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| | '''Covenant''' may refer to the following: |
| {{Ratings}}{{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|CH|UP|HGN|ILB}}
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| <center>''Looking for [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]], the [[Halo 3]] level?''</center>
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| {{Article Quote|[[Humans|Your]] destruction is the will of the [[Forerunner|gods]] and we are their instrument.}}
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| {{Affiliation infobox
| | ==''Halo'' universe== |
| |BG1=
| | *'''[[Covenant]]''' - A massive empire and theocratic hegemony of multiple alien species residing in the [[Milky Way]]. |
| |BG2=
| | **[[Covenant High Council]] |
| |image=[[Image:High Charity wallpaper.jpg|300px]]
| | **[[Covenant military]] |
| |name=Covenant (Empire)
| | **[[Covenant fleet]] |
| |type= Theocratic Hierarchy
| | *'''[[Covenant remnants]]''' - A series of smaller divided splinter factions born in the wake of the Covenant hegemony's collapse, some of which self-proclaim to be “the Covenant”.<ref name="escalation5">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref> |
| |founding=[[Writ of Union]]
| | **[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] |
| |constitution=[[Ratification Parley]]
| | **[[Merg Vol's Covenant]] |
| |headofstate=[[Hierarchs]]
| | **[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]] |
| |headofgov=[[Hierarchs]]
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| |commander=[[Hierarchs]] and [[High Council]]
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| |defacto=[[High Prophet of Truth]]
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| |executive=[[High Council]]
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| |legislative=[[High Council]]
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| |judicial=[[High Council]]
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| |capital=Formerly [[High Charity]]
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| |language=[[Covenant Language]] (Various languages are spoken by different races)
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| |currency=Unknown
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| |religious=Worship of the [[Forerunners]]
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| |holiday=Unknown
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| |anthem=Unknown
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| |formed= Started at the end of the [[Sangheili]]-[[San'Shyuum]] War
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| |established=First [[Age of Reconciliation]] | |
| |fragmented=[[2552]]: [[Covenant Civil War]]
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| |reorganized=[[2552]] ([[Great Schism]])
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| |dissolved=[[2553]]
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| |restored=N/A
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| }}
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| The '''Covenant''' is a religiously zealous collection of alien races, controlling a large portion of the [[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy; and waged a [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] of extermination against humanity until they were defeated due to many complications, one of which was internal [[Great Schism|conflicts]]. The Covenant was presumably disbanded after its defeat by the [[UNSC]] and Covenant Separatist forces. The [[Covenant Separatists]] were cast out by the [[Brutes]] and other [[Covenant Loyalists]].
| | ==Real-world== |
| | *'''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''' - The eighth level of ''[[Halo 3]]''. |
| | *'''''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant]]''''' - The second story arc in the [[Halo: Fall of Reach|comic book adaptation]] of ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''. |
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| ===Background===
| | {{disambig}} |
| [[The Covenant]] was dominated by two major alien species, the [[Elites]] and the [[Prophets]], the Prophets being the leaders. The name "Covenant" was taken from the binding pact that forged the peace between the Elites and the Prophets. Their war, which had devastated their respective races for years, was fought over the few remaining [[Forerunner]] artifacts on their home worlds, with the [[Elites]] wishing to preserve them, and the Prophets wishing to use the artifacts to explore the galaxy. The Elites held a distinct strategic upper hand, as their fighter society was ready for a war. The Prophets had one massive advantage; an immensely powerful Forerunner construct known as the [[Dreadnought]]. After the Prophets decided to use the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] against the Elites, the Prophets destroyed the [[Sangheili]] forces, while the wise Elite Commanders, realizing their peril, laid their arms aside. When the Prophets found evidence of the Forerunners and their [[The Great Journey|"Great Journey"]], hoping to create a peace between them, told the Elites of their discovery and promised to find the means of the [[Forerunner]]s' transcendence. The Prophets would share this knowledge with the Elites and they in turn would protect the Prophets as they searched for transcendent Forerunner artifacts to activate all the [[Halo Array|Halo Installations]].
