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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{era|H2|H3|FS|GOO|CH|HGN|UP}} |
| {{Disambig header|the Covenant special unit|the rank used by the Covenant|Honor Guard}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| {{Military infobox | | {{Infobox Military Unit |
| |image=[[File:H2A - Covenant Honor Guard.jpg|300px]] | | |unit_name= Honor Guard of the Covenant |
| |formed= | | |image=[[Image:Brutesarbiter.jpg|300px]] |
| |affiliation=[[Covenant]] [[High Council]] | | |dates= |
| |branch= | | |country= |
| |type=Protection services | | |allegiance= [[Covenant]] [[Covenant Loyalists|Loyalists]] |
| |role=Protection of the [[Hierarchs]] and [[High Council]] | | |branch= |
| | |type= Protection service |
| | |role= To protect the [[San 'Shyuum]] and the rest of the [[High Council]]. |
| |size= | | |size= |
| |nicknames= | | |command_structure= |
| |battles=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> | | |garrison= ''[[High Charity]]'' |
| [[Great Schism]] | | |garrison_label= |
| | |nickname= |
| | |patron= |
| | |motto= |
| | |colors= Crimson and Gold |
| | |colors_label= |
| | |march= |
| | |mascot= |
| | |anniversaries= |
| | |equipment= |
| | |equipment_label= |
| | |battles=*[[Battle of Installation 05]] |
| | *[[First Battle of High Charity]] |
| | |decorations= |
| | |battle_honors= |
| |commanders= | | |commanders= |
| }} | | }} |
| {{Quote|Thou, in faith, will keep us safe,<br>Whilst we find the path.|[[Covenant]] [[Writ of Union]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 148''</ref>}}
| | The '''Honor Guard''' is a special unit of [[Covenant]] tasked with providing security for the [[High Council]] <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Gravemind]]''</ref> |
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| The '''Covenant Honor Guard'''<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 95''</ref> were a special unit of [[Covenant]] warriors tasked with providing security for the [[High Council]]. They were traditionally composed of [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili members]], but were replaced by [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae]] during the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> | | ==Background== |
| | ===Role=== |
| | The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard, a glowing red and orange combination of jutting spikes and designs indicates that the Guard is not only meant for combat, but is also a great position of pride and honor. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets, as well as members of the [[High Council]], from any danger. |
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| | ===Ranks=== |
| | Although a great honor, it is seen by some [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]] as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. It is unknown how an Honor Guard ranks in comparison to the normal chain of leadership, but it is assumed they are equivalent to an [[Ultra Elite|Sangheili]] or [[Brute Captain|Jiralhanae Captain]], or slightly below the [[Arbiter]]/[[Chieftain]]. |
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| | Wherever a High Prophet is located, an Honor Guardsman is always by their side. There could be as many as 300 Honor Guardsman for each Prophet, as the [[Step of Silence]] seems designed to hold 300 Honor Guards but only one Prophet <ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', page 339</ref>. |
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| ==History== | | ==History== |
| ===Early history=== | | ===Before the Great War=== |
| After the [[War of Beginnings]], the two sides formed the [[Covenant]]. The [[San'Shyuum]] were to be the governmental leaders and scientists, with the [[Sangheili]] as their protectors and main military force. The Covenant Honor Guards were established to protect the Covenant [[High Council]] and [[Hierarchs]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 47''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', ''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> The Honor Guard was formed as early as [[851 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 21''</ref> | | After the [[Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War]], the two sides formed the [[Covenant]]. The [[San 'Shyuum]] were to be the governmental leaders and scientists, with the [[Sangheili]] as their protectors and main soldiers <ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Beastiarum]]</ref>. |
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| ===Human-Covenant War=== | | ===Human-Covenant War=== |
| {{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
| | During the 30 years of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Honor Guard didn't see much combat up until [[2552]], at the [[Battle of Installation 05]]. |
| Between 2542 and 2552, the Honor Guard were charged with defending a [[Unidentified Prophet (Heian)|Lesser Prophet]] on a [[Heian|Covenant-controlled planet]] that served as a major logistics base. Unfortunately for them, a team of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] infiltrated the planet and assassinated the Prophet from a distance of two miles before the Honor Guard could intervene.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Babysitter]]''</ref>
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| [[File:H2A - HonorGuard.jpg|thumb|250px|John-117 engaging an Honor Guardsman on Installation 05.]]
