'sKelln
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The 'sKelln is a leathery, winged aerial predator native to Sanghelios, the homeworld of the Sangheili.[1][2] The Uztet'sKelln-pattern attack-fighter of Sangheili antiquity was named and modeled after the 'sKelln, with its successors following a similar design.[3]
Overview
Anatomy and physiology
The 'sKelln is a large aerial creature with leathery purple skin on most of its body and white skin on its chest and the underside of its pair of vaguely bat-like wings.[1][2] Its body resembles that of Earth's cetaceans with a bulbous head which tapers to a tail. The 'sKelln's mouth is framed by a pair of aggressively-toothed mandibles. Just behind its mouth are its eyes, located on either side of its head. Behind each of its eyes, running down its back, and on the tips of its wings are bioluminescent spots which glow blue.[2]
Behavior
The 'sKelln are strong and majestic predators that satiate their ravenous appetites by stalking prey from the sky. They are also known to be capable of reaching astonishing speeds.[2]
Habitat
The 'sKelln are native to Sanghelios, commonly being seen in the skies over the planet's mountain ranges.[4][5]
History
Sangheili culture
In the ancient past of the Sangheili, sky-chevaliers would ride on the backs of 'sKelln and use them on hunts.[4] The Uztet'sKelln-pattern attack-fighter took inspiration from and was named after the 'sKelln. The successors of the Uztet'sKelln, commonly referred to as Banshees, follow a similar design,[3] with the D'nomlhe-pattern Banshee's biomimetic aesthetic considered to bear particular resemblance to the 'sKelln.[6] The 'Ahtulai Workshop Banshee utilized by the Banished has been twisted from its 'sKelln inspiration to closer resemble an aerial predator from the Jiralhanae homeworld of Doisac.[7]
Gallery
Concept sketches of the 'sKelln for the Halo Encyclopedia, showing various inspirations for the creature's design.
List of appearances
- Halo: Broken Circle (First mentioned)
- Halo Wars 2 (Mentioned only)
- Halo Infinite (Mentioned only)
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, chapter 1
- ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 229
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Banshee (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Surface Features (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Infinite, Armor coating: Blood Shadow description "There are many lessons in life to be learned from observing the 'sKelln hunt their prey in the mountains of Sanghelios."
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 286
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Banshee
