Bestiarum: Difference between revisions

== Beastiarum ==

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Unggoy]]'''</div>

[GRUNT, ''Monachus frigus'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.67 meters | '''Weight''': 118 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Balaho]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–33°C to 5°C

;POPULATION

:320 million

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Negligible

The Unggoy homeworld, Balaho, is a [terrestrial] planet with significant quantities of methane in the atmosphere. It is covered in a largely opaque layer of clouds, which prevents much of its surface from being seen from space. The parts of its surface that aren’t covered by polar ice caps or free water are brackish tidal flats with naturally occurring pillars of fire. It is still recovering from preactivation environmental collapse caused by massive global overindustrialization.

One thing that has remained intact within the Unggoy population, even through [the dark time] following [reintroduction], is their unshakable sense of solidarity. It is quite extraordinary that they have been able to hold onto any sense of [national identity] separate from the [Covenant] after what amounts to [3,597,192 hours] of incessant indoctrination. Although their culture has been largely erased since their incorporation into the [Covenant], they retain enough of [an ethnic character] to occasionally urge them to challenge their oppressors—but they have yet to do so successfully.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Jiralhanae]]'''</div>

[BRUTE, ''Servus ferox'']<br />

'''Height''': 2.8 meters | '''Weight''': 510 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Doisac]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–15°C to 52°C

;POPULATION

:12.5 billion (estimated)

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

Recent events have propelled Brutes from their role as Covenant-occupying muscle into a role previously held by Elites: the predominant military might of the hegemony total. These aggressive, pack-minded belligerents are one of the least technologically oriented species in the Covenant. What native technologies they do bring to the hegemony are invariably martial in nature, from reasonably sophisticated chemical explosives to primitive, yet markedly reliable percussive weapons. Because of their interactions with other Covenant species, their adoption of technologies is sporadic and nonlinear.

Their adoption of the Covenant religion is recent and absolute. Indeed, Jiralhanae are some of the most fanatical adherents, following Prophet doctrine to the letter and maintaining an uneasy position of subservience to Sangheili until civil unrest and political turmoil propelled them to their new status. A long history of totemistic and symbolical native religions prepared them perfectly for conversion to the Prophet/Covenant dogma. This process is still in flux, but the Jiralhanae’s quickness to fill the Sangheili vacuum and its unpredictable predilection for destructive violence make them a significant threat to Array integrity.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Kig-Yar]]'''</div>

[JACKAL, ''Perosus latrunculus'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.9 meters | '''Weight''': 88 kilos

;HOMEWORLD: [[Eayn]]

;STAR, POSITION

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–18°C to 45°C

;POPULATION

:978 million

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Negligible to mild

The homeworld of the Kig-yar is the primary satellite of the planet Chu’ot, which lies in the inner region of the system’s massive asteroid belt. It is characterized by its single equatorial ocean, sparse volcanism, and almost total lack of glaciation. Only about one-third of all Kig-yar who still reside in the Y’Deio system call Eayn their home; many have chosen to live among the [minor planets] within the asteroid belt since their initial contact with the [Covenant].

Although the Kig-yar occupy a [caste] near the very bottom of the [Covenant] socioeconomic structure, they more closely resemble a separate entity existing independently within the state. None of the client species has direct representation within the [High Council]; rather, their [interests and concerns] are vetted by the Ministry of Concert. And while others have protested this inequity rather openly (but unsuccessfully), the Kig-yar have chosen a more pragmatic form of dissent—siphoning off resources to their expatriate brothers. But whether the [Covenant] powers have decided [to turn a blind eye] to their larcenous activities or those escapades have been made invisible by the labyrinth of bureaucracy is uncertain.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[San 'Shyuum]]'''</div>

[PROPHET, ''Perfidia vermis'']<br />

'''Height''': 2.2 meters | '''Weight''': 91 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:([[High Charity]])

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:20°C to 24°C

;POPULATION

:500 million (at reseeding); 23,831,346 (currently)

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

The Prophets claim their homeworld was destroyed when its star went [nova] some 3200 years ago, but there is very little data regarding the actual location of their system of origin. Their reluctance to disclose this seemingly inconsequential bit of information could well be a holdover from their long period of hostility with the Sangheili. At any rate, the [commitment[?]] necessary to maintain such a conspiracy of that magnitude would tend to be prohibitive. Perhaps its longevity has worked in its favor, with [myth[?]] taught as fact to subsequent generations.

