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''<center>Were you looking for the [[ | ''<center>Were you looking for the [[Arbiter]] title, [[Ripa 'Moramee]], the Arbiter from [[Halo Wars]], [[Thel 'Lodamee]], the Major from [[The Package]], or the [[Halo 2]] campaign level, [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]?</center>'' | ||
{{Covenant Character Infobox | {{Covenant Character Infobox | ||
|name = Thel 'Vadam | |name = Thel 'Vadam | ||
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|species = [[Sangheili]] | |species = [[Sangheili]] | ||
|gender = Male | |gender = Male | ||
|height = 7'10" (2.4 m)<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', page 130</ref> | |height = 7'10" (2.4 m)<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 130''</ref> | ||
|mass = {{Convert|322|lb|kg}}<ref name="ENC"/> | |mass = {{Convert|322|lb|kg}}<ref name="ENC"/> | ||
|weapons =*[[Energy Sword]] | |weapons =*[[Energy Sword]] | ||
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early life=== | ===Early life=== | ||
Thel was born Thel 'Vadam to the [[Vadam family]], rulers of the powerful State of Vadam on Sanghelios. As a young Sangheili, Thel was trained in the ways of the warrior by his relative [[Lak 'Vadamee]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', page 349</ref> He joined the Covenant military, earning him the right to use the "-ee" suffix, which is added to a Sangheilian name upon joining the military. Thel fought alongside the Covenant when they attacked [[Madrigal]] in [[2528]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', | Thel was born Thel 'Vadam to the [[Vadam family]], rulers of the powerful State of Vadam on Sanghelios. As a young Sangheili, Thel was trained in the ways of the warrior by his relative [[Lak 'Vadamee]].<ref name="tcp349">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 349''</ref> He joined the Covenant military, earning him the right to use the "-ee" suffix, which is added to a Sangheilian name upon joining the military. Thel fought alongside the Covenant when they attacked [[Madrigal]] in [[2528]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 146 and 156''</ref> | ||
Soon, Thel gained the rank of Shipmaster and earned the title of Kaidon through voting by Vadam's elders.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', page 89</ref> | Soon, Thel gained the rank of Shipmaster and earned the title of Kaidon through voting by Vadam's elders.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 89''</ref> | ||
Soon after being promoted to Shipmaster, Thel suffered an injury in the training ring due to a mistake. His family hushed up the incident, as well as the resultant visit by a doctor, due to Sangheili culture equating the loss of blood and medical operation by a doctor with a loss of honor. During his convalescence, Thel handmade an old-fashioned [[doarmir]]-fur Shipmaster's cloak, wearing it always to remind him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', page 159</ref> | Soon after being promoted to Shipmaster, Thel suffered an injury in the training ring due to a mistake. His family hushed up the incident, as well as the resultant visit by a doctor, due to Sangheili culture equating the loss of blood and medical operation by a doctor with a loss of honor. During his convalescence, Thel handmade an old-fashioned [[doarmir]]-fur Shipmaster's cloak, wearing it always to remind him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 159''</ref> | ||
===Life as Kaidon=== | ===Life as Kaidon=== | ||
{{Quote|It is a poor soldier who insists on seeing things not as they are, but as he wants them to be. One day reality hits, and his illusions fail him, and he dies stupidly. What honor is there in that?|Thel 'Vadamee<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', page 228</ref> | {{Quote|It is a poor soldier who insists on seeing things not as they are, but as he wants them to be. One day reality hits, and his illusions fail him, and he dies stupidly. What honor is there in that?|Thel 'Vadamee<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 228''</ref>}} | ||
