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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Newcontent|[[Halo: Retribution]]}}
{{New content|[[Halo: Retribution]]}}
{{References}}
{{References}}
{{Organization infobox
{{Organization infobox
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|leaders=*Circle of [[Dokab]]s
|leaders=*Circle of [[Dokab]]s
**[[Castor]]  
**[[Castor]]  
**[[Orsun]] †  
**[[Orsun]]†  
|affiliation=
|affiliation=
*[[Venezian Militia]]
*[[Venezian Militia]]
*[[Banished]] {{c|Formerly}}
*[[Banished]] {{c|Formerly}}
|partof=
*[[Humans of the Joyous Journey]]
|branches=
|branches=
|headquarters=[[New Tyne]], [[Venezia]]
|headquarters=[[New Tyne]], [[Venezia]]
|formed=c. [[2553]]
|formed=c. [[2553]]
|reorganized=
|reorganized=
|dissolved=[[2559#October|October 14, 2559]]
|dissolved=
|notable=*[[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE]]
|notable=*[[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE]]
*[[Operation: RETRIBUTION]]
*[[Operation: RETRIBUTION]]
*[[Keepers Eradication Campaign]]
*[[Operation: WOLFE]]
*[[Operation: WOLFE]]
*[[Second Ark Conflict]]
*[[Second Ark Conflict]]
*[[Battle of Epsilon Clarion]]
}}
}}


The '''Keepers of the One Freedom''' were a [[Covenant remnants|religious movement]] operating in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-Covenant War era]]. They followed [[Covenant religion|the religion]] of the former [[Covenant]] and its belief in the [[Great Journey]],<ref>''Halo: Last Light'', p. 126-128 (Google Play edition)</ref> but also renounced the [[San'Shyuum]] as false "prophets".{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW3|DW|Chapter=3|Page=51|Quote=Though Castor and his Keepers had long ago renounced their loyalty to the Covenant's San'Shyuum "prophets," they remained devoted to the doctrine of the Great Journey}} Their capital was established on the friendly colony of [[Venezia]], but they also had allies on [[Gao]]. The Keepers were led by a small group of [[Jiralhanae]] elders called [[Dokab]]s, most of whom were formerly high-ranked members of the [[Covenant military]].<ref>''Halo: Last Light'', p 168-169 (Google Play edition)</ref>
The '''Keepers of the One Freedom''' are a militant [[Covenant remnants|religious movement]] operating in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-Covenant War era]]. They follow [[Covenant religion|the religion]] of the former [[Covenant]] and its belief in the [[Great Journey]],{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P247|Enc22|Page=247}} but also renounce the [[San'Shyuum]] as false "prophets."{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW3|DW|Chapter=3|Page=51|Quote=Though Castor and his Keepers had long ago renounced their loyalty to the Covenant's San'Shyuum "prophets," they remained devoted to the doctrine of the Great Journey}} Their capital has been established on the [[human]] outlaw colony of [[Venezia]], but they also have allies on [[Gao]] and other worlds, including [[Forerunner]] installations. The Keepers are led by a small group of [[Jiralhanae]] elders called [[Dokab]]s, most of whom are formerly high-ranked members of the [[Covenant military]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}<ref>''Halo: Last Light'', p 168-169 (Google Play edition)</ref>


