Editing Arbiter

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

|duties=*Missions of suicidal danger and grave religious or political importance

{{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.|The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]<ref name="h2arbiter">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>}}

'''Arbiter''' is a title of the highest possible honor bestowed upon a [[Sangheili]]. Formerly appointed only by the [[Hierarchs]] of the [[Covenant]] during a time of need. The title is currently held by [[Thel 'Vadam]] who leads the Sangheili race after the Covenant's dissolution.<ref name="arbiter universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/arbiter-thel-vadam '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Arbiter Thel 'Vadam'']</ref>

The title originally was the greatest religious rank of the Sangheili within the Covenant (although the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] ranked higher in political matters) but later changed to a rank of shame. Arbiters were sent on highly perilous and suicidal missions by the Hierarchs. On these missions, the Arbiter was expected to die and to become another great martyr of the Covenant on their path to the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref name="h2arbiter"/> Depending on the nature of his assignment an Arbiter would have either acted alone as a singular combatant, with support by [[Covenant military]] forces, or they were tasked to lead large numbers of Covenant troops.<ref name="h2journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>

Notable Arbiters have been appointed by the Prophets 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"/><ref name="enc138">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 138''</ref>

[[File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 1.jpg|thumb|250px|An ancient Arbiter stands atop a battlefield]]

{{Quote|They ruled their world with pride, and vigilance, surviving the perils of both land and sea. These were the Arbiters of old; part king, part judge. Warrior-rulers unlike any of which would follow.|[[Unidentified San'Shyuum scribe|A San'Shyuum scribe]]<ref name="h2aterm6">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 6]]''</ref>}}

The title of Arbiter dates back long before the [[Covenant]], and long before the [[Sangheili]] became a spare-faring race, originating on [[Sanghelios]]. The Arbiters of old were immensely powerful and skilled warriors who ruled over all Sangheili [[clan]]s, described as "''part king, part judge''". Centuries before the Sangheili became space-faring, a tyrannical Arbiter took control of the entire continent of [[Qivro]]. However, the Arbiter was eventually overthrown by a coalition of [[kaidon]]s known as the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/swords-of-sanghelios '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Swords of Sanghelios'']</ref> The Arbiters continued to lead their species even after the Sangheili had colonized [[Sangheili colonies|dozens of other worlds]].<ref name="h2aterm6"/>

When the [[San'Shyuum]] arrived in their [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in [[938 BCE]] on the Sangheili frontier colony of [[Ulgethon]], [[Unidentified Arbiter (San'Shyuum-Sangheili war)|an Arbiter]] initiated the [[War of Beginnings]] by decapitating a delegation of San'Shyuum and returning their heads to the Dreadnought for the other San'Shyuum [[Reformists]] to find. As the war began, this Arbiter led the Sangheili against the San'Shyuum during the war that lasted many decades. After the [[Writ of Union]] was ratified and the war had ended, the [[Hierarchs]] of the newly formed Covenant realized the importance of the title of Arbiter.<ref name="h2aterm6"/>

|4=[[Sesa 'Refumee]] and [[343 Guilty Spark]] converse about the history of the Arbiter<ref name="h2aterm7">'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 7]]''</ref>

[[File:H2A terminal TH Arbiter 1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An Arbiter blessed by a Hierarch]]

The establishment of the Covenant led to the Sangheili losing most of their traditions and history. However, the title of Arbiter was maintained as a position of power for the Sangheili.<ref name="h2aterm7"/> The appellation of Arbiter was bestowed upon the commander-in-chief of the [[Covenant military]], and was regarded as a great privilege among the Sangheili race. Arbiter was a noble title only given to a Sangheili that was considered worthy of bringing justice and peace to the Covenant—some considered it a "''badge of greatness''". The Arbiter's authority would not be questioned by any other individual in the Covenant.<ref name="wos295">'''[[Halo: Evolutions|Halo: Evolutions – Volume II]]''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''pages 294-295''</ref> Most notably, the Arbiter of the Covenant would serve as the "Will of the Hierarchs".<ref name="h2aterm6"/> At some point the year before or in [[784 BCE]], during an [[Ages of Conversion|Age of Conversion]], the Covenant's [[Taming of the Lekgolo|war]] with the [[Lekgolo]] species had proved itself to be significantly more difficult than anticipated. [[Unidentified Arbiter (Taming of the Lekgolo)|An Arbiter]] was tasked with traveling to the [[moon]] of [[Rantu]] to learn about the Lekgolo's strengths and weaknesses,<ref name="h2aterm8">'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 8]]''</ref> and upon learning that the Lekgolo could combine into the powerful [[Mgalekgolo]] forms, he proposed the species' incorporation into the Covenant to the Hierarchs. The Hierarchs reluctantly agreed with the Arbiter, and the Lekgolo joined the empire.<ref name="ch269">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 269-270''</ref>

