Canon

Jega 'Rdomnai

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Jega 'Rdomnai
Render of Jega 'Rdomnai. Included as part of the magazine kit linked to in this tweet.
Biographical information

Homeworld:

Sanghelios[1]

Born:

February 19, 2490[1]

Personal details

Species:

Sangheili

Gender:

Male

Height:

231.1 centimeters (7 ft 7.0 in)[1]

Weight:

146.1 kilograms (322 lb)[1]

Eye color:

Orange[2]

Political and military information

Affiliation:

Title:

Notable info:

Robotic prosthetic for left arm and left mandibles

 

Vedrana Makovich: "Now then, where were we?"
Jega 'Rdomnai: "You were about to die screaming."
— Jega 'Rdomnai and Vedrana Makovich before the duel that led to Makovich's death.[4]

Jega 'Rdomnai is a Sangheili blademaster and Spartan Killer serving the Banished.[5][6]

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Jega 'Rdomnai was born on the Sangheili homeworld of Sanghelios on February 19, 2490, eventually enlisting in the Covenant military as is the custom for all male Sangheili.[1]

Jega 'Rdomnai's Silent Shadow squad engulfed in an explosion during their mission.

Covenant and the Silent Shadow[edit]

During his service within the Covenant, Jega 'Rdomnai became a blademaster and a member of the Silent Shadow, a unit within the Covenant's Special Operations branch. During one of his missions, he lost his left arm and left mandibles in an explosion caused by a pair of Spartan-IIIs.[1] 'Rdomnai had the arm and mandibles replaced with prostheses, despite robotic replacements being antithetical to Covenant tradition and principles.[7] The Sangheili's favored bloodblade underwent a similar transformation. After it sustained damage during the explosion, 'Rdomnai brought the sword's hilt to the artisan-armorers at Cherras Keep, who reforged the blade as Ghostpierce.[8] His injuries also gave 'Rdomnai a lust for battle and vengeance, both of which completely outweighed his own pride in his own Sangheili culture.[7][1] The exact circumstances that resulted in his injuries became shrouded in rumors, with very few aware of the true history. [5] Following his injuries, 'Rdomnai became obsessed within hunting down and exacting revenge on any Spartans he could. Eventually, he became shunned by those within the Covenant.[1]

Banished service[edit]

At some point before the Installation 07 conflict in 2560, 'Rdomnai joined the Banished as the first recruit for the Hand of Atriox.[5] 'Rdomnai became the Jiralhanae Escharum's most respected soldier, having worked together for the longest and even becoming his closest friend,[7] which was very rare between their species. Within the Banished, there were many rumors about 'Rdomnai and his injuries. Some said he was an experiment, which became an affront to his fellow Sangheili. Others made mention of a clandestine ambush gone wrong.[5]

Jega 'Rdomnai was among the many Banished soldiers on Installation 07 following the ambush on UNSC Infinity. On December 25, 2559, 'Rdomnai was in command of a large Banished forces on the ring's main fragment when they came across Gorian, who had been stranded on a smaller ring fragment. 'Rdomnai's Phantom landed, and the Sangheili personally greeted Gorian.[9] At some point after January 31, 2560,[10] 'Rdomnai hunted down and killed the marines of Boulder Squad, having observed the squad's patterns and patrol routes for some time. Prior to slaughtering the marines, he mused to himself about his recently-acquired bloodblade. Unlike the modified bloodblade which had been affixed to his prosthetic arm and given the name Ghostpierce, this more traditional energy sword was still without a name. However, 'Rdomnai vowed to give it a fitting name once his job was done on the Halo, perhaps in celebration of the death of a demon.[11]

Over the next few months, 'Rdomnai and Gorian captured and tortured ONI operative Kate Stalling for her research on the ring's Conspectus network.[12] When they finally located a Conspectus network hub underneath Outpost Tremonius on April 26, 2560, the duo forced a human prisoner to interface with the network's datastream to extract information on the ring's defensive systems; 'Rdomnai then killed the prisoner. The duo were then ambushed Spartan Bonita Stone, who stole the data node. 'Rdomnai managed to catch the Spartan by surprise during her escape. He retrieved the data node, unaware the Spartan's personal AI Ouco had copied the information into another data chip and corrupted the original.[3][13] 'Rdomnai and Gorian then joined the Banished forces at Site Novem to breach the Conservatory in search of the ring's monitor 117649 Despondent Pyre.[14][15]

On May 14, having been made aware of the UNSC presence at a beacon tower near the Conservatory, 'Rdomnai led Banished reinforcements to counter UNSC survivors broadcasting the ring's location to UNSC occupied space.[16] 'Rdomnai did not take part in the battle itself, only watching from afar, which likely led to his survival when the submonitor 091 Adjutant Veridity came to the humans' aid, firing her focus beam at the Banished forces before teleporting the survivors to safety.[17] Then, on the next day, when Spartans Theodore Sorel and Vedrana Makovich infiltrated the Banished excavation site at the Conservatory, 'Rdomnai ambushed the two and wounded Sorel. Makovich urged Sorel to run ahead to locate the monitor of the ring, while she fended off 'Rdomnai.[4] Makovich died in the subsequent duel against the 'Rdomnai,[18] while Sorel made a last stand deeper inside the facility before ultimately being killed by the Jiralhanae brothers Tovarus and Hyperius.[19]

Jega 'Rdomnai, Escharum, and Tremonius. From an IGN video].
Jega 'Rdomnai threatening Tremonius in front of Escharum.