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| At first, the Covenant were mostly a loose non-aggression pact of two angry races held together by a common need to avoid mutually assured destruction<ref name="best"/>; but, as their society advanced, so did their technology, culture, and religion. By the [[2552|time]] of the [[Halo Series|Halo games]], the Covenant control a large part of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. Their society had evolved into a complicated caste system, with the Prophets governing the Covenant, and the Elites left in charge of the military. The Covenant was a theocracy, based on prophecies about the Sacred rings and The Great Journey. The primary belief of the Covenant was that the Halos will allow them passage into the "Divine Beyond", where they might join the Forerunners as gods, the unholy would be left behind to die by the power of Halo.
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| ==Society==
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| ===The Government===
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| [[Image:Elite_Councillors.jpg|thumb|right|Elite High Councilors.]]
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| The Covenant is governed by the [[High Council]], which is led by the trio of the [[Hierarchs]] and consists of lesser [[Prophets]], Legates, and high ranking Elites. However, near the start of the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Prophets began to replace the Elites with [[Brutes]] in various positions in Covenant society, including the job of protecting the Hierarchs and command of the [[Covenant Fleet|Covenant fleets]]. The Prophets of Truth and Mercy used [[Regret]]s assassination at the hands of The [[Demon]] (Master Chief) as an excuse to change the Covenant around. Truth and [[Mercy]] decided that the Elites were unable to protect the Prophets and needed to be replaced by the Brutes. The Prophets then secretly ordered the Brutes to instigate a genocide of the Elites and the civil war ultimately began.
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| In addition to the High Council there are three other Councils: the Council of Concordance, the Council of Doctrine and Deed and the Council of Masters.
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| Numerous Ministries exist within the Covenant government as well, each of which possess a single role. The Ministry of Tranquility is charged with hiring [[Jackals]] as mercenaries, while the Ministry of Concert represents the lower caste races such as Jackals and [[Grunt]]s.
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| {| border=0 colspan=0 colspacing=0 class="toccolours" style="margin: 1em auto;text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
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| | colspan="3" style="background: #2D1452; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" | <font color="white">Known Governmental Branches of the [[The Covenant|<font color="white">Covenant</font>]]</font>
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| | colspan="2" style="background: #7859A6; padding: 0px 5px; text-align: center;" | [[High Council|<font color="white">High Council</font>]] | [[Ministry of Tranquility|<font color="white">Ministry of Tranquility</font>]] | [[Ministry of Concert|<font color="white">Ministry of Concert</font>]] | [[Council of Concordance|<font color="white">Council of Concordance</font>]] | [[Council of Doctrine and Deed|<font color="white">Council of Doctrine and Deed</font>]] | [[Council of Masters |<font color="white">Council of Masters</font>]]
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| |}
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| === Species ===
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| [[Image:Third Mural.jpg|thumb|left|150px|In a deleted scene, a mural depicts the Covenant races.]]
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| Covenant society uses a caste system with the species below. Many of the alien species conquered by the Covenant are conscripted into, or gradually become part of, the alliance.<ref>[[Media:Humans hunted.ogg|Halo 2 dialogue]], [[Prophet of Regret]]</ref> However, events during first contact with [[humans]], [[the Oracle]] on board the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] reveals that humans are "my makers", as revealed by its luminary. Since the entire covenant was based on the promise of the [[Great Journey]] upon activation of the rings, the Prophets decide to purposefully attempt genocide on Humanity.<ref>[[Conversations from the Universe]], two Elites</ref> The reason they give is that the humans blocked their access to sacred sites; however, a more likely reason for this is that the [[Prophets]] view humanity as a threat to their authority, as humans would in theory hold a higher position in the Covenant than the Prophets due to being the "children" of the Forerunners. This is only speculation though.
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| [[Image:1207642645 Prophet.jpg|thumb|100 px|A [[Prophet]].]]
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| ====[[San'Shyuum|Prophets]]====
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| As the highest caste, it is the Prophets who lead the Covenant and exert complete control over religious and political affairs. Physically weak, Prophets wield power through absolute command of the Covenant (and scavenged) technology leaving the task of conquest to Elites and the other races. Their higher understanding of the Forerunner gives them great egos and religious powers over the Covenant. The fact that the Covenant are religious zealots makes it all the more easy to control them.<ref name="best"/> They are addressed as 'Hierarchs' or 'Holy Ones' by the other races of [[the Covenant]]. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the belief that firing Halo array will herald some kind of sublimation event called the [[Great Journey]]. They are called '''[[San 'Shyuum]]''' in the Covenant language. The main Prophets are [[Regret]],[[Mercy]],and [[Truth]].
