Editing T'vaoan

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Species Infobox
|name=T'vaoans
|othernames=Skirmisher
|image=[[File:Halo_Reach_-_Skirmisher.png|300px]]
|homeworld=[[T'vao]]
|height={{Convert|6.2|ft|cm|sp=us}}–{{Convert|6.9|ft|cm|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 178''</ref>
|weight={{Convert|195|lb|kg|sp=us}}–{{Convert|210|lb|kg|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>
|distinctions=Larger, more heavily muscled; avian features, beaked head with teeth, clawed hands and feet. 
|lifespan=
|techlevel=
|notable-group=
|notable-person=
*[[Sav Fel]]
*[[Chol Von]]
*[[Tek]]
*[[Nor Fel]]
}}

The '''T'vaoans''', referred to by [[human]]s as '''Skirmishers''', are a subspecies of the [[Kig-Yar]] hailing from [[asteroid]] colony of [[T'vao]]. They served the [[Covenant]] as a specialized group in the [[Covenant military|military]].<ref name="bungie">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=24609 '''Bungie''': ''Halo: Reach Enemy Intel'']</ref>

==History==
===Origins===
The T'vaoans originated on the [[Kig-Yar]] homeworld of [[Eayn]]. They eventually colonized other locations within the [[Y'Deio system]], primarily the asteroid [[T'vao]], from which they earn their name.<ref>'''[[Halopedia:Letter - Re:Mortal Dictata Question]]'''</ref> The higher gravity, more dramatic atmospheric shifts, and other harsher environmental conditions on T'vao led to the Skirmishers evolving very differently to other Kig-Yar.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="md59">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 59''</ref><ref name="waypointuniverse">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/kig-yar '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Kig-Yar'']</ref> When the Covenant made peace with the Kig-Yar after a battle in the system, T'vaoans were recruited into the Covenant's military.

===The Covenant===
Many T'vaoans served in the [[Human-Covenant War]], often being led by [[Sangheili]] or [[Jiralhanae]]. In engagements prior to [[2530]], mixed units containing both Ruuhtian and T'vaoan Kig-Yar were more common; however, this changed toward the end of the war, with Covenant doctrine favoring units comprised solely of Skirmishers.<ref name="bungie"/> Several Skirmisher squads saw action during the [[Battle of Hat Yai]] and [[Battle of Actium]], among other engagements. During these engagements UNSC forces managed to capture the hologram technology used by the Skirmishers.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 139''</ref>

They saw extensive action during the [[Fall of Reach]], and as a result of catastrophically high casualties, the Skirmisher ranks were utterly exhausted and the T'vaoans themselves nearly wiped out, though the subspecies as a whole did survive.<ref>[http://www.gamereactor.eu/articles/2600/First+Look%3A+Halo+Reach/ '''Game Reactor''': ''First Look: Halo Reach'']</ref><ref name="OMX">[http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=18095 '''OXM''': ''Bungie reveals how Reach will fall, and the epic scope of its last Halo'']</ref>

===Post-war===
Despite the amount of T'vaoans that died in the [[Human-Covenant War]], many still remain. The T'vaoan Shipmistress [[Chol Von]] attempted to create a united [[Kig-Yar]] government to defend the [[Y'Deio system]] from threats, while others, such as [[Sav Fel]], returned to the Kig-Yar's ancient ways of [[piracy]].<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata'''</ref> At least [[Tek|one T'vaoan]] joined [[Vata 'Gajat]]'s [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary group]], serving as 'Gajat's second-in-command.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref>

==Description==
===Anatomy and physiology=== 
T'vaoans are a subset of the [[Kig-Yar]] species hailing from the isolated environment of [[T'vao]]. The morphological variation among the Kig-Yar represents divergent evolution in response to varied environments on prehistoric [[Eayn]].<ref name="enc">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' (2011), ''pages 156-157''</ref> [[Xenobiology|Xenobiologists]] believe that the [[asteroid]]'s higher gravity and atmospheric shifts led to the development of the T'voans' avian features.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> They are much faster and stronger than the more lightly-built common Kig-Yar, known to humans as Jackals (particularly the Ruuhtians and Ibie'shan). They have darker skin and stockier, squared heads with small yellow eyes with slitted pupils, as opposed to the bulbous and pale eyes of the Ruuhtians. They also have more beak-like mouths and bony facial coverings. Skirmishers have true feathers on their head, back, and arms, unlike the Jackals' quills. A Skirmisher's voice is more raspy and guttural—this is because they have an expanding voice chamber on their throat. Skirmishers served as Covenant shock troops, while the more lightly built Jackals saw deployment as dedicated [[Kig-Yar Ranger|ranger]] or [[Kig-Yar Sniper|sniper units]]. Unlike other Kig-Yar, Skirmishers do not display color changes in their plumage when their moods shift.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 65''</ref>   

Their head shape appears to be more avian than their cousins; their skin tone is noticeably darker and not yellowish.  Like Jackals, Skirmishers have sharp talons on their hands and feet. Male Kig-Yar from T'vao had much heavier upper body plumage than other Kig-Yar. Females from T'vao had a ruff of feathers on their heads and necks instead of scales.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''Chapter 3''</ref> Young T'vaoan chicks are covered in a brown fledgling down which gradually moults and gives way to scales and plumage as they age.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 71''</ref>

While Kig-Yar are generally quite agile across all subsets, Skirmishers are capable of sprinting at great speeds; many T'vaoans are capable of reaching up to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per hour in open environments,<ref name="enc"/> They are also especially capable jumpers, being able to leap considerably higher and for longer distances than other members of their species (as well as the other species that made up the Covenant.

