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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H2|H3}}
{{disambig header|the room in High Charity|other articles including "Arbiter"|Arbiter (disambiguation)}}
[[Image:Homeofarbiter.jpg|thumb|250px|Exterior view of the Mausoleum.]]
[[File:H2A Terminals - Mausoleum of the Arbiter.jpg|thumb|300px|The interior of the Mausoleum of the Arbiter.]]
{{Quote|Here rests the vanguard of the [[Great Journey]]. Every [[Arbiter (rank)|Arbiter]], from first to last. Each one created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis.|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}
{{Quote|Here rests the vanguard of the [[Great Journey]]. Every [[Arbiter]], from first to last. Each one created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis.|[[Prophet of Truth]]<ref name="h2arbiter">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>}}


The '''Mausoleum of the Arbiter''' was a massive room within the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] holy city of ''[[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]'' which housed the remains of the previous [[Arbiter (Title)|Arbiters]].
The '''Mausoleum of the Arbiter''' was a massive chamber within the [[Covenant]] holy city of ''[[High Charity]]'' which housed the remains of the previous [[Arbiter]]s.


==Summary==
==Description==
A large suspended sarcophagus held the special Arbiter armor until it was needed again. It is unknown if it's the same armor each time, as all Elites would (in reality) be different sizes. This is very noticeable between past Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and current Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], making it likely a sham by the Prophets, who keep the armor less advanced for religious reasons. Another contributing factor to this theory is the destruction of Ripa 'Moramee's corpse at the Apex, meaning that the original armor of the Arbiter was not shared by all Arbiters. Additionally, should the prophets' order to kill Thel 'Vadam have succeeded his armor would not have been salvaged.
The Mausoleum of the Arbiter contained the recoverable remains of every [[Sangheili]] that has ever been designated as the Arbiter. A total of one hundred eighty-two caskets are present, spreading far up into the ceiling. In the center of the chamber is a large suspended sarcophagus that held the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}


The Mausoleum of the Arbiter also contained the (recoverable) remains of every [[Elite]] that has ever been designated as the Arbiter. A total of 182 caskets are present spreading far up into the ceiling. Arbiters are only appointed in times of dire need, such as the [[Taming of the Hunters]], the [[Grunt Rebellion]], the [[Third Battle of Harvest]] and the [[Battle of the Gas Mine]].
==History==
===Human-Covenant War===
After Thel 'Vadam was branded with the [[Mark of Shame]], he was taken to the mausoleum by Tartarus and his two [[Jiralhanae]] ushers. The [[Prophet of Truth]] and the [[Prophet of Mercy]] ordered Tartarus to release 'Vadamee and leave. After this, they started to converse with him about [[Sesa 'Refumee|a heretic leader]] and the past Arbiters, ultimately appointing him the new Arbiter and giving him the ornate armor of the Arbiter there.{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}


==Appearances==
With the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], and open conflict within ''High Charity'', the mausoleum was used as a final defensive position by the Sangheili, who were under attack by the Jiralhanae-led Covenant. Bolstering their forces with several [[Mgalekgolo]], the Sangheili furiously fought against their attackers. Ultimately all Covenant forces were wiped out when [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]] attacked during his rampage through the city with the goal of retrieving [[Installation 05|Installation 05's]] [[activation index]] from the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> Too late to stop Truth, [[Tartarus]] and their prisoners [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] from leaving the city, the Chief was forced to once again pass through the Mausoleum tower ahead of the newly-arrived [[Flood]] to reach a [[High Charity conduit|conduit]] leading to the city's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>


[[Image:Mausoleum Interior.jpg|thumb|An interior shot.]]The Mausoleum of the Arbiter initially appeared in the cutscene before [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]. Where [[Thel Vadamee]] was taken there by [[Tartarus]] and his two [[Brute]] ushers. [[High Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[High Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] ordered Tartarus to release the future Arbiter and leave. They started to converse with him about the [[Heretic Leader]], the past Arbiters, and gave him the ornate armor of the Arbiter there.
After ''High Charity'' was infested by the Flood and crashed into [[Installation 00]] during the [[Battle of Installation 00]], the mausoleum was severely damaged. By the time of John-117's [[Raid on High Charity|raid on ''High Charity'']], the tower was in a tilted angle, with energy cascades across the surface leaning dangerously over to the side and cables hanging from the shattered [[bridge (structure)|bridges]] around the tower. It can be assumed that the Mausoleum and the Vanguards of the Great Journey entombed within were destroyed when ''High Charity's'' reactor went critical, as spurred by Spartan-117 in the previous raid, and destroyed the Flood-infected city.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''</ref>


