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{{ | {{Status|Canon}} | ||
{{ | {{Outdated|[[Halo: Broken Circle]] and [[Halo Waypoint]]'s Universe articles}} | ||
{{disambig header|the High Prophet and former Minister of Fortitude|the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer map, or the Ministry he once led|Truth (level)|Ministry of Fortitude}} | {{disambig header|the High Prophet and former Minister of Fortitude|the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer map, or the Ministry he once led|Truth (level)|Ministry of Fortitude}} | ||
{{Character infobox | {{Character infobox | ||
|variant=Cov | |variant=Cov | ||
|name=High Prophet of Truth | |name=High Prophet of Truth | ||
|image=[[File: | |image=[[File:HTMCC-H2A ProphetOfTruth.png|300px]] | ||
|homeworld=''[[High Charity]]''<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 149''</ref> | |homeworld=''[[High Charity]]''<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 149''</ref> | ||
|birth=[[2396|March 15, 2396]]{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} | |birth=[[2396|March 15, 2396]]{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} | ||
|death=[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]<ref name="halo.xbox.com">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788 '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Hero-Fortitude'']</ref> (aged 156) | |death=[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]<ref name="halo.xbox.com">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788 '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Hero-Fortitude'']</ref> (aged 156) | ||
|causeofdeath= | |causeofdeath=Fatally stabbed by [[Thel 'Vadam]] | ||
|parents= | |parents= | ||
|siblings= | |siblings= | ||
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{{Quote|Whosoever is gripped by fear, take heed. I am the Prophet of Truth... And I am not afraid.|The High Prophet of Truth inspiring the Covenant while High Charity falls to the Flood.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level [[High Charity (level)|''High Charity'']]</ref>}} | {{Quote|Whosoever is gripped by fear, take heed. I am the Prophet of Truth... And I am not afraid.|The High Prophet of Truth inspiring the Covenant while High Charity falls to the Flood.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level [[High Charity (level)|''High Charity'']]</ref>}} | ||
The '''High Prophet of Truth''', born '''Ord Casto'''{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} and formerly serving as the [[Ministry of Fortitude|Minister of Fortitude]], was the most prominent of the three [[San'Shyuum]] [[Hierarchs]] who ruled the [[Covenant]] [[High Council]] during the [[Age of Reclamation|Ninth Age of Reclamation]]. Cunning and ruthless, Truth oversaw the Covenant's [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against [[human]]ity for twenty-seven years in a massive war. Truth also orchestrated the sudden [[Great Schism|expulsion and | The '''High Prophet of Truth''', born '''Ord Casto'''{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} and formerly serving as the [[Ministry of Fortitude|Minister of Fortitude]], was the most prominent of the three [[San'Shyuum]] [[Hierarchs]] who ruled the [[Covenant]] [[High Council]] during the [[Age of Reclamation|Ninth Age of Reclamation]]. Cunning and ruthless, Truth oversaw the Covenant's [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against [[human]]ity for twenty-seven years in a massive war. Truth also orchestrated the sudden [[Great Schism|expulsion and genocide]] of the [[Sangheili]] during the final year of the war. This betrayal would ultimately lead to [[Battle of the Citadel|his death]] in [[2552|December 2552]]. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
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Ord Casto was born on ''[[High Charity]]'' on [[2396|March 15, 2396]].{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} He began his political career as a [[junior staffer]] serving in the [[Ministry of Concert]]. During his time in the Ministry, a complaint was received from an [[Unggoy]] distillers' union that claimed faulty atmospheric controls on [[Kig-Yar]] naval vessels were tainting the Unggoy's batches of [[infusion]]—recreational narcotics often enjoyed by Unggoy. Ord Casto was tasked with the dispute due to its seemingly trivial nature. However, he unearthed a conspiracy by several radical Kig-Yar [[shipmaster]]s to poison infusion resources. The Kig-Yar planned to render the Unggoy infertile, as petty revenge for the displacement of Kig-Yar nests which had led to an increase in Kig-Yar infant mortality—caused by a recent boom in Unggoy population. Although Casto recommended stiff penalties, the [[Minister of Concert]] decided to simply fine the Kig-Yar involved. Casto lodged a formal complaint, but was rebuffed by his superiors who did not wish to anger the Kig-Yar. However, the "Infusion Incident" quickly escalated into a bloody civil war known as the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] in [[2462]], bringing about the [[Ages of Conflict|39th Age of Conflict]].{{Ref/Reuse|ch150}} After the Unggoy were pacified and brought back into the Covenant, the [[Ages of Doubt|23rd Age of Doubt]] began, and Casto was promoted to Minister of [[Ministry of Fortitude|Fortitude]] shortly after.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 156''</ref> | Ord Casto was born on ''[[High Charity]]'' on [[2396|March 15, 2396]].