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Sangheili Honor Guardsman: Difference between revisions

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|species=Sangheili
|species=Sangheili
|affiliation=[[Banished]] <br>
|affiliation= [[Covenant]] <br>
[[Covenant]] <br>
[[Banished]]<br>
[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
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{{Quote|We have always been your protectors!|[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee talking to the [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref name="sacred">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>}}
{{Quote|We have always been your protectors!|[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee talking to the [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref name="sacred">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>}}


'''Honor Guardsman''' was a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] position, serving as elite protectors to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], particularly the [[Hierarchs]], in the [[Covenant Honor Guard]].<ref name="sacred"/><ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 381''</ref><ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 95''</ref>
'''Honor Guardsman''' is a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] position formerly in the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] and later in select [[Covenant remnants|splinter factions]] of the hegemony. Within the Covenant, the Honor Guardsmen served as elite protectors to the [[San'Shyuum|Prophets]], particularly the [[Hierarchs]].<ref name="sacred"/><ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 381''</ref><ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 95''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
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Honor Guardsmen were expected to immediately kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch,<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 341''</ref> though they might stand down should an [[Arbiter]] do so.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''Scarab''</ref> In addition, they kept order during important meetings within the High Council. Although the position was a great honor, it was seen by some Sangheili as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who were aware of the Hierarchs' duplicity.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack '''Bungie.net''': ''The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3'']</ref>{{Verify source}} Because one was expected to encounter little to no combat in the posting, select Sangheili were known to have even declined a place in the Honor Guard.<ref name="EVG"/>
Honor Guardsmen were expected to immediately kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch,<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 341''</ref> though they might stand down should an [[Arbiter]] do so.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''Scarab''</ref> In addition, they kept order during important meetings within the High Council. Although the position was a great honor, it was seen by some Sangheili as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who were aware of the Hierarchs' duplicity.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack '''Bungie.net''': ''The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3'']</ref>{{Verify source}} Because one was expected to encounter little to no combat in the posting, select Sangheili were known to have even declined a place in the Honor Guard.<ref name="EVG"/>


The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were likely instated soon after the signing of the [[Writ of Union]], which led to the establishment of the Covenant. For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures.<ref name="sacred"/> After the death of the [[Prophet of Regret]] during the [[Ages of Reclamation|Ninth Age of Reclamation]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]], the [[Prophet of Truth|Prophets of Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] replaced the Sangheili Honor Guard with the [[Jiralhanae]]. This "[[Changing of the Guard]]" was a major step in a carefully planned coup that soon devolved into the [[Great Schism]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> Some of the Honor Guardsmen killed themselves after learning of the Prophets' treachery.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''The Return''</ref> Others assisted [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee]] in stopping [[Tartarus]], the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], from activating [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]] and therefore killing all sentient life in the galaxy.<ref> '''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>
The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were likely instated soon after the signing of the [[Writ of Union]], which led to the establishment of the Covenant. For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures.<ref name="sacred"/>


==Post-War==
===Great Schism===
The Great Schism was a divide, not only of species, but also ideologies and loyalties. Many Sangheili found themselves truly isolated, with neither cause nor care to back any side, whether Covenant, Sangheili, or otherwise. For many the allure of the Banished was an opportunity to serve a purposeful and potentially powerful new faction, an element that represented a shot across the pole established order that failed their people one too many times. Re-purposing their ceremonial gear and matching the martial prowess of the Old Covenant Honor Guard, these new mercenary Swordmasters evoke the traditions and accomplishments of their forebears in the service of shipmaster [[Let ‘Volir]] and his unconventional arrangement with Atriox and the Banished. Though the Honor Guard motives are not as pure as they once were, only a fool would dare risk their wrath by challenging their honor and skill.<ref>[http://www.haloarchive.com/forum/topic/9-canon-fodder-and-random-lore-chat/?do=findComment&comment=217240 '''Youtuber Blitz Cards''']</ref>
After the death of the [[Prophet of Regret]] during the [[Ages of Reclamation|Ninth Age of Reclamation]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]], the [[Prophet of Truth|Prophets of Truth]] and [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]] replaced the Sangheili Honor Guard with the [[Jiralhanae]]. This "[[Changing of the Guard]]" was a major step in a carefully planned coup that soon devolved into the [[Great Schism]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> Some of the Honor Guardsmen killed themselves after learning of the Prophets' treachery.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''The Return''</ref> Others assisted [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee]] in stopping [[Tartarus]], the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], from activating [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]] and therefore killing all sentient life in the galaxy.<ref> '''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>
 
