Editing Swords of Sanghelios

{{Era|Post}}

|image=[[File:Swords of Sanghelios symbol.png|300px]]

|type=Secular government

|founder=[[Thel 'Vadam]]

|head=[[Arbiter]]

|executive=Arbiter

|legislative=[[Council of Kaidons|A grand council of Kaidons]]<ref name="hwp sos"/>

|main=[[Vadam]], [[Sanghelios]]

|techlevel=[[Technological_Achievement_Tiers#Tier_2:_Interstellar|Tier 2]]

|notable=[[Blooding Years]]

|formed=After [[2553#March|March 2553]]<ref name="Mythos144">'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 144''</ref>

{{Quote|The Arbiter's forces eventually consolidated their strength under a single banner, the Swords of Sanghelios, an ancient title of honor expressing their nobility of their cause: the unification of the Sangheili people.|[[Curator]] on the formation of the Swords of Sanghelios<ref name="Mythos144"/>}}

The '''Swords of Sanghelios'''<ref name="Mythos144"/> is an alliance of [[Sangheili]] [[keep]]s and the preeminent governing body on [[Sanghelios]]. Originally an ancient Sangheili order, the Swords of Sanghelios was reinstated in the aftermath of the [[Great Schism]] by the latest [[Arbiter]] and the organization's leader, [[Thel 'Vadam]].<ref name="waypoint-thel">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/arbiter-thel-vadam '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Arbiter Thel 'Vadam'']</ref><ref name="hwp sangheili">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/sangheili '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Sangheili'']</ref><ref name="hwp sos">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/swords-of-sanghelios '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Swords of Sanghelios'']</ref> Individual members of the faction identify themselves with the title '''Sword of Sanghelios'''.<ref name="soslevel">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''', campaign level ''[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]''</ref>

In [[2552#November|November 2552]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] had the entire Sangheili species removed from their former position and replaced by the [[Jiralhanae]] as the Covenant's main military caste, resulting in an open war breaking out between the Jiralhanae-led forces loyal to the [[Hierarchs|Prophets]] against the Sangheili-led forces. After the Sangheili learned the truth about the [[Halo Array|Halos]] near the end of the [[Battle of Installation 05]], many of them allied with [[human]]ity on their mission to stop the Prophet-led Covenant.<ref name="gj">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>

The Sangheili initially lacked defined leadership or organization after being cast out of the Covenant. [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] led a significant number of their [[Fleet of Retribution|forces]] in the deciding battles of the war,<ref name="floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> although Thel 'Vadam would not formally establish the Swords until after the war's end.<ref name="glasslands">'''Halo: Glasslands'''</ref> After the Covenant's defeat, the Sangheili [[Covenant remnants|split off into various different factions]], with the Arbiter and his policy of cooperating with humanity retaining a solid following. However, many Sangheili disagreed with his ideals, planning to overthrow the Arbiter and rise against humanity.

In the wake of the Covenant War, the Swords of Sanghelios are often viewed as representing the Sangheili on the whole in their diplomatic relations with humanity.<ref name="glasslands"/> Even though the Swords seek to distance themselves from the Covenant ideologically and culturally,<ref name="hwp sangheili"/> some humans have mistakenly referred to them as "the Covenant".<ref>'''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'''</ref>

== History ==

=== Origins ===

Groups known as the "Swords of Sanghelios" have existed in several incarnations throughout history. The first Swords of Sanghelios were a sworn brotherhood of kaidons dedicated to the overthrow of a tyrannical [[Judge-King of Qivro|Arbiter judge-king]] who ruled the continent of [[Qivro]] centuries before the Sangheili became a spacefaring species. Their story of brotherhood, loyalty, honor, and sacrifice continues to resonate among the Sangheili. Ironically, the last incarnation of the organization prior to its current existence appeared in the tumultuous aftermath of the [[Covenant]]'s formation to subdue the last opposition to the [[Writ of Union]].<ref name="hwp sos"/>

[[File:H2A - Great Schism.jpg|thumb|250px|Sangheili-controlled and Jiralhanae-controlled ships engage each other over ''High Charity''.]]