The Keepers of the One Freedom were eventually destroyed in [[2559#October|October 2559]] during an effort to fire the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW|DW}} Even before the Keepers left for the Ark through a [[Slipspace portal]] on [[Reach]], [[Castor]] had been forced to abandon or sacrifice most of his followers{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=15}} due to [[Keepers Eradication Campaign|a massive eradication campaign]] by ONI using intelligence gathered by the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} Following the failure of the mission, the only surviving Keepers were Castor and [[Sangheili]] [[Blademaster]] [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]]. Having learned the truth about his faith being a lie, Castor sought to exact vengeance upon his enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}
The detachment of Keepers led by dokab [[Castor]] was destroyed in [[2559#October|October 2559]] during an effort to fire the [[Halo Array]] from [[Installation 00|the Ark]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW|DW}} Even before the Keepers left for the Ark through a [[Slipspace portal]] on Reach, Castor had been forced to abandon or sacrifice most of his forces due to [[Keepers Eradication Campaign|a massive eradication campaign]] by [[ONI]] using intelligence gathered by the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=15}}{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} Following the failure of the mission, the only surviving members of this detachment were Castor himself and the [[Sangheili]] [[Blademaster]] [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]]—both having abandoned the Keepers.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}{{Ref/Reuse|DW}} Having learned the truth about his faith and the purpose of Halo, Castor sought to exact vengeance upon his enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}} Despite this loss, other remnants of the Keepers remain active, with their largest presence still based on Venezia.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}
 
Their official colors were blue and gold.


==History==
==History==
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{{Main|Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE}}
{{Main|Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE}}
[[File:HM-Keepers.png|300px|thumb|left|Keepers Brutes fighting UNSC forces.]]
[[File:HM-Keepers.png|300px|thumb|left|Keepers Brutes fighting UNSC forces.]]
In [[2553]], a [[UNSC]] task force was dispatched to [[Gao]] with the mission of retrieving a suspected [[Forerunner]] [[ancilla]]. During their inspection, the term "ancilla" was overheard by [[Veta Lopis]], who promptly relayed this information to Gao's [[Minister of Protection]] [[Arlo Casille]]. Arlo then informed the cult leader (''Dokab'') [[Castor]] about the ancilla, much to the Jiralhanae's delight, beginning a Keeper invasion of Gao to recover the "oracle". The attack on UNSC forces begun when the ''[[One Light]]'' landed in a staged inspection, dispatching 500 troops into the jungle. The first attempt to recover the ancilla involved sending a small Brute task force into the caves, where they encountered and were subsequently defeated by [[Spartan]] [[Blue Team]]. At the same time, the larger task force opened fire on the UNSC garrison at [[Wendosa]], using mortars and snipers to suppress the UNSC marines. When Blue Team eventually emerged from the cave system into the war-torn town, they pushed through the Keepers to [[Hotel Wendosa]] to link up with what remained of the garrison. Although Blue Team would be evacuated by a [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcon]], the aircraft would be shot down by Keeper snipers, crash-landing in the jungle nearby. Castor and his pack would move in to engage the survivors of the crash, but would eventually be defeated by [[Blue Team]]. Castor was presumed dead after sustaining grievous injuries at the hands of [[Frederic-104]], but would later encounter the [[Huragok]] [[Roams Alone]], who would heal the injured Jiralhanae. Castor and Orsun then proceeded to leave Gao, with plans to exact vengeance on Casille for betraying the Keepers.{{clear}}
In [[2553]], a [[UNSC]] task force was dispatched to [[Gao]] with the mission of retrieving a suspected [[Forerunner]] [[ancilla]]. During their inspection, the term "ancilla" was overheard by [[Veta Lopis]], who promptly relayed this information to Gao's [[Minister of Protection]] [[Arlo Casille]]. Arlo then informed the cult leader (''Dokab'') [[Castor]] about the ancilla, much to the Jiralhanae's delight, beginning a Keeper invasion of Gao to recover the "oracle". The attack on UNSC forces began when the ''[[One Light]]'' landed in a staged inspection, dispatching 500 troops into the jungle. The first attempt to recover the ancilla involved sending a small Brute task force into the caves, where they encountered and were subsequently defeated by [[Spartan]] [[Blue Team]]. At the same time, the larger task force opened fire on the UNSC garrison at [[Wendosa]], using mortars and snipers to suppress the UNSC marines. When Blue Team eventually emerged from the cave system into the war-torn town, they pushed through the Keepers to [[Hotel Wendosa]] to link up with what remained of the garrison. Although Blue Team would be evacuated by a [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcon]], the aircraft would be shot down by Keeper snipers, crash-landing in the jungle nearby. Castor and his pack would move in to engage the survivors of the crash, but would eventually be defeated by [[Blue Team]]. Castor was presumed dead after sustaining grievous injuries at the hands of [[Frederic-104]], but would later encounter the [[Huragok]] [[Roams Alone]], who would heal the injured Jiralhanae. Castor and Orsun then proceeded to leave Gao, with plans to exact vengeance on Casille for betraying the Keepers.


