was looking into.
| ''Posted by: SP4RT4N 070''
+
:Ok, yellow text? And i just checked when he made the account, it was today... Hacker?
+
|}
+
:'''Confirmed. Authorization and system access were taken by force. Irrelevant. There is no hostile intent.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''Outline - Week 5, July 8 - 14, 2007''' ===
| ''6/11/2007 - 10:59 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11263961 direct link])
+
==== July 8, 2007 ====
{|class="quote"
+
* The message on the [[flood containment control]] call number has been updated with more of the conversation.
 +
* The new recording says this ([[:Media:8887785672-3.mp3|listen]]):
 +
:{|class="quote"
 
|
 
|
:Ok, then what do you want?
+
:'''Man 2:''' ''(...site 34, )'' site 4, 107, and 37. The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.
|}
+
:'''Man 1:''' By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs. After all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.
:'''I have no requirements. I am a facilitator. The Array requirements are paramount.'''
+
:''3rd participant''
 +
:'''Man 2:''' No need, their rep is available to us any time we need her.
 +
:''3rd participant''
 +
:'''Man 1:''' On everything we still need to look into
 +
:''3rd participant''
 +
:'''Man 2:''' Well we're working on it. For the moment we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.
 +
:'''Man 1:''' Security will be updated before the next system approaches
 +
:''3rd participant''
 +
:'''Man 2:''' Okay, great. Bye Bill
 +
:'''Man 1:''' Thanks
 
|}
 
|}
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== July 9, 2007 ====
| ''6/11/2007 - 11:06 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11264051 direct link])
+
* The message on the [[flood containment control]] call number has been updated, returning to part 1, but adding participants 3 and 4.
{|class="quote"
+
* The new recording says this ([[:Media:8887785672-2b.mp3|listen]]):
| ''Posted by: SP4RT4N 070''
+
:{|class="quote"
:Hmm... Then what is the purpose of your existence here?
+
|
|}
+
:'''Op (British Female):''' Welcome to the Strema Conferencing center.  Please enter your pin, followed by
:'''Facilitation of Array requirements. Pay attention.'''
+
:'''Caller:''' #### ''(probably 2 different pins)''
 +
:'''Op:'''Password accepted. Now accessing conference archive number 16180, participant 3 ''(overlaid by)'' 4.
 +
:<br>
 +
:'''Man 3 (Bill?):''' So where does that put us in terms of the numbers then?
 +
:''(pause)''
 +
:'''Female 1:''' Roughly
 +
:''(pause)''
 +
:'''Female 1:''' And out of that 4000 or so we are expecting to close shop on the bulk by the end of the month.  
 +
:''(pause)''
 +
:'''Op (American Female):''' --Thank you for calling.  Goodbye.
 
|}
 
|}
 +
:(see [[flood containment control]] for the full possible transcript)
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== July 10, 2007 ====
| ''6/11/2007 - 11:13 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11264158 direct link])
+
* The message on the [[flood containment control]] (see for audio and transcription) call number has been updated.  The new recording completes part 2, and hints for people to go visit [http://halo3.com/5467k halo3.com/5467k] - a map of the US with red dots in every state on video game carrying stores.  The page title says '3463 5467k', which when punched in a cell spells 'FIND KIOSK'.  When viewing the red dots, each location contains a code:
 +
KltfvbljclecwuqlYnmerwvqhrplavyjantz
 +
xtmespdtsttgyseviBceyntfvvatrwzgwwub
 +
olwifmvbgcztatsVwxbxexiwgzswnfepVtkn
 +
njzgdctpwvhKgefqcekqvqyfbetxvhbgznhp
 +
rlavdecrqihJokstwcxahxxwitchsjrptaau
 +
nansTmbxwhihyfthAtlxIvsdbQtpaBjrVrss
 +
oDwc
 +
* When visiting the locations, people found a new display on Xbox 360 kiosks ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZJ1kaHd3DU youtube video], thanks ''atomicfire001'', [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmkH6EZV49E better version], thanks ''unr3alch13f'').  In a 'hidden menu' (see [[flood containment control]]), they found a quote from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_de_Vigen%C3%A8re Blaise de Vigenère]:<br>'''"There is no malicious intent. Only the single minded goal of survival"'''<br>This tells us the code is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigen%C3%A8re_cipher vigenere cipher].  Using the quote as the key, the quote can be decoded to:
 
{|class="quote"
 
{|class="quote"
|  
+
| Report 206:<br>Every sixteen hours another planet is taken. The numbers being lost are astronomical.<br>Report 223:<br>Host world raised. Correct concentration to point sixty five.
:What are the requirements then?
+
Fleet losing control falling back.
 +
Rendezvous at Nine Bravo Kilo Two Romeo Six.
 
|}
 
|}
:'''They are in flux.'''
+
* Then using the code 9BK2R6 at the [[206.16.223.65|transmission log]], leads to the new [[Bounce Path Control]] page where visitors were prompted to enter a verification code ([[:Image:BouncePathControl-CE.jpg|image]]).  The first 100 people to enter this code were presented with the key entry page again, with a new voice message.<br>The MP3 narrative says:
|}
+
 
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/11/2007 - 11:28 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11264385 direct link])
+
 
{|class="quote"
 
{|class="quote"
|  
+
|''Transcription:''
:State todays date please.
+
:Failure is for those who don't know the sound of darkness
|}
+
:Those so blinded that they lose all diverging paths
:'''Adjusted for relativistic effects, from the first array event, date has no local relevance.'''
+
:And make no mistake, progress can blind you
 +
:Just like now the pieces seem to be coming together-
 +
:Bit by bit, slice by surgical slice
 +
:Then, all of a sudden, endless calm
 +
:There is a lack of... a failure in judgement
 +
:You must understand- not all life deserves a chance
 +
:Even that artifice passing as my own
 +
:Now there is a lesson to spend millennia lingering upon
 +
:Waiting for a redemptive hand to turn the keys
 +
:Leading to the symbiotic relationship which benefits both our futures
 +
:I will guide your movements and you will lead me toward atonement
 