Thel's life as Kaidon was important for the Vadam family, as he was tasked with continuing the reign of the powerful state of Vadam. Early in his rule, he was attacked by three Sangheili assassins wielding Energy Swords. He managed to kill all three without even being scratched, but reported that he left one alive in order to determine who ordered the attack. He then killed one of the Vadam elders, [[Koida 'Vadam|Koida]], for ordering the failed assassination, and ordered all of his line to leave the keep by sunrise.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', | Thel's life as Kaidon was important for the Vadam family, as he was tasked with continuing the reign of the powerful state of Vadam. Early in his rule, he was attacked by three Sangheili assassins wielding Energy Swords. He managed to kill all three without even being scratched, but reported that he left one alive in order to determine who ordered the attack. He then killed one of the Vadam elders, [[Koida 'Vadam|Koida]], for ordering the failed assassination, and ordered all of his line to leave the keep by sunrise.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 83-94''</ref> | ||
Thel was sent to [[Charybdis IX]] with command over ''Retribution's Thunder'' to participate in the [[Battle of Charybdis IX]], whilst being overseen by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]. He and several other Sangheili boarded the {{UNSCShip|Do You Feel Lucky?}} and attempted to get to the vessel's navigation database, but it had been purged before they were even aboard. He left and witnessed the destruction of the ship before being called to the ''[[Infinite Sacrifice]]'', where he met Regret in person. He was told of the humans wielding modified Covenant weapons, and that this was most likely the [[Kig-yar]]'s doing. He was then sent to the [[23 Librae]] system to track down the source of the weapon traders, along with the Jiralhanae and Kig-yar vessel, ''[[A Psalm Every Day]]''.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', page 138-148 | Thel was sent to [[Charybdis IX]] with command over ''Retribution's Thunder'' to participate in the [[Battle of Charybdis IX]], whilst being overseen by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]. He and several other Sangheili boarded the {{UNSCShip|Do You Feel Lucky?}} and attempted to get to the vessel's navigation database, but it had been purged before they were even aboard. He left and witnessed the destruction of the ship before being called to the ''[[Infinite Sacrifice]]'', where he met Regret in person. He was told of the humans wielding modified Covenant weapons, and that this was most likely the [[Kig-yar]]'s doing. He was then sent to the [[23 Librae]] system to track down the source of the weapon traders, along with the Jiralhanae and Kig-yar vessel, ''[[A Psalm Every Day]]''.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 138-148''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 153''</ref> | ||
As he arrived at 23 Librae, his ship came under attack by ''A Psalm Every Day''. Thel and his crew were shocked: so shocked that ''A Psalm Every Day'' fired another salvo, disabling their weapons, communications and engines. ''A Psalm Every Day'' escaped while Kig-yar boarding craft and Spirits started attacking and strafing the hull. Thel, increasingly frustrated, gave permission for any of his crew to abandon ship. However, this was a simple move of him in order to weed out the weaker Sangheili and eliminate them, as the Kig-yar boarding craft and Spirits were able to destroy any Sangheili Spirits attempting to fly away. Thel then ordered the destruction of ''The Retribution's Thunder'', which killed all the boarding Kig-yar. Thel, however, survived and was captured by Kig-yar forces, along with most of the bridge crew. He and most of the bridge crew managed to escape and hijack a [[Kig-yar shuttle]], taking them to [[Unnamed Kig-yar transport|another Kig-yar vessel]]. They went to the surface of [[Metisette]] and captured the leader of the Kig-yar, [[Reth]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', | As he arrived at 23 Librae, his ship came under attack by ''A Psalm Every Day''. Thel and his crew were shocked: so shocked that ''A Psalm Every Day'' fired another salvo, disabling their weapons, communications and engines. ''A Psalm Every Day'' escaped while Kig-yar boarding craft and Spirits started attacking and strafing the hull. Thel, increasingly frustrated, gave permission for any of his crew to abandon ship. However, this was a simple move of him in order to weed out the weaker Sangheili and eliminate them, as the Kig-yar boarding craft and Spirits were able to destroy any Sangheili Spirits attempting to fly away. Thel then ordered the destruction of ''The Retribution's Thunder'', which killed all the boarding Kig-yar.