| | On [[2552|October 20th, 2552]], [[Covenant]] [[Covenant Army|Ground]] and [[Covenant Navy|Naval]] forces invaded [[Earth]] <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>. The [[High Prophet of Regret]] and his fleet came to Earth to find [[Installation 00|The Ark]] <ref>''[[Halo Graphic Novel|Halo: Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]'', page 95</ref>, a facility where they could fire all of the [[The Halo Array|Halo Installations]] and complete [[The Great Journey]]. Being pursued by [[United Nations Space Command]] forces, Regret and his [[Assault Carrier|flagship]] escaped by going into slipspace in [[Mombasa]], [[Kenya]] <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]''</ref>. |
| On [[2552|October 20, 2552]], [[Covenant military]] and [[Covenant fleet|naval]] forces invaded [[Earth]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref> The [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] and [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|his fleet]] came to Earth to find [[Installation 00|the Ark]],<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]'', ''page 95''</ref> a [[Forerunner]] installation where they could fire all of the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]] and complete the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. Being pursued by [[United Nations Space Command]] forces, ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' escaped by going into [[slipstream space|slipspace]] in [[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]] with Regret aboard.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref> | |
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| When they arrived on [[Installation 05]], Regret and his [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] stationed themselves at a [[Temple (Installation 05)|temple]] in the middle of a lake near the [[Quarantine Zone]] of the [[Library]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]''</ref> Much to the Prophet's surprise, the human vessel {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} followed him to the installation. The UNSC forces aboard, led by [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]], initiated an [[Assassination of the Prophet of Regret|assault]] on the temple with the intent of capturing or killing the Prophet. [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] [[John-117]] led the attack, infiltrating the temple and entering the Prophet's chamber. The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fought furiously to protect the Hierarch, but ultimately could not prevent John-117 from killing the Prophet of Regret.<ref name="regret">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref> | | When they arrived on [[Installation 05]], Regret and his [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] went to a temple in the middle of a lake near the [[Quarantine Zone]] of the [[Library]] <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref>. |
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| ====Changing of the Guard====
| | Much to the Prophet's surprise, the [[Humans]] followed him to the ring world. There, forces led by [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Master Chief Petty Officer|MCPO]] [[John-117]] tried to capture or kill the Prophet of Regret. |
| {{Main|Changing of the Guard}}
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| [[File:H2A - Changing of the Guard.jpg|thumb|250px|Jiralhanae take the Honor Guard armor of the Sangheili.]]
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| Following the catastrophic failure of Sangheili forces in safeguarding [[Installation 04]], the Hierarchs' confidence in the abilities of the Sangheili wavered. Their willingness to trust the Sangheili as their personal protectors declined even further when the Prophet of Regret's bodyguards failed to save him from death at the hands of the "Demon"—John-117.{{Ref/Reuse|regret}} As a result, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophets of Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] ordered the Sangheili to step down as the protectors of the Prophets.<ref name="icon">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> This event was not approved of by the High Council and some [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] threatened to resign from the Council.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 217''</ref> Truth had forged an alliance to rid the Covenant of the Sangheili with [[Tartarus]] and the [[Jiralhanae]], and so Truth had the Jiralhanae fill in the void left by the disgraced Sangheili.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant-honor-guard '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant Honor Guard'']</ref>
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| ===The Great Schism===
| | And a few hours later, SPARTAN John-117 and a few [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] initiated an assault on the temple. The Sangheili Honor Guardsman fought furiously to protect their Prophet from the SPARTAN, though they were overpowered and allowed for the Human to kill the Prophet of Regret <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]''</ref>. |
| {{Main|Great Schism}}
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| [[File:H2A - Tartarus smashing Flood.jpg|thumb|250px|The Jiralhanae Honor Guard, led by Tartarus defend the Prophets from a swarm of Flood on ''High Charity''.]]
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| At the [[Battle of the Quarantine Zone]] in [[2552|November 3, 2552]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] retrieved the [[activation index]] from [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, and moments attempted to kill the Arbiter by sending him falling to his presumed death.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> Meanwhile, the Hierarchs had a majority of the Sangheili High Councilors and former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen met in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of Installation 05 to begin the preparations for the Great Journey. However, [[Jiralhanae Captain]] [[Melchus]] led a large contingent of Jiralhanae into the Control Room and massacred the Councilors and former Honor Guards.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 219-222''</ref> These actions, charged to Tartarus and Melchus by the High Prophets, started the [[Great Schism]],{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} that would last for several years.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>
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| During the [[Fall of High Charity]], the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]] were put into more of an infantry role fighting the [[Covenant remnants|Sangheili]] still on the capital world and on ships in orbit.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} Later during the battle on ''[[High Charity]]'', the Prophets of Truth and Mercy along with their personal Jiralhanae Honor Guards fled towards a landing pad where they would leave on the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the middle of the city. During this, the [[Flood]], led by the [[Gravemind]], begin their invasion of ''High Charity''. A lone [[Pod infector]] that slipped past the Jiralhanae guards, grasped onto Mercy's chest and began his assimilation into a [[proto-Gravemind]]. Truth, not wanting any potential threat to his ultimate supremacy, prevented the Guards from saving Mercy and allowed the old Prophet to die.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>
| | ===Changing of the Guard=== |
| | Due to their mistakes in allowing the killing of a High Prophet, the [[High Prophet of Truth]] and [[High Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] ordered the Sangheili to step down as the protectors of the Prophets. And in their place, the Jiralhanae filled in the void left by the disgraced Sangheili <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]''</ref>. |
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| The Jiralhanae Honor Guard continued to defend the Prophet through the final days of the Human-Covenant War, though by the time of the Covenant's [[Battle of Installation 00|final stand]] on [[Installation 00|The Ark]], their ranks had been drastically depleted. With Truth's death, the fragmentation of the Covenant and the rise of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] as the main governing body of the title's former bearers, it's highly likely that the Honor Guard has ceased to exist.
