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|conc=[[Insurrection]], [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Sangheili civil war]], [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|conc=[[Insurrection]], [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Sangheili civil war]], [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|next=
|next=
|image=[[File:War.jpg|260px]]Covenant loyalist and separatist fleets battle over High Charity near [[Installation 05]]
|image=[[File:War.jpg|350px]]Covenant loyalist and separatist fleets battle over ''High Charity'' near [[Installation 05]]
|conflict=
|conflict=
|date= [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]]<ref group="note">The massacre of the Sangheili on Earth on October 20, 2552 (witnessed in ''Halo 3: ODST'') is regarded as an isolated incident leading up to the Schism, whereas the conflict at large is considered to have begun with the Sangheili's banishment from the Honor Guard and the subsequent outbreak of all-out hostilities within ''High Charity'' and its fleets on November 2.</ref> - Ongoing as of [[2559]]<ref name="Evolutions">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'''</ref>
|date= [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]]<ref group="note">The massacre of the Sangheili on Earth on October 20, 2552 (witnessed in ''Halo 3: ODST'') is regarded as an isolated incident leading up to the Schism, whereas the conflict at large is considered to have begun with the Sangheili's banishment from the Honor Guard and the subsequent outbreak of all-out hostilities within ''High Charity'' and its fleets on November 2.</ref> - Ongoing as of [[2559]]<ref name="Evolutions">'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>
|place=[[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]]
|place=[[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]]
|result=Ongoing:
|result=Ongoing:
*Rapid dissolution and [[Covenant remnants|splintering]] of the [[Covenant]]
*Rapid dissolution and [[Covenant remnants|splintering]] of the [[Covenant]]
*Ongoing conflict between the [[Sangheili]] and factions of the [[Jiralhanae]]
*Ongoing conflict between the [[Sangheili]] and factions of the [[Jiralhanae]]
|side1=Covenant
|side1=[[Covenant]]
|side2=
|side2=
*[[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]]
[[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]] <br>
*[[Joyous Exultation alliance]]
[[Joyous Exultation alliance]] <br>
*[[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
[[United Nations Space Command]]
|side3=
|side3=
|side4=
|side4=
|commanders1=
|commanders1=
*[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]†
[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]† <br>
*[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]†
[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]† <br>
*[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]†
[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]† <br>
*[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]]†
[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]†
|commanders2=
|commanders2=
*[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]
[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] <br>
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]
[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] <br>
*[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]†
[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]† <br>
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]]†
[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]]† <br>
*[[Fleet Admiral|FADM]] [[Terrence Hood|Lord Terrence Hood]]
[[Terrence Hood|FADM Lord Terrence Hood]] <br>
*[[Lieutenant Commander|LCDR]] [[Miranda Keyes]]†
[[Miranda Keyes|LCDR Miranda Keyes]]† <br>
*[[Master Chief Petty Officer|MCPO]] [[John-117]]
[[John-117|MCPO John-117]] <br>
*[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]]†
[[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]]†
|commanders3=
|commanders3=
|commanders4=
|commanders4=
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|casual4=
|casual4=
}}
}}
The '''Great Schism''',<ref name="GoO">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 240''</ref> also known as the '''Covenant Schism''',<ref name="GoO245">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 245''</ref> or the '''Great Betrayal''' among the [[Sangheili]],<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return'', ''page ???''</ref> was a major conflict between the forces loyal to the [[Covenant]] and [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|an association of separatists]], which split apart between [[2552|October 2552 and November 2552]]. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: [[human]]s and their Sangheili-led separatist allies; the remnants of the Covenant, led by the [[San 'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]]; and the [[Flood]], which took over the Covenant holy city of [[High Charity]] in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions. The Schism marked both the end of the Covenant and the partition of its client species for a thousand years.<ref name="GoO245"/>
{{Quote|Millions of our finest, our young males, have been killed—not fighting humans, but in the Great Schism. Are we insane? Our bloodlines have been weakened and our ships have been lost in a civil war, all because we were deceived into loyalty to the San'Shyuum.|[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], to an audience of [[Mdama]] [[elder]]s<ref name="gl59">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 59''</ref>}}
 
The '''Great Schism''',<ref name="GoO">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 240''</ref> also known as the '''Covenant Schism''',<ref name="GoO245">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 245''</ref> or the '''Great Betrayal''' among the [[Sangheili]],<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return'', ''page 247''</ref> was a major conflict between the forces loyal to the [[Covenant]] and [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|an association of separatists]], which split apart between [[2552|October 2552 and November 2552]]. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: [[human]]s and their Sangheili-led separatist allies; the remnants of the Covenant, led by the [[San'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]]; and the [[Flood]], which took over the Covenant holy city of ''[[High Charity]]'' in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions. The Schism marked both the end of the Covenant and the partition of its client species for a thousand years.<ref name="GoO245"/>


==History==
==History==
===Background===
===Background===
{{Quote|no=two|1=[[Thel 'Vadamee]]|q1=We are strong, Kig-Yar. That is why we sit at the right hand of the Prophets.|2=[[Reth]]|q2=One day that shall pass.|3=Conversation between the Kig-yar Reth and Thel 'Vadamee in [[2535]].}}
{{Quote|no=two|1=Thel 'Vadamee|q1=We are strong, Kig-Yar. That is why we sit at the right hand of the Prophets.|2=Reth|q2=One day that shall pass.|3=Conversation between [[Reth]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee in [[2535]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 229''</ref>}}
Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] had plans of replacing the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae, as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he distrusted the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. After Truth learned the location of the [[Earth|human homeworld]], he secretly amassed [[Truth's fleet|a fleet]] of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. In September, this station and the fleet [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|were destroyed]] by a group of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence. This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.<ref name="oct20">''[[Halo Waypoint]], "Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>
Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] had plans of replacing the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]], as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he distrusted the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. After Truth learned the location of the [[Earth|human homeworld]], he secretly amassed [[Truth's fleet|a fleet]] of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 297''</ref> In [[2552#September|September of 2552]], this station and the fleet [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|were destroyed]] by a group of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 407''</ref> This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.<ref name="oct20">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>