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 155-163''</ref> Thel, however, survived and was captured by Kig-yar forces, along with most of the bridge crew. He and most of the bridge crew managed to escape and hijack a [[Kig-yar shuttle]],<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 169-172''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 187-190''</ref> taking them to [[Unnamed Kig-yar transport|another Kig-yar vessel]]. They went to the surface of [[Metisette]] and captured the leader of the Kig-yar, [[Reth]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 194-203''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 214-217''</ref> | ||
After managing to escape Reth's clandestine [[Unggoy]] army, Thel returned to the Kig-yar vessel, where they locked Reth up. Interrogating him, the Sangheili were surprised by Reth's insistence that he was allying with the humans with the blessing of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], who sought to use the humans as a means to find their homeworld. | After managing to escape Reth's clandestine [[Unggoy]] army, Thel returned to the Kig-yar vessel, where they locked Reth up. Interrogating him, the Sangheili were surprised by Reth's insistence that he was allying with the humans with the blessing of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], who sought to use the humans as a means to find their homeworld.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 227-231''</ref> Reth eventually escaped when a nervous Grunt still loyal to him switched off the energy barrier, and fled into an escape pod.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 235-237''</ref> Thel then turned his eyes to The Rubble, as a large skirmish between UNSC [[UNSC Midsummer Night|forces]] and Kig-yar forces was taking place on the ''[[Infinite Spoils]]''.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 251-252''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 268''</ref> He and his crew then boarded the ''Infinite Spoils'' and came face to face with [[Jai-006]] before fighting with him. The Spartan then fled the ship with the other UNSC forces, but a shocked Thel and his crew stayed and commandeered the ''Infinite Spoils''.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 273-276''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 281-282''</ref> | ||
Thel managed to destroy most of ''The Rubble''<nowiki/>'s [[mass driver]]s, but then was helpless when [[The Redoubt]] was destroyed and | Thel managed to destroy most of ''The Rubble''<nowiki/>'s [[mass driver]]s,<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 299-301''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 310''</ref> but then was helpless when [[The Redoubt]] was destroyed and [[Habitat Exodus]] left the system. He decided the best thing to do was to wait for the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]] to arrive and report to them with his comrade, [[Zhar (Sangheili)|Zhar]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 329-330''</ref> Upon reporting the failure of the mission, Zhar attempted to slaughter the Prophets — believing them to be ordering his execution — but Thel activated his own Energy Sword and killed his former friend.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 340-342''</ref> This act prompted Truth to spare his life and give him command over a ship in the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], a newly assembled fleet for the [[Covenant Navy]].<ref name="tcp349"/> | ||
===Life as Supreme Commander=== | ===Life as Supreme Commander=== | ||
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After Tartarus' defeat on Delta Halo, 'Vadamee officially changed his surname to "'Vadam", symbolizing his resignation from the Covenant; the rest of the Elites followed suit. | After Tartarus' defeat on Delta Halo, 'Vadamee officially changed his surname to "'Vadam", symbolizing his resignation from the Covenant; the rest of the Elites followed suit. | ||
