Editing Covenant

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{{Ratings}}
{{Seealso Level|The Covenant (Level)|Halo 3}}
{{Affiliation infobox 
|BG1=
|BG2=unterun
|image=[[File:High Charity wallpaper.jpg|300px]]
|name=Covenant Empire
|type= Theocratic [[Wikipedia:Cultural hegemony|Cultural Hegemony]]
|founding=[[Writ of Union]]
|constitution=[[Ratification Parley]]
|headofstate=[[Hierarchs]]
|headofgov=[[Hierarchs]]
|commander=[[High Prophet of Truth]]
|defacto=[[High Prophet of Truth]]
|executive=[[High Council]]
|legislative=[[High Council]]
|judicial=[[High Council]]
|capital=Formerly ''[[High Charity]]''
|language=[[Covenant Language]] (Various languages are spoken by the different races)
|currency=None
|religious=Worship of the [[Forerunners]] and their technology interpreted through Prophets
|holiday=
|anthem=
|formed= Founded at the end of the Sangheili-San'Shyuum War
|established=[[852 B.C.E.]] First [[Age of Reconciliation]]
|fragmented=20 October - 2 November 2552: Beginning of the [[Great Schism]]<!--While the genocidal campaign became apparent on 2 November, Sangheili troops in Mombasa were executed after Regret left Earth on 20 October-->
|reorganized=
|dissolved= After November 2552
|restored=
}}

{{quote|The path is broad, and we shall walk it side by side.|The [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'' level ''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]</ref>}}

The '''Covenant Empire''', also known as '''The Covenant''', was a religious hegemony of multiple alien species that controlled a large portion of the [[Orion Arm]] in the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. 

They were a combined force of alien races, and acted as the main antagonists in the ''Halo'' universe. More specifically, the Covenant's government system was a hierarchical theocratic oligarchy, underlain with a caste system, ruled by a [[High Council]]. They waged a [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against [[Humanity]] until they were defeated due to many factors, the most crucial of which was an [[Great Schism|internal conflict]]. While the Covenant was dealt a series of catastrophic blows in quick succession, with most of their leadership either lost during the [[Flood]] infection of [[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]] or during the [[Battle of Installation 00]], it still continues to exist in at least some form.<ref>'''''[[Halo 3]]''''', [[Assembly]] description</ref> In exactly what capacity it continues to operate in remains unknown.

==Background==
The name "Covenant" was taken from the binding pact that forged peace between the [[Sangheili]] (Elites) and [[San 'Shyuum]] (Prophets). The two species allied with each other after a long war with millions of casualties. The Sangheili-San 'Shyuum war, which devastated the two species for generations, was fought over [[Forerunner]] artifacts on the Sangheili home world, [[Sanghelios]], with the Sangheili wishing to preserve them, and the San 'Shyuum wishing to use the artifacts. The Sangheili held a distinct tactical upper hand, as their militaristic society was ready for a war, and their warriors were among the best in the galaxy, but the San-'Shyuum had one massive advantage; an immensely powerful Forerunner warship, known as the [[Dreadnought]]. After the San 'Shyuum decided to use the Dreadnought against the Sangheili, the San 'Shyuum destroyed the Sangheili forces. 

The Sangheili, realizing their peril, had their warrior priests dissect Forerunner technology to strengthen their ships. Eventually they realized there was no need to fight as the main point of the conflict was now moot. When the Prophets found evidence of the Forerunners and their "[[Great Journey]]", they told the Elites of their discovery and promised to find the means of the Forerunner's transcendence. The Prophets would share this knowledge with the Elites, who in turn would protect the Prophets from harm as they searched for transcendent Forerunner artifacts to activate all the [[Halo Array|Halo Installations]]. These ideas would be put into the Covenant's founding document, the [[Writ of Union]]. At first, the Covenant was only a loose non-aggression pact of two races held together by a common need to avoid mutually assured destruction but as their society advanced, so did their technology, culture, and religion. By the [[2552|time]] of the [[Fall of Reach]], the Covenant controlled a large part of the Orion Arm of the [[Milky Way]]. They discovered and conquered various races. Their society had evolved into a complicated caste system, with the Prophets governing the Covenant, and the Elites put in charge of the military. The Covenant was a theocracy, based on prophecies about the Halos and The Great Journey. The primary belief of the Covenant was that activation of the Halos would allow them passage into the "Divine Beyond", where they might join the Forerunners as gods, while those who did not believe in the Great Journey would be left behind to die by the power of the [[Halo Array|Halo Rings]].

