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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H2}}
{{Fact cleanup}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
{{Disambig header|Sangheili title|[[Forerunner]] title|Councilor (Forerunner)}}
|name='''Councilor'''
{{Title infobox
|image=[[Image:Councilor1.jpg|300px]]
|name=High Councilor
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|image=[[File:H2A Sangheili-Councillor.png|225px]]
|weapons=*[[Energy Sword]]
|type=
*[[Plasma Rifle]]
|government=[[Covenant]]<br>
*[[Carbine]]
[[Swords of Sanghelios]]<br>
*[[Beam Rifle]]
[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
|equipment=[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
|memberof=[[High Council]]
|vehicles=
|duties=Political leadership
|missions=
|term=
|role=Political Leaders/Possible Military Leaders
|style=
|notable=[[Soha 'Rolamee]]  
|headquarters=''[[High Charity]]''
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
|formation=c. [[850 BCE]]
|reorganized=
|abolished=[[2552#November|November 3, 2552]]
|notable=*[[Duru 'Scoahamee]]
*[[K'hurk 'Bornisamee]]
*[[Torg 'Gransamee]]
*[[Raas 'Yajadai]]
}}
}}


'''Councilor''' is the highest possible rank attainable (with the exception of the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]]) for a [[Sangheili]] (Elite).
'''High Councilor''' is a high-tier [[Sangheili]] political title within the [[Covenant]].


==Background==
==History==
The Councilor is believed to be one of the highest ranks attainable by a [[Sangheili]] warrior, whether militarily or politically, although the [[Arbiter (rank)|rank of Arbiter]] is religiously more significant in Sangheilian society. They act as members of the [[High Council|Covenant High Council]], along with the [[Prophets|Lesser Prophets]]. Their power is derived directly from the High Council, under only the [[Hierarchs]], making them some of the most important roles held in Covenant society.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]]''</ref>
During the [[Covenant]]'s early years, only the [[Hierarchs]] served on what would be the [[High Council]]. Eventually, the Council was established and organized sometime in [[850 BCE]] and consisted of a select number of [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili]] governmental delegates—the precursors to the Sangheili High Councilors, as outlined in the [[Writ of Union]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 159''</ref>


Councilors have been described as "Aristocratic" by lesser races and the fact that they are permitted to wield [[Energy Swords]] prevents them from marrying, though they can still mate with any female they wish, married or unmarried, to pass on the "swordsman" genes. Only one Councilor has ever been named, [[Soha 'Rolamee]], who was executed by a [[Lesser Prophet]], indicating that even Elite Councilors are still beneath even lower Prophets.
In [[2525]], the [[Prophet of Truth|Minister of Fortitude]], the [[Prophet of Mercy|Philologist Hod Rumnt]], and the [[Prophet of Regret|Vice Minister of Tranquility]] went before the High Council and announced their intentions to replace the current [[Hierarchs]] of the Covenant. Although they were initially reluctant, they accepted the bid and the three became the new Hierarchs.<ref name="ch380">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 380''</ref> In [[2535]], the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the [[Covenant fleet]], against the desires of the Sangheili Councilors.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 349''</ref> After the High Prophet of Regret's death on [[Installation 05]], the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] with the [[Jiralhanae]]. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,<ref name="bc217">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 217-218''</ref> and the Sangheili High Councilors viewed this as a violation of the Writ of Union and threatened to resign from the High Council.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of [[Installation 05]] to allegedly witness the activation of the installation and the beginning of the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guardsmen—particularly the ones that opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions—had arrived at the Control Room. Suddenly, a large contingent of heavily armed Jiralhanae, led by [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]], entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, following the orders of the High Prophet of Truth as part of his plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 218-221''</ref>