Upon arriving on [[Earth]] with Johnson, 'Vadam and several of his allies discovered the Master Chief, who had just "arrived" on Earth as well. When the Master Chief regained consciousness from his long fall, he attempted to kill 'Vadam with Johnson's [[M6 Series|M6 Series Magnum]], but was stopped by Johnson, who explained to the Chief that the Arbiter and his kind have allied with Humanity. The Chief reluctantly backed down although he at first did not trust the Arbiter, Vadam then assisted the Master Chief through the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], guiding him through the dense forest to the [[A2 Hydroelectric Facility|dam site]] where they were extracted. He then aided the Chief and the other UNSC forces during the defense of a UNSC base, [[ | Upon arriving on [[Earth]] with Johnson, 'Vadam and several of his allies discovered the Master Chief, who had just "arrived" on Earth as well. When the Master Chief regained consciousness from his long fall, he attempted to kill 'Vadam with Johnson's [[M6 Series|M6 Series Magnum]], but was stopped by Johnson, who explained to the Chief that the Arbiter and his kind have allied with Humanity. The Chief reluctantly backed down although he at first did not trust the Arbiter, Vadam then assisted the Master Chief through the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], guiding him through the dense forest to the [[A2 Hydroelectric Facility|dam site]] where they were extracted. He then aided the Chief and the other UNSC forces during the defense of a UNSC base, [[Crow's Nest]], from Covenant Loyalist invaders. | ||
===Battle of Voi=== | ===Battle of Voi=== | ||
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The strike upon the Dreadnought did no visible damage. An enormous, fiery blue sphere was triggered over the activated Artifact, and formed a [[Portal]] through which Truth and the Covenant fleet retreated. 'Vadam roared in fury at the loss of their quarry. But before Lord Hood could consolidate the scattered and confused human resistance, a Flood-infested Covenant cruiser, which had broken through the Elite's quarantine fleet around High Charity, transitioned out of Slipspace nearby, crashing into the city and infesting a significant area in and around Voi. | The strike upon the Dreadnought did no visible damage. An enormous, fiery blue sphere was triggered over the activated Artifact, and formed a [[Portal]] through which Truth and the Covenant fleet retreated. 'Vadam roared in fury at the loss of their quarry. But before Lord Hood could consolidate the scattered and confused human resistance, a Flood-infested Covenant cruiser, which had broken through the Elite's quarantine fleet around High Charity, transitioned out of Slipspace nearby, crashing into the city and infesting a significant area in and around Voi. | ||
The Arbiter and Chief proceeded to cauterize the local area of the Flood infestation, battling their way to the cruiser with the purpose of catastrophically overloading the crashed ship's engines to level the entire city before the parasitic infestation grew beyond control. They were aided by a handful of Marines who were not claimed by the Flood, and eventually Sangheili Special Operations shock troops, led by the recently promoted Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum, and a battle group under his command. 'Vadam learned of the fall of ''High Charity'' from a Sangheili Major who was leading Spec-Ops soldiers to fight alongside the Chief. The Arbiter assisted the Chief in clearing a swath to the crashed cruiser, and the Chief infiltrated the cruiser alone. He managed to recover a holo-projector that contained a fragmented message of [[ | The Arbiter and Chief proceeded to cauterize the local area of the Flood infestation, battling their way to the cruiser with the purpose of catastrophically overloading the crashed ship's engines to level the entire city before the parasitic infestation grew beyond control. They were aided by a handful of Marines who were not claimed by the Flood, and eventually Sangheili Special Operations shock troops, led by the recently promoted Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum, and a battle group under his command. 'Vadam learned of the fall of ''High Charity'' from a Sangheili Major who was leading Spec-Ops soldiers to fight alongside the Chief. The Arbiter assisted the Chief in clearing a swath to the crashed cruiser, and the Chief infiltrated the cruiser alone. He managed to recover a holo-projector that contained a fragmented message of [[Cortana]]. Rtas 'Vadum's fleet glassed the infected parts of Africa to prevent the Flood from continuing their infestation. | ||
===Battle of the Ark=== | ===Battle of the Ark=== | ||
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{{Quote|This is our fight, and I will see it finished.|Thel 'Vadam to his fellow Elites}} | {{Quote|This is our fight, and I will see it finished.|Thel 'Vadam to his fellow Elites}} | ||