However, approximately four hundred years prior to the [[Battle of Installation 04|destruction]] of [[Installation 04]], the contemporary Arbiter, [[Fal 'Chavamee]], refused to accept the [[Covenant religion]] and was branded a [[heretic]] by the Hierarchs. 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 additionally 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="h2aterm11">'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 11]]''</ref> During the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] of [[2462]], [[Unidentified Arbiter (Unggoy Rebellion)|an Arbiter]] was appointed to put down the insurrection. The Arbiter commanded a [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] and partially [[Glassing|glassed]] the [[Unggoy]] homeworld of [[Balaho]], forcing the species to surrender and rejoin the Covenant.<ref name="h2aterm10">'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 10]]''</ref>

[[File:H2A Terminals - Arbiter kneeling.png|thumb|250px|Thel 'Vadamee, the last Arbiter of the Covenant]]

Beginning with the dawn of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2525]], Arbiters were appointed by the Hierarchs to battle [[human]]ity. [[Ripa 'Moramee]] served as the Arbiter in [[2531]], during which he led Covenant forces on [[Harvest]],<ref name="alpha">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level ''[[Alpha Base (level)|Alpha Base]]''</ref> [[Arcadia]],<ref name="anders">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref> and [[Shield World 0459]]. On the latter world, he attempted to activate a [[Forerunner fleet]] of [[Forerunner dreadnought|dreadnought]]s.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Beachhead (Halo Wars level)|Beachhead]]''</ref> 'Moramee was eventually killed by [[UNSC]] forces on the [[shield world]].<ref name="Escape">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Escape]]''</ref> In [[2552]], after the destruction of Installation 04, [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee was branded a heretic for his failure to protect the Halo installation. Rather than be executed, he was declared an Arbiter by the Hierarchs.<ref name="h2arbiter"/> 'Vadamee was tasked with eliminating heretic leader [[Sesa 'Refumee]],<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref> and was later charged with retrieving the [[activation index]] of [[Installation 05]]. However, after recovering the index, the Arbiter was betrayed by [[Tartarus]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], who had been ordered to lead an armed coup against the Sangheili by the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> However, 'Vadamee survived Tartarus' assassination attempt and proceeded to lead the Sangheili against the Covenant in the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="h2journey"/> Due to a combination of desperation and disillusion with his former beliefs, the Arbiter allied with the UNSC. Together, the Sangheili and the humans were able to defeat the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], with 'Vadam executing Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, himself.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>

After the Human-Covenant War ended, the Arbiter ratified the [[Treaty of 2552]] with the [[Unified Earth Government]] to declare peace between the Sangheili and humanity. The Arbiter established the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and attempted to unify the Sangheili species, although he did not receive universal approval among the Sangheili. Some believed that Vadam's very existence was heretical as he did not sacrifice himself in battle as was traditional of Arbiters in the Covenant. As such, many devout believers regarded Thel a "false Arbiter".<ref name="arbiter universe"/> In [[2553]], Thel 'Vadam traveled to each state of Sanghelios to make his case for permanent peace with humanity. During his visit to [[Mdama]], he announced that he no longer felt he was an Arbiter, but simply a [[kaidon]].<ref name="gl58">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''pages 58-61''</ref> Despite this, Thel 'Vadam continues to hold the title of Arbiter as of October [[2558#October|2558]].<ref name="arbiter universe"/><ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref><ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref>

{{Quote|The tasks you must undertake as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will die, as each Arbiter has before you.|The High Prophet of Mercy, to Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee<ref name="h2arbiter"/>}}

[[File:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Arbiter that quelled the Unggoy Rebellion]]

Originally, the function of Arbiter was to serve as the ruler of the [[Sangheili]] species.<ref name="h2aterm6"/> When the [[Covenant]] was established, the title of Arbiter was one of the few pieces of Sangheili culture that was left unmolested by the [[San'Shyuum]]. The Arbiter continued to serve as the commander-in-chief of the [[Covenant military]]<ref name="h2aterm7"/> and served as the guardian of the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref>'''[[Halo Channel]]''': ''Who is the Arbiter? - Part 1''</ref> After the function of Arbiter was altered approximately four hundred years prior to [[2552]], the Arbiter followed the direct orders of the [[Hierarchs]].<ref name="Duel"/> Every Arbiter was chosen during a time of great conflict.<ref name="h2arbiter"/> Arbiters were charged with carrying out extremely dangerous missions that were meant to redeem themselves from past sins and heresies through death. Although the Arbiters were aware that their title was a death sentence, they would gladly carry out the Hierarchs' missions and anticipated a glorious death to regain lost honor.<ref name="enc138"/><ref name="h2aterm11"/> To most members of the Covenant, especially the [[Unggoy]], the Arbiter was seen as a savior in times of dire need; their Sangheili peers consider them the living embodiment of the "Will of the Prophets".<ref name="h2arbiter"/> Their corpses—or presumably memorials in some cases<ref name="Escape"/><ref name="ENC"> '''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 139''</ref>—were housed in identical caskets in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]. In the center of this room was a floating pod that contained the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]] when one was not currently appointed. This armor, while highly decorative, is fully functional as battle armor.<ref name="h2arbiter"/>

