Editing Jul 'Mdama

{{Status|Canon}}{{Status|Featured}}

{{Character infobox

|variant=Cov

|image=[[File:H5G-Jul Mdama.png|300px]]

|homeworld=[[Mdama]], [[Sanghelios]]

|death=[[2558#October|October 2558]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/jul-mdama '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Jul 'Mdama'']</ref>

|height={{Convert|239.9|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}}

|mass={{Convert|327|lb|kg|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|eyes=Gray{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|formerly}}

*[[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] {{C|formerly}}

*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]

|rank=[[Supreme Commander]]{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}}

|notable=

{{Quote|Embittered by decades of hatred towards humanity and the loss of his own wife at their hands, the Sangheili warrior wanted revenge.|[[Curator]] on Jul 'Mdama<ref name="Mythos140">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 140''</ref>}}

'''Jul 'Mdama''' (formerly ''''Mdamaee'''), known to his followers as the "'''Didact's Hand'''"{{Ref/Reuse|S1E3}} or the '''"Hand of the Didact"''',{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} was a [[Sangheili]] [[shipmaster]] previously in the service of the [[Covenant]] during its [[Human-Covenant War|war against humanity]]. Fueled by hatred for humanity after the death of [[Raia 'Mdama|his wife]], 'Mdama became the [[Supreme Commander|Supreme Commander]] and founder of a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant faction]] in the wake of the [[Great Schism]]. Despite years of eluding the public light, his activities on the [[shield world]] [[Requiem]] established him as a highly valued target for the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Because of this, [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]] notably trained against a simulated version of him in [[Warzone]].

'Mdama was eventually killed by [[Spartan Locke]] during the [[Battle of Kamchatka]]. The rest of his Covenant faction was destroyed shortly after during the [[Battle of Sunaion]], having lasted for five years.

===Early life and military career===

Jul was born on [[2489|March 5, 2489]], in the state of [[Mdama]] on [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}} Years later he would marry [[Raia 'Mdama]], with whom he had two sons, [[Dural]] and [[Asum]].<ref name="gl55">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 55''</ref> At some point he became the [[elder]] of [[Bekan keep]] in Mdama. During the last third of the Human-Covenant War he served in the [[Covenant military]] under the name 'Mdama''ee'' as the [[shipmaster]] of a Covenant {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}}, the ''[[Blight of the Profane]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 174''</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-reqlamation-begins '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: Reqlamation Begins'']</ref> While he was away he left the management of his ancestral estate of Bekan keep to Raia and her grandbrother, [[Naxan]].{{Ref/Reuse|gl55}}

Like many other Sangheili, when Jul 'Mdamaee was forced out of the [[Covenant]] during the [[Great Schism]], he abridged his surname to ''''Mdama''', dropping the "ee" suffix and renouncing his service of the [[High Prophet]]s.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-reqlamation-begins '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: Reqlamation Begins''] "During the Human-Covenant War, Jul ‘Mdamaee served..."</ref>

===Post-war===

After the end of the war and the fall of the Covenant, 'Mdama still felt mistrust and resentment toward humanity, comparing them to the [[Flood]] in some respects, believing the species would not stop their colonization efforts.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 52''</ref> He did, however, grudgingly admit that while they were not the best at anything, they were good enough at everything to survive. In [[2553|January 2553]] he attended a meeting with [[Kaidon]] [[Levu 'Mdama]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 58''</ref> He asked the Arbiter what his plans were for the humans and expressed his desire to finish them off while they were still recovering. After 'Vadam announced he would try to make peace with the humans, Jul and his fellow shipmaster [[Forze 'Mdama]] decided that humanity would not change and that they must be stopped.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 60-62''</ref> Jul later met with Levu in private. Although the kaidon disliked humanity and believed they were a threat to the Sangheili, Levu did not believe that the Sangheili had the capability to wipe out the entire species and that peace was currently a better option.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 88''</ref>  

 

===Imprisonment on Trevelyan===

 

