T'vaoan: Difference between revisions
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The '''T'vaoans''', referred by humans as the '''Skirmishers''', are an uncommon subspecies of the [[Kig-Yar]] | The '''T'vaoans''', referred by humans as the '''Skirmishers''', are an uncommon subspecies of the [[Kig-Yar]] hailing from [[T'vao]]. They served the [[Covenant]] as a specialized group in the [[Covenant military|military]].<ref name="bungie">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=24609 '''Bungie''': Halo: Reach Enemy Intel]</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Origins=== | ===Origins=== | ||
The T'vaoans originated from the [[Kig-Yar]] homeworld of [[Eayn]]. They eventually colonized other locations within the [[Y'Deio]] system, primarily the asteroid [[T'vao]], from which they earn their name.<ref>'''[[Halopedia:Letter - Re:Mortal Dictata Question]]'''</ref> The largely different environment on T'vao lead to the Skirmishers evolving much differently than other Kig-Yar.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="md59">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 59''</ref> When the | The T'vaoans originated from the [[Kig-Yar]] homeworld of [[Eayn]]. They eventually colonized other locations within the [[Y'Deio]] system, primarily the asteroid [[T'vao]], from which they earn their name.<ref>'''[[Halopedia:Letter - Re:Mortal Dictata Question]]'''</ref> The largely different environment on T'vao lead to the Skirmishers evolving much differently than other Kig-Yar.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="md59">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 59''</ref> When the Covenant made peace with the Kig-Yar after a battle in the system, T'vaoans were recruited into the Covenant's military. | ||
===The Covenant=== | ===The Covenant=== | ||
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Skirmishers have a culture largely similar to most Kig-Yar, although most T'vaoans believe themselves to be superior over the rest of the Kig-Yar. Among T'vaoans, it is often considered "bad form" to treat a T'vaoan like an average Kig-Yar.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 272''</ref> Like other types of Kig-Yar, T'vaoan society is described as matriarchal.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 60''</ref> T'vaoans are attracted to shiny, glittery and glamorous objects. Males often squabble amongst each other and display their quills for females.<ref name="md59"/> | Skirmishers have a culture largely similar to most Kig-Yar, although most T'vaoans believe themselves to be superior over the rest of the Kig-Yar. Among T'vaoans, it is often considered "bad form" to treat a T'vaoan like an average Kig-Yar.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 272''</ref> Like other types of Kig-Yar, T'vaoan society is described as matriarchal.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 60''</ref> T'vaoans are attracted to shiny, glittery and glamorous objects. Males often squabble amongst each other and display their quills for females.<ref name="md59"/> | ||
===Role in the Covenant=== | === Role in the Covenant === | ||
The Covenant use | The Covenant use T'vaoans as close-range combatants, attacking in packs and using lightning-fast flanking tactics, as opposed to Kig-Yar, who are often used as defensive and [[Kig-Yar Sniper|long range combatants and assassins]]. Physically, they seem to be similar to regular Kig-Yar, though in combat they do not wield large rounded energy shields like the Jackals. High-ranking T'vaoans do wear point defense gauntlets or wrist shields, medium sized ovular shields strapped on to their wrists, to help them deflect bullet and light plasma fire. Their eyes are also yellow with slitted pupils, as opposed to bulbous and pale.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63_LHQoVyxU '''YouTube''': Halo: Reach - 5 Minute Firefight]</ref> | ||
Apart from combat roles, and like the Kig-Yar, the T'vaoans can hold commanding roles such as the title of [[shipmaster]] in the Covenant military. | |||
=== Ranks structure === | |||
A fresh T'vaoan starts as a [[Skirmisher Minor|Minor]] (marked with black feathers and grey armor) and is promoted to [[Skirmisher Major|Major]] (marked with red feathers and greyish-red armor) once it has accumulated sufficient combat experience. | |||
