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{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW}} | {{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW}} | ||
[[File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Council during the trial of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, who would later become the [[Arbiter]].]] | [[File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|thumb|300px|The High Council during the trial of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, who would later become the [[Arbiter]].]] | ||
The '''High Council''' was the central theocratic/aristocratic and decision-making body of the [[Covenant]].<ref name="ch154">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 154''</ref> Based in the [[High Council Chamber]] in the heart of the Covenant holy city ''[[High Charity]]'', the High Council consisted of more than two hundred [[Sangheili]] and [[San'Shyuum]]<ref name="ch271">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 271''</ref> and was headed by a triumvirate known as the [[Hierarchs]] or "High Prophets. | The '''High Council''' was the central theocratic/aristocratic and decision-making body of the [[Covenant]].<ref name="ch154">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 154''</ref> Based in the [[High Council Chamber]] in the heart of the Covenant holy city ''[[High Charity]]'', the High Council consisted of more than two hundred [[Sangheili]] and [[San'Shyuum]] High Councilors<ref name="ch271">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 271''</ref> and was headed by a triumvirate known as the [[Hierarchs]] or "High Prophets". | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The High Council was formed | The High Council was formed shortly after the establishment of the [[Covenant]]. During the Covenant's early years, only the [[Hierarchs]] served on what would be the High Council. The Council was established sometime in [[850 BCE]] and consisted of a select number of [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili]] governmental delegates, as outlined in the [[Writ of Union]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 159''</ref> | ||
After the High Prophet of Regret's death on [[Installation 05]], the | In [[2525]], during the [[Ascension]] of the [[Prophet of Truth|Prophets of Truth]], [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]], the High Council had been initially reluctant to support the new Hierarchs. However, the Council eventually complied.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 380''</ref> During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the High Council would order the complete [[glassing]] of [[human colonies]] during times of "particular religious significance". During the [[Battle of Kholo]], the [[Prophet of Conviction]] represented the High Council and gave the order to the [[Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|unidentified Shipmaster]] of the [[Fleet of Righteous Vigilance]] to glass [[Kholo|the planet]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]", ''page 313''</ref> In [[2535]], the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the [[Covenant fleet]], against the desires of the [[Sangheili Councilor]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 349''</ref> On [[2552|October 20, 2552]], the High Council convened to debate the fate of the [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee. Ultimately, the High Council branded 'Vadamee a heretic and sentenced to execution.<ref name="heretic">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> However, the High Prophets intervened and 'Vadamee was given the rank of [[Arbiter]].<ref name="arbiter">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> | ||
After the High Prophet of Regret's death on [[Installation 05]], the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] with the [[Jiralhanae]]. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,<ref name="bc217">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 217-218''</ref> and 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>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of [[Installation 05]] to to make preparations for the activation of the installation. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guards—particularly the ones that opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions—had arrived at the Control Room. A large contingent of Jiralhanae, led by [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]], entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 218-221''</ref> With the [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|secession]] of the Sangheili in the [[Great Schism]], the [[Flood]] [[Battle of High Charity|invasion]] of ''[[High Charity]]'' and the eventual dissolution of the Covenant itself, it is likely that the High Council no longer exists at all whatsoever. | |||
==Organization== | ==Organization== | ||
The theocratic Covenant followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they were the whole of the Covenant governance. The High Council was composed of over two hundred [[San'Shyuum]] ministers and [[Sangheili]] | The theocratic [[Covenant]] followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they were the whole of the Covenant governance. The High Council was composed of over two hundred [[San'Shyuum]] ministers and [[Sangheili]] commanders—referred to as High Councilors.<ref name="ch271"/><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 190''</ref> The triumvirate of [[Hierarchs]] that led the Council had the final word on all Council matters.<ref name="heretic"/><ref name="arbiter"/> In the event of a Hierarch's death, the High Council was responsible for deciding which San'Shyuum would replace the absent Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 196''</ref> A Hierarch assigning an important mission to individuals without informing the rest of the Hierarchs was considered a violation of Council protocol.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 73''</ref> When a San'Shyuum minster was absent for a High Council session, the minister's [[Vice Minister|vice minister]] would be allowed to act as a substitute in their place.<ref name="ch154"/> Additionally, a High Councilor could have another San'Shyuum accompany them to a meeting of the High Council as an assistant.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 208''</ref> | ||
The High Council seemed to have been divided into several smaller councils, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all its aspects. Below the other councils, there was numerous ministries functioning within the Covenant. The lower caste members of the Covenant, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], [[Yanme'e]], and [[Unggoy]], are not represented on the High Council but were instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 150''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 155''</ref> The High Council was essentially the only true council the Sangheili were a part of during their service in the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 58''</ref> The High Councilors of the Council were protected by the [[Covenant Honor Guard]]. Following the [[Changing of the Guard]], the Sangheili Councilors were unwilling to trust the new [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] and employed Sangheili serving in the [[Covenant military]] instead.<ref name="bc217"/> | |||
==Known Council members== | ==Known Council members== | ||
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*[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] | *[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] | ||
'''[[Lesser Prophet| | '''[[Lesser Prophet|San'Shyuum Councilors]]''' | ||
*[[Prophet of Supposition]] | *[[Prophet of Supposition]] | ||
*[[Prophet of Objection]] | *[[Prophet of Objection]] | ||
*[[Prophet of Conviction]] | *[[Prophet of Conviction]] | ||
*[[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]] | |||
'''[[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili Councilors]]''' | '''[[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili Councilors]]''' | ||
| Line 52: | Line 56: | ||
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'' | *''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'' | ||
| Line 58: | Line 63: | ||
{{Covenant Government}} | {{Covenant Government}} | ||
[[Category:The Covenant]] | [[Category:The Covenant]] | ||
Revision as of 17:08, November 5, 2014
The High Council was the central theocratic/aristocratic and decision-making body of the Covenant.[1] Based in the High Council Chamber in the heart of the Covenant holy city High Charity, the High Council consisted of more than two hundred Sangheili and San'Shyuum High Councilors[2] and was headed by a triumvirate known as the Hierarchs or "High Prophets".