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| [[Image:Brutewithshot.jpg|thumb|75px|A [[Brute]]]]
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| ====[[Jiralhanae|Brutes]]====
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| [[Brutes]] are the newest species to the Covenant and are the only race that has obtained equal status to that of one of the founding "clients" of the Covenant pact, the Elites. Their strength can match and even surpass that of Elites. They have an incredible natural resilience to damage that makes up for their lack of [[Energy Shields]] (be it noted that they later (in halo 3) get power armor), and use a number of [[Brute Sandbox| weapons and vehicles]] based upon their pre-Covenant technology. Brutes have their own ranks going up to Brute Chieftains who usually wield [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Plasma Cannons]], [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Cannons]], or [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammers]]. The Brutes always work in a pack when possible. Brutes are unlike Elites in that they do not have an aversion to using human weapons, as shown in the books and Halo 2. After the Elites were replaced for failing to protect [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret]] from the [[John-117|Demon]], they took over their role as personal bodyguards of the Prophets and also now make up most of the Covenant army. They have a hairy, ape-like appearance with rough, rhino-like skin. They are called '''[[Jiralhanae]]''' in the Covenant language.
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| [[Image:1207643122 Elite3.jpg|thumb|100px|An Ultra [[Elite]].]]
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| ====[[Sangheili|Elites]]====
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| [[Elites]] served as the military leaders for the Covenant. While [[Prophets]] often had the last say, it was the Elites who organized military campaigns and naval engagements. [[Ship Master]]s commanded ships, Fleet Masters commanded mighty fleets, and [[Field Masters]] command the vast armies. Elites maintained the military structure of the Covenant and ensured the Prophet's orders, as well as their own, were carried out. Elites were a major component of the Covenant and were the only caste able to maintain the military hierarchy and have a voice within the High Council. As the Prophets and [[Brutes]] attempted genocide of the Elites, they have left the Covenant and allied themselves with the UNSC. They are called '''[[Sangheili]]''' in the Covenant language.
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| [[Image:1207643231 Www the-junkyard net images characters halo hunter large jpg SPLASH.jpg|thumb|90px|A [[Hunter]].]]
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| ====[[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]]====
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| [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] are an assemblage of worm-like entities called [[Lekgolo]] that create a communal, armor-plated form. They work hard in their role as Covenant muscle, and never disobey orders. Hunters are dismissive and contemptuous of their foes, and in fact, they will only associate with Elites and Brutes, recognizing and respecting the similar warrior mentality. Hunters always fight in pairs and are deployed almost like heavy equipment of the Covenant fighting units. The bonded pairs (i. e. two Hunters) are actually a colony of worms (called [[Mgalekgolo]] worms) that has grown too large for a single piece of armor. In [[Halo: Contact Harvest]] single Hunters guard the [[Dreadnought]]. Due to their 12 foot height, extremely strong armor and strength, and their arm mounted [[Assault Cannon]], other Covenant will often clear the area of deployment, since Hunters are unconcerned with collateral damage, they may even purposely kill the lesser castes, simply for "''getting in the way.''" They are called '''[[Mgalekgolo]]''' in the Covenant Language. The Hunters were forced to join the Covenant out of fear that their Planet would be glassed. Hunters were unstoppable on the ground but the Elites and Prophets had the advantage in space.
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| [[Image:Palamok.jpg|thumb|100px|[[Drones]]]]
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| ====[[Yanme'e|Drones]]====
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| These flying, insectile warriors called [[Drones]] serve almost exclusively as professional soldiers rather than conforming to Covenant societal norms. Their ability to fight on the wing and their makes them an excellent strategic weapon against ground- based opponents. Unlike most other [[Covenant races]], the Drones do not require an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere or a methane environment, as [[Grunts]] do to survive. They are called '''[[Yanme'e]]''' in the Covenant language.
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| [[Image:Eayn.jpg|thumb|100px|[[Jackal]].]]
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| ====[[Kig-yar|Jackals]]====
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| [[Jackals]] are the scouts of the Covenant, with their superior senses. They are 5'8" tall and due to their lack of physical durability they carry a portable [[Jackal Personal Arm Shield|energy shield]] during combat, [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifle]]s, [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]]s, a single [[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System|Beam Rifle]], a [[Type-51 Carbine|Carbine]] and occasionally [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]]s. Their appearance is bird-like. They are called '''[[Kig-yar]]''' in the [[Covenant]] language. [[Jackals]] are employed mainly as sharpshooters with their excellent vision and dexterity. The first human contact was between Staff Sergeants [[Johnson]] and [[Brynes]] on a Human Freighter as Jackal pirates tried to board the ship. Jackals have never been seen throwing grenades.