There are several specialist ranks for the T'vaoans. These specialists are equipped with their own variation of combat armor and given equipments to fulfill their specific, respective roles. The [[Skirmisher Murmillo|Murmillos]], for example, in their orange armor, are equipped [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlets]] on each arm. The [[Skirmisher Commando|Commando]], in their green armor, on the other hand are equipped with a [[Type-27 hologram|holographic projector]]. | |||
Leading the T'vaoans in combat is the [[Skirmisher Champion|Champion]]. | |||
{{Kig-yar Ranks}} | {{Kig-yar Ranks}} | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}} | {{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gameplaypage=Skirmisher/Gameplay}} | ||
Skirmishers bear a notable physical resemblance to [[Wikipedia:Dromaeosauridae|dromaeosaurs]] such as [[Wikipedia:Deinonychus|deinonychus]] and the smaller, better-known [[Wikipedia:Velociraptor|velociraptor]]. Like the Skirmishers, the dromaeosaurs were reptiles with prominent avian features including feathers and lightweight bones. Dromaeosaurs are considered to be one of the main taxonomic links between dinosaurs and birds, perhaps suggesting a similar evolutionary progression among the Kig-Yar. | Skirmishers bear a notable physical resemblance to [[Wikipedia:Dromaeosauridae|dromaeosaurs]] such as [[Wikipedia:Deinonychus|deinonychus]] and the smaller, better-known [[Wikipedia:Velociraptor|velociraptor]]. Like the Skirmishers, the dromaeosaurs were reptiles with prominent avian features including feathers and lightweight bones. Dromaeosaurs are considered to be one of the main taxonomic links between dinosaurs and birds, perhaps suggesting a similar evolutionary progression among the Kig-Yar. | ||
Revision as of 11:02, April 13, 2014
Template:Species Infobox The T'vaoans, referred by humans as the Skirmishers, are an uncommon subspecies of the Kig-Yar hailing from T'vao. They served the Covenant as a specialized group in the military.[1]
History
Origins
The T'vaoans originated from the Kig-Yar homeworld of Eayn. They eventually colonized other locations within the Y'Deio system, primarily the asteroid T'vao, from which they earn their name.[2] The largely different environment on T'vao lead to the Skirmishers evolving much differently than other Kig-Yar.[3][4] When the Covenant made peace with the Kig-Yar after a battle in the system, T'vaoans were recruited into the Covenant's military.
The Covenant
Many T'vaoans served in the Human-Covenant War, often being led by Sangheili or Jiralhanae.
In engagements prior to 2530, mixed units containing both common Kig-Yar and Skirmishers were more common; however, this changed toward the end of the war, with Covenant doctrine favoring units comprised solely of Skirmishers.[1] Several Skirmisher squads saw action during the Battle of Hat Yai and Battle of Actium, among other engagements. During these engagements UNSC forces managed to capture the hologram technology used by the Skirmishers.[5]
They saw extensive action during the Fall of Reach, and as a result of catastrophically high casualties, the Skirmisher ranks were utterly exhausted and the Skirmishers themselves nearly wiped out, though the subspecies on a whole did survive.[6][7][8]
Post-war
Despite the amount of T'vaoans that died in the Human-Covenant War, many still remained. The T'vaoan Shipmistress Chol Von attempted to create a united Kig-Yar government to defend Y'Deio from threats, while others, such as Sav Fel, returned to the Kig-Yar's ancient ways of piracy.[9] At least one Skirmisher joined Jul 'Mdama's reformed Covenant, serving as Vata 'Gajat's second-in-command.[10]
Description
Anatomy and physiology
Skirmishers are a subset of the Kig-Yar species hailing from the isolated environment of T'vao. The morphological variation among the Kig-Yar represents divergent evolution in response to varied environments on prehistoric Eayn.[11] They are much faster and stronger than the more lightly-built common Kig-Yar, known to humans as Jackals. They have darker skin and stockier, squared heads with small yellow eyes. They also have more beak-like mouths and bony facial coverings. Skirmishers have true feathers on their heads and arms, unlike the Jackals' quills. A Skirmisher's voice is more raspy and guttural - this is because they have an expanding voice chamber on their throat. Skirmishers serve as Covenant shock troops, while the more lightly built Jackals see deployment as dedicated ranger or sniper units. Unlike other Kig-Yar, Skirmishers do not display color changes in their plumage when their moods shift.[12]
