Editing Shipmaster

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Unit infobox|variant=Cov
|name=Shipmaster/Shipmistress
|image= [[File:Lat 'Ravamee (Master Chief Collection).png|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
*Covenant separatists
*[[Covenant remnants]]
*Independent [[Sangheili]]/[[Jiralhanae]]/[[Kig-Yar]] factions
*Swords of Sanghelios 
|branch=
|mission=
|role=Ship commander
|armament=
|equipment=
|notable=
}}

'''Shipmaster''' (feminine term: '''Shipmistress'''), occasionally rendered as '''Ship Master''',{{fact}} is a title the [[Covenant]] use to describe an individual in command of a starship.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 4'' (2003)</ref> The size of the ship is not relevant, whether a [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] or a [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]]. The Covenant also use the term to describe the [[commanding officer]]s of [[human]] vessels.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 41'' (2003) (''"'Nosolee felt certain that the man named "[[Jacob Keyes|Keezz]]" held the position of Ship Master"'')</ref> 

Shipmasters occasionally command small [[task force]]s or [[Covenant fleet|fleets]], although this does not afford them the superior rank of [[Fleet Master]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign levels ''[[Floodgate]]'' and ''[[The Ark]]''</ref><ref name="return">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Reach 25806280 Full.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shipmaster Ardo 'Moretumee commanding ''Ardent Prayer''.]]
Like many titles used by the Covenant, shipmaster is less of a formal rank and more of a role, not unlike that of a human ship captain. While most prominently held by [[Sangheili]], the title of shipmaster can be attained by individuals of different species and ranks. Shipmasters are subject to orders from their fleet's [[Fleet Master]], [[Supreme Commander]], or [[Imperial Admiral]].

The shipmaster of a particular ship gives orders from the command center of their vessel, the equivalent of a UNSC starship's [[bridge]]. There they oversee and supervise the running of the ship, and give orders during battle. They command the ship from a platform raised off the deck, surrounded by [[holography|holographic]] screens displaying relevant information.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''' campaign level ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]''</ref> Each shipmaster has his own personal insignia which is used to identify them within holographic readouts of a fleet when acknowledging orders from their Fleet Master, for example.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 283''</ref> Most shipmasters have bodyguards assigned to them, such as a [[Mgalekgolo]] pair or a [[lance]] of special infantry. Mgalekgolo guards were responsible for protecting the shipmaster at all costs and, if they failed to do so, were expected to enact revenge on the shipmaster's killer.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 190''</ref>

Sangheili of many different ranks may serve as shipmasters, though the position is often assumed by high-ranking individuals such as [[Special Operations Commander]]s, [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]], or [[Sangheili General|Generals]]. The lowest-ranked shipmaster known was [[Sangheili Major|Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]], who became the shipmaster of his vessel—''[[Incorruptible]]''—after killing the [[Tano 'Inanraree|previous shipmaster]]. 'Mantakree was later promoted to Fleet Master and placed in charge of a task force sent to [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 243''</ref> Shipmasters that command ships with a significant amount of firepower garner more respect among subordinates and other shipmasters.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 174''</ref> Shipmasters often wear gold-colored armor as a symbol of their lofty status, though Special Operations personnel serving as shipmasters are known to retain their silver armor.{{Ref/Reuse|return}}<ref name="h3">'''Halo 3'''</ref> Some Sangheili shipmasters wear [[doarmir]] fur cloaks as a sign of status.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 159''</ref>

[[File:Ritual Glassing.png|thumb|250px|[[Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|A shipmaster]] glasses [[Kholo]]—the orders of [[Prophet of Conviction|a Prophet]].]]
The Sangheili place significant importance on the title of shipmaster, and it often supersedes an individual's rank when they are being addressed. Thus, Sangheili in command of [[battle group]]-sized units,{{Ref/Reuse|return}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3}} or in some cases entire fleets, have been referred to solely as shipmasters. Examples of this practice include [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee, in command of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], and [[Jul 'Mdama]], addressed as shipmaster by his crew despite holding the rank of Supreme Commander in the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|revived Covenant]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''</ref> Occasionally, a [[San'Shyuum]] [[San'Shyuum High Councilor|High Councilor]] from the Covenant [[High Council]] would witness the [[glassing]] of a world. If the Prophet declared that the glassing performance pleased the "[[Forerunners|gods]]", the shipmaster's status would be greatly increased within the Covenant military.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 314''</ref>