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| [[Image:Halo 2 grunt.jpg|100px|thumb|A Grunt.]]
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| ====[[Unggoy|Grunts]]====
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| [[Grunts]] are the workhorses of the Covenant, as the name implies. Despite their obvious cowardice and ineptitude, they are dangerous in large numbers, which may have been why an [[Arbiter]] was needed to quell the [[Grunt Rebellion]]. They breathe a methane mixture and thus must wear a large tank on their backs full of the methane to live. In halo 3 if you knock off their backs the methane will come out.They fight well in [[Shade|plasma turrets]] and use the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] and [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]], sometimes wielding the [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Cannon]] as well. If their leader is defeated grunts will run away or they may go kamikaze by putting two plasma genades (one on each hand). On the other hand Heretic Grunts will charge the enmeny when their leader is dead. They are called '''[[Unggoy]]''' in the Covenant language. Their discipline is dependent upon strong leadership and strength of numbers however leaderless they will significantly present less resistance, often cowering. Unggoy have a considerable amount of physical strength, enabling them to wield large weapons on the Covenant arsenal. They had learned many earth languages from intercepting transmissions between human vessels. One theory about the [[Unggoy]]'s ability to learn languages rather quickly is that there isn't much else to focus on when they are stuck intercepting transmissions for the covenant.
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| [[Image:1207643494 Engineer front.gif|thumb|90px|[[Engineer]]]]
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| ====[[Huragok|Engineers]]====
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| [[Huragok|Engineers]] don't really fit in with the Covenant caste system. In military terms, they are the lowest as they are a non-militant race. They are needed to maintain the Covenant war machines and will only converse with the Prophets and Grunts who learn the language. This, however, indicates Engineers are very high in the caste system, probably because [[the Covenant]] are aware of how much they are needed and the Engineer's grasp on Covenant '''''and''''' foreign technology, is profound. Engineers are actually an artificial species created by the Forerunners, which could contribute to their high status. They are called '''[[Huragok]]''' in the Forerunner language. These were removed from the final version of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], but are in some of the novels.
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| ====Deleted Races====
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| *''[[Drinol]]s'' are bosses that did not make it into the Halo games and it is unknown if they will be featured in future products. Possibly thought to become the [[Flood Juggernaut]] boss flood type, also a deleted race.
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| *''[[Stalker]]s'' are a Covenant race that did not make it into [[Halo 2]], seen in the Halo 2 Collector's Edition disc. They were taken from original idea sketches of the Elites in the first Halo game and were supposed to be very wiry and skeletal, with massive amounts of teeth, similar to sharks.
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| *''[[Keelbug]]s'' are a deleted Covenant race seen in the [[Halo 2]] Collector's Edition Disc. They were a cross between [[Drones]] and [[Brutes]], more like drones but without the insect-like look to them. They were supposed to fly into the battlefield, cut dead bodies into sections, and fly off with them.
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| *''[[Alien Trooper]]s'' are a deleted Covenant race seen in the [[Halo 2]] Collector's Edition Disc. It is understood to be a deleted form of soldier that would complement the Elites. The only known data is that it was supposed to carry its weapon under its belly.
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| *''[[Special Purpose Sniper]]s'' are a deleted Covenant race seen in the Halo 2 Collector's Edition Disc. Their arms were used like a tripod, so they could flip from side to side, without having to switch weapons. They would also be able to hang from trees.
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| *''[[Sharquoi]]'' were mentioned in the Halo 2 Collectors Edition [[Conversations from the Universe|booklet]], detailing conversations among [[Human]] and Covenant individuals. Nothing that can be called definitely, a Sharquoi has ever appeared.
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| ====Creatures Inhabiting Covenant Worlds====
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| *''[[Scrub Grub]]s'' are small creatures the equivalent of the rats found on Humanity's homeworld, [[Earth]]. They were first mentioned in [[Halo: Contact Harvest]], while inhabiting a [[Jackal]] ship.