===RETRIBUTION===
===RETRIBUTION===
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===Alliance with the Banished===
===Alliance with the Banished===
{{Main|Operation: WOLFE}}
{{Main|Operation: WOLFE}}
At some point near April 2558, 6 months before the rise of the [[Created]], the Keepers entered into a temporary alliance with [[Atriox]]'s [[Banished]], serving as one of its [[legion]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR3}} Castor choosing to take refuge with the Banished comes to the surprise of ONI who instruct the Ferrets to remain undercover in the hopes of a shot at killing [[Atriox]].{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} Shortly after, Atriox and [[Decimus]] departed for the Ark, leaving [[Escharum]] in command.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR3|SoR|Chapter=3}} At some point in July 2559, they received a transmission from Escharum ordering them and two other Banished legions, the [[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]] and the [[Clan of the Ravaged Tusks|Ravaged Tusks]], to look for the hidden [[Ark]] slipspace portal in the [[Menachite portal complex]] beneath [[CASTLE Base]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoR3}} By the time the Keepers went to Reach, Castor had become the last Dokab leading the faction. They succeeded in locating it by observing [[Blue Team]]'s path towards [[Menachite Mountain]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR17|SoR|Chapter=17}} Soon after excavating it, Atriox activated the other end of the portal with the three shards of the [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]] and came through in a [[Banished Lich]]. Castor along with his forty surviving Keepers and [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]] went rogue, leaving the Banished, and took the portal back to the Ark with the intent of activating the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR21|SoR|Chapter=21}}
At some point near April 2558, six months before the rise of the [[Created]], the Keepers entered into a temporary alliance with [[Atriox]]'s [[Banished]], serving as one of its [[legion]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR3}} Castor's decision to take refuge with the Banished greatly surprised ONI, who instructed the Ferrets to remain undercover in the hopes of a shot at killing [[Atriox]].{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} Shortly after this, Atriox and [[Decimus]] departed for the Ark, leaving [[Escharum]] in command.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR3|SoR|Chapter=3}} At some point in July 2559, they received a transmission from Escharum ordering them and two other Banished legions, the [[Legion of the Corpse-Moon]] and the [[Clan of the Ravaged Tusks|Ravaged Tusks]], to look for the hidden [[Ark]] slipspace portal in the [[Menachite portal complex]] beneath [[CASTLE Base]] on [[Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoR3}} They succeeded in locating the portal by observing [[Blue Team]]'s path towards [[Menachite Mountain]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR17|SoR|Chapter=17}} Soon after excavating it, Atriox activated the other end of the portal with the three shards of the [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]] and came through in a [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich|Lich]]. Castor, along with his forty surviving Keepers and the rogue [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]], left the Banished and took the portal back to the Ark with the intent of activating the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR21|SoR|Chapter=21}}