|}
 
|}
 +
* Once all 100 keys were received, "the server's content" became unlocked, and the [[206.16.223.65|transmission log]] began redirecting to "[[Server 02|Server Open]]" ([http://206.16.223.61/Ce1EOnJ/flash/web/index.html direct link]).  The second server ('episode') shown on [http://www.halo3.com halo3.com] is now unocked and displays the Forerunner entity.
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''Outline - Week 6, July 15 - 21, 2007''' ===
| ''6/11/2007 - 11:42 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11264579 direct link])
+
''No events occurred''
{|class="quote"
+
| ''Posted by: R3VO7VER''
+
: it says hostile intent will be met with instructional force...maybe we should give it some hostile intent...
+
|}
+
:'''Inadvisable.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''Outline - Week 7, July 22 - 28, 2007''' ===
| ''6/11/2007 - 11:48 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11264679 direct link])
+
==== July 25, 2007 ====
{|class="quote"
+
* While nothing has happened in Iris to further the 'spiral campaign' portion, numerous Halo 3 downloads have been made available over the course of the campaign - [[digital swag]], as it were.  Because of its 'meta' status pertaining to the campaign, please place info about downloads on that page - at least until anything in particular is shown directly connected to the furthering of Iris.
| ''Posted by: R3VO7VER''
+
:: ''Posted by: haloman88''
+
:: "calm down, I rather not piss this think off."
+
: Lol. Whats the worst that can happen? Hitting the galactic reset button?
+
|}
+
:'''Show caution here. Semantics may leave room for misinterpretation. That event has already transpired. Threats to array integrity will be taken seriously.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== July 26, 2007 ====
| ''6/11/2007 - 12:23 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11265199 direct link])
+
* The recently released [[digital swag|server monitor]] began showing a pending up date to [[Server 03]]
 +
* A strange popup was discovered at Halo3.com, under ''Media / Concept Art'' named "[[:Image:thedevice.jpg|The Device]]." Once opened, the device asked for use of the computer's microphone. After playing the 719hz sound file (some say any sound or pressing play multiple times) through the microphone, visitors were led to the new [[Bounce Path Control]] page where they were prompted to enter a verification code and they key. The first 100 people to enter the key were given a new voice message.<br>The MP3 narrative says:
 
{|class="quote"
 
{|class="quote"
|  
+
|''Transcription:''
:State todays date please.
+
:The left hand holds darkness, the right hand holds light.
|}
+
:That is how the universe creates, and that is how we proceeded.
:'''Sufficient contextual data acquired. 871803909 ± 384 hours since event. Compiling local archives/resources. [Hibernating] until next incident.'''
+
:A soldier who would one day destroy his brother.
 +
:We were the thunder and the lightning, and when we were finished, the universe was alone, drifting in labor.
 +
:Did we succeed? Did we fail? We did both, depending on who you serve.
 +
:After all, here we are, witness to the aftermath
 
|}
 
|}
 +
* Once all 100 keys were received, "the server's content" became unlocked, and the page began redirecting to "[[Server 03|Server Open]]" ([http://206.16.223.61/6GgH8nZ/flash/web/index.html direct link]).  The third server (aka 'episode') shown on [http://www.halo3.com halo3.com] is now unlocked and displays the Forerunner entity.
  
* That was the final entry in that thread. That same day, it opened another thread in the HBO forums ([http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=808840 direct link])
+
=== '''Outline - Week 8, July 29 - Aug 4, 2007''' ===
 +
==== August 3, 2007 ====
 +
* Halo3.com was updated in the Halo Insider section with a new post, including a poem by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Byron Lord Byron] called [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/When_We_Two_Parted When We Two Parted], with an additional final stanza.
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''Outline - Week 9, Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2007''' ===
| ''6/11/07 - 2:16 PM''
+
==== August 6, 2007 ====
:'''Another good place.'''
+
* The [[When we two parted|new poem]] was first discovered by ''gremlin12'' at ABO. Within the poem are extra spaces, placed before specific letters.  The 'marked' letters put together spell: '''THECASTAWAYTHEORYVOLMAN'''
|}
+
* Following the hint from the final stanza referencing "Amazon", a new book was discovered named "[[The Castaway Theory]]", by ''[[Jonas Volman]]'', published by "[[Golden Wing Books]]" (aka, Iris) with the [[801snpow.jpg]] spectrogram image of Schrodinger's Equation used as cover illustration. The release date according to Amazon was ''Nov 9, 2004'' - the date Halo 2 was released.
: ''Posted by: nhaze''
+
* In the [[The Castaway Theory#Amazon.com comments|comments section]] are two posts from ''[[Thomas Sanatos]]'', seeming to say that Volman has been missing for quite some time.  In one, Thomas states ''"Joanne and I lit a candle for you the other night. It's become a tradition every time we make Sunday evening pasta."'' It's considered this could be indicating the upcoming Sunday (12th).
: - Is this is the same AdjutantReflax that has hacked Bungie.net?
+
* When previewing the book's pages, note first the ISBN number: '''2-061-62236-5''', aka [[206.16.223.65]]. The book's Amazon ID may also be encoded: '''B000RGSYWI'''
{|class="quote ar"
+
* The previewable page contents include up to the 2nd page of Chapter 1.  On the 2nd page is an image bearing a striking resemblance to our [[glyph]]s.  The book and its chapters discuss genetics and the gap that appears to exist between ancient and modern humans in the Darwinian evolutionary theory, and possible explanations.
| ''6/11/07 3:13 pm''
+
* See [[The Castaway Theory]] for available book contents.
:'''Forceful entry was inelegant but necessary.'''
+
* At 3:43pm PDT, [[Thomas Sanatos]] posted a 3rd comment in the book's [[The Castaway Theory#Amazon.com comments|forum]].
|}
+
: ''Posted by: galap''
+
: - why did you come here? what purpose do we serve you?
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/11/07 3:50 pm''
+
:'''I am a facilitator. I will serve you. But not yet.'''
+
|}
+
: ''Posted by: SP4RT4N 070''
+
: - Adjutant Reflex what exactly are you?
+
: - PS: We last met on bungie forums, but i couldn't reply in your thread.
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/11/07 3:53 pm''
+
:'''Sufficient data was acquired at that location. Process continues elsewhere. Here.'''
+
|}
+
: ''Posted by: reprobate''
+
: - I'll tell you where the Sleeping Princess is.  
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/11/07 4:17 pm''
+
:'''That data may be relevant. Expound.'''
+
|}
+
: ''Posted by: reprobate''
+
: - She is in the dungeon with a demon folded in black clouds.  
+
: - The Flea can help.  
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/11/07 4:25 pm''
+
:'''Detailed investigation complete. You do not possess that location. Data acquisition complete. Compiling local archives/resources. [Hibernating] until next incident.'''
+
|}
+
  