==Society==
===Government===
The Covenant is governed by the [[High Council]], which is led by a trio of Prophets known as the [[Hierarchs]], and consists of lesser Prophets, [[Legate]]s, and high ranking Elites, which are known as Councilors. However, near the start of the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Prophets began to replace the Elites with Brutes in various positions within Covenant society, including the protection of the Hierarchs and command of the [[Covenant Fleet]]s. The Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] used the Prophet of [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret's]] assassination at the hands of [[Master Chief]] as an excuse to replace the Elite guard with Brutes. The Prophets then secretly ordered the Brutes to commit genocide against the Elites, thus leading to the beginning of the civil war.

In addition to the High Council, there are three other Councils: the [[Council of Concordance]], the [[Council of Deed and Doctrine]] and the [[Council of Masters]].

Numerous Ministries exist within the Covenant government as well, each of which possesses a single role.

The Covenant Government suffered a blow in November 2552 after the Battle of Installation 05. The Covenant split into 2 different fractions, the [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]] led by [[Thel 'Vadam]] and the Covenant Loyalists that continued to follow the Prophets led solely by the [[Prophet of Truth]] after the deaths of the Prophets of Mercy and Regret and practically all Prophets on High Charity who were assimilated by the Flood.

{{Covenant Government}}

===Species===
The Covenant society is based around a caste system of the species below. Many of the alien species conquered by the Covenant are conscripted into, or gradually become part of the alliance.<ref>[[Media:Humans hunted.ogg|''Halo 2'' dialogue]], [[Prophet of Regret]]</ref> However, during the first contact with the Humans, [[032 Mendicant Bias|The Oracle]] on board the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] revealed to Truth and Regret that Humans are "My Makers", as shown by its luminary. Since the entire Covenant was based on the belief that the Forerunners had transcended, Truth and Regret knew if any of the other races found out what the Oracle told them, the Covenant would break apart. 

[[File:Scale.GIF|500px|A scale showing the comparative sizes of the Covenant military and hierarchy.|center]]
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Please use only minor descriptions in the list. Any additional material can be covered in the articles themselves.
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[[File:1207642645 Prophet.jpg|thumb|100px|A Prophet.]]
====San 'Shyuum====
{{main|San 'Shyuum}}
The highest caste, the San 'Shyuum, or '''Prophets''', lead the Covenant and exert complete control over all religious and political affairs. Though physically weak, Prophets wield power through absolute command of the Covenant and through scavenged [[Forerunner]] technology, leaving the task of conquest to the Elites and the other races. Their higher understanding of the Forerunners gives them great ego and religious influence over the Covenant. The High Prophets are addressed as "[[Hierarchs]]", "Noble Hierarchs", "Holy Ones", or "Exalted" by the other races of the Covenant. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the belief that firing the [[Halo Array]] will herald some kind of sublimation event called the "[[Great Journey]]", which they believe will lead them to the Forerunner's final destination, but it was unknown to them that it would in fact lead them to their death. The most recent and final Hierarchs were [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret]], [[Mercy]] and, [[Truth]].

====Sangheili====
[[File:BestiarumElite.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Minor Domo]] Elite.]]

{{main|Sangheili}} 

Hailing from Sanghelios: the second highest caste; Sangheili, or in Human military slang '''Elites''', served as the military leaders of the Covenant before the Great Schism in 2552. While Prophets often had the final say, it was the Elites who organized military campaigns and naval engagements. [[Ship Master]]s commanded ships, while [[Fleet Master]]s commanded fleets, and [[Field Masters]] commanded the vast armies and the higher commanders such as a supreme commander commanded the larger fleets and armadas. Elites maintained the military structure of the Covenant and ensured the Prophets' orders were followed, as well as their own. They also have a diverse [[rank]] structure which is based off how many foes an Elite has killed. Elites also wear different coloured armour to signify their rank within the Covenant, the design their armour becomes more complex with increasing rank in some cases as well. They were a major component of the Covenant and were the only caste able to maintain the military hierarchy as well as having a voice within the [[High Council]] before the [[Great Schism]]. Later on the Elites would be tested and shoved aside from their zealous role as Covenant military leaders by the Brutes. As the [[Prophet]]s and [[Brute]]s attempted genocide of the Elites, the angered [[Covenant Separatists|Elites]] left the Covenant, causing a civil war (the great schism) within the Covenant which would end with the Covenant Loyalists adding them to their list of enemies, and the Elites forming the Covenant Separatists along with many of the Grunts and Hunters. The Covenant Separatists then became allies with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] in their fight against the remaining Covenant. They are called "[[Sangheili]]" in the Covenant language. An "ee" at the end of an Elite name, such as "'Zamamee or 'Vadumee", would signify that that Elite is a part or was part of the Covenant military, although, after the Great Schism most, if not all, Elites removed the "ee" from their names to show that they had left the Covenant.