===Attempting to Start the Great Journey and Destruction===
===The Great Journey===
{{Main|Battle of Epsilon Clarion}}
{{Main|Battle of Epsilon Clarion}}
Upon arriving at the Ark, the Keepers' Lich crashed after getting caught in a three-way battle between the [[Banished]], the UNSC, and a remnant of [[Covenant loyalists]] who had survived the firing of [[Installation 08]] from inside the ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]''. The Keepers were able to form an alliance with them for their mutual goal of beginning the Great Journey, aided by the unexpected appearance of [[Intrepid Eye]]. Chased by both the UNSC and the Banished, the alliance were able to locate and access [[Epsilon Clarion]], one of the facility's  the Ark capable of firing the [[Halo Array]]. However, the journey and constant attacks decimated the Keepers, leaving [[Castor]] and [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]] as the only survivors. An argument between Intrepid Eye and a [[Facilitator-class ancilla]], the [[Epsilon submonitor]], overseeing the facility revealed the truth about the Halos to Castor who then abandoned his faith and mission. Epsilon Clarion and Intrepid Eye are destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and Castor and 'Gadogai, the only survivors of the Keepers of the One Freedom, vowed to seek revenge upon all of their enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}
Upon arriving at the Ark, the Keepers' Lich crashed after getting caught in a three-way battle between the [[Banished]], the UNSC, and a [[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant|remnant]] of the Covenant that had survived the firing of [[Installation 08]] from inside the ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]''. Castor was able to form an alliance with these Covenant loyalists and their leader, [[Prelate]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]], based on their mutual goal of beginning the Great Journey, aided by the unexpected appearance of [[Intrepid Eye]]. Chased by both the UNSC and the Banished, the alliance was able to locate and access [[Epsilon Clarion]], one of the facilities on the Ark capable of firing the [[Halo Array]]. However, the journey and constant attacks decimated the Keeper detachment, leaving [[Castor]] and [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]] as the only survivors. In an argument between Intrepid Eye and a [[Facilitator-class ancilla]], the [[Epsilon submonitor]], overseeing the facility revealed the truth about Halo to Castor, who then abandoned his faith and mission. Epsilon Clarion and Intrepid Eye are destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and Castor and 'Gadogai, having abandoned the Keepers of the One Freedom,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}} vowed to seek revenge upon all of their enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}


{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}


==Military assets==
==Military assets==
[[File:Enc22 Krelis.jpg|thumb|right|[[Krelis]], a Keeper Jiralhanae employing the Keepers' characteristic armour.]]
[[File:Enc22 Krelis.jpg|thumb|[[Krelis]], a Keeper Jiralhanae employing the Keepers' characteristic armour.]]
The Keepers have a wide range of former [[Covenant]] and human weaponry at their disposal, including mortars, [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|Beam Rifles]], [[Type-33 Needler|Needlers]], [[Type-25 Plasma Rifle|Plasma Rifles]] and more traditional Jiralhanae weapons such as the [[Type-25 Spiker|Spiker]] and [[Type-52 Mauler|Mauler]]. The Keepers also have at least one operational starship, the ''[[One Light]]'' and at one point, the [[Fleet of Glory]] which suffered heavy casualties during [[Operation: RETRIBUTION]]. Their manpower consists of hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers of [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]] and [[human]] species. Their allies on [[Gao]] and [[Venezia]] have ensured a steady stream of supplies and weapons to the faction, allowing them to conduct anti-[[UNSC]] operations in a large capacity. They are also known to use [[Jiralhanae power armor]], painted blue and gold, for the colors of the Keepers.
The Keepers have a wide range of former [[Covenant]] and human weaponry at their disposal, including mortars, [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|Beam Rifles]], [[Type-33 Needler|Needlers]], [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|Plasma Rifles]] and more traditional Jiralhanae weapons such as the [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Spiker]] and [[Type-52 Mauler|Mauler]]. Their manpower consists of thousands of warriors from various species, including [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]], [[Unggoy]], and [[human]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR19|SoR|Chapter=19}} Their allies on [[Gao]] and [[Venezia]] have ensured a steady stream of supplies and weapons to the faction, allowing them to conduct anti-[[UNSC]] operations in a large capacity. They are also known to use [[Jiralhanae power armor]], painted blue and gold, for the colors of the Keepers.