{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} He began his political career as a [[junior staffer]] serving in the [[Ministry of Concert]]. During his time in the Ministry, a complaint was received from an [[Unggoy]] distillers' union that claimed faulty atmospheric controls on [[Kig-Yar]] naval vessels were tainting the Unggoy's batches of [[infusion]]—recreational narcotics often enjoyed by Unggoy. Ord Casto was tasked with the dispute due to its seemingly trivial nature. However, he unearthed a conspiracy by several radical Kig-Yar [[shipmaster]]s to poison infusion resources. The Kig-Yar planned to render the Unggoy infertile, as petty revenge for the displacement of Kig-Yar nests which had led to an increase in Kig-Yar infant mortality—caused by a recent boom in Unggoy population. Although Casto recommended stiff penalties, the [[Minister of Concert]] decided to simply fine the Kig-Yar involved. Casto lodged a formal complaint, but was rebuffed by his superiors who did not wish to anger the Kig-Yar. However, the "Infusion Incident" quickly escalated into a bloody civil war known as the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] in [[2462]], bringing about the [[Ages of Conflict|39th Age of Conflict]].{{Ref/Reuse|ch150}} After the Unggoy were pacified and brought back into the Covenant, the [[Ages of Doubt|23rd Age of Doubt]] began, and Casto was promoted to Minister of [[Ministry of Fortitude|Fortitude]] shortly after.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 156''</ref> | ||
As the Minister of Fortitude, Ord Casto served as an exceptional politician for decades.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/prophet-of-truth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Prophet of Truth'']</ref> Throughout his service in this position, Fortitude worked hard to see that [[Forerunner]] technology was evenly distributed among the member races to prevent another Age of Conflict. Fortitude was on the [[Roll of Celibates]], a list of San'Shyuum not allowed to breed due to their weak genes. This did not, however, particularly bother him.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 264''</ref> He had several | As the Minister of Fortitude, Ord Casto served as an exceptional politician for decades.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/prophet-of-truth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Prophet of Truth'']</ref> Throughout his service in this position, Fortitude worked hard to see that [[Forerunner]] technology was evenly distributed among the member races to prevent another Age of Conflict. Fortitude was on the [[Roll of Celibates]], a list of San'Shyuum not allowed to breed due to their weak genes. This did not, however, particularly bother him.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 264''</ref> He had several mistresses available to him when he desired contraceptive sexual intercourse.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', Chapter 16</ref> As the Minister of Fortitude, he was fond of smoking, yet he rarely used the [[hookah tobacco]]s favored by his senior staff.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 143''</ref> | ||
===Rise to Hierarch=== | ===Rise to Hierarch=== | ||
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The three Prophets successfully implemented their plan and became the new rulers of the Covenant. This heralded the beginning of the [[Ninth Age of Reclamation]]. Fortitude chose the name "Truth" as a reminder to himself of the truths he must never tell, and the lies he would have to spin to prevent the Covenant from fragmenting.<ref name="Halo page 384">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 384''</ref> | The three Prophets successfully implemented their plan and became the new rulers of the Covenant. This heralded the beginning of the [[Ninth Age of Reclamation]]. Fortitude chose the name "Truth" as a reminder to himself of the truths he must never tell, and the lies he would have to spin to prevent the Covenant from fragmenting.<ref name="Halo page 384">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 384''</ref> | ||
Following the [[Battle of Netherop]] in [[2526]], the Prophet of Truth covered up [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]]'s actions and the true nature of the events on [[Netherop]], making it so that the [[Covenant World Registry]] made no mention of an [[orbital mine shell]] around Netherop, just the loss of the ''[[Radiant Arrow]]'' and the ''[[Steadfast Strike]]'' and that the Prophet of Truth had deemed the losses to be a sign of divine displeasure and forbade all Covenant vessels from entering the system.{{Ref/Novel|Out|4}} | |||
===Rubble crisis=== | ===Rubble crisis=== | ||
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===Divisive mandate=== | ===Divisive mandate=== | ||