On October 20, the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[The Portal|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|a fleet]] of fifteen ships to Earth. Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth; he gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili, as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold [[New Mombasa]] until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As High Charity and the rest of the Covenant fleet were now on their way to the newly discovered [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]], Truth's scheme remained secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo weeks before High Charity and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth: the final stage in Truth's plan.<ref name="oct20"/>
On October 20, the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[Portal at Voi|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|a fleet]] of fifteen ships to Earth.<ref name="oct20"/> Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth; he gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili,<ref name="odst">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref> as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold [[New Mombasa]] until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]] were now on their way to the newly discovered [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]], Truth's scheme remained secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo weeks before ''High Charity'' and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth: the final stage in Truth's plan.<ref name="oct20"/>


===Conflict erupts===
===Conflict erupts===
{{Quote|The Great Schism is upon us. The unbreakable Covenant [[Writ of Union]] has been split asunder. This is the end of the Ninth, and final, [[Ages of Reclamation|Age]].|Xytan 'Jar Wattinree}}
{{Quote|The Great Schism is upon us. The unbreakable Covenant [[Writ of Union]] has been split asunder. This is the end of the Ninth, and final, [[Ages of Reclamation|Age]].|Xytan 'Jar Wattinree<ref name="GoO"/>}}
After the Prophet of Regret was killed by [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] on November 2, the two remaining [[Hierarchs]] reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as the Prophets' [[Covenant Honor Guard|protectors]]. The Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the [[High Council]].
After the Prophet of Regret was killed by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] on November 2, the two remaining [[Hierarchs]] reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as the Prophets' [[Covenant Honor Guard|protectors]]. The Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the [[High Council]].<ref name="icon">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>


However, Truth further demoted the Sangheili by giving command of their fleets to the Jiralhanae. Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by secretly ordering the assassination of many [[Sangheili Councilor]]s. Truth also freed all Jiralhanae prisoners and pardoned them after release. This was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many [[Mgalekgolo]] and [[Unggoy]]. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt. After the assassination of the Councilors, war broke out on High Charity, with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Sangheili discovered the truth about the Halos and the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]]. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it the following day. Around this time, Truth left the [[Prophet of Mercy]] to die at the hands of the Flood, solidifying his place as the autocrat of the Covenant.
However, Truth further demoted the Sangheili by giving command of their fleets to the Jiralhanae. Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by secretly ordering the assassination of many [[Sangheili Councilor]]s.<ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> Truth also freed all Jiralhanae prisoners and pardoned them after release.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> This was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many [[Mgalekgolo]] and [[Unggoy]]. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt. After the assassination of the Councilors, war broke out on ''High Charity'', with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Sangheili discovered the truth about the Halos and the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]]. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it the following day. Around this time, Truth left the [[Prophet of Mercy]] to die at the hands of the [[Flood]], solidifying his place as the autocrat of the Covenant.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


At the front lines of the original conflict aboard High Charity, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Loyalists followed the Prophets and included all but a few Jiralhanae,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands'''</ref> most [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], some [[Unggoy]], and a minority of the [[Mgalekgolo]]. Separatists forces consisted of the Sangheili, most Mgalekgolo, and many Unggoy.
At the front lines of the original conflict aboard ''High Charity'', the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Covenant loyalists followed the San'Shyuum and included all but a few Jiralhanae,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 55''</ref> most [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], some Unggoy, and a minority of the Mgalekgolo. Separatists forces consisted of the Sangheili, most Mgalekgolo, and many Unggoy and [[Huragok]].


[[Chol Von]], a [[T'vaoan]] [[Shipmaster|shipmistress]], renamed her [[missionary ship]] ''[[Paragon|Joyous Discovery]]'' as ''Paragon'' at some point of the Great Schism.<ref name="md141">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 141''</ref> During the Schism, she captured a [[Phantom]], killing two [[Sangheili]] in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 73''</ref>
[[Chol Von]], a [[T'vaoan]] [[Shipmaster|shipmistress]], renamed her [[missionary ship]] ''[[Paragon|Joyous Discovery]]'' as ''Paragon'' at some point of the Great Schism.<ref name="md141">'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 141''</ref> During the Schism, she captured a [[Phantom]], killing two [[Sangheili]] in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 73''</ref>


===Sangheili-human alliance===
===Sangheili-human alliance===
The shaky alliance between the separatists and their former foes, the [[human]]s, was forged entirely out of necessity. Both sides had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. This alliance of circumstance was forged in the control room of Installation 05, when [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee united to prevent Tartarus from activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> The Arbiter persuaded many Sangheili, (though far from all of them),<ref>''[[Kilo-Five Trilogy]]''</ref> to ally with the humans.
The shaky alliance between the separatists and their former foes, the [[human]]s, was forged entirely out of necessity. Both sides had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. This alliance of circumstance was forged in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|control room of Installation 05]], when [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee united to prevent the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], [[Tartarus]], from activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array.<ref name="journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> The Arbiter persuaded many Sangheili—though far from all of them—to ally with the humans.<ref name="gl59"/>