It was next seen some time later, near the end of [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]. Here the [[Master Chief]] had to engage in a large-scale battle in order to go further into ''[[High Charity]]'' and find the platform with the [[Phantom|Phantoms]] that were used to transport Truth, Mercy, Tartarus, [[Commander Miranda Keyes|Miranda Keyes]] and [[Sergeant Johnson]] to their respective locations.
==Trivia==
In an early version of the level ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]'', John-117 would have passed through the Mausoleum, encountering a large number of Flood-infected Arbiters.{{Ref/Site|Id=GDC1|URL=https://www.bungie.net/en/aboutus#page=publications&publication=12662|Site=Bungie Publications|Page=Halo 3 Flood Alien Level Autopsy|D=10|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=GDC2|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/images/Inside/publications/presentations/Bungie_EnvDesign_GDC.pptx|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 Flood Alien Level Autopsy|Detail=Original presentation download link|D=18|M=1|Y=2021}}


The Mausoleum was the location in which [[Breaking Benjamin]]'s [[Blow Me Away]] is played in-game during the fight between [[Covenant Loyalists]] and [[Covenant Separatists]]. It sounded like an instrumental version but was in-fact actually the real song: if you listen closely, you will notice that the vocals volume has been greatly lowered.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:MausoleumConcept.jpg|Early ''[[Halo 3]]'' concept art of the Mausoleum and [[John-117]].
File:H2A Render - Mausoleum.jpg|A render of the Mausoleum for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:Homeofarbiter.jpg|Exterior view of the Mausoleum.
File:Mausoleum Interior.jpg|An interior shot as seen in ''Halo 2''.
File:H3 Cortana Mausoleum of the Arbiter.jpg|The Mausoleum of the Arbiter in ruins as seen in ''Halo 3''.
File:H2A MausoleumConcept.jpg|Concept art of the Mausoleum in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'''s [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]].
File:H2A Terminals - Dead Arbiter.jpg|Sangheili adding a dead Arbiter to the crypt.
File:H2A - Mausoleum of the Arbiter.jpg|An exterior view of the Mausoleum as it is seen in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
</gallery>


After that, it was seen for the last time in ''[[Halo 2]]'' on the level [[High Charity]]. Upon reaching the huge tower and looking down, the player could see it surrounded by a layer of clouds and a storm. Above it, hangs the [[Step of Silence]].
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''


The Mausoleum was last seen visible in ''[[Halo 3]]'' during the level [[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]. It is seen at different points through the "windows" formed by the Flood's consumption of the city. Energy cascades across the surface which leaned dangerously over to the side and cables hung from the shattered bridges around the tower. It can be assumed that the Mausoleum and the [[Arbiter (rank)|Vanguards of the Great Journey]] entombed within were destroyed when ''[[High Charity]]'s'' reactor went critical, as spurred by [[Spartan-117]] in the previous raid.
==Sources==
 
{{Ref/Sources}}
== Trivia ==
[[Image:1211654306 Picture2.jpg|240px|thumb|The Mausoleum of the Arbiter in ''Halo 3''.]]
*In the early version of the level [[Cortana (level)|Cortana]], [[Master Chief]] would have passed through the Mausoleum, encountering an army of Flood-infected Arbiters. This idea was scrapped however, when both Flood levels were redesigned, possibly because the Arbiters would have been armorless. Another reason could be that over time, the Arbiter bodies could have decomposed like normal bodies after being in the caskets for so long. Though it is possible that some method of preservation is used in the caskets, but due to the fact that most Arbiters are only respected because of their title, it is unlikely.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=13849, in the power point</ref>
*It would seem that the Mausoleum was located close to the Detention Center, as seen in the cutscene level ''[[The Heretic]]'', despite the path taken in ''[[Gravemind_(level)|Gravemind]]'', which makes it seem farther away.
 
