Artifact Temple

The Artifact Temple, also referred to as the Cradle in Chozo Lore, is a room and important location in the Tallon Overworld region of Tallon IV. It appears in Metroid Prime. Created by the Chozo who colonized the planet 50 years prior to Samus Aran’s arrival, it was created to contain the spread of Phazon on Tallon IV, with a cipher sealed by 12 Chozo Artifacts. The Temple was later unlocked by Samus to confront the Metroid Prime, the source of Phazon on the planet.
The Artifact Temple also has its own unique theme music.
==History==
The prosperous Chozo colony on Tallon IV prophesied their own destruction, foretelling that "the Worm" would threaten them, and that Samus, "the Hatchling" or the "Entrusted One" depending on version of the game, would come and encounter this Worm.
This prophecy would later came to pass when Tallon IV was struck by a Leviathan. When it made contact, local flora and fauna were horribly mutated, and the environment itself became poisoned. The Chozo attempted to seal away the Leviathan, constructing the Cradle over it. However, despite their efforts, the Phazon brought by the Leviathan had already poisoned their world. Even as they finished the Artifact Temple, the Chozo were soon driven mad from Phazon Fever. The Leviathan, however, was successfully detained in the Impact Crater below the temple, as the poison the Leviathan carried continued to spread across Tallon IV. Samus learned of the prophecy through Chozo Lore and set out to fulfill it.
After discovering the twelve Artifacts hidden by the Chozo across the planet, Samus returned them to the Temple, activating the Chozo Totems and unlocking the seal. However, as the temple began to unlock, Meta Ridley attacked Samus and started destroying the totems. The Artifact Temple then became the arena for an intense battle between Samus and her cybernetically reconstructed nemesis. After she severely wounded him, the power of the temple itself finished the job, striking Meta Ridley with several simultaneous beams of red energy. As Ridley plunged down to the Impact Crater below, the Chozo Ghosts that had dwelled within the twelve totems completed the process of unlocking the Seal, allowing Samus to proceed into the Impact Crater below.
The subsequent battle between Samus and the Metroid Prime led to the collapse of the Impact Crater, which spread up to the Artifact Temple as well. Barely managing to escape from the Crater, Samus leaped from the Temple's main platform onto her Gunship, and mournfully watched the Artifact Temple burn from atop her ship with her helmet removed.
==Description==
The top of the room curves out in paths leading left and right. The right corridor leads to indestructible debris, while the other corridor goes outside of the shelter to the main portion of the temple. On the top floor, the Chozo Lore entries "Binding" and "Statuary" can be scanned in the NTSC GameCube version of Prime, but they are replaced with the entries "Prophecy of Light" and "Contain" in subsequent PAL and Wii versions of the game. In the middle, a green visor-like window reveals the temple outside.
The actual temple leading to the Impact Crater is a large, ornately carved stone circle with twelve Chozo Totems arranged concentrically and a unique, central totem holding the Artifact of Truth. The Chozo Totems can be scanned for hints to the artifacts' locations and when an artifact is returned, the corresponding totem will light up as will glowing lines connecting the totems on the floor.
The Chozo Statues that attacked Meta Ridley can be seen above the platform. The Chozo Lore found at the Artifact Temple in the NTSC GameCube release, "Statuary", implied that they acted in response to him willfully destroying the Chozo Artifact holders while the temple was preparing to open the way to the Impact Crater. However, this lore was retconned in the PAL and Wii versions, in which the lore does not mention Chozo statues acting in this way.
==Connecting rooms==
*Temple Lobby (via Blue Door)
*Crater Entry Point (via Cipher)
==Inhabitants==
*Meta Ridley
==Items==
;Artifact of Truth
: The first Chozo Artifact is located in the middle of the room, underneath the central Totem.
==Scans==
;Binding (NTSC)
:"Chozo script translated.The congregation of Artifacts that hold the Great Poison at bay still hold strong. Fearful of the potential within the Artifact Temple, the invaders known as Space Pirates tried to destroy it, only to fail in every attempt. We scattered the Artifacts across the planet for their protection, and only a few have fallen into invader hands. Failing to understand them, they now seek to unmake them. Again, they fail. They are right to fear these things. Great power sleeps inside them. Prophecy calls for their union, come the day that the unholy Worm is met by the great Defender. We can only hope the Artifacts are not destroyed by the invader, for then all will be lost. So, we do what we can to preserve the Artifacts, and to guide the Newborn to them. Time wanes with our souls, yet hope remains."
