The Institute has remained in the shadows for nearly as long as the strange anomaly has existed. The first ever recorded anomaly, and ultimately the call to arms that formed The Institute has changed forms multiple times in the span of several years. But make no mistake, it has always remained fundamentally the same in every incarnation, regeneration, or resurrection it has undergone. These are all available records to date on the first, and ultimately strongest anomaly, known as The Flood. All documents and accounts are 100% accurate and confirmed by the worlds leading scientists in Troll Science. [u]Biology and cursory inspection[/u] The forum known as The Flood has many theories surrounding it's origins and existence as a whole, but two things are very clear. The first, and foremost, is that The Flood is an extra dimensional being of it's own free will. It's motives are cryptic, and, at best incomprehensible. It, for the time being, exists in a computarized state, disguised as a simple forum on the relatively well known site of Bungie.net. It is not known how it came to be, but it is believed that through insidious means it corrupted the minds of those who control the father site and convinced them that they created it. The truth is, the Flood simply wishes them to think this, lulling them into a false sense of control. Time and again the Flood has been purged like a virus to the disgust of it's high ranking denizens, but always found a way back into it's corner, albeit in a new, fresher form. The second, is that The Flood is a parasite, feeding off the parent site it rests in, attracting and drawing members away from other forums to post in it's premises instead. The Flood leeches off this activity to fuel some unknown element to it's existence. It is important to note that while the Flood is largely singular, it too has influences on some of the various forums of the parent site, and can therefore be considered extensions. These extensions will be revealed in later documents. [b]The Occupants and effects of the Flood on the Human mind[/b] As it stands, by basic, very simple inspection, the posters of the Flood adopt a range of various human traits. Some post about news and events, others talk about religion, and so on and so forth. The basic and most commonly used phrase to identify a member of the flood is the term coined "Floodian." Floodians have a wide range of activities and topics on the Flood, as well as a seemingly diverse level of intelligence. Further investigation yields that this is in fact what the larger, hosting parasite wants. However, there are some risks. The Flood has a low level to medium level addiction factor to it for it's posters. Some have minimal activity, but still return to it for some strange reason. Others are more avid posters and find that they can commonly be found on it several times in the day. And, on the most extreme side of things, are posters that have lost the will to not post, or be around the site at seemingly all times. It is documented that the force known as Ninjas are drawn to it like moths, with the majority of disciplinary actions having found their place here. The Flood also seems to have a severe leeching effect on the intelligence of some members, with fights, incoherentness, and general things average Human beings would rarely stoop to occurring often. For some this effect is limited, for others, it can warp them so much that they fit into an entirely new category. [b]Anomalies[/b] In some rare instances, individuals, threads, or even singular posts become the spectacle of widespread display across the site. They may range from being popular, to outright infamous for their actions or sayings. These anomalies are often considered unpredictable and dangerous by members of the Institute, and caution must be used when documenting or dealing with them. For more evidence,[url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post?id=63652542&path=1]please refer to the first hand document of one of the more infamous anomalies.[/url] [b]Conclusion[/b] The Flood, and by extension the beings that dwell inside it and close to it's presence are varied and vast, with effects on humans being just as varied. It has come to the attention of The Institute that in fact, the catalogers who work to find and analyze new anomalies and information on the Flood, are in fact as much a part of the extra dimensional organism as it's other posters. Exposure to the Flood converts, and often traps Humans and others in it's vice like grip.