Mass Effect 3 - The Beings of Light Theory

[13thLegion]

I'm not the first to bring this up, but I thought I'd share some of my thoughts based on the info I've gathered.

For those that aren't familiar, there is very limited info on the Beings of Light right now (just ME1 and ME3 Codex from planet Klencory), but the the Codex states -

Klencory is famously claimed by the eccentric volus billionaire Kumun Shol (RIP). He claims that a vision of a higher being told him to seek on Klencory the lost crypts of beings of light." These entities were supposedly created at the dawn of time to protect organic life from synthetic "machine devils.

At first I didn't put too much stock into this. It could of been a big coincidence. That was until I read a tweet by Jessica Merzian yesterday. Here is the Q&A -

Q: Hi, in the EC DLC can we hope to know why the Catalyst looks like the kid from earth?

A: the catalyst is appearing as something familiar to Shepard.

Q: btw, can we assume the Catalyst is a VI/AI?

A: it's presumed to be a being of light (see ME1 lore)

Now I know she is just PR and doesn't have ALL the information the writers might have. But here she says it like it's common knowledge.

And from a thread on BSN "The Dev's Vision For The Ending" it states that Bioware employees said "in control you become a being of light."

So now just assume the Catalyst is a Being of Light, and Beings of Light are entities that were supposedly created at the dawn of time to protect organic life from synthetic machine devils.

It's almost too obvious the "machine devils" are the Reapers, but that wouldn't add up. The Catalyst says he controls the Reapers and that they are his solution to the "chaos". The two would contradict each other. Therefore, machine devils refer to either young synthetics in every cycle, such as the Geth, or an ancient machine race, from a different galaxy.

I don't see how the young synthetics can be seen as a bigger threat than organics. Synthetics consist of Geth, Mechs, various AIs etc. How do they compare to the destruction organics have caused? Remember the Geth nearly wiped out the Quarians only because they were defending themselves and could have wiped them out but didn't. You see the genophage implemented by the Salarians and Turians. The Krogan killing the Rachni to near-extinction. Organic wars go on and on, while synthetic wars seem very limited and unorganized, other than the Geth. So I don't understand this logic against synthetics. That is, unless they are speaking about a different, more advanced machine race as mentioned before. A race that may even be a threat to the Reapers.

Let's say there is an ancient machine race, other than the Reapers, that the Reapers are protecting organics from (kind of twisted but okay). They keep organics from advancing too much and earning these other machine's attention.

As the Reaper on Rannoch from ME3 said, "Without our intervention, organics are doomed. We are your salvation." Salvation being the "ascension" to Reaper form through harvesting.

Soverign said, "There is a realm of existence that is so far beyond your own you cannot even begin to imagine it." Does this refer to the different galaxy, the "ascension" to synthesis, or just Soverign smack talk?

Let me point out that the Reapers are basically the embodiment of synthesis. Both synthetic and organic (through harvesting or as they say "ascending"), described by Soverign as "the pinnacle of evolution and existence." Exactly what the Catalyst describes synthesis as. I think this is why when giving Shepard the three options the Catalyst puts most emphasis on synthesis as the best option. He notes the other two and saves the best for last. He makes destroy sound tainted and control sounds par. Controlling the Reapers you become a Being of Light (according to the sources above) and therefore the new Catalyst or just a Reaper and you were tricked. Also, the Catalyst never says I, it's always we. The Reapers are equals or even the physical form of the Beings of Light. Both the Beings of Light and the Reapers claim no beginning. They "just are."

The Catalyst reminds us that "without us to stop it, synthetics would destroy all organics." So again this is brought up when they aren't a threat in the cycle. Unless he is speaking of the more dangerous synthetic not yet presented in the game. This would also provide a storyline in ME4.

These are just random thoughts I threw out there. Some of it has to be somewhat significant as it was confirmed by Bioware associates, while most of it is likely me over-thinking. Make what you want of it.

 

[DoPo]

First of all, welcome to the Escapist (although I assume you lurked for a while before signing up).

And then, I'd say, it's an interesting thought. I'm not that much of a ME lore fan, so the "beings of light" is new to me but it would make some sense if they were in the game to use them. Even if they were an off hand mention.

So now just assume the Catalyst is a Being of Light, and Beings of Light are entities that were supposedly created at the dawn of time to protect organic life from synthetic machine devils.

