Swords of Sanghelios

This article is about the post-war Covenant splinter faction. For the Halo 5: Guardians campaign level, see Swords of Sanghelios (level).

Swords of Sanghelios
The symbol of the Swords of Sanghelios Thel 'Vadam's modern restoration of the Swords of Sanghelios
Overview
Type:	Alliance of keeps
Founder(s):	Thel 'Vadam (Modern incarnation)
Head of state:	Arbiter
Legislative branch:	Council of Kaidons
Societal overview
Official language(s):	Sangheili
Notable event(s):	Blooding Years Sangheili-Jiralhanae war Created uprising
Historical overview
Formation:	Pre-938 BCE
Reorganization:	c. 852 BCE After March 2553

"We Swords of Sanghelios are united under no less a warrior than the Arbiter himself. He who exposed the countless lies of the San'Shyuum, and drove back the Covenant. The Arbiter shapes our future with deference to our past."

— Thon 'Kemtra on the Swords and the Arbiter.

The Swords of Sanghelios is an alliance of Sangheili keeps and the preeminent governing body on Sanghelios. Individual members of the faction identify themselves with the title Sword of Sanghelios.

Originally an ancient Sangheili order, the Swords of Sanghelios was reinstated in the aftermath of the Great Schism by the latest Arbiter and the organization's leader, Thel 'Vadam. However, many Sangheili disagreed with his ideals, planning to overthrow the Arbiter and rise against humanity.

History

Ancient origins

The Judge-King of Qivro, Irsu 'Labat.

Groups known as the "Swords of Sanghelios" have existed in several incarnations throughout history. The first Swords of Sanghelios were a sworn brotherhood of kaidons dedicated to the overthrow of a tyrannical Arbiter judge-king who ruled the continent of Qivro centuries before the Sangheili became a spacefaring species. Their story of brotherhood, loyalty, honor, and sacrifice continues to resonate among the Sangheili.

Ironically, the last incarnation of the organization prior to its current existence appeared in the tumultuous aftermath of the Covenant's formation to subdue the last opposition to the Writ of Union.

Postwar recreation

Main article: Postwar

"The Arbiter has united the keeps and formed a new alliance, the Swords of Sanghelios!"

— Mahkee 'Chava to Fireteam Osiris

After the Covenant's defeat at the end of the Human-Covenant War, soldiers returned to Sanghelios and found feuding and civil unrest due to the upheaval of the Covenant's social and political moors. Many turned to a reluctant Thel 'Vadam as an ad hoc leader.

The Swords remained friendly to humanity and wished to build a mutual peace, as they both had made tremendous sacrifices in order to stop Truth and the Covenant forces. On their homeworld, however, they were challenged by a resurgent faction of religious fanatics known as the Servants of the Abiding Truth. They viewed the Swords as "blasphemers" and began an insurrection, secretly supported by the UNSC's Office of Naval Intelligence, all the while resuming the conflict against the Jiralhanae in a two-front war. The Abiding Truth managed to gather a large amount of followers in a relatively short timespan; while the faction had a strong religious underpinning, many Sangheili had more practical motives for allying against the Arbiter, among them resentment toward humanity. Meanwhile, 'Vadam planned to visit each state to make his case for permanent peace with the humans they had battled for so many years. These reforms did not meet with universal approval. By January 2553, there was great dissent among disparate Sangheili factions, especially from the more devout believers in the Forerunners' divinity.

Siege at Kolaar

Main article: Siege at Kolaar

Avu Med 'Telcam, leader of the Servants of Abiding Truth, decided that an immediate assault on the state of Vadam was necessary. Along with nine ships and forces from Nuan keep and Rtova keep, 'Telcam commanded the assault from the frigate Unflinching Resolve. Eventually, however, the Unflinching Resolve suffered a direct hit and crash landed, though most of the crew, including 'Telcam, survived. Despite being caught off-guard it appeared as though the Swords of Sanghelios would be victorious, however, news spread that he allowed humans to land on Sanghelios; this caused many keeps to ally with the Servants of Abiding Truth and the tide turned in their favor. The Arbiter was caught off guard and when his own reinforcements couldn't arrive on time, he reluctantly accepted Admiral Terrence Hood's offer for help in fending off the attackers. The tide turned when UNSC Infinity arrived over Sanghelios and destroyed the rebel destroyer Defender of Faith before finishing off the rebel ground forces with a MAC round. The UNSC Port Stanley, posed as a Kig-Yar pirate ship, destroyed a few of 'Vadam's ships in order to maintain the stalemate between the two factions, leaving the Arbiter with a Pyrrhic victory.

