Covenant: Difference between revisions
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The '''Covenant''' was a religious hegemony of multiple alien species, controlling a very large portion of the [[Orion Arm]] in the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. More specifically, the Covenant's government system was a hierarchical theocratic oligarchy, having a caste system and being ruled by a group of specific individuals. They waged a [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against [[Humanity]] until they were defeated due to many factors, the most pressing of which was [[Great Schism|internal conflict]]. While the Covenant was dealt devastating blows in quick succession, with most of their leadership either lost during the [[Flood]] infection of [[High Charity]] or the [[Battle of Installation 00|Battle of]] [[Installation 00]], it still continued to exist in at least some form<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', [[Assembly (Level)|Assembly]] description</ref> | The '''Covenant''' was a religious hegemony of multiple alien species, controlling a very large portion of the [[Orion Arm]] in the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. More specifically, the Covenant's government system was a hierarchical theocratic oligarchy, having a caste system and being ruled by a group of specific individuals. They waged a [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against [[Humanity]] until they were defeated due to many factors, the most pressing of which was [[Great Schism|internal conflict]]. While the Covenant was dealt devastating blows in quick succession, with most of their leadership either lost during the [[Flood]] infection of [[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]] or the [[Battle of Installation 00|Battle of]] [[Installation 00]], it still continued to exist in at least some form.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', [[Assembly (Level)|Assembly]] description</ref> Exactly what capacity it continued to operate in remains unknown. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
The name "Covenant" was taken from the binding pact that forged the peace between the [[Sangheili | The name "Covenant" was taken from the binding pact that forged the peace between the [[Sangheili]] and [[San 'Shyuum]]. They allied with each other after a long war, with millions of casualties. They are a combined force of alien races, and act as the main antagonists in the ''Halo'' universe. The war, which had devastated their respective races for years, was fought over the [[Forerunners]] artifacts on the Elite home world, [[Sanghelios]], with the Elites wishing to preserve them, and the Prophets wishing to use the artifacts to activate them. The Elites held a distinct strategic upper hand, as their militaristic society was ready for a war, but 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 and prudent Elite Commanders, realizing their peril, had their warrior priest dissect Forerunner technology to strengthen their ships. Eventually they realized there was no need to fight as the main point of the conflict was now moot. When the Prophets found evidence of the Forerunners and their "[[Great Journey]]", hoping to create a peace between them, told the Elites of their discovery and promised to find the means of the Forerunners' transcendence. The Prophets would share this knowledge with the Elites who in turn would protect the Prophets from harm as they searched for transcendent Forerunner artifacts to activate all the [[Halo Array|Halo Installations]]. These ideas would be put into the Covenant's founding document, the [[Writ of Union]]. | ||
At first, the Covenant was only a loose non-aggression pact of two races held together by a common need to avoid mutually assured destruction. But, as their society advanced, so did their technology, culture, and religion. By the [[2552|time]] of the [[Halo Series|''Halo'' games]], the Covenant controlled a large part of the Orion Arm of the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]]. They discovered and conquered various races. Their society had evolved into a complicated caste system, with the Prophets governing the Covenant, and the Elites put 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, while those who did not believe in the Great Journey would be left behind to die by the power of the [[Halo Array|Halo Rings]]. | At first, the Covenant was only a loose non-aggression pact of two races held together by a common need to avoid mutually assured destruction. But, as their society advanced, so did their technology, culture, and religion. By the [[2552|time]] of the [[Halo Series|''Halo'' games]], the Covenant controlled a large part of the Orion Arm of the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]]. They discovered and conquered various races. Their society had evolved into a complicated caste system, with the Prophets governing the Covenant, and the Elites put 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, while those who did not believe in the Great Journey would be left behind to die by the power of the [[Halo Array|Halo Rings]]. | ||