It's almost too obvious the "machine devils" are the Reapers, but that wouldn't add up. The Catalyst says he controls the Reapers and that they are his solution to the "chaos". The two would contradict each other. Therefore, machine devils refer to either young synthetics in every cycle, such as the Geth, or an ancient machine race, from a different galaxy.

I just found it funny because of this

Spoiler: A wild guess on my part

Shepard defeats the Reapers and saves the universe, only to realise the Reapers did their whole harvesting the lives of the universe to stop a different race - more ancient than them, of doing it. Those elder monstrosities, however require a much larger galactic population to feed them - that's why the Reapers were forced to periodically cull the Galaxy and acquire power with which to oppose their own end. Now either the Council should do the same thing as the Reapers or perish.

I don't see how the young synthetics can be seen as a bigger threat than organics. Synthetics consist of Geth, Mechs, various AIs etc. How do they compare to the destruction organics have caused? Remember the Geth nearly wiped out the Quarians only because they were defending themselves and could have wiped them out but didn't. You see the genophage implemented by the Salarians and Turians. The Krogan killing the Rachni to near-extinction. Organic wars go on and on, while synthetic wars seem very limited and unorganized, other than the Geth. So I don't understand this logic against synthetics. That is, unless they are speaking about a different, more advanced machine race as mentioned before. A race that may even be a threat to the Reapers.

Ah, but you are missing something - you are only looking at the current synthetics. And even then, they had been considered pretty dangerous to the point where AI research was outlawed. Whether or not organics seem more dangerous at this current moment means nothing in the context of countless cycles, where synthetic life may have in fact culminated with being danger to the galaxy.

And the whole issue may not be about "synthetics just want to kill stuff", it may be the entire stasis angle. Living, well, "organic" races, evolve, change and adapt, while "synthetic" has always (or at least often enough) been associated with stagnation and stasis. It lacks diversity and change that is inherent to life. Life may be wiped out because ofthe synthetic misuse, not because of inherent malevolence. See "grey goo". Also, often hypothetical apocalypse scenarios feature organic life winking out due to over reliance on machines. It is not because their toasters literally murdered them, but there have been at least several depictions of entire races dying because of virtual reality (or other comforts) making the race lazy and not interested with the continuation of the species.

And then, of course, there is the whole "murder robots/AI" angle where machines are literally going to kill organic life.

The dangers of synthetic life are a complex issue. In fact, the fear of synthetics may very well be the danger itself - see what happened with the Geth because of organics' fear.

Let's say there is an ancient machine race, other than the Reapers, that the Reapers are protecting organics from (kind of twisted but okay). They keep organics from advancing too much and earning these other machine's attention.

That may very well be. There is little to actually contradict it. Then again, it is possible that the Reapers are just twisted and uncaring. Like a serial killer who makes excuses for why they are choosing this next victim. Well, on a much grander scale than a serial killer but you get what I mean. They may believe what they are doing is right but that may not be the reality.

Just something to think about, that is all.

 

[13thLegion]

Thanks for the welcome and input. You makes some good counter arguments about synthetics. I'll look up to see if there is any info on the synthetics from previous cycles. That might provide some insight.

 

[SajuukKhar]

Do you have a link to this tweet by chance?

 

[13thLegion]

Do you have a link to this tweet by chance?

https://twitter.com/#!/JessicaMerizan/status/189420195968847873

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

I haven't played ME3, only seen the endings, but isn't it obvious? The synthetic threat is just of them taking control, it doesn't matter that they haven't tried the threat is just that they will. When synthetics and organic life reaches a certain point it's wiped out, or ascends, and more primitive life takes the lead again.

The machine devils are just any advanced synthetics and could even refer to the organics that are too dependant on technology. The Beings of Light, like the Catalyst, use The Reapers to get rid of this advanced life to make way for newer races.

The only new information is that The Catalyst is a Being of Light, this was all explained at the end of ME3. I think you are over thinking this.

 

[Da Orky Man]

Well, it makes more sense than most. Kudos. Oh, and welcome to The Escapist. Run while you still can. Fly, you fool!
And it kinda makes sense on why the Reapers kill everybody except unevolved races. Should advanced civilizations get the attention of said beings of light, then every organic lifeform, including unevolved ones, are doomed. In this case, at least each species gets some time in the stars.