UPDATE: With the [outbreak] of the Flood and its subsequent arrival on [High Charity], the San’Shyuum will have had two extinction events visited upon them within a single [great cycle]. Only those individuals who were permanently posted somewhere other than their [ersatz] homeworld are certain to have survived. Even those who held some position within the [Covenant] fleet have no hope of survival, as the entire fleet was present at Installation 05 and the Sangheili [quarantined] it. Sadly, their total population is now estimated at less than one thousand.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Yanme'e]]'''</div>

[DRONE, ''Turpis rex'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.9 meters | '''Weight''': 127 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Palamok]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:29°C to 42°C

;POPULATION

:[unknown[?]]

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Negligible

Correctly and accurately compared to several other forms of arthropod, the Yanme’e are unusual only in physical scale and intelligence. While intelligent hive arthropod cultures are relatively common throughout the galaxy, it is rare that individuals attain tool-making and technological skills. The other notable feature is their sheer size. Averaging a height of just less than 2 meters, they are among the largest mobile arthropods yet discovered. Largely carnivorous, the Yanme’e developed and bred a form of feral, hunted livestock as they became more sophisticated.

Culturally speaking, they are simply a conquered and dominated client of the Covenant (see Unggoy). They adhere to Covenant religious principles and obey unquestioningly but have no particular passion for Covenant societal norms. They follow what they see as a normal and linear power structure, with the Prophet “queens” ruling from on high. Their initial contact with the Covenant was devastating for both sides, and the eventual resulting [détente] was unexpected given the scale of the mutual carnage. Communication difficulties with other Covenant species mean that they largely stick to their own, except in combat.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Mgalekgolo]]'''</div>

[HUNTER, ''Ophis congregatio'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.4 meters ( 3.65 armored)| '''Weight''': 22.6 kilos (4762 armored)

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Te]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–20°C to 95°C

;POPULATION

:1.980 Trillion

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Mild

The Lekgolo individual is actually a wormlike creature, about 1.4 meters long. They are typically encountered outside of their homeworld, Te, in purpose-specific assemblages (Mgalekgolo) that increase the intelligence and utility of the whole. One strange effect of this assemblage is that the formed creature develops a distinctive personality. An individual worm is not terribly (or at least demonstrably) bright, but a complex neural connection is formed in group situations using hormonal and bioelectrical connections. The resulting form is quite intelligent and can be scaled upward to a limited degree for intellectual applications. Their physical strength is prodigious in individual units, but combined into another form (bipedal for Covenant interactions) they are exponentially more powerful, forming muscle and lever analogs in a cleverly networked fashion.

Little observable information has ever been available about the inner workings of Lekgolo society. Outside of mating and feeding habits, their interactions are often opaque—and much theory has been applied to their political and intellectual structure.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Sangheili]]'''</div>

[ELITE, ''Macto cognatus'']<br />

'''Height''': 2.2 meters | '''Weight''': 144 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Sanghelios]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–5°C to 96°C

;POPULATION

:8.135 billion

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

The Sangheili are, simply put, technological and societal equals of the Prophets yet, for a significant period, found themselves as the dominant military muscle for the entire Covenant structure—hardly surprising given the warlike feudal nature of their historical homeworld, Sanghelios. What is surprising is the cyclical stability this feudal society was able to offer. Technological and medical advancement prospered, and the intelligent, aggressive Elites were peerless until they encountered the Prophets. With exchange of goods and ideas, the Elites adapted to and eventually embraced the Covenant religion, grafting its tenets to their own belief system.

It is known that this civil war stretches from Earth all the way back to Sanghelios as Elites try to wrest their share of the hegemony away from their new-found enemies. Jiralhanae have stepped in to fill the military void in ever-increasing numbers, sensing the vacuum and opportunity left by the departure of the Elites.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Flood]]'''</div>

[PURE FORM, ''Inferi redivivus'']<br />

'''Height''': [varies] meters | '''Weight''': 144 kilos

;HOMEWORLD:

:[Extra-galactic [?]]/~first contact [G617g]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–25°C to 41°C

;POPULATION

:[unknown [?]]

