Editing Covenant remnants

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Quote|What does it mean to be 'Covenant' today? A hundred warlords claim they rule the Covenant, but each of them leads only a small faction.|[[Zef 'Trahl]]{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation5|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue 5]]''}}}}

'''Covenant remnants''' are splinter factions originating from the former [[Covenant]] body and remain active after the dissolution of the Covenant,{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue 3]]''}} though no single group uses the specific term "Covenant remnant" to refer to themselves.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-puzzled-expression ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Canon Fodder: 05.05.15'']</ref> These factions vary greatly in ethos and motives; while some consider themselves as upholding the legacy of the Covenant as it used to be,{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} others have been shown to pursue more extensive reforms or their own specific agendas. Although many former Covenant members discarded the [[Covenant religion|Prophets' religion]] and the belief in the "Great Journey" altogether in the wake of the revelation of the truth about the [[Halo Array|Halos]],<ref name="waypoint cov">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant ''Halo Waypoint - Universe'': ''Covenant'']</ref> many [[Sangheili]] in particular have reverted to their species' ancient ways of worshiping the Forerunners and their technology,{{Ref/Novel|Id=Thursday War|TTW}} while others continue to maintain their belief in the "Great Journey" while simultaneously renouncing the [[Hierarchs|Prophets]] as false.{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW3|DW|Chapter=3|Page=51|Quote=Though Castor and his Keepers had long ago renounced their loyalty to the Covenant's San'Shyuum "prophets," they remained devoted to the doctrine of the Great Journey}} Thus, the various Covenant remnant factions range from pragmatic mercenaries to fanatical religious cultists.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}}

Unlike the Covenant at its height, the general scarcity of resources has forced many of the remnant factions to use whatever materials they can find. Intact [[capital ship|capital warships]] are considered coveted assets among the splinter factions, as many ships were destroyed in both the [[Great Schism]] and the [[Human-Covenant War]] as well as a significant portion of the Covenant's infrastructure and shipyards remaining inactive following the wars.<ref>[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-4-16-14 ''Halo Waypoint'': ''The Halo Bulletin: 4.16.14'']</ref> Additionally, with the majority of the [[Huragok]] mysteriously disappearing, many former Covenant no longer possess the capacity to repair and maintain most of their equipment.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=256}} Still, select Sangheili armories have taken over the production of matériel formerly manufactured within [[High Charity]] and have even developed new assets such as the [[Kelos'vaarda-pattern storm rifle|T-55 storm rifle]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/halo4#!an-epic-universe/ordnance-armor/cbbca9b3-5108-41aa-aa21-9b523de68266 ''Halo 4 Official Site:'' ''ORDNANCE + ARMOR''] (defunct)</ref><ref>''[[Halo 4: Official Game Guide]] (Collector's Edition)'', ''page 263''</ref> Despite this, many remnant groups are forced to employ obsolete or second-hand military equipment and weaponry in the absence of the Covenant's extensive supply chain. On the other hand, [[black market]]s—many of them operated by [[Kig-Yar]] profiteering from the Covenant's end, and others by [[Yonhet]]—were flooded with former Covenant matériel after the war.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page 247}} Because of their limited resources, some Covenant groups have resorted to [[terrorism]] to achieve their ends following the war.{{Ref/Book|Id=VIS|H4EVG|Page=29}} While previously considered a major taboo among the Sangheili, some groups are also known to utilize [[human]] weaponry, namely [[nuclear weapon]]s,<ref name="Departure">''[[Spartan Ops]]'', [[S1/Departure|S1E1 ''Departure'']]</ref> and have even recruited humans into their ranks.{{Ref/Novel|LL|Page=62 (Google Play edition)}}

While select remnant factions, such as the [[Ussans]] or the [[Banished]], were already active before the Covenant's fall, many of the Covenant remnants can trace their origins to the aftermath of the [[Great Schism]] and [[Battle of the Citadel|the defeat of the Covenant]]. After the [[Hierarchs]] replaced the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] and ordered the genocide of the former, the Sangheili became [[Covenant separatists|separatists]] and rebelled against the [[San'Shyuum]]-led main body of the Covenant. Many of the Sangheili-led groups within the separatists that emerged from the conflict would continue to regard themselves as the "true" Covenant, some noting that the Sangheili had "kicked out" the [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=58}} Amidst the turmoil of the Great Schism, all groups of Sangheili were called to their base world [[Joyous Exultation]] under the leadership of [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]], who announced the treachery of the Prophets and proposed the creation of a [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|new, Sangheili-led Covenant]]. After Wattinree and the forces gathered at Joyous Exultation were killed by a [[NOVA bomb]], the bulk of the Sangheili rallied behind [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]. This group, initially centered around the [[Fleet of Retribution]], would later come to call themselves the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Game|Id=h3|H3}}

