Editing T'vaoan

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Disambig header|the Kig-Yar subspecies|the military role|Skirmisher}}

The '''T'vaoans''' are a subspecies of [[Kig-Yar]] hailing from [[asteroid]] colony of [[T'vao]], within the Kig-Yar's home system of [[Y'Deio system|Y'Deio]]. They served the [[Covenant]] as a specialized group in the [[Covenant military|military]].<ref name="bungie">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=24609 '''Bungie''': ''Halo: Reach Enemy Intel'']</ref> While they are often simply referred to as "Skirmishers" by the [[human]]s who encounter them, [[skirmisher]] is a specific combat role that has its roots in the ancient history of all Kig-Yar, not just the T'vaoans that the Covenant favored for this role.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLegendary|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-legendary-endings|SiteName=Halo Waypoint|PageName=Canon Fodder - Legendary Endings|D=18|M=12|Y=2021}}

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. The higher gravity, more dramatic atmospheric shifts, and other harsher environmental conditions on T'vao led to the T'vaoans evolving very differently to other Kig-Yar.{{Ref/Reuse|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 prolonged battle in the system, T'vaoans were recruited into the Covenant's military.

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 as the war went on, with Covenant doctrine favoring units comprised solely of T'vaoan [[skirmisher]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|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> The T'vaoans also saw extensive action during the Covenant's [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] of [[Reach]] in [[2552]].{{Ref/Game|HR}}

In [[2553]], 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> The [[Banished]] have also recruited some T'vaoan skirmishers, with [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]]'s forces deploying them to [[Reach]] during [[Operation: WOLFE]] in late [[2559]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR16|SOR|Chapter=16}}

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 (2009 edition)]]''' (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/Reuse|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. T'vaoans have true feathers on their head, back, and arms, unlike the Jackals' quills. A T'vaoan's voice is more raspy and guttural—this is because they have an expanding voice chamber on their throat. T'vaoan 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, T'vaoans 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 other Kig-Yar, T'vaoans 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, T'vaoans are capable of sprinting at great speeds; many are capable of reaching up to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per hour in open environments.{{Ref/Reuse|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).

Despite the mantle and practice of skirmisher being common to all Kig-Yar subspecies, the Covenant almost exclusively selected T'vaoan Kig-Yar to fill this role.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}} The Covenant used T'vaoan 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 wore 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>

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.

{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of T'vaoans|gameplay=yes|gameplaypage=Skirmisher/Gameplay}}

*T'vaoans bear a notable physical resemblance to [[Wikipedia:Dromaeosauridae|dromaeosaurs]] such as [[Wikipedia:Deinonychus|''Deinonychus'']] and the smaller, better-known [[Wikipedia:Velociraptor|''Velociraptor'']]. Like the T'vaoans, 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.

*[[:File:HR Skirmisher Concept.png|Early concept art for the species]] depicted T'vaoans having a more eagle-like design, possessing a hooked beak with no visible teeth, and a fan of tail feathers on the posterior. The texture of the skin on the rest of the body also differs from that of the final design, resembling exposed muscle fibers and tendons rather than the typical scaly skin of other Kig-Yar. The armor design, however, remained virtually unchanged.

File:HR_Skirmisher_Concept.png|Concept art of a T'vaoan.

File:HR_SkirmisherVariant_Concept.jpg|A T'vaoan study.

File:Skirmisher - Closeup.png|An alpha build render of a T'vaoan's face.

File:HaloReach - Screenshot 03.jpg|An alpha build of ''Reach'', showcasing a lance of T'vaoan skirmishers in battle during the Fall of Reach.

File:Skirmisher_armor_pattern.png|In general pattern on the T'vaoan skirmisher armor in ''Halo Reach''.

File:Reach E310 Firefight Waterfront02.jpg|A T'vaoan Skirmisher Commando in Firefight.

File:reach_4612386_Full.jpg|A T'vaoan Skirmisher Murmillo armed with a focus rifle.

File:SkirmisherBleeding.jpg|A T'vaoan bleeding.

File:Skirmisher Ranks.jpg|Several T'vaoan skirmishers of differing rank.

File:Tekissue3.PNG|[[Tek]], a T'vaoan skirmisher operating within [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]].  

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