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{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Era|Covenant|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Disambig header|the Covenant Honor Guard|other uses|Honor Guard}}
{{Disambig header|the Covenant Honor Guard|other uses|Honor Guard}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Military infobox
|unit_name= Honor Guard
|image=[[File:Brutesarbiter.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Brutesarbiter.jpg|300px]]
|formed=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]] [[High Council]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant]] [[High Council]]
|branch=
|branch=
|type=Protection service
|type=Protection services
|role=To protect the [[Hierarchs]] and the rest of the [[High Council]].
|role=Protect the [[Hierarchs]] and the rest of the [[High Council]].
|equipment=
|size=
|size=
|nicknames=
|battles=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br>
|battles=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br>
[[Great Schism]]
[[Great Schism]]
|commanders=
|commanders=
}}
}}
{{Quote|Thou, in faith, will keep us safe,<br>Whilst we find the path.|[[Covenant]] [[Writ of Union]]}}


The '''Honor Guard'''<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 95''</ref> is a special unit of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] warriors tasked with providing security for the [[High Council]]. They were traditionally composed of [[Sangheili]] members, but were replaced by [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae]] during the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="gravemind">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>
{{Quote|Thou, in faith, will keep us safe,<br>Whilst we find the path.|[[Covenant]] [[Writ of Union]]<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 148''</ref>}}
 
The '''Honor Guard'''<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 95''</ref> is a special unit of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] warriors tasked with providing security for the [[High Council]]. They were traditionally composed of [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili members]], but were replaced by [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae]] during the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
===Role===
===Role===
The members of the Honor Guard serve as personal protection for the San'Shyuum members of the High Council. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]], as well as members of the [[High Council]], from any danger. In accordance with their duties, they are unwaveringly loyal to the individuals they protect and will defend them to the death.  
[[File:HW3.jpg|thumb|250px|A group of Honor Guardsmen at [[Shield 0459]]'s [[Apex Site]].]]
The members of the Honor Guard serve as personal protection for the San'Shyuum members of the High Council. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]], as well as members of the [[High Council]], from any danger. In accordance with their duties, they are unwaveringly loyal to the individuals they protect and will defend them to the death. Honor guardsmen are expected to kill anyone who draws a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 341''</ref>


The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard consists of a red-and-black combat harness adorned with glowing orange panels. In addition to standard covenant weaponry such as plasma rifles, they are armed with Energy Swords and bladed [[Energy Stave]]s.
The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard consists of a red-and-black combat harness adorned with glowing orange panels. In addition to standard Covenant weaponry such as plasma rifles, they are armed with Energy Swords and bladed [[Energy Stave]]s.


===Ranks===
===Ranks===
Although Guard service is a great honor, it is seen by some Sangheili and [[Jiralhanae]] as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. It is unknown how an Honor Guard ranks in comparison to the normal chain of leadership, but it is assumed they are equivalent to an [[Sangheili Ultra]] or [[Jiralhanae Captain]], or slightly below the [[Arbiter]]/[[Chieftain]].
Although Guard service is a great honor, it is seen by some Sangheili and [[Jiralhanae]] as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly in the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{citation needed}} Though moved to a specialist rank, the Honor Guardsmen retain their old armors, indicating that most Honor Guards are formerly [[Sangheili Major]]s, [[Sangheili Ultra]]s, or [[Jiralhanae Captain]]s.


Wherever a [[Hierarchs|High Prophet]] is located, an Honor Guardsman is always by their side. There could be as many as 300 Honor Guardsman for each Prophet, as a chamber within the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] seems designed to hold 300 Honor Guards.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 339''</ref>
Wherever a [[Hierarchs|High Prophet]] is located, an Honor Guardsman is always by their side. There could be as many as three hundred Honor Guardsmen for each Prophet, as a chamber within the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] seems designed to hold three hundred Honor Guards.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 339''</ref>