Because the pursuit of honor in battle is the sole pursuit of Sangheili society,<ref>''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> service in the Covenant military is compulsory, with all pursuits secondary. As such, it is safe to assume that councilors are, or have been, an important part of the Covenant military, with their political and governmental duties as secondary.
The surviving High Councilors, along with the rest of their species, did not hold unified opinions on how to proceed following the Great Schism. Some joined [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s cause to ally with the humans, though others attempted to bring what remained of the Covenant Empire under complete Sangheili rule, scrambling to grab power and influence when possible. Following the [[Human-Covenant War]], some High Councilors served in [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant faction]], while others led small, [[Covenant remnants|independent factions]] with reclaimed Covenant assets.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-lore-of-the-rings '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Lore of the Rings'']</ref>


A large number of the Councilors were present at [[Installation 05]], supposedly to witness the activation of the Halo ring. In truth, it was a ruse in order for the [[Jiralhanae]] to begin their slaughter, depriving the Sangheili of a large amount of their leadership caste. While there were survivors of the genocide, it is not known how many, or whether they returned to serve as the leaders of the remaining Sangheili.
==Function and duties==
[[File:H2A - Tartarus and HighCouncil.png|thumb|250px|left|Councilors during a High Council session.]]
The Councilor is one of the highest positions attainable by a Sangheili warrior, whether militarily or politically, although the title of [[Arbiter]] is more culturally significant in Sangheili society. Councilors act as members of the [[High Council|Covenant High Council]], along with the [[San'Shyuum High Councilor]]s. Their power is derived directly from the High Council, under only the [[Hierarchs]], making them some of the most important roles held in all of Covenant society.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> The Sangheili Councilors were also involved with the Hierarchs' [[Ascension (ceremony)|ascension]] ceremony. All the Councilors would gather before the newly-appointed Hierarchs and one Sangheili Councilor would ask for the names of each High Prophet.{{Ref/Reuse|ch380}}


==Combat==
Because of the militaristic culture of the Sangheili, many Councilors had backgrounds as high-ranking members of the [[Covenant military]]. It was common for [[Sangheili Ultra|Evocati]], in particular, to pursue a career as a Councilor.<ref name="cf low">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/log-of-war '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Log of War'']</ref>
Because warfare is the primary purpose of Sangheili participation in the Covenant, Councilors are extremely skilled warriors in almost all forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. As Sangheili are ranked according to the numbers of kills attained, Councilors are likely to have slaughtered a significant amount, probably being retired [[Zealot]]s, because the Councilors don't go to battle.


Councilors typically carry the iconic [[Energy Sword]], which also serves as a symbol of their status as aristocrats, with only a very few Sangheili military ranks, such as [[Zealots]] and [[Ultra]]'s, permitted this, and they are adept at close-combat with the sword. They are also, albeit infrequently, armed with plasma rifles, with their accuracy unmatched. Like an Ultra Elite they will let loose a war cry and switch to their energy sword if the player gets too close to them. The Arbiter is capable of replacing their original weapons with Covenant, UNSC or Brute weapons, though they hold the latter in disdain.
{{clear|left}}


Councilors are also the only rank of [[Elite]] that do not waver upon being hit by a melee attack. They stand their ground and do not flinch as other Elite ranks do (if they let out their sword before being hit).[[Image:Councilor4.jpg|left|thumb|right|A Councilor shown from behind.]]
==Equipment==
Because warfare is the primary purpose of Sangheili participation in the Covenant, Councilors are extremely skilled warriors in almost all forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. As Sangheili are ranked according to the numbers of kills obtained, Councilors are likely to have served in the military long before achieving their title.


In addition to their skill in combat, Councilors are also equipped with an extremely durable [[Combat Harness]], similar to that which is standard issue within the Sangheilian forces. The armor itself is superior to that worn by lesser ranks, and the built-in energy shielding system is capable of taking an enormous amount of damage: up to three shotgun blasts in close range, devastating melee attacks from behind, a hit from the [[Fist of Rukt]], multiple plasma or frag grenades and even surviving a blast from an [[Rocket Launcher|M19 SSM Rocket Launcher]].
Councilors typically carry the iconic [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]], which also serves as a symbol of their aristocratic status. They are also known to wield [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifles]].