====Mgalekgolo====
[[File:Hunter 3.jpg|thumb|100px|A Mgalekgolo.]]

{{main|Mgalekgolo}}

Mgalekgolo, or '''Hunters''', are thought to be giant monsters, but they are actually an assemblage of worm-like entities called "[[Lekgolo]]" that create a communal, armor plated form. In this form, they are known as "[[Mgalekgolo]]". They always fight and travel in pairs known as "Bond Brothers" (which technically means that not all of the colonies of worms were able to fit within one set of armor), and are the strongest of the Covenant fighting units. They wield powerful assault cannons and a massive shield resistant to any small arms fire which may also be used as a melee weapon due to its sharp sides and the Hunters' great strength. This is why if you are close enough to a Hunter, they will run at you, and swing their shield at you, which can cause major damage, but this can easily be dodged, since Hunters are relatively slow. They are usually used as shock infantry, and are only deployed on the battle field when in need of a heavy force - they are used more like heavy duty equipment than soldiers. Their political and religious motivations are completely unknown. Their weaknesses are their exposed orange flesh, which is located on their backs, stomach, and neck. In ''[[Halo 3]]'' the leadership offered more protection by covering their stomachs with more armor. Their main weakness is when their back is turned, because of the lack of armor they have there. They are one of the most powerful Covenant foes, challenged only by the [[Sangheili]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and the [[Jiralhanae]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.

====Yanme'e====
[[File:Palamok.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Yanme'e]].]]

{{main|Yanme'e}}

These flying, insect-like creatures referred to as '''Drones''' served almost exclusively as engineers, but were then replaced by the Huragok, after, they were used as aerial combatants against the UNSC, who are inexperienced at fighting airborne infantry. They became the second Covenant species with the ability of flight. In combat it seems that their weapons of choice are the needler, which can cause a good amount of damage if allowed, and the Plasma Pistol, which is weak, unless it is a charged shot, which can bring down your shields drastically. Their ability to fight on the wing makes them an excellent strategic weapon against ground-based opponents. They are called ''Yanme'e'' in the Covenant language. Some people believe that Drones had joined the Covenant some time in between ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2''. This can be proved false, as they appear in the novel ''Halo: Contact Harvest'', which was the first Human-Covenant contact. They are similar to the drones in the first ''Marathon'' game.

Those deemed unfit to function within a unit, known as "unmutuals" within the Yanme'e hive were forced into penal labor by the hierarchy of the Covenant. Often working in excavation teams under the supervision of [[Kig-Yar]] Guards. An example of this in "[[Blunt Instruments]]", a short story by Fred Van Lente, describes the "Unmutual" Drones work and hive behaviour.

====Kig-Yar====
[[File:Eayn.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Jackal Minor]].]]

{{main|Kig-yar}}

Due to their superior senses, the Kig-Yar, or '''Jackals'''/'''Skirmishers''' are the scouts and marksmen of the Covenant military, they are the second lowest Covenant caste and are about 5'6" tall and due to their lack of physical durability, they carry a portable [[Jackal Personal Arm Shield|energy shield]] generator during combat. Jackals are employed mainly as sharpshooters with their excellent vision and dexterity, and are also deployed to defend strategic areas. When a Jackal is under fire, it will cover its head with its hands and trot away to another position from which to fire. The first [[Human]] contact was between [[Staff Sergeant]]s [[Johnson]] and [[Byrne]] on a Human freighter as Jackal pirates tried to board the ship. Jackals have never been seen using grenades except in the book ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. This is probably because they wield both their weapon and their shield, and so cannot throw grenades while dual-wielding. They have very strong dislike of the Unggoy because they are always trying to assert their superiority over them in the caste system of the Covenant. Once they poisoned a recreational narcotic that the Unggoy use which nearly caused them to become infertile. This caused one of the Unggoy unrests.