 

[SajuukKhar]

Do you have a link to this tweet by chance?

https://twitter.com/#!/JessicaMerizan/status/189420195968847873

thanks, and very interesting.

 

[13thLegion]

It's almost too obvious the "machine devils" are the Reapers, but that wouldn't add up. The Catalyst says he controls the Reapers and that they are his solution to the "chaos". The two would contradict each other. Therefore, machine devils refer to either young synthetics in every cycle, such as the Geth, or an ancient machine race, from a different galaxy.

Obviously the Reaper's are the "Beings of Light" while the synthetics, e.g. the Geth, are the "machine devils". The Reapers are only partly synthetic BTW.

If that's the sole purpose, why not just attack the Geth? That's why I think it just seem like there's something bigger to the picture.

 

[SajuukKhar]

If that's the sole purpose, why not just attack the Geth? That's why I think it just seem like there's something bigger to the picture.

For the Reapers to be a constant police force in the galaxy they would have to mass drain planets of resources, even while being asleep for 50,000 years they take up enormous levels of resources.

The mass drain on resources would inevitably cause organics to attack and thus the reapers would have to kill them anyways.

also leaving organics alive means that they can re-make synthetics faster thus increasing the rate in which the reapers have to go to war and drain resources.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Well that's... interesting, which already gives it more merit than what we've seen thus far (I never knew about that little tidbit of lore, guess it was a side mission that I just never stumbled across).

I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the whole idea of there being an even bigger threat than the Reapers out there somewhere though. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like a bit of an ass-pull. The sort of thing a writer would do when they're being forced to continue a story that should have ended, and now they need to figure out some way to up the ante, and then before you know it the lore is tangled in knots and none of the antagonists have any sense of threat anymore, because the player knows that every time you beat this particular doom-bot, there will always be (dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun) a slightly bigger doom-bot waiting in the wings.

 

[Something Amyss]

Ah, but you are missing something - you are only looking at the current synthetics. And even then, they had been considered pretty dangerous to the point where AI research was outlawed.

But even that is enough to provide uncertainty when it comes to Professor Frink's theory.

 

[Phlakes]

"Mass Effect 3's ending was meant to be thought provoking!"

"That's bullshit and fuck you!"

*Fans come up with multiple lengthy, reasonable theories about ending

 

[13thLegion]

It's almost too obvious the "machine devils" are the Reapers, but that wouldn't add up. The Catalyst says he controls the Reapers and that they are his solution to the "chaos". The two would contradict each other. Therefore, machine devils refer to either young synthetics in every cycle, such as the Geth, or an ancient machine race, from a different galaxy.

Obviously the Reaper's are the "Beings of Light" while the synthetics, e.g. the Geth, are the "machine devils". The Reapers are only partly synthetic BTW.

If that's the sole purpose, why not just attack the Geth? That's why I think it just seem like there's something bigger to the picture.

Because the Geth are only a symptom of the problem. The roots of the problem are the advanced space-faring civilizations that will inevitably create synthetic life that will endanger the galaxy. Thus, eliminate ONLY advanced space-faring civilizations and just like that organic life is safe and synthetics are neutralized before they can even become a threat.

Fair enough. I just don't see how these younger synthetics are viewed as "devils" when the history of organics is much more destructive. Like I said before, I'll have to look up any lore of synthetics from previous cycles.

 

[Nicolairigel]

Huh. I like the way that this theory is going, I do love that feeling of a dark looming force that no one understands (Like the town of Silent Hill). I guess you could say that's already what the reapers are suppose to be, but with the explanation that the Catalyst gave (That the reapers push evolution by wiping out advanced races) the Reapers just aren't that dark and loomy anymore. That's why I love Sovereign's "There is a realm of existence far beyond your comprehension" statement.

I mean, my dream ending was that the reapers were revealed to come from another universe/dimension and Have no rhyme to their reason for destruction, or have a reason we will never understand (See the Joker in the Dark Knight) In addition to the Earth being the designated center computer-hive-mind-thing which serves as a beacon which all the reapers are connected to which was why they attack Earth, not for some silly gripe with Shepard; And also the crucible's purpose is to destroy the designated cental-reaper-planet, and destroying earth would be the only option to disrupt and repel the reapers who are all internally connected to it. Wait, going completely off-topic here.

