Editing Skein

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

A '''skein''', also described as a '''master-pack''',{{citation needed}} is a major social division in [[Jiralhanae]] society, formed out of multiple [[pack]]s sharing a similar philosophy and common interests. Described as "meta-clans", skeins are generally dominated by the most powerful clans.<ref name="envoy">''[[Halo: Envoy]]'', Chapter 3, p. 47-48</ref><ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Jiralhanae'']</ref> These skeins are profoundly different in culture, philosophy, and their pursuit of power. The two most powerful skeins are the [[Rh'tol]] and the [[Vheiloth]]; the Rh'tol are arguably more primitive, while the Vheiloth are more sophisticated.<ref name="universe"/>

==Known Skeins==

*The [[Vheiloth]] have sophisticated philosophical views and are devoutly religious.<ref name="universe"/> [[Ceretus]] was a Captain in this skein.

*The [[Rh'tol]] have little care for metaphysics, though they have sometimes feigned belief in the [[Covenant religion]] for the sake of promotion. [[Tartarus]] was a member of the Rh'tol skein, and he became the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] during the [[Human-Covenant war]].<ref name="universe"/>

==Known master-packs==

*[[Lydus' clan]] was a large master-pack, willing to negotiate talks for peace during the fierce post-war conflicts between the Jiralhanae and Sangheili.

The [[First Immolation]] was initiated by [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Rukt]] of the Rh'tol skein,<ref name="fistofrukt">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/fist-of-rukt '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Fist of Rukt'']</ref> when a protracted territorial dispute led to a violent clash between the rival Rh'tol and Vheiloth skeins. The rival master-packs waged widespread mechanized warfare against each other across the surface of [[Doisac]], causing such destruction that caused the collapse of Jiralhanae society and reduced their species to a pre-industrial state.<ref name="universe"/><ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', p. 194</ref> When the [[Covenant]] later arrived at Doisac, the skeins fought against the alien empire. While the Vheiloth skein adopted [[Covenant religion]] without challenge, the Rh'tol only did so for strictly practical reasons. Tensions between the Jiralhanae skeins were controlled by Covenant leadership, though cultural friction and competitive infighting between master-packs remained common.<ref name="universe"/>

During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the young [[Tartarus]] climbed to power and had begun to gain authority throughout the entire Rh'tol skein. Catching the eye of the [[High Prophet of Truth]], Tartarus would work with the [[Hierarch]] throughout the war as Truth intended to replace the [[Sangheili]] with the Jiralhanae. Late in the conflict, Truth elevated Tartarus to [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], giving him complete control over the Jiralhanae, regardless of skein.<ref name="universe"/> When the Covenant collapsed in the [[Great Schism]], the Rh'tol skein gloried in the [[piracy]] against the [[Sangheili]], while the Vheiloth skein saw looting and destruction as an unfortunate necessity.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Envoy1|Halo: Envoy|Chapter=3 "The Rh’tol skein now gloried in the piracy against the former Covenant. It let them show their true strength to the very face of the Sangheili species that had so poorly treated them. The Vheiloth skein saw such looting and destruction as an unfortunate necessity."}} [[Lydus]] was the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftain]] of a [[Lydus' clan|master-pack]] based in the [[Oth Sonin system]].<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref>

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