Editing Ascetics

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the Sangheili group|the practices involving asceticism in general|asceticism}}
{{Unit infobox
|variant=Cov
|image=[[File:H3 - Ascetic warrior.jpg|300px]]
|authority=[[Ministry of Abnegation]] {{C|Formerly}}{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|EVG|Page=age 56}}
|headquarters=*[[Sanghelios]] {{C|Formerly}}{{Ref/Reuse|surfacefeatures}}{{Ref/Reuse|warzonefirefight}}
*''[[High Charity]]'' {{C|Formerly}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} 
|species=[[Sangheili]]{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} 
|mission=Ideological control/enforcement, exegetics, applied hermeneutics, philology{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}
|mission-title=Function
|role=
|size=
|equipment=[[Ascetic harness]]
|notable=
}}

The '''Ascetics''' are an order of warriors within the [[Sangheili]] culture with deep ties to ancient beliefs.{{Ref/Site|Id=canon fodder|https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-fighting-words|Site=Halo Waypoint|PageCanon Fodder - Fighting Words|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-fighting-words.html|D=27|M=02|Y=2016}} They were fervent and defended the purity of their faith.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} They maintained their own military force, the Ascetic Guards.{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}}

==History==
[[File:H5G-AttackonSanctum.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A post-War of Beginnings Ascetic temple, laying in ruins circa [[2558]].{{Ref/Reuse|surfacefeatures}}{{Ref/Reuse|warzonefirefight}}]]
===Ancient history===
Prior to the formation of the [[Covenant]], the Ascetics were an order of religiously devout [[Sangheili]].{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} 

Following the [[War of Beginnings]], one of the terms of the [[Writ of Union]] was the dissolution of the military component of their order,{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}}{{Ref/Site|Id=usze|https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/usze-taham|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Usze 'Taham|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/usze-taham.html|D=01|M=6|Y=2020}} Ascetic Guard.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}} The Guard were reconstituted as an organization under the authority of the San'Shyuum-controlled [[Ministry of Abnegation]].{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} As well, part of the Writ of Union allowed select ascetic priests to worship at the [[Spire of Miatistina]] on [[Suban]], but this was rarely honored over the centuries.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=231}}

Ascetic priests continued to recruit worthy Sangheili warriors into their order with the intentions of keeping the ideals alive within the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|usze}}{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}} Ascetics would then construct new temples and homes in, what was at the time, [[Attack on Sanctum|a desert]] on [[Sanghelios]]. These structures would be abandoned for unknown reasons by [[2558]].{{Ref/Site|Id=surfacefeatures|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-surface-features|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Surface Features|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-surface-features.html|D=08|M=11|Y=2020}}{{Ref/Site|Id=warzonefirefight|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians/updates/warzone-firefight|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Warzone Firefight|D=18|M=8|Y=2016}}

===Great Schism===
With the return of the Sangheili's sovereignty{{Ref/Game|H3|Armor customization (Halo 3)|Armor customization|Detail=Ascetic harness description|Quote=With the return of our sovereignty comes the much needed revival of the Ascetics; now more then ever our culture depends upon their resolve to help ensure stability.}} in the [[Great Schism]], the Ascetic Guards were revived in part by [[Usze 'Taham]].{{Ref/Reuse|usze}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=251}} The Ascetics would go on to fight the remaining [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Jiralhanae]].{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} 

===Postwar===
Following the dissolution of the Covenant, 'Taham would continue to assist the ascetics.{{Ref/Reuse|usze}} The ascetics would ask him to be their liason within the [[Covenant navy|navy]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Tru7h|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack|Site=Bungie.net|Page=The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3|D=14|M=11|Y=2014}}

At least one member of the Ascetics was present with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] during their peace talks with [[Lydus' clan]] in [[2558]], though the efforts were soiled when the delegates were [[Battle of Ealen IV|attacked]] and the Ascetic warrior was killed.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HEI2|HEsc|Issue=2}} Ascetic temples by 2558, would also be bustling with life, similarly to the [[Zealot]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|surfacefeatures}}

==Equipment==
The Ascetic Guards{{Ref/Reuse|canon fodder}} use [[Ascetic harness|a unique, ancient design]] of [[Sangheili harness|harness]] which incorporates a fully enclosed helmet and a traditional bladed mandible guard.

==Trivia==
The Ascetic harness is available as an [[Armor customization (Halo 3)|armor permutation]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:AsceticArmor.png|The armor worn by the Ascetic Guards.
File:Thel 2558.png|An Ascetic serving under [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV]] in [[2558]].
File:KillerInstinctAsceticOptions.png|The Ascetic harness in ''Killer Instinct''.
File:UszeArk.png|thumb|Usze 'Taham wearing what appears to be the Ascetic helmet.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Im}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Sangheili Ranks}}

[[Category:Covenant military units]]
[[Category:Swords of Sanghelios military units]]