After the battle, Thel 'Vadam was in talks to visit the UNSC Infinity while 'Telcam retreated to New Llanelli until he would be able to convince more keeps to join his cause. At some point, the Ket-pattern battlecruiser Pious Inquisitor fell into the hands of the Abiding Truth. In turn, Kig-Yar pirate Sav Fel stole the Inquisitor, with the intention to sell it on Venezia. With 'Vadam occupied with the ongoing civil war, Kilo-Five was tasked with retrieving the Inquisitor with the purpose of reverse-engineering its energy projector for use against Sangheili-controlled worlds, though the ship was ultimately destroyed.

Following these events, the allied forces on Sanghelios consolidated under the old banner of the Swords of Sanghelios.

Thel 'Vadam and his allies engaging other hostile Sangheili forces.

Blooding Years

Main article: Blooding Years

Over the next six years, the Swords would engage in hostilities with several Sangheili factions. Fighting with Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction saw the flagship Shadow of Intent temporarily rendered combat ineffective.

In 2553, a Joint Occupation Zone was also set up between the Swords of Sanghelios and the United Nations Space Command, with both humans and ex-Covenant species settling on the territory's within the zone. On July 2, 2553, Lord Hood would proposition the Anvil Initiative to the Arbiter as a joint venture between the UNSC and the Swords.

In March of 2555, Swords forces would thwart a plot by Otar 'Bemet to take revenge against the Arbiter. At the same time, the UNSC requested the Arbiters aid in re-activating the Portal at Voi in order to dispatch a team there to disable the activation sequence of the Halo Array. However, due to the bulk of the Swords forces being preoccupied in the ongoing civil war, 'Vadam was only able to send a Corvette with a small strike team of Sangheili to aid the humans.

Sangheili-Jiralhanae war

Simultaneously, the Sangheili would also continue to wage war against the remaining San'Shyuum and the Jiralhanae. At first, the Sangheili were at a major disadvantage, as millennia of depending on the San'Shyuum for technology meant that the Sangheili were unable to properly repair or replace the ships they lost in battle. The odds began to even out when the San'Shyuum vanished and the Jiralhanae began to fall back into internecine conflicts. The inability for the Jiralhanae to properly mine the resources on their colonies has also forced them to raid Sangheili worlds for their processed resources. Tensions with the Swords of Sanghelios and the Children of Oth Sonin have also increased due to raids on settlements within the Joint Occupation Zone.

Thel 'Vadam, his escorts, and the rest of the peace delegation.

Peace talks

In March 2558, the Swords of Sanghelios attempted peace talks with the Children of Oth Sonin, represented by their lead, Jiralhanae chieftain Lydus, on Ealen IV. Thel 'Vadam, with several Sangheili escorts, led the negotiations. Admiral Terrence Hood volunteered to moderate the talks between the two governments. However, the meeting was interrupted by a surprise attack by mercenaries under the command of Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat. Captain Thomas Lasky, Commander Sarah Palmer, and the Spartan-IVs defended the delegation and evacuated them from the chamber. After various tribulations in getting the delegation to safety arose from the attack, the delegation and the surviving Spartans finally made it to safety aboard UNSC Infinity. Following the boarding of the Infinity, the UNSC led the Sangheili and Jiralhanae fleets against the enemy fleet, forcing the Shipmaster to order a retreat. Due to Vata 'Gajat's attack, the negotiations were left in a standstill and little progress was made in furthering the peace between the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae.

Created uprising

The Arbiter rallying his forces prior to striking Sunaion.

Main article: Created uprising

Global war

"Hunt them to the last. Today we extinguish the Covenant's light forever!"

— Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, as the Swords of Sanghelios eliminates Jul 'Mdama's remaining Covenant forces

Main article: Sanghelios global war

In October 2558, Sanghelios burst into global war with Jul 'Mdama's Covenant attacking the Swords. The Arbiter received assistance from the UNSC's Fireteam Osiris, who were searching for MCPO John-117, in repelling the invasion. After intense battles along the coast in Nuusra, the Swords of Sanghelios eventually pushed Jul 'Mdama's Covenant back to their final stronghold: Sunaion, where 'Mdama's Covenant was finally defeated. Meanwhile, a Guardian that had lain buried beneath the Csurdon Sea emerged and departed for Genesis. Eventually Thel Vadam was successful in leading the Swords of Sanghelios in eliminating 'Mdama's remaining Covenant forces in the damaged city, ending the battle. Later on the Swords provided safe haven for surviving UNSC forces when Cortana and her Created took control of most of Earth's colonies.