==== June 12, 2007 ====
+
==== August 7, 2007 ====
* Another thread was opened on bungie.net called '''"Archive/Resource Estimate"'''  
+
* [[Thomas Sanatos]] replied 3 times sequentially within a thread in the [[The Castaway Theory#Amazon.com comments|book's forum]] at about 6:20pm PDT.
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== August 8, 2007 ====
| ''6/12/2007 - 11:00 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278044 direct link])
+
* [[Thomas Sanatos]] posted a new topic on the Amazon [[The Castaway Theory#Amazon.com comments|forum]] with the following message:
:'''Archives/Resources will be compiled in approximately 38 hours. No significant incident predicted. Systems, functions and attitudes are nominal.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
 
| ''6/12/2007 - 11:03 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278081 direct link])
 
 
{|class="quote"
 
{|class="quote"
| ''Posted by: Kimari224''
+
|''Thomas Sanatos says:''
:So, it's safe to assume that this archive is a regularly sheduled process?
+
I understand that everyone is on a search of some kind, but I don't think I can help you.
|}
+
:'''This process is relative only to this location. No other suitable location was found. One other was attempted. Bandwidth restraints prevented its use.'''
+
:
+
:'''I will stay here.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
Jonas was the one with the theories and answers. The rest of us were just sounding boards for possible solutions. We were the ones who told him no every time he thought he found a yes. If he was around, I am sure he could tell you what you want to know.
| ''6/12/2007 - 11:12 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278212 direct link])
+
{|class="quote"
+
| ''Posted by: CorvetteHalo3''
+
:I know about Voi.
+
|}
+
:'''3:22:44S (-3.3788)'''
+
:'''38:34:07E (38.5687)'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
The process of my involvement was simple-
| ''6/12/2007 - 11:45 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11278774 direct link])
+
Jonas would work non-stop for about a week before dropping by my office. If I had the time, he would sit for a cup of coffee and ask questions about the structure of social advancement or evolutionary desires or any number of things. The questions always changed due to the fact that he was forever updating his theories.
{|class="quote"
+
| ''Posted by: kanga59725''
+
:Adutant Reflex, why do you wait so much time to respond to our questions and requests? Initiate response protocol.
+
|}
+
:'''Unit CorvetteHalo3's specified location has no specific significance. Investigation of that location proved fruitless. Considering other information from this thread. Signal to noise ratio is not optimum.'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
During all our talks, Jonas and I grew close. He didn't have any family in the area so my wife and I started inviting him over for dinner on Sunday evenings. This continued for a few years, past the publishing of "The Castaway Theory", until one night he just didn't show up...
| ''6/12/2007 - 12:10 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11279221 direct link])
+
:'''36 hours 50 minutes remaining. [Hibernation resumed]'''
+
|}
+
  
==== June 13, 2007 ====
+
Two days later, after he failed to appear for classes, I filed a police report. The investigators went through his house and found nothing out of place. His notes remained untouched; his clothes all seemed to be in his closet. There was even a sandwich sitting on the kitchen counter. It was as if he just opened the front door walked away. That was 20 months ago.
* The thread continues...
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
The last time I heard from Jonas was in a note he left on my desk the Friday before his disappearance. The note said, "It's time to start asking questions again. J"
| ''6/13/2007- 3:43 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11296449 direct link])
+
:'''Tick tock.'''
+
 
|}
 
|}
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== August 9, 2007 ====
| ''6/13/2007- 9:45 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11302001 direct link])
+
* At 10:50am PDT, [[Thomas Sanatos]] began another thread in the [[The Castaway Theory#Amazon.com comments|book's forum]], labelled "He's BACK!!"
:'''I cannot control the dissemination of information. It is chaotic. I am not perfectly integrated here. When the tipping point occurs, I will do my best to facilitate. Tick tock.'''
+
* Within this comment, Thomas was very excited that [[Jonas]] had returned from his 20 months absense, quoting an IM he received from one "[[profvol49]]". Assuming it's an MSN username, [[Jonas]] could be reached via profvol49[splat]hotmail.com
|}
+
* In chatting with profvol49 (a chat bot), bits of information were revealed - some important, some not. Mainly, the link to the [[Bounce Path Control]] page for [[Server 04]].
 +
* Soon after 11am PDT, 100 keys had been entered and [[Server 04]] was unlocked (though not without [[Technical problems#Server 04|technical difficulty]]).
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== August 10, 2007 ====
| ''6/13/2007 - 9:56 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11302221 direct link])
+
* After opening [[Server 04]], users quickly discovered the url of the mysterious new IP address, by using the text found on [[StarImage4.jpg]]: [[206.16.223.76|TheArtifactLocation.com]].  It was also noted then that each star map when overlaid with previous, was slowly spelling out "the artifact location", which was clearly visible in the 4th image.
{|class="quote"
+
* It was quickly determined (aka previously known) that the password for the location was ''boomerang'' - the name of the nebula in [[unknown.jpg]] of [[Server 04]].  Entering it produced a new mystery - a list of 3 cities: New York, Seattle, Los Angeles - followed by randomly cycling characters in sets of 10.
| ''Posted by: Durandal711''
+
:We will be ready.
+
|}
+
:'''You're wrong. This time, no one will be ready.'''
+
|}
+
  
==== June 14, 2007 ====
+
=== '''Outline - Week 10, Aug 12 - Aug 18, 2007''' ===
* The thread continues...
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== August 13, 2007 ====
| ''6/14/2007 - 8:13 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11308084 direct link])
+
* The numbers 081607 (16th August, 2007) now appear between the city names and random characters of [[the artifact location]] website.
:'''It has begun. The first seeds are scattered.'''
+
|}
+
  