So yeah, this beings of light theory reeks of that mysterious looming force theme which enthralls me so, So this is starting to look promising if it is the case.

 

[tendaji]

It's almost too obvious the "machine devils" are the Reapers, but that wouldn't add up. The Catalyst says he controls the Reapers and that they are his solution to the "chaos". The two would contradict each other. Therefore, machine devils refer to either young synthetics in every cycle, such as the Geth, or an ancient machine race, from a different galaxy.

Obviously the Reaper's are the "Beings of Light" while the synthetics, e.g. the Geth, are the "machine devils". The Reapers are only partly synthetic BTW.

If that's the sole purpose, why not just attack the Geth? That's why I think it just seem like there's something bigger to the picture.

Because the Geth are only a symptom of the problem. The roots of the problem are the advanced space-faring civilizations that will inevitably create synthetic life that will endanger the galaxy. Thus, eliminate ONLY advanced space-faring civilizations and just like that organic life is safe and synthetics are neutralized before they can even become a threat.

Fair enough. I just don't see how these younger synthetics are viewed as "devils" when the history of organics is much more destructive. Like I said before, I'll have to look up any lore of synthetics from previous cycles.

Well you also have to remember that organics wouldn't attempt to wipe out every species throughout the galaxy like synthetics would. As Javik basically said Synthetics were built with a purpose, and know why they were made, Organics however do not. We do not have a purpose in the system, and to the machines we are chaos in an organized world and would need to be culled/removed to have order returned to the eyes of the synthetics.

 

[Vanitas likes Bubbles]

Ah yes, "Mass Effect ending theories", a way for fans of the series to ignore how terribly written the endings were, we have dismissed that claim.

 

[SciMal]

"Mass Effect 3's ending was meant to be thought provoking!"

"That's bullshit and fuck you!"

*Fans come up with multiple lengthy, reasonable theories about ending

No offense, but that's is precisely why the ending is bullshit. You have the Indoctrination Theory, you have this theory, and you have other theories - all of which can be more or less equally supported by bits and pieces strewn throughout Mass Effect and supposed "hints" at the end.

That is not an ending, that's ad-libs. If the writer(s) wanted the ending to be thought provoking - which is incredibly hard to do in any medium - what you want to do is set everything up so that the climax serves as a framework for the message you want people to think about. By "set everything up" I mean you add depth to what evidence will be used to support your message, and then strategically place that evidence throughout the story so that the climax is retrospectively enriched by it. Without either enough depth or enough evidence to support your message, the "thought provoking climax" comes off as confusing or incoherent.

All of the alternative theories I can think of rely on too little evidence or evidence with too little depth to convince me that BioWare was masterfully crafting the ending for months. The Indoctrination Theory has probably the most evidence accumulated, and via the Codex the evidence for Indoctrination is given depth. Where it ultimately fails is the message: "You lose." Well, except for the "secret" ending and that after the encounter with the Catalyst the cinematic no longer upholds the "evidence" so the cinematic directly questions the evidence for Indoctrination.

The OP's proposal: The Catalyst is a Being of Light and everything went according to plan does have evidence, but the evidence doesn't have any depth. The Beings of Light are mentioned precisely once in easily-missed flavor text for a single planet. The plans for the giant machine don't mention anything about a Being of Light, nor is the flavor text ever discussed by the characters. Effectively, if you never explored the planet or bothered to read the flavor text, the whole "Beings of Light" reference doesn't make any sense. Granted, there is precedent for use of planetary flavor text (ME2 and the dead Reaper), but it was made explicit what the reference was to and the characters discussed what had previously been flavor text in order to give it depth.

None of that is happening here. Most likely, in some mad dash to cover their rears, the writer(s) came up with a bunch of other things they could allude to in an emergency.

Even if the Catalyst is a "Being of Light," why have it be on the Citadel? Why not the ruins of some incredibly ancient civilization on Klencory and actually find the tombs that the Beings of Light inhabit? That would've been fantastic since it'd be mirroring ME1 in a race to find the key to victory on some alien world where new information could be revealed about the Reapers.

Sorry OP, it's a nice theory, but like the Indoctrination Theory and various others, it requires to many mental gymnastics to hold true. Once you start down either road, you end up with just as many questions (if not more) than the theory was created to answer in the first place.