The [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] led a badly planned mission to [[Earth]], against the wishes of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], and inadvertently began the [[Battle of Earth]], as he did not know that the planet was the [[human]] homeworld. He escaped to [[Installation 05]], where he was assassinated by [[John-117]]. Regret's death was used as a justification by the remaining Prophets to [[Changing of the Guard|replace]] the Sangheili with Jiralhanae as their [[Covenant Honor Guard|protectors]]. However, this move resulted in great turmoil within the Covenant, with the Sangheili threatening to resign from the [[High Council]].

Truth then gave command of the [[Covenant fleet]]s to the Jiralhanae, a post previously held by the Sangheili. Once there were enough of them in place, Truth secretly ordered them to commit a vicious genocide of the Sangheili (disguised as a retaliation to a Sangheili revolt against the other Covenant factions) so they may replace them in society. The Sangheili responded, with the help of Mgalekgolo and Unggoy loyal to them, and war broke out in ''[[High Charity]]'' with Jiralhanae and Sangheili fleets fighting each other in space around it. Later, most of the Sangheili Councilors were assassinated by the Jiralhanae at the behest of the Prophets.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref><ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref>

An initial Sangheili-led [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|rebellion group]] was formed by the Sangheili [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] on the Sangheili fortress world [[Joyous Exultation]] shortly after the Prophets' betrayal on November 3, 2552. Wattinree's faction remained hostile to humanity as well, dispatching a task force to [[Onyx]] to prevent Forerunner technology from falling into human hands. However, this fledgling alliance came to an abrupt end with the detonation of a [[NOVA bomb]] above Joyous Exultation and the deaths of the majority of the Sangheili leaders gathered there, including Wattinree.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 239-245''</ref>

{{Quote|There was honor in our Covenant once, and there shall be again!|[[Thel 'Vadam]] during the Battle of Earth<ref name="storm">'''Halo 3''', campaign level, ''[[The Storm]]'' ([[Thel 'Vadam]]: ''"There was honor in our Covenant once, and there shall be again!"'')</ref>}}

[[File:Floodgate - Cutscene.jpg|thumb|250px|Humans and Sangheili onboard the ''Shadow of Intent'''s [[bridge]].]]

Once the [[Great Schism]] had begun, the entirety of the Sangheili species had left the Covenant.<ref name="CanonFodder">'''[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae Canon Fodder]''' ''"The resulting conflict would be called the Great Schism, and it would divide the Covenant into two, ultimately forcing the Sangheili out." ''</ref> The ejected Sangheili did not have an official unified faction at this time. However, they were unified in their fight against the Covenant that had betrayed them. Many Unggoy remained loyal towards the Sangheili when the Great Schism erupted, as did some Mgalekgolo.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref>

Within the ejected Sangheili, the [[Fleet of Retribution|forces]] under the command of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] chose to ally with their former foes, the humans. The true political motivation of this shaky-to-steady alliance was twofold; born both out of necessity and revenge against the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' "I will have my revenge on a Prophet, not a plague!"</ref> The [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces were on the defensive, and both factions had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the [[Flood]]. The alliance of circumstance began in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|control room]] of [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], when [[UNSC]] [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson|A. J. Johnson]] and 'Vadam were forced to unite in order to prevent [[Tartarus]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], from activating Installation 05.<ref name="gj"/> After that, 'Vadam persuaded the rest of the Sangheili on the Installation to join humanity. While the two factions experienced some friction, they learned to work with one another for their mutual survival. During the final days of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Sangheili under 'Vadam and 'Vadum's command fought alongside humans in battle. Thus, the UNSC and Sangheili forces saved each other from destruction.<ref name="floodgate"/><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level, ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref><ref name="cove">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> The devastated [[UNSC Home Fleet]] defending [[Earth]] were glad to accept the help of the superior Sangheili warships. The Sangheili's numbers, understanding of Covenant equipment, and combat tactics proved invaluable in the [[Battle of Installation 00]] and ultimately the survival of humanity. The heroes of the battle, Thel 'Vadam and John-117, fought alongside one another many times during the conflict.<ref name="cove"/>