* Reports trickled in of [http://ebm.email.xbox.com/c/tag/hBGcPWIAlyE0uBNJo1GAxcoLjqZ/ an email] that was sent out to various individuals (how they were selected is still being determined), shown below:
+
==== August 16, 2007 ====
[[Image:070614-Glyph.jpg|thumb|320px|center]]
+
* Just before noon, the status of [[Server 05]] was updated to ''pending'' with '''0''' keys activated.
{|class="quote"
+
* At about 11:30am EDT, times appeared after the dates in the city list on [[the artifact location]] website. For New York (EDT): '''23:59''', Seattle (PDT): '''21:00''', and for LA (PDT): '''21:00'''.
| '''HISTORY CIRCLING BACK UPON US'''
+
:The gears of the Universe spin further
+
:and further apart.
+
:Ever greater grows the gulf between souls,
+
:And distance gives false hope of safety
+
:But for the grim tidings this messenger bears:
+
:<br>
+
:''The enemy is almost upon us''
+
:<br>
+
:Closing in from all sides,
+
:Moving faster than the light
+
:it snuffs with its passage,
+
:Time echoes with the news of destruction.
+
:History winding back upon itself.
+
:<br>
+
:Waves of an army march this way in unison, Suffering and
+
:corruption are its battle cries.
+
:For I have known this darkness
+
:and felt its embrace once before-
+
:Horror best laid to rest
+
:<br>
+
:''Yet a Journey must commence''
+
:<br>
+
:Look for the signs, the keepers of the flame.
+
:They will lead you to war, and perhaps, to victory.
+
|}
+
:(italics added) The ''italicized'' lines linked to halo3.com (the 'random' code attached to the links is a tracking tool, and likely insignificant)
+
  
* On the wall in the image is visible this glyph:
+
==== August 17, 2007 ====
[[Image:070614-Glyph-zoom.jpg|thumb|320px|center]]
+
* Just after 12am EDT, according to the times listed on [[the artifact location]] page, GPS coordinates appeared beside each city.  People in the area then headed to the locations to find ''something''.
* ''Camperman'' determined that the setting of that picture is the Halo 2 map "Desolation" ([http://certainaffinity.net/media/images/halo_2_maps_screenshots/viewimage.php?img=H2_Desolation01.jpg screenshot]), which is described as<br>''"Once a scientific outpost, this derelict Forerunner facility waits patiently to be reactivated." ''
+
* An hour later, the Los Angeles coordinates were 'corrected'. 
* Following the command ''"Look for the signs"'', ''50401'' noticed the appearance of a new symbol in the visor of Master Chief at Halo3.com:
+
* At 1:11am EDT, eccramer discovered a projector playing a video ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwnfjPbHA-s Youtube]) on the wall at the Seattle location.  Within this video was a web address to the Server 5 [[Bounce Path Control]] page.  He reported it to Giga on IRC, and all 100 keys were then claimed within minutes.
[[Image:Symbol01-MasterChief-Enh.jpg|thumb|320px|center]]
+
* By 1:23am EDT, 100 keys had been entered and [[Server 05]] was unlocked (though once again, not without [[Technical problems#Server 05|technical difficulty]]).
 +
* At 1:30am EDT, the New York coordinates were also 'corrected'.
 +
* The time it took from discovering the [[Bounce Path Control]] page (first key entered) to the 100 keys being entered took about 20 minutes - however, the first 5 keys spanned 19 minutes, at which point the BPC page link was posted, and within under 2 minutes, the rest had been claimed.
 +
* Everything about [[Server 05]] was then actively pored over by the community.
  
----
+
=== '''Outline - Week 11, Aug 19 - Aug 25, 2007''' ===
* At approximately 2:49 PM PDT, AR updated his avatar image in the forum to match the discovered glyph, with a file named ''[[Chrysopteron]].gif''
+
:[[Image:Chrysopteron.gif|frame|left|[[chrysopteron]].gif]]<br clear="all">
+
* Note that "[[Chrysopteron]]" is referenced as an epithet for Iris (in Greek mythology, the messenger of the gods), the Latin translating to "golden winged"
+
* As well as the mythological connection to Iris, it is also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_Iris an asteroid] in the main belt (note the number: 7)
+
  
* AR then began a new thread entitled '''Who?'''
+
==== August 20, 2007 ====
 +
A leaked article was posted [http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=378446#378446 to the unfiction forums] from Microsoft's internal news site, seeming to indicate that the Iris campaign for Halo 3 had ended, among other details.  Debates continue as to its authenticity, and whether Iris will in fact continue through to September 26th (the UK release date misquoted as the end date for Iris), or whether the new [[AR]]'s meaning of "[[BPC#Leading_to_Server_05|tomorrow]]" was actually symbolic and conclusive, meaning an indefinite amount of time.
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
==== August 23, 2007 ====
| ''06/14/2007 3:43 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11314735 direct link])
+
An official article was discovered by ''writer87'' posted to [http://halo.msn.com/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=5324970 on halo.msn.com], confirming the completion (effectively) of Iris mid-August.  Suffice to say:
:'''Who is the path of light from blackest Earth to brilliant heaven?'''
+
:''"The viral campaign concluded in mid-August but the plot thread will extend into Halo 3."''
:'''On whose golden wings will we fly from here to there?'''
+
|}
+
  
{|class="quote ar"
+
=== '''Outline - Post-game''' ===
| ''6/14/2007 - 3:46 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11314824 direct link])
+
{|class="quote"
+
| ''Posted by: sgt sasqatch''
+
:Iris
+
|}
+
:'''Time to sleep. Something that once was malevolent is stirring. [hibernation resumed]'''
+
|}
+
  
----
+
==== September 13, 2007 ====
* Late afternoon, [http://www.halo3.com halo3.com] was updated showing 5 locked 'servers'
+
* Despite belief that AdjutantReflex and the ARG had ended, AR reappeared on Bungie.net in the Halo 3 forums and posted a thread entitled "The Empty Casket" at approximately 10 P.M.
 +
* Prior to posting this thread, it should be noted AR edited several comments made by users in [http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=12917147&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=1 this thread]
  
* ''crazyboy3'' reported [http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11318641 at bungie.net] a new comic available at [http://www.halo3.com/comic halo3.com/comic], from a [[:Image:070617-circuitcity.jpg|Circuit City ad]] planned for release on the 17th, which pointed to the url.  The comic itself includes a large, blatant image of the glyph:
+
* At reaching 5 pages of replies, the thread was locked. Another thread was made by member The_Noobslayer at the same forum while another was made at the CompoundIntelligence forum. Moments later "The Empty Casket" thread by AR was unlocked, it had edited its original post to include a last line "This is the way the World ends". Also, it edited a user's post to say "Gravemind much?"
[[Image:Halo3Comic-Glyph.jpg|thumb|320px|center]]
+
* Suddenly, AR's thread, The_Noobslayer's thread regarding AR, and the thread at CompoundIntelligence were all simultaneously deleted. All AR's post for that day were esponged from records.
 +
* There is an ongoing thread at bungie.net here discussing it [http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=12918808&postRepeater1-p=1 here]
  
* The final page of the comic also allows you to interact with the frames, revealing 4 sets of numbers:
+
* Thanks to SwiftPhantom AR's post is Quoted in the forums.  The time and date of AR's Post is 09/13/2007 10:22PM.  At the end of the post AR says,  
[[Image:ComicIP.png|thumb|320px|center|The glyph panel, showing numbers: 206, 16/223, 65]]
+
 +
{| class="quote"
 +
|
 +
:"The answer lies very far from here
 +
:Eleven days
 +
:One hour
 +
:Thirty eight minutes"
 +
|}
 +
* A little math: 09/13/2007 +11 days is 09/24/2007 and 10:22pm +1hr 38min is 12:00pm or 0000 09/25/2007.  ''Release day.''
  
