History of Scars sometimes also referred to as A History of Scars, is a book written by Arcanist and historian Hanni Blythe. Blythe talks the full history of Scars, when they arrived into Coda, what they did, how they looked like, the battles between Scars and Humans and much more in this work.
Collection Details
A total of 15 cortex entries make reference to History of Scars.
Arcanist Hanni Blythe explains every crucial account of human interaction with scars and how the scavengers have changed Bastion. These are only some excerpts from Blythe' work. Unfortunately, they aren't arranged in chronological order.
Escari
See Cortex Entry: Escari for More Details
A sentient manifestation of a Scar swarm. Once a swarm has reached a critical mass through consumption, it can spawn an Escari, an advanced Scar capable of speech and intelligent thought. Compared to regular Scars, Escari are individuals with unique thoughts and ambitions that are thought to lead to Scar power struggles. These disputes make Escari eager to augment and improve themselves as they see fit.
The first Escari was discovered at the Battle for the Terraces leading a coordinated attack on farmers, burning the fields below Fort Tarsis.
— From History of Scars
Scars (1)
See Cortex Entry: Scars (1) for More Details
A colonial swarm of insects that mimics the dominant life-form in an area. Scars first appeared from a Cataclysm in 413 L.V. At the time, Freelancers defeated a large, vicious creature none of them recognized. Later, unknown to Freelancers, the Scars regrouped and changed their mimicry to appear human.
As one of the first eyewitnesses stated: “This wasn’t just four or five insects. This was thousands! An entire colony working together to make arms and legs… to make heads and… eyes. They became people!”
Scars then hijacked striders, cobbled together technology from scrap, and searched for Shaper relics. Inventive scavengers, they left nothing behind. As Arcanist researcher Hanni Blythe stated, “Empathy towards Scars is foolhardy, for their primary concern isn’t domination or survival, but mindless, thoughtless consumption. They’re a scourge, a plague upon the world.”
Howel's Tower
See Cortex Entry: Howel's Tower for More Details
Central lookout tower for the dam area, named after Commander Yarrick Howel. Commander Howel arrived from Antium upon the commencement of building the Honor Valley Dam, and was particularly diligent in his care of the workers in the area. “He was tough,” recounts Sentinel Fatima Lan, “but that's because he cared. He wasn’t going to lose anyone on his watch. And until the Scars… he didn’t.” Howel died defending workers during the Scar attack.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Scar Burrow
See Cortex Entry: Scar Burrow for More Details
A classic example of scavenged materials used for Scar purposes, the Burrow is the heavily fortified entrance to their nest, which was (at the time of printing this book) found directly within.
— From A History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Scar Mast
See Cortex Entry: Scar Mast for More Details
The totality of their mimicry can be witnessed in what Scars build. The Scar “mast” at the Duskheap is clearly a Scar attempt to build a watchtower, and as a defensive structure, it has been disturbingly successful. How the Scars organized this construction is unknown, and no matter how many times it has been destroyed, the Scars have always rebuilt it in some capacity.
— From A History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
The Hate Engine
See Cortex Entry: The Hate Engine for More Details
This bloated “engine” Appeared around 453, discovered by Freelancer Bowie Byrne. In a statement to Arcanists, Byrne described how “the smell coming out of that thing was really something. Could smell it right through my suit. I don’t know what they were going to use it for… nothing good.” Despite human efforts to destroy the engine, Scars have managed to defend it
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Honor Valley (District)
See Cortex Entry: Honor Valley (District) for More Details
It's awe-inspiring to think of brave citizens coming to Honor Valley to work the land without having to wear armor. And though it is now abandoned, Honor Valley remains as a symbol of hope, a reminder that for one shining moment, mankind mastered the threat of the wilderness and expanded into new prosperity. What heights this experiment might have reached if not for the new danger of Scars, we will never know.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Junkhead Basin (District)
See Cortex Entry: Junkhead Basin (District) for More Details
After the terraces were destroyed, Fort Tarsis decided to be more proactive managing Scar swarms. a combined force of Sentinels and Freelancers assembled to destroy the construct in the Basin. Upon arrival, they were met with a new discovery: an intelligent Scar with technology built into its skull, earning in the name “Junkhead.” Junkhead is considered the first official Scar Luminary.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Scar's Duskheap (District)
See Cortex Entry: Scar's Duskheap (District) for More Details
The heart of the Scar incursion is found at the base of Hammertop Mountain, call the Scar's Duskheap. Though efforts have been made to disrupt and destroy this massive swarm, the depth and complexity of the caverns have been to the Scars’ advantage No matter the lancer's efforts, there always seems to be somewhere to hide.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Skystone Mine (District)
See Cortex Entry: Skystone Mine (District) for More Details
Compounding the hardships that had fallen on Fort Tarsis was the closure of the Skystone Mine. The key source of metals and resource revenue for the area had become unstable, and the managers chose the safety of the workers over money, but the fort suffered greatly, now having to import yet another resource from far away. Most miners left the fort, and those who stayed either fell into poverty or turned to life with outlaws outside the wall to survive.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
The Crop Terraces (District)
See Cortex Entry: The Crop Terraces (District) for More Details
The Battle for the Crop Terraces is the most significant Scar skirmish to date, in which Scars mounted their first organized attack against a human settlement. It was a long and bloody battle, resulting in the total decimation of the fort's crops. Antium sent supplies and troops north, but had difficulty crossing enemy lines, causing extra hardship to those in Fort Tarsis. After the hard-won victory, it was decreed that the Scar population must never be allowed to grow that large again, and so “bug-hunts” became a necessary and dangerous practice for lancers in the area. The Terraces haven’t been cultivated since.
— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe
Scars and the Wedged Key
See Cortex Entry: Scars and the Wedged Key for More Details
The wedged key is no different than other keys in the area, so why is it so revered? The Scars have tried to dislodge it several times. Why? Scars constantly attempt to get their feelers on Shaper relics, but it remains a mystery why this one is of such interest when there are five others nearby. I am submitting my request for a cross-reference with Hanni Blythe, writer of History of Scars.
— Delana Vale
Ancient Anzu Arcanist.
Scar Bunker (1)
See Cortex Entry: Scar Bunker (1) for More Details
Scars have many ways to replenish their numbers. Probably more ways then are known. The current theory is that they kidnap people to integrate them into their collective. If they do this simply to break down bodies for resources, or if they have some way of integrating the mind, is still a matter of debate. It is also worth considering that Scars gather humans for information and are most interested in those with specific knowledge about Shaper-related areas.
—From "A History of Scars" by Hanni Blythe
The Mandible (1)
See Cortex Entry: The Mandible (1) for More Details
Scars do not actually need the "towns" they build; rather, these are another example of their replication of the dominant species. In fact, much can be gained by looking at Scar architecture and noting what is distinctly "non-human" as insight into what came before us.
—From "A History of Scars" by Hanni Blythe
Scar Luminary
See Cortex Entry: Scar Luminary for More Details
A Scar Luminary is a particularly long-lived Escari that uses its intelligence and experience to lead a Scar swarm. In the past Luminaries have been ambitious, strategic, and brutal.
Most Luminaries encountered by Freelancers have attempted to mimic javelins by fusing weaponry to their bodies through exposure to Shaper relics. Junkhead mounted numerous guns and cannons on his head. Gearfoot fused strider legs to his lower half and stomped the Freelancers trying to stop him from passing through the Antium Lock. For this reason alone the Scar population must be kept in check. If more scars become Luminaries, the result would be unspeakable.
—From History of Scars