It is known that both the Honor Guard Sangheili and Jiralhanae are stronger than their average counterparts.
It is known that both the Honor Guard Sangheili and Jiralhanae are stronger than their average counterparts.
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Between 2542 and 2552, the Honor Guard were charged with defending a [[Unidentified Prophet (Heian)|Lesser Prophet]] on a [[Heian|Covenant-controlled planet]] that served as a major logistics base. Unfortunately for them, a team of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] infiltrated the planet and sniped the Prophet from a distance of two miles before the Honor Guard could intervene.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Babysitter]]''</ref>
Between 2542 and 2552, the Honor Guard were charged with defending a [[Unidentified Prophet (Heian)|Lesser Prophet]] on a [[Heian|Covenant-controlled planet]] that served as a major logistics base. Unfortunately for them, a team of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] infiltrated the planet and sniped the Prophet from a distance of two miles before the Honor Guard could intervene.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Babysitter]]''</ref>


On [[2552|October 20th, 2552]], Covenant [[Covenant Army|Ground]] and [[Covenant Navy|Naval]] forces invaded [[Earth]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> The [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] and his fleet came to Earth to find [[Installation 00|The Ark]],<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]'', ''page 95''</ref> a facility where they could fire all of the [[Halo Array|Halo Installations]] and complete [[The Great Journey]]. Being pursued by [[United Nations Space Command]] forces, ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' escaped by going into [[slipstream space|slipspace]] in [[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>
[[File:H2A - HonorGuard.jpg|thumb|250px|John-117 engaging an Honor Guardsman on Installation 05.]]
On [[2552|October 20th, 2552]], Covenant [[Covenant Army|Ground]] and [[Covenant Navy|Naval]] forces invaded [[Earth]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> The [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] and his fleet came to Earth to find [[Installation 00|The Ark]],<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]'', ''page 95''</ref> a facility where they could fire all of the [[Halo Array|Halo Installations]] and complete [[The Great Journey]]. Being pursued by [[United Nations Space Command]] forces, ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' escaped by going into [[slipstream space|slipspace]] in [[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>


When they arrived on [[Installation 05]], Regret and his [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] stationed themselves at a temple in the middle of a lake near the [[Quarantine Zone]] of the [[Library]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref>
When they arrived on [[Installation 05]], Regret and his [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] stationed themselves at a temple in the middle of a lake near the [[Quarantine Zone]] of the [[Library]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]]''</ref>


Much to the Prophet's surprise, the human vessel ''[[In Amber Clad]]'' followed him to the Installation. The UNSC forces aboard, led by [[Miranda Keyes]], initiated an assault on the temple with the intent of capturing or killing the Prophet. SPARTAN-II John-117 led the attack, infiltrating the temple and entering the Prophet's chamber. The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fought furiously to protect the Hierarch, but ultimately could not prevent John-117 from killing the Prophet of Regret.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>
Much to the Prophet's surprise, the human vessel ''[[In Amber Clad]]'' followed him to the Installation. The UNSC forces aboard, led by [[Miranda Keyes]], initiated an assault on the temple with the intent of capturing or killing the Prophet. SPARTAN-II John-117 led the attack, infiltrating the temple and entering the Prophet's chamber. The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fought furiously to protect the Hierarch, but ultimately could not prevent John-117 from killing the Prophet of Regret.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>


====Changing of the Guard====
====Changing of the Guard====
{{Main|Changing of the Guard}}
{{Main|Changing of the Guard}}
Following the catastrophic failure of Sangheili forces in safeguarding Installation 04, the Hierarch's confidence in the abilities of the Sangheili wavered. Their willingness to trust the Sangheili as their personal protectors declined even further when the Prophet of Regret's bodyguards failed to save him from death at the hands of the "Demon" [[John-117]]. As a result, the High Prophets of Truth and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] ordered the Sangheili to step down as the protectors of the Prophets. In their place, the Jiralhanae filled in the void left by the disgraced [[Sangheili]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>
[[File:Honor Guard Ultra Helmet.jpg|thumb|250px|A Sangheili Ultra passes his Honor Guard armor to a Jiralhanae.]]
Following the catastrophic failure of Sangheili forces in safeguarding Installation 04, the Hierarch's confidence in the abilities of the Sangheili wavered. Their willingness to trust the Sangheili as their personal protectors declined even further when the Prophet of Regret's bodyguards failed to save him from death at the hands of the "Demon" [[John-117]]. As a result, the High Prophets of Truth and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] ordered the Sangheili to step down as the protectors of the Prophets. In their place, the Jiralhanae filled in the void left by the disgraced [[Sangheili]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>