Following the Schism, many of the former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen found themselves isolated and purposeless, unwilling to ally with most of the [[Covenant remnants|remnant groups]] of the former Covenant. Some Honor Guardsmen pledged allegiance to the [[Banished]], specifically Shipmaster [[Let 'Volir]] who served [[Atriox]] in an unconventional arrangement, seeing opportunity in the service of the powerful mercenary organization. Evoking the traditions and accomplishments of their predecessors and using re-purposed ceremonial equipment of the old Covenant Honor Guard, these Honor Guardsmen are skilled swordsmen who match the Covenant's Honor Guard in fighting prowess.<ref>[http://www.haloarchive.com/forum/topic/9-canon-fodder-and-random-lore-chat/?do=findComment&comment=217240 '''Youtuber Blitz Cards''']</ref>


==''Halo Wars'' gameplay==
==''Halo Wars'' gameplay==
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File:H2A - Hierarch Sanctum.jpg|Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]].  
File:H2A - Hierarch Sanctum.jpg|Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]].  
File:RegretTerminal2.jpg|A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.  
File:RegretTerminal2.jpg|A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.  
File:Halo Wars 2 Blitz Card Honr Guard.png|Banished Honor Guardsmen in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
File:Halo Wars 2 Blitz Card Honr Guard.png|Banished Honor Guardsmen in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
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Revision as of 10:47, January 22, 2017

This article is about Sangheili members of the Covenant Honor Guard. For other uses, see Honor Guard.
Sangheili Honor Guardsman
H2A-SangheiliHonorGuard1.png

Function:

Guarding important sites and individuals, usually the Prophets

Species:

Sangheili

Affiliation:

Covenant
Banished
Swords of Sanghelios

 

"We have always been your protectors!"
— Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee talking to the Prophet of Truth[1]

Honor Guardsman is a Covenant Sangheili position formerly in the Covenant Honor Guard and later in select splinter factions of the hegemony. Within the Covenant, the Honor Guardsmen served as elite protectors to the Prophets, particularly the Hierarchs.[1][2][3]

Background

"The Sangheili honor guard was always vigilant and almost inert when at peace. One never had to worry about what a Sangheili might do any more than one worried if the stars would come out at night."
— The Minister of Discovery remarking on the stoic nature of the honor guard[4]

Honor Guardsmen were among the most skilled of all Sangheili warriors and were hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets and other high ranking officials in the Covenant High Council. The Lights of Sanghelios were a revered elite unit among the Sangheili Honor Guard.[5]

Honor Guardsmen in service to the Honor Guard of the Covenant wore highly ornate armor, colored in a combination of glowing red and orange. It featured jutting spikes and pauldrons, though they sometimes wore non-ceremonial armor for the sake of practicality.[3][6][7] It is unknown how many Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were in service, though the Sanctum of the Hierarchs on High Charity could accommodate as many as three hundred.[8]

Honor Guardsmen were expected to immediately kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch,[9] though they might stand down should an Arbiter do so.[10] In addition, they kept order during important meetings within the High Council. Although the position was a great honor, it was seen by some Sangheili as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who were aware of the Hierarchs' duplicity.[11][verification needed] Because one was expected to encounter little to no combat in the posting, select Sangheili were known to have even declined a place in the Honor Guard.[3]

The Sangheili Honor Guardsmen were likely instated soon after the signing of the Writ of Union, which led to the establishment of the Covenant. For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures.[1]