{{Quote|The Arbiter has united the [[keep]]s and formed a new alliance, the Swords of Sanghelios!|[[Mahkee 'Chava]] to Fireteam Osiris<ref name="soslevel"/>}}

[[File:H2A-Rtas-01.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Rtas 'Vadum, one of the leaders of the Swords of Sanghelios.]]

After the Covenant's defeat at the end of the war, the ejected Sangheili split off into [[Covenant Remnants|several different factions]]. The Arbiter and [[Fleet of Retribution|his followers]] formally established the Swords of Sanghelios, primarily as an alliance of keeps aligned with 'Vadam.<ref name="soslevel"/>

The Swords remained friendly to humanity and wished to build a mutual peace, as they both had made tremendous sacrifices in order to stop Truth and the Covenant forces. On [[Sanghelios|their homeworld]], however, they were challenged by a resurgent faction of religious fanatics known as the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]. They viewed the Swords as "blasphemers" and began [[Blooding Years|an insurrection]], secretly supported by the UNSC's [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], all the while resuming the [[Great Schism]] against the [[Jiralhanae]] in a two-front war. The Abiding Truth managed to gather a large amount of followers in a relatively short timespan; while the faction had a strong religious underpinning, many Sangheili had more practical motives for allying against the Arbiter, among them resentment toward humanity.<ref name="glasslands"/><ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 58-61''</ref> Meanwhile, 'Vadam planned to visit each state to make his case for permanent peace with the [[human]]s they had battled for so many years. These reforms did not meet with universal approval. By [[2553#January|January 2553]], there was great dissent among disparate Sangheili factions, especially from the more devout believers in the [[Forerunner]]s' divinity.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 130''</ref>

===The Blooding Years===

[[File:H2A - Arbiter and Majors.jpg|300px|thumb|Swords of Sanghelios infantry prepare to engage other hostile Sangheili.]]

{{Main|Blooding Years}}

[[Avu Med 'Telcam]], leader of the Servants of Abiding Truth, decided that an immediate assault on the state of [[Vadam]] was necessary. Along with nine ships and forces from [[Nuan keep]] and [[Rtova keep]], 'Telcam commanded the assault from the [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] ''[[Unflinching Resolve]]''.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 114''</ref> Eventually, however, the ''Unflinching Resolve'' suffered a direct hit and crash landed, though most of the crew, including 'Telcam, survived. Despite being caught off-guard it appeared as though the Swords of Sanghelios would be victorious, however, news spread that he allowed humans to land on Sanghelios; this caused many keeps to ally with the Servants of Abiding Truth and the tide turned in their favor. The Arbiter was caught off guard and when his own reinforcements couldn't arrive on time, he reluctantly accepted [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]'s offer for help in fending off the attackers. The tide turned when {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} arrived over Sanghelios and destroyed the rebel destroyer ''[[Defender of Faith]]'' before finishing off the rebel ground forces with a [[MAC]] round. The {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}}, posed as a [[Kig-Yar]] pirate ship, destroyed a few of 'Vadam's ships in order to maintain the stalemate between the two factions, leaving the Arbiter with a Pyrrhic victory.

