W'rkncacnter

The W'rkncacnter were mythical chaotic entities or entity, that are described as ancient as the universe and of unimaginable power.

Its existence is hinted at in the storyline of Marathon 2: Durandal, and its release from Lh'owon's star becomes a major plot point during Marathon Infinity.

S'pht mythology

The W'rkncacnter is a central part of the S'pht's founding mythology. According to terminals found in the bunkers under the Citadel, the spread of the W'rknacacnter caused Lh'owon's founders, Yrro and Pthia, to colonize the planet. After the W'rkncacnter's arrival and murder of Pthia, Yrro trapped the creature in Lh'owon's sun and gave Lh'owon to the S'pht.

In primordial space, timeless creatures made waves. These waves created us and the others. Waves were the battles, and the battles were waves.

Fleeing all W'rkncacnter, Yrro and Pthia settled upon Lh'owon. They brought the S'pht, servants who began to shape the deserts of Lh'owon into marsh and sea, rivers and forests. They made sisters for Lh'owon to protect and maintain the paradise.

When the W'rkncacnter came, Pthia was killed, and Yrro in anger, flung the W'rkncacnter into the sun. The sun burned them, but they swam on its surface.

– Six Thousand Feet Under, Terminal 4

Marathon Infinity

Marathon Infinity describes the W'rkncacnter as a race of beings who "live in chaos, creating it around them." Over time, they have become imprisoned in the more "chaotic" aspects of the universe: stars, storms and black holes are all named as prisons. Freeing a W'rkncacnter is possible, but very difficult given the nature of their prisons. Their capabilites are only stated vaguely as chaotic beings impossible to calculate, obeying rules different to those ruling the universe.

The W'rkncacnter are present in the myths of thousands of worlds, most of which are now uninhabitable, and tales of their destructive power have survived all over the galaxy for over 60 million years.

When the Pfhor uses the trih xeem device to send the star into an early nova, the creature is released to the horror and destruction of both the Pfhor under Tfear, and Durandal.

Uncertainties and speculation

Whether W'rkncacnter is a singular entity or an alien race is unclear. It is speculated that the W'rkncacnter are a race that is represented as a singular entity in the S'pht mythos, much like their mythological character Yrro has been speculated to be a singularization of the Jjaro. Durandal/Thoth in Marathon Infinity describes the legendary W'rkncacnter as having distinct identities and any theories trying to shed light on their nature rely heavily on speculation.