Obsessed with the Great Journey and keeping the Covenant intact, Truth would suffer no disloyalty. However, even well before the removal of the Sangheili from the [[Honor Guard]] and the Covenant's [[Great Schism]], Truth had begun to question the loyalty and the trustworthiness of the Sangheili. The seeds of this doubt were placed in the most recent incident concerning the [[Battle of the Rubble]] only strengthened these impressions when he and the Prophet of Regret were almost killed by a Sangheili. Furthermore, most damning, isolated Sangheili held secret doubts as to why the humans were being exterminated despite their stubborn resistance and bravery. They had not been offered a chance to be absorbed into the Covenant as other races had. Truth learned of these conversations from Jiralhanae spies stationed through the Covenant's fleet. | Obsessed with the Great Journey and keeping the Covenant intact, Truth would suffer no disloyalty. However, even well before the removal of the Sangheili from the [[Honor Guard]] and the Covenant's [[Great Schism]], Truth had begun to question the loyalty and the trustworthiness of the Sangheili. The seeds of this doubt were placed in the most recent incident concerning the [[Battle of the Rubble]] only strengthened these impressions when he and the Prophet of Regret were almost killed by a Sangheili. Furthermore, most damning, isolated Sangheili held secret doubts as to why the humans were being exterminated despite their stubborn resistance and bravery. They had not been offered a chance to be absorbed into the Covenant as other races had. Truth learned of these conversations from Jiralhanae spies stationed through the Covenant's fleet.{{Ref/Generic|Heading=[[Conversations from the Universe]]|Subheading=Elite Conversation}} | ||
Terrified that the Sangheili might discover the true nature of Humanity as reclaimers or "living gods", Truth felt that given their honor bound nature the Sangheili would almost certainly revolt and their complete dominance of the Covenant military made them a grave threat to the future of the covenant, one which the San Shyuum could not contend with. | Terrified that the Sangheili might discover the true nature of Humanity as reclaimers or "living gods", Truth felt that given their honor bound nature the Sangheili would almost certainly revolt and their complete dominance of the Covenant military made them a grave threat to the future of the covenant, one which the San Shyuum could not contend with. | ||
In contrast, Truth was pleased with the Jiralhanae for their eagerness to prove their loyalty, not to mention their battle prowess had earned them a place as the protectors of the Covenant. Such blind faith and vicious enthusiasm marked them as near perfect pawns for Truth to sacrifice, without the inherent risk that the honor-bound Sangheili held. | In contrast, Truth was pleased with the Jiralhanae for their eagerness to prove their loyalty, not to mention their battle prowess had earned them a place as the protectors of the Covenant. Such blind faith and vicious enthusiasm marked them as near perfect pawns for Truth to sacrifice, without the inherent risk that the honor-bound Sangheili held.{{Ref/Site|Id=bwu|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09|D=15|M=1|Y=2021}} | ||
Realising the threat the Sangheili posed to the Covenant and with the perfect pawn to replace them, Truth to put his "divisive mandate" in motion. Secretly, he devised a complex scheme to eventually replace the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as his personal guardians, as well as the primary warrior race of the Covenant. This started with subtle gestures that soon became [[Changing of the Guard|more and more drastic]], which later would ultimately culminate in the [[Great Schism]]. His plans were never made in haste; they were laid gradually and with great care.{{Ref/Reuse|bwu}} | Realising the threat the Sangheili posed to the Covenant and with the perfect pawn to replace them, Truth to put his "divisive mandate" in motion. Secretly, he devised a complex scheme to eventually replace the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as his personal guardians, as well as the primary warrior race of the Covenant. This started with subtle gestures that soon became [[Changing of the Guard|more and more drastic]], which later would ultimately culminate in the [[Great Schism]]. His plans were never made in haste; they were laid gradually and with great care.{{Ref/Reuse|bwu}} | ||
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However, the UNSC forces discovered ''Unyielding Hierophant'' and its purpose, and a small team of [[SPARTAN-II]] supersoldiers led by [[John-117|the Master Chief]] destroyed the station, along with all but a dozen of the ships in its charge.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | However, the UNSC forces discovered ''Unyielding Hierophant'' and its purpose, and a small team of [[SPARTAN-II]] supersoldiers led by [[John-117|the Master Chief]] destroyed the station, along with all but a dozen of the ships in its charge.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
After the destruction of ''Unyielding Hierophant'', Truth waited in ''High Charity'' in the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] for [[Tartarus]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], to arrive with what remained of an ancient [[Forerunner Crystal]] that could manipulate time and space. He ordered the reward and secret execution of the remaining survivors from [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]], so as not to cause panic in the Covenant by stories of how the [[Demon]]s had destroyed an entire fleet.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''pages 406-408''</ref> Knowledge of the station's ultimate goal, and its eventual destruction, were suppressed by the Prophet of Truth—the ''Unyielding Hierophant'''s original purpose has since remained a closely guarded secret, even from the rest of the Hierarchs.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | After the destruction of ''Unyielding Hierophant'', Truth waited in ''High Charity'' in the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] for [[Tartarus]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], to arrive with what remained of an ancient [[Forerunner Crystal]] that could manipulate time and space. He ordered the reward and secret execution of the remaining survivors from [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]], so as not to cause panic in the Covenant by stories of how the [[Demon]]s had destroyed an entire fleet.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''pages 406-408''</ref> Knowledge of the station's ultimate goal, and its eventual destruction, were suppressed by the Prophet of Truth—the ''Unyielding Hierophant''{{'}}s original purpose has since remained a closely guarded secret, even from the rest of the Hierarchs.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