Two weeks later, 'Rdomnai attended a meeting between Escharum and Tremonius, where they learned that Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 was still alive and had just destroyed the Ghost of Gbraakon. When Tremonius questioned Escharum's leadership, and disrespected Atriox, 'Rdomnai forcibly restrained and threatened the Jiralhanae. After Tremonius left, Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to follow the Master Chief from a distance, as Escharum wanted to know everything about the Spartan.[20][3] Later, after the Master Chief killed Hyperius and Tovarus, Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to bring John-117 to him alive while 'Rdomnai noted with concern his friend's worsening terminal illness.[21]

Shortly after the Master Chief and the Weapon shut down the Reformation Spires, 'Rdomnai hijacked Echo 216 and kidnapped Fernando Esparza in order to bait the Master Chief into storming the House of Reckoning.[22] Upon returning to the House of Reckoning, 'Rdomnai witnessed Escharum smash his holotable in a fit of rage. The Blademaster asked Escharum if there was a problem and the War Chief stated that he was losing patience with The Harbinger. When he demanded that 'Rdomnai tell him that his mission was a success,'Rdomnai simply stated that the Master Chief would come to them and revealed that he had captured Fernando Esparza, much to Escharum's delight. Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to keep Esparza alive, but to have his fun as 'Rdomnai deserved it. Escharum laughed as he watched 'Rdomnai drag Esparza away.[23]

When the Master Chief finally arrived at the House of Reckoning, 'Rdomnai confronted him in a transport docked in the arena on the third level, using Esparza's holorecorder to lure the Master Chief in and trap him. Despite using his active camouflage extensively, 'Rdomnai was ultimately defeated by the Master Chief, although the Spartan was unable to confirm the kill as the Sangheili's body disappeared without a trace. After his friend's supposed death, Escharum informed the Master Chief that 'Rdomnai had wanted to kill Esparza, but Escharum had promised him a sweeter prize or a warrior's death instead.[24]

Equipment[edit]

During his time in the Covenant he wore the Silent Shadow variant of the Infiltration harness. At some point he switched to a black combat harness, which he customised with red markings, red claw-like ornaments and the Banished's symbol at the center of the chest armor. Jega carries a Bloodblade as a personal energy sword,[25] as well as a custom variant of bloodblade on his mechanical arm called Ghostpierce.[8]

Personality and traits[edit]

"Does it hurt? Take your last breath, Spartan, and behold your tomb."
— Jega 'Rdomnai taunting Bonita Stone as he killed her.[13]

Jega 'Rdomnai is a relentless killer who revels in not only hunting and slaughtering his enemies, but torturing them as well.[13] His bloodlust and viciousness is extreme, even by Sangheili standards, and his need to kill outweighs any sort of warrior's honor. After being severely wounded in battle, he clung to life and rebuilt his body using forbidden cybernetics. The rest of Sangheili society has shunned him for this sacrilege is of little concern to him.[1] Ironically, after leaving the Covenant and joining the Banished, 'Rdomnai became close friends with Escharum, despite the animosity between their two species.[7]

In the Sangheili language, the suffix "-ai" at the end of 'Rdomnai's name indicates his prestige as a blademaster. This alteration upon his name is an indicator of the dedication offered by Jega to the art of swordsmanship.[26]

Gameplay[edit]

Jega 'Rdomnai deploys active camo during the entirety of his fight, only revealing himself when lunging at the player. After reaching a certain threshold of damage taken, 'Rdomnai will initiate a "hard cloak", fleeing and disappearing entirely from the room, although staggering attacks such as fusion coils can prevent this temporarily. During this phase he will not be shown on threat sensors. Jega will eventually reappear in camouflage and attack the player once more. This continues until he is defeated. 'Rdomnai has an extremely mysterious "death". Upon losing all of his health, he turns around and engages active camo, vanishing without a trace. He disappears from threat sensors and Chief is unable to locate his corpse. He drops his Bloodblade, which the Master Chief can pick up and use.