After the battle, Thel 'Vadam was in talks to visit the UNSC ''Infinity'' while 'Telcam retreated to [[New Llanelli]] until he would be able to convince more keeps to join his cause.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 122''</ref> At some point, the {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'' fell into the hands of the Abiding Truth. In turn, Kig-Yar [[piracy|pirate]] [[Sav Fel]] stole the ''Inquisitor'', with the intentions to sell it on [[Venezia]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 329''</ref> With 'Vadam occupied with the ongoing civil war, [[Kilo-Five]] was tasked with retrieving the ''Inquisitor'' with the purpose of reverse-engineering its energy projector for use against Sangheili-controlled worlds, though the ship was ultimately destroyed.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 436''</ref>

In spite of the outbreak of civil war on Sanghelios, Thel 'Vadam was able to sway the majority of [[Sangheili colonies]] to join with the Swords of Sanghelios.<ref name="Catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref> Over the next six years, the Sangheili continued to wage war against the remaining San'Shyuum and the Jiralhanae. At first, the Sangheili were at a major disadvantage, as millennia of depending on the San'Shyuum for technology meant that the Sangheili were unable to properly repair or replace the ships they lost in battle. The odds began to even out when the San'Shyuum vanished and the Jiralhanae began to fall back into internecine conflicts.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''"[[The Return]]"''</ref> In addition to the conflict with the Jiralhanae, the Swords of Sanghelios also engaged [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant]] in hostilities, which saw the flagship ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' rendered combat ineffective.<ref name="Catalog"/>

===Peace talks===

[[File:HE Spartans Ealen IV.png|left|thumb|275px|Thel 'Vadam, his escorts, and the rest of the peace delegation.]]

In [[2558#March|March 2558]], the Swords of Sanghelios attempted peace talks with the Jiralhanae chieftain [[Lydus]] and [[Lydus' clan|his clan]] on [[Ealen IV]]. Thel 'Vadam, with several Sangheili escorts, led the negotiations. [[Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] volunteered to moderate the talks between the two factions. However, the meeting was interrupted by a [[Battle of Ealen IV|surprise attack]] by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|Covenant mercenaries]] under the command of [[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]]. [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]], [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]], and the [[SPARTAN-IV Program|Spartan-IVs]] defended the delegation and evacuated them from the chamber. When their [[DS-004|evacuation ship]] was destroyed, the security detail proceeded to escort the delegates to a nearby parts depot.<ref name="HE1"/>

Inside the repair depot, 'Vadam notified Hood and the rest of an old fortified redoubt in which they could take refuge in. Captain Lasky ordered Palmer and the protection detail to escort the delegation to the redoubt. As the party escaped the depot, they were intercepted by a Covenant [[Type-56 Lich|Lich]]. Palmer quickly acted and threw her helmet filled with grenades and destroyed the Lich. The delegation stayed back as [[Fireteam Jackknife]] and their bodyguards went ahead to ensure the redoubt was safe for them to use as shelter.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #2''</ref> However, as the delegates entered the redoubt, [[Vladimir Scruggs|Spartan Scruggs]] of [[Fireteam Jackknife]] had killed the Sangheili and Jiralhanae escorts and ambushed the group, holding Hood hostage. 'Vadam queried Scruggs on what his demands were; Scruggs stated that they would discuss them once his associates arrived. With the Covenant bearing on the site in force, the ambassadors' security detail discovered [[Covenant cargo tug|a craft]] they could use to evacuate. Thanks to the sacrifices of Fireteam Bailey, the delegation, Lasky and the surviving Spartans made it aboard ''Infinity'', which rallied the feuding Sangheili and Jiralhanae fleets and forced 'Gajat's forces into retreat. Due to Shipmaster 'Gajat's attack, the negotiations were left in a standstill and little progress was made in furthering the peace between the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #3''</ref>

[[File:H5G-SOSrally.png|right|thumb|250px|The Arbiter rallying his forces.]]