===The Heretics and the new Arbiter=== | ===The Heretics and the new Arbiter=== | ||
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===Occupation of Earth=== | ===Occupation of Earth=== | ||
While Truth had kept the discovery of the human homeworld a secret, the Prophet of Regret managed to independently discover the location of the Portal. Eager to exploit its power, Regret quickly departed with | While Truth had kept the discovery of the human homeworld a secret even after the destruction of the ''Unyielding Hierophant'' and almost his original fleet, the Prophet of Regret managed to independently discover the location of the Portal from a [[Luminary]] [[Battle of Meridian#Second stage|retrieved]] from [[Meridian]].<ref name="terminal">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 14]]''</ref> Eager to exploit its power, Regret quickly departed with his [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|fleet]] of only fifteen ships, not realizing that this planet was in fact the most [[UNSC Home Fleet|heavily defended]] human world of all: Earth.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
Soon after this, Truth learned of the Prophet of Regret's foolhardy move and sent a massive fleet, commanded by the Jiralhanae, to Earth to pick up where Regret had left off. Upon arrival at Earth, Regret's forces were outnumbered and outgunned. In mere hours, Regret was forced to retreat | Soon after this, Truth learned of the Prophet of Regret's foolhardy move and sent a massive [[Truth's fleet|support and excavation fleet]], commanded by the Jiralhanae, to Earth to pick up where Regret had left off. Upon their arrival at Earth, Regret's forces were outnumbered and outgunned. In mere hours, Regret was forced to retreat.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | ||
Several surviving ships from Regret's fleet were still under the command of the Sangheili. Once Truth gave the word, the Jiralhanae | Several surviving ships from Regret's fleet were still under the command of the Sangheili. Once Truth gave the word, the scattered Jiralhanae troops left behind by Regret forcefully overtook the Sangheili and assumed complete control over the fleet, and slaying any remaining Sangheili stationed on the planet at will,{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RCoast|Game=Halo 3: ODST|Level=Coastal Highway}} with the ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'' and at least 2 other [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|battlecruisers]] being the only remaining ships from Regret's original fleet.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', page 275</ref>{{Ref/Level|Id=kikowani|ODST|Kikowani Station}}{{Ref/Reuse|FTH}} Upon further orders from Truth, they aggressively deployed infantry directly into the human city of [[New Mombasa]], and picked up where Regret had left off until Truth's reinforcements arrived on the next day on October 21.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypointvergil|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-vergil-reality|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Vergil Reality|D=15|M=06|Y=2021}} Once the UNSC forces had been defeated in the city of New Mombasa, Truth's fleet would start uncovering the Portal along with the remnants of Regret's fleet, preparing it for his arrival nearly a month later.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> By this time, while only a handful of Truth's forces would engage the UNSC on Earth but left too disorganized as they were focusing most of their forces for the excavation effort of the Portal,{{Ref/Book|Id=mythos|Book=Halo Mythos|Page=117}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=FTH|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 1.jpg|First Twelve Hours]]}} more and more Covenant reinforcements would continue to arrive and launch a global full-scale assault on Earth after the [[Cole Protocol]] was rendered moot by Regret's assault on Earth.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo204|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Page=204-205}} | ||
===Punishing Regret=== | ===Punishing Regret=== | ||
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{{Quote|With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleet. They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it!|Truth, before fleeing High Charity.}} | {{Quote|With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleet. They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it!|Truth, before fleeing High Charity.}} | ||
[[File:H2A - Reluctant Tartarus.jpg|300px|thumb | [[File:H2A - Reluctant Tartarus.jpg|300px|thumb|Truth betrays Mercy, leaving him for dead and taking full control of the Covenant.]] | ||