Occupation and Netherop

Main article: Subjugation of Sanghelios

With the Sangheili resisting the Created's rule, Cortana sent a Guardian and Forerunner soldiers to pacify Sanghelios, starting with its major cities. The UNSC reinforced the Swords of Sanghelios with its expeditionary forces, conducting joint patrols to monitor and defend the Sanghelios badlands from Created scouts and any remnant of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant still present on the planet.

In 2559, 'Vadam would participate in the High Gathering where he would propose the Concert of Worlds, as a means of unifying the Sangheili. As well, Oath Warden Crei 'Ayomuu would inform Thel 'Vadam of a potential anti-Guardian weapon located on Netherop. 'Vadam would call for aid from colonial allies and would personally travel to the planet to begin a search for it.

The Swords of Sanghelios in combat with the Banished at Suban.

New conflicts

With the Created severely weakened at the Battle for Zeta Halo, remaining forces in the Urs system relinquished much of their control. This created a power vaccuum in the system. Although, many keeps and kaidons on Sanghelios maintained their support for the Arbiter and Swords. Other kaidons searched for different divisions of power. This allowed the Banished to move in to the system.

Seeking to exploit the Kemuksuru on Suban, the Banished had either taken over or created the Mines of Shua'ree. The Swords of Sanghelios moved to support some local keeps in protecting high-value mining sites. This resulted in a confrontation between the Swords' Sanghelios home defense fleet and Banished forces stationed at and on the moon in early 2560.

On March 3, 2560, local Swords forces at Anvil Station along with their UNSC allies were deployed to a distress call from Nysa.

Government and politics

Modern

"The Arbiter's forces eventually consolidated their strength under a single banner, the Swords of Sanghelios, an ancient title of honor expressing the nobility of their cause: the unification of the Sangheili people."

— Curator on the formation of the Swords of Sanghelios

An alliance of Sangheili keeps, the Swords of Sanghelios is governed by a grand council of kaidons, with Arbiter Thel 'Vadam serving as the organization's formal leader. Although it was originally formed as an alliance of convenience, the Swords effectively became Sanghelios' world government during the Blooding Years.

Relations

Sangheili Colonies

Several Sangheili colonies have demonstrated allegiance to the Swords of Sanghelios. Two of the Swords' most loyal allies included kaidon Ghe 'Talot and his clan on Feldokra, as well as the relatively new colony of Om'a'Varo through Olabisi Varo'dais personal relationship with 'Vadam himself. Similarly to the settling of Om'a'Varo, Thel guided his ally Rojka 'Kasaan and the survivors of the destruction of Glyke to resettle on the former Human Colony of Carrow within the Joint Occupation Zone. Other notable Sangheili colonies that chose to ally themselves with the Swords include Duraan and Rahnelo.

The Swords have also charged their fleets with the protection of a number of allied resource rich worlds, as well as utilizing many of their vessels in the transport of many Ussan refugees to Sanghelios.

In addition, the Ascetics and Swords of Sanghelios enjoy a positive relationship, with Usze 'Taham acting as a liaison between them. At least one other member of the Ascetics served as a bodyguard for the Arbiter and was killed during the Ealen peace conference.

The Swords of Sanghelios and Fireteam Osiris during the Battle of Sunaion.

Unified Earth Government

Edward Buck: "Arbiter's an ally, so these dead here are our brothers as far as I'm concerned."

Holly Tanaka: "Agreed. Time for payback."

— Spartans Edward Buck and Holly Tanaka during the Battle of Nuusra

A formal treaty was signed between the Swords and the Unified Earth Government, setting up the Joint Occupation Zones, which would be administered and defended by both the UEG and the Sangheili. In addition to joint military exercises against pirates in the Joint Occupation Zones, the Swords and the UNSC made a cooperative effort to restore contact with remote human colonies after the war; the corvette The Lookout, crewed by UNSC and Swords personnel, embarked on such a mission in early 2553. Several colony worlds residing in the Joint Occupation Zone were established under joint UEG/Sangheili governance. Among these was Carrow, a former Outer Colony abandoned during the Human-Covenant War.

Campaign design for Spartans working with the Swords on Suban.

The UNSC and the Sangheili worked together on archival research on Sanghelios, as well as joint investigations on Covenant weaponry, such as the Type-33 Needler. Additionally, a major joint research project and settlement was established by the UNSC and the Swords at Trevelyan, the enormous shield world located at the former site of Onyx. As part of the ANVIL initiative, Sangheili military personnel train with Spartan-IVs inside the War Games simulator aboard Anvil Station. Fireteam Jorogumo were loaned to the Swords thanks to a treaty between the two factions.

