Skein: Difference between revisions

{{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"/>

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 name="envoy"/> [[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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