==Society== | ==Society== | ||
===The Government=== | ===The Government=== | ||
The Covenant is governed by the [[High Council]], which is led by a trio of Prophets known as the Hierarchs, and consists of lesser Prophets, [[Legate]]s, and very high ranking Elites, which are known as Councilors. However, near the start of the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Prophets began to replace the Elites with Brutes in various positions within Covenant society, including the protection of the Hierarchs and command of the [[Covenant Fleet]]s. The Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] used the Prophet of [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret's]] assassination at the hands of [[Master Chief]] as an excuse to replace the Elite guard with Brutes. The Prophets then secretly ordered the Brutes to commit genocide against the Elites, thus leading to the beginning of the civil war. | The Covenant is governed by the [[High Council]], which is led by a trio of Prophets known as the [[Hierarchs]], and consists of lesser Prophets, [[Legate]]s, and very high ranking Elites, which are known as Councilors. However, near the start of the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Prophets began to replace the Elites with Brutes in various positions within Covenant society, including the protection of the Hierarchs and command of the [[Covenant Fleet]]s. The Prophets of [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] used the Prophet of [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret's]] assassination at the hands of [[Master Chief]] as an excuse to replace the Elite guard with Brutes. The Prophets then secretly ordered the Brutes to commit genocide against the Elites, thus leading to the beginning of the civil war. | ||
In addition to the High Council, there are three other Councils: the [[Council of Concordance]], the [[Council of Deed and Doctrine]] and the [[Council of Masters]]. | In addition to the High Council, there are three other Councils: the [[Council of Concordance]], the [[Council of Deed and Doctrine]] and the [[Council of Masters]]. | ||
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=== Species === | === Species === | ||
The Covenant society is based around a caste system of 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, during the first contact with the Humans, [[Mendicant Bias|The Oracle]] on board the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] revealed to Truth and Regret that Humans are "My Makers", as shown by its luminary. Since the entire Covenant was based on the belief that the Forerunners had transcended, Truth and Regret knew if any of the other races found out what the Oracle told them, the Covenant would break apart. | The Covenant society is based around a caste system of 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, during the first contact with the Humans, [[032 Mendicant Bias|The Oracle]] on board the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] revealed to Truth and Regret that Humans are "My Makers", as shown by its luminary. Since the entire Covenant was based on the belief that the Forerunners had transcended, Truth and Regret knew if any of the other races found out what the Oracle told them, the Covenant would break apart. | ||
[[Image:Scale.GIF|500px|A scale showing the comparative sizes of the Covenant military and hierarchy.|center]] | [[Image:Scale.GIF|500px|A scale showing the comparative sizes of the Covenant military and hierarchy.|center]] | ||
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====San 'Shyuum==== | ====San 'Shyuum==== | ||
{{main|San 'Shyuum}} | {{main|San 'Shyuum}} | ||
As the highest caste, the San 'Shyuum, or '''Prophets''', lead the Covenant and exert complete control over all religious and political affairs. Physically weak, Prophets wield power through absolute command of the Covenant and through scavenged [[Forerunner]] technology, leaving the task of conquest to the Elites and the other races. Their higher understanding of the Forerunners gives them great ego and religious influence over the Covenant. | As the highest caste, the San 'Shyuum, or '''Prophets''', lead the Covenant and exert complete control over all religious and political affairs. Physically weak, Prophets wield power through absolute command of the Covenant and through scavenged [[Forerunner]] technology, leaving the task of conquest to the Elites and the other races. Their higher understanding of the Forerunners gives them great ego and religious influence over the Covenant. The High Prophets are addressed as "[[Hierarchs]]", "Noble Hierarchs", "Holy Ones", or "Exalted" by the other races of the Covenant. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the belief that firing the [[Halo Array]] will herald some kind of sublimation event called the "[[Great Journey]]", which they believe will lead them to the Forerunner's final destination, but it was unknown to them that it would in fact lead them to their death. The most recent and final Hierarchs were [[High_Prophet_of_Regret|Regret]], [[Mercy]] and, [[Truth]]. | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