[[File:TruthDeath-large.jpg|thumb|250px|The death of the Prophet of Truth.]]
On November 17, the devastated [[UNSC Home Fleet]] attempted a last-ditch assault on the Prophet of Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], which had integrated with [[Portal at Voi|the Forerunner artifact]] that Regret had discovered nearly a month prior. This attack failed and a [[Unidentified Flood-captured battlecruiser|Flood-controlled battlecruiser]] crashed in [[Voi]] only moments after Truth's fleet entered the [[Slipspace portal|portal]] generated by the artifact.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> However, the separatist [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], arrived in pursuit of the cruiser; as the fleet glassed the city and its environs, the Sangheili and UNSC agreed to follow Truth beyond the portal.<ref name="floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
On November 17, the devastated [[UNSC Home Fleet]] attempted a last-ditch assault on the Prophet of Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], which had integrated with [[Portal at Voi|the Forerunner artifact]] that Regret had discovered nearly a month prior. This attack failed and a [[Unidentified Flood-captured battlecruiser|Flood-controlled battlecruiser]] crashed in [[Voi]] only moments after Truth's fleet entered the [[Slipspace portal|portal]] generated by the artifact. However, the separatist [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], arrived in pursuit of the cruiser; as the fleet glassed the city and its environs, the Sangheili and UNSC agreed to follow Truth beyond the portal.


====The Ark====
====The Ark====
The joint Sangheili-UNSC fleet arrived at the Halo Array's control center, [[Installation 00]], on December 11. During the [[Battle of Installation 00|ensuing battle]], the separatist fleet completely destroyed their Covenant counterpart, despite the latter's three-to-one numerical superiority. Separatist forces later helped SPARTAN-117 disable the shield generators protecting the installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], in which the Prophet of Truth was hiding. The Master Chief and the Arbiter entered the Citadel and fought through what remained of Truth's personal guard. After reaching the control panel they discovered that the Hierarch had been infected by the Flood; as the Prophet slipped in and out of lucidity, 'Vadam stabbed him in the back. The Flood-controlled High Charity was destroyed shortly thereafter, effectively dissolving the Covenant.
[[File:TruthDeath-large.jpg|thumb|250px|The death of the Prophet of Truth.]]
The joint Sangheili-UNSC fleet arrived at the Halo Array's control center, [[Installation 00]], on December 11. During the [[Battle of Installation 00|ensuing battle]], the separatist fleet completely destroyed their Covenant counterpart, despite the latter's three-to-one numerical superiority.<ref name="ark">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> Separatist forces later helped SPARTAN-117 disable the shield generators protecting the installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], in which the Prophet of Truth was hiding. Master Chief John-117 and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam entered the Citadel and fought through what remained of Truth's personal guard. After reaching the control panel they discovered that the Hierarch had been infected by the Flood; as the Prophet slipped in and out of lucidity, 'Vadam stabbed him in the back.<ref name="cove">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> The Flood-controlled ''High Charity'' was destroyed shortly thereafter,<ref name="cortana">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''</ref> effectively dissolving the Covenant.


Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining separatist and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo [[Installation 04B]] was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI [[Cortana]] had escaped on the frigate {{UNSCship|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.
Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining separatist and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo [[Installation 04B]] was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI [[Cortana]] had escaped on the frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.<ref name="h3 halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>


====After the Human-Covenant War====
====After the Human-Covenant War====
[[File:Escalation_schism.png|thumb|250px|A [[Sangheili Minor]] and [[Jiralhanae Captain Major]] locked together in combat.]]
[[File:Escalation_schism.png|thumb|250px|A [[Sangheili Minor]] and [[Jiralhanae Captain Major]] locked together in combat.]]
Though 'Vadam sought a lasting peace with humanity, many of the Sangheili were not willing to suddenly end their war with the humans. Many Sangheili insurgents, rallied together by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], incited [[Sangheili civil war|war]] against the Arbiter and his allies for collaborating with humanity.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War'''</ref> [[Jul 'Mdama]], a former member of the Servants of the Abiding Truth, eventually formed his own [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|revival of the Covenant]], with the Sangheili again serving as its leadership caste.
Though 'Vadam sought a lasting peace with humanity, many of the Sangheili were not willing to suddenly end their war with the humans. Many Sangheili insurgents, rallied together by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], incited [[Sangheili civil war|war]] against the Arbiter and his allies for collaborating with humanity.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'''</ref> [[Jul 'Mdama]], a former member of the Servants of the Abiding Truth, eventually formed his own [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|revival of the Covenant]], with the Sangheili again serving as its leadership caste.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 441''</ref>


With Truth dead, High Charity destroyed, and the Ark nearly destroyed after Installation 04B's firing, some of the remaining Jiralhanae forces tried to rebuild their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer level ''[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]''</ref> Even though the Jiralhanae eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Sangheili commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="Evolutions"/>  
With Truth dead, ''High Charity'' destroyed, and the Ark heavily damaged after Installation 04B's firing, some of the remaining Jiralhanae forces tried to rebuild their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer level ''[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]''</ref> Even though the Jiralhanae eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Sangheili commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="Evolutions"/>  


