Editing Prophet of Mercy

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Center|This article is about the [[San'Shyuum|prophet]] [[Hierarchs|Hierarch]]. For the [[Halo 5: Guardians]] multiplayer map, see [[Mercy]].}}

{{Character infobox

|variant=Cov

|name=High Prophet of Mercy

|image=[[File:HTMCC-H2A ProphetOfMercy.png|300px]]

|birth=[[2332|August 22, 2332]]{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

|death=[[2552#November|November 3, 2552]]<ref name="charity">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>

|height={{Convert|215.9|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} (In gravity throne)

*[[Hierarch]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=heretic}}

|sn=

The '''High Prophet of Mercy''', born '''Hod Rumnt''',{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}<ref name="Toy">[[Joyride Studios/Halo 2 Exclusives#Prophet of Mercy|'''Joyride''', ''Halo 2'' Prophet of Mercy Exclusive figure]]</ref> was one of three [[Hierarchs]] that lead the [[Covenant]] [[High Council]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. He was by far the oldest of them.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

Hod Rumnt was elected to the [[High Council]] before either of his fellow Hierarchs, the High Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]], were even born. His tenure was marked by several tense debates with [[Sangheili]] High [[Councilor]]s over the proper dispensation of [[Forerunner]] artifacts. During that time, he was considered one of the last of the Old Guard, as he publicly questioned the wisdom of the [[San'Shyuum]]'s demilitarization at the close of the [[Sangheili-San'Shyuum war]].{{Ref/Reuse|Toy}} This brand of thinking may have contributed to his later willingness to help replace the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]].

[[File:H2A-TruthAndMercy.jpg|thumb|250px|The Prophet of Mercy at Truth's side as they preside over the trial of Supreme Commander [[Thel 'Vadamee]].]]

Mercy was present with the [[High Prophet of Truth]] and the [[High Prophet of Regret]] at the trial of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadamee]] with the [[High Council]]. Mercy questioned why Thel did not destroy the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} over [[Reach]] and later had to demand order in the Council when an argument broke out amongst the Councilors.<ref name=heretic>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> After the trial, Mercy and Truth had [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]] bring 'Vadamee before them. While the Jiralhanae had thought the Sangheili would be executed, the San'Shyuum instead talked with 'Vadamee. During the conversation, Mercy mentioned a bit of Covenant history, citing the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] and the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]] as cases where an [[Arbiter]] was appointed to resolve the conflict. 'Vadamee was given the title of Arbiter, but Mercy warned that he would die undertaking the Council's tasks.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]]''</ref>

After Regret foolishly and partially unintentionally began the [[Battle of Earth|attack]] on the human homeworld, [[Earth]] while severely outnumbered, Regret sent a formal apology to Mercy and Truth, asking them to 'forgive his premature arrival' and claiming that he was unaware of the human presence on the planet. Although Truth wished to give Regret a public display of his and Mercy's contempt, he was spared due to Mercy's "wise counsel".<ref name="regret">'''Halo 2''' campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref> Following Regret's death on [[Installation 05]] at the hands of [[John-117]], the Jiralhanae [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the Sangheili's position on the [[Covenant Honor Guard]]. After Tartarus and the Arbiter captured [[monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]], he was interrogated by Mercy and Truth. They discovered that they required Installation 05's [[Activation Index]] to fire the Halo and begin the Great Journey. After meeting with the Arbiter, the two remaining Hierarchs tasked 'Vadamee with acquiring the Index.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}}

While the Arbiter was retrieving the Index, Mercy and Truth began the [[Great Schism]]. The Hierarchs believed that the Sangheili were unfit for the Great Journey and would interfere with the activation of the [[Halo Array]], the [[Jiralhanae]] were given the position of the Sangheili in the Covenant and all Sangheili were ordered to be executed, by orders of the Hierarchs.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> As the Great Schism began, Mercy still supported Truth's actions, even as it seemed that Truth was unraveling the very foundations of the Covenant. This indicates that Mercy was fully involved in Truth's machinations from the beginning, something that even Regret failed to completely achieve.

Just as the two were about to depart for [[Earth]], with the captured [[343 Guilty Spark]], [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]], and [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]], with the Forerunner Dreadnought to begin the [[Great Journey]], a swarm of [[Flood]] [[Pod infector]]s attacked them and the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]]. A single Pod infector managed to, despite the efforts of both [[Tartarus]] and the guards, latch onto Mercy's neck, and begin devouring his windpipe.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}

Even as Tartarus attempted to save him, Truth intervened and left Mercy for dead in order to become the sole leader of the Covenant, saying, "The Great Journey waits for no one, brother. Not even you." As Mercy struggled on the ground, Truth, Tartarus, and their captives left the Hierarch in {{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} Before his death, he was found by the Master Chief, who questioned where Truth was going. He answered, "Earth, to finish what we started. And this time, none of you will be left behind." The Master Chief then violently tore the Pod infector from Mercy's neck, killing the old Prophet instantly, but saving him from being infected by the Flood. However, Mercy's corpse was later assimilated into the Gravemind anyway as the Flood took over ''High Charity'', with the parasite feeding on the Prophet's knowledge in order to further its own plans.{{Ref/Reuse|charity}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=248}}

Mercy can be seen as passionate, lively, and knowledgeable,<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 126''</ref> as evidenced by his excitement about [[Installation 05|Halo]], expressing hope that the [[Great Journey]] should begin very soon. It is possible that he has a sense of propriety, seeing that he talked the [[High Prophet of Truth]] out of condemning [[High Prophet of Regret]],{{Ref/Reuse|regret}} although this does not necessarily mean that he is merciful. While serving as the [[Philologist]], he did sincerely care for the Great Journey, yet he was still susceptible to bribes and blackmailing like all powerful San'Shyuum politicians on ''[[High Charity]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 274''</ref>

*Mercy's title follows a broad trend of [[San'Shyuum|Prophet]] titles corresponding with their character's downfall. In the case of the Prophet of Mercy, his title reflects him having been shown no mercy by the [[Prophet of Truth]], who allowed him to be left for dead at the tendrils of a Flood [[Pod infector]].  

**It could also be said Mercy's title reflects his nature: he showed mercy to the [[Prophet of Regret]] by talking Truth out of making a public display of contempt for Regret and his blunder in "accidentally" invading Earth. He also proclaimed that upon Truth's activation of the Halo array, humans would this time not be "left behind" on the Great Journey, a much more merciful position than his counterparts.

**In a way, [[John-117]] killed the Prophet of Mercy in an act of mercy by removing the Pod infector so that Mercy would not have to suffer becoming a member of the [[Flood]].

*In the cutscene when the Flood attacks Mercy in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', he can be seen tapping on his gravity throne, likely as a way to activate the weaponry. However for unknown reasons it doesn't work.

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

{{Ref/Sources|2}}

[[Category:San'Shyuum characters|Mercy]]