After Regret was killed by the Master Chief, Truth's duplicitous scheming came to full fruition. The Elite Honor Guard's failure to protect the Prophet of Regret afforded him with the final leverage needed to appoint the Brutes to the lofty position. Truth began [[Changing of the Guard|replacing]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Elites]] with the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Brutes]] as the Prophets' [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors]]. This was a devastating blow to the Elites' honor, and they threatened to resign from the High Council in outrage. Shortly thereafter, while Truth was addressing the Covenant about the Flood, the Sacred Icon, and the [[Great Journey]], SPARTAN-117 was teleported into Truth's chamber by the [[Gravemind]], who had an interest in helping Chief prevent Halo from firing. Forced to flee from the Demon, Truth and Mercy tried to escape to the Forerunner Dreadnought located in the city's center. On the move, Truth, knowing that there was no chance of the Sangheili stepping down peacefully, secretly ordered the genocide of the Sangheili by the Jiralhanae. Initially, the Sangheili believed that the Jiralhanae had begun an insurrection against them and the Prophets. When [[Thel 'Vadam]] informed them otherwise, the Sangheili rebelled against the Covenant completely. The [[Great Schism|Covenant Civil War]] had begun. | After Regret was killed by the Master Chief, Truth's duplicitous scheming came to full fruition. The Elite Honor Guard's failure to protect the Prophet of Regret afforded him with the final leverage needed to appoint the Brutes to the lofty position. Truth began [[Changing of the Guard|replacing]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Elites]] with the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Brutes]] as the Prophets' [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors]]. This was a devastating blow to the Elites' honor, and they threatened to resign from the High Council in outrage. Shortly thereafter, while Truth was addressing the Covenant about the Flood, the Sacred Icon, and the [[Great Journey]], SPARTAN-117 was teleported into Truth's chamber by the [[Gravemind]], who had an interest in helping Chief prevent Halo from firing. Forced to flee from the Demon, Truth and Mercy tried to escape to the Forerunner Dreadnought located in the city's center. On the move, Truth, knowing that there was no chance of the Sangheili stepping down peacefully, secretly ordered the genocide of the Sangheili by the Jiralhanae. Initially, the Sangheili believed that the Jiralhanae had begun an insurrection against them and the Prophets. When [[Thel 'Vadam]] informed them otherwise, the Sangheili rebelled against the Covenant completely. The [[Great Schism|Covenant Civil War]] had begun. | ||
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Once [[Portal at Voi|the artifact]] was fully uncovered, Truth landed his Dreadnought directly on it, while his troops set up air defenses around the perimeter. On [[2552#November|November 17]], the UNSC managed to break through the defenses and assault the Dreadnought directly. However, their attack failed, and Truth successfully activated the artifact, opening [[Slipspace portal|a portal]] through which he and his followers departed.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> | Once [[Portal at Voi|the artifact]] was fully uncovered, Truth landed his Dreadnought directly on it, while his troops set up air defenses around the perimeter. On [[2552#November|November 17]], the UNSC managed to break through the defenses and assault the Dreadnought directly. However, their attack failed, and Truth successfully activated the artifact, opening [[Slipspace portal|a portal]] through which he and his followers departed.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:Truth and Johnson.png|thumb|300px|Truth forcing Johnson to activate [[Installation 00]] in | [[File:Truth and Johnson.png|thumb|300px|Truth forcing Johnson to activate [[Installation 00]], with Commander Keyes' Pelican approaching in the background.]] | ||
After arriving at [[Installation 00]]—the real Ark—on [[2552#December|December 11]],<ref name="halo.xbox.com">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788 '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Hero-Fortitude'']</ref> Truth set down on the massive construct in his Dreadnought, eventually traveling to the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] from where he would activate the rings. Later that day, his forces captured [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], whose status as a [[Reclaimer]] would be used to activate the rings for him. Despite the Prophet's efforts, the combined forces of the UNSC and the Elites deactivated a section of his shield and broke through, along with the newly Flood-controlled ''High Charity''. Truth's enemies closed in around him, assaulting the Citadel from all sides. In the Ark's Citadel, a [[Brute Chieftain]] proceeded to beat a captive Johnson, who goaded him on. Truth ordered the Chieftain to let him live, as only a human could activate Forerunner technology. As the High Prophet tried to force Johnson to activate the ring, Commander Keyes crashed a [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] into the control platform in hopes of rescuing Johnson, but found herself surrounded by Truth's [[Brute Bodyguard]]s. | After arriving at [[Installation 00]]—the real Ark—on [[2552#December|December 11]],<ref name="halo.xbox.com">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/herofortitude/bfe5038b-314a-4f17-a6be-f7613e0e3788 '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Hero-Fortitude'']</ref> Truth set down on the massive construct in his Dreadnought, eventually