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| *''[[Zap-Jellie]]s'' are sea creatures that live on the [[Grunt]] home world, [[Balaho]]. Possibly the equivalent of large jelly fish on [[Earth]].
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| *''[[Thorn Beast]]s'' are a food source for the Covenant. The only reference to the Thorn Beasts is in [[Halo: Contact Harvest]], when the Brutes are first mentioned.
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| *''[[Mud Wasp]]s'' are insects found on the [[Grunt]] home world, [[Balaho]].
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| *''[[Shade Crab]]s'' are crustaceans found on the [[Grunt]] home world, [[Balaho]].
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| *''[[Lekgolo]]s'' are worm-like creatures found on the [[Hunter]] home world, [[Te]]. They are what make up the [[Mgalekgolo]].
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| ===Religion and Culture===
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| [[Image:CFsymbols.jpg|250px|thumb|Forerunner symbols.]]
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| The Covenant society is based solely on worshiping the Forerunners and recovering their sacred artifacts. Because of this, they often have to turn to war to achieve their ends, and so the [[Elites]], and later the [[Brutes]], have a very high place in their culture. In Covenant society, personal vendettas are not tolerated.<ref>[[Halo: The Flood]] page 95</ref>
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| Because of the Prophets' links to the Forerunners, they possess superior technology, and this, combined with the unique abilities of the client races, help to push the ever-growing war machine of the Covenant. The client races are nearly enslaved by the Covenant, forced to live a completely different way of life. Their past cultures are all but erased, and the only practical way for them to relive their former cultures is through dreams. Most races are only kept for their varying skills to be exploited, rather than to be a part of a flourishing empire. Hunters, for example, are indomitable ground forces, and so they were conquered by way of orbital bombardment to help the Covenant in close-range combat, rather than from star ships.
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| The Forerunners, a long-since vanished and utterly mysterious civilization, are revered as Gods by the Covenant, although their original nature was most likely not divine. The Covenant belief system is underpinned by the existence of numerous abandoned Forerunner artifacts, objects and installations. Of these, the most notable are the seven [[Halo rings]], said to be the locations at which the transcendent [[Great Journey]] may be begun. The evident technological perfection of Forerunner objects, and the awesome and unknown purpose for which these artifacts exist, has powered the Covenant theology for millennia.<ref name="best"/>
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| It appears that the Covenant's faith is solely qualified by finding the Forerunners' abandoned technology scattered throughout the galaxy. However, much of this Forerunner technology is as obtuse as it is arcane. It can only be guessed at what its true purpose and origin might be. That said, they have been able to incorporate some Forerunner advancements into their weapon and transport technology.<ref name="best"/> The Covenant, then, are mainly driven by their fanatical devotion to religion. The client races are held together by a common belief; the slave races are driven by the religion which they have been forced to accept.
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| The campaign to exterminate all the humans was partly a religious issue and partly an attempt by the Prophets to keep power. The Prophets found out that the Forerunner objects that the Luminary was picking up on Harvest were actually humans (which the Prophets interpreted as meaning that the humans were descendants of the Forerunners, or possibly surviving Forerunners). The Prophets realized that that meant that it was possible to be left behind on the Great Journey. They agreed that if the rest of the Covenant found out, they wouldn't follow the Prophets anymore. They then decided to wipe out the human race so that none of the Covenant would realize that it was possible to be left behind on the Great Journey.
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| ==The History Of The Covenant==
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| {{Main|History of the Covenant}}{{Ages}}
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| The Covenant divide their history into eons and periods called Ages. There are ''at least'' eight ages, although their exact order is uncertain. The Ages are named according to things that have happened or are happening in them. This also means that the lengths of the Ages vary, with some longer than other. Halo 1 and Halo 2 take place during the 9th [[Ages of Reclamation|Age of Reclamation]], which began during the events in [[Halo: Contact Harvest|Contact Harvest]].
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| The First Age: Ignorance and Fear.
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| The Second Age: Rivalry and Bloodshed.
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| The Third Age: Humility and Brotherhood.
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| The Fourth Age: Wonder and Understanding.
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| The Fifth Age: Obedience and freedom.
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| The Sixth Age: Faith and Patience.
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| The Seventh Age: Journey and Salvation.