====Unggoy====
[[File:BestiarumGrunt.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Grunt Minor]].]]

{{main|Unggoy}}

Hailing from Balaho, Unggoy, known as '''Grunts''' among Humans, are both the most common and lowest-placed caste of the Covenant, as the name implies. Despite their notable cowardice and ineptitude, they are quite dangerous in large numbers, which may have been why an [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] was needed to quell the [[Grunt Rebellion]]. They breathe a methane mixture and thus must wear a large tank on their back full of the methane to survive on other planets. They are also always in conflict with the Kig-Yar.

====Jiralhanae====
[[File:Brutecaptain.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Brute]] [[Brute Captain Major|Captain Major]].]]

{{main|Jiralhanae}}

[[Jiralhanae]], known as '''Brutes''' to Humans. They were originally the third highest caste in the Covenant they were then promoted to second highest after the departure of the Elites. The Jiralhanae are one of the newer species to the [[Covenant]] and are the only race that has obtained very close to equal status to that of one of the founding "clients" of the [[Covenant]] pact, the [[Sangheli]]. They have an incredible natural resilience to damage due to their tough hides, which easily make up for their lack of [[energy shields]] (be it noted that later in ''[[Halo 3]]'' they get [[power armor]]), and use a number of [[Brute Sandbox|weapons and vehicles]] based upon their pre-Covenant technology. This technology, though primitive compared to other [[Covenant]] weapons, is nonetheless extremely lethal, with most Brute-developed weapons having blades attached to them. Some chieftains in ''Halo 3'' and [[Tartarus]] from ''Halo 2'' are also equipped with [[invincibility]]. As opposed to standard [[Jiralhanae]] combat, Brutes sometimes will go "berserk", and will try, and usually kill anyone or anything in it's path. This shows the aggressive nature of the Brute, and the little tolerance they have when they are cornered. The said Brute will charge mindlessly in the event of its armor being destroyed, it's companions being killed, being stuck with a plasma grenade (like [[Sangheili]]), or several other circumstances. Brutes have their own ranks going up to [[War Chieftain]]s who usually wield [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]], [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|fuel rod guns]], or [[Chieftain]]s who usually wield [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|gravity hammers]]. The [[Jiralhanae|Brute]]s always work in packs of 3-8 when possible. Brutes are unlike Elites in that they do not have a problem using Human weapons, as shown in the books and ''[[Halo 2]]''. After the Elites were replaced for failing to protect the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] from the "[[John-117|Demon]]", they took over their role as personal [[Brute Bodyguard|bodyguards]] of the Prophets and also now make up most of the Covenant military. They have a hairy, ape-like appearance with rough, rhino-like skin and a highly resilient body.

====Huragok====
[[File:Huragok Halo 3- ODST.jpg|thumb|100px|An [[Engineer]].]]

{{main|Huragok}}

Huragok, or '''Engineers''' are actually an artificial species created by the Forerunners, they are on par with the Grunts in the Covenant caste system. They will only converse with the Prophets or individuals who learn their language. This indicates Engineers are very high in the caste system, however [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] believe them to be prisoners or slaves. It is believed that the Engineers helped the [[Covenant]] to understand how to use the Forerunner technology effectively, which aided their advancement. In military terms, they are generally a non-militant race. However, at times in the [[Human-Covenant War]] they have been placed on the battlefield either as repair workers or suicide bombers.  They have also displayed neutrality and even some allegiance to humans such as Lighter Than Some helping the Harvest citizens escape (and being instrumental to that) and another Engineer repairing ''Ascendant Justice's'' engines for the Master Chief and even a Needler for him to use in battle. Another example is one Huragok repairing and recovering the Human AI ''Superintendent'' and then assisting [[Captain]] [[Veronica Dare]] and [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]] in working out what the High Prophet of Truth was looking for in Africa.  

====Deleted races====
*"[[Drinol]]s" are creatures in the form of bosses that did not make it into the ''Halo'' games. They are thought to have been remade into the [[Flood]]'s Tank Pure Form as there are many similarities between the two.