traveling to the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] from where he would activate the rings. Later that day, his forces captured [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], whose status as a [[Reclaimer]] would be used to activate the rings for him. Despite the Prophet's efforts, the combined forces of the UNSC and the Elites deactivated a section of his shield and broke through, along with the newly Flood-controlled ''High Charity''. Truth's enemies closed in around him, assaulting the Citadel from all sides. In the Ark's Citadel, a [[Brute Chieftain]] proceeded to beat a captive Johnson, who goaded him on. Truth ordered the Chieftain to let him live, as only a human could activate Forerunner technology. As the High Prophet tried to force Johnson to activate the ring, Commander Keyes crashed a [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|Pelican]] into the control platform in hopes of rescuing Johnson, but found herself surrounded by Truth's [[Brute Bodyguard]]s. | ||
[[File:H3 TruthDead.png|thumb|left|300px|The dead High Prophet of Truth.]] | [[File:H3 TruthDead.png|thumb|left|300px|The dead High Prophet of Truth.]] | ||
As Miranda held the Brutes back with her firearms, Truth told her she that she was only delaying the inevitable. Realizing he was right, Miranda decided to kill both herself and Johnson before either could be forced to activate the installations. However, she hesitated to kill Johnson, giving Truth the opportunity to shoot her in the back with a [[ | As Miranda held the Brutes back with her firearms, Truth told her she that she was only delaying the inevitable. Realizing he was right, Miranda decided to kill both herself and Johnson before either could be forced to activate the installations. However, she hesitated to kill Johnson, giving Truth the opportunity to shoot her in the back with a [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Brute Spiker]]. He then derisively commented to Johnson that he now understood why the Forerunners had left humanity behind: Humans were too weak and sentimental to be worthy of ascension to godhood.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]</ref> Truth forced Johnson's hand onto the control panel, activating the Halo Array. | ||
Truth's plans were derailed, however, by the appearance of [[John-117]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who had formed a temporary alliance with the Gravemind and its Flood. Truth's guards were overwhelmed by the surge of Flood on the bridge, and by the time John-117 and Thel reached Truth, he was already succumbing to Flood infection. Declaring his vengeance on a Prophet, not a parasite, the Arbiter held Truth by the throat and forced him to watch helplessly as John-117 deactivated the Halo Array. Truth gave a final, defiant declaration of his holiness before being stabbed through the chest by 'Vadam's Energy Sword. The supreme leader of the Covenant was dead, and what was left of his empire crumbled away soon after. | Truth's plans were derailed, however, by the appearance of [[John-117]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]], who had formed a temporary alliance with the Gravemind and its Flood. Truth's guards were overwhelmed by the surge of Flood on the bridge, and by the time John-117 and Thel reached Truth, he was already succumbing to Flood infection. Declaring his vengeance on a Prophet, not a parasite, the Arbiter held Truth by the throat and forced him to watch helplessly as John-117 deactivated the Halo Array. Truth gave a final, defiant declaration of his holiness before being stabbed through the chest by 'Vadam's Energy Sword. The supreme leader of the Covenant was dead, and what was left of his empire crumbled away soon after. | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
[[File:Arbiter the return.jpg|thumb|300px|The death of Truth at the hands of [[Thel 'Vadam]] was fondly retold and remembered by the Sangheili.<ref>[[The Return]] "...For six years since the High Prophet died at the hands of our champion, the Arbiter..."</ref>]] | [[File:Arbiter the return.jpg|thumb|300px|The death of Truth at the hands of [[Thel 'Vadam]] was fondly retold and remembered by the Sangheili.<ref name="Return2">[[The Return]] "...For six years since the High Prophet died at the hands of our champion, the Arbiter..."</ref>]] | ||
The High Prophet of Truth was remembered as a notorious leader who doomed his people, by both those who rebelled against him,<ref name="damned">[[Halo: Broken Circle]] page 285 "Already the city was in complete chaos, wracked by all-out civil war. Then, in the corner of the screen, Zo saw something he could not believe. His Sanghieli companions came and stood near, gazing in shock at what the viewscreen conveyed. The immense Forerunner Dreadnought at the center of High Charity, which had for so long served as a reminder of the Writ of Union between San'Shyuum and Sangheili, had suddenly rent free from its moorings and begun to climb, a burning sun beaming from where its long-since-decommissioned engines were. The noble and ancient vessel shook the entire city, concussively reverberating through the air, and rumbling through the supply ship as it rose skyward to the upper parts of the dome. Zo gazed in horror at what he saw-the entire city began to dim and darken with the Dreadnought departing upward, having lost the source of much of its power. This truly was a sign of the times."