 

Eventually, after regaining his strength, he forced Prone to disable his explosive collar and to allow him through a malfunctioning portal that he found. This led him to [[Hesduros]], a Sangheili colony world.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 398-399''</ref> Given the colony's isolation from the galaxy since before the [[Great Schism]] and its inhabitants' continued devotion to the Forerunners, Jul was able to win them over by portraying his experience on Trevelyan in a religious light.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 414''</ref> After contacting Sanghelios and learning of his wife's death, Jul was enraged by humanity's responsibility and grieved by the Forerunner ruins he had arrived in. He eventually identified the markings on the ruins as coordinates to Requiem and convinced the inhabitants of Hesduros to aid him in his search for the Didact and the eradication of humanity.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 441''</ref> Jul began to assemble a large fleet for his new faction, with the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' serving as his [[flagship]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Song of Retribution'']</ref> It was here that Jul would establish a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new faction]], giving it the same name as the original Covenant.

 

[[File:H4 JulAndRequiem.png|thumb|left|275px|Jul 'Mdama inspecting a hologram of Requiem.]]

'Mdama and his followers arrived at Requiem in [[2554]]. Over the next three years his Covenant tried to enter the planet, but to no avail. In [[2557#July|July 2557]], several of his ships identified a human vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, drifting toward the planet. 'Mdama ordered his troops to board the ship and keep the humans away from Requiem.<ref name="terminal">''Halo 4'', [[Terminal (Halo 4)|Prologue terminal]]</ref> They were unsuccessful as the human and Covenant ships in the area were pulled inside Requiem's outer shell. Jul and his forces were eventually able to find their way to [[Core of Requiem|the core]], where the Didact's [[Cryptum]] was located. Jul landed near the Didact's Cryptum and personally engaged [[Promethean]] forces under the [[Librarian]]'s control. [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] unknowingly opened the Cryptum, releasing the Didact. 'Mdama and his forces stopped fighting immediately to bow to the Promethean; Jul quickly recognized the Forerunner and called out "Didact!"<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/01/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-11613.aspx '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''The Halo Bulletin: 1.16.13'']</ref> After the Didact collapsed the core and translocated his Cryptum into [[Slipstream space|slipspace]], both Jul's forces and the Didact's [[Promethean]] forces in the Cryptum chamber were sent to [[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]], where Jul then forged an alliance with the Forerunner and was named "the Hand of the Didact."{{Ref/Site|Id=CFAuditory|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-auditory-additions|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Auditory Additions|D=16|M=12|Y=2022}} His Covenant later engaged the crew of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} after the ship's arrival<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign levels ''[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]'', ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]'', and ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref> and eventually followed the Didact to ONI's [[Ivanoff Station]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref>

 

{{Main|Requiem Campaign}}

{{Quote|I know what the [[Librarian]] will say, Glassman. She will tell us where all things sacred are hidden in this galaxy. Ships, weapons, bounties beyond our imagining. And she will tell us how to make those miracles our own.|Jul 'Mdama rallying his troops after speaking with Doctor [[Henry Glassman]]<ref name = "S1E4"/>}}

In [[2558#February|February 2558]], 'Mdama continued to lead his Covenant forces on Requiem, and due to his earlier alliance with the Ur-Didact, maintained some control of the Promethean Knights on the shield world. With his forces engaged in multiple conflicts, 'Mdama leaked his plans for Requiem to human intelligence services, planning to draw the UNSC into a war of attrition. Not only would this allow him to cement control of his Covenant but also sacrifice those forces he did not feel were entirely loyal. ONI took the bait, with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} arriving in [[2558#February|February 2558]].<ref>'''Halo Mythos''', ''page 178''</ref> A [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|Forerunner artifact]] secured by [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Fireteam Crimson]] and brought aboard ''Infinity'' [[Slipspace translocation|transported]] Doctor [[Henry Glassman]] to a Covenant base on the planet. 'Mdama came to oversee his soldiers when Glassman, alive but injured, was brought before him by several other Sangheili.<ref name="S1E3">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Catherine]]''</ref> 'Mdama put Glassman to work at a Forerunner "shrine", which he correctly believed contained the remnants of the [[Librarian]]'s consciousness in AI form. He intended to use Glassman to reactivate the shrine, allowing him to communicate with the Librarian and ask for her aid in reclaiming the Forerunners' technological wonders.<ref name = "S1E4">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Didact's Hand]]''</ref>