;Statuary (NTSC)
:"Chozo script translated.As we have done for millennia, we Chozo work constantly on our statuary. The statues are our sentinels; blind but ever watchful, they are, and have always been, repositories for our most precious secrets and strongest powers. The crafting of each is a long and sacred process, performed only by those Chozo who have lifetimes of experience in such things. We have left these relics on planets across the solar system. Some are merely reminders; silent emblems of the Chozo that serve as icons of peace in lands that know only war. Others wield subtle strength, exerting their influence in ways beyond the understanding of mortal creatures. Still others are guardians of our secret ways, and these can be as terrible as they are beautiful. Those who respect and honor these relics will know the friendship of the Chozo. Those who deface or destroy them will know our wrath, unfettered and raw."
;Contain (PAL/Wii)
:"Chozo script translated.The containment of the Great Poison... This task has fallen to the Chozo, and we will not flee from our duty, even as we suffer with the land and its creatures. We will pour our will into the Twelve - the Artifacts that, when brought together, form the lock that holds this great evil at bay in the depths of the planet. This lock must stand up to all who might come to assault it. To preserve the power of the seal, and to protect it from those who would meddle for their own designs, we will spread the Artifacts across the land, hiding them from prying eyes. The lock must never open until the day comes when this disaster can finally be put right."
;Prophecy of Light (PAL/Wii)
:"Chozo script translated.Throughout our living nightmare, as we battle with this unyielding darkness, we Chozo see a light. This light glows with promise, chasing the shadows cast by the Great Poison and purifying that which has grown toxic. It is strange, though - at times it looks to our eyes as if the light coalesces into the figure of a woman. Burning brightly, the luminescence descends from space then retreats back into the infinite blackness from whence it came. When this prophecy comes to pass, when the light recedes, the Chozo's long vigilance of containment will finally come to an end."
;Artifact of Truth
:"This is a Chozo Artifact.Collect it, then scan the Totems here for clues on the locations of the remaining Artifacts. Together, the Artifacts will open a path to the center of the Impact Crater."
;Totem (Truth)
:"The Artifact of Truth has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Strength)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.The heat of Magmoor was a test for many warriors. A Shrine in their honor holds the Artifact of Strength."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Strength has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Elder)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.Invaders have claimed Phendrana as their own. A Tower sits atop their fortress. Collapse it to reveal the chamber where the Artifact of Elder is held."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Elder has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Wild)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.A Sunchamber high atop our ruined home became the nest of a great beast, and a source of corruption. Many Chozo spirits have been drawn to this tainted place. Release their bond to the world to claim the Artifact of Wild."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Wild has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Lifegiver)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.There is a tower within the Ruins where Light always shines. Move through the waters there to find the Artifact of Lifegiver."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Lifegiver has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Warrior)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.A room of Research lies within the mines. A corrupted invader is trapped there. Defeat this creature to claim the Artifact of Warrior."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Warrior has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Chozo)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.In one of Tallon's far corners, a Grove of life lies. Reveal the pillar beneath the waves to find the Artifact of Chozo."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Chozo has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Nature)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.A molten Lake lies within the tunnels of Magmoor. Shatter the column at the lake's center to reveal the Artifact of Nature."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Nature has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Sun)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.Near Phendrana's shores, a Temple stands. Thaw the frozen waters flowing from the Elder to find the Artifact of Sun."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Sun has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (World)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.Within the ruins of our home, we honor our fallen Elders in a great Hall. A chamber beneath the statue holds the Artifact of World."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of World has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Spirit)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.A tall cave stands at Phendrana's Edge. Seek the unseen entrance at its top to find the Artifact of Spirit."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Spirit has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
;Totem (Newborn)
:"Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.Invaders mine the depths in their greed. Forge a path through a Tunnel of the Great Poison to claim the Artifact of Newborn."
:(After the artifact is collected)
:"The Artifact of Newborn has been returned.You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
==Development notes==
The Artifact Temple is the largest room in Prime in terms of the amount of memory it uses.Kiwi Talkz. "#121 - Zoid Interview (Metroid Prime, Cameras, Scripting, Sequence Breaking , Programming etc.)" YouTube. January 22, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. (starts at 42:11)
LeRoy Strauss designed the Artifact Temple in-game. It was one of the instances where there was pre-existing concept art to work from, helping him achieve the vision of the temple despite the then-limits in the polygon budget.Shinesparkers. Interview: LeRoy Strauss. October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
==Trivia==
*In the NTSC versions of the game, Pirate Data states that the seal did not extend below the surface, and so the invading Space Pirates were able to find the Metroid Prime and capture it for study. It was infused with large amounts of Phazon before it escaped back to its den. In the PAL versions, this is retconned with the statement that the Pirates were never able to breach the seal, though were aware that some powerful creature existed within.