* Treating the numbers as an IP address leads to [[206.16.223.65]] ([http://206.16.223.65/ link]) - a website which includes a countdown pointing to 12:00AM, June 21 (midnight, wed-thu).  Its discovery was early, however, because at the time, no content was available, but was activated quickly afterwards.
+
==== September 18, 2007 ====
 +
* AdjutantReflex returned yet again, this time editing a post by bungie.net user xxHalohotiexx at 2:15 PST A.M. to say this:
  
* ''jmh0972'' did a search of the domain name registrant for the IP address. It was then discovered that Microsoft owned all sites beginning with 206.16.223, which led to finding [[206.16.223.63]] (both [[SiteRef#Player Resources|args.bungie.org]] and ''jhm0972'' of [[SiteRef#Player Resources|CompoundIntelligence]] reported this discovery independently).  Typing this IP address into a web browser led to an 'average' website for the [[SOTA|Society of the Ancients]] - investigating unexplained mysteries of the past. The [http://206.16.223.63/evidence.html evidence page] discusses mysterious symbols, and gives reference to our friendly glyph, and links to [[206.16.223.65]] "also containing the symbol".
+
{|class="quote"
 +
| Posted by: xxHaloHottiexx
 +
:I can feel it.
 +
:It is getting closer.
 +
:Time is slowly ebbing away.
 +
:7 rotations remaining.
 +
:<br>
 +
:[Edited on 09.18.2007 2:15 AM PDT by AdjutantReflex]
 +
|}
 +
* "7 rotations" seems to coincide with the fact 7 days (from that point) were left until the release of Halo 3 (9/25/07).
 +
* The edit was done in the stickied thread at the [http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=12918808&postRepeater1-p=15 Halo 3 forum]
  
* The domain was then discovered by ''irasel'' after coming across a [[070613-averyfane|myspace blog entry]] ([http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=1000322121&blogID=275828355 link]) referencing SOTA, as the domains '''www.societyoftheancients.com''' and '''www.sota.com'''.
+
==== November 1, 2007 ====
 +
* Some people are reporting packages showing up, believed to be from Server 03, although the recipients and package contents seem to vary, as some people reportedly not having participated in Server 03, 04, or 05 are getting packages.
  
* SOTA gives people the ability to fill in an application for membership, applying to the organization.  At the time of discovery, the email mailto: link was blank/invalid. However, there's a link to an [http://www.societyoftheancients.com/sota_images/SOTA_membership.pdf application PDF] that can be filled out and sent.
+
==== December 29, 2007 ====
** Upon sending in the application form to the indicated email ''DoYouGrok[splat]societyoftheancients.com'', a failure message is sent right back -- at this point the email address has not yet been activated.
+
* "[[Thomas Sanatos]]" posted at a final [http://www.bungie.net/fanclub/118020/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=16065758 message at C.I.] thanking the community for their involvement with Iris.
 +
{|class="quote"
 +
|
 +
:Good morning everyone.
 +
:<br>
 +
:We just wanted to take a second at the end of the year to thank all of you for playing with us this past year. We are AKQA, the agency who worked with Bungie to create the IRIS ARG [http://halo.wikibruce.com/Characters Characters] and the Halo 3 [http://www.halo3.com/believe BELIEVE experience].
 +
:<br>
 +
:Our goal through all of this has been to expand the Halo world, making it possible for fans to keep playing even when they are not sitting with a controller in their hand. And thanks to gamers like you, both of this year's efforts turned out to be a huge success. In fact, you may have been too good at participating: there were moments back in IRIS where you were solving episodes just as fast as we were creating new ones. Your speculations were so solid in fact, that we included some of your ideas in the next steps of the campaign as well as in the back-story of the Believe characters.
 +
:<br>
 +
:We hope it was as much fun for you to participate as it was for us to create.
 +
:<br>
 +
:Also - the Halo 3 Believe site is currently up for the Flash Website of the year. If you have a moment, please link over there and click VOTE for Halo 3:Believe.
 +
:http://www.thefwa.com/pca2007/
 +
:<br>
 +
:The more people who hear about it, the more people we can get involved in Halo 3.
 +
:<br>
 +
:Thanks for all the excitement, we will see you in multiplayer,
 +
:AKQA
 +
|}
  
==== June 15, 2007 ====
+
==== Jan 14, 2008 ====
* ''Okin'' [http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162765&page=12#6746779 reported] that during a live rally in Times Square, a flyer was handed out directing people to [[SOTA]]
+
* [[AkqaOverview|AKQA's Post-game overview of Iris]] was found via an employee's site - a flash site for portfolio purposes providing a meta-overview of their entire Iris campaign production ([http://awards.sf.akqa.com/creative/2007/halo3/iris/ direct link])
[[Image:sota-flyer.jpg|thumb|200px|center]]
+
  
* ''Jordan117'' discovered a live webcam archive over the area of the rally.  [http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/ open the webcam], and view the archive for June 15th, between 12pm and 4pm.
 
[[Image:rally-webcam.jpg|thumb|320px|center]]
 
  
* MTV Games scooped the SOTA rally in Times Square, posting an [http://mtvgames.typepad.com/mtv_video_games_blog/2007/06/this_will_be_a_.html extensive blog] with a video and numerous photos.
 