The Covenant had strategically settled Jiralhanae populations on resource-rich worlds as a planetary garrison force to protect the worlds from potential raids. While the Jiralhanae continued to inhabit these worlds after the dissolution of the Covenant, they were unable to mine or utilize the resources because of their own lack of sufficient technology. With the Covenant's supply chains gone, the Jiralhanae quickly found their supplies near depletion. This was one of the primary reasons for their raids on Sangheili colonies after the war; despite quite literally living on top of plentiful resources, the Jiralhanae were entirely dependent on the already processed supplies of other races due to their technological backwardness. However, the Jiralhanae could not sustain themselves via raiding alone in the long term and their supplies began to wear thin, leading to an impending species-wide famine in [[2558]] and an increase in Jiralhanae attacks across Sangheili worlds as a result. During this crisis, the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] was willing to initiate peace talks with the Arbiter and the UNSC. However, the negotiations were interrupted by Covenant mercenaries,<ref name="escalation1">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> hired by the [[New Colonial Alliance]].<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>  
The Covenant had strategically settled Jiralhanae populations on resource-rich worlds as a planetary garrison force to protect the worlds from potential raids. While the Jiralhanae continued to inhabit these worlds after the dissolution of the Covenant, they were unable to mine or utilize the resources because of their own lack of sufficient technology. With the Covenant's supply chains gone, the Jiralhanae quickly found their supplies near depletion. This was one of the primary reasons for their raids on Sangheili colonies after the war; despite quite literally living on top of plentiful resources, the Jiralhanae were entirely dependent on the already processed supplies of other races due to their technological backwardness. However, the Jiralhanae could not sustain themselves via raiding alone in the long term and their supplies began to wear thin, leading to an impending species-wide famine in [[2558]] and an increase in Jiralhanae attacks across Sangheili and [[Kig-Yar]] colonies as a result. During this crisis, the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] was willing to initiate peace talks with the Arbiter and the UNSC. However, the negotiations were interrupted by Covenant mercenaries,<ref name="escalation1">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> hired by the [[New Colonial Alliance]].<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>  
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
===[[2552]]===
===2552===
'''September 22:'''
'''September 22:'''
*[[Installation 04]] is destroyed by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces. Its [[Monitor]], [[343 Guilty Spark]], escapes to [[Threshold]]. The ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'' is wiped out. The Fleet's secondary flagship, the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', is captured by humans.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page ??''</ref>
*[[Installation 04]] is destroyed by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces. Its [[monitor]], [[343 Guilty Spark]], escapes to [[Threshold]]. The [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] is damaged. The fleet's secondary flagship, the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', is captured by humans.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 96'' (2010 edition)</ref>
*A [[Covenant]] artifact retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] is investigating a [[Threshold gas mine|Forerunner gas mine]] in Threshold's atmosphere when he encounters 343 Guilty Spark. Inspired by Spark's words, 'Refumee and his team [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|go into open rebellion]] against the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of the Covenant.
*A [[Covenant]] artifact retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] is investigating a [[Threshold gas mine|Forerunner gas mine]] in Threshold's atmosphere when he encounters 343 Guilty Spark. Inspired by Spark's words, 'Refumee and his team [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|go into open rebellion]] against the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal 11]]''</ref>
 
'''October 20:'''
'''October 20:'''
*[[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]], the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the [[High Council]] and sentenced to death. However, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] overrides the Council and makes the Supreme Commander an [[Arbiter]] of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his rebellion, which they dub "[[heretic|heresy]]".
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the [[Supreme Commander]] of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the [[High Council]] and sentenced to death. However, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] overrides the Council and makes the Supreme Commander an [[Arbiter]] of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his rebellion, which they dub "[[heretic|heresy]]".<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>
*Start of the [[Battle of Earth]]. The defeated [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] is forced to retreat to [[Installation 05]], pursued by the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}.
*Start of the [[Battle of Earth]]. The defeated [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] is forced to retreat to [[Installation 05]], pursued by the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>
*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth under secret orders of the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>
*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth under secret orders of the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>
*The Arbiter and a Spec Ops Commander, [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee lead a team of [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] forces to Threshold, where they kill Sesa 'Refumee and successfully crush his rebellion.
*The Arbiter and a [[Special Operations Commander]], [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee lead a team of [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] forces to Threshold, where they kill Sesa 'Refumee and successfully crush his rebellion.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref>


'''October 21:'''
'''October 21:'''
*The Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives at Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]]. They kill all remaining Sangheili in the city.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level, ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>
*The Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives at Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]]. They kill all remaining Sangheili in the city.<ref name="odst"/>


'''November 2:'''
'''November 2:'''
*The [[John-117|Master Chief]] tracks down and kills the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05.
*The [[John-117|Master Chief]] tracks down and kills the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>
*''[[High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]] arrive at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Honor Guard]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]]. Insulted, the Sangheili [[Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.
*''[[High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]] arrive at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]]. Insulted, the [[Sangheili Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.<ref name="icon"/>


'''November 2-3:'''
'''November 2-3:'''
*The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve Installation 05's [[Activation Index]]. The Arbiter successfully takes the Index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the Index from him, having been secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.
*The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve Installation 05's [[activation index]]. The Arbiter successfully takes the index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the index from him, having been secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>
*Most of the Sangheili [[Councilor]]s are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the [[Jiralhanae]].
*Most of the Sangheili Councilors are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the [[Jiralhanae]].<ref name="uprising"/>
*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant military]] to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[Battle of High Charity]] begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.
*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant military]] to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[Battle of High Charity|Battle of ''High Charity'']] begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over ''High Charity''. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.<ref name="gravemind"/>
*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump aboard {{UNSCship|In Amber Clad}} and its embarked [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by an [[Flood infection form|infection form]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who now reigns as the Covenant's sole leader.
*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump aboard {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and its embarked [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by an [[Flood infection form|infection form]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who now reigns as the Covenant's sole leader.<ref name="gravemind"/>
*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05|Halo]] by forcing Commander Keyes to insert the Index into the Control Room's [[The Core|Core]].
*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05]] by forcing [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] to insert the Index into the Control Room's [[The Core|Core]].<ref name="journey"/>
*Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee, kills Tartarus.
*Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and Rtas 'Vadumee, kills Tartarus.<ref name="journey"/>
*[[Miranda Keyes]] aborts the activation of [[Installation 05|Halo]], placing the entire [[Halo Array]] on standby status. [[343 Guilty Spark]] reveals the existence of [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
*Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire [[Halo Array]] on standby status. [[343 Guilty Spark]] reveals the existence of [[Installation 00|the Ark]].<ref name="journey"/>
*The Flood takes control of High Charity and many of its warships. [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Sangheili]] fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.
*The Flood takes control of ''High Charity'' and many of its warships. [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Sangheili]] fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.<ref name="journey"/>


