Helioskrill
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The helioskrill is a predatory saurian creature originally native to high, mountainous regions in Zolam, a state in the continent of Qivro,[1][2] on Sanghelios.[3] The population of helioskrill could later be found in the massive expanses scattered across the mountain ranges of Shemlyyn on Qikost, one of the two moons of Sanghelios.[2]
History
Cultural significance
The Sangheili have a strong hunting culture dating back to their ancient past.[1][2] Originally native to the state of Zolam on the continent of Qivro, ancient Sangheili would hunt and kill helioskrill using spears. Presumably, this would be maintained as a traditional method of hunting helioskrill as Shipmaster D'ero 'S'bud once succeeded in killing one using this same method.[1] Seemingly as part of a conservation effort, the helioskrill population was expanded to Qikost, one of the two moons of Sanghelios.[2]
Aside from hunting the helioskrill, the Sangheili have taken tactical inspiration from the predator's own hunting methods. A combat stance modeled off of the helioskrill's usual hunting position gives the performer the appearance of resting, but allows the performer to spring to their feet in less than a second if necessary. Utilizing this combat stance requires a certain amount of stamina, as it can cause leg muscles to burn after holding the position for a prolonged time. Thel 'Vadamee used this position whilst being held in a cell by humans in the Rubble with three other Sangheili Zealots.[3]
Dwindling population
During the time of the Covenant, the population of wild helioskrill dwindled due to commercialized hunts favored by wealthy and indulgent San'Shyuum. However, helioskrill can still be found in the massive expanses scattered across the mountain ranges of Shemlyyn on Qikost.[2]
As part of the UNSC alliance with the Swords of Sanghelios, a talented artisan-armorer at the Kolaar Manufactorum designed the HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir, named in honor of the helioskrill. The first MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor variant not designed by humans, it is manufactured by the Kolaar Manufactorum and is available in limited numbers to the UNSC's Spartans through an undisclosed agreement.[4][5]
Anatomy, physiology, and behavior
Helioskrill are deadly and magnificent saurian predators with four digitigrade legs each ending in three talon-tipped toes. The animal's upper toothy jaw is beak-like in shape while its lower jaw splays into a pair of mandibles lined with teeth. The helioskrill's head features spines which run down the length of its scaly body to its tail.[2]
While hunting, helioskrill will commonly remain completely still to imitate a rock, waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass by before lunging.[3]
Trivia
The "helios" part of the creature's name may derive directly from the name of Sanghelios, their native planet.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Cole Protocol (First mentioned)
- Halo: Broken Circle (Mentioned only)
- Halo 5: Guardians (Indirect mention)
Sources
- ^ a b c Halo: Broken Circle, chapter 21
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 231
- ^ a b c Halo: The Cole Protocol, chapter 27
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Spartan Appearance Customization: Helioskrill - Body Description "Such is the skill of the HELIOSKRILL's artisan-armorer designer that even the heavily classified and encrypted Mjolnir neural interface protocols were reverse engineered."
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Community Update - The Finals Countdown (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