====The Great Schism====
====The Great Schism====
{{Main|Great Schism}}
{{Main|Great Schism}}
At the [[Battle of the Quarantine Zone]] in [[2552|November 2552]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] retrieved the [[Activation Index|Index]] from the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], and moments later sent him to his death which he survived.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>
At the [[Battle of the Quarantine Zone]] in [[2552|November 2552]], [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] retrieved the [[Activation Index|Index]] from the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], and moments later sent him to his death which he survived.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>


This action, given to Tartarus by the High Prophets, started the [[Great Schism]],<ref name="gravemind"/> that would last for several years.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>
This action, given to Tartarus by the High Prophets, started the [[Great Schism]],<ref name="gravemind"/> that would last for several years.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>
Line 58: Line 61:
During the [[Battle of High Charity]], the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]] were put into more of an infantry role fighting the Covenant [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|separatists]] still on the capital world and on ships in orbit.<ref name="gravemind"/>
During the [[Battle of High Charity]], the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]] were put into more of an infantry role fighting the Covenant [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|separatists]] still on the capital world and on ships in orbit.<ref name="gravemind"/>


Later during the battle on ''[[High Charity]]'', the Prophets of Truth and Mercy along with their personal [[Jiralhanae]] Honor Guards fled towards a landing pad where they would leave on the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the middle of the city.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>
Later during the battle on ''[[High Charity]]'', the Prophets of Truth and Mercy along with their personal [[Jiralhanae]] Honor Guards fled towards a landing pad where they would leave on the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the middle of the city.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>


During this, the [[Flood]], led by the [[Gravemind]], begin their invasion of ''High Charity''. A lone [[Flood infection form|Infection Form]] that slipped past the Jiralhanae, grasped onto Mercy's chest and began his assimilation into a [[proto-Gravemind]]. Truth, not wanting any potential threat to his ultimate supremacy, allowed the old Prophet to die.
During this, the [[Flood]], led by the [[Gravemind]], begin their invasion of ''High Charity''. A lone [[Flood infection form|Infection Form]] that slipped past the Jiralhanae, grasped onto Mercy's chest and began his assimilation into a [[proto-Gravemind]]. Truth, not wanting any potential threat to his ultimate supremacy, allowed the old Prophet to die.

Revision as of 12:49, September 12, 2014

This article is about the Covenant Honor Guard. For other uses, see Honor Guard.
Covenant Honor Guard
Brutesarbiter.jpg

Affiliation:

Covenant High Council

Type:

Protection services

Role:

Protect the Hierarchs and the rest of the High Council.

Engagements:

Human-Covenant War
Great Schism

 

"Thou, in faith, will keep us safe,
Whilst we find the path."
— Covenant Writ of Union[1]

The Honor Guard[2] is a special unit of Covenant warriors tasked with providing security for the High Council. They were traditionally composed of Sangheili members, but were replaced by Jiralhanae during the Great Schism.[3]

Background

Role

A group of Honor Guardsmen at Shield 0459's Apex Site.

The members of the Honor Guard serve as personal protection for the San'Shyuum members of the High Council. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets, as well as members of the High Council, from any danger. In accordance with their duties, they are unwaveringly loyal to the individuals they protect and will defend them to the death. Honor guardsmen are expected to kill anyone who draws a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.[4]

The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard consists of a red-and-black combat harness adorned with glowing orange panels. In addition to standard Covenant weaponry such as plasma rifles, they are armed with Energy Swords and bladed Energy Staves.

Ranks

Although Guard service is a great honor, it is seen by some Sangheili and Jiralhanae as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly in the Human-Covenant War.[citation needed] Though moved to a specialist rank, the Honor Guardsmen retain their old armors, indicating that most Honor Guards are formerly Sangheili Majors, Sangheili Ultras, or Jiralhanae Captains.