Fighting their way back the way they had come, the two witnessed the construction of a new Installation 04, and planned to activate it. The Arbiter, Johnson and Rtas 'Vadum evacuated all UNSC and Separatist forces from the Ark. The Arbiter, worried about the Chief (who went to High Charity alone to rescue Cortana) arrived after the Master Chief at High Charity's crash site, and eventually found the Chief, who had already accomplished his objective. | Fighting their way back the way they had come, the two witnessed the construction of a new Installation 04, and planned to activate it. The Arbiter, Johnson and Rtas 'Vadum evacuated all UNSC and Separatist forces from the Ark. The Arbiter, worried about the Chief (who went to High Charity alone to rescue Cortana) arrived after the Master Chief at High Charity's crash site, and eventually found the Chief, who had already accomplished his objective. 'Vadam used a [[M7057 Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]] to cover their escape as High Charity began to explode. | ||
The two then escaped on a [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship]] from ''High Charity'', crashing it into the newly-constructed Halo; after fighting through numerous Flood forms, they met up with Sergeant Major Johnson and 343 Guilty Spark at the [[Control Room]]. The Monitor turned on them after realizing that an immediate activation of the ring would destroy it and damage the Ark, as the ring was not yet complete. In the battle that followed, the [[rampancy|rampant]] Monitor killed Johnson and blasted the Arbiter out of the room; however, even the Monitor fell to the Master Chief. Both Cortana and Thel expressed sorrow over Johnson's death. The Master Chief activated Halo and retrieved Cortana as the ring began to collapse. He and the Arbiter then retrieved Johnson's [[Warthog]], crossed newly-built Forerunner structures as they collapsed, all while being attacked by more Flood and the now-hostile Sentinels. They succeeded in reaching the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and escaped the Ark and Halo just in time. Upon entering the ship's cargo bay, it tilted and sent a [[M808B Main Battle Tank]] hurtling towards 'Vadam, nearly crushing him. 'Vadam ran into an alcove and narrowly dodged the tank. Before running to the bridge, he and the Chief (in a brief moment of camaraderie) exchanged nods; this was the last time 'Vadam saw the Chief. Soon after, Cortana activated the ship, as 'Vadam made it to the bridge and took control. | The two then escaped on a [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship]] from ''High Charity'', crashing it into the newly-constructed Halo; after fighting through numerous Flood forms, they met up with Sergeant Major Johnson and 343 Guilty Spark at the [[Control Room]]. The Monitor turned on them after realizing that an immediate activation of the ring would destroy it and damage the Ark, as the ring was not yet complete. In the battle that followed, the [[rampancy|rampant]] Monitor killed Johnson and blasted the Arbiter out of the room; however, even the Monitor fell to the Master Chief. Both Cortana and Thel expressed sorrow over Johnson's death. The Master Chief activated Halo and retrieved Cortana as the ring began to collapse. He and the Arbiter then retrieved Johnson's [[Warthog]], crossed newly-built Forerunner structures as they collapsed, all while being attacked by more Flood and the now-hostile Sentinels. They succeeded in reaching the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and escaped the Ark and Halo just in time. Upon entering the ship's cargo bay, it tilted and sent a [[M808B Main Battle Tank]] hurtling towards 'Vadam, nearly crushing him. 'Vadam ran into an alcove and narrowly dodged the tank. Before running to the bridge, he and the Chief (in a brief moment of camaraderie) exchanged nods; this was the last time 'Vadam saw the Chief. Soon after, Cortana activated the ship, as 'Vadam made it to the bridge and took control. | ||
===Endgame=== | ===Endgame=== | ||
[[ | [[File:Handshake-large.jpg|thumb|300px|Lord Hood and Thel 'Vadam shaking hands at the [[Hillside Memorial]] - a sign of detente between the humans and the Sangheili.]] | ||
