Ripa 'Moramee

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"My face will be the last thing your pathetic eyes ever see."
— Ripa 'Moramee

Ripa 'Moramee[1] was a Sangheili Commander of the Covenant Army during the Third Battle of Harvest and other Outer Colony campaigns until his demise in 2531. After being punished for leading a coup against his clan leadership on Decided Heart he was given the rank of Arbiter by the Hierarchs, mainly at the urging of the Prophet of Regret. In his new role he led the Covenant attack on Harvest and the excavations of a Forerunner artifact on the planet surface. Later, both he and Regret spearheaded an attempt to reactivate a dormant Forerunner fleet on one of the Shield Worlds, for which purpose he kidnapped the human scientist Ellen Anders on Arcadia. This led to a series of violent engagements with forces lead by Captain Cutter of the UNSC Spirit of Fire, and the eventual death of 'Moramee at the hands of Sgt. Forge during the Covenant assault on SPARTAN Red Team, who were attempting to destroy the artificial planet with the Spirit of Fire's removed FTL Reactor.[2][3]


'Moramee was a brutal and ruthless commander who never brooked even the slightest questioning of his commands. Despite being an Elite, he showed an uncharacteristic disregard for Sangheili traditional values such as honor and arrogantly underestimated his foes and ignored his subordinates advice. He also proved himself fanatically loyal to the Hierarchs, especially the Prophet of Regret, and carried out his task to eradicate Humanity with fervent zeal and efficiency.[4][5]

Biography

Early Career

"I live only to serve the Holy One. What task awaits your Arbiter?"
— Ripa 'Moramee to the Prophet of Regret

Ripa 'Moramee's first known military action was the suppression of the Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience and ending the heretical reign of a Kig-Yar Pirate Prince. Later he attempted a coup within his clan on Decided Heart; the coup failed and he was imprisoned in the Weeping Shadows of Sorrow penitentiary, not only for his insubordination but because he failed. After spending what was deemed a suitable punishment for his deeds, the Hierarchs, specifically the Prophet of Regret, appointed him as the Arbiter, and tasked him with conducting the war of extermination against humanity and uncovering Forerunner artifacts. It was a decision that led to concerned mumblings amongst the Prophets' Honor Guards who had no prior knowledge of this plan.[6] He was not selected just for his combat record alone: the Covenant leaders believed that he, as the new Arbiter, would not ask politically inconvenient questions (an important factor given the secret status of humanity as Forerunner-designated Reclaimers).[7] The creation of a new Arbiter caused a split in the Covenant: an ever-growing faction of Elites, who were opposed to the new Prophets, seized control of several Forerunner relics, including one that supposedly contained a "key" of some sort. The Arbiter was sent by the Hierarchs to end this rebellion, resulting in a vicious battle that raged for days which ended with the destruction of the heretics. The key, however, was never found.[8]

Harvest

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"I care not for your little life! Open the relic!"
— Ripa 'Moramee overruling Field Master Re'gish Wamik's objections to entering the Forerunner artifact on Harvest[9]
File:The Arbiter overseeing an operation.png
Ripa 'Moramee and Re'gish Wamik uncover the Forerunner structure on Harvest.


'Moramee was present at the Third Battle of Harvest in 2531. The UNSC was aware of his presence but was unable to gather more than cursory intelligence on him.[10] Ripa 'Moramee oversaw the excavation of a Forerunner site in the planet's northern polar region.[7] The installation's entrance was uncovered by Field Master Re'gish Wamik, and the area was quickly invested by Covenant forces.

Despite concerns by Field Master Wamik that the humans would "defile" the installation, 'Moramee pressed on due to the impatience and pressure of the Hierarchs. With the UNSC closing in, the Prophet of Regret ordered him to destroy the installation and return to the Covenant with the information he had gathered. Ripa 'Moramee was reluctant to destroy the Forerunner construction but complied nonetheless upon the continued insistence of the Prophet of Regret.[11] The attempt to destroy the relic failed when the demolition teams were thwarted by UNSC ground forces deployed from the orbiting UNSC Spirit of Fire.[12]

The Shield World

"The ancients have granted us the power to doom your race. Let the deconstruction of our gifts begin! The majesty of our new fleet will be unparalleled!"
— Ripa 'Moramee to Ellen Anders upon the activation of the dormant Forerunner fleet on the Shield World
File:Vlcsnap-126257.png
The Arbiter discusses plans with the Prophet of Regret on the Shield World.

Later that year, Ripa 'Moramee was involved in a Covenant attempt to activate Forerunner ships from a recently discovered Shield World. After Covenant attempts to interface with the Forerunner technology failed, 'Moramee was sent on a mission to capture Ellen Anders after the Battle of Arcadia by the Prophet of Regret, as it was believed she would have information and knowledge of the Forerunners that the Covenant was unaware of.[13] The Arbiter successfully captured her despite Sergeant John Forge's intervention and escaped by Spirit to an awaiting ship.

File:HW3.png
The Arbiter's capture of Ellen Anders on Arcadia.

The UNSC Spirit of Fire pursued him through slipspace, deeming Anders capture to be a "significant security breach". 'Moramee reached the Shield World first and brought Anders to the the Apex site and forced her to interface with the Forerunner controls and begin activating the Forerunner fleet. Soon afterwards the Spirit of Fire arrived on station over the artificial planet surface and began to organize a rescue mission.[14]

Death

"My face will be the last thing your pathetic eyes ever see."
— 'Moramee gloating over Sgt. Forge, moments before his demise
File:Arbiterhwdead.png
The Arbiter meets his fate at the hands of Sgt. Forge after the battle for the Apex.