History
The High Council was formed shortly after the establishment of the Covenant. During the Covenant's early years, only the Hierarchs served on what would be the High Council. The Council was established sometime in 850 BCE and consisted of a select number of San'Shyuum and Sangheili governmental delegates, as outlined in the Writ of Union.[3]
In 2525, during the Ascension of the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret, the High Council had been initially reluctant to support the new Hierarchs. However, the Council eventually complied.[4] During the Human-Covenant War, the High Council would order the complete glassing of human colonies during times of "particular religious significance". During the Battle of Kholo, the Prophet of Conviction represented the High Council and gave the order to the unidentified Shipmaster of the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance to glass the planet.[5] In 2535, the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the Covenant fleet, against the desires of the Sangheili Councilors.[6] On October 20, 2552, the High Council convened to debate the fate of the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, Thel 'Vadamee. Ultimately, the High Council branded 'Vadamee a heretic and sentenced to execution.[7] However, the High Prophets intervened and 'Vadamee was given the rank of Arbiter.[8]
After the High Prophet of Regret's death on Installation 05, the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly replaced the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen with the Jiralhanae. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,[9] and 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] During the Battle of Installation 05, the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the Control Room of Installation 05 to to make preparations for the activation of the installation. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guards—particularly the ones that opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions—had arrived at the Control Room. A large contingent of Jiralhanae, led by Captain Melchus, entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.[11][12] With the secession of the Sangheili in the Great Schism, the Flood invasion of High Charity and the eventual dissolution of the Covenant itself, it is likely that the High Council no longer exists at all whatsoever.
Organization
The theocratic Covenant followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they were the whole of the Covenant governance. The High Council was composed of over two hundred San'Shyuum ministers and Sangheili commanders—referred to as High Councilors.[2][13] The triumvirate of Hierarchs that led the Council had the final word on all Council matters.[7][8] In the event of a Hierarch's death, the High Council was responsible for deciding which San'Shyuum would replace the absent Hierarch.[14] A Hierarch assigning an important mission to individuals without informing the rest of the Hierarchs was considered a violation of Council protocol.[15] When a San'Shyuum minster was absent for a High Council session, the minister's vice minister would be allowed to act as a substitute in their place.[1] Additionally, a High Councilor could have another San'Shyuum accompany them to a meeting of the High Council as an assistant.[16]
The High Council seemed to have been divided into several smaller councils, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all its aspects. Below the other councils, there was numerous ministries functioning within the Covenant. The lower caste members of the Covenant, such as the Kig-Yar, Yanme'e, and Unggoy, are not represented on the High Council but were instead vetted by the Ministry of Concert.[17][18] The High Council was essentially the only true council the Sangheili were a part of during their service in the Covenant.[19] The High Councilors of the Council were protected by the Covenant Honor Guard. Following the Changing of the Guard, the Sangheili Councilors were unwilling to trust the new Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen and employed Sangheili serving in the Covenant military instead.[9]
Known Council members
High Prophets
Production note
The in-game council is far smaller than its canonical incarnation, being depicted by only 38 Prophets and 40 Elites. 'Vadamee, Tartarus and his two attendants, and fourteen Honor Guardsmen are also present.
Gallery
Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee before the High Council.
Councilors at Thel 'Vadamee's trial.
Sangheili Councilors discussing 'Vadamee's trial.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Flood (First appearance)
- Halo: First Strike
- Halo 2
- Halo: Contact Harvest
- Halo Wars: Genesis
- Halo: Helljumper (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo: Glasslands (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Mortal Dictata (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Broken Circle
- Halo 2 Anniversary
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 154
- ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 271
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 159
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 380
- ^ Halo: Evolutions, "The Return", page 313
- ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 349
- ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
- ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
- ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, pages 217-218
- ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
- ^ Halo 2, campaign level Uprising
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, pages 218-221
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 190
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 196
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 73
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 208
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 150
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 155
- ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 58