After [[Fireteam Castle]] were killed by Covenant forces the UNSC began searching for 'Mdama, now know by the epithet "the Didact's Hand". [[Fireteam Crimson]] was sent to 'Mdama's location, [[Two Giants]]; however, soon after Crimson engaged [[Promethean]] forces 'Mdama escaped through a [[slipspace]] portal. When Crimson followed him to the [[Fortress]], he escaped through yet another portal to [[the Cauldron]]. When Crimson tracked 'Mdama through the Cauldron he tried to escape again, but not before Commander [[Sarah Palmer]] called in an airstrike on 'Mdama's location. He managed to escape, but not before dropping [[Didact's Gift|another Forerunner device]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Didact's Hand/The Didact's Gift|''The Didact's Gift'']]</ref> 'Mdama oversaw his Covenant's attempt to retrieve the device from [[Galileo Base]] with his lieutenant, [[Gek 'Lhar]], but was only creating a diversion for the humans. 'Mdama was actually using the artifact recovered by Fireteam Crimson as a communication terminal, allowing Jul to anonymously communicate with Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] via her datapad and to spy on ''Infinity''.<ref name = "S1E5">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Memento Mori]]''</ref> After Halsey was removed from the room by Commander Palmer and [[Thomas Lasky|Captain Lasky]], Glassman managed to activate something in the shrine, prompting all the present Sangheili (save him) to bow before the artifact. With his captors distracted, Glassman escaped from the antechamber. After the artifact's energy sphere rejected Jul, the Sangheili commander directed his fury at the now-missing Glassman; six Sangheili pursued the scientist in the tunnels but Jul held Gek back. Stating that Glassman's escape was unacceptable, Gek reassured Jul that he would deal with the matter personally, leaving Jul and his two guards alone with the artifact.<ref name = "S1E6">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Scattered]]''</ref>  

[[File:H4 SO Halsey with Jul 'Mdama.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Jul 'Mdama talking with Dr. Halsey.]]

Some time later Dr. Halsey contacted 'Mdama, informing him that she had deduced he was her helper but that their alliance could free the Librarian. However, the ship's AI, [[Roland]], was able to recover from Halsey's subterfuge and cut off the connection. After this 'Mdama ordered his Covenant and Prometheans to board ''Infinity'' through the artifact to capture Dr. Halsey.<ref name = S1E7>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Invasion (Spartan Ops)]]''</ref> Despite significant losses the Prometheans managed to capture the doctor. She was then taken to "Librarian's Rest", where 'Mdama had her disable the shield previously erected by Doctor Glassman's attempts to access the shrine. As the shield deactivated she quickly entered the beam of light being produced by the shrine; she vanished, to 'Mdama's great anger.<ref name = "S1E8">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Expendable]]''</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Mdama's death proved to be one of the final nails in his dying Covenant's coffin, as the faction soon became destabilized and many defected to the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In the [[Battle of Sunaion]] later that month, they were utterly defeated due to the combined efforts of Fireteam Osiris and the Swords of Sanghelios.{{Ref/Level|H5|[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]}} After reuniting with [[Blue Team]] on [[Genesis]], Fireteam Osiris reported the rescue of Halsey and the death of 'Mdama on Kamchatka to the other Spartans.{{Ref/Novel|BadB|Page=16}} With 'Mdama dead and his Covenant collapsed, many in the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] considered the Covenant as a whole to be truly gone, including 'Mdama's own son [[Dural 'Mdama]].{{Ref/Novel|LoO}}