However, by [[2559#October|October 2559]], the Keepers' ranks had been decimated due to a massive eradication campaign by ONI. The forces that hijacked [[Atriox]]'s [[Banished Lich]] were all that was left of the Keepers, roughly forty in number.{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}}
The fleet assets the Keepers of the One Freedom are known to have include the ''[[One Light]]'',{{Ref/Novel|Id=LL5|LL|Chapter=5}} the [[Fleet of Glory]], which was comprised of fifty vessels ranging from [[corvette]]s to gunboats,{{Ref/Novel|Id=Ret8|Ret|Chapter=8}} and the heavy frigate ''[[Great Light]]'', which served as the Keeper flagship.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR3}}
 
However, by [[2559#October|October 2559]], the Keepers' ranks, or at least, Castor's detachment, had been decimated due to a massive eradication campaign by ONI. Castor's forces that hijacked [[Atriox]]'s [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich|Lich]] were all that was left of his detachment of Keepers, roughly forty in number.{{Ref/Reuse|DW1}} Despite this, numerous Keeper footholds remain across various planets and Forerunner installations, with the largest established presence still based on Venezia.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}


====Personnel====
====Personnel====
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*[[Orsun]]
*[[Orsun]]
*[[Saturnus]]
*[[Saturnus]]
*[[Rhadandus]]
;Sangheili
;Sangheili
*[[Inslaan 'Gadogai]]
*[[Inslaan 'Gadogai]]
;Kig-Yar
*[[Kalvo]]
;Human
;Human
*[[Veta Lopis]] {{c|Covert}}
*[[Veta Lopis]] {{c|Covert}}
Line 123: Line 128:


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
The Keepers are referenced in one of the [[Skins (Halo 3)|weapon skins]] available for the [[Type-25 plasma rifle|plasma rifle]] in the ''[[Halo 3]]'' component of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', released in [[Season 4: Reclaimer]]. Named ''Keeper'', the skin's description reads ''Still searching for true freedom''; an obvious nod to the name of the Keepers of the One Freedom. The plasma rifle skin itself is painted in a deep blue with yellow stripes.
*The Keepers are referenced in one of the [[Skins (Halo 3)|weapon skins]] available for the [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifle]] in the ''[[Halo 3]]'' component of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', released in [[Series 4: Reclaimer]]. Named ''Keeper'', the skin's description reads ''Still searching for true freedom''; an obvious nod to the name of the Keepers of the One Freedom. The plasma rifle skin itself is painted in a deep blue with yellow stripes.
**They are also referenced in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' by a colour option for [[Personal AI]], released in ''[[Season 02: Lone Wolves]]'', called ''Castor's Keeper'' and features a similar colouring.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo: Venezian Sonata]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Organizations}}
{{Organizations}}


[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Religion]]

Latest revision as of 13:43, October 26, 2024

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Keepers of the One Freedom
HDW CoverArt Keepers Crop.png
General overview

Type:

Religious cult

Leaders:

Organizational overview

Affiliation:

Headquarters:

New Tyne, Venezia

Historical overview

Formed:

c. 2553

Notable events:

 

The Keepers of the One Freedom are a militant religious movement operating in the post-Covenant War era. They follow the religion of the former Covenant and its belief in the Great Journey,[1] but also renounce the San'Shyuum as false "prophets."[2] Their capital has been established on the human outlaw colony of Venezia, but they also have allies on Gao and other worlds, including Forerunner installations. The Keepers are led by a small group of Jiralhanae elders called Dokabs, most of whom are formerly high-ranked members of the Covenant military.[1][3]

The detachment of Keepers led by dokab Castor was destroyed in October 2559 during an effort to fire the Halo Array from the Ark.[1][4] Even before the Keepers left for the Ark through a Slipspace portal on Reach, Castor had been forced to abandon or sacrifice most of his forces due to a massive eradication campaign by ONI using intelligence gathered by the Ferrets.[5][6] Following the failure of the mission, the only surviving members of this detachment were Castor himself and the Sangheili Blademaster Inslaan 'Gadogai—both having abandoned the Keepers.[1][4] Having learned the truth about his faith and the purpose of Halo, Castor sought to exact vengeance upon his enemies.[4] Despite this loss, other remnants of the Keepers remain active, with their largest presence still based on Venezia.[1]