Their head shape appears to be more avian than their cousins; their skin tone is noticeably darker and not yellowish. They also run much faster than Jackals and can jump incredible heights. Like Jackals, Skirmishers have sharp talons on their hands and feet. While both subspecies are quite agile, Skirmishers are capable of sprinting at great speeds and leaping long distances. Male Kig-Yar from T'vao had much heavier upper body plumage than other Kig-Yar. Females from T'vao had a ruff of feathers on their heads and necks instead of scales.[13] Young T'vaoan chicks are covered in a brown fledgling down which gradually moults and gives way to scales and plumage as they age.[14]
The blood of a T'vaoan is thick and purple.[15]
Culture
Skirmishers have a culture largely similar to most Kig-Yar, although most T'vaoans believe themselves to be superior over the rest of the Kig-Yar. Among T'vaoans, it is often considered "bad form" to treat a T'vaoan like an average Kig-Yar.[16] Like other types of Kig-Yar, T'vaoan society is described as matriarchal.[17] T'vaoans are attracted to shiny, glittery and glamorous objects. Males often squabble amongst each other and display their quills for females.[4]
Role in the Covenant
The Covenant use T'vaoans as close-range combatants, attacking in packs and using lightning-fast flanking tactics, as opposed to Kig-Yar, who are often used as defensive and long range combatants and assassins. Physically, they seem to be similar to regular Kig-Yar, though in combat they do not wield large rounded energy shields like the Jackals. High-ranking T'vaoans do wear point defense gauntlets or wrist shields, medium sized ovular shields strapped on to their wrists, to help them deflect bullet and light plasma fire. Their eyes are also yellow with slitted pupils, as opposed to bulbous and pale.[18]
Apart from combat roles, and like the Kig-Yar, the T'vaoans can hold commanding roles such as the title of shipmaster in the Covenant military.
Ranks structure
A fresh T'vaoan starts as a Minor (marked with black feathers and grey armor) and is promoted to Major (marked with red feathers and greyish-red armor) once it has accumulated sufficient combat experience.
There are several specialist ranks for the T'vaoans. These specialists are equipped with their own variation of combat armor and given equipments to fulfill their specific, respective roles. The Murmillos, for example, in their orange armor, are equipped point defense gauntlets on each arm. The Commando, in their green armor, on the other hand are equipped with a holographic projector.
Leading the T'vaoans in combat is the Champion.
Trivia
|
See our gameplay information related to T'vaoan on its gameplay page. |
Skirmishers bear a notable physical resemblance to dromaeosaurs such as deinonychus and the smaller, better-known velociraptor. Like the Skirmishers, the dromaeosaurs were reptiles with prominent avian features including feathers and lightweight bones. Dromaeosaurs are considered to be one of the main taxonomic links between dinosaurs and birds, perhaps suggesting a similar evolutionary progression among the Kig-Yar.
Gallery
- ReachConcept Skirmisher.png
Concept art of a Skirmisher.
- ReachConcept SkirmisherVariant.jpg
A Skirmisher study.
An alpha build render of a Skirmisher's face.
An alpha build of Reach, showcasing a lance of Skirmishers in battle during the Fall of Reach.
A Skirmisher Commando in Firefight.
Skirmisher Murmillo armed with a focus rifle.
A Skirmisher bleeding.
Several Skirmishers of differing rank.
Tek, a Skirmisher operating with the Covenant remnant.
List of appearances
- Halo: Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: The Thursday War
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo: Mortal Dictata
Sources
- ^ a b Bungie: Halo: Reach Enemy Intel
- ^ Halopedia:Letter - Re:Mortal Dictata Question
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEVG - ^ a b Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 59
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 139
- ^ Game Reactor: First Look: Halo Reach
- ^ OXM: Bungie reveals how Reach will fall, and the epic scope of its last Halo
- ^ Game Reactor: First Look: Halo Reach
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata
- ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #2
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011), pages 56 and 57
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 65
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, Chapter 3
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 71
- ^ This image
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 272
- ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 60
- ^ YouTube: Halo: Reach - 5 Minute Firefight