*"[[Stalker (Species)|Stalkers]]" are a Covenant race that did not make it into ''[[Halo 2]]'', seen in the ''Halo 2 Collector's Edition Disc''. They were taken from original idea sketches of the Sangheili in the first ''Halo'' game and were supposed to be very wiry and skeletal, with massive amounts of teeth, similar to sharks.

*"[[Keelbug]]s" are only seen in the ''Halo 2 Collector's Edition Disc''. Insectoid in nature, they were supposed to fly into the battlefield, cut dead bodies into sections, and fly off with them, a creative way of removing NPC corpses to free memory from the game. They seemed to be more like animals than a sentient race. They were likely cut out in favor of the Yanme'e.

*"[[Alien Trooper]]s" are seen in the ''Halo 2 Collector's Edition Disc''. They are understood to be a deleted form of soldier that would complement the [[Sangheili]] in battle. The only known data on these Covenant are that they were supposed to carry its weapon under their bellies.

*"[[Special Purpose Sniper]]s" are seen in the ''Halo 2 Collector's Edition Disc''. Their arms were used like a tripod, so they could flip from side to side, without having to switch weapons. They would also be able to hang from trees. This concept appears to have been re-imagined in ''Halo 3'', with Kig Yar Snipers often being found in trees.

====Creatures inhabiting Covenant worlds====
*"[[Scrub Grub]]s" are small creatures the equivalent of the rats found on [[Earth]]. They were first mentioned in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', while inhabiting a Jackal ship.

*"[[Zap-Jellie]]s" are sea creatures that live on the Grunt home world, [[Balaho]]. They are possibly the equivalent to large jellyfish on Earth.

*"[[Thorn Beast]]s" are a food source for the Covenant, though only observed being eaten by Brutes. The only reference to the Thorn Beasts is in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', when the Brutes are first mentioned, and in [[Halo Wars]], in at least one of the timeline periods. They were also included in the original Halo game being developed for Mac.

*"[[Mud Wasp]]s" are insects found on the Grunt home world of Balaho.

*"[[Shade Crab]]s" are crustaceans found on the Grunt home world of Balaho.

*"[[Helioskrill]]s" are predators found on Sangheilios that imitate rocks to catch their prey.

*"[[Doarmir]]s" are furry animals found on Sangheilios, their pelts were used by early seafaring Sangheili as cloaks, the tradition is continued by modern Sangheili Shipmasters.

===Religion and culture===
[[File:CFsymbols.jpg|250px|thumb|Forerunner symbols.]]

{{Main|Covenant Religion}}

The Covenant society and culture is based solely on worshiping the Forerunners and recovering their sacred artifacts. Because of this, they often have to turn to war to achieve their ends, and so the Elites, and later the Brutes, have a very high place in their culture as they [[Honor Guard|protect]] the Prophets from external and internal threats. In Covenant society, personal vendettas are not tolerated.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' page 95</ref>

Because of the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophet's]] links to the [[Forerunners]], they possess superior technology, and this, combined with the unique abilities of the client races, helped to push the ever-growing war machine of the Covenant. The client races are nearly enslaved by the Covenant, forced to live a completely different way of life. Their past cultures are all but erased, and the only practical way for them to relive their former cultures is through dreams. Most races are only kept for their varying skills to be exploited, rather than to be a part of a flourishing empire. [[Lekgolo|Hunters]], for example, are indomitable ground forces, and so they were conquered by way of orbital bombardment to help the Covenant in close-range combat, rather than from star ships.

The Forerunners, a long-since vanished and utterly mysterious civilization, are revered as gods by the Covenant, although their original nature was certainly not divine. The Covenant belief system is underpinned by the existence of numerous abandoned Forerunner artifacts, objects and installations. Of these, the most notable are the seven [[Halo Array|Halo rings]], said to be the locations at which the Covenant belief of the [[Great Journey]] will begin. The evident technological perfection of Forerunner objects, and the awesome and unknown purpose for which these artifacts exist, has powered the Covenant theology for millennium.

It appears that the Covenant's faith is solely qualified by finding the Forerunners' abandoned technology scattered throughout the galaxy. However, much of this Forerunner technology is as obtuse as it is arcane. It can only be guessed at what its true purpose and origin might be. That said, they have been able to incorporate some Forerunner advancements into their weapon and transport technology. The Covenant, then, are mainly driven by their fanatical devotion to religion. The client races are held together by a common belief; the slave races are driven by the religion which they have been forced to accept.