History[edit]

Background[edit]

The Keepers are a Covenant remnant faction founded not long after the end of the Human-Covenant War. They are notable amongst the myriad of Covenant splinter groups for being one of the few to allow humans amongst their ranks. Consequently, this willingness to work with humans has earned them allies on several anti-UEG colonies such as Venezia and Gao, and their rapid rise in power has earned them the attention of several ONI intelligence assets.[7]

Gao conflict[edit]

Main article: Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE
Halo Mythos illustration of the Keepers of the One Freedom.
Keepers Brutes fighting UNSC forces.

In 2553, a UNSC task force was dispatched to Gao with the mission of retrieving a suspected Forerunner ancilla. During their inspection, the term "ancilla" was overheard by Veta Lopis, who promptly relayed this information to Gao's Minister of Protection Arlo Casille. Arlo then informed the cult leader (Dokab) Castor about the ancilla, much to the Jiralhanae's delight, beginning a Keeper invasion of Gao to recover the "oracle". The attack on UNSC forces began when the One Light landed in a staged inspection, dispatching 500 troops into the jungle. The first attempt to recover the ancilla involved sending a small Brute task force into the caves, where they encountered and were subsequently defeated by Spartan Blue Team. At the same time, the larger task force opened fire on the UNSC garrison at Wendosa, using mortars and snipers to suppress the UNSC marines. When Blue Team eventually emerged from the cave system into the war-torn town, they pushed through the Keepers to Hotel Wendosa to link up with what remained of the garrison. Although Blue Team would be evacuated by a Falcon, the aircraft would be shot down by Keeper snipers, crash-landing in the jungle nearby. Castor and his pack would move in to engage the survivors of the crash, but would eventually be defeated by Blue Team. Castor was presumed dead after sustaining grievous injuries at the hands of Frederic-104, but would later encounter the Huragok Roams Alone, who would heal the injured Jiralhanae. Castor and Orsun then proceeded to leave Gao, with plans to exact vengeance on Casille for betraying the Keepers.

RETRIBUTION[edit]

Main article: Operation: RETRIBUTION

In December 2553, the Keepers of the One Freedom became the primary suspects for the assassination of a UNSC admiral and the kidnapping of her family. Posing as pirates, Veta Lopis' Ferret team managed to infiltrate the Keepers Salvation Base on Taram where they discovered the bodies of the admiral's family, but realized that the Keepers were being framed by Dark Moon Enterprises. The Keepers came into conflict with both the Ferrets and Blue Team who destroyed Salvation Base with six HAVOK tactical nuclear weapons. It was estimated that the blast destroyed ninety percent of the Keeper forces on the base and would cripple their operations throughout the entire sector.[8]

However, before the explosion, the Keepers were able to capture two of the Dark Moon operatives and from them, track the culprits to a laboratory on Gao. The Keepers destroyed the lab and captured its director who, worried about Dark Moon's plan for the Tuwa's organs, aided the Keepers in tracking Dark Moon to Pinnacle Station. There, Castor's forces came up against Papa-10, a rogue ONI unit working for Intrepid Eye. During the battle, Orsun was killed by Lieutenant Bartalan Craddog with an M41 SPNKR before Papa-10's survivors fled to the surface of Meridian. The Keepers chased Papa-10 to the surface where all of the attackers but Castor were killed by the rogue unit, Blue Team and the Ferrets. Papa-10 was ultimately killed by Veta and Castor and the cryo-jars holding the organs of the Tuwa family were destroyed. Castor was left stranded on Meridian with a broken translation disk looking for a way off while the Keepers were cleared as the culprits behind the assassination which turned out to be a bioweapon plot. Intrepid Eye was able to avoid discovery as the true culprit which was believed to be Craddog. However, the destruction of her remote aspect Oriel left her unable to confirm whether or not Castor was killed or if any of his cell survived.[9]