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| --Maccabeus and the Jiralhanae of the Rapid Conversion. 'Contact Harvest'
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| ==Technology==
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| {{main|Technology}}
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| The Covenant, as is repeatedly stated, are more imitative rather than innovative, unlike their [[human]] enemies. Some may say it is far better than that of the humans.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]], page 241</ref> Their technology is largely mimicry of the leftover Forerunner artifacts; their weaponry is largely plasma based and most of their vehicles are capable of hovering. Most of the Covenant's hand-held weapons (except the [[fuel rod cannon]], [[needler]], [[carbine]], [[brute shot]] and later the [[mauler]], and [[spiker]]) use magnetic coils to direct the usually unstable plasma energy.
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| While Covenant technology is (on the whole) far more advanced than humanity's, the Covenant seem to be ignorant of how precise or powerful their technology can be. Covenant engines, for example, are more precise and faster than a Human engine, but the Covenant use their engines slower and less precisely than they can be treated. [[Cortana]] used this to her advantage on the captured Covenant Flagship [[Ascendant Justice]] by reconfiguring the electromagnetic shaping coils to shape the plasma into a thin, sustained beam that, while very effective, consumes plasma at an astonishing rate. This was seen in the book [[Halo: First Strike]]. As found in [[Halo: Contact Harvest]] it seems that the Covenant have a reasonable understanding of herbs.
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| Only 2 [[Covenant AI]] have ever been found, but one was a rampant AI that was destroyed by Cortana, the other being The [[Seeker]]. Even though only 2 have been found there are more, but they are destroyed before they can be found.
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| Covenant architecture and armor is typically curved, likely for the aesthetic tastes of the higher-ranked castes, constructed of distinctive purple or white metal, these colors are the main focus of Covenant Design and distributed throughout their starships, vehicles, and weapons. The metal they use is unknown to the UNSC but is very strong and resilient.
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| ==[[Covenant Military|Military]]==
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| {{Main|Covenant Military}}
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| Like [[UNSC|other]] civilizations, the Covenant maintains a permanent armed forces branch, used to enforce order, conduct atmospheric and space combat operations, and generally project the Covenant's power onto others. Formerly led by the Elites prior to the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Loyalist branches are now led by the Brutes. The military comprises of the [[Covenant Navy (Service)|Covenant Navy]], the [[Covenant Army]] and the [[Covenant Special Operations]] Division, a.k.a SpecOps.
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| ==Weaponry==
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| {{main|Covenant Weapons}}
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| The Covenant boast a large arsenal of Plasma based weapons. Most of the Covenant's weaponry uses a form of magnetic channeling that the Human race can only match with the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC gun]] aboard starships and the [[Warthog]] mounted [[M68 Gauss Cannon]].
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| The Covenant have a wide arsenal of [[weaponry]] to choose from. But, to the benefit of humanity they tend to adopt new weapons from the various races they encounter,and instead of researching it so they could use it to its full potential. This allowed the human race to use Plasma weaponry more effectively.
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| Plasma-based weaponry is very effective against energy shielding. The amount of shots that can be fired tends to be very high, but power cannot be recharged without a recharge station nearby, and firing many shots in a short duration can cause the weapon to overheat, which reduces energy efficiency as well as forcing a temporary cooling period in which the weapon cannot be fired. Once the Plasma reserves are used up, the weapon is useless. As is evidenced in some of the game files, recharging is possible, although this technology cannot be used by the [[Master Chief]] or the Arbiter in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], [[Halo 2]] or [[Halo 3]].
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| With the introduction of the Brutes as the major military caste within the Covenant, their weaponry has found widespread use. Utilizing crude projectile-like metal spikes in place of Plasma, human-based hand held shotguns, explosive grenade-like launchers, and sharp blades, they are less advanced but more brutal - fitting, considering the nature of their creators, the Brutes.The covonent has the biggest fleet.
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| ==Vehicles==
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| Covenant [[vehicles]] use advanced anti-gravity technology for propulsion, as well as utilising [[Plasma cannons]] as offensive weaponry and being constructed out of a high-strength purple metal. Though often faster than their [[UNSC]] counterparts, Covenant vehicles are more unstable over uneven terrain where the sudden changes affects its handling. Recently, Brute vehicles and technology have been incorporated into the Covenant's arsenal. Though more primitive, they serve the Brutes' need for power.All of there vehicles are purple or a dark pink.