Production notes[edit]

  • 343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling cited Jega 'Rdomnai's robotic prostheses as an example for what the Covenant would have been like without its "dogmatic restraint." Easterling also contrasted 'Rdomnai to Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, with 'Rdomnai being representative of 'Vadam's "psycho elements."[7]
  • Jega 'Rdomnai was portrayed by actor Noshir Dalal in Halo Infinite.[27]
  • There are several pieces of evidence implying that Jega 'Rdomnai may have survived his encounter with John-117.
    • Jega is one of the only main antagonists with no achievement tied to his defeat.
    • Jega's body cloaks upon his apparent death, a behavior not seen with any other active camouflage user in Halo Infinite.[24]
    • The description of Jega's emblem in the High Value Targets bundle reads "It was only a flesh wound."[28]
    • The title of Jega's Rdomnai's entry in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) reads "Immortal Machine."[8]
    • Perhaps most tellingly, Jega's Rdomnai's entry in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) is written in present tense and does not mention him being killed by John-117.[8] The entries for the other antagonists of Halo Infinite defeated by John-117 are written in past tense and almost always explicitly mention their deaths.

Gallery[edit]

Graphic Halo.png Check out our collection of quotes related to Jega 'Rdomnai on its quotes page.
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Concept art and illustrations[edit]

  • Concept art of Jega 'Rdomnai for Halo Infinite.

    Concept art of Jega 'Rdomnai for Halo Infinite.

  • More finalized concept art of Jega 'Rdomnai.

    More finalized concept art of Jega 'Rdomnai.

  • Promotional image of Jega 'Rodomnai.

    Promotional image of Jega 'Rodomnai.

Screenshots[edit]

  • Profile view of 'Rdonmnai.

    Profile view of 'Rdonmnai.

  • 'Rdomnai listening to Escharum.

    'Rdomnai listening to Escharum.

  • Escharum speaking to 'Rdomnai.

    Escharum speaking to 'Rdomnai.

  • 'Rdomnai standing before a captured Fernando Esparza.

    'Rdomnai standing before a captured Fernando Esparza.

  • A full-body portrait of Jega 'Rdomnai.

    A full-body portrait of Jega 'Rdomnai.

  • 'Rdomnai activates Ghostpierce.

    'Rdomnai activates Ghostpierce.

  • 'Rdomnai activating his Bloodblade sword and Ghostpierce.

    'Rdomnai activating his Bloodblade sword and Ghostpierce.

  • Jega 'Rdomnai charges at John-117.

    Jega 'Rdomnai charges at John-117.

  • 'Rdomnai carrying a bloodblade.

    'Rdomnai carrying a bloodblade.

  • Front view of Jega 'Rdomnai.

    Front view of Jega 'Rdomnai.

  • 'Rdomnai attacking with his weapons.

    'Rdomnai attacking with his weapons.

  • 'Rdomnai without his energy shielding.

    'Rdomnai without his energy shielding.

  • 'Rdomnai uses his active camouflage.

    'Rdomnai uses his active camouflage.

  • A cloaked 'Rdomnai revealed by the threat sensor.

    A cloaked 'Rdomnai revealed by the threat sensor.

  • 'Rdomnai vanishes after the Master Chief defeats him.

    'Rdomnai vanishes after the Master Chief defeats him.

Merchandise[edit]

  • Jega 'Rdomnai 4 inch action figure from Jazwares.

    Jega 'Rdomnai 4 inch action figure from Jazwares.

  • Mega Construx figure of Jega 'Rdomnai.

    Mega Construx figure of Jega 'Rdomnai.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 454
  2. ^ a b Halo Infinite, Jega 'Rdomnai in-game model
  3. ^ a b c Halo Infinite, campaign level Foundation
  4. ^ a b Halo Infinite, Spartan Audio log: Scattered #08 - The Assassin
  5. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Despite Distance (Retrieved on Aug 31, 2020) [archive]
  6. ^ Halo Waypoint, Inside Infinite - October 2021 (Retrieved on Oct 29, 2021) [archive]
  7. ^ a b c d e IGN, Halo Infinite Campaign: Get to Know Jega, a ‘Spartan Killer’ – IGN First (Retrieved on Nov 9, 2021) [archive]
  8. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 482
  9. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 12
  10. ^ Halo Infinite, Spartan Audio log: Retaliation #07 - Red Tide
  11. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Decennial Delights (Retrieved on Sep 28, 2024) [local archive] [external archive]
  12. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 22
  13. ^ a b c Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 28
  14. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 32
  15. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 34
  16. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 36
  17. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 38
  18. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Conservatory
  19. ^ Halo Infinite, Spartan Audio log: Scattered #09 - Killers
  20. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Warship Gbraakon
  21. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Pelican Down
  22. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level The Command Spire
  23. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Repository
  24. ^ a b Halo Infinite, campaign level House of Reckoning
  25. ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - Elite Bloodblade description: "Once the personal Energy Sword of Jega 'Rdomnai—now a hard-won memento of his defeat."
  26. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 131
  27. ^ Halo Infinite, credits
  28. ^ Halo Infinite, HVT Target: Jega Emblem and Nameplate description
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