Decimation[edit]

Main article: Keepers Eradication Campaign

In around 2557, the Ferrets manage to infiltrate the Keepers of the One Freedom through an allied doomsday cult called the Humans of the Joyous Journey. Over the course of eight months, the Ferrets gather intelligence that they pass on to ONI, allowing the UNSC to conduct a massive eradication campaign against the Keepers.[6] The intelligence results in the deaths of around 15,000 Keepers[10] and the decimation of the faction.[6]

Alliance with the Banished[edit]

Main article: Operation: WOLFE

At some point near April 2558, six months before the rise of the Created, the Keepers entered into a temporary alliance with Atriox's Banished, serving as one of its legions.[11] Castor's decision to take refuge with the Banished greatly surprised ONI, who instructed the Ferrets to remain undercover in the hopes of a shot at killing Atriox.[6] Shortly after this, Atriox and Decimus departed for the Ark, leaving Escharum in command.[11] At some point in July 2559, they received a transmission from Escharum ordering them and two other Banished legions, the Legion of the Corpse-Moon and the Ravaged Tusks, to look for the hidden Ark slipspace portal in the Menachite portal complex beneath CASTLE Base on Reach.[11] They succeeded in locating the portal by observing Blue Team's path towards Menachite Mountain.[12] Soon after excavating it, Atriox activated the other end of the portal with the three shards of the Menachite Forerunner crystal and came through in a Lich. Castor, along with his forty surviving Keepers and the rogue Inslaan 'Gadogai, left the Banished and took the portal back to the Ark with the intent of activating the Halo Array.[13]

The Great Journey[edit]

Main article: Battle of Epsilon Clarion

Upon arriving at the Ark, the Keepers' Lich crashed after getting caught in a three-way battle between the Banished, the UNSC, and a remnant of the Covenant that had survived the firing of Installation 08 from inside the Anodyne Spirit. Castor was able to form an alliance with these Covenant loyalists and their leader, Prelate Dhas Bhasvod, based on their mutual goal of beginning the Great Journey, aided by the unexpected appearance of Intrepid Eye. Chased by both the UNSC and the Banished, the alliance was able to locate and access Epsilon Clarion, one of the facilities on the Ark capable of firing the Halo Array. However, the journey and constant attacks decimated the Keeper detachment, leaving Castor and Inslaan 'Gadogai as the only survivors. In an argument between Intrepid Eye and a Facilitator-class ancilla, the Epsilon submonitor, overseeing the facility revealed the truth about Halo to Castor, who then abandoned his faith and mission. Epsilon Clarion and Intrepid Eye are destroyed by the UNSC Spirit of Fire and Castor and 'Gadogai, having abandoned the Keepers of the One Freedom,[1] vowed to seek revenge upon all of their enemies.[4]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Military assets[edit]

Krelis
Krelis, a Keeper Jiralhanae employing the Keepers' characteristic armour.

The Keepers have a wide range of former Covenant and human weaponry at their disposal, including mortars, Beam Rifles, Needlers, Plasma Rifles and more traditional Jiralhanae weapons such as the Spiker and Mauler. Their manpower consists of thousands of warriors from various species, including Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, Unggoy, and humans.[14] Their allies on Gao and Venezia have ensured a steady stream of supplies and weapons to the faction, allowing them to conduct anti-UNSC operations in a large capacity. They are also known to use Jiralhanae power armor, painted blue and gold, for the colors of the Keepers.