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

The Flood is the deadliest threat to life—or more specifically, biodiversity—in the galaxy. It is a virulent, parasitic life form. Flood biomass is composed of an undifferentiated cell type that has been labeled [marker[?]]>LF.Xx.3273_Flood_Super_Cell. The Flood Super Cell (FSC) can be loosely described as [thinking muscle[?]], and it closely resembles neurons or glial cells in structure. It has been verified on multiple occasions that the Flood have the ability to arrange these FSCs to mimic any organ they might need.

The Flood have no culture as such, as they should be considered a single macroorganism instead of a group of individuals or even a group of subsentient individuals controlled by single, or a group of, [transsentient[?]] being(s). Their society—if it may be called that—most closely resembles a [utopian socialist ideal], as there is no wealth, no poverty, no want, no crime, and no disease; every individual works for the advancement of the Flood as a whole. It is unfortunate that their one overriding goal is to [butcher and consume] every other life form in the galaxy.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Gravemind]]'''</div>

[GRAVEMIND, ''Inferi sententia'']<br />

'''Height''': [varies] meters | '''Weight''': [varies] kilos

;HOMEWORLD:

:[Extra-galactic [?]]/~first contact [G617g]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–25°C to 41°C

;POPULATION

:[unknown [?]]

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

The Flood exists in a fairly stable steady-state in the absence of a Gravemind. They do not spawn spontaneously. They form around sentient life forms, specifically those that are self-aware and [capable of introspection[?]].

[HUMAN, ''Homo sapiens'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.8 meters | '''Weight''': 90 kilos

;HOMEWORLD

:[[Earth]]

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–20°C to 40°C

;POPULATION

:200 million (sudden change)

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious

Homo sapiens is a largely peaceful, slow space-faring culture with varying governmental institutions and philosophies. The culture appears initially homogenous but, on closer inspection, contains rivalries and differences that have made its very short time in space troubled and difficult. Combined with their limited Tier 3 technology, such strife means their forays into their arm of the galaxy have been hampered by relativistic constraints. They are simply not technologically prepared for the complications of interstellar trade, commerce, or war.

The most important current factor in Homo sapiens condition is its interaction with the Covenant hegemony. Human populations have been decimated by a one-sided conflict and unfortunately are approaching extinction. Only one planet survives with any meaningful population, and that planet is, perhaps not coincidentally, their cradle world. It is also the home to a [schism artifact]. Ironically, it is the existence of that [artifact] that has prevented the Covenant from simply destroying the world. They wish to utilize its technology, but they seem curiously unconcerned as to why the [artifact] is located on that particular planet. This series of coincidences is notable and statistically unlikely—unless viewed in the context of the Array conflict.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[John-117|Uncategorized]]'''</div>

[RECLAIMER, ''Homo sapiens augeous'']<br />

'''Height''': 2.08 meters | '''Weight''': 179 kilos

:HOMEWORLD

:Earth, other

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:–18°C to 38°C

;POPULATION

:200 million (sudden change)

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

:Significant to serious (ties with group—Human)

''Anomalous. Requires further investigation.''

One last note: The Reclaimer employs a [noncorporeal citizen] companion. Further information is being negotiated. Its pertinence to the Circumstance is apparent.

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<div style="background:#E9E9E9; padding-left:4px;">'''[[Huragok]]'''</div>

[ENGINEER, ''Facticius indoles'']<br />

'''Height''': 1.88 meters | '''Weight''': 56 kilos

;STAR, POSITION

:n/a

;SURFACE TEMPERATURE

:n/a

;POPULATION

:n/a

;CURRENT THREAT TO ARRAY

: [Nonexistent[?]]

The huragok that are now employed by the [Covenant] were discovered and gathered from many extant [Forerunner] facilities, initially by the San’Shyuum and later by the [Covenant] proper. Though not specifically [designed] for assignment within habitable zones, all huragok currently engaged have been recovered from [M-series] facilities. It is [inspiring] to see that even one of the [Builders’] most humble creations has survived through [the dark times] of post-activation.

One would think that the [Covenant’s] employment of the huragok would have introduced a much more pronounced advancement in their understanding of the marvels left behind by the [Forerunners], but the truth of the matter is that the [mysticism] they have attributed to such things has held them back considerably. Unfortunately for them, the huragok is one of the less sophisticated thinking machines the [Builders] were responsible for and requires [an expert hand] to extract any information of discernable value.

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==Tiers of Technology==