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{{Status|Canon}} | {{Status|Canon}} | ||
{{Disambig header|the rank used by the Covenant|the Covenant special unit|Covenant Honor Guard}} | {{Disambig header|the rank used by the Covenant|the Covenant special unit|Covenant Honor Guard}} | ||
[[File: | [[File:Enc22-SangheiliHonorGuard.png |300px|thumb|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman employing the {{Pattern|Gheocin|combat harness}}.]] | ||
{{Quote|We have always been your protectors!|[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee talking to the [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref name="sacred">''Halo 2'', campaign level, [[Sacred Icon]]</ref>}} | {{Quote|We have always been your protectors!|[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee talking to the [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref name="sacred">''Halo 2'', campaign level, [[Sacred Icon]]</ref>}} | ||
'''Honor Guardsman''' is a notably high | '''Honor Guardsman''' is a notably high rank of highly-skilled [[Covenant]] warriors employed within the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant Honor Guard|Honor Guard]] unit. The Honor Guardsmen served to defend the [[San'Shyuum]] and other political figures, particularly the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Reuse|sacred}}<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 381</ref><ref name="EVG">''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 95</ref> The role was once exclusively adopted by [[Sangheili]] before the Great Schism changed the role in favor of their [[Jiralhanae]] rivals. | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures before the events that led to the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|sacred}} The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were likely instated soon after the signing of the [[Writ of Union]], which led to the establishment of the Covenant. The [[Lights of Sanghelios]] were a revered elite unit among the Sangheili Honor Guard.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 153</ref> Because one was expected to encounter little to no combat in the posting, select Sangheili were known to have even declined a place in the Honor Guard.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} | For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures before the events that led to the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|sacred}} The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were likely instated soon after the signing of the [[Writ of Union]], which led to the establishment of the Covenant. The [[Lights of Sanghelios]] were a revered elite unit among the Sangheili Honor Guard.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', p. 153</ref> Because one was expected to encounter little to no combat in the posting, select Sangheili were known to have even declined a place in the Honor Guard.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} | ||
When the Prophets betrayed the Sangheili at the beginning of the Great Schism, some of the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen killed themselves after learning of their treachery | When the Prophets betrayed the Sangheili at the beginning of the Great Schism, some of the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen killed themselves after learning of their treachery,<ref>''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe'', The Return</ref> although others decided to [[Fleet of Retribution|assist]] the [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and the [[human]]ity's [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] in fighting against the new Covenant leadership led by the Prophet of Truth and [[Tartarus]].{{Ref/Level|Id=H2GJ|Game=Halo 2|Level=[[The Great Journey]]}} Following the defeat of the Covenant, many of the former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen found themselves isolated and purposeless. A few Honor Guardsmen unwilling to ally with most of the [[Covenant remnants|remnant groups]] of the former Covenant pledged allegiance to the [[Banished]], specifically Shipmaster [[Let 'Volir]] who served [[Atriox]] in an unconventional arrangement, seeing opportunity in the service of the powerful mercenary organization. Evoking the traditions and accomplishments of their predecessors and using re-purposed ceremonial equipment of the old Covenant Honor Guard, these Honor Guardsmen are skilled swordsmen who match the Covenant's Honor Guard in fighting prowess.<ref>[http://www.haloarchive.com/forum/topic/9-canon-fodder-and-random-lore-chat/?do=findComment&comment=217240 ''Youtuber:'' Blitz Cards]</ref><ref name="HW2">''[[Halo Wars 2]]''</ref> | ||
Honor Guardsmen in service to the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] wore highly ornate [[Sangheili harness|armor]], colored in a combination of glowing red and orange. It featured jutting spikes and pauldrons, though they sometimes wore non-ceremonial armor for the sake of practicality.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}<ref>''Halo Wars'', campaign levels [[Scarab (level)|Scarab]], [[Shield World (level)|Shield World]], and [[Beachhead (Halo Wars level)|Beachhead]]</ref><ref>''Halo Legends'', The Babysitter</ref> | Honor Guardsmen in service to the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] wore highly ornate [[Sangheili harness|armor]], colored in a combination of glowing red and orange. It featured jutting spikes and pauldrons, though they sometimes wore non-ceremonial armor for the sake of practicality.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}<ref>''Halo Wars'', campaign levels [[Scarab (level)|Scarab]], [[Shield World (level)|Shield World]], and [[Beachhead (Halo Wars level)|Beachhead]]</ref><ref>''Halo Legends'', The Babysitter</ref> | ||