Around October 27th, 2558, following the death of Jul 'Mdama, the remainder of his followers attacked the Swords of Sanghelios on the [[Sanghelios|Sangheili homeworld]]. The Arbiter received assistance from the UNSC's [[Fireteam Osiris]], who were searching for [[John-117|MCPO John-117]], in repelling the invasion. After intense battles along the coast in [[Nuusra]], the Swords of Sanghelios eventually pushed the Covenant back to their final stronghold: [[Sunaion]], where the Covenant was finally defeated.<ref name="BOS"/> Meanwhile, a [[Guardian]] that had lain buried beneath the [[Csurdon Sea]] emerged and departed for [[Genesis]]. Eventually Thel Vadam was successful in leading the Swords of Sanghelios in eliminating the remaining Covenant forces in the damaged city, ending the battle. Later on The Swords provided safe haven for surviving UNSC forces when [[Cortana]] and her [[Created]] took control of most of Earth's colonies.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force'''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Driving Force'']</ref>

{{Expand-section}}

An alliance of [[Sangheili]] [[keep]]s, the Swords of Sanghelios is governed by a [[Council of Kaidons|grand council]] of [[kaidon]]s, with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] serving as the organization's formal leader. Although it was originally formed as an alliance of convenience, the Swords effectively became Sanghelios' world government during the [[Blooding Years]].<ref name="hwp sos"/>

{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=Arbiter's an ally, so these dead here are our brothers as far as I'm concerned.|Edward Buck|q2=Agreed. Time for payback.|Holly Tanaka|Spartans Edward Buck and Holly Tanaka during the Battle of Nuusra<ref name="soslevel"/>}}

Although they remained at war with [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]], the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and several other [[Covenant remnants]], the Swords of Sanghelios sought to build peace among the fragmented remains of the Covenant and remained as an ally to humanity.<ref name="HE1">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #1''</ref> Indeed, the Swords of Sanghelios is the only known ex-Covenant group to maintain diplomatic relations with the [[Unified Earth Government]]. By [[2558]], the UNSC's ambassador to them was [[Rear Admiral]] [[Horatio Temkin]].<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref>

A [[Treaty of 2552|formal treaty]] was signed between the Swords and the [[Unified Earth Government]], setting up the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s, which would be administered and defended by both the UEG and the Sangheili. In addition to joint military exercises against [[Piracy|pirates]] in the Joint Occupation Zones,<ref name="Catalog"/> the Swords and the UNSC made a cooperative effort to restore contact with remote [[human colonies]] after the war; the corvette ''[[The Lookout]]'', crewed by UNSC and Swords personnel, embarked on such a mission in early [[2553]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', ''"[[Breaking Strain]]"''</ref> Several colony worlds residing in the Joint Occupation Zone were established under joint UEG/Sangheili governance. Among these was [[Carrow]], a former Outer Colony abandoned during the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', "[[Oasis]]"</ref>

The UNSC and the Sangheili worked together on archival research on Sanghelios,<ref name="C1">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969317_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969317 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction'' (post 2969317)]</ref> as well as joint investigations on Covenant weaponry, such as the [[Type-33 Needler]].<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969311 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction'' (post 2969311)]</ref> Additionally, a [[Onyx United Research Project|major joint research project]] and [[Paxopolis|settlement]] was established by the UNSC and the Swords at [[Trevelyan]], the enormous [[shield world]] located at the former site of [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: Fractures''', "[[Lessons Learned]]"</ref> A notable example of trust and technological exchange between humanity and Sangheili is the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Helioskrill|Helioskrill armor]], a variant of [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], one of the most sophisticated pieces of human technology, which was designed by a Sangheili prodigy and manufactured by the [[Kolaar Manufactorum]], a forge based on Sanghelios.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''Helioskrill armor description''</ref> As part of the [[ANVIL initiative]], Sangheili military personnel train with [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]] inside the [[War Games]] simulator aboard [[Anvil Station]].<ref name="Have S'moa">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: 2-20-15'']</ref>