In the wake of the Covenant War, the Swords of Sanghelios are often viewed as representing the Sangheili on the whole in their diplomatic relations with humanity. Though some humans have mistakenly referred to them as "the Covenant".

By 2558, the UNSC's ambassador to them was Rear Admiral Horatio Temkin.

The Jiralhanae

The Jiralhanae have remained a thorn in the side of the Swords, with the Sangheili-Jiralhanae war continuing to rage on. Due to the wealth the Swords had amassed over the years following the Human-Covenant War, several Jiralhanae factions have marked them as the perfect target for raiding, leading to increased conflict. The Swords and a powerful faction of the Jiralhanae known as the Children of Oth Sonin attempted to establish an official peace between them in 2558. However, this effort was disrupted by Vata 'Gajat's mercenaries and no peace was agreed upon.

Covenant remnants

The Swords of Sanghelios are opposed by and are hostile in regards to several other Covenant remnant factions, such as Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, the Servants of the Abiding Truth,, the previously mentioned Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group, and recently the Banished.

Society and culture

The Swords of Sanghelios look to return the Sangheili to their ancient, pre-Covenant independence and nobility. Specifically, the Swords were in pursuit of the creation of a single union of all Sangheili worlds. Their proposed union, would come from the Arbiter as the Concert of Worlds.

In general, most of the Arbiter's followers no longer revere the Forerunners as gods. This has provoked the anger of many of their enemies, mainly the Servants of the Abiding Truth. However, the Arbiter has never explicitly denied the Forerunners as gods, and has assured other Sangheili that they have not lost the gods.

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Military structure

A Sangheili Storm and Dimkee Hotay on Sanghelios.

The Swords of Sanghelios have an open military service. This means that the military isn't solely composed of male Sangheili; female Sangheili, Unggoy, and Kig-Yar could also partake in the military and even achieve high ranks and titles. Even the Lekgolo could participate. The decision for open service occurred following the precedent of Tul 'Juran, who distinguished herself in combat alongside Rtas 'Vadum's crew against Tem'Bhetek and his forces.

Crimson and ivory, or red-gold armor indicates some form of affiliation to the Swords of Sanghelios, though there are armors painted in other colors, such as blue.

The Swords of Sanghelios also established the Riftborn, a new special operations division, fully committed to joint military operations with the UNSC. These hand-selected operatives maintain a local presence on Anvil Station.

Classes	Sangheili	Unggoy	Kig-Yar	Lekgolo
Ranks and type classes
Standard ranks	Minor Storm	Storm		Mgalekgolo
Specialized troops	Ranger Commando SpecOps	Ranger	Sniper
Veterans	Commander Ultra
Titles
Ratings	Blademaster Shipmaster Fleet Master Arbiter	Scannermaster Shipmaster

Military assets

A modified A'uzr-pattern sword frigate, Sword of Harmony.

The Swords of Sanghelios utilized much of the same equipment that the original Covenant used, but modified the designs due to the lack of restriction from the former Prophets. Most Unggoy used the Type-25 plasma pistol, Type-54 plasma pistol, Type-33 Needler, and Type-56D needler, while Sangheili personnel were typically armed with the Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle, Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater,Zubo-pattern beam rifle, Gadulo-pattern needle rifle, Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle, Mosa-pattern carbine, Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster, Kelos'vaarda-pattern storm rifle, Erudo'ma'keth-pattern pulse carbine,Gespu-pattern fuel rod gun, and the Type-1 energy sword. Several of their energy swords, most notably the Prophets' Bane, were shaped in new designs based on pre-Covenant fashions.

Like the original Covenant the Type-26 Banshee remained as the main aircraft of the faction for much of the Blooding Years. While Kez'katu-pattern Phantoms and Taaku Xur-pattern Spirits were used by the Swords to some capacity, Ru'swum-pattern Phantoms were used as the main troop transports, although these sported a green color instead of the usual purple and utilized active camouflage. The Swords used orange-painted Bmur'resh-pattern Shades and Upisa'weri-pattern Shrikes for static defense. As the Covenant fragmented and technology changed, the Swords began using more individualized craft. They began manufacturing Sword variants of the Type-54 Ghost, Kemu-pattern Wraith, and D'nomlhe-pattern Banshee, which had orange-painted plating and more durable armor than their Covenant versions. The Swords were known to also use the Muv'te-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith for mobile ground-to-air defense, with some units stylizing theirs in iridescent green as an homage to the Covenant separatists. The faction also used crimson-orange Kmiro'sish-pattern Liches, Mikpramu-pattern Phantoms, and Nuro'k Xur-pattern Spirits, though it is unclear if these also had improved armor.