{{Quote|I remember how this war started. What your kind did to mine... I can't forgive you... but, you have my thanks. For standing by him to the end. Hard to believe [[John-117|he]]'s dead...|Lord Hood}} | {{Quote|I remember how this war started. What your kind did to mine... I can't forgive you... but, you have my thanks. For standing by him to the end. Hard to believe [[John-117|he]]'s dead...|Lord Hood}} | ||
{{Quote|Were it so easy.|Thel 'Vadam}} | {{Quote|Were it so easy.|Thel 'Vadam}} | ||
The portal collapsed as the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was transiting and the aft end of the ship, with John-117 and Cortana, was sheared off and failed to return to Earth. The bow section, containing 'Vadam, made it through and crashed into the sea, where he was rescued. 'Vadam was present at the dedication of the memorial to those lost during the war, on March 3, [[2553]]. After being thanked by Admiral Lord [[Terrence Hood]] for "standing by [[John-117|him]] to the end", saying "It's hard to believe he's dead", 'Vadam responded, "Were it so easy". This line of text is also said during his first line in ''Halo 3'', showing respect and similarity between a [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] and the Arbiter, by how they are nearly impossible to kill. The Arbiter departed for Sanghelios aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'' as the ship master, with Rtas 'Vadum and the rest of the Elites who fought at the Ark to see if it was safe. | The portal collapsed as the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was transiting and the aft end of the ship, with John-117 and Cortana, was sheared off and failed to return to Earth. The bow section, containing 'Vadam, made it through and crashed into the sea, where he was rescued. 'Vadam was present at the dedication of the memorial to those lost during the war, on March 3, [[2553]]. After being thanked by Admiral Lord [[Terrence Hood]] for "standing by [[John-117|him]] to the end", saying "It's hard to believe he's dead", 'Vadam responded, "Were it so easy". This line of text is also said during his first line in ''Halo 3'', showing respect and similarity between a [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] and the Arbiter, by how they are nearly impossible to kill. The Arbiter departed for Sanghelios aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'' as the ship master, with Rtas 'Vadum and the rest of the Elites who fought at the Ark to see if it was safe. | ||
==Personality== | |||
Thel, like most Sangheili, is keen to do things in an honorable manner and according to the Sangheili honor codes. His personality changed a great deal during and directly preceding the Great Schism. While once zealous and unquestioningly obedient to the Prophets' will, after learning of the true nature of the Halo rings, he became more open-minded and accepting of the humans, his former mortal enemies. | |||
After the Battle of Installation 04, he was honestly ashamed for his failure at Halo, and only wanted to regain his honor dying for the Prophets. He begun to doubt their words after the betrayal of Tartarus and his encounter with the Gravemind, but he still remained stubbornly attached to his faith. When he heard the truth of the rings from 343 Guilty Spark, he finally accepted it and tried to offer peace to Tartarus, who refused. | |||
After he learned and accepted the truth about the Halos, he also gained respect for the humans. He may have even felt sort of guilt for his past actions towards them, as he prevented Rtas from completely glassing Earth even though that meant risking a Flood outbreak. He respects particularly Johnson and the Chief, despite trouble the Spartan had caused him in the past,grieving over Johnson's death and the Chief's disappearance. He also developed a hatred toward the Prophet of Truth, wanting revenge for his betrayal. | |||
His hatred of the [[Jiralhanae]] does not seem to be as strong or destructive as that of other [[Sangheili]]; one example of this is when the Arbiter tried to reason with [[Tartarus]] in Installation 05's Control Room. He is shown to be true to his title "Arbiter" as he often tries to negotiate with some of his other enemies (e.g. Drones) and will only kill wave after wave of enemies if he has to. He has deep respect for his fellow Sangheili (part of it being shown in his first meeting with Rtas 'Vadum, and the things he says when he crouches by bodies of dead Elites in Halo 3). | |||
==Combat== | ==Combat== | ||
[[ | [[File:Arbiter.JPG|left|thumb|200px|'Vadam, commonly known as the Arbiter, stands with [[Usze ‘Taham]] and John-117.]]{{Quote|Parasite! Rise up and I shall kill you -- again and again!|Thel 'Vadam to the Flood}} | ||
