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{{Era|TCP}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:H2A Terminals ThelTraining.png|thumb|300px|Members of the House of Vadam in combat training.]]
{{Quote|no=two|q1=The lineage is strong.|Thel 'Vadamee|q2=Vadam is strong.|Elder|Thel 'Vadamee discussing Vadam before the elders<ref name="cp93">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 93''</ref>}}


'''Vadam''' is a [[Sangheili]] family. They lived in the [[State of Vadam]], a relatively young yet powerful state in [[Yermo]], [[Sanghelios]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''</ref> Their [[Kaidon]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] was [[Thel 'Vadamee]], who would soon be the [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], and later the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]]. To gain the honor of having the suffix -ee added to the end of Vadam the Sangheili would have to have military service.
The '''House of 'Vadam'''<ref name="h2a terminal12">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 12]]''</ref> is a legendary [[Sangheili]] noble [[clan]]. The family resides in [[Vadam]], a relatively young, yet powerful, state in [[Yermo]], [[Sanghelios]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 88''</ref> The [[Vadam keep|clan's keep]] stands on [[Kolaar Mountain]] and is located close to a [[Vadam Harbor|harbor]] which brings wealth to the clan and the state. Vadam's land was well-developed and their serfs were strongly motivated and efficient, as their great ambitions were to gain distinction and receive a position inside the keep.{{Ref/Reuse|cp93}}


Each Sangheili that brought honor to the noble house was given the opportunity to add their name to the [[Saga wall|Vadam saga]], a mural located within the keep.<ref name="cp90">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 90''</ref> A legendary house of great renown, all male members of the House of 'Vadam were expected to meet high expectations in their military careers. The House of 'Vadam's [[kaidon]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] and the following years was [[Thel 'Vadam]], later known as the [[Covenant]]'s last [[Arbiter]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2a terminal12}}


==History==
{{Quote|Thel 'Vadamee was born of noble blood. The legendary House of 'Vadam. His family's renown demanded great expectations for his military career. And he would meet them all.|A [[Unidentified San'Shyuum scribe|San'Shyuum scribe]], referring to Thel 'Vadamee's military success{{Ref/Reuse|h2a terminal12}}}}
[[File:H2A Thel Epilogue.png|thumb|250px|left|Thel 'Vadam, the current head of the house]]
The House of 'Vadam was founded during the [[Sangheili]]'s first age of exploration, sailing to lands on the [[Yermo]] coast that would become the state of [[Vadam]] despite the oceans' massive tides.{{Ref/Reuse|cp90}} It was told by members of the house that [[Vadam keep]] was once captured by an opposing [[clan]] and the Sangheili of Vadam were forced to rot within their own fortress's dungeons. Their [[kaidon]], [[Ther 'Vadam]], soon escaped, however, due to the fact that he was skinny enough to slide through his cell's bars. He fled to [[Unidentified Sangheilian desert|a desert]] and quickly grew in power, recruiting bandits and outlaws to form an army. His newfound allies had statuses that were lower than Vadam's but they were willing to fight under Vadam's leadership.<ref name=cp195">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 195-196''</ref> 


Soon, Ther returned to what was rightfully his with his army, scaled the walls, and killed all his enemies before throwing their bodies in the river; legend has it that the river ran purple with Sangheili blood for days. After this was done, he killed those of Vadam who had been foolish enough not to commit honorable suicide within their dungeon cells.<ref name=cp195"/> The fortified location of Vadam keep protected the clan from numerous invasion attempts, while allowing them to launch offensives. In the waning years of the [[War of Beginnings]], the state of Vadam was one of the many city-states on [[Sanghelios]] that was attacked by the [[San'Shyuum]] [[Reformists]]. However, their keep was too well-defended to be destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|cp90}}