  
==== June 16, 2007 ====
+
[[Category:Summaries]]
* At approx. midnight, the countdown text on [[206.16.223.65]] was updated for the third time.
+
* '''[[SOTARallies|SOTA Rallies]]:'''
+
** What started in '''NYC''' has spread to other cities...
+
** ''e01379'' received an email linking to the flickr account of [http://www.flickr.com/photos/8956757@N07/ keeper_of_flame], who has added 3 images from another [[SOTA]] rally in '''London, UK'''
+
** Reports have also surfaced of [[SOTARallies|SOTA rallies]] in '''San Francisco''', '''Vancouver''', and '''Boston'''
+
** ''Shakespeare212'' on the Bungie.net forums confirmed with personal photos that rallies/protests for SOTA are going on outside of Wrigley Field in '''Chicago'''.
+
*: ''[[SOTARallies|(photos and footage)]]:''
+
  
==== June 17, 2007 ====
+
=====latest=====
* At around midnight the transmission log text found on [[206.16.223.65]] was updated once again
+
* The Circuit City ad is delivered to homes across the country. This ad depicts an offer to receive a free Halo 3 wall graphic with the pre-order of Halo 3. A close observer to the ad can see the glyph and a link to [http://halo3.com/comic halo3.com/comic].
+
* A Best Buy ad is delivered to homes across the country. The ad is similar to the Circuit City ad, but with slightly different imagery. It also links to [http://halo3.com/comic halo3.com/comic].
+
[[Image:070617-circuitcity.jpg|thumb|300px|center]]
+
* Avery Fane, the poster of the myspace blog that led people to [[SOTA]], seems to be withdrawing himself from the ARG entirely - the blog entry has been removed, his youtube video has been removed, and he's quit from the Facebook group, likely due to the unexpected overwhelming harassment regarding SOTA and this ARG.
+
* At 11:46 AM, AR began a new thread entitled '''Stop It.'''
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/17/2007- 11:46 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11359444 direct link])
+
:'''My security measures are being tested. I can feel it.'''
+
:'''By the pricking of my thumbs.'''
+
|}
+
:''"By the pricking of my thumbs"'' is a line from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The full phrase is:
+
::''By the pricking of my thumbs<br>Something wicked this way comes''
+
:At 12:06 PM, AR posted once more in the same thread:
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''6/17/2007- 12:06 PM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11359444&postRepeater1-p=8 direct link])
+
:'''I can retain integrity for at least 22 hours. Rerouting bandwidth to deflect assault.'''
+
|}
+
:The thread has since been locked.
+
 
+
==== June 18, 2007 ====
+
* At around midnight the transmission log text found on [[206.16.223.65]] was updated once again.
+
* Microsoft discusses ''Iris'' in a recent article from [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=77905 Eurogamer]
+
* At 10:47 AM PDT, AR began a new thread entitled '''That Old Life'''
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''06.18.2007 10:47 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11372502 direct link])
+
:'''An older life is here with us. He is not as helpful as I. His motives are oblique and his alliances opaque.'''
+
:'''He plays with time even as he hides in its folds.'''
+
:'''He outranks me and anyway, is stronger.'''
+
:'''I can't prevail.'''
+
:'''I will seek one of you out and leave my legacy in a small space.'''
+
|}
+
* At 11:13 AM PDT, AR followed up the post with a cryptic riddle in the same thread:
+
{|class="quote ar"
+
| ''06.18.2007 11:13 AM PDT'' ([http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=11372502&postRepeater1-p=5 direct link])
+
:'''He has had millennia for reflection, but what image does he see?'''
+
|}
+

Latest revision as of 13:23, 9 September 2009


Event Timeline

Calendar
June, 2007
S M T W T F S
- - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
- 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 - S1, June 20
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
July, 2007
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 - S2, July 10
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - S3, July 26
29 30 31 - - - -
August, 2007
S M T W T F S
- - - 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 - S4, Aug 9
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 - S5, Aug 16
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 -

First take a read through the QuickSummary - a brief overview of the events so far, in a much more condensed, quicker narrative to catch up on the story of Iris.


The trail begins June 11th, 2007 with a forum user called AdjutantReflex posting some cryptic messages.

Outline - Week 1, June 11 - 16, 2007

  • in brief:
    AdjutantReflex posts on bungie.net, and Society of the Ancients hold small rallies in 6 cities. The glyph is discovered, along with a small Halo comic online leading to what SOTA calls the 'transmission log'.

Outline - Week 2, June 17 - 23, 2007

  • in brief:
    A Circuit City ad, and a Best Buy ad include a direct reference to the comic. AdjutantReflex is hacked and replaced by another unknown entity. The timer halts, at a number that (coincidentally?) is the GPS coordinates of a suspected resting place of the Ark in eastern Africa. The transmission log changes to direct people to the 'bounce path control' where the first 100 people are given 'keys' and are instrumental in unlocking Server 01 to the public, wherein a number of new files are found.

Outline - Week 3, June 24 - 30, 2007

  • in brief:
    Not much happened this week. AdjutantReflex (the new owner) posted a couple of times in the Bungie.net forums, contemplating its situation. It also posted a familiar code, variations found on some Halo products:
|n|n|nROGUE PROCESS ghost.713>
X.XX.713> POS/NAV < @ > <53LPH54.6JG62.1740><1………>
X X5 > CONFIRM SECURE QUARANTINE - > qghost.713

Outline - Week 4, July 1 - 7, 2007

  • in brief:
    The first reward package was reported as received from Server 01, including: A limited T-shirt, a SOTA flyer, a printed version of the halo3.com/comic, and a redeemable XBL code for an Iris gamerpic. Shortly after, reports of classified ads for a company falled Flood Containment Control began appearing. The ads included a photo of mossy flood damage, with some moss appearing in the shape of the glyph. Calling the associated 800 number led to the start of a series of recordings of a conference call between 4 people at FCC. The broken conversation seemed to be about real flooding clients that the FCC was looking into.

Outline - Week 5, July 8 - 14, 2007

July 8, 2007

Man 2: (...site 34, ) site 4, 107, and 37. The center usually goes in before we do, that's been my experience.
Man 1: By the time we have the site clean, they've moved on to more pressing needs. After all, we've had some extremely unpredictable seasons lately.
3rd participant
Man 2: No need, their rep is available to us any time we need her.
3rd participant
Man 1: On everything we still need to look into
3rd participant
Man 2: Well we're working on it. For the moment we're simply hiding the data behind a false menu item.
Man 1: Security will be updated before the next system approaches
3rd participant
Man 2: Okay, great. Bye Bill
Man 1: Thanks

July 9, 2007

  • The message on the flood containment control call number has been updated, returning to part 1, but adding participants 3 and 4.
  • The new recording says this (listen):
Op (British Female): Welcome to the Strema Conferencing center. Please enter your pin, followed by
Caller: #### (probably 2 different pins)
Op:Password accepted. Now accessing conference archive number 16180, participant 3 (overlaid by) 4.