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File:HonourGuardTransparent.png|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman. | File:HonourGuardTransparent.png|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman. | ||
File:H2 Honor Guard Ultra.png|A Light of Sanghelios without helmet. | File:H2 Honor Guard Ultra.png|A Light of Sanghelios without helmet. | ||
File:HTMCC-H2A Ultra Honor Guard.jpg|The | File:HTMCC-H2A Ultra Honor Guard.jpg|A Light of Sanghelios with a helmet.{{Ref/Note|The depiction is the one of the resulting permutations (with the helmet of Honor Guardsman) from the [[Honor Guard Councilor]] glitch in ''[[Halo 2]] [[Halo 2: Anniversary|Anniversary]]'' [[campaign]] level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''.}} | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=This is unprecedented. Unacceptable.|Rtas 'Vadumee|q2=Recommissioning the Guard was a radical step. But recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety.|High Prophet of Truth|Conversation between [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee and the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] during the [[Changing of the Guard]].}} | {{Quote|multi=yes|q1=This is unprecedented. Unacceptable.|Rtas 'Vadumee|q2=Recommissioning the Guard was a radical step. But recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety.|High Prophet of Truth|Conversation between [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee and the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] during the [[Changing of the Guard]].}} | ||
The newer position of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman | The newer position of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman was chosen for their stronger loyalty to the Prophets than the Sangheili during the [[Great Schism]] after the assassination of the High Prophet of Regret by [[John-117]].<ref name="HE145">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 145''</ref><ref name="gravemind">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> The then-new Jiralhanae role was largely ceremonial, unless a San'Shyuum's life was being threatened.{{Ref/Reuse|HE145}} The Sangheili were incensed that their role of protecting the [[San'Shyuum]], which they had faithfully executed for millennia, had been revoked and delegated to their rivals, the Jiralhanae.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> | ||
After the [[Fall of High Charity]] however, some lesser-ranking [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard]]s served as the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]'s personal protectors instead of their Honor Guardsmen counterparts,<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> presumably replacing them, whom most of Honor Guardmen protecting Truth were killed by [[John-117]] while attempting to repel the Spartan from ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' during the [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HU|HU|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 3|#3]]}} However, a handful of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen survived the [[Battle of Installation 00]] aboard the ''Anodyne Spirit'' and later participated in the [[Second Ark Conflict]] [[Covenant | After the [[Fall of High Charity]] however, some lesser-ranking [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard]]s served as the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]'s personal protectors instead of their Honor Guardsmen counterparts,<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> presumably replacing them, whom most of Honor Guardmen protecting Truth were killed by [[John-117]] while attempting to repel the Spartan from ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' during the [[Scramble onboard Forerunner Dreadnought]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HU|HU|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 3|#3]]}} However, a handful of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen survived the [[Battle of Installation 00]] aboard the ''Anodyne Spirit'' and later participated in the [[Second Ark Conflict]] [[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant|under]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]] in [[2559]]. | ||
Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen wore the same armor as the their Sangheili predecessors, but with slightly different plating. These plates had a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern was also seen on the thrones of the High Prophets. The helmet also had a yellow/red alternating pattern. It was upgraded and made larger, since Jiralhanae have larger heads overall than Sangheili. Guardsmen also sported a red holographic [[Rh'tol]] [[Jiralhanae Captain]] flag mounted on one shoulder.{{Ref/Reuse|HE145}} The main difference between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae guardsmen combat harness is that Jiralhanae harness does not possess [[energy shield]]ing, while Sangheili harnesses have it equipped, rendering Jiralhanae guardsmen more vulnerable to damage.<ref>'''Halo 2''', ''gameplay''</ref> | Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen wore the same armor as the their Sangheili predecessors, but with slightly different plating. These plates had a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern was also seen on the thrones of the High Prophets. The helmet also had a yellow/red alternating pattern. It was upgraded and made larger, since Jiralhanae have larger heads overall than Sangheili. Guardsmen also sported a red holographic [[Rh'tol]] [[Jiralhanae Captain]] flag mounted on one shoulder.{{Ref/Reuse|HE145}} The main difference between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae guardsmen combat harness is that Jiralhanae harness does not possess [[energy shield]]ing, while Sangheili harnesses have it equipped, rendering Jiralhanae guardsmen more vulnerable to damage.<ref>'''Halo 2''', ''gameplay''</ref> | ||
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===Sangheili=== | ===Sangheili=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2 TheHeretic V1 Storyboard 6.jpg|An [[Halo 2 storyboards|storyboard]] featuring a Sangheili guardsman clad in a cloak. | |||
File:HonorGuard render.png|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | File:HonorGuard render.png|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | ||
File:H2_HighCharity_HonorGuard.jpg|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman with an energy sword in ''Halo 2'' | File:H2_HighCharity_HonorGuard.jpg|A Sangheili Honor Guardsman with an energy sword in ''Halo 2'' | ||
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File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|Honor Guardsmen stand guard in the [[High Council Chamber]] before the Prophets. | File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|Honor Guardsmen stand guard in the [[High Council Chamber]] before the Prophets. | ||
File:H2A - Hierarch Sanctum.jpg|Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]]. | File:H2A - Hierarch Sanctum.jpg|Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]]. | ||
File:H2A-LOS1.png|An Honor Guardsman | File:H2A-LOS1.png|An Honor Guardsman on High Charity. | ||
File:RegretTerminal2.jpg|A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''. | File:RegretTerminal2.jpg|A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''. | ||
File:ValSaham.jpg|Concept art of a Banished Honor Guard for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''. | File:ValSaham.jpg|Concept art of a Banished Honor Guard for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''. | ||
File:Halo Wars 2 Blitz Card Honr Guard.png|[[Blitz]] card of a Banished Honor Guardsmen in ''Halo Wars 2''. | File:Halo Wars 2 Blitz Card Honr Guard.png|[[Blitz]] card of a Banished Honor Guardsmen in ''Halo Wars 2''. | ||
File:HW2-HonorGuardflip.png|A Banished Honor Guard kills two [[Sangheili Ranger]]s. | File:HW2-HonorGuardflip.png|A Banished Honor Guard kills two [[Sangheili Ranger]]s. | ||
File:HTV-Contact-HonorGuards.jpg| | File:HTV-Contact-HonorGuards.jpg|Two Sangheili Honor Guards with the [[Prophet of Mercy/Silver|Prophet of Mercy]] in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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File:H2A - Jiralhanae Guard model.jpg|A model of a Guardsman for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''. | File:H2A - Jiralhanae Guard model.jpg|A model of a Guardsman for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''. | ||
File:H2A - Brute Guardsmen.jpg|A Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman shortly after appointment to the role. | File:H2A - Brute Guardsmen.jpg|A Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman shortly after appointment to the role. | ||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 1.png|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen defending the High Council Chamber from rioting Unggoy and Kig-Yar. | |||
File:H2AG.png|Jiralhanae Honor Guards protecting the Prophet of Mercy and Prophet of Truth. | File:H2AG.png|Jiralhanae Honor Guards protecting the Prophet of Mercy and Prophet of Truth. | ||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 2.png|Two Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen inside the High Council Chamber. | |||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 3.png|A Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman trading fire with a Special Operations Sangheili. | |||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 4.png|A Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman leading Covenant forces against the Flood. | |||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 5.png|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen defending the Sanctum of the Hierarchs during the Fall of High Charity. | |||
File:HTMCC-H2A BruteHonorGuard 6.png|Two Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen inside Installation 05's control room. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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**''[[Transcendence]]'' | **''[[Transcendence]]'' | ||
{{Col-end}} | {{Col-end}} | ||
==Notes== | |||
{{Ref/Notes}} | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== |