Bungie.net's latest feature is an interview with Robert McLees, artist-turned-writer who maintains the Halo Bible. What's the Halo Bible? Funny you should ask:

For lack of a more romanticized description it is the ponderous collection of lies, damned lies, and half-truths from which the entire Halo Universe is constructed. It is the tome which informs core fiction decisions (and is in turn expanded by them). It is that indespensible cheat sheet that helps us keep all the stories we've told straight in our collective heads. Admittedly we have not always been the best at this (but I think we've been getting better).

In addition to the aesthetically pleasing half-truths in the Bible, there are links to detailed backgrounds on each of the Covenant weapons:

• Plasma Rifle
• Plasma Pistol
• Carbine
• Needler
• Beam Rifle
• Fuel Rod Cannon