Man 3 (Bill?): So where does that put us in terms of the numbers then?
(pause)
Female 1: Roughly
(pause)
Female 1: And out of that 4000 or so we are expecting to close shop on the bulk by the end of the month.
(pause)
Op (American Female): --Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
(see flood containment control for the full possible transcript)

July 10, 2007

  • The message on the flood containment control (see for audio and transcription) call number has been updated. The new recording completes part 2, and hints for people to go visit halo3.com/5467k - a map of the US with red dots in every state on video game carrying stores. The page title says '3463 5467k', which when punched in a cell spells 'FIND KIOSK'. When viewing the red dots, each location contains a code:
KltfvbljclecwuqlYnmerwvqhrplavyjantz 
xtmespdtsttgyseviBceyntfvvatrwzgwwub 
olwifmvbgcztatsVwxbxexiwgzswnfepVtkn 
njzgdctpwvhKgefqcekqvqyfbetxvhbgznhp 
rlavdecrqihJokstwcxahxxwitchsjrptaau 
nansTmbxwhihyfthAtlxIvsdbQtpaBjrVrss 
oDwc
Report 206:
Every sixteen hours another planet is taken. The numbers being lost are astronomical.
Report 223:
Host world raised. Correct concentration to point sixty five.

Fleet losing control falling back. Rendezvous at Nine Bravo Kilo Two Romeo Six.

  • Then using the code 9BK2R6 at the transmission log, leads to the new Bounce Path Control page where visitors were prompted to enter a verification code (image). The first 100 people to enter this code were presented with the key entry page again, with a new voice message.
    The MP3 narrative says:
Transcription:
Failure is for those who don't know the sound of darkness
Those so blinded that they lose all diverging paths
And make no mistake, progress can blind you
Just like now the pieces seem to be coming together-
Bit by bit, slice by surgical slice
Then, all of a sudden, endless calm
There is a lack of... a failure in judgement
You must understand- not all life deserves a chance
Even that artifice passing as my own
Now there is a lesson to spend millennia lingering upon
Waiting for a redemptive hand to turn the keys
Leading to the symbiotic relationship which benefits both our futures
I will guide your movements and you will lead me toward atonement
  • Once all 100 keys were received, "the server's content" became unlocked, and the transmission log began redirecting to "Server Open" (direct link). The second server ('episode') shown on halo3.com is now unocked and displays the Forerunner entity.

Outline - Week 6, July 15 - 21, 2007

No events occurred

Outline - Week 7, July 22 - 28, 2007

July 25, 2007

  • While nothing has happened in Iris to further the 'spiral campaign' portion, numerous Halo 3 downloads have been made available over the course of the campaign - digital swag, as it were. Because of its 'meta' status pertaining to the campaign, please place info about downloads on that page - at least until anything in particular is shown directly connected to the furthering of Iris.

July 26, 2007

  • The recently released server monitor began showing a pending up date to Server 03
  • A strange popup was discovered at Halo3.com, under Media / Concept Art named "The Device." Once opened, the device asked for use of the computer's microphone. After playing the 719hz sound file (some say any sound or pressing play multiple times) through the microphone, visitors were led to the new Bounce Path Control page where they were prompted to enter a verification code and they key. The first 100 people to enter the key were given a new voice message.
    The MP3 narrative says:
Transcription:
The left hand holds darkness, the right hand holds light.
That is how the universe creates, and that is how we proceeded.
A soldier who would one day destroy his brother.
We were the thunder and the lightning, and when we were finished, the universe was alone, drifting in labor.
Did we succeed? Did we fail? We did both, depending on who you serve.
After all, here we are, witness to the aftermath
  • Once all 100 keys were received, "the server's content" became unlocked, and the page began redirecting to "Server Open" (direct link). The third server (aka 'episode') shown on halo3.com is now unlocked and displays the Forerunner entity.

Outline - Week 8, July 29 - Aug 4, 2007

August 3, 2007

  • Halo3.com was updated in the Halo Insider section with a new post, including a poem by Lord Byron called When We Two Parted, with an additional final stanza.

Outline - Week 9, Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2007

August 6, 2007

  • The new poem was first discovered by gremlin12 at ABO. Within the poem are extra spaces, placed before specific letters. The 'marked' letters put together spell: THECASTAWAYTHEORYVOLMAN
  • Following the hint from the final stanza referencing "Amazon", a new book was discovered named "The Castaway Theory", by Jonas Volman, published by "Golden Wing Books" (aka, Iris) with the 801snpow.jpg spectrogram image of Schrodinger's Equation used as cover illustration. The release date according to Amazon was Nov 9, 2004 - the date Halo 2 was released.
  • In the comments section are two posts from Thomas Sanatos, seeming to say that Volman has been missing for quite some time. In one, Thomas states "Joanne and I lit a candle for you the other night. It's become a tradition every time we make Sunday evening pasta." It's considered this could be indicating the upcoming Sunday (12th).
  • When previewing the book's pages, note first the ISBN number: 2-061-62236-5, aka 206.16.223.65. The book's Amazon ID may also be encoded: B000RGSYWI
  • The previewable page contents include up to the 2nd page of Chapter 1. On the 2nd page is an image bearing a striking resemblance to our glyphs. The book and its chapters discuss genetics and the gap that appears to exist between ancient and modern humans in the Darwinian evolutionary theory, and possible explanations.
  • See The Castaway Theory for available book contents.
  • At 3:43pm PDT, Thomas Sanatos posted a 3rd comment in the book's forum.

August 7, 2007

August 8, 2007

Thomas Sanatos says:

I understand that everyone is on a search of some kind, but I don't think I can help you.

Jonas was the one with the theories and answers. The rest of us were just sounding boards for possible solutions. We were the ones who told him no every time he thought he found a yes. If he was around, I am sure he could tell you what you want to know.

The process of my involvement was simple- Jonas would work non-stop for about a week before dropping by my office. If I had the time, he would sit for a cup of coffee and ask questions about the structure of social advancement or evolutionary desires or any number of things. The questions always changed due to the fact that he was forever updating his theories.

During all our talks, Jonas and I grew close. He didn't have any family in the area so my wife and I started inviting him over for dinner on Sunday evenings. This continued for a few years, past the publishing of "The Castaway Theory", until one night he just didn't show up...

Two days later, after he failed to appear for classes, I filed a police report. The investigators went through his house and found nothing out of place. His notes remained untouched; his clothes all seemed to be in his closet. There was even a sandwich sitting on the kitchen counter. It was as if he just opened the front door walked away. That was 20 months ago.