The Swords' naval forces are composed of multiple assault carriers (numerous Kerel-pattern assault carriers and at least one Syfon-pattern assault carrier), Ket-pattern battlecruisers, Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyers, Zanar-pattern light cruisers,, at least one Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette, and at least one Makar-pattern light corvette. The Swords have also commissioned the Kolaar Manufactorum to help continue in the creation of new A'uzr-pattern sword frigates. The Swords possess the majority of the Lursu-pattern brigantines in service following the Covenant War. They also made use of other ancient Sangheili ships like Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runners, Rwaru-pattern carracks and R'sikosh-pattern man o' wars.

Units

Fleet units Sanghelios home defense fleet Fleet of Retribution Fleet of Recalcitrant Ire Unidentified fleet at the Battle of Ealen IV Unidentified fleet at the Battle of Sunaion Individual ships Kerel-pattern assault carrier Shadow of Intent Ket-pattern battlecruiser Pious Inquisitor (stolen) Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette Mayhem (Damaged in 2555) Makar-pattern light corvette The Lookout A'uzr-pattern sword frigate Sword of Harmony (destroyed) Sword of Conjunction Zanar-pattern light cruiser Bad Gas Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runner Scorrin's Blade Unknown type of Cruiser Swordsman Unknown Havoc Onslaught Revolution

Aerial forces Jardam Wing Lar Wing Siqtar Wing Zeshk Wing Jointly operated Amity Wing Harmony Wing Sympathy Wing Ground forces Riftborn

Gallery

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  A Sangheili Minor and a Jiralhanae Captain Major fighting in a Joint-Occupation Zone in Halo: Escalation.

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  Swords of Sanghelios and Children of Oth Sonin ships over Ealen IV.

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  Thel 'Vadam and escort on Ealen IV in 2558.

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  A Sword of Sanghelios with Jameson Locke in Halo 2: Anniversary.

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  'Vadam, Locke and their respective forces prepare to engage Covenant forces.

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  Swords of Sanghelios combat-ready in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  Two Sword of Sanghelios Storms defending the Elder Council Chamber and one Sword Wraith.

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  A Sangheili Storm working on formation logistics before an aerial assault on a Shuul'se-pattern Kraken.

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  An Unggoy Storm on Sangheilios.

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  A Sangheili Storm standing on guard on Sangheilios.

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  A Sangheili on Sangheilios.

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  Several Sangheili alongside Thel 'Vadam on Sangheilios.

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  Thel 'Vadam and a Sangheili before an assault on a Kraken.

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  Thel 'Vadam on Sangheilios.

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  Swords of Sanghelios work and relax.

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  The Swords of Sanghelios fleet prepares to attack Sunaion.

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  A Sangheili Storm in Sunaion during the Swords assault.

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  Sangheili and Spartan-IVs participating in War Games together on Anvil Station in Halo Online.

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  Kola 'Baoth in Swords of Sanghelios Ranger Armor.

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  Swords of Sangheilios flag in Rocket League as an unlockable antenna for the base cars to use.

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  Early concept art for Halo Infinite depicting Thel 'Vadam meeting with Kelly-087 in a Swords of Sanghelios base.

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  Early concept art for Halo Infinite, possibly showing the exterior of the base. Take note of the Swords of Sanghelios symbol on the side of the structure.

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  Swords of Sanghelios Sangheili with Spartan Fireteam Jorogumo during the Battle of Suban in Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon.

List of appearances

• Halo 3 (Mentioned in Halo: The Master Chief Collection-only)
• Halo: Escalation (First appearance)
• Halo: Mortal Dictata (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Nightfall (Mentioned only)
• Halo 2 Anniversary
• Halo: New Blood (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Hunters in the Dark
• Halo: Fleet Battles
• Halo 5: Guardians
  • Limited Edition dossiers (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Shadow of Intent
• Halo Mythos
• Halo Fractures
  • Lessons Learned
  • Breaking Strain
• Halo: Envoy (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Legacy of Onyx
• Halo: Bad Blood
• Halo: Shadows of Reach (Indirect mention)
• Halo: Divine Wind (Mentioned only)
• Halo Infinite (Mentioned only)
  • Season 05: Reckoning
• Halo: Outcasts
• Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios
• Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon
• Halo: Anvil Accord
• Halo: Empty Throne