*The totem representing the Artifact of Truth cannot be scanned prior to acquiring the artifact. Despite this, a scan for this case is still present in the game's data: "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface. The Artifact of Truth awaits those who truly seek it." This scan can be seen in the Logbook of the Gamecube version via hacking of Chozo Artifacts. In the Wii and Remastered versions of the game, this scan can be read in the Logbook if a new save game is started on a file that has already been completed.
*If Meta Ridley is defeated before he destroys all of the artifact totems, the remaining ones will still disappear in the following cutscene when the Chozo Ghosts emerge from them to open the portal to the crater. Despite this, they can still be scanned until the next time the room is entered.
*The theme that plays when the Impact Crater is opened is titled Artifact Shrine (Release of the Chozo Ruins Seal) in the Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks tracklist.
*The Artifact Temple is the room that takes the longest to load within Metroid Prime and all its re-releases. This is due to the large amount of memory and scripts the room has (as stated in the developer's notes).
*SkyTown's Main Docking Bay greatly resembles the Artifact Temple. Key similarities include both being the last rooms seen in the game, the green window, the U-shaped corridor, statues, circular design, open-topped layout, destructible obstructions, link to the Chozo Artifacts and having a boss battle take place there. In an unlockable Diorama in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Ghor is seen surrounded by the Chozo Ghosts in the Main Docking Bay, further strengthening the relation between the two areas.
*It's possible to see and scan the Artifact of Truth from the top floor, looking through the window overlooking the lower area, in Metroid Prime Remastered however, the artifact is not visible anymore from up there, but it can still be scanned.
==Gallery==
Artifact Temple Map.png|Room seen on the Map.
Samus in artifact temple 2 dolphin hd.jpg|Samus in the Artifact Temple.
Kohler Artifact Temple Render.jpg|Gene Kohler render.
166page18-19.jpg|Metroid Prime comic in Nintendo Power issue 166.
166page20.jpg
Artifact Temple.png|Artifact Temple (Pinball)
Artifact Temple (inside).jpg|Entrance
Artifact Temple (outside).jpg|Main area
Artifact temple samus gets chozo artifact.jpg|Samus obtains the first Chozo Artifact, Truth.
Artifact_Temple_Dolphin_HD.png
Samus in artifact temple 3 dolphin hd.jpg
Meta ridley's return.jpg|Meta Ridley flies over the Temple's grounds.
Meta ridley wings destroyed.jpg|Meta Ridley's wings are incinerated.
Ridley_struck_by_lasers.jpg|Meta Ridley is struck by the combined power of the Chozo Statues.
Samus_watches_Ridley's_demise.jpg|Samus watches as Ridley falls into the crater.
Artifact temple ghosts restore totems.jpg|Twelve Chozo Ghosts restore the Totems.
Samus ascends Impact Crater.jpg|Samus ascends to the Temple after escaping the Impact Crater.
Samus_escapes.png|Samus jumps to her ship as the Crater collapses.
Artifact temple flames.jpg|The Temple in flames.
Escape from Tallon IV.jpg|Samus leaves Tallon IV, her mission complete.
Artifact Temple Remastered (outside).png|Metroid Prime Remastered
Artifact Temple Cipher MPR.jpg|Remastered
MPR NSO icons Final Wave backgrounds and frames.jpg|Icon background based on this room, available through Nintendo Switch Online from March 9-16, 2023.
MPR artifact temple scan quirk.jpg|thumb|The Artifact of Truth cannot be seen from this window, but it can still be scanned.
Artifact temple window oddity.jpg|thumb|In Remastered, the window is one-way see through.
==References==
ru:Храм Артефактов
Category:Rooms
Category:Tallon Overworld
Category:Artifact Temple
Category:Dimensional
Category:Chozo Artifacts
Category:Temples
Category:Prison
Category:Statues
Category:Boss Rooms
Category:LeRoy Strauss
Category:Andrew Jones
Category:Rooms containing Lore in Metroid Prime