Thel 'Vadam stands an intimidating seven feet and ten inches, and possesses huge fingers, as do all other Sangheili. Because of this, Thel struggles to put his hands around guns such as Magnums or Plasma Pistols (and due to his height, when sitting in a Pelican Dropship, he involuntarily takes up a lot of leg room). In ''Halo 2'', numerous small graphical and gameplay differences exist between the Arbiter and the Master Chief. When playing as the Arbiter, the Chief's flashlight is replaced by an Active Camouflage feature, exclusive to ''Halo 2''; due to the antiquated armor of the Arbiter, the camouflage does not last forever -- it lasts for ten seconds on [[Easy]] and [[Normal]] difficulties, and five seconds on [[Heroic]] and [[Legendary]] difficulties. The Arbiter bleeds purple blood instead of red, and his [[Heads Up Display]] is sleeker. The Arbiter's HUD is also a purple color, rather than the Spartan blue; in ''Halo 3'' it is teal and is presented in a more curved fashion than Player One's. Player Three and Four's HUDs are also more curved as they too are Elites. In ''Halo 2'', the sound his shield makes when it is depleted is different from that of the Master Chief's. In ''Halo 3'', he still has Active Camouflage, but it is only illustrated in the first cutscene of the game and to elude enemies -- it cannot be used when playing as the Arbiter. He has a flashlight on his left shoulder in ''Halo 3'', which can be used by players in [[Co-op]]. | Thel 'Vadam stands an intimidating seven feet and ten inches, and possesses huge fingers, as do all other Sangheili. Because of this, Thel struggles to put his hands around guns such as Magnums or Plasma Pistols (and due to his height, when sitting in a Pelican Dropship, he involuntarily takes up a lot of leg room). In ''Halo 2'', numerous small graphical and gameplay differences exist between the Arbiter and the Master Chief. When playing as the Arbiter, the Chief's flashlight is replaced by an Active Camouflage feature, exclusive to ''Halo 2''; due to the antiquated armor of the Arbiter, the camouflage does not last forever -- it lasts for ten seconds on [[Easy]] and [[Normal]] difficulties, and five seconds on [[Heroic]] and [[Legendary]] difficulties. The Arbiter bleeds purple blood instead of red, and his [[Heads Up Display]] is sleeker. The Arbiter's HUD is also a purple color, rather than the Spartan blue; in ''Halo 3'' it is teal and is presented in a more curved fashion than Player One's. Player Three and Four's HUDs are also more curved as they too are Elites. In ''Halo 2'', the sound his shield makes when it is depleted is different from that of the Master Chief's. In ''Halo 3'', he still has Active Camouflage, but it is only illustrated in the first cutscene of the game and to elude enemies -- it cannot be used when playing as the Arbiter. He has a flashlight on his left shoulder in ''Halo 3'', which can be used by players in [[Co-op]]. | ||
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[[Image:Arbyterr.JPG|thumb|150px|'Vadam in the ''Halo 3'' instruction manual.]] | [[Image:Arbyterr.JPG|thumb|150px|'Vadam in the ''Halo 3'' instruction manual.]] | ||
The image that [[Bungie]] produced for ''Halo 2'' was one featuring the Master Chief on Earth fighting the Covenant. Once the game was released, this was shown to be the case until the level, [[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]], when the player abruptly took the role of the Arbiter of the Covenant. Many fans of the series were unhappy with the sudden change in character and complained to Bungie, resulting in the removal of Arbiter missions from ''Halo 3'', though he was retained as a playable character for co-op campaigns. | The image that [[Bungie]] produced for ''Halo 2'' was one featuring the Master Chief on Earth fighting the Covenant. Once the game was released, this was shown to be the case until the level, [[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]], when the player abruptly took the role of the Arbiter of the Covenant. Many fans of the series were unhappy with the sudden change in character and complained to Bungie, resulting in the removal of Arbiter missions from ''Halo 3'', though he was retained as a playable character for co-op campaigns. | ||
==Identity== | ==Identity== | ||
| Line 237: | Line 243: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
{{Elites}} | {{Elites}} | ||
