Editing Raia 'Mdama

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Cov
|name=
|image=
|homeworld=[[Mdama]], [[Sanghelios]]
|birth=
|death=[[2553#March|March 2553]]
|causeofdeath=
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=[[Jul 'Mdama]]
|children=
*[[Dural 'Mdama]]
*[[Asum 'Mdama]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|gender=Female
|height=
|mass=
|hair=
|eyes=
|affiliation=[[Bekan keep]]
|rank=
|sn=
|notable=
}}

'''Raia 'Mdama''' was a [[Sangheili]] female living in the state of [[Mdama]]. She was the wife of the [[Shipmaster]] [[Jul 'Mdama]], the [[elder]] of [[Bekan keep]], and mother of [[Dural 'Mdama|Dural]] and [[Asum 'Mdama|Asum 'Mdama]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/news/headline/the-halo-bulletin-101211-exclusive-book-excerpt-glasslands/280887 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo: Glasslands'' excerpt, Chapter 2]</ref>

==Biography==
===Post-war===
During the [[Human-Covenant War]] she helped [[Naxan]], her great-brother, maintain [[Bekan keep]]. While Jul was more concerned with what the humans would do, she was more concerned with how the Sangheili would move on from the war, and return to a peaceful society. When her husband dismissed her she grew angry, saying the [[San'Shyuum]] had made them reliant on other races, and they must now re-learn how to use basic technologies.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 53''</ref> She expressed how they might be able to find [[Kig-Yar]] traders willing to do business, but doubted if they could use loyal [[Jiralhanae]] to maintain their technology since the [[Huragok]] had fled. Jul ended their conversation and left for the assembly at [[Kaidon]] [[Levu 'Mdama]]'s [[Levu 'Mdama's keep|keep]], saying they would discuss it later.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 52-55''</ref> While constructing a barn from ancient farm records she found, Jul informed her that he would be leaving for [[Ontom]] for a few days, but Raia knew that he was plotting against the Arbiter.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 133-134''</ref> Soon after allying himself with [[Avu Med 'Telcam]] and the [[Servants of Abiding Truth]], Jul was captured by [[Kilo-Five]] and sent to [[Trevelyan]].

===The search for Jul===
Following Jul's disappearance, Raia went to see [[Forze 'Mdama]] who told her that he and 'Telcam had not heard from Jul. Determined to find her missing husband, Raia set out from Bekan keep, leaving her sister [[Umira]] to manage the estate's accounts, and confronted 'Telcam about Jul's unknown whereabouts. Upon been told that Jul may have been taken by the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter's]] forces, she demanded 'Telcam to let her onboard the ''[[Unflinching Resolve]]'' and accompany the crew on its assault on [[Vadam]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 111-113''</ref> During the assault, the ship lost its navigation controls and suffered a direct hit causing it to crash on Vadam's shoreline. Raia survived the crash-landing with the help of [[Dunil]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 168-172''</ref> Despite the insistence of Forze to return home, she was determined to storm [[Vadam keep]] with the rebels and search for Jul inside.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 214-215''</ref>

While waiting at the rebel opposition camp, 'Telcam tasked Forze and Raia to take a [[Phantom]] to [[Acroli]] and recover a human named [[Evan Phillips|''Philliss'']] at [[Nes'alun keep]]. Arriving at the [[keep]], they encountered Kilo-Five, who extracted Phillips in the midst of a skirmish. They followed ''[[Tart-Cart]]'' as it was forced to land and make necessary repairs. As Forze conversed with the [[Marines]], Raia attempted to contact 'Telcam to notify him that  Kilo-Five would be taking Phillips. Raia soon informed Forze that 'Telcam gave his consent and ordered  him to assist Kilo-Five with their repairs. After handing over some pipes and wire, Forze and Raia returned to their Phantom and then made their way back to Vadam.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 257-259''</ref>

Upon returning to the rebel camp, 'Telcam's forces began to bombard the Vadam keep with the help the rebel destroyer ''[[Defender of Faith]]''. However they were soon forced to retreat when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} destroyed ''Defender of Faith'' and fired a [[MAC]] round at the Abiding Truth's ground forces. Raia was onboard the Covenant frigate, ''[[Cleansing Truth]]'', as it attempted to flee to [[New Llanelli|Laqil]] and was shot down by the Arbiter's cruiser, ''[[Swordsman (ship)|Swordsman]]''.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 330''</ref>

===Legacy===
Raia's son Dural promised to avenge her death and carve her story on their keep's [[Saga wall]].  Feeling responsible for her death by allowing her to enter a combat zone, Avu Med 'Telcam took Dural on as an apprentice.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''pages 122-123''</ref> Jul 'Mdama, correctly believing that humans were responsible for her death, would eventually form a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant faction]] in order to exact his vengeance on humanity.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 442-443''</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Expand-section}}Proud and wise, she was eager to see her race become strong again. Not as warriors like the San'Shyuum had molded them into over thousands of years, but as an independent race that explored and created as they did before they became servants of the Prophets.

Raia chooses to violate Sangheili social norms regarding the sexes. She had rarely left her keep and had never left the planet before, which would be normal for Sangheili females. Her interests and time had been mainly occupied with managing her lands, supervising the education and upbringing of children within her authority, leading social and economic activity within the keep, and discussing issues that fell within the joint interest and authority of herself and her husband.

However, she leaves the keep to seek her husband because she realizes that nobody else will search for him as diligently as she will. As she sees more of her own planet and its political complexity, she begins to feel that she should no longer ignore the bigger picture, deciding that she wants to participate in decision making about issues traditionally left to Sangheili males.

During the search for her husband, she reminds Forze that there has been at least one female Sangheili warrior, using this as a way to justify her atypical behavior. Forze scornfully asks her if she wants to be a warrior, and she answers, "No. But I should have the choice," indicating a shift in her thoughts. Not all females will wish to abandon their traditional roles as having authority over bloodlines, keeps, and land management, but considering the option and choosing becomes more interesting to her than thoughtlessly accepting her role.

Her personal development and newly budding awareness of her capabilities are made more poignant by the way they are cut short by her sudden death.

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Sangheili characters|Mdama, Raia]]
[[Category:Nobles|Mdama, Raia]]