High Council: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:00, July 25, 2008

Councilors at the trial of the Supreme Commander whom would later become the Arbiter.

The High Council is the Theocratic/Aristocratic decision-making body of the Covenant. ^[1] The High Council contained more than 200 Elites and Prophets^[2] and was headed by a triumvirate known as the High Prophets or "Hierarchs." Most of the Elite members of the Council were assassinated in Halo 2 as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Elites with Brutes in Covenant society.

The Theocratic Covenant follows the orders of the High Council to the letter. They are the entire government of the Covenant. The High Council seems to be split into smaller sub-groups, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all it's aspects.

As of now, the exact status of the High Council is still unknown, the expulsion of the Elites would have left a significant power vacuum, especially in the more military-focused aspects of Covenant leadership and it is not known if the Brutes would have assumed these roles yet. Add to this the invasion of the Covenant "Capitol World" and "Holy City" of High Charity by the Flood apparently devastated much of the Covenant leadership, wiping out a large portion of the Covenant population and it is entirely likely that the High Council no longer exists at all whatsoever. The final defeat of the Loyalists by the UNSC and Seperatists was the keystone to ending the tradition. Following the events of the Great Schism, the Sangheili Separatists would likely promote their own leader, or leaders, in the traditional way, the best warrior and leader combined. It is most likely that the Arbiter would earn this title.

Councils

The Council of Concordance

As they created the Writ of Union and the Ratification Parley, it is likely that they deal with all of the legal and civilian matters of the Covenant. ^[3]

"What hope has this union
If we cannot conquer
Doubt of faith not each other-
If our belief should falter?
But put an ear to the stones
of this Holy City
Inside Their voices echo still:
"Seven rings begin the Journey!""

— Excerpt, Ratification Parley, High Council or Concordance

The Council of Deed and Doctrine

As the essay from the Prophet of Supposition on the Flood was sent to this Council, it is likely that they either deal with all the various intelligence matters in the Covenant, or possibly parts of the religious aspects of the Covenant, particularly that of specific actions. ^[4]

The Council of Masters

Deals with the various military matters of the Covenant, including promotions as well as tactical and strategic matters and may also be present in theaters of combat. ^[5]

The Ministry of Tranquility

The Ministry of Tranquility apparently hires Jackals as mercenaries against UNSC civilian vessels ^[6] and may be a Special Warfare branch of the High Council. Combined with the fact that they also have an extensive library of Forerunner Glyphs (mentioned by Joseph Staten in an interview), the Ministry of Tranquility may be the Covenant version of ONI.

The Ministry of Concert

The Ministry of Concert represents the various interests of the multiple client races within the Covenant to the High Council. Notably and logically biased in favor of the more prominent races. ^[7]

The Ministry of Conversion

The Ministry of Conversion is tasked with exploring stretches of space that are unknown to the Covenant, seeking out various artifacts and new potential devotees to the Covenant's faith. ^[8]

Known Council Members

High Prophets

Prophet Councilors

Councilor Elites

Soha 'Rolamee

Sources

^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 154
^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 271
^ Halo 2
^ Conversations from the Universe
^ Halo: The Flood
^ http://halosm.bungie.org/story/staten102204.html
^ Beastiarium
^ Halo: Contact Harvest

Template:Covenant Government

[1] Halo: Contact Harvest, page 154

[2] Halo: Contact Harvest, page 271

[3] Halo 2

[4] Conversations from the Universe

[5] Halo: The Flood

[6] ttp://halosm.bungie.org/story/staten102204.html

[7] Beastiarium

[8] Halo: Contact Harvest

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ==Councils==
-===[[Council of Concordance|The Council of Concordance]]=== [[Writ of Union|Writ of Union]] and the [[Ratification Parley]]. It is likely that they deal with all of the legal and civilian matters of the Covenant. <ref>''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>
+===[[Council of Concordance|The Council of Concordance]]===
+As they created the [[Writ of Union|Writ of Union]] and the [[Ratification Parley]], it is likely that they deal with all of the legal and civilian matters of the Covenant. <ref>''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>
-{{quote|What hope has this <br />If we cannot conquer<br />Doubt of faith not each other-<br />If our belief should falter?<br />But put an ear to the stones<br />of this Holy City<br />Inside Their voices echo still:<br />"Seven rings begin the Journey!"|Excerpt, Ratification Parley, High Council or Concordance}}
+{{quote|What hope has this union<br>If we cannot conquer<br>Doubt of faith not each other-<br>If our belief should falter?<br>But put an ear to the stones<br>of this Holy City<br>Inside Their voices echo still:<br>"Seven rings begin the Journey!"|Excerpt, Ratification Parley, High Council or Concordance}}
 ===[[Council of Deed and Doctrine|The Council of Deed and Doctrine]]===