Editing Thorn beast

'''Thorn beast''', known to the [[Forerunner]]s as '''Saaliban'''{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=363}} are a type of docile herd [[List of animals|creature]] that is used for food and other resources by the [[Covenant]] and the [[Jiralhanae]] in particular. In the wake of its collapse, Jiralhanae have been known to still make use of the them.

==Overview==

Thorn beasts are named for the five "thorns" that ridge their spines. A thorn beast's head and neck contain high concentrations of neurotoxins; likely a defensive adaptation against predators.<ref name="cp195">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 195''</ref> Thorn beasts have often been associated with Jiralhanae. Chieftain [[Maccabeus]] enjoyed eating the ball of muscle under the smallest of the beasts' thorns when it was properly prepared, and the commander known as [[Avitus]] enjoyed it immensely, saying that it was "both an appetizer and a dessert". Thorn beast is served with the spines pointing upwards and legs splayed outward. The head and neck are removed prior to consumption in order to avoid ingesting their neurotoxins. Entrails are often used to make dipping sauces.{{Ref/Reuse|cp195}} When the Jiralhanae vessel ''[[Valorous Salvation]]'' landed on [[Beta Gabriel]] and the Jiralhanae began hunting the humans there, it was remarked that one Brute named [[Golubus|Brother Golubus]] came close to making the fatter humans taste like thorn beast.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]"</ref> In addition to being eaten, thorn beasts are also a source for leather. The Chieftain [[Hekabe]] used cloth and thorn beast leather to wrap a [[Forerunner]] artifact in his possession.<ref>''[[Halo: Envoy]]''</ref>

Thorn beasts were originally meant to appear in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', but were one of [[Cut_Halo:_Combat_Evolved_enemies|many creatures]] cut from the final game. The thorn beasts were going to be rideable creatures for [[Marine]]s before they were cut for AI issues.{{Ref/Twitter|Dr_Abominable|464351948297089024|Paul Russel|Quote=@HaloFanForLife @HaloArchive Here's the first. Didn't have shot of the 'blind wolf', @game_fabricator's creation.|D=30|M=10|Y=2020}}  

The Thorn beasts were brought into ''Halo'' canon with the release of the [[2007]] novel ''Halo: Contact Harvest''.

They were later intended to appear in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', appearing in the [[Halo Wars E3 2008 Demo|E3 2008 build]] of the game. The developers stated that they would have reacted to units and battles around them. In the videos however, they merely ran away from units, not battles; if there was a bombing next to it, it wouldn't have flinched. However, since the videos were made as the game was still in development, this lack of a reaction may have been changed for a more real gaming experience if the creature would have made the final cut. The creature was ultimately [[Cut Halo Wars units#animals|one of many]] such creatures cut from the development of ''Halo Wars''.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/halo-wars-e3-2008-stage-show-demo/2300-6194807/|Site=Gamespot|Page=Halo Wars E3 2008 Stage Show Demo|Detail=(13:00)}}

Thorn beasts were also re-considered for inclusion in ''Halo Infinite'' as a part of the extensive [[Cut Halo Infinite ambient life|ambient life]] intended for the game, and recieved a concept pass by artist Sergey Snegirev - though were ultimately once again cut.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/2qk9nY|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo Infinite - Creatures exploration concepts|D=20|M=01|Y=2022}}