| | ===The Great Schism=== |
| | | {{main|Great Schism}} |
| ==Organization== | | During the [[Battle of the Quarantine Zone]] in [[2552|November 2552]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Cheiftain]] [[Tartarus]] retrieved the [[Index]] from the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], and later sent him to his death <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>. |
| ===Role=== | |
| [[File:HW3.jpg|thumb|250px|A group of Honor Guardsmen at [[Trove]]'s [[Apex Site]].]]
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| The members of the Honor Guard served as personal protection for the [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] of the Covenant [[High Council]]. They were the most skilled of warriors and were hand-picked for the duty of protecting the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]], as well as members of the High Council, from any danger. In accordance with their duties, they were unwaveringly loyal to the individuals they protected and would defend them to the death.<ref name="ch154">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 154''</ref> Honor Guardsmen were expected to kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 341''</ref> Honor Guardsmen were also found in the Ministry towers on ''[[High Charity]]'', protecting the Ministry workers from any possible threats.{{Ref/Reuse|ch154}} Following the [[Changing of the Guard]], the Sangheili High Councilors were unwilling to trust the new [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] and employed Sangheili serving in the [[Covenant military]] instead.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 217''</ref>
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| The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard consisted of a red-and-black combat harness adorned with glowing orange panels. Honor Guards were typically equipped with standard Covenant weaponry such as {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}s, {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}s, and {{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}s. When they were not in combat, Honor Guardsmen would wield bladed [[energy stave]]s. However, the staves were largely ceremonial and Honor Guardsmen would prefer to arm themselves with [[Type-1 energy sword]]s.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 349''</ref> The armor was designed to indicate that serving in the position of an Honor Guardsman was a great privilege.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
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| ===Ranks===
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| Although Guard service was a great honor, it was seen by some Sangheili and [[Jiralhanae]] as a merely ceremonial duty and its members were unlikely to experience combat first hand.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 137''</ref> Though moved to a specialist rank, the Honor Guardsmen retain their old armors, indicating that most Honor Guards are formerly [[Sangheili Major]]s, [[Sangheili Ultra]]s, or [[Jiralhanae Captain]]s. Wherever a [[Hierarchs|High Prophet]] was located, an Honor Guardsman would always be by their side. There could be as many as three hundred Honor Guardsmen for each Prophet, as a chamber within the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] seemed designed to hold three hundred Honor Guards.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 339''</ref>
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| The [[Lights of Sanghelios]] was a subgroup of the Covenant Honor Guard that represented the most adept and highest-ranking combat units within the Guard. These soldiers were typically charged with the protection of a San'Shyuum or a Ministry tower. The Sangheili within the unit often oversaw standard Honor Guardsmen in numerous battles and engagements. Sangheili Guardsmen serving in the Lights of Sanghelios were identified from other Honor Guardsmen by the bright-white armor coloring.{{Ref/Reuse|ch154}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|Sangheili Honor Guards during a High Council session.
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| File:Sangheili HG 01.png|A standard Sangheili Honor Guard.
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| File:H2_Honor_Guard_Ultra.png|An Honor Guard Ultra without a helmet.
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| File:Honor Guard Councilor.jpg|The [[Honor Guard Councilor]].
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| File:Brutehonorguardsmanedit.png|The newer Jiralhanae Honor Guards.
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| </gallery>
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| ==List of appearances==
| | This action, given to Tartarus by the High Prophets, started the short [[Covenant Civil War]] <ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>, that would last until the end of the Human-Covenant War in [[2553|Spring 2553]]. |
| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo Legends]]''
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| **''[[Origins]]''
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| **''[[The Babysitter]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
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| **''[[The Return]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
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| **''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources|2}}
| | <references/> |
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| [[Category:Covenant military units]] | | [[Category:The Covenant]] |
| | [[Category:Covenant Military Units]] |
