Editing Skein

{{Status|Canon}}
A '''skein''', also described as a '''master-pack''', is a major social division in [[Jiralhanae]] society, formed out of multiple [[pack]]s sharing a similar philosophy and common interests. Described as "meta-clans", skeins are generally dominated by the most powerful clans.{{Ref/Novel|Id=envoy|Env|Chapter=3}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Jiralhanae|D=28|M=10|Y=2021}} These skeins are profoundly different in culture, philosophy, and their pursuit of power. The two most powerful skeins are the [[Rh'tol]] and the [[Vheiloth]]; the Rh'tol are arguably more primitive, while the Vheiloth are more sophisticated.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

==Overview==
===Known Skeins===
*The [[Vheiloth]] have sophisticated philosophical views and are devoutly religious.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} [[Ceretus]] was a Captain in this skein.
*The [[Rh'tol]] have little care for metaphysics, though they have sometimes feigned belief in the [[Covenant religion]] for the sake of promotion. [[Tartarus]] was a member of the Rh'tol skein, and he became the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] during the [[Human-Covenant war]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

===Known master-packs===
*The [[Children of Oth Sonin]] are a large master-pack, willing to negotiate talks for peace with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] mediated by the [[United Nations Space Command]], during the post-war conflicts between the Jiralhanae and Sangheili.

==History==
===First Immolation===
The [[First Immolation]] was initiated by [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Rukt]] of the Rh'tol skein,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/fist-of-rukt|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Fist of Rukt|D=18|M=09|Y=2021}} when a protracted territorial dispute led to a violent clash between the rival Rh'tol and Vheiloth skeins. The rival master-packs waged widespread mechanized warfare against each other across the surface of [[Doisac]], causing such destruction that caused the collapse of Jiralhanae society and reduced their species to a pre-industrial state.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Novel|HCH|Chapter=12}} When the [[Covenant]] later arrived at Doisac, the skeins fought against the alien empire. While the Vheiloth skein adopted [[Covenant religion]] without challenge, the Rh'tol only did so for strictly practical reasons. Tensions between the Jiralhanae skeins were controlled by Covenant leadership, though cultural friction and competitive infighting between master-packs remained common.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

===Human-Covenant War===
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the young [[Tartarus]] climbed to power and had begun to gain authority throughout the entire Rh'tol skein. Catching the eye of the [[High Prophet of Truth]], Tartarus would work with the [[Hierarch]] throughout the war as Truth intended to replace the [[Sangheili]] with the Jiralhanae. Late in the conflict, Truth elevated Tartarus to [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], giving him complete control over the Jiralhanae, regardless of skein.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

===Great Schism===
When the Covenant collapsed in the [[Great Schism]], the Rh'tol skein gloried in the [[piracy]] against the [[Sangheili]], while the Vheiloth skein saw looting and destruction as an unfortunate necessity.{{Ref/Reuse|envoy}}[[Lydus]] was the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftain]] of a [[Lydus' clan|master-pack]] based in the [[Oth Sonin system]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #6|Quote=Records provided to Human naval authorities by allied [macto cognatus] indicate that [Master Pack] [commander] Lydus did not leave [CE-75-2113] [ref: Oth Sonin] system until 2546.}}

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{Mo}}

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

{{Covenant military organization}}

[[Category:Jiralhanae culture]]