[[Image:BestiarumElite.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Minor Domo]] Elite.]] | [[Image:BestiarumElite.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Minor Domo]] Elite.]] | ||
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[[Image:CFsymbols.jpg|250px|thumb|Forerunner symbols.]] | [[Image:CFsymbols.jpg|250px|thumb|Forerunner symbols.]] | ||
{{Main|Covenant Religion}} | |||
The Covenant society and culture 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 as they [[Honor Guard|protect]] the Prophets from external and internal threats. In Covenant society, personal vendettas are not tolerated.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' page 95</ref> | The Covenant society and culture 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 as they [[Honor Guard|protect]] the Prophets from external and internal threats. In Covenant society, personal vendettas are not tolerated.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' page 95</ref> | ||
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:::::::''The Seventh Age: Journey and Salvation.''|Maccabeus and the Jiralhanae of the ''Rapid Conversion''.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref>}} | :::::::''The Seventh Age: Journey and Salvation.''|Maccabeus and the Jiralhanae of the ''Rapid Conversion''.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref>}} | ||
== | ==Technology== | ||
Covenant technology is repeatedly referred to as more imitation rather than innovation, unlike their [[human]] enemies. Some may say that their technology is far more advanced than that of humanity.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', page 241</ref> Their technology is based largely on mimicry and reverse engineering of the leftover Forerunner artifacts they have discovered; their weaponry is mostly plasma based and most of their vehicles are capable of hovering. Most of the Covenant's hand-held weapons (except the [[Fuel Rod Gun]], [[Needler]], [[Carbine]], [[Brute Shot]] and later the [[Mauler]], and [[Spiker]]) use magnetic coils to direct the usually unstable plasma. | Covenant [[technology]] is repeatedly referred to as more imitation rather than innovation, unlike their [[human]] enemies. Some may say that their technology is far more advanced than that of humanity.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', page 241</ref> Their technology is based largely on mimicry and reverse engineering of the leftover Forerunner artifacts they have discovered; their weaponry is mostly plasma based and most of their vehicles are capable of hovering. Most of the Covenant's hand-held weapons (except the [[Fuel Rod Gun]], [[Needler]], [[Carbine]], [[Brute Shot]] and later the [[Mauler]], and [[Spiker]]) use magnetic coils to direct the usually unstable plasma. | ||
While Covenant technology is far more advanced than humanity's, the Covenant seem to be ignorant of how precise or powerful their technology can be. Covenant [[slipspace]] 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 used. This is because the Covenant don't bother to learn the principles behind the technology they use. [[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. These plasma torpedoes are said to be a much more powerful torpedo, breaching a larger Covenant ship's shields and hull in one shot. These were seen in the book ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''. Covenant starships use [[Repulsor Engines]] for propulsion in space, rather than traditional reaction drives presumably used by the UNSC.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 331</ref> It seems that the Covenant also have a reasonable understanding of herbal medicines.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref> | While Covenant technology is far more advanced than humanity's, the Covenant seem to be ignorant of how precise or powerful their technology can be. Covenant [[slipspace]] 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 used. This is because the Covenant don't bother to learn the principles behind the technology they use. [[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. These plasma torpedoes are said to be a much more powerful torpedo, breaching a larger Covenant ship's shields and hull in one shot. These were seen in the book ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''. Covenant starships use [[Repulsor Engines]] for propulsion in space, rather than traditional reaction drives presumably used by the UNSC.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 331</ref> It seems that the Covenant also have a reasonable understanding of herbal medicines.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref> | ||
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'''[[Weeping Shadows of Sorrow]]'''- Covenant Penitentiary world | '''[[Weeping Shadows of Sorrow]]'''- Covenant Penitentiary world | ||
'''[[Heian]]''' - A world with a significant logistics base. | |||
==Covenant Starships== | ==Covenant Starships== | ||