</ref><ref>[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]] [[Hunting Party]] - | The High Prophet of Truth was remembered as a notorious leader who doomed his people, by both those who rebelled against him,<ref name="damned">[[Halo: Broken Circle]] page 285 "Already the city was in complete chaos, wracked by all-out civil war. Then, in the corner of the screen, Zo saw something he could not believe. His Sanghieli companions came and stood near, gazing in shock at what the viewscreen conveyed. The immense Forerunner Dreadnought at the center of High Charity, which had for so long served as a reminder of the Writ of Union between San'Shyuum and Sangheili, had suddenly rent free from its moorings and begun to climb, a burning sun beaming from where its long-since-decommissioned engines were. The noble and ancient vessel shook the entire city, concussively reverberating through the air, and rumbling through the supply ship as it rose skyward to the upper parts of the dome. Zo gazed in horror at what he saw-the entire city began to dim and darken with the Dreadnought departing upward, having lost the source of much of its power. This truly was a sign of the times."</ref><ref>[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]] [[Hunting Party]] - | ||
"I am not Tartarus or some fanatic. I am not Truth. I am not Regret. I am their remedy."</ref> as well as those who were loyal to him.<ref>[[Halo: Fractures]] [[Halo: Shadow of Intent]] page 131 "Truth said and did many unfortunate things..." , [[Boru'a'Neem]]</ref> He had twisted certain aspects of the [[Covenant religion]] and lied, [[Great Schism|betrayed]] the Sangheili sparking a civil war, left a [[Prophet of Mercy|fellow Hierarch]] for dead, and abandoned High Charity with its [[Anodyne Spirit|power source]]; leaving the capital city without power to be [[Fall of High Charity|overrun]] by the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Reuse|damned}} Following the end of the war, the lies that Truth perpetuated had been exposed. | "I am not Tartarus or some fanatic. I am not Truth. I am not Regret. I am their remedy."</ref> as well as those who were loyal to him.<ref>[[Halo: Fractures]] [[Halo: Shadow of Intent]] page 131 "Truth said and did many unfortunate things..." , [[Boru'a'Neem]]</ref> He had twisted certain aspects of the [[Covenant religion]] and lied, [[Great Schism|betrayed]] the Sangheili sparking a civil war, left a [[Prophet of Mercy|fellow Hierarch]] for dead, and abandoned High Charity with its [[Anodyne Spirit|power source]]; leaving the capital city without power to be [[Fall of High Charity|overrun]] by the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Reuse|damned}} Following the end of the war, the lies that Truth perpetuated had been exposed. | ||
The story of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] killing Truth was celebrated among [[Sangheili]] kind.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Return2}} Years after the severely damaged [[Installation 00|Ark]] had repaired itself, a [[Banished]] [[Unggoy]] named [[Yapyap]] was able to find the deceased Prophet's crown on the installation, stealing it for himself and crudely tying a small statue of the Ark onto it.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p458|Enc22|Page=458}} | |||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Personality and traits== | ==Personality and traits== | ||
[[File: | [[File:HGN Shiek Truth.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Behind his collected and manipulative facade, the Prophet of Truth was torn by internal conflict over his knowledge of the very foundation of the Covenant being a lie.{{citation needed}}]] | ||
In public, Truth displayed a calm, stoic personality. During Thel 'Vadamee's trial he expressed little or no emotion whatsoever despite the fact that Installation 04 was an irreplaceable relic. However, he was quick to become angry towards those, like his fellow Hierarch Regret, who did something foolish or reckless. If so angered, Truth was quick to dispose of his enemies, directly or through careful plotting. After arriving on Earth, Truth appeared noticeably more aggressive and impatient, possibly having grown annoyed by the "Demon" interfering in his ascent to godhood. | In public, Truth displayed a calm, stoic personality. During Thel 'Vadamee's trial he expressed little or no emotion whatsoever despite the fact that Installation 04 was an irreplaceable relic. However, he was quick to become angry towards those, like his fellow Hierarch Regret, who did something foolish or reckless. If so angered, Truth was quick to dispose of his enemies, directly or through careful plotting. After arriving on Earth, Truth appeared noticeably more aggressive and impatient, possibly having grown annoyed by the "Demon" interfering in his ascent to godhood. | ||
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All of Truth's actions can be seen as a means to preserve the Covenant. He declared war on humanity in order to keep the Covenant from learning that the Great Journey was a lie, which would tear it apart.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo page 384}} When Sangheili came closer to finding out that the Great Journey was a lie, as with [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]], he viewed them as a threat. Seeing the Sangheili as a threat to uncovering the truth, he made plans to [[Great Schism|eject them from the Covenant]] in order to stop the truth behind the Great Journey from spreading. As a leader, keeping the Covenant alive was one of his main goals if not the highest. | All of Truth's actions can be seen as a means to preserve the Covenant. He declared war on humanity in order to keep the Covenant from learning that the Great Journey was a lie, which would tear it apart.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo page 384}} When Sangheili came closer to finding out that the Great Journey was a lie, as with [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]], he viewed them as a threat. Seeing the Sangheili as a threat to uncovering the truth, he made plans to [[Great Schism|eject them from the Covenant]] in order to stop the truth behind the Great Journey from spreading. As a leader, keeping the Covenant alive was one of his main goals if not the highest. | ||