Wherever a High Prophet is located, an Honor Guardsman is always by their side. There could be as many as three hundred Honor Guardsmen for each Prophet, as a chamber within the Sanctum of the Hierarchs seems designed to hold three hundred Honor Guards.[5]

It is known that both the Honor Guard Sangheili and Jiralhanae are stronger than their average counterparts.

History

Early history

After the Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War, the two sides formed the Covenant. The San 'Shyuum were to be the governmental leaders and scientists, with the Sangheili as their protectors and main military force. The Covenant Honor Guards were established to protect the Covenant High Council and Hierarchs.[6][7]

Human-Covenant War

Main article: Human-Covenant War

Between 2542 and 2552, the Honor Guard were charged with defending a Lesser Prophet on a Covenant-controlled planet that served as a major logistics base. Unfortunately for them, a team of ODSTs infiltrated the planet and sniped the Prophet from a distance of two miles before the Honor Guard could intervene.[8]

John-117 engaging an Honor Guardsman on Installation 05.

On October 20th, 2552, Covenant Ground and Naval forces invaded Earth.[9] The High Prophet of Regret and his fleet came to Earth to find The Ark,[10] a facility where they could fire all of the Halo Installations and complete The Great Journey. Being pursued by United Nations Space Command forces, Solemn Penance escaped by going into slipspace in New Mombasa, Kenya.[11]

When they arrived on Installation 05, Regret and his Sangheili Honor Guardsmen stationed themselves at a temple in the middle of a lake near the Quarantine Zone of the Library.[12]

Much to the Prophet's surprise, the human vessel In Amber Clad followed him to the Installation. The UNSC forces aboard, led by Miranda Keyes, initiated an assault on the temple with the intent of capturing or killing the Prophet. SPARTAN-II John-117 led the attack, infiltrating the temple and entering the Prophet's chamber. The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fought furiously to protect the Hierarch, but ultimately could not prevent John-117 from killing the Prophet of Regret.[13]

Changing of the Guard

Main article: Changing of the Guard
A Sangheili Ultra passes his Honor Guard armor to a Jiralhanae.

Following the catastrophic failure of Sangheili forces in safeguarding Installation 04, the Hierarch's confidence in the abilities of the Sangheili wavered. Their willingness to trust the Sangheili as their personal protectors declined even further when the Prophet of Regret's bodyguards failed to save him from death at the hands of the "Demon" John-117. As a result, the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy ordered the Sangheili to step down as the protectors of the Prophets. In their place, the Jiralhanae filled in the void left by the disgraced Sangheili.[14]

The Great Schism

Main article: Great Schism

At the Battle of the Quarantine Zone in November 2552, Chieftain Tartarus retrieved the Index from the Arbiter, and moments later sent him to his death which he survived.[15]

This action, given to Tartarus by the High Prophets, started the Great Schism,[3] that would last for several years.[16]

During the Battle of High Charity, the Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen were put into more of an infantry role fighting the Covenant separatists still on the capital world and on ships in orbit.[3]

Later during the battle on High Charity, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy along with their personal Jiralhanae Honor Guards fled towards a landing pad where they would leave on the Forerunner Dreadnought in the middle of the city.[17]

During this, the Flood, led by the Gravemind, begin their invasion of High Charity. A lone Infection Form that slipped past the Jiralhanae, grasped onto Mercy's chest and began his assimilation into a proto-Gravemind. Truth, not wanting any potential threat to his ultimate supremacy, allowed the old Prophet to die.

Gallery

  • A standard Sangheili Honor Guard

    A standard Sangheili Honor Guard

  • Honor guard Ultra0111.jpg

    An Honor Guard Ultra

  • The newer Jiralhanae Honor Guards

    The newer Jiralhanae Honor Guards

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 148
  2. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 95
  3. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  4. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 341
  5. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 339
  6. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 47
  7. ^ Halo 3, Bestiarum
  8. ^ Halo Legends, The Babysitter
  9. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  10. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, page 95
  11. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  12. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  13. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  14. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  15. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
  16. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "The Return"
  17. ^ Halo 2, campaign level High Charity
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