'''November 3:'''
'''November 3:'''
*The Prophet of Truth departs High Charity for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Jiralhanae]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], the Master Chief is on the ship, with the intention of "Finishing the Fight".
*The Prophet of Truth departs ''High Charity'' for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Jiralhanae]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], John-117 is on the ship, with the intention of "finishing the fight".<ref name="journey"/>
*The [[UNSC prowler]] ''[[UNSC Dusk|Dusk]]'' witnesses the battle between Sangheili and Jiralhanae held ships above [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], both fighting each other pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the [[Flood]] from the ringworld. Dusk subsequently flees the battle and links up with [[Patterson's battle group]] at Earth.
*The [[prowler]] ''[[UNSC Dusk|Dusk]]'' witnesses the battle between Sangheili and Jiralhanae held ships above [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], both fighting each other pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the [[Flood]] from the ringworld. Dusk subsequently flees the battle and links up with [[Patterson's battle group]] at Earth.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 199''</ref>
*[[Sangheili Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]] kills his [[Shipmaster]], [[Tano 'Inanraree]], while he is attempting to allow the [[Flood]] to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, the ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and becomes the ''de facto'' leader of the ''[[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]''. He leads his new forces to ''[[Joyous Exultation]]'', pursued by the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Gargantum]] and his ships.
*[[Sangheili Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]] kills his [[shipmaster]], [[Tano 'Inanraree]], while he is attempting to allow the [[Flood]] to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, the ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and becomes the ''de facto'' leader of the [[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]. He leads his new forces to [[Joyous Exultation]], pursued by the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Gargantum]] and his ships.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 189''</ref>
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] plans to lure the [[Jiralhanae]] leadership to the Sangheili base world [[Joyous Exultation]] and plans an ambush for them. He deploys the newly-promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] to [[Onyx]] to recover the [[Forerunner]] technologies there and prevent the UNSC forces there from claiming it themselves. A [[NOVA bomb]] captured by the [[CSO-class supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' devastates the planet moments after Mantakree's forces leave, the survivors joining Mantakree at Onyx.<ref name="GoO244">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 244-245''</ref>
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] plans to lure the [[Jiralhanae]] leadership to the Sangheili base world [[Joyous Exultation]] and plans an ambush for them. He deploys the newly-promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] to [[Onyx]] to recover the [[Forerunner]] technologies there and prevent the UNSC forces there from claiming it themselves. A [[NOVA bomb]] captured by the [[CSO-class supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' devastates the planet moments after 'Mantakree's forces leave, the survivors joining 'Mantakree at Onyx.<ref name="GoO244">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 244-245''</ref>


'''November 8:'''
'''November 8:'''
*The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the [[Sol system|Solar System]], and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09'']</ref>
*The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the [[Sol system]], and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09'']</ref>


'''November 17:'''
'''November 17:'''
*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere. [[John-117]] ejects from the ship upon reentry, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="bnet"/>
*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere. [[John-117]] ejects from the ship upon reentry, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="bnet"/>
*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Portal, and his loyalist fleet follows it through the portal. The [[Flood]]-infested Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].
*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Portal, and his loyalist fleet follows it through the portal. The [[Flood]]-infested Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].<ref name="floodgate"/>


'''Late November through December'''
'''December 11'''
*News spreads wide through Sangheili fleets, who take in some instances up arms against their Prophet escorts and, more widely, against the Jiralhanae.
*News spreads wide through Sangheili fleets, who take in some instances up arms against their Prophet escorts and, more widely, against the Jiralhanae.
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]: Truth and his loyalists arrive at the Ark, pursued by the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]]. All of Truth's vessels are eventually destroyed over the Ark by the Sangheili fleet.
*Truth and his loyalists arrive at the Ark, pursued by the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]]. [[Battle of Installation 00|A massive battle]] begins over the Ark. All of Truth's vessels are eventually destroyed over the Ark by the Sangheili fleet.<ref name="ark"/>
*[[Battle of the Citadel]]: The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. The Master Chief stops the Ark from firing the Halo rings.
*Sangheili and human forces [[Battle of the Citadel|fight]] their way to the [[Citadel]]. The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. John-117 stops the Ark from firing the Halo rings.<ref name="cove"/>
*[[Raid on High Charity]]: High Charity is destroyed by the Master Chief after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.
*''High Charity'' is [[Raid on High Charity|destroyed]] by John-117 after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.<ref name="cortana"/>
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili via the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', back to Earth.
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili, via the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', back to Earth.<ref name="cortana"/>
*[[Raid on Installation 04B]]: Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, SPARTAN-117 and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] battle to the [[control room]] of [[Installation 04B]]. Guilty Spark runs [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04B's Sentinels turn on the Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam, and the Sangheili. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, devastating the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended the Human-Covenant War.
*Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, John-117 and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] [[Raid on Installation 04B|battle]] to the [[control room]] of [[Installation 04B]]. Guilty Spark runs [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04B's sentinels turn on the Spartan, Thel 'Vadam, and the Sangheili. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, devastating the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended the Human-Covenant War.<ref name="h3 halo"/>
*The Master Chief, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape the Ark. With their escape vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} cut in half upon slipspace transition, only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth.<ref name="Memorial">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)#Eulogy|Halo]]''</ref>
*John-117, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape the Ark. With their escape vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} cut in half upon slipspace transition, only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth.<ref name="h3 halo"/>