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances== | |||
===Silver Timeline=== | |||
{{Notice/Silver}} | |||
The '''Prophet of Truth''' is one of the three Hierarchs of the Covenant.{{Ref/Film|[[Halo: The Television Series]]}} | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
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*In ''Halo: Contact Harvest'' (in which Truth was still known as Fortitude), it is stated that the design of Fortitude's apartment, which narrows as it gets higher until finally tapering to a point, is not only to serve as an anti-intruder measure, but also as a personification of Fortitude's political philosophy: At the top, there is only room for one. This foreshadows Truth's later betrayal of Regret and Mercy in order to become the sole head of the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 154''</ref> | *In ''Halo: Contact Harvest'' (in which Truth was still known as Fortitude), it is stated that the design of Fortitude's apartment, which narrows as it gets higher until finally tapering to a point, is not only to serve as an anti-intruder measure, but also as a personification of Fortitude's political philosophy: At the top, there is only room for one. This foreshadows Truth's later betrayal of Regret and Mercy in order to become the sole head of the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 154''</ref> | ||
*The Prophet of Truth was named #60 on IGN's Top 100 Video Game Villains list.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/60.html '''IGN''': ''Prophet of Truth is number 60'']</ref> | *The Prophet of Truth was named #60 on IGN's Top 100 Video Game Villains list.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/60.html '''IGN''': ''Prophet of Truth is number 60'']</ref> | ||
*Truth's | *Truth's birthdate was chosen to echo "the Ides of March" account of Julius Caesar's assassination, as the Prophet of Truth was assassinated by the Arbiter. | ||
*In the level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'', [[Cortana]] comments that the Master Chief might actually be doing Truth a favor by killing the [[Prophet of Regret]] after listening to Truth's admonishing reply to Regret's message. Indeed, the Master Chief killing Regret opened the way for Truth to seize more power for himself. | *In the level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'', [[Cortana]] comments that the Master Chief might actually be doing Truth a favor by killing the [[Prophet of Regret]] after listening to Truth's admonishing reply to Regret's message. Indeed, the Master Chief killing Regret opened the way for Truth to seize more power for himself. | ||
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File:Enter Truth.jpg|Truth's [[gravity throne]]. | File:Enter Truth.jpg|Truth's [[gravity throne]]. | ||
File:1225417639 Truth and mercy.jpg|The Prophets of Truth and Mercy. | File:1225417639 Truth and mercy.jpg|The Prophets of Truth and Mercy. | ||
File:H3_TheStorm_TruthHologram.png|A hologram of Truth. | File:H3_TheStorm_TruthHologram.png|A hologram of Truth in ''[[Halo 3]]''. | ||
File:TruthDeath-large.jpg|The death of Truth at the hands of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam. | |||
File:Truth ODST.jpg|Truth in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. | File:Truth ODST.jpg|Truth in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. | ||
File:H3ODST Truth&Huragok.png|The Prophet of Truth with two [[Huragok]]. | File:H3ODST Truth&Huragok.png|The Prophet of Truth with two [[Huragok]]. | ||
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File:H2A-POT.jpg|Truth's face in Halo 2 Anniversary | File:H2A-POT.jpg|Truth's face in Halo 2 Anniversary | ||
File:Hroa2 Truth.png|The Prophet of Truth in ''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''. | File:Hroa2 Truth.png|The Prophet of Truth in ''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''. | ||
File: | File:Enc22 Hierarchs.jpg|Artwork of the Prophet of Truth (center) alongside Regret and Mercy for the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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**''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}} | **''[[The Return]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}} | ||
**''[[Wages of Sin]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Wages of Sin]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' | |||
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' | *''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' | ||
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*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{C|Hologram only}} | |||
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Truth}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Truth}} | ||
[[Category:San'Shyuum]] | [[Category:San'Shyuum characters]] | ||
[[Category:Covenant politicians]] | [[Category:Covenant politicians]] | ||
[[Category:Hierarchs]] | [[Category:Hierarchs]] | ||