Anders managed to escape from 'Moramee via the Apex's teleport system and alerted the UNSC of the Covenant's intentions. Sgt. John Forge and SPARTAN-II Red Team were quickly dispatched to Apex site with orders to destroy the Shield World using the Spirit of Fire's removed FTL Reactor by causing its core to overheat. An engagement ensued in which Red Team held off the Sangheili Honor Guard assault and Forge engaged 'Moramee, who had used his cloak to ambush and kill the Marine officer in charge of opening the Apex's entrance. Forge prevailed in the struggle despite the physical disparity between himself and the Arbiter, relying off of skill rather than strength. Eventually disarmed and feigning defeat, Forge challenged 'Moramee to look him in the eye before killing him. The Arbiter complied and dragged the sergeant up with one arm while unwittingly bringing his neck within the reach of his opponent. Forge drove his combat knife (nicknamed "Lucy") into his adversary's neck and then used the wounded Arbiter's dropped Energy Sword to stab him through the chest. Ripa 'Moramee's corpse was rolled off the platform by Alice-130 of Red Team shortly before the FTL Reactor overheated and destroyed the Shield World. [15][16] Template:Spoiler End

In-Game Information

Abilities

  • "Defiant Rage": receive additional health for damage inflicted.
  • "Spiteful Rage": ability costs less resources.
  • "Blinding Rage": increases the Arbiter's and the Covenant's attack power.
  • Additionally, the Arbiter can also summon Suicide Grunts (available at the Command Center).

Upgrades

  • "Fiendish Return": allows the Arbiter to reflect attacks back at the enemy.
  • "Vicious Blades": increases damage inflicted by the Arbiter.
  • "Ghastly Vision": increases Fiendish Return reflection and equips the Arbiter with active camouflage.

Leader Ability- Rage Mode

When activated, you go into 3rd person view and move the Arbiter with the Left thumbstick and attack with the Right.

Personality and Traits

"Like the rest of your race, weak and undisciplined."
— 'Moramee taunting Sgt. Forge during the battle for the Apex
File:The Arbiter - Halo Wars.png
Ripa 'Moramee at the relic on Harvest.

Ripa 'Moramee was very quick to anger and fanatical in his devotion to the Hierarchs and the quest for the Great Journey. When his orders to open the Forerunner relic on Harvest were questioned by Re'gish Wamik, he verbally lashed out at his subordinate, telling him "I care not for your little life!" Later, at the Apex he struck a Zealot (throwing him to the ground and presumably knocking him unconscious) upon being informed that the Spirit of Fire had followed them to the Shield World. These are examples of his violent and arrogant behavior that led to his imprisonment and subsequently being given the Arbiter's task of eradicating Humankind. He is also extremly muscular compared to most Sangheili.

Behind the Scenes

Ripa 'Moramee is the primary antagonist from Halo Wars, although ingame he is only known by his rank. [17] He is the second Arbiter to appear as a character in the universe, with the first being Thel 'Vadam.[18][19] His lines were performed by veteran Canadian voice actor David Sobolov, while the character was digitally animated for cutscenes by the California based animation studio Blur. [20][21]

An Easter Egg in the hint text from Halo Wars claims "Few people know that the Arbiter's given birth name is Shirley," referring to his line from the first level in response the Regret's command to destroy the relic on Harvest: "Surely you jest!" This refers to a running gag in the Naked Gun series which also appears in the movie Airplane! and (more recently) in the game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: "Surely you're kidding!?" "I am not, and don't call me Shirley!" and "Surely, you can't be serious!?" "I'm serious, and don't call me Shirley!", Which happened to also feature David Sobolov as Lt. Vasquez.[22]

Ripa 'Moramee is the first Elite portrayed to date in the games wielding two Energy Swords, not counting the Rtas 'Vadum Halo Graphic Novel. Furthermore, his differed from known variants in that they had basket hilt hand guards. Ironically, Sgt. Forge killed him with one of his own weapons during the battle for the Apex site.[23]

Trivia

  • In Halo Wars multiplayer very rarely in rage mode the Arbiter will jump across the entire map.
  • In-Game, 'Moramee also seems to have a near supernatural level strengh, as he is able to destroy entire bases and armored vehicles with only two swords.

Gallery

  • Arbiter & Zealot.jpg

    The Arbiter and a Zealot.

  • HalowarsBoardingAction.jpg

    The Arbiter in-game seen dual wielding two energy swords, in "Rage" mode.

  • Vlcsnap-126689.png

    The Arbiter.

  • HW13.png

    The Arbiter preaching after the activation of a Forerunner Artifact.

  • IMG 0007.jpg

    Front of Arbiter's Leader Card

  • IMG 0008.jpg

    Back of Arbiter's Leader Card

  • Arbiter's armor.jpg

    Another image of the Arbiter's armor.

Sources

  1. ^ Prima's Halo Wars Official Game Guide, page 48
  2. ^ Prima's Official Halo Wars Strategy Guide
  3. ^ Halo Wars
  4. ^ Halo Wars cutscenes
  5. ^ Prima's Official Halo Wars Strategy Guide
  6. ^ Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide
  7. ^ a b E3 2008: Five Long Years Cinematic part 2. Halo Wars Movies. Accessed on 2008-16-12
  8. ^ Halo Wars timeline
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ Halo Wars Collectors Edition Leader Cards.
  11. ^ 2008-04-11, TGS08: Halo Wars Gameplay Presentation. Gamereactor TV. Accessed on 2008-16-12
  12. ^ [2]
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ [4]
  15. ^ [5]
  16. ^ [6]
  17. ^ New Halo Wars screens: The Flood, Arbiter, Spartans revealed. Gamepro. Accessed on 2009-01-14
  18. ^ Halo Wars
  19. ^ Halo 2
  20. ^ [7]
  21. ^ [8]
  22. ^ Halo Wars cutscenes
  23. ^ Halo Wars cutscene

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