[[Koida 'Vadam]] was executed by [[Thel 'Vadam]] because he sent 3 assassins to try to kill him.
Years later, during the [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Shipmaster]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee was ascended to the title of kaidon in [[2535]]. The day after Thel had assumed his responsibilities of kaidon, clan [[elder]] [[Koida 'Vadam]] sent assassins to kill him, a common practice among Sangheili if the kaidon's capability was in doubt; however, all of the three assassins were slain by Thel. Thel assembled the [[elder]]s of his clan later that same day. Boldly announcing that the attempt on his life had failed, Thel promptly discovered and executed the culprit and exiled Koida's family line for his insolence, only sparing their lives after Koida attempted to kill the kaidon himself.<ref name="cp92">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 92''</ref> Thel would eventually be promoted to the [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], one of the largest [[Covenant fleet]]s. However, his failure to protect [[Installation 04]] resulted in his demotion by the Covenant [[High Council]]. Rather than [[capital punishment|execute]] him, the [[Hierarchs]] of the Covenant charged him with the title of [[Arbiter]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2a terminal12}} Following the [[Great Schism]], Thel would ally himself with the [[United Nations Space Command]] and helped end the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>


==Geography==
Following the Great Schism and the end of the Covenant War, Vadam became perhaps the most prominent state on Sanghelios as the home of the Arbiter, now a key mediator between [[human]]ity and the Sangheili<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''pages 58-61''</ref> and the leader of the group known as the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant'']</ref> However, many Sangheili believed that Thel was a [[Treason|traitor]] for aiding the humans or for not believing in the "[[Forerunner|gods]]".<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 20''</ref> This dissent eventually led to a [[Blooding Years|civil war]] across Sanghelios, initiated by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]. Vadam keep was attacked during the war but, with the aid of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the attack was repelled and Vadam was saved.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''page 330''</ref> Thel 'Vadam continued to act as a face for the Sangheili as a whole in the coming years, even agreeing to peace negotiations with the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]' [[Lydus' clan|master-pack]] in [[2558]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue 1]]''</ref>
Vadam Keep apparently stands on Kolaar Mountain, Sangheilios and was founded during the Sangheili's first exploratory age. Thirty miles away, there was a harbor which brought profits and wealth for the state of Vadam. The land also seemed well-developed; buildings stretched across the entire state from the valley under the Keep to the fields where the serfs worked. The Vadam serfs also seemed strongly motivated and efficient, as their great ambitions were to rise, gain distinction and receive a position inside the Keep.<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''</ref>


==Origins==
In [[2558#October|October 2558]], the temple city of [[Sunaion]] became occupied by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]. Located off the Yermo coastline in close proximity to [[Vadam Harbor]], Sunaion was an optimal staging site for an attack on Vadam. However, Thel became aware of these plans and established a forward operating base in [[Nuusra]] territory, where the Swords of Sanghelios planned to take Sunaion.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/sunaion '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Sunaion'']</ref> However, seeking the power and prestige promised to him, [[Murok 'Vadam]] leaked the Arbiter's plans to the Covenant.<ref name="Before the Storm">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''', campaign level, ''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref> The Covenant launched an [[Battle of Nuusra|attack]] on Nuusra in an effort to kill Thel, however the attempt failed and the Covenant was pushed back to Sunaion.<ref name="sos">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level, ''[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)|Swords of Sanghelios]]''</ref> After executing Murok for his treason,{{Ref/Reuse|Before the Storm}} the Swords regrouped and defeated the Covenant in the [[Battle of Sunaion]].<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level, ''[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]''</ref>
A story told by the future Arbiter about Vadam said that at one point the house was captured by an opposing "Clan" and the Sangheili of Vadam were forced to rot within their own fortress's dungeons. Their Kaidon, Ther' Vadam, soon escaped, however due to the fact that he was skinny enough to slide through his cell's bars. He soon grew in power, escaped to the desert, and recruited bandits and outlaws to form an army. Soon Ther returned to what was rightfully his with his army, scaled the walls and killed all his enemies before throwing their bodies in the river. Legend has it that the river ran purple with Sangheili blood for days. Then he killed those of Vadam who had been foolish enough not to commit honorable suicide within their cell.