[[File:H2A - Thel before armor.jpg|thumb|250px|Thel 'Vadamee is appointed Arbiter]]

|4=343 Guilty Spark and Sesa 'Refumee converse about the appointment of the Arbiter<ref name="h2aterm11"/>

When an Arbiter was chosen within the Covenant, he was usually a highly skilled Sangheili warrior who, through either chance or misdeed, had severely disgraced himself in his line of duty. The rank of the Sangheili prior to becoming Arbiter presumably had no effect on the chance of becoming Arbiter, though higher-ranked Sangheili had better chances due to their more extensive experience and superior skill. The rank of Arbiter was considered a very prized reward, especially as it allowed the individual to die honorably rather than be shamefully executed. While there were 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="h2aterm11"/> in other cases such as that of Ripa 'Moramee, brutish individuals with a high propensity for violence were chosen instead.<ref name="hwgen">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref>

There were lines of succession for the title of Arbiter. For example, Ripa 'Moramee was the Seventeenth Arbiter in the Line of Immaculate Succession.<ref name="hwgen"/> Arbiters were only selected during a time of great conflict, such as during the [[Human-Covenant War]] or the [[Unggoy Rebellion]]. They were appointed only by the Hierarchs of the Covenant.<ref name="h2arbiter"/>

[[File:H2A - Arbiter helmet.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Thel 'Vadamee donning the helmet of the Arbiter for the first time]]

Each Arbiter receives [[Arbiter body armor|a unique set of armor]] that is built according to an age-old design from before the Covenant. 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"/><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. 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="enc138"/><ref name="Escape"/>

The technology used in the armor is similar to the standard [[Sangheili combat harness]], though it is of an older design and considered "not state-of-the-art".<ref name="enc138"/> 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<nowiki>''</nowiki>, while Thel 'Vadam stands at 7'10<nowiki>''</nowiki>. Furthermore, when first donning the armor, 'Vadam 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> In addition, when the Arbiter was sent on missions requiring specialized armor, such as during the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]] where [[Unidentified Arbiter (Taming of the Lekgolo)|an Arbiter]] required a [[vacuum suit]] to breath on [[Rantu]], they would be given a variant that was more suitable for the occasion.<ref name="h2aterm8"/>

As of [[2558]], Arbiter Thel 'Vadam dons a ceremonial battledress that he believes serves as tribute to traditional armor style previously worn by the Arbiters, while also serving as a symbol of transition that represents his new-found role as a leader of his people and of a united [[Sanghelios]].<ref name="arbiter universe"/>

[[File:Arbiter Closeup Apex.png|thumb|250px|Ripa 'Moramee, the seventeenth Arbiter in the line of Immaculate Succession]]

*[[Unidentified Arbiter (San'Shyuum-Sangheili war)|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 name="ch269"/>

*[[Fal 'Chavamee]] – Arbiter approximately four hundred years prior to [[2552]].<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=952800 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Okay'' ('''Frank O'Connor''': ''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.<ref name="Duel"/>

*[[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]].<ref>'''Halo Wars'''</ref>

*[[Thel 'Vadam]] – Arbiter who quelled the [[heretics]] led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] and later led the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] during the [[Great Schism]]. Last Arbiter to be appointed prior to the Covenant's fragmentation.<ref name="arbiter universe"/>

*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 gray 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.

*[[Arbiter (Killer Instinct)|An Arbiter]] appears in the [[Xbox One]] videogame ''[[Wikipedia:Killer Instinct (2013 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'' as a playable character. While marketed primarily as ''the'' Arbiter, the character is envisioned as a canonically flexible amalgamation of several Arbiters rather than any particular individual and can be clad in various Sangheili armor sets.<ref name="KI">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fighting-words '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder''- ''Fighting Words'']</ref>

File:Arbarm.JPG|The armor of the Arbiter in ''Halo 2''

File:Arby helmet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee accepts the title of Arbiter

File:Arbiter3.jpg|'Vadamee at audience with the Hierarchs

File:HW-Concept-Arbiter-01.jpg|An early concept of 'Moramee's armor for ''Halo Wars''

File:Cov Arbiter Render v2 3.jpg|A later, more traditional concept of Ripa 'Moramee's armor

File:H2A_-_Arbiter.png|Updated appearance of 'Vadamee in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''

File:H2A Terminals - Ancient Arbiter 2.jpg|An Arbiter leading his people in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|terminals]]

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:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 1.jpg|The Arbiter who quelled the [[Unggoy Rebellion]]

File:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 3.jpg|The Unggoy surrender to the triumphant Arbiter, before allowing them entry into Sangheili units

File:KI-Arbys.png|Two Arbiters (based on Thel 'Vadam's ''Halo 5: Guardians'' and ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' appearances, respectively) dueling in ''Killer Instinct''

**''[[The Package]]'' {{Mo}}

**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}

*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''

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