Editing Arbiter

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{disambig header|the rank in the Covenant|other articles including "Arbiter"|Arbiter (disambiguation)}}
{{Unit infobox|variant=Cov
|name=Arbiter
|image=[[File:H2A - Arbiter armor.jpg|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|affiliation=[[Sangheili]] <br> [[Covenant]] <br> [[Swords of Sanghelios]]
|branch=
|mission=Missions of suicidal danger and grave religious or political importance
|armament=[[Type-1 energy sword]]
<br>[[Type-1 plasma grenade]]
<br>[[Type-25 plasma pistol]]
<br>[[Type-25 plasma rifle]]
<br>[[Type-51 carbine]]
|equipment=[[Arbiter body armor]]
<br>[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
<br>[[Active camouflage]]
|notable=[[Fal 'Chavamee]]
<br>[[Ripa 'Moramee]]
<br>[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee
}}
{{Quote|The [[Taming of the Lekgolo|Taming of the Hunters]], the [[Unggoy Rebellion|Grunt Rebellion]]. Were it not for the Arbiters, the Covenant would have broken long ago.|[[Prophet of Mercy]]<ref name="h2arbiter"/>}}

The title of '''Arbiter''' is the highest possible honor bestowed upon a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] by the [[Hierarchs]] during a time of need. It is the greatest religious rank of the Sangheili, although the [[councilor]]s rank higher in political matters. Arbiters are sent on highly perilous and suicidal missions. On these missions, the Arbiter is expected to die and to become another great martyr of the Covenant on their path to the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. The Arbiter acts as a sort of field general, going on missions for the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]] and during incidents such as the Taming of the Lekgolo, the Unggoy Rebellion, the [[Human-Covenant War]], and most recently, the threat of the [[heretics]] led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]].<ref name="h2arbiter">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref><ref name="h2arbiter"/><ref name="enc138">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 138''</ref> 

==Overview==
[[File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An ancient Arbiter stands atop a battlefield]]
The title of Arbiter dates back long before the Covenant, and long before the Sangheili took to the stars. The Arbiters of old were immensely powerful and skilled warriors who ruled over all Sangheili [[clan]]s. Described as "part king, part judge", they continued to serve their species even after they colonized [[Sangheili colonies|other worlds]]. It was an Arbiter who led the Sangheili during the decades of the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]]. The Arbiter started the war by decapitating a delegation of [[San'Shyuum]] and leaving it for others to find.<ref name="h2aterm">'''Halo 2 Anniversary''' - ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''</ref>

After the formation of the Covenant the title of Arbiter was given to the commander of the [[Sangheili]] military, and was considered a great privilege among the Sangheili. Arbiter was a noble title given to a Sangheili that was considered worthy of bringing justice and peace to the [[Covenant]]. The Arbiter's authority would not be questioned by any other individual in the Covenant.<ref name="wos295">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions Volume II - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''pages 294-295''</ref> However, around 400 years prior to the destruction of [[Installation 04]], the contemporary Arbiter, [[Fal 'Chavamee]], refused to accept the [[Covenant religion]] and was branded a heretic by the Prophets. The resulting chain of events, which led to the deaths of both 'Chavamee and a high-ranking kinsman named [[Haka]], led to the Prophets changing the role of the Arbiter significantly. The title was thereafter given to disgraced Sangheili in order for them to regain their honor by way of suicidal missions of great importance to the Covenant as a whole.<ref name="Duel">'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Duel]]''</ref> In part, the change was also made by the [[Hierarchs]] to secure their own power over the Sangheili:<ref name="wos295"/> in many cases, brilliant Sangheili who asked too many questions or were otherwise seen as a threat to the Prophets were branded heretics and then appointed Arbiter to silence them and to keep the Sangheili without a strong leader of their own.<ref name="h2aterm"/>

To most members of the Covenant, especially the [[Unggoy]], the Arbiter is seen as a savior in times of dire need; their Sangheili peers consider them the living embodiment of the "Will of the Prophets" and refer to them as the "Blades of the Prophets". Every Arbiter is chosen during a time of great conflict, and inevitably dies in the course of their gravely important, though suicidal tasks. Their corpses - or presumably memorials in some cases<ref name="Escape"/><ref name="ENC"> '''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 139''</ref> - are housed in identical caskets in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]. In the center of this room is a floating pod that contains the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]] when one is not currently appointed. This armor, while highly decorative, is fully functional as battle armor.<ref name="h2arbiter"/>