The [[blood]] of a T'vaoan is thick and purple.<ref>[[:File:SkirmisherBleeding.jpg|This image]]</ref>

==Culture== 
T'vaoans have a culture largely similar to most Kig-Yar, although most T'vaoans believe themselves to be superior over the rest of the Kig-Yar. Among T'vaoans, it is often considered "bad form" to treat a T'vaoan like an average Kig-Yar.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 272''</ref> Like other types of Kig-Yar, T'vaoan society is described as matriarchal.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 60''</ref> T'vaoans are attracted to shiny, glittery and glamorous objects. Males often squabble amongst each other and display their quills for females.<ref name="md59"/> 

=== Role in the Covenant ===
The Covenant used Skirmishers as close-range combatants, attacking in packs and using lightning-fast flanking tactics, as opposed to the mainline Kig-Yar troops, who were often used as defensive and [[Kig-Yar Sniper|long-range combatants and assassins]]. Anatomically, they possess a profile similar to regular Kig-Yar, though in combat they do not wield [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|large rounded energy shields]] like the Jackals. High-ranking Skirmishers do wear point defense gauntlets or wrist shields, medium sized ovular shields strapped on to their wrists, to help them deflect bullet and light plasma fire.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63_LHQoVyxU '''YouTube''': ''Halo: Reach - 5 Minute Firefight'']</ref>
Apart from combat roles, and like the common Kig-Yar, the T'vaoans could hold commanding roles such as the title of [[shipmaster]] in the [[Covenant military]].

While Covenant remnants such as [[Jul Mdama's Covenant]] use Kig-Yar (Mostly Ibie'shans, though Ruuhtians have also been seen) in much the same roles as they had in the original Covenant, it is unknown if any T'vaoans serve in the same manner. It is possible that the depletion of their numbers at [[Fall of Reach|Reach]] has deterred any more T'vaoans from participating in the military.

=== Covenant Rank structure ===
Fresh T'vaoans started as [[Skirmisher Minor]]s (marked with black feathers and grey armor) and were promoted to [[Skirmisher Major|Major]] (marked with red feathers and greyish-red armor) once they accumulated sufficient combat experience.

There were several specialist ranks for the Skirmishers. These specialists were equipped with their own variation of combat armor and given equipments to fulfill their specific, respective roles. The [[Skirmisher Murmillo|Murmillones]], for example, in their orange armor, were equipped [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlets]] on each arm. The [[Skirmisher Commando|Commandos]], on the other hand, would be seen in green armor and were equipped with a [[Type-27 hologram|holographic projector]].

Leading the Skirmishers in combat was the [[Skirmisher Champion|Champion]], outfitted with heavier gold armor and sometimes employing holograms to confuse their enemies.

{{Kig-yar Ranks}}

==Trivia==
{{Other languages
|fr={{Explain|''Les Écorcheurs''|The Skinners}} in all media.
}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Skirmishers|gameplay=yes|gameplaypage=Skirmisher/Gameplay}}
Skirmishers bear a notable physical resemblance to [[Wikipedia:Dromaeosauridae|dromaeosaurs]] such as [[Wikipedia:Deinonychus|''Deinonychus'']] and the smaller, better-known [[Wikipedia:Velociraptor|''Velociraptor'']]. Like the Skirmishers, the dromaeosaurs were reptiles with prominent avian features including feathers and lightweight bones. Dromaeosaurs are considered to be one of the main taxonomic links between dinosaurs and modern-day  birds, perhaps suggesting a similar evolutionary progression among the Kig-Yar.
{{clear}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:ReachConcept Skirmisher.png|Concept art of a Skirmisher.
File:ReachConcept SkirmisherVariant.jpg|A Skirmisher study.
File:Skirmisher - Closeup.png|An alpha build render of a Skirmisher's face.
File:HaloReach - Screenshot 03.jpg|An alpha build of ''Reach'', showcasing a lance of Skirmishers in battle during the Fall of Reach.
File:Skirmisher_armor_pattern.png|In general pattern on the Skirmisher armor in ''Halo Reach''.
File:Reach E310 Firefight Waterfront02.jpg|A Skirmisher Commando in Firefight.
File:reach_4612386_Full.jpg|Skirmisher Murmillo armed with a focus rifle.
File:SkirmisherBleeding.jpg|A Skirmisher bleeding.
File:Skirmisher Ranks.jpg|Several Skirmishers of differing rank.
File:Tekissue3.PNG|[[Tek]], a Skirmisher operating with [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]. 
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Deliver Hope]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Into the Fire]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Covenant}}

[[Category:Kig-Yar]]
[[Category:Sapient species]]
[[Category:Covenant species]]