==History==
{{Main|History of the Covenant}}

{{Ages}}

The Covenant divided their history into eons called Ages. There are ''at least'' [[seven]] ages, although their exact order is uncertain. The Ages are named according to things that have happened or are happening in them. This also means that the lengths of the Ages vary, with some longer than others. ''[[Halo Wars]]'', ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', and ''[[Halo 2]]'' take place during the 9th [[Ages of Reclamation|Age of Reclamation]], which began during the events in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''.

{{quote|The First Age: Ignorance and Fear.''<br>
::''The Second Age: Rivalry and Bloodshed.''
:::''The Third Age: Humility and Brotherhood.''
::::''The Fourth Age: Wonder and Understanding.''
:::::''The Fifth Age: Obedience and Freedom.''
::::::''The Sixth Age: Faith and Patience.''
:::::::''The Seventh Age: Journey and Salvation.''|Maccabeus and the Jiralhanae of the ''Rapid Conversion''.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref>}}

===Great Schism===
The High Prophet of Regret led a botched mission to Earth and was forced into the Battle of Earth upon discovering what turned out to be the human homeworld. The Regret escaped to Delta Halo but he is later assassinated by the Master Chief, which is considered an extreme failure in the Elite's mission to protect the leading caste of the Covenant. The remaining Prophets, led by the High Prophet of Truth, used this opportunity to replace the Elites with Brutes as their protectors. However, this move effectively shames and angers the Elites, who have been in such a position since the founding of the Covenant and they threaten to resign from the High Council.

Truth gave command of the Covenant Fleets to the Jiralhanae , a position previously held by the Sangheili. Once there were enough and an ample amount of Jiralhanae in place, Truth secretly ordered the Jiralhanae to commit a mass genocide of the Sangheili. With this act disguised and incognito as a Brute insurrection, the Jiralhanae replaced the Sangheili within the society of the Covenant. The Sangheili of course, revolted, enlisting the help of some of their following Mgalekgolo and Unggoy, birthing a destructive civil war within High Charity itself.

Early into the Great Schism, the Sangheili Councilors were assassinated by the Jiralhanae at the will of the Prophets, mainly the Prophet of Truth. When the Sangheili learned the truth about the Halos, it changed the war significantly and added Humananity into the struggle. Instead of a Great Journey, the Gravemind's revelation regarding the super weapon contradicted the entire Covenant's belief system.

Bringing his occupational fleet to Installation 00, Truth was unaware of the Human-Sangheili alliance, and his fleet; though three times as large, was unprepared and un-trained for handling a direct assault.

Though the Prophet of Truth was eventually killed, and most of the Loyalist's known fleet was destroyed by the Sangheili fleet above the Ark, the Covenant still existed in some force, though in a weakened state, forced to rebuild after the war.<ref>Halo 3, multiplayer level Assembly description</ref> Rtas 'Vadum expressed concern that the Sangheili homeworld, Sanghelios, may have still been endangered by the Covenant, and considering the sheer size of the former Covenant it is unlikely that the entirety of the Loyalists were present at Earth. Exactly who or what remains in charge of their political and military leadership is also unknown - the Prophets had already been reduced to near extinction ''before'' the loss of the Ark<ref>Bestiarum</ref> and were not sighted by the Sangheili since 2553.<ref name="return">Halo: Evolutions - "The Return"</ref>

The religiously devout and stubborn Jiralhanae would continue their war with the Sangheili many years afterwards. With the lack of the San 'Shyuum, who were experts with Forerunner technology and the only Covenant caste allowed by law to modify them, the two sides would be without added support and would fight themselves to extinction.<ref name="return"/>

==Technology==
Covenant [[technology]] is repeatedly referred to as more imitative rather than innovative, unlike their [[human]] enemies. Some may say that their technology is far more advanced than that of humanity.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', page 241</ref> Their technology is based largely on mimicry and reverse engineering of the leftover Forerunner artifacts they have discovered; their weaponry is mostly plasma based and most of their vehicles are capable of hovering. Most of the Covenant's hand-held weapons (except the [[Fuel Rod Gun]], [[Needler]], [[Carbine]], [[Brute Shot]] and later the [[Mauler]], and [[Spiker]]) use magnetic coils to direct the usually unstable plasma.