This passage of Sangheili history demonstrates the Sangheili harsh lifestyle and honor-based society.
==Members==
*[[Thel 'Vadam]], current [[kaidon]] of [[Vadam]] and [[Arbiter]] of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/arbiter-thel-vadam '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Arbiter Thel 'Vadam'']</ref>
*[[Lak 'Vadamee]], an [[elder]] of Vadam and close friend and advisor to Thel.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 349''</ref>
*[[Koida 'Vadam]], an elder of Vadam who was executed after an assassination attempt on Thel.{{Ref/Reuse|cp92}}
**Unnamed descendants, exiled from Vadam.{{Ref/Reuse|cp92}}
*[[Murok 'Vadam]], a relative of Thel who was executed for treason after supplying Thel's location to [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] in exchange for power and prestige during the [[Battle of Nuusra]].{{Ref/Reuse|Before the Storm}}
*A distant cousin with obligations to the main branch, served the [[Covenant Honor Guard]].<ref>''Halo: The Cole Protocol'', p. 144</ref>
*[[Ther 'Vadam]], an ancient kaidon of Vadam.<ref name=cp195"/>
*[[Mak 'Vadam]], a notable ancient Sangheili, commemorated by a pair of statues in a burial site in the state of Vadam.{{Ref|Name=EnemyLines|'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''' campaign level ''[[Enemy Lines]]'', dynamic dialogue}}


==Known Members==
==List of appearances==
*[[Thel 'Vadamee]] - Kaidon
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Lak 'Vadamee]] - Elder
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*[[Koida 'Vadam]] - Elder (deceased)
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**Unnamed Descendants
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*[[Ther 'Vadam]] - Ancient Kaidon
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
[[Category:The Covenant]]
 
[[Category:Elites (Characters)]]
[[Category:House of 'Vadam| ]]  
[[Category:Families]]

Latest revision as of 17:21, August 1, 2023

A young Thel 'Vadam training in the Halo 2: Anniversary terminals.
Members of the House of Vadam in combat training.

Thel 'Vadamee: "The lineage is strong."
Elder: "Vadam is strong."
— Thel 'Vadamee discussing Vadam before the elders[1]

The House of 'Vadam[2] is a legendary Sangheili noble clan. The family resides in Vadam, a relatively young, yet powerful, state in Yermo, Sanghelios.[3] The clan's keep stands on Kolaar Mountain and is located close to a harbor which brings wealth to the clan and the state. Vadam's land was well-developed and their serfs were strongly motivated and efficient, as their great ambitions were to gain distinction and receive a position inside the keep.[1]

Each Sangheili that brought honor to the noble house was given the opportunity to add their name to the Vadam saga, a mural located within the keep.[4] A legendary house of great renown, all male members of the House of 'Vadam were expected to meet high expectations in their military careers. The House of 'Vadam's kaidon during the Human-Covenant War and the following years was Thel 'Vadam, later known as the Covenant's last Arbiter.[2]

History[edit]

"Thel 'Vadamee was born of noble blood. The legendary House of 'Vadam. His family's renown demanded great expectations for his military career. And he would meet them all."
— A San'Shyuum scribe, referring to Thel 'Vadamee's military success[2]
Thel 'Vadam, the current head of the house

The House of 'Vadam was founded during the Sangheili's first age of exploration, sailing to lands on the Yermo coast that would become the state of Vadam despite the oceans' massive tides.[4] It was told by members of the house that Vadam keep was once captured by an opposing clan and the Sangheili of Vadam were forced to rot within their own fortress's dungeons. Their kaidon, Ther 'Vadam, soon escaped, however, due to the fact that he was skinny enough to slide through his cell's bars. He fled to a desert and quickly grew in power, recruiting bandits and outlaws to form an army. His newfound allies had statuses that were lower than Vadam's but they were willing to fight under Vadam's leadership.[5]