Following his death, a simulation of 'Mdama was recreated for the [[War Games]] simulation aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. The opportunity to kill the simulated warlord became highly sought after by every Spartan-IV in the Spartan branch—particularly by those who took part in the Requiem Campaign.<ref name="CJ">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-crown-jul ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Canon Fodder - Crown Jul'']</ref> During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], some UNSC Marines attempted to taunt the [[Banished]] [[Sangheili Mercenary|Sangheili]] they encountered with such phrases as "Jul 'Mdama called. He says: I'm dead 'cuz I suck!" despite the fact that these Sangheili were irreligious mercenaries in a faction that condemned 'Mdama's Covenant,{{Ref/Site|Id=FinalsCountdown|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown|ArchiveURL=http://web.archive.org/web/20161023202516/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown|Site=Halo Waypoint: The Finals Countdown}} and were estranged from religious types who consider the Banished to be shameful.{{Ref/Game|HW2|Part=[[Phoenix Logs/Campaign Logs/The Blinded|Phoenix Log: The Blinded]]}} Some suicidal Banished [[Unggoy]] peculiarly shouted "For [[Atriox]]! For [[Yapyap]]! For 'Mdama!, For [[Flipyap]]!" when charging, Yapyap being a [[Yapyap's rebellion|traitor]] of the Banished and 'Mdama being an enemy.{{Ref/Game|Id=Hi|Hi}}

==Personality and motives==

|5='Mdama telling Dr. Magnusson of his beliefs about the Forerunners<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 57-58''</ref>

Jul 'Mdama's hatred for humanity initially stemmed not from any religious issues, but from a fear that humans will eventually overrun the galaxy and ultimately drive the Sangheili to extinction. He compared humans to the [[Flood]] in this regard. When Thel 'Vadam proposed making peace with the humans, 'Mdama was skeptical and insisted humans could not be trusted. His distrust and hate for humanity was only reinforced by his subsequent abduction and captivity by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]. After the death of his wife, however, 'Mdama's primary motivation for destroying humanity changed from a matter of species survival to personal vengeance for what he perceived as their role in her demise.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 442''</ref> Despite his hatred and distrust for humanity as a whole, 'Mdama was still willing to work with certain human individuals, such as Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]], when necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E10}} Likewise, he also had no qualms over using [[human languages]] such as English if it will achieve his objectives.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E4}}

Although 'Mdama often displayed typical Sangheili aggression and did not hesitate to use force or the threat of force to accomplish his goals, he could be both patient and highly manipulative at times. During his captivity on Trevelyan, 'Mdama placated his human captors by behaving according to their expectations of his species, while simultaneously gleaning information on ONI's plans whenever possible.{{Ref/Reuse|ttw275}}<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 56''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 381''</ref> He also convinced [[Prone to Drift]] to give him key information about Requiem and the Ur-Didact,<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 372-374''</ref> later forcing the Huragok to aid him in his escape by threatening to detonate his explosive vest and damage the installation - something he anticipated Prone would be unwilling to risk.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 397-400''</ref> Later, during the Requiem campaign, 'Mdama deliberately allowed the crew of ''Infinity'' to take possession of the [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|slipspace artifact]], playing on their assumption that his Covenant wanted the artifact for themselves.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E5}} The artifact later enabled his forces to [[Invasion of the UNSC Infinity|board]] ''Infinity'' and abduct Dr. Halsey, at the same time [[interdiction web|physically binding the ship to Requiem]].{{Ref/Reuse|S1E7}}{{Ref/Reuse|S1E8}} Prior to attacking ''Infinity'', 'Mdama attempted to gain Halsey's trust by sending her anonymous messages offering information about the Prometheans.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E4}} He further appealed to her scientific curiosity by delivering to her the [[Didact's Gift|"soul"]] of a [[Promethean Knight]].{{Ref/Reuse|S1E5}} He was surprised, though not overly upset, when Halsey contacted him and revealed that deduced his true identity as only the Didact's Hand could've provided her with the "soul" of a Promethean Knight.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E7}} 'Mdama accused Glassman of treachery when he unintentionally activated a protective shield at "[[Librarian's Rest]]" and used the chance to [[Escape from Librarian's Rest|escape]]{{Ref/Reuse|S1E6}} and appeared shocked to learn that it wasn't an intentional betrayal from Halsey who, being more experienced and better equipped, was easily able to shut down the shield and activate the Librarians' shrine.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E8}}