While Covenant technology is far more advanced than humanity's, the Covenant seem to be ignorant of how precise or powerful their technology can be. Covenant [[slipspace]] engines, for example, are more precise and faster than a human engine, but the Covenant use their engines slower and less precisely than they can be used. This is because the Covenant don't bother to learn the principles behind the technology they use. [[Cortana]] used this to her advantage on the captured Covenant Flagship ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' by reconfiguring the electromagnetic shaping coils to shape the plasma into a thin, sustained beam that, while very effective, consumes plasma at an astonishing rate. These plasma torpedoes are said to be a much more powerful torpedo, breaching a larger Covenant ship's shields and hull in one shot. These were seen in the book ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''. Covenant starships use [[Repulsor Engines]] for propulsion in space, rather than traditional reaction drives presumably used by the UNSC.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 331</ref> It seems that the Covenant also have a reasonable understanding of herbal medicines.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref>

Only two Covenant A.I. have ever been found. One was a [[rampant]] [[AI]] that was stationed aboard the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' and destroyed by [[Cortana]], while the other was The [[Seeker]], sent to infiltrate UNSC systems and alert the Covenant to the location of Earth. Given their continued scarcity, and the Prophet's traditional ban on artificial intelligences, it is unlikely that they are anywhere near as common as UNSC A.I.'s. However, Cortana's copy references several A.I.'s being present in the ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' system when the Spartans infiltrate the base.

Covenant architecture is known for its curved, organic and sophisticated looking style, likely for the aesthetic tastes of the higher-ranked castes. Constructed of distinctive purple or white metal, these colors are the main focus of Covenant design and distributed throughout their starships, [[vehicles]], and weapons. The metal they use is unknown to the [[UNSC]] but is very strong and resilient.

==Military==
{{Main|Covenant Military}}
Like other civilizations, the Covenant maintains a permanent armed forces branch, used to enforce order, conduct atmospheric and space combat operations, and generally project the Covenant's power onto others. Formerly led by the Elites prior to the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Loyalist branches are now led by the Brutes. The military comprises of the [[Covenant Navy (Service)|Covenant Navy]], the [[Covenant Army]] and the [[Special Warfare Group]] containing the [[Special Operations|Special Operations Division]] (SpecOps).

===Weaponry===
{{Main|Covenant Weapons}}

The Covenant boast a large arsenal of [[Directed Energy Weapon|directed-energy weapons]], largely [[plasma]]-based (though they also utilize [[Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation|lasers]] and [[Particle Beam Weapon|particle beam weapons]]). Most of the Covenant's weaponry uses a form of magnetic channeling that humans can only match with the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC gun]] aboard starships and several smaller applications such as the [[M68 Gauss Cannon]].
 
[[Plasma Weaponry|Plasma-based weaponry]] is ''extremely'' effective against the Covenant's own [[energy shields]]. The amount of shots that can be fired tends to be very high, but power cannot be recharged without a recharge station nearby, and firing many shots in a short duration can cause the weapon to overheat, which reduces energy efficiency as well as forcing a temporary cooling period in which the weapon cannot be fired. Once the plasma reserves are used up, the weapon is useless. As is evidenced in some of the game files, recharging is possible, although this technology cannot be used by the [[Master Chief]] or the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 2]]'', or ''[[Halo 3]]''.

With the introduction of the [[Jiralhanae]] as the major military caste within the Covenant, their weaponry has found widespread use. Utilizing crude projectile-like metal spikes in place of plasma, human-based hand-held [[shotgun]]-like "[[Maulers]]", explosive grenade-like launchers, and sharp blades, they are more primitive, yet brutal - fitting, considering the nature of their creators.

There are three known types of dedicated melee weaponry used by the Covenant. The first, and certainly most well known, is the [[energy sword]], used solely by the [[Sangheili]]. Creating a solid blade of superheated plasma, it has both ceremonial and martial value to the Sangheili warriors, and its possession is closely monitored. Secondly is the [[Gravity Hammer]], used by Jiralhanae, which seems to be the cultural equivalent to the sword. But rather than using a blade of plasma, it can generate a gravitational field, doing devastating damage. The third has not yet been seen in a game, but is used by [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]] – an [[Energy Cutlass]], a crystal similar to those fired by the [[Needler]], used in melee combat, capable of embedding in a target and exploding. The [[Jiralhanae]] [[Brute Shot]], [[Mauler]] and the [[Spiker]] are extremely capable in melee combat.