The fleet assets the Keepers of the One Freedom are known to have include the One Light,[15] the Fleet of Glory, which was comprised of fifty vessels ranging from corvettes to gunboats,[16] and the heavy frigate Great Light, which served as the Keeper flagship.[11]

However, by October 2559, the Keepers' ranks, or at least, Castor's detachment, had been decimated due to a massive eradication campaign by ONI. Castor's forces that hijacked Atriox's Lich were all that was left of his detachment of Keepers, roughly forty in number.[6] Despite this, numerous Keeper footholds remain across various planets and Forerunner installations, with the largest established presence still based on Venezia.[1]

Personnel[edit]

Jiralhanae
Sangheili
Kig-Yar
Human

Ranks and roles[edit]

Classes Jiralhanae Kig-Yar Human Unggoy
Ranks and type classes
Standard ranks Minor Acolyte[17]
Specialized troops
Titles
Ratings Dokab

Starships[edit]

Trivia[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • The Keepers' Dokab Castor (background) alongside Veta Lopis (foreground). Note the custom armor and Keeper signature colors.

    The Keepers' Dokab Castor (background) alongside Veta Lopis (foreground). Note the custom armor and Keeper signature colors.

  • Keeper forces fighting Blue Team and Special Inspector Lopis in Wendosa.

    Keeper forces fighting Blue Team and Special Inspector Lopis in Wendosa.

  • Ash-G099 fighting Keeper Jiralhanae during the battle for Wendosa.

    Ash-G099 fighting Keeper Jiralhanae during the battle for Wendosa.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 247
  2. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 3, page 51: "Though Castor and his Keepers had long ago renounced their loyalty to the Covenant's San'Shyuum "prophets," they remained devoted to the doctrine of the Great Journey"
  3. ^ Halo: Last Light, p 168-169 (Google Play edition)
  4. ^ a b c d Halo: Divine Wind
  5. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 15
  6. ^ a b c d e Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 1
  7. ^ Halo: Last Light, p. 62 (Google Play edition)
  8. ^ Halo: Retribution, Chapter 17
  9. ^ Halo: Retribution, Chapter ??
  10. ^ Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 11
  11. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 3
  12. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 17
  13. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 21
  14. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 19
  15. ^ Halo: Last Light, chapter 5
  16. ^ Halo: Retribution, chapter 8
  17. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 17: "A moment later, four of the Keeper's human acolytes emerged and looked in his direction."

v • d • e
 
Polities, organizations, and civilizations
Contemporary
Interstellar/Interplanetary organizations Banished • Covenant • Swords of Sanghelios • Created • Children of Oth Sonin • Concert of Worlds • Frieden • Insurrectionists (Arcadia/Harvest • New Colonial Alliance • People's Occupation • People's Occupation Government • Secessionist Union (Eridanus secessionists) • United Rebel Front) Koslovics • San'Shyuum flotilla (Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant • Tem'Bhetek's faction) • Unified Earth Government (Colonial Authority • United Nations Space Command)
Planetary/Local organizations Castoffs • Defenders of the Sanctum • Eridanus Government • Gao Republic • Insurrectionists (Bandusa • Freedom and Liberation Party • Galodew Emancipation • Gao Liberation Force • Sundered Legion) • Joyous Exultation Covenant • Khabnathwa • Neo-Frieden • Prospector Party • Sedran government • Stewards • United Nations (Nations) • Unggoy government • Ussans • Venezian Militia
Private organizations 'Gajat mercenaries • Shields of Requiem
Religious organizations Covenant remnants ('Mdama's Covenant • 'Nyon's Covenant • Keepers of the One Freedom • Vol's Covenant) • 'Refumee's heretics • Servants of the Abiding Truth
Ancient
Interstellar organizations Ecumene • Human-San'Shyuum alliance • Ancestors
Planetary/Local organizations Council of City States • Erde-Tyrene civilization • Sedaaro • Reformists (Keepers of the Dawn) • Stoics • Tudejsa
Protogenic
Italics denote entities that are confirmed or assumed to be defunct given currently available information.
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