===2553===
===2553===
'''March '''
'''March '''
*'''March 3''': [[Voi Memorial]]: the [[human]]s and the [[Sangheili]] make a memorial in [[Voi]] near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the final battle at the Ark, while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the rest of the war.
*'''March 3''': [[Voi Memorial]]: the [[human]]s and the [[Sangheili]] make a memorial in [[Voi]] near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]] on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the final battle at the Ark, while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the rest of the war.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 411''</ref>
*Revolting Jiralhanae dissidents detonate an explosive in the state of [[Ontom]] on Sanghelios. Their attacks are quelled by the local militia. In the wake of this uprising, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] attempt to overthrow the Arbiter. Their assault on the state of [[Vadam]] ignites a [[Sangheili civil war|brief civil war]] on the planet.  
*Revolting Jiralhanae dissidents detonate an explosive in the state of [[Ontom]] on Sanghelios. Their attacks are quelled by the local militia. In the wake of this uprising, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] attempt to overthrow the Arbiter. Their assault on the state of [[Vadam]] ignites a [[Sangheili civil war|brief civil war]] on the planet.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 114''</ref>
*Shipmaster [[Jul 'Mdama]] establishes a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant revival faction]] on [[Hesduros]]. Significant in strength, this remnant vehemently continues and pursues the work of the former Covenant's religion; worship, discovery and possession of [[Forerunner]] artifacts.
*Shipmaster [[Jul 'Mdama]] establishes a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Covenant revival faction]] on [[Hesduros]]. Significant in strength, this remnant vehemently continues and pursues the work of the former Covenant's religion; worship, discovery and possession of [[Forerunner]] artifacts.


===2558===
===2558===
[[Horatio Temkin]], the human ambassador to Sanghelios, arranges peace talks between the UNSC, Sangheili and Jiralhanae following an escalation in Jiralhanae raiding attacks throughout the [[Joint Occupation Zone|joint-occupation zones]].<ref name="escalation1"/><ref name="HE5"/>
[[Horatio Temkin]], the human ambassador to Sanghelios, arranges peace talks between the UNSC, Sangheili, and Jiralhanae following an escalation in Jiralhanae raiding attacks throughout the [[Joint Occupation Zone|joint-occupation zones]].<ref name="escalation1"/><ref name="HE5"/>
*'''March 5:''' Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and an elder [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] called [[Lydus]] attempt to reach a peace agreement, but they are [[Battle of Ealen IV|attacked]] by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a Covenant splinter group]] on [[Ealen IV]].<ref name="escalation1"/> The ambassadors are rescued from the planet, but the negotiations come to a standstill.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]</ref>
*'''March 5:''' Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and an elder [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] called [[Lydus]] attempt to reach a peace agreement, but they are [[Battle of Ealen IV|attacked]] by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a Covenant splinter group]] on [[Ealen IV]].<ref name="escalation1"/> The ambassadors are rescued from the planet, but the negotiations come to a standstill.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]</ref>


===2559===
===2559===
*The Great Schism continues as conflict between Jiralhanae and Sangheili. The San 'Shyuum have vanished from the reaches of the Sangheili, Jiralhanae and UNSC empires. While the Jiralhanae wage their own internecine wars, the Sangheili themselves are gradually losing their fleets in a war of attrition, having lost the technical expertise kept exclusively by the Prophets.<ref name="Evolutions" />
*The Great Schism continues as conflict between Jiralhanae and Sangheili. The San'Shyuum have vanished from the reaches of the Sangheili, Jiralhanae and UNSC empires. While the Jiralhanae wage their own internecine wars, the Sangheili themselves are gradually losing their fleets in a war of attrition, having lost the technical expertise kept exclusively by the Prophets.<ref name="Evolutions" />
*A [[Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster (The Return)|Sangheili Shipmaster]] returns to the partially-glassed human colony of [[Kholo]].<ref name="Evolutions" />


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
Line 184: Line 186:
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''


==Notes==
==Note==
<references group="note"/>
<references group="note"/>


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Reflist|2}}


{{Covenantwars}}
{{Covenantwars}}
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]

Revision as of 00:57, October 26, 2014

Template:Newcontent Template:Battle Infobox

"Millions of our finest, our young males, have been killed—not fighting humans, but in the Great Schism. Are we insane? Our bloodlines have been weakened and our ships have been lost in a civil war, all because we were deceived into loyalty to the San'Shyuum."
Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, to an audience of Mdama elders[1]

The Great Schism,[2] also known as the Covenant Schism,[3] or the Great Betrayal among the Sangheili,[4] was a major conflict between the forces loyal to the Covenant and an association of separatists, which split apart between October 2552 and November 2552. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: humans and their Sangheili-led separatist allies; the remnants of the Covenant, led by the San'Shyuum and the Jiralhanae; and the Flood, which took over the Covenant holy city of High Charity in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions. The Schism marked both the end of the Covenant and the partition of its client species for a thousand years.[3]

History

Background

Thel 'Vadamee: "We are strong, Kig-Yar. That is why we sit at the right hand of the Prophets."
Reth: "One day that shall pass."
— Conversation between Reth and Thel 'Vadamee in 2535[5]

Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the High Prophet of Truth had plans of replacing the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae, as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he distrusted the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. After Truth learned the location of the human homeworld, he secretly amassed a fleet of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station Unyielding Hierophant.[6] In September of 2552, this station and the fleet were destroyed by a group of SPARTAN-IIs who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence.[7] This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.[8]