{{Covenant Weapons}}

===Vehicles===
Covenant vehicles use advanced anti-gravity technology for propulsion, as well as utilizing [[Plasma Cannons]] and fuel rods as offensive weaponry and are mainly constructed out of a high-strength purple metal. Though often faster than their [[UNSC]] counterparts, Covenant vehicles are more unstable over uneven terrain where the sudden changes affects its handling. All Covenant vehicles are made from a purple or dark blue type of metal (excluding Brute vehicles), said to be much more advanced than any alloy known to Humans, and all Covenant vehicles are nicknamed after some kind of supernatural entity by the UNSC, except for [[Scarabs]] and [[Locusts]]. The reason behind this form of naming is not known. Recently, Brute vehicles and technology have been incorporated into the Covenant's arsenal. Though more primitive, they serve the Brutes' need for power. Brute vehicles are not named after spiritual entities, and rather than being a series of Covenant vehicles are regarded as native Jiralhanae technology, although the Jiralhanae have been known to salvage Human materials for their own purpose. Such as the original Brute Choppers, which were crafted from procured JOTUNS from Harvest, as stated in "Contact Harvest".

{{Covenant Vehicles}}

==Covenant worlds==
'''[[51 Pegasi System]]'''
*[[Pegasi Delta]]

'''[[K7-49]]'''

'''[[Salia System]]'''
*[[Joyous Exultation]]
*[[Malhiem]] (Satellite)

'''[[Urs]] System (with stars [[Fied]] and [[Joori]] as secondary stars)'''
*[[Sanghelios]] ([[Elite]] Homeworld)
**[[Yermo]] (Continent)
***[[Iruiru]]
*[[Qikost]] (Satellite)
*[[Suban]] (Satellite)

'''[[Tala]] System'''
*[[Balaho]] ([[Grunt]] Homeworld)
**[[Buwan]] (Satellite)
**[[Padpad]] (Satellite)

'''[[Oth Sonin]] System'''
*[[Doisac]] ([[Brute]] Homeworld)
**[[Warial]] (Satellite)
**[[Solrapt]] (Satellite)
**[[Teash]] (Satellite)

'''Prophet Homeworld''' - Currently Unknown

'''[[Svir]] System'''
*[[Te]] ([[Hunter]] Homeworld)
**[[Rantu]]
**[[Uhtua]]
**23 smaller satellites

'''[[Napret]] System'''
*[[Palamok]] ([[Yanme'e|Drone]] Homeworld)
**[[Naxook]] (Satellite)
**[[Oquiu]] (Satellite)
**[[Ka'amoti]] (Satellite)
**[[Kami]] (Satellite)

'''[[Y'Deio]] System (HD 69830)'''
*[[Chu'ot]]
**[[Eayn]] (Satellite) ([[Jackal]] homeworld)

'''[[Decided Heart]]'''- Sangheili Base planet

'''[[Weeping Shadows of Sorrow]]'''- Covenant Penitentiary world

'''[[Heian]]''' - A world with a significant logistics base.

==Trivia==
*In a [[List of Biblical References in Halo|Biblical reference]], the Ark of the Covenant represented the will of God, in connection with the quote: "Your destruction is the will of the Gods...and we are their instrument." This references the Covenant's belief they carry through the will of their gods, the Forerunners.
*[[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] often refers to Covenant species as "meddlers" due to their constant disregard for containment protocols, and misinterpretation of [[Forerunner]] language and technology.
*The Covenant have several similarities to the Hierarchy from ''[[w:c:universeatwar:Main Page|Universe at War]]''. For example, the Hierarchy leader, Kamal Re'x, is eerily similar to the [[Prophet of Truth]], saying things of comparison: (Kamal): "The universe does not abide by weakness, and we are it's ambassadors" (Truth): "Your destruction is the will of the gods...and we are their instrument."

==Sources==
<references/>

==Links==
===Internal===
*[[Governors of Contrition]]
*[[Writ of Union]]
*[[Mark of Shame]]
*[[Great Journey]]
*[[True Sayings]]
*[[Ratification Parley]]
*[[Covenant Weapons]]
*[[The Great Journey]]

===External===
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=697 A Covenant Primer: The Best of the Bestiary]

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