Despite the formal alliance between the UEG and the Swords of Sanghelios, not all humans and Sangheili were amicable towards coexistence. Some Sangheili, such as Jul 'Mdama, stood in opposition to the Arbiter and the Swords of Sanghelios due to their alliance with the UNSC and sought to continue the extermination of humanity. Meanwhile, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] worked from within the UNSC to undermine the Sangheili, against the UEG's official policy. Outside the UEG, a pro-human [[terrorist]] group known as [[Sapien Sunrise]] openly opposed the notion of peace with the Sangheili. In [[Raid on Biko peace talks|one notable incident]], nine members from the aforementioned terrorist organization infiltrated [[Richard Sekibo]]'s delegation at a peace summit on the colony world of Biko. They intended to assassinate Sekibo and a Sangheili delegation while framing the Sangheili of the crime. The assassination attempt was foiled by Spartan John-117 though Sekibo was mortally wounded. Unfortunately, the truth was covered up and John-117 was used as a scapegoat to hide the UEG's laxity towards preventing the attack, much to the frustration of the Sangheili delegation.<ref name="HtTS1">'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Season 1''</ref>

The Swords of Sanghelios look to pre-Covenant Sangheili culture and traditions as they seek to rebuild their civilization, unlike [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s ideologically opposite [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|reformed Covenant]] or many other groups seeking to reattain the hegemony's former glory.<ref name="hwp sangheili"/>

The Swords of Sanghelios have a peculiar relationship with religion, rejecting the [[Covenant religion|Prophets' religion]] and holding questions about the Sangheili's traditional faith.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return''</ref> In general, most of the Arbiter's followers no longer revere the Forerunners as gods.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 62'' (Google Play edition)</ref> This has provoked the anger of many of their enemies, mainly the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 20''</ref> However, the Arbiter has never explicitly denied the Forerunners as gods, and has assured other Sangheili that they have not lost the gods.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 59''</ref> In addition, the [[Ascetics]] appear to follow the Arbiter, having approached [[Usze 'Taham]] as a liaison between them and the Swords of Sanghelios despite the Arbiter's apparently secular government,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/usze-taham '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Usze 'Taham'']</ref> and at least one served as a bodyguard for the Arbiter and was killed during the Ealen peace conference.<ref name="HE2">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue #2]]</ref>

While the Sangheili are the dominant race within the faction, the Swords of Sanghelios also includes other former members of the Covenant hegemony, mainly [[Unggoy]] who found themselves under Sangheili command as well as [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Lekgolo]].<ref name="Alliance">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Alliance]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypointstore.com/p/halo_swords_of_sanghelios_premium_tee.html '''Halo Waypoint Store''' - ''Swords of Sanghelios Tee'']</ref> Notably, the Swords have forgone some of the Covenant's stringent species-based hierarchy, allowing even Unggoy of considerable capability—such as [[Stolt]]—to serve in positions of command over Sangheili.<ref>'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 24'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Contrary to Sangheili tradition, the Swords also allow females to serve in the military;<ref name="soslevel"/> this change was instated following the precedent of [[Tul 'Juran]], who distinguished herself in combat alongside [[Rtas 'Vadum]]'s crew against [[Tem'Bhetek]] and his forces.<ref>'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 82'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

The Swords of Sanghelios has revived traditional Sangheili ranks such as [[Ascetics|Ascetic warriors]].<ref name="HE1"/> Crimson and ivory,<ref>'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''page 72''</ref> or red-gold<ref name="CFAA">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/canon-fodder-1-8-16-annual-achievements/ca5fc3ce-2113-45bf-9f4e-e9990132f18b/posts?page=2#post37 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder 1-8-16: Annual Achievements'']</ref> armor indicates some form of affiliation to the Swords of Sanghelios, though there are armors painted in other colors, such as blue.<ref name="HE1"/>

|[[Kig-Yar Storm|Storm]]

|[[Sangheili Ranger|Ranger]]<br>[[Commando Unit|Commando]]<br>[[Ascetics|Ascetic]]

|

|[[Sangheili Commander|Commander]]