On October 20, the High Prophet of Regret made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant Forerunner artifact on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took a fleet of fifteen ships to Earth.[8] Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth; he gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit continued to engage the UNSC, but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili,[9] as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold New Mombasa until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As High Charity and the rest of the Covenant fleet were now on their way to the newly discovered Halo Installation 05, Truth's scheme remained secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo weeks before High Charity and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth: the final stage in Truth's plan.[8]

Conflict erupts

"The Great Schism is upon us. The unbreakable Covenant Writ of Union has been split asunder. This is the end of the Ninth, and final, Age."
— Xytan 'Jar Wattinree[2]

After the Prophet of Regret was killed by Spartan John-117 on November 2, the two remaining Hierarchs reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as the Prophets' protectors. The Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the High Council.[10]

However, Truth further demoted the Sangheili by giving command of their fleets to the Jiralhanae. Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by secretly ordering the assassination of many Sangheili Councilors.[11] Truth also freed all Jiralhanae prisoners and pardoned them after release.[12] This was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many Mgalekgolo and Unggoy. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt. After the assassination of the Councilors, war broke out on High Charity, with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Sangheili discovered the truth about the Halos and the Great Journey. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it the following day. Around this time, Truth left the Prophet of Mercy to die at the hands of the Flood, solidifying his place as the autocrat of the Covenant.[13]

At the front lines of the original conflict aboard High Charity, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Covenant loyalists followed the San'Shyuum and included all but a few Jiralhanae,[14] most Kig-Yar and Yanme'e, some Unggoy, and a minority of the Mgalekgolo. Separatists forces consisted of the Sangheili, most Mgalekgolo, and many Unggoy and Huragok.

Chol Von, a T'vaoan shipmistress, renamed her missionary ship Joyous Discovery as Paragon at some point of the Great Schism.[15] During the Schism, she captured a Phantom, killing two Sangheili in the process.[16]

Sangheili-human alliance

The shaky alliance between the separatists and their former foes, the humans, was forged entirely out of necessity. Both sides had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. This alliance of circumstance was forged in the control room of Installation 05, when Sergeant Major Avery Johnson and Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee united to prevent the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae, Tartarus, from activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array.[17] The Arbiter persuaded many Sangheili—though far from all of them—to ally with the humans.[1]

On November 17, the devastated UNSC Home Fleet attempted a last-ditch assault on the Prophet of Truth's Forerunner Dreadnought, which had integrated with the Forerunner artifact that Regret had discovered nearly a month prior. This attack failed and a Flood-controlled battlecruiser crashed in Voi only moments after Truth's fleet entered the portal generated by the artifact.[18] However, the separatist Fleet of Retribution, led by Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum, arrived in pursuit of the cruiser; as the fleet glassed the city and its environs, the Sangheili and UNSC agreed to follow Truth beyond the portal.[19]

The Ark

The death of the Prophet of Truth.

The joint Sangheili-UNSC fleet arrived at the Halo Array's control center, Installation 00, on December 11. During the ensuing battle, the separatist fleet completely destroyed their Covenant counterpart, despite the latter's three-to-one numerical superiority.[20] Separatist forces later helped SPARTAN-117 disable the shield generators protecting the installation's Citadel, in which the Prophet of Truth was hiding. Master Chief John-117 and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam entered the Citadel and fought through what remained of Truth's personal guard. After reaching the control panel they discovered that the Hierarch had been infected by the Flood; as the Prophet slipped in and out of lucidity, 'Vadam stabbed him in the back.[21] The Flood-controlled High Charity was destroyed shortly thereafter,[22] effectively dissolving the Covenant.

Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining separatist and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, Shadow of Intent, remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo Installation 04B was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI Cortana had escaped on the frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.[23]

After the Human-Covenant War

A Sangheili Minor and Jiralhanae Captain Major locked together in combat.

Though 'Vadam sought a lasting peace with humanity, many of the Sangheili were not willing to suddenly end their war with the humans. Many Sangheili insurgents, rallied together by the Servants of the Abiding Truth, incited war against the Arbiter and his allies for collaborating with humanity.[24] Jul 'Mdama, a former member of the Servants of the Abiding Truth, eventually formed his own revival of the Covenant, with the Sangheili again serving as its leadership caste.[25]

With Truth dead, High Charity destroyed, and the Ark heavily damaged after Installation 04B's firing, some of the remaining Jiralhanae forces tried to rebuild their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.[26] Even though the Jiralhanae eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Sangheili commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.[27]

The Covenant had strategically settled Jiralhanae populations on resource-rich worlds as a planetary garrison force to protect the worlds from potential raids. While the Jiralhanae continued to inhabit these worlds after the dissolution of the Covenant, they were unable to mine or utilize the resources because of their own lack of sufficient technology. With the Covenant's supply chains gone, the Jiralhanae quickly found their supplies near depletion. This was one of the primary reasons for their raids on Sangheili colonies after the war; despite quite literally living on top of plentiful resources, the Jiralhanae were entirely dependent on the already processed supplies of other races due to their technological backwardness. However, the Jiralhanae could not sustain themselves via raiding alone in the long term and their supplies began to wear thin, leading to an impending species-wide famine in 2558 and an increase in Jiralhanae attacks across Sangheili and Kig-Yar colonies as a result. During this crisis, the Jiralhanae Chieftain Lydus was willing to initiate peace talks with the Arbiter and the UNSC. However, the negotiations were interrupted by Covenant mercenaries,[28] hired by the New Colonial Alliance.[29]

Timeline

2552

September 22:

October 20:

October 21:

  • The Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives at Earth and starts the excavation of the Ark Portal. They kill all remaining Sangheili in the city.[9]