[[Jiralhanae]], being the other leading military caste of the Covenant, also can hold the title of shipmaster. [[Kig-Yar]] can also serve as shipmasters, although they primarily command ships of the Kig-Yar's own design; the [[missionary ship]]s employed by the Covenant's [[Ministry of Tranquility]] are the most noted example.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 81''</ref> Despite this, some Kig-Yar shipmasters would be granted control of a [[Covenant frigate]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''pages 50-51''</ref> As Kig-Yar society is matriarchal, their ship commanders are most commonly female and thus hold the title of shipmistress. However, male Kig-Yar shipmasters still exist.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 381''</ref>
{{Clear}}
== Known shipmasters ==
===Sangheili===
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''.
*[[Thel 'Vadam]] – Former shipmaster of the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' 
*[[Lat 'Ravamee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.
*[[Let 'Volir]] - Shipmaster of the ''[[Enduring Conviction]]''.
*[[Orna 'Fulsamee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Blameless Conceit]]''
*[[Tano 'Inanraree]] – Former shipmaster of the ''[[Incorruptible]]''.
*[[Qunu]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Far Sight Lost]]''.
*[[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Incorruptible]].''
*[[Thon 'Talamee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Clarity of Faith]]''.
*[[Rho 'Barutamee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''.
*[[Rhul 'Salmutee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.
*[[Ardo 'Moretumee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.
*[[Jul 'Mdama]] – Former shipmaster of ''[[Blight of the Profane]]'', later shipmaster of ''[[Song of Retribution]]''.
*[[Forze 'Mdama]] – Former shipmaster, lost command of his ship after the Human-Covenant War.
*[[Buran 'Utaral]] – Former shipmaster of the ''[[Unflinching Resolve]]'', current shipmaster of the ''[[Promised Revelation]]''.
*[[Galur]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Cleansing Truth]]''.
*[[Vata 'Gajat]] – Shipmaster of an unknown corvette.
*[[D'ero 'S'bud]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''.
*[[Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|Unidentified Sangheili shipmaster]] – Shipmaster and commander of the ''[[Fleet of Righteous Vigilance]]''.
*[[N'tho 'Sraom]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Mayhem]]''.
*[[Kantar 'Utaralee]] – Shipmaster of an unknown ship.
*[[Ori 'Sumai]] – Shipmaster of an unknown ship.
*[[Mahkee 'Chava]] - Shipmistress of an unknown ship.
*[[Sali 'Nyon]] - Shipmaster of [[Breath of Annihilation]]

===Jiralhanae===
*[[Maccabeus]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.
*[[Lepidus]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Triumphant Declaration]]''.
*[[Gargantum]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Twilight Compunction]]''.
*[[Parabum]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Valorous Transgression]]''.

===Kig-Yar===
*[[Chur'R-Yar]] – Shipmistress of the ''[[Minor Transgression]]''.
*[[Chur'R-Mut]] – Shipmistress of the ''[[A Psalm Every Day]]''.
*[[Chur'R-Zhal]] – Shipmistress of the ''[[Rampant Perdition]]''.
*[[Sav Fel]] – Shipmaster of ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]''.
*[[Chol Von]] – Shipmistress of the ''[[Paragon]]'', formerly known as ''Joyous Discovery''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:TARZealot.jpg|Shipmaster Lat 'Ravamee in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Rtas 'Vadum.jpg|Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Thon.png|Shipmaster Thon 'Talamee in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:HE24 battle.png|Shipmasters Sali 'Nyon and Jul 'Mdama battle it out with their ''CAS''-class assault carriers in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - Thel Commander.jpg|Shipmaster Thel 'Vadamee in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'''s [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]].
File:HFB-Rho.jpg|Shipmaster Rho 'Barutamee in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
File:HM-Maccabeus.png|Shipmaster Maccabeus in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:HW2 - Let 'Volir.png|Shipmaster Let 'Volir in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]'' 
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' 
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
{{Col-end}}

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

{{Sangheili Ranks}}
{{Jiralhanae Ranks}}
{{Kig-Yar Ranks}}

[[Category:Kig-Yar ranks]]