Editing Chieftain of the Jiralhanae

{{Status|Canon}}
{{disambig header|the leader of the Jiralhanae species in the Covenant|the lesser and standard Chieftain rank|Jiralhanae Chieftain}}
{{Title infobox
|name=Chieftain of the Jiralhanae
|image=[[File:HGN Tartarus.png|300px]]
|type=*Head of the [[Jiralhanae]]
*Supreme Commander of the [[Covenant military]] {{C|Great Schism}}
|government=[[Covenant]]
|memberof=Covenant military
|duties=Political and military leader
|term=
|style=
|headquarters=
|formation=Several years before [[2552]]{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Species|Page=Jiralhanae|D=1|M=11|Y=2021}}
|reorganized=
|abolished=
|notable=[[Tartarus]]{{Ref/Level|Id=h2heretic|H2|The Heretic}}
}}

The '''Chieftain of the Jiralhanae''' was the central political and military leader within the [[Jiralhanae]] contingent of the [[Covenant]],{{Ref/Reuse|h2heretic}} responsible for representing their interests in the Covenant. Following the [[Great Schism]], this position ultimately became the supreme military leadership of the Covenant, replacing highest [[Sangheili]] rank of [[Imperial Admiral]].

==History==
During the [[First Battle of Harvest]] in [[2525#February|February of 2525]], [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Tartarus]] killed his uncle [[Maccabeus]] in combat and proclaimed himself the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftain]] of his [[Maccabeus' clan|clan]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 347''</ref> Following the engagement, Tartarus began to gain authority throughout the entire [[Rh'tol]] skein. Tartarus' quick ascension in power and influence caught the eye of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]. The two worked together throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]] to replace the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] in the [[Covenant military]]; Truth believed the Jiralhanae were easier to control than the Sangheili, while Tartarus despised the species. Late in the war, the Prophet of Truth elevated Tartarus to a position of power over the Jiralhanae and established the title "Chieftain of the Jiralhanae".{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=BC15|BC|Chapter=15}}

On [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]], after the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]'s death, the remaining [[Hierarchs]] [[Changing of the Guard|recommissioned]] the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] and replaced the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] with Jiralhanae.{{Ref/Level|Id=h2icon|H2|Sacred Icon}} The next day, Truth put Tartarus in control of the entire Covenant military as its military chief.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The Chieftain of the Jiralhanae had some members of his species under his command that were prepared to help him in his coup against the Sangheili.{{Ref/Reuse|BC15}} Upon receiving the orders of Truth, Tartarus initiated the [[Great Schism]] by betraying [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee. The civil war led to the fragmentation of the Covenant.{{Ref/Level|H2|Quarantine Zone}} After receiving the blessing of Truth, Tartarus attempted to activate [[Installation 05]] with its [[activation index]], but he was ultimately killed by the Arbiter at the installation's [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]].{{Ref/Level|H2|The Great Journey}} After learning of Tartarus' death, a power vacuum was created that many Jiralhanae commanders sought to fill. Chieftain [[Cethegus]], who had accompanied Truth to [[Installation 00]], believed that if he could kill [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]] at the installation, Truth would elevate him to the title of Chieftain of the Jiralhanae. However, he was ultimately killed by the Spartan in combat.{{Ref/Level|Id=h3|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFBrute|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-brute-force|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Brute Force|D=16|M=07|Y=2019}}

==Powers and duties==
While a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] controlled a relatively small [[pack]] or [[clan]], the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae had authority over every member of the race, and essentially functioned as the commander-in-chief of the Jiralhanae. While holding the title, [[Tartarus]] served as the right hand of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] and was in command of the [[Hierarch]]'s personal guard.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=143}} The Chieftain of the Jiralhanae was able to attend sessions of the [[High Council]], where he stood near the Hierarchs.{{Ref/Reuse|h2heretic}} After [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee was convicted for his failure to protect [[Installation 04]], Tartarus was charged with carrying out his torture.{{Ref/Level|H2|Cairo Station}} The Chieftain was also occasionally issued with missions of high importance, such as aiding [[Arbiter]] Thel 'Vadamee assassinate [[Sesa 'Refumee]]{{Ref/Level|H2|The Oracle}} or retrieving the [[activation index]] of [[Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2icon}}

When the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae was present, Truth often dismissed his [[Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]],<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''pages 406-408''</ref> who remained unaware of the Chieftain's and the Hierarch's intentions. After the [[Changing of the Guard]], the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae was elevated into a position that had command over the entirety of the [[Covenant military]].{{Ref/Reuse|BC15}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A-Tartarus1.jpg|Tartarus, the only known Chieftain of the Jiralhanae.
File:H2A - Tartarus and HighCouncil.png|Tartarus attending a High Council session.
File:H2A - Tartarus branding.jpg|The Chieftain of the Jiralhanae carrying out Thel 'Vadamee's punishment.
File:H2A - Tartarus with Rukt.jpg|Tartarus with his Gravity Hammer, The Fist of Rukt.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Empty Throne]]'' {{Mo}}

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

{{Jiralhanae Ranks}}
[[Category:Covenant titles]]