== Physical Appearance ==
To protect them on the battlefield, Councilors are equipped with an extremely durable [[Sangheili harness|harness]], similar in appearance to the standard issue version, but with superior armor compared to that worn by lesser ranks, similar to that of the [[Special Operations Sangheili]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo CE]]''. Their energy shields are capable of taking an enormous amount of damage, equivalent to the shields of an Evocatus, however unlike Evocati they do not falter when hit with a melee attack.  Councilors are easily recognizable by their ornate headdresses, which cover most of their face and extend far behind their heads. Their armor is a pearlescent white in color, similar to the armor worn by [[Sangheili Ultra]]s.
Councilors are easily recognizable by their large, distinct and oddly shaped ornate ceremonial headdresses, fixed to a traditional Elite [[Combat Harness|helmet]]. Their armor, normally the standard [[Combat Harness]] used by most other regular service Elites (with the exception of the helmet), are a pearlescent white or metallic color, similar to that worn by [[Ultra Elite]]'s.


== Appearances ==
==Trivia==
[[Image:Elite Councillors.jpg|right|thumb|Two Elite Councilors converse at the [[Council Chamber]] about the fate of the Supreme Commander that would soon become the [[Arbiter]].]]
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Sangheili Councilors}}
The Councilors are exclusive to ''Halo 2'' and are never seen in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' or ''[[Halo 3]]''. Their infrequence in numbers leads to their appearance being only four times throughout the entire campaign.
The headdress worn by Sangheili Councilors [[List of references to Aliens in the Halo series|noticeably resembles]] the head crest of the Xenomorph queen from the movie ''[[Wikipedia:Aliens (film)|Aliens]]''.
 
*''[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]]'' - Elite Councilors were seen in the [[Council Chamber]] of ''[[High Charity]]'' during the shaming of the former [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] before he was anointed [[Arbiter]].
*[[Civil War of the Covenant]]
**''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]'' - When the Civil War breaks out on ''[[High Charity]]'' and the Brutes begin massacring the Elites, the Elites attempt to make a last stand in the Mausoleum of the Arbiter.  As Master Chief, a glitch known as the [[Honor Guard Councilor]] is seen wielding an Energy Sword and is encountered in the central chamber of the Mausoleum, during the 3-way fight between Master Chief, the Brutes and the Elites.
**''[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]'' - Many Elite Councilors were taken to the surface of [[Installation 05]] (Delta Halo) shortly before the start of the Civil War of the Covenant to prepare for the activation of the ringworld by the [[Sacred Icon]] at the [[Control Room]] of Delta Halo.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]'', ending cutscene</ref> However, they were massacred by [[Tartarus]]'s Brutes at the beginning of the civil war, although a few were taken alive at the [[Bastion of the Brutes]].
**''[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]'' - While the Arbiter was on his path to invade the Brute-controlled Control Room and prevent the activation of Installation 05, he passed through the Bastion of the Brute's and came across a small force-field prison guarded by Brutes and [[Jackal]]s. The Arbiter unlocked the cages, bringing forth two Councilors and two [[Hunter]]s. Later, in the climatic battle that defeated [[Tartarus]], numerous Councilors fought with their Energy Swords against the [[Brute Chieftain]], alongside many [[Zealot]]s and [[SpecOps Elite]]s, however many fell to the [[Fist of Rukt]].<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]''</ref>