November 2:

November 2-3:

  • The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve Installation 05's activation index. The Arbiter successfully takes the index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the index from him, having been secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.[37]
  • Most of the Sangheili Councilors are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the Jiralhanae.[11]
  • The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the Covenant military to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the Battle of High Charity begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.[13]
  • The Flood invade High Charity during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision slipspace jump aboard UNSC In Amber Clad and its embarked Pelicans. The High Prophet of Mercy is attacked by an infection form and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who now reigns as the Covenant's sole leader.[13]
  • Tartarus attempts to activate Installation 05 by forcing Commander Miranda Keyes to insert the Index into the Control Room's Core.[17]
  • Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of Sergeant Johnson and Rtas 'Vadumee, kills Tartarus.[17]
  • Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire Halo Array on standby status. 343 Guilty Spark reveals the existence of the Ark.[17]
  • The Flood takes control of High Charity and many of its warships. Jiralhanae and Sangheili fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.[17]

November 3:

November 8:

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the Sol system, and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.[41]

November 17:

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought enters Earth's atmosphere. John-117 ejects from the ship upon reentry, landing in the jungles near Mount Kilimanjaro.[41]
  • Battle of Voi. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Portal, and his loyalist fleet follows it through the portal. The Flood-infested Voi, only to be contained by the Sangheili fleet.[19]

December 11

  • News spreads wide through Sangheili fleets, who take in some instances up arms against their Prophet escorts and, more widely, against the Jiralhanae.
  • Truth and his loyalists arrive at the Ark, pursued by the Sangheili Fleet of Retribution. A massive battle begins over the Ark. All of Truth's vessels are eventually destroyed over the Ark by the Sangheili fleet.[20]
  • Sangheili and human forces fight their way to the Citadel. The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. John-117 stops the Ark from firing the Halo rings.[21]
  • High Charity is destroyed by John-117 after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.[22]
  • Rtas 'Vadum evacuates all humans and Sangheili, via the Shadow of Intent, back to Earth.[22]
  • Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, John-117 and Sergeant Johnson battle to the control room of Installation 04B. Guilty Spark runs rampant, killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04B's sentinels turn on the Spartan, Thel 'Vadam, and the Sangheili. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, devastating the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the Gravemind. These final events ended the Human-Covenant War.[23]
  • John-117, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape the Ark. With their escape vessel, UNSC Forward Unto Dawn cut in half upon slipspace transition, only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth.[23]

2553

March

  • March 3: Voi Memorial: the humans and the Sangheili make a memorial in Voi near Mount Kilimanjaro on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the final battle at the Ark, while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the rest of the war.[42]
  • Revolting Jiralhanae dissidents detonate an explosive in the state of Ontom on Sanghelios. Their attacks are quelled by the local militia. In the wake of this uprising, the Servants of the Abiding Truth attempt to overthrow the Arbiter. Their assault on the state of Vadam ignites a brief civil war on the planet.[43]
  • Shipmaster Jul 'Mdama establishes a Covenant revival faction on Hesduros. Significant in strength, this remnant vehemently continues and pursues the work of the former Covenant's religion; worship, discovery and possession of Forerunner artifacts.

2558

Horatio Temkin, the human ambassador to Sanghelios, arranges peace talks between the UNSC, Sangheili, and Jiralhanae following an escalation in Jiralhanae raiding attacks throughout the joint-occupation zones.[28][29]

2559

  • The Great Schism continues as conflict between Jiralhanae and Sangheili. The San'Shyuum have vanished from the reaches of the Sangheili, Jiralhanae and UNSC empires. While the Jiralhanae wage their own internecine wars, the Sangheili themselves are gradually losing their fleets in a war of attrition, having lost the technical expertise kept exclusively by the Prophets.[27]

Trivia

  • A "schism" is a division within a religious sect or denomination. The term "Great Schism" is sometimes used to describe real-world internal religious debates, most notably the East-West Schism, which led to the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Western Schism, which caused a split within the Roman Catholic Church.
  • In Halo: Contact Harvest, the Prophet of Truth foreshadows the Great Schism, noting that if the Sangheili ever separated from the Covenant, the entire government would collapse.[45]
  • According to the Bestiarum, the Unggoy were too indecisive to continue the rebellion and the true political motivation of the Mgalekgolo, if any, remained a mystery.
  • In Halo 3: ODST, it is implied that the Office of Naval Intelligence was aware of internal conflict within the Covenant from early on. During the level Tayari Plaza which takes place on October 20, Buck asks Dare about the Sangheili bodies lying around the city, as they appear to have been killed by the Jiralhanae; Dare responds that said information is classified.

Gallery

List of appearances

Note


Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo: Glasslands, page 59
  2. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 240
  3. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 245
  4. ^ Halo: Evolutions, The Return, page 247
  5. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 229
  6. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 297
  7. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 407
  8. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty" history article
  9. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway
  10. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  11. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Uprising
  12. ^ Halo Wars, Timeline
  13. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  14. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 55
  15. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 141
  16. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 73
  17. ^ a b c d e f Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  18. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  19. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  20. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  21. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  22. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  23. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  24. ^ Halo: The Thursday War
  25. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 441
  26. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer level Assembly
  27. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Evolutions
  28. ^ a b c Halo: Escalation, Issue #1
  29. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, Issue #5
  30. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 96 (2010 edition)
  31. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Terminal 11
  32. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  33. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  34. ^ Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty" history article
  35. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
  36. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Regret
  37. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
  38. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 199
  39. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 189
  40. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 244-245
  41. ^ a b Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09
  42. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 411
  43. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 114
  44. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #3
  45. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 152