Society (Halo Setting)
GP?[edit]
Many items are listed as having gp. While not necessarily gold coins, this can represent multiple things. In the UNSC, they represent the priority and ability of the group, which then translates to how higher command is willing to deploy more powerful supplies. For the Covenant, it most likely represents their social status, resulting in a similar outcome. As for jackal pirates, it may very well represent a gold backed currency.
Covenant Society[edit]
The Covenant is a theocracy led by the San'shyuum and Elites, with the capital being an artificial planet named ["High Charity"]. While the Prophets, as they are more commonly known, and Elites, jointly rule this Covenant, there are other member species as well. These are the:
- Sangheili, or Elites
- Jiralhanae, or Brutes
- Kig-Yar, or Jackals
- Uggnoy, or Grunts
- Mgaelekgolo, or Hunters
- Yanme'e, or Buggers
- Huragok, or Engineers
The Sangheili (Macto cognatus in Latin taxonomy, meaning "I glorify my kin" are a saurian sapient species known for their warrior culture and combat skill. Named after their home planet, Sanghelios, they have historically been known to humans as Elites for their former role in the Covenant's military hierarchy. Originally one of the Covenant's two founding species, the Sangheili formed the hegemony's military backbone until just before the end of its existence. They had a very strong rivalry with the Jiralhanae, which finally led to genocidal violence during the Great Schism at the conclusion of the Human-Covenant War. After the High Prophets Truth and Mercy ordered the genocide of the entire Sangheili race during the Great Schism, the species was forced into civil war against the Covenant proper. This was established after the assassination of the High Prophet of Regret at the hands of John-117. The two remaining Hierarchs held the Sangheili responsible for the Prophet of Regret's death, and the species was seen as "unfit" to continue to guard the Prophets. The Prophets sought to achieve this through the use of the other Covenant races, primarily the Jiralhanae. Consequently, the Sangheili led a rebellion against the Prophets. A significant number of Sangheili sided with the UNSC against the Prophet-led Covenant; this alliance continued to hold in the post-war era. The Great Schism formed the bedrock of the Covenant Empire's ultimate collapse and the end of the Human-Covenant War. After the High Prophets Truth and Mercy ordered the genocide of the entire Sangheili race during the Great Schism, the species was forced into civil war against the Covenant proper. This was established after the assassination of the High Prophet of Regret at the hands of John-117. The two remaining Hierarchs held the Sangheili responsible for the Prophet of Regret's death, and the species was seen as "unfit" to continue to guard the Prophets. The Prophets sought to achieve this through the use of the other Covenant races, primarily the Jiralhanae. Consequently, the Sangheili led a rebellion against the Prophets. A significant number of Sangheili sided with the UNSC against the Prophet-led Covenant; this alliance continued to hold in the post-war era. The Great Schism formed the bedrock of the Covenant Empire's ultimate collapse and the end of the Human-Covenant War. In the post-war years, the Swords of Sanghelios, led by Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and a grand council of kaidons, emerged as the effective Sangheili government. However, they were opposed by multiple Sangheili factions with differing ideals of how to build a future for their civilization, and the species remained embroiled in civil war for several years while continuing hostilities with Jiralhanae groups, in a two-front war.
The Jiralhanae (Servus ferox in Latin taxonomy, translated to "wild slave", known by humans as Brutes, are a mostly carnivorous sapient species of pseudo-ursine mammals. Originating from the planet Doisac, the Jiralhanae were the final addition to the Covenant hegemony. The Jiralhanae typically have a profound hatred of the Sangheili, unmatched by any other feud within the Covenant. This rivalry was fueled by the Jiralhanae's naturally aggressive and dominating demeanor clashing with the Sangheili's societal sense of superiority over them at the time of the Covenant. Immensely strong (surpassing the strength of both Sangheili and Spartan-IIs), Jiralhanae typically place a greater emphasis on brutality than wisdom; they are considered to be a savage species on the whole. Preferring this potential for blind obedience, the High Prophet of Truth began plans to replace the Sangheili with Jiralhanae, slowly placing the latter in higher positions and giving them greater allowances than Sangheili troops would receive. Finally, on Truth's orders, the Jiralhanae began a purge of Sangheili High Councilors and commanders throughout Covenant space, sparking a cataclysmic civil war known as the Great Schism that led to the dissolution of the Covenant. This conflict against the Sangheili would continue well after the end of the Human-Covenant War and like the Sangheili, the Jiralhanae would fight internally as well
The Kig-Yar (sometimes rendered as "Kig-yar"; Forerunner designation: Perosus latrunculus, Latin for "hateful bandit", UNSC designation: Covenant secundarium carnivora proedonis, Latin for "Covenant secondary carnivorous combatant' are a dinosaur-like saurian species 8 Following their assimilation in 1342 CE, the Kig-Yar served the Covenant until its dissolution in 2552. Many went on to aid its remnants as mercenaries, privateers, and pirates, though the majority stayed independent of any such factions. There are several distinct races of Kig-Yar, though humans have commonly identified two groupings (Jackals and Skirmishers) based on encounters in the battlefield. In combat, Kig-Yar typically served the Covenant as snipers and scouts due to their excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing.
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