==Trivia==
==Gallery==
*The headdresses of Councilors are reminiscent of the Queen Alien's head from the ''[[wikipedia:Alien|Alien]]'' series.
<gallery>
*It is possible to make a Councilor an enemy and invisible. Just get the Assassin's skull and kill the Hunter prisoners on the last level in [[Halo 2]], the [[Great Journey (Level)|Great Journey]]. The other Councilor and he will become your enemy and invisible.
File:H2A - Sangheili Councilor model.jpg|A model of a Councilor for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
*Councilors do not appear in ''[[Halo 3]]'', the reasons for this are still unconfirmed. In ''[[Halo 2]]'' when [[Rtas 'Vadum]] asked the [[Arbiter]] what had happened to the Councilors the [[Arbiter]] had said that they had been murdered by the [[Brutes]]. However, there are still many Councilors that can been seen later on in the game. It is a definite possibility that they, along with the Honor Guards, survived the events of [[Halo 2]], but were simply not shown, much like the Separatist Hunters and Grunts.
File:Sangheili Councilor 01.png|A Councilor in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*In Halo 2 you never fight a councilor,except for the [[Honor Guard Councilor]] glitch.
File:H2 Elite Councilor.png|A Councilor wielding an energy sword.
*The level [[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]] in [[Halo 2]] is the only level in the halo trilogy where [[Elite]] Councillors will fight on your side or otherwise.
File:Councilor1.jpg|A Councilor wielding a plasma rifle.
File:Councilor in combat.jpg|A Councilor in combat.
File:Councilor4.jpg|A Councilor shown from behind.
File:H2A - Sangheili Councilor.jpg|A Councilor in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Imprisoned Sangheili Councillor.jpg|A Sangheili Councilor being held prisoner in the [[Bastion of the Brutes]].
File:HTMCC-H2A Sangheili Councillor Breakout.jpg|A Sangheili Councilor breaking free another during the Battle of Installation 05.
File:H2ASangheiliCouncilors.png|Two Councilors in the Bastion of the Brutes.
File:H2A Terminals - Murder of the Councilors.jpg|The death of the Councilors.
File:Enc22-SangheiliCouncilor.png| A cutout of a Sangheili High Councilor from the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.
</gallery>


==See Also==
==List of appearances==
*[[Arbiter]]
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Ultra]]
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*[[High Prophet]]s
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*[[High Council]]
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'' {{Mo}}
*[[Honor Guard Councilor]]
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Age of Retribution]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Elite Ranks}}


{{Sangheili Ranks}}


[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Sangheili ranks and titles|Councilor]]
[[Category:Elites]]
[[Category:Ranks]]

Latest revision as of 13:20, November 8, 2024

Help.png
 This article has one or more disputed facts. Please visit this article's talk page for more info, and clean this page so it meets wiki standards.
This article is about Sangheili title. For Forerunner title, see Councilor (Forerunner).
High Councilor
H2A Sangheili-Councillor.png
Political information

Government:

Covenant
Swords of Sanghelios
Jul 'Mdama's Covenant

Member of:

High Council

Duties:

Political leadership

Headquarters:

High Charity

Historical information

Formation:

c. 850 BCE

Abolished:

November 3, 2552

Notable individuals:

 

High Councilor is a high-tier Sangheili political title within the Covenant.

History[edit]

During the Covenant's early years, only the Hierarchs served on what would be the High Council. Eventually, the Council was established and organized sometime in 850 BCE and consisted of a select number of San'Shyuum and Sangheili governmental delegates—the precursors to the Sangheili High Councilors, as outlined in the Writ of Union.[1]

In 2525, the Minister of Fortitude, the Philologist Hod Rumnt, and the Vice Minister of Tranquility went before the High Council and announced their intentions to replace the current Hierarchs of the Covenant. Although they were initially reluctant, they accepted the bid and the three became the new Hierarchs.[2] In 2535, the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the Covenant fleet, against the desires of the Sangheili Councilors.[3] After the High Prophet of Regret's death on Installation 05, the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly replaced the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen with the Jiralhanae. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,[4] and the Sangheili High Councilors viewed this as a violation of the Writ of Union and threatened to resign from the High Council.[5] During the Battle of Installation 05, the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the Control Room of Installation 05 to allegedly witness the activation of the installation and the beginning of the Great Journey. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guardsmen—particularly the ones that opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions—had arrived at the Control Room. Suddenly, a large contingent of heavily armed Jiralhanae, led by Captain Melchus, entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, following the orders of the High Prophet of Truth as part of his plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.[6][7]