Great Schism

After the death of the Prophet of Regret during the Ninth Age of Reclamation in November 2552, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy replaced the Sangheili Honor Guard with the Jiralhanae. This "Changing of the Guard" was a major step in a carefully planned coup that soon devolved into the Great Schism.[12] Some of the Honor Guardsmen killed themselves after learning of the Prophets' treachery.[13] Others assisted Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee in stopping Tartarus, the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae, from activating Halo Installation 05 and therefore killing all sentient life in the galaxy.[14]

Following the Schism, many of the former Sangheili Honor Guardsmen found themselves isolated and purposeless, unwilling to ally with most of the remnant groups of the former Covenant. Some Honor Guardsmen pledged allegiance to the Banished, specifically Shipmaster Let 'Volir who served Atriox in an unconventional arrangement, seeing opportunity in the service of the powerful mercenary organization. Evoking the traditions and accomplishments of their predecessors and using re-purposed ceremonial equipment of the old Covenant Honor Guard, these Honor Guardsmen are skilled swordsmen who match the Covenant's Honor Guard in fighting prowess.[15]

Halo Wars gameplay

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to Sangheili Honor Guardsman on its gameplay page.
Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

In Halo Wars, Sangheili Honor Guardsmen are the leader-specific unit of the Prophet of Regret. They wield energy swords and deal tremendous damage to infantry. They are trained directly from the Citadel. They initially lack energy shields, though they can be upgraded with them. They can also be outfitted with active camouflage.

Trivia

Although they are seen wielding energy staves in the cutscenes of Halo 2, they are never seen using them in-game.

Gallery

  • A Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo 2.

    A Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo 2.

  • A procession of Sangheili Honor Guardsmen.

    A procession of Sangheili Honor Guardsmen.

  • Sangheili Honor Guardsmen during the judgment of Thel 'Vadamee.

    Sangheili Honor Guardsmen during the judgment of Thel 'Vadamee.

  • Honor Guardsmen in non-ceremonial armor protecting the High Prophet of Regret in Halo Wars.

    Honor Guardsmen in non-ceremonial armor protecting the High Prophet of Regret in Halo Wars.

  • A render of a Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo Wars.

    A render of a Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo Wars.

  • Honor Guardsmen aboard the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance's flagship in The Return.

    Honor Guardsmen aboard the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance's flagship in The Return.

  • A model of a Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A model of a Sangheili Honor Guardsman in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • John-117 engaging a Sangheili Honor Guardsman.

    John-117 engaging a Sangheili Honor Guardsman.

  • Two Sangheili Honor Guardsmen.

    Two Sangheili Honor Guardsmen.

  • A Honor Guard on High Charity.

    A Honor Guard on High Charity.

  • A Honor Guard with an energy sword.

    A Honor Guard with an energy sword.

  • A Honor Guard with a carbine.

    A Honor Guard with a carbine.

  • Honor Guardsmen stand guard in the High Council Chamber before the Prophets.

    Honor Guardsmen stand guard in the High Council Chamber before the Prophets.

  • Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the Sanctum of the Hierarchs.

    Honor Guardsmen line the entrance to the Sanctum of the Hierarchs.

  • A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the Solemn Penance.

    A pair of Honor Guardsmen at Regret's side aboard the Solemn Penance.

  • Banished Honor Guardsmen in Halo Wars 2.

    Banished Honor Guardsmen in Halo Wars 2.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level, Sacred Icon
  2. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 381
  3. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 95
  4. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Wages of Sin", page 297
  5. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 153
  6. ^ Halo Wars, campaign levels Scarab, Shield World, and Beachhead
  7. ^ Halo Legends, The Babysitter
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 339
  9. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 341
  10. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Scarab
  11. ^ Bungie.net: The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3
  12. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  13. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, The Return
  14. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  15. ^ Youtuber Blitz Cards

v • d • e
 
Sangheili ranks and titles
Political
Infantry ranks
Specialists
Military titles
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Civilian
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