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| {{Covenant Vehicles}}
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| ==Covenant Worlds==
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| '''[[51 Pegasi-B System]]'''
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| *[[Pegasi Delta]]
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| '''[[Reliquary System]]'''
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| '''[[K7-49]]'''
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| '''[[Salia System]]'''
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| *[[Joyous Exultation]]
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| *[[Malhiem]] (Satellite)
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| '''[[Urs]] System (with stars [[Fied]] and [[Joori]] as secondary stars)'''
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| *[[Sanghelios]] ([[Elite]] Homeworld)
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| **[[Yermo]]
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| ***[[Iruiru]]
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| '''[[Tala]] System'''
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| *[[Balaho|Balaho]] ([[Grunt]] Homeworld)
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| **[[Buwan]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Padpad]] (Satellite)
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| '''[[Oth Sonin]] System'''
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| *[[Doisac]] ([[Brute]] Homeworld)
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| **[[Warial]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Solrapt]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Teash]] (Satellite)
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| '''Prophet Homeworld'''
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| '''[[Svir]] System'''
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| *[[Te]] ([[Hunter]] Homeworld)
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| **[[Rantu]]
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| **[[Uhtua]]
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| **23 smaller satellites
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| '''[[Napret]] System'''
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| *[[Palamok]] ([[Drone]] Homeworld)
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| **[[Naxook]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Oquiu]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Ka'amoti]] (Satellite)
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| **[[Kami]] (Satellite)
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| '''[[Y'Deio]] System (HD 69830)'''
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| *[[Chu'ot]]
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| **[[Eayn]] (Satellite) ([[Jackal]] homeworld)
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| ==Covenant Starships==
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| <center>''Also see the [[List of Starships]] article for further information''</center>
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| {|style="margin: 0 2em 0em 0em;font-size:85%;" align=center> id=toc
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| !align=center bgcolor=#6699CC colspan=2|'''<font color="white">Covenant Starship Length Comparison</font><br/>'''
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| |-
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| |[[Covenant Assault Carrier]]||5346 meters
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| |-
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| |{{Class|Reverence|Cruiser}}|| 3000 meters
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| |-
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| |{{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}||1782.2 meters
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| |-
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| |[[Covenant Destroyer]]|| 1500 meters
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| |[[Covenant Carrier]] || 1455 meters
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| |-
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| |[[Covenant Frigate]] || 1000 meters
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| |[[Covenant Stealth Corvette]] || Less than 485 meters
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| |-
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| |{{Class|Seraph|Starfighter}}|| 24.8 meters
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| |}
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| ===Fleets===
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| [[Image:High Charity wallpaper.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[High Charity]]]]
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| *[[Combined Fleet of Righteous Purpose]]
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| *[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]
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| *[[Second Fleet of Homogenous Clarity]]
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| ===Space Stations===
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| *''[[High Charity]]'' - Invested with Flood, then destroyed by Master Chief
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| *''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' - Destroyed
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| ===[[Carrier]]s===
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| ====[[Covenant Assault Carrier|Assault Carrier]]====
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| *''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
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| [[Image:Shadow of Intent.jpg|thumb|right|175px|The [[Assault Carrier]], ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'']]
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| ====[[Covenant Supercarrier|Supercarrier]]====
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| *''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' - destroyed
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| ====[[Covenant Carrier|Carrier]]====
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| *''[[Lawgiver]]'' - unknown status, probably destroyed
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| ===[[Cruiser]]s===
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| ====[[Flagship]]s====
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| *''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' - destroyed, battle for the Unyielding Hierophant
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| *''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' - unknown status, Probably Destroyed
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| ===={{Class|Reverence|Cruiser}}s====
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| *''[[Incorruptible]]'' - destroyed at the battle for [[Onyx]]
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| ===={{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s====
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| [[Image:CCS-Battlecruiser.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A [[CCS-class_Battlecruiser|CCS-class Battlecruiser]]]]
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| *''[[Purity of Spirit]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Sacred Promise]]'' <small>(hypothesized)</small> - unknown status, presumed destroyed
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| *''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' - destroyed
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| ====[[Covenant Cruiser|Other Types]]====
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| *''[[Contrition]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Penance]]'' - unknown status