|

The Swords of Sanghelios utilized much of the same equipment that the original Covenant used, but modified the designs due to the lack of restriction from the former Prophets. Most [[Unggoy]] used the [[Type-25 plasma pistol]],<ref name="SOI">'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'''</ref> [[Type-54 plasma pistol]],<ref name="Alliance"/> [[Type-33 Needler]],<ref name="C1"/> and [[Type-56 Needler]],<ref name="Alliance"/> while [[Sangheili]] personnel were typically armed with the [[Type-25 plasma rifle]],<ref name="Mythos142">'''Halo Mythos''', ''pages 142-143''</ref> [[Type-27 beam rifle]],<ref name="soslevel"/> [[Type-31 needle rifle]],<ref name="CFAA"/> [[Type-50 concussion rifle]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne/status/781987887726198784 '''Twitter''' - ''GrimBrotherOne'']</ref>, [[Type-51 carbine]],<ref name="HitD">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'''</ref> [[Type-53 Plasma Caster]],<ref name="soslevel"/> [[Type-55 storm rifle]],<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> [[Type-57 carbine]],<ref name="H5G"/> [[Type-58 fuel rod cannon]],<ref name="REQs"/> and the [[Type-1 energy sword]].<ref name="H5G"/> Several of their energy swords, most notably the [[Prophets' Bane]], were shaped in new designs based on pre-Covenant fashions.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/prophets%E2%80%99-bane '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Prophets' Bane'']</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''page 53''</ref>

Like the original Covenant the [[Type-26 Banshee]] remained as the main aircraft of the faction for much of the Blooding Years.<ref name="REQs"/> [[Type-52 Phantom]]s were used as the main troop transports, although these sported a green color instead of the usual purple and utilized [[active camouflage]].<ref name="cove"/><ref name="HE1"/> The Swords used orange-painted [[Type-26 Shade]]s<ref name="soslevel"/> and [[Type-56 Shrike]]s<ref name="Shrike">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/shrike-turret '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shrike Turret'']</ref> for static defense. As the Covenant fragmented and technology changed, the Swords began using more individualized craft. They began manufacturing Sword variants of [[Type-54 Ghost#Sword Ghost|the Type-54 Ghost]], [[Type-58 Wraith]], and [[Type-54 Banshee#Sword Banshee|Type-54 Banshee]], which had orange-painted plating and more durable armor than their Covenant versions.<ref name="REQs">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''REQ card descriptions''</ref> The faction also used crimson-orange [[Type-56 Lich]]es and [[Type-57 Phantom]]s, though it is unclear if these also had improved armor.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''campaign level [[The Heretic]] ([[The_Heretic#Target_Locke|Anniversary Prologue]])</ref><ref name="H5G"/>

The [[Swords of Sanghelios Navy|faction's navy]] was composed of multiple {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s, {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s, {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}}s<ref name="HE1"/> and at least one {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}.<ref name="HitD"/> They also made use of ancient Sangheili ships, like [[Blockade Runner]]s, [[Brigantine]]s, [[Carrack]]s and [[Man O' War]]s.<ref name="BTS">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref><ref name="BOS">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]''</ref>

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-4|state=plain

*Unidentified Fleet at the [[Battle of Ealen IV]]

**''[[Shadow of Intent]]''

**''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'' {{C|former}}

*''[[Axiom]]'' {{c|destroyed}}

*''[[Devotion (cruiser)|Devotion]]'' {{c|destroyed}}

*''[[Havoc]]''

*''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''

*''[[Mayhem]]'' {{C|Damaged in 2555}}

*''[[Onslaught (ship)|Onslaught]]''

*''[[Revolution (ship)|Revolution]]''

*''[[Swordsman (ship)|Swordsman]]''

*[[Lar Wing]]<ref name="h5genemylines"/>

*[[Siqtar Wing]]<ref name="h5genemylines"/>

*Several [[legion]]s

*[[Ascetics|Ascetic guard]]

== Gallery ==

File:Ealen IV.jpg|Swords of Sanghelios over Ealen IV.

File:SOSE3.png|A Sangheili Storm working on formation logistics before an aerial assault on a [[Kraken]].

File:Kola 'Baoth.jpg|[[Kola 'Baoth]] in Swords of Sanghelios [[Sangheili_Ranger|Ranger]] Armor.

*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{Fm}}

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}

{{Reflist|2}}