When an Arbiter is chosen, he is usually a highly skilled Sangheili warrior who, through either chance or misdeed, has severely disgraced himself in his line of duty. The rank of the Sangheili prior to becoming Arbiter presumably has no effect on the chance of becoming Arbiter, though higher-ranked Sangheili have better chances due to their more extensive experience and superior skill. The rank of Arbiter is considered a very prized reward, especially as it allows the individual to die honorably rather than be shamefully executed. While there are many known cases of the mantle of the Arbiter being used to snuff out potential challengers to the Hierarchs' power over the Sangheili,<ref name="h2aterm"/> in other cases such as that of [[Ripa 'Moramee]], brutish individuals with a high propensity for violence are chosen instead.<ref name="hwgen">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref>

Though considered a commanding role of high esteem, the Arbiter is condemned to a life of suicidal missions to regain his honor. This includes the current Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], who was branded a heretic for his failure to protect [[Installation 04|one of]] the sacred [[Halo Array|Halo rings]] from the so-called "[[Demon]]", [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]]. Although the Arbiter is a singular warrior, he has the authority to give orders to other Covenant soldiers; this command can be likened to that of a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[General|four-star general]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''' ''instruction manual''</ref>

Most Arbiters can be considered an equal to a SPARTAN-II supersoldier in both function and combat ability, as both are incredibly skilled in combat and vehicular activities and have the ability to instill morale in their troops.

==Armor==
Each Arbiter receives [[Arbiter body armor|a unique set of armor]] that is built according to an age-old design. The very nature of the Arbiter means that they are sent on dangerous, often suicidal missions, where recovery of the corpse and the armor it wears may be impossible.<ref name="Escape">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[Escape]]''</ref><ref name="ENC"/> The armor of the Arbiter is kept in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]] until it is bestowed upon a new holder of the title. It is composed of a silvery-bronze colored metal with ornate engravings and metal work, indicating the Arbiter's ceremonial nature. However, it is fully functional as a combat suit, incorporating a [[heads-up display]], an [[energy shielding]] system, and [[active camouflage]]. The armor incorporates a form-fitting bodysuit and blue restraining straps; these may be to prevent the Arbiter from removing the armor. Contrary to the claims of the Hierarchs, the Arbiters' armor is generally, if not always, replaced between wearers, as it is often irreparably damaged when an Arbiter is killed. This was the case with Ripa 'Moramee, whose body was pushed several kilometers off the [[Apex Site]] and was subsequently destroyed by a [[supernova]].<ref name="Escape"/><ref name="enc138"/>

The technology used in the armor is similar to the standard [[Sangheili Combat Harness]], though it is of an older design. While modern Covenant active camouflage has a virtually unlimited duration, the Arbiter's camouflage lasts only for a few seconds, though still enough to give him a tactical advantage.<ref name="h2arbiter"/>

The armor may be subject to some small amount of customization. [[Ripa 'Moramee]] was taller than most Sangheili, at over 8'1, while Thel 'Vadam stands at 7'10<nowiki>''</nowiki>. Further, when first donning the armor, 'Vadamee lacked mandible guards or a shoulder-mounted light that he possessed after the [[Great Schism]], where his active camouflage was also significantly upgraded.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref> 'Moramee's armor, unlike 'Vadam's, featured a functionally unlimited capacity for using active camouflage. However, unlike 'Vadam's armor 'Moramee's lacked energy shielding and instead relied on the [[Wikipedia:Bulletproofing|bullet resistant]] armor alone for protection.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref> In addition, when the Arbiter is sent on missions requiring specialized armor, such as during the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]], they will be given a variant that's more suitable for the occasion.

==Known Arbiters==
[[File:Arbiter Closeup Apex.png|thumb|300px|Ripa 'Moramee, the seventeenth Arbiter in the line of Immaculate Succession.]]