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| ===Destroyers===
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| ====[[Covenant CPV-class|''CPV''-class Destroyer]]s====
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| *''[[Esteem]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Reverence]]'' - destroyed
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| ====[[Covenant Destroyer|Other Types]]====
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| *''[[Absolution]]'' - destroyed
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| *''[[Bloodied Spirit]]'' - destroyed, Onyx
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| *''[[Far Sight Lost]]'' - destroyed
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| *''[[Rapturous Arc]]'' - destroyed
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| ===[[Covenant Frigate|Frigate]]s===
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| *''[[Tenebrous]]'' - destroyed
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| *''[[Twilight Compunction]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Revenant]]'' - destroyed
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| ===Support Ships===
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| [[Image:InfinateSuccor.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[Infinite Succor]]]]
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| *''[[Infinite Succor]]'' - destroyed
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| ===Unknown Type===
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| *''[[Begotten Angel]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Commitment and Patience]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Devotion]]'' - unknown status
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| *''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'' - unknown status, most likely destroyed
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| {{CovenantShips}} | |
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| ==Important Covenant Events==
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| *[[Taming of the Hunters]]
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| *[[Grunt Rebellion]]
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| *[[Human-Covenant War]]
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| *[[Civil War of the Covenant]]
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| *[[The Great Journey]]
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| ==Known Legions==
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| *[[Dn'end Legion]]
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| *[[E'Toro Warrior Crèche]]
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| *[[R'Lan Warrior Crèche]]
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| *[[N'Noro Warrior Crèche]]
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| ==Sympathy for the Covenant==
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| Despite the fact that in-game [[the Covenant]] are all seemingly unlike humans in their thoughts and feelings, in the books of the series the Grunts and Elites are shown to have sympathy and regret for their actions, and are generally almost likable. In the books the [[grunts]] are portrayed as unwilling under dogs, and only wish to be back on their own planet, and often they are almost comical in their actions. While the [[elites]] are proud soldiers fighting for honor and what they believe is right. These are both traits portrayed by human soldiers in the book series.
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| ==Trivia==
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| *A Covenant is a relationship with God or an agreement with others.
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| *The naming scheme for most Covenant vehicles have to do with paranormal beings, the words [[Wraith]], [[Ghost]], [[Spectre]], [[Phantom]], [[Banshee]], and [[Spirit]] are all synonyms.
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| *More specifically, the Covenant's government system is a hierarchical theological oligarchy, having a caste system and being ruled by a group of specific individuals.
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| *In a biblical reference, with [[the Ark]] of the Covenant, it represented the will of God, in connection with the quote: "Your destruction is the will of the Gods... and we are their instrument." The Covenant claim to be the instrument that carries through the gods' will, similar to the Ark of the Covenant.
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| *Brute vehicles go against the naming scheme of the other Covenant vehicles, using names that seem to fit there homeworld's ecosystem, like [[Chopper]] and [[Prowler]].
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| *Although physically weak, The Prophets are strong enough to hold a [[Spiker]].
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| *The Covenant's political system is a homogeny.
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| *The [[Grunts]] joined the Covenant out of fear from invasion.
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| *The [[Unyielding Hierophant]] seems to be the only station of its type.
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| *They have glassed 76 worlds.
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| *The Covenant split during the great [[Schism]].
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| *Grunts, Hunters, Jackals, and Drones are said to be immune to the Flood infections although they can be killed by the [[Flood]].
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| * Almost all covenant vehicles are named after ghosts,or spirits.
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| * The only two vehicles not named by ghost,or spirits etc. are the [[brute Chopper]] and [[brute Prowler]].
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| * The first Covenant species you meet is an [[elite]],though a grunt is the fight to meet face-to-face.(halo 1).
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| * In Halo 2 the first covenant species you encounter is a [[grunt]] or an elite.
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| * In Halo 3 the first covenant species you encounter is a [[grunt]] or a [[brute]].
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| * Halo 2 is the only Halo with Honor guards.
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| ==Sources==
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| <references/>
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| ==Related Links==
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| ===Internal===
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| *[[Governors of Contrition]]
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| *[[Writ of Union]]
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| *[[Mark of Shame]]
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| *[[Great Journey]]
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| *[[True Sayings]]
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| *[[Ratification Parley]]
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| *[[Covenant Weapons]]
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| ===External===
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| *[http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=covenanthierarchy A Covenant Primer: The Best of the Bestiary]
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| [[Category:The Covenant]]
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| [[Category:Factions]]
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| [[fr:Les covenants]]
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| [[it:Covenant]]
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| [[ja:コブナント]]
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