The surviving High Councilors, along with the rest of their species, did not hold unified opinions on how to proceed following the Great Schism. Some joined Thel 'Vadam's cause to ally with the humans, though others attempted to bring what remained of the Covenant Empire under complete Sangheili rule, scrambling to grab power and influence when possible. Following the Human-Covenant War, some High Councilors served in Jul 'Mdama's reformed Covenant faction, while others led small, independent factions with reclaimed Covenant assets.[8]

Function and duties[edit]

Councilors during a High Council session.

The Councilor is one of the highest positions attainable by a Sangheili warrior, whether militarily or politically, although the title of Arbiter is more culturally significant in Sangheili society. Councilors act as members of the Covenant High Council, along with the San'Shyuum High Councilors. Their power is derived directly from the High Council, under only the Hierarchs, making them some of the most important roles held in all of Covenant society.[9] The Sangheili Councilors were also involved with the Hierarchs' ascension ceremony. All the Councilors would gather before the newly-appointed Hierarchs and one Sangheili Councilor would ask for the names of each High Prophet.[2]

Because of the militaristic culture of the Sangheili, many Councilors had backgrounds as high-ranking members of the Covenant military. It was common for Evocati, in particular, to pursue a career as a Councilor.[10]

Equipment[edit]

Because warfare is the primary purpose of Sangheili participation in the Covenant, Councilors are extremely skilled warriors in almost all forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. As Sangheili are ranked according to the numbers of kills obtained, Councilors are likely to have served in the military long before achieving their title.

Councilors typically carry the iconic energy sword, which also serves as a symbol of their aristocratic status. They are also known to wield plasma rifles.

To protect them on the battlefield, Councilors are equipped with an extremely durable harness, similar in appearance to the standard issue version, but with superior armor compared to that worn by lesser ranks, similar to that of the Special Operations Sangheili in Halo CE. Their energy shields are capable of taking an enormous amount of damage, equivalent to the shields of an Evocatus, however unlike Evocati they do not falter when hit with a melee attack. Councilors are easily recognizable by their ornate headdresses, which cover most of their face and extend far behind their heads. Their armor is a pearlescent white in color, similar to the armor worn by Sangheili Ultras.

Trivia[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

The headdress worn by Sangheili Councilors noticeably resembles the head crest of the Xenomorph queen from the movie Aliens.

Gallery[edit]

  • A model of a Councilor for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A model of a Councilor for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • A Councilor in Halo 2.

    A Councilor in Halo 2.

  • A Councilor wielding an energy sword.

    A Councilor wielding an energy sword.

  • A Councilor wielding a plasma rifle.

    A Councilor wielding a plasma rifle.

  • A Councilor in combat.

    A Councilor in combat.

  • A Councilor shown from behind.

    A Councilor shown from behind.

  • A Councilor in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A Councilor in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • A Sangheili Councilor being held prisoner in the Bastion of the Brutes.

    A Sangheili Councilor being held prisoner in the Bastion of the Brutes.

  • A Sangheili Councilor breaking free another during the Battle of Installation 05.

    A Sangheili Councilor breaking free another during the Battle of Installation 05.

  • Two Councilors in the Bastion of the Brutes.

    Two Councilors in the Bastion of the Brutes.

  • The death of the Councilors.

    The death of the Councilors.

  • A cutout of a Sangheili High Councilor from the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).

    A cutout of a Sangheili High Councilor from the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 159
  2. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 380
  3. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 349
  4. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, pages 217-218
  5. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  6. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Uprising
  7. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, pages 218-221
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Lore of the Rings
  9. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
  10. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Log of War

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Sangheili ranks and titles
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