This is a list of all known Arbiters in chronological order.
*Unidentified Arbiter who led the Sangheili during the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]].
*[[Unidentified Arbiter (Taming of the Lekgolo)|Unidentified Arbiter]] during the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]], tasked with pacifying the [[Lekgolo]] resistance.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 270''</ref> 
*[[Fal 'Chavamee]] - Arbiter during the period between the discovery of the Unggoy and the contact with humanity.<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=952800 '''Frankie:''' ''This is quite late into the Covenant as a society, with most of the client species either absorbed or in the process of absorption...]''</ref> 'Chavamee's refusal to accept the [[Covenant religion]] led to the rank of Arbiter being converted into a badge of shame.
*[[Unidentified Arbiter (Unggoy Rebellion)|Unidentified Arbiter]] during the [[Unggoy Rebellion]], tasked with quelling the uprising.<ref name="h2arbiter"/>
*[[Ripa 'Moramee]] - The seventeenth Arbiter in the line of Immaculate Succession who led Covenant forces on [[Harvest]], [[Arcadia]], and [[Shield 0459]].
*Unidentified Arbiter during the [[Battle of Jericho VII]].<ref>[[:File:Halo - Interactive Strategy Game - Back View.jpg|''Halo Interactive Strategy Game'' back side]]</ref><ref group="note" name="HISG-note">It is possible this Arbiter and the one at Jericho VII are the same.</ref>
*Unidentified Arbiter during the [[Fall of Reach]].<ref>Covenant players in the Reach campaign missions of the ''[[Halo - Interactive Strategy Game|Halo Interactive Strategy Game]]'' play as an Arbiter.</ref><ref group="note" name="HISG-note"/>
*[[Thel 'Vadam]] - Arbiter who quelled the [[heretics]] led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] and later led the [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|Covenant separatists]] during the [[Great Schism]]. Last Arbiter to be appointed prior to the Covenant's fragmentation; retained the rank until releasing it in [[2553]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 59''</ref> 
{{Clear}}

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Arbiters}}
*In ''Halo 3'', the Arbiter's armor is different from its appearance in ''Halo 2''. The Arbiter's mandibles in ''Halo 2'' are unprotected, while in ''Halo 3'', the armor covers the mandibles. Also, the ''Halo 2'' Arbiter armor is silver/gray, while the ''Halo 3'' armor is closer in coloration to copper or bronze, though this is due to the improved lighting effects, as his armor is grey in levels with sparse light. Similarly, the Arbiter has a [[flashlight]] on his left shoulder, but it only works when playing with other players or a guest.
*The Arbiter was originally meant to be called the "Dervish". The name was changed because it might create an unintended parallel between the game and the real-life conflict between the Western World and the Middle East.
*In the Spanish language versions of ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', the Arbiter is called "Inquisidor". This is because the cognate "árbitro" means "referee", and the title would thus be lost in translation.
*Before ''Halo 2'' was released, the Elite bipeds in Multiplayer had the armor of an Arbiter, but their armor was changed to the regular Elite armor.<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5392303428310612399&q=Halo+2+documentary&total=153&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=4 Google Video: Halo 2 Bonus DVD : Multiplayer Featurette]</ref>
*In ''Halo 2'', the Arbiter's right side shoulder armor contains a mini sculpt of the Legendary Difficulty Skull. This can be seen in cut scenes and in co-op.
*An [[wikipedia:Arbitration|arbiter]] is someone who settles negotiations and disputes between parties. Decisions made by an arbiter are legally binding and endorsing.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 2.jpg|An Arbiter leading his people
File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 3.jpg|An Arbiter raises his blade as a crowd cheers
File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 4.jpg|An Arbiter on [[Ulgethon]] observes the San'Shyuum's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]
File:H2A Terminals - Prophet-Elite War Arbiter.jpg|The Arbiter of the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]].
File:H2A terminal TH Arbiter 2.jpg|The Arbiter who oversaw the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]]
File:Fal Arbiter.jpg|Fal 'Chavamee, the last Arbiter to bear the title as a badge of honor
File:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 1.jpg|The Arbiter who quelled the [[Unggoy Rebellion]]
File:Arbarm.JPG|The armor of the Arbiter in ''Halo 2''.
File:HW-Concept-Arbiter-01.jpg|An early concept of 'Moramee's armor
File:Cov Arbiter Render v2 3.jpg|A later, more traditional concept of Ripa 'Moramee's armor
File:Arby helmet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee accepts the title of Arbiter
File:Arbiter3.jpg|'Vadamee at audience with the Hierarchs
File:H2A_-_Arbiter.png|Updated appearance of 'Vadamee in ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[The Package]]'' {{Mo}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}}
**''[[Wages of Sin]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''
{{Col-end}}

== Note ==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Elite Ranks}}

[[Category:Covenant titles]]