== Links ==
=== Internal ===
*[[High Charity]]
*[[Arbiter (rank)|Arbiter]]
*[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]
*[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]]
 
== Sources ==
{{reflist}}


{{High Charity Locations}}
{{High Charity Locations}}
[[Category:Places]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, March 18, 2022

This article is about the room in High Charity. For other articles including "Arbiter", see Arbiter (disambiguation).
The interior of the Mausoleum of the Arbiter.

"Here rests the vanguard of the Great Journey. Every Arbiter, from first to last. Each one created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis."
— Prophet of Truth[1]

The Mausoleum of the Arbiter was a massive chamber within the Covenant holy city of High Charity which housed the remains of the previous Arbiters.

Description[edit]

The Mausoleum of the Arbiter contained the recoverable remains of every Sangheili that has ever been designated as the Arbiter. A total of one hundred eighty-two caskets are present, spreading far up into the ceiling. In the center of the chamber is a large suspended sarcophagus that held the armor of the Arbiter.[1]

History[edit]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

After Thel 'Vadam was branded with the Mark of Shame, he was taken to the mausoleum by Tartarus and his two Jiralhanae ushers. The Prophet of Truth and the Prophet of Mercy ordered Tartarus to release 'Vadamee and leave. After this, they started to converse with him about a heretic leader and the past Arbiters, ultimately appointing him the new Arbiter and giving him the ornate armor of the Arbiter there.[1]

With the outbreak of the Great Schism, and open conflict within High Charity, the mausoleum was used as a final defensive position by the Sangheili, who were under attack by the Jiralhanae-led Covenant. Bolstering their forces with several Mgalekgolo, the Sangheili furiously fought against their attackers. Ultimately all Covenant forces were wiped out when SPARTAN John-117 attacked during his rampage through the city with the goal of retrieving Installation 05's activation index from the Prophet of Truth.[2] Too late to stop Truth, Tartarus and their prisoners Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson from leaving the city, the Chief was forced to once again pass through the Mausoleum tower ahead of the newly-arrived Flood to reach a conduit leading to the city's Forerunner Dreadnought.[3]

After High Charity was infested by the Flood and crashed into Installation 00 during the Battle of Installation 00, the mausoleum was severely damaged. By the time of John-117's raid on High Charity, the tower was in a tilted angle, with energy cascades across the surface leaning dangerously over to the side and cables hanging from the shattered bridges around the tower. It can be assumed that the Mausoleum and the Vanguards of the Great Journey entombed within were destroyed when High Charity's reactor went critical, as spurred by Spartan-117 in the previous raid, and destroyed the Flood-infected city.[4]

Trivia[edit]

In an early version of the level Cortana, John-117 would have passed through the Mausoleum, encountering a large number of Flood-infected Arbiters.[5][6]

Gallery[edit]

  • Early Halo 3 concept art of the Mausoleum and John-117.

    Early Halo 3 concept art of the Mausoleum and John-117.

  • A render of the Mausoleum for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A render of the Mausoleum for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Exterior view of the Mausoleum.

    Exterior view of the Mausoleum.

  • An interior shot as seen in Halo 2.

    An interior shot as seen in Halo 2.

  • The Mausoleum of the Arbiter in ruins as seen in Halo 3.

    The Mausoleum of the Arbiter in ruins as seen in Halo 3.

  • Concept art of the Mausoleum in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

    Concept art of the Mausoleum in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

  • Sangheili adding a dead Arbiter to the crypt.

    Sangheili adding a dead Arbiter to the crypt.

  • An exterior view of the Mausoleum as it is seen in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    An exterior view of the Mausoleum as it is seen in Halo 2: Anniversary.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level, The Arbiter
  2. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, Gravemind
  3. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, High Charity
  4. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Cortana
  5. ^ Bungie Publications, Halo 3 Flood Alien Level Autopsy (Retrieved on Oct 10, 2021) [archive]
  6. ^ Bungie.net, Halo 3 Flood Alien Level Autopsy: Original presentation download link (Retrieved on Jan 18, 2021) [archive]

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Locations in High Charity
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