'Mdama was mostly disillusioned with the Covenant's religion. Not only did he no longer believe in the [[Great Journey]], but he had come to accept the fact that the Forerunners were never gods. While he liked the comfort of his old belief that they were gods, he saw the fact that the Forerunners made mistakes as proof that they were not divine.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 344-345''</ref> He further reasoned that the Forerunners never expected or intended to be worshiped as gods in the first place.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 274-275''</ref> As such, 'Mdama had no qualms with exploiting or even destroying Forerunner artifacts to achieve his goals.<ref name = "S1E10"/> He was also not averse to using human weapons such as the [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s his forces had captured on Requiem. He also demonstrated no regard for protecting Forerunner relics as he destroyed Requiem when 'Mdama believed he had gotten what he'd come for. During a speech, 'Mdama made it clear that he mainly sought the power Forerunner technology could give him.<ref name="SO">''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref>

Despite his personal loss of faith in the Forerunners as gods, 'Mdama put on a convincing public image of a devout religious leader in the eyes of his followers. 'Mdama's awareness of the many loopholes and contradictions regarding Sangheili honor and religion allowed him to bend or circumvent cultural rules without sullying his reputation.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 343-344''</ref> On [[Hesduros]] he garnered support from the colonists there by touting his knowledge of the Forerunners and later playing on the colonists' belief that the "gods" had sent him.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 437''</ref> Though uncomfortable with this charade, he rationalized it by telling himself that not only is the deception necessary, but the only thing he was ''truly'' lying about is his own faith (or lack thereof), something he considered a personal issue.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 432''</ref> Later, when Halsey revealed in private that she knew about his lack of faith, he was surprised, but did not further press the issue. Notably, when many of his followers would bow on Requiem in "Librarian's Rest," 'Mdama remained standing, only becoming distracted by the possibility of the power he would gain from the Librarian. However, these brief moments of distraction were enough for both Henry Glassman and Halsey to act before 'Mdama could.{{Ref/Reuse|SO}}

As the leader of his Covenant, 'Mdama wore a [[Sangheili Zealot#Danzhau-pattern intrusion harness|''Danzhau''-pattern intrusion harness]]. However, it was painted blue similar to the coloration worn by less experienced Sangheili soldiers. His high position was indicated by a holographic symbol that hovers over the forehead of his helmet. His armor featured multiple painted white handprints with Didact's [[:File:Didact unbound.png|unbound symbols]] on the palm, indicating his status as "the Didact's Hand."

==Production notes==

*Jul 'Mdama is voiced by [[Travis Willingham]], who also provided the voice of [[Paul DeMarco]]. Willingham later portrayed [[Frederic-104]] in the [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]] of ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' and in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0992184/ '''Internet Movie Database''' ''Travis Willingham'']</ref>

*After 'Mdama's capture, [[Malcolm Geffen]] joked that it sounded like 'Mdama had said "blarg". This is a reference to the ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' machinima series, in which the Sangheili say only "blarg" and "honk".<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 324''</ref>

File:H4-JulMdama-ScanRender.png|Full-body portrait view of Jul 'Mdama in ''Halo 4''.

File:H4-Terminal-JulMdama.jpg|Jul 'Mdama on the bridge of his flagship in ''Halo 4''{{'}}s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].

File:H4 SO S01E10 Jul 'Mdama terminal.jpg|Jul 'Mdama sending Requiem on an impact course with its star.

**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''

{{Ref/Sources|2}}