Soon, Ther returned to what was rightfully his with his army, scaled the walls, and killed all his enemies before throwing their bodies in the river; legend has it that the river ran purple with Sangheili blood for days. After this was done, he killed those of Vadam who had been foolish enough not to commit honorable suicide within their dungeon cells.[5] The fortified location of Vadam keep protected the clan from numerous invasion attempts, while allowing them to launch offensives. In the waning years of the War of Beginnings, the state of Vadam was one of the many city-states on Sanghelios that was attacked by the San'Shyuum Reformists. However, their keep was too well-defended to be destroyed.[4]

Years later, during the Human-Covenant War, Shipmaster Thel 'Vadamee was ascended to the title of kaidon in 2535. The day after Thel had assumed his responsibilities of kaidon, clan elder Koida 'Vadam sent assassins to kill him, a common practice among Sangheili if the kaidon's capability was in doubt; however, all of the three assassins were slain by Thel. Thel assembled the elders of his clan later that same day. Boldly announcing that the attempt on his life had failed, Thel promptly discovered and executed the culprit and exiled Koida's family line for his insolence, only sparing their lives after Koida attempted to kill the kaidon himself.[6] Thel would eventually be promoted to the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, one of the largest Covenant fleets. However, his failure to protect Installation 04 resulted in his demotion by the Covenant High Council. Rather than execute him, the Hierarchs of the Covenant charged him with the title of Arbiter.[2] Following the Great Schism, Thel would ally himself with the United Nations Space Command and helped end the Covenant.[7][8]

Following the Great Schism and the end of the Covenant War, Vadam became perhaps the most prominent state on Sanghelios as the home of the Arbiter, now a key mediator between humanity and the Sangheili[9] and the leader of the group known as the Swords of Sanghelios.[10] However, many Sangheili believed that Thel was a traitor for aiding the humans or for not believing in the "gods".[11] This dissent eventually led to a civil war across Sanghelios, initiated by the Servants of the Abiding Truth. Vadam keep was attacked during the war but, with the aid of UNSC Infinity, the attack was repelled and Vadam was saved.[12] Thel 'Vadam continued to act as a face for the Sangheili as a whole in the coming years, even agreeing to peace negotiations with the Jiralhanae Chieftain Lydus' master-pack in 2558.[13]

In October 2558, the temple city of Sunaion became occupied by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. Located off the Yermo coastline in close proximity to Vadam Harbor, Sunaion was an optimal staging site for an attack on Vadam. However, Thel became aware of these plans and established a forward operating base in Nuusra territory, where the Swords of Sanghelios planned to take Sunaion.[14] However, seeking the power and prestige promised to him, Murok 'Vadam leaked the Arbiter's plans to the Covenant.[15] The Covenant launched an attack on Nuusra in an effort to kill Thel, however the attempt failed and the Covenant was pushed back to Sunaion.[16] After executing Murok for his treason,[15] the Swords regrouped and defeated the Covenant in the Battle of Sunaion.[17]

Members[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 93
  2. ^ a b c d Halo 2: Anniversary, Terminal 12
  3. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 88
  4. ^ a b c Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 90
  5. ^ a b c Halo: The Cole Protocol, pages 195-196
  6. ^ a b c Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 92
  7. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, The Great Journey
  8. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, The Covenant
  9. ^ Halo: Glasslands, pages 58-61
  10. ^ Halo Waypoint: Covenant
  11. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 20
  12. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 330
  13. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue 1
  14. ^ Halo Waypoint: Sunaion
  15. ^ a b c Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level, Before the Storm
  16. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level, Swords of Sanghelios
  17. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level, Battle of Sunaion
  18. ^ Halo Waypoint: Arbiter Thel 'Vadam
  19. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 349
  20. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, p. 144
  21. ^ Halo 5: Guardians campaign level Enemy Lines, dynamic dialogue
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