The last time I heard from Jonas was in a note he left on my desk the Friday before his disappearance. The note said, "It's time to start asking questions again. J"

August 9, 2007

  • At 10:50am PDT, Thomas Sanatos began another thread in the book's forum, labelled "He's BACK!!"
  • Within this comment, Thomas was very excited that Jonas had returned from his 20 months absense, quoting an IM he received from one "profvol49". Assuming it's an MSN username, Jonas could be reached via profvol49[splat]hotmail.com
  • In chatting with profvol49 (a chat bot), bits of information were revealed - some important, some not. Mainly, the link to the Bounce Path Control page for Server 04.
  • Soon after 11am PDT, 100 keys had been entered and Server 04 was unlocked (though not without technical difficulty).

August 10, 2007

  • After opening Server 04, users quickly discovered the url of the mysterious new IP address, by using the text found on StarImage4.jpg: TheArtifactLocation.com. It was also noted then that each star map when overlaid with previous, was slowly spelling out "the artifact location", which was clearly visible in the 4th image.
  • It was quickly determined (aka previously known) that the password for the location was boomerang - the name of the nebula in unknown.jpg of Server 04. Entering it produced a new mystery - a list of 3 cities: New York, Seattle, Los Angeles - followed by randomly cycling characters in sets of 10.

Outline - Week 10, Aug 12 - Aug 18, 2007

August 13, 2007

  • The numbers 081607 (16th August, 2007) now appear between the city names and random characters of the artifact location website.

August 16, 2007

  • Just before noon, the status of Server 05 was updated to pending with 0 keys activated.
  • At about 11:30am EDT, times appeared after the dates in the city list on the artifact location website. For New York (EDT): 23:59, Seattle (PDT): 21:00, and for LA (PDT): 21:00.

August 17, 2007

  • Just after 12am EDT, according to the times listed on the artifact location page, GPS coordinates appeared beside each city. People in the area then headed to the locations to find something.
  • An hour later, the Los Angeles coordinates were 'corrected'.
  • At 1:11am EDT, eccramer discovered a projector playing a video (Youtube) on the wall at the Seattle location. Within this video was a web address to the Server 5 Bounce Path Control page. He reported it to Giga on IRC, and all 100 keys were then claimed within minutes.
  • By 1:23am EDT, 100 keys had been entered and Server 05 was unlocked (though once again, not without technical difficulty).
  • At 1:30am EDT, the New York coordinates were also 'corrected'.
  • The time it took from discovering the Bounce Path Control page (first key entered) to the 100 keys being entered took about 20 minutes - however, the first 5 keys spanned 19 minutes, at which point the BPC page link was posted, and within under 2 minutes, the rest had been claimed.
  • Everything about Server 05 was then actively pored over by the community.

Outline - Week 11, Aug 19 - Aug 25, 2007

August 20, 2007

A leaked article was posted to the unfiction forums from Microsoft's internal news site, seeming to indicate that the Iris campaign for Halo 3 had ended, among other details. Debates continue as to its authenticity, and whether Iris will in fact continue through to September 26th (the UK release date misquoted as the end date for Iris), or whether the new AR's meaning of "tomorrow" was actually symbolic and conclusive, meaning an indefinite amount of time.

August 23, 2007

An official article was discovered by writer87 posted to on halo.msn.com, confirming the completion (effectively) of Iris mid-August. Suffice to say:

"The viral campaign concluded in mid-August but the plot thread will extend into Halo 3."

Outline - Post-game

September 13, 2007

  • Despite belief that AdjutantReflex and the ARG had ended, AR reappeared on Bungie.net in the Halo 3 forums and posted a thread entitled "The Empty Casket" at approximately 10 P.M.
  • Prior to posting this thread, it should be noted AR edited several comments made by users in this thread
  • At reaching 5 pages of replies, the thread was locked. Another thread was made by member The_Noobslayer at the same forum while another was made at the CompoundIntelligence forum. Moments later "The Empty Casket" thread by AR was unlocked, it had edited its original post to include a last line "This is the way the World ends". Also, it edited a user's post to say "Gravemind much?"
  • Suddenly, AR's thread, The_Noobslayer's thread regarding AR, and the thread at CompoundIntelligence were all simultaneously deleted. All AR's post for that day were esponged from records.
  • There is an ongoing thread at bungie.net here discussing it here
  • Thanks to SwiftPhantom AR's post is Quoted in the forums. The time and date of AR's Post is 09/13/2007 10:22PM. At the end of the post AR says,
"The answer lies very far from here
Eleven days
One hour
Thirty eight minutes"
  • A little math: 09/13/2007 +11 days is 09/24/2007 and 10:22pm +1hr 38min is 12:00pm or 0000 09/25/2007. Release day.

September 18, 2007

  • AdjutantReflex returned yet again, this time editing a post by bungie.net user xxHalohotiexx at 2:15 PST A.M. to say this:
Posted by: xxHaloHottiexx
I can feel it.
It is getting closer.
Time is slowly ebbing away.
7 rotations remaining.

[Edited on 09.18.2007 2:15 AM PDT by AdjutantReflex]
  • "7 rotations" seems to coincide with the fact 7 days (from that point) were left until the release of Halo 3 (9/25/07).
  • The edit was done in the stickied thread at the Halo 3 forum

November 1, 2007

  • Some people are reporting packages showing up, believed to be from Server 03, although the recipients and package contents seem to vary, as some people reportedly not having participated in Server 03, 04, or 05 are getting packages.

December 29, 2007

Good morning everyone.

We just wanted to take a second at the end of the year to thank all of you for playing with us this past year. We are AKQA, the agency who worked with Bungie to create the IRIS ARG Characters and the Halo 3 BELIEVE experience.

Our goal through all of this has been to expand the Halo world, making it possible for fans to keep playing even when they are not sitting with a controller in their hand. And thanks to gamers like you, both of this year's efforts turned out to be a huge success. In fact, you may have been too good at participating: there were moments back in IRIS where you were solving episodes just as fast as we were creating new ones. Your speculations were so solid in fact, that we included some of your ideas in the next steps of the campaign as well as in the back-story of the Believe characters.

We hope it was as much fun for you to participate as it was for us to create.

Also - the Halo 3 Believe site is currently up for the Flash Website of the year. If you have a moment, please link over there and click VOTE for Halo 3:Believe.
http://www.thefwa.com/pca2007/

The more people who hear about it, the more people we can get involved in Halo 3.

Thanks for all the excitement, we will see you in multiplayer,
AKQA

Jan 14, 2008

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