 

Many [[Unggoy]], [[Mgalekgolo]], [[Yanme'e]] and [[Kig-Yar]] remained within either the Jiralhanae's or the Sangheili's respective command hierarchies and continued to serve their masters throughout the Great Schism.{{Ref/Level|Id=uprising|H2|Uprising}}{{Ref/Level|Id=gj|H2|The Great Journey}}

=== Post-war period and new factions===

After the death of the [[High Prophet of Truth]] and many of the Prophets at the hands of the Sangheili, the remaining San'Shyuum went into hiding, leaving a power vacuum within the remains of the Covenant.{{Ref/Novel|Id=return|Evo|Detail=[[The Return]], Page 506}} With their enemies defeated, the Sangheili-led separatists no longer had a common goal to unify them. Various high-ranked members of the fallen hegemony seized control of as many military assets as they could; many split off and became independent warlords commanding their own factions, some of them claiming to be legitimate successors to the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} Others, including many Sangheili [[kaidon]]s, hoarded ships and weapons for their own purposes while avoiding involvement in larger conflicts.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=295-296}}

[[Human]]ity was also entangled in the Covenant remnants' post-war power dynamics. Conducting its own operations unknown to the rest of the UNSC, the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] armed Sangheili dissidents of the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and even covertly attacked their allied Sangheili, the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], to maintain the balance of power between the two factions. ONI was also indirectly responsible for the formation of one of the most prominent post-war factions self proclaiming to be a new "Covenant", led by the Sangheili [[Jul 'Mdama]]. After escaping ONI detainment on the [[shield world]]-based ONI research facility [[Trevelyan]], 'Mdama learned of [[Raia|his wife]]'s death during the [[Blooding Years]] and vowed revenge on the humans due to their involvement in his species' affairs. 'Mdama, assisted by Sangheili from a remote colony planet called [[Hesduros]], formed [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|a new "Covenant"]] and eventually traveled to the Forerunner world [[Requiem]] and wake the "living god" known as [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]] to assist their smaller faction in their ambitious goal of eradicating humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|Thursday War}}

Covenant remnants hostile to humanity have been informally referred to as "Covies" by the [[United Nations Space Command]],<ref>''[[Spartan Ops]]'' [[S1/Departure|S1E1 ''Departure'']] "The Covies...they believe this is the home of one of their gods."</ref>{{Ref/Comic|TFS|Detail=''[[On the Brink]]''|Quote=If we hadn't jumped in, Covies would have blown this place sky high!}} despite the various remnants existing as entirely different organizations than the original Covenant empire.

The greater [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war|Sangheili-Jiralhanae feud]] continued in the background for years in the wake of the [[Great Schism]], taking its toll on both species.{{Ref/Reuse|return}} In [[2553]], [[Tem'Bhetek's faction|a faction]] led by [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] and Minister of Preparation [[Boru'a'Neem]] and their Jiralhanae forces sought to destroy Sanghelios and all life in its system using a [[Prototype Halo installation]]. This plan was foiled by the crew of the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', resulting in the dissolution of the faction. After discovering that he had been fooled by Preparation, the Prelate sacrificed himself to destroy the installation, ensuring the end of the threat it posed.{{Ref/Reuse|Shadow of Intent}} The conflict between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae began to intensify as the years passed and the later's resources began to dwindle. This prompted the Jiralhanae to raid Sangheili-held territories for foodstuffs and other supplies, as they were unable of obtaining the resources themselves due to their disorganized and barbaric nature.{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation1|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue 1]]''}}

 

Defying the tenuous [[Treaty of 2552|peace]] between humanity and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], representing the majority of the Sangheili, a few newly formed Sangheili-led factions—mainly religious cultists—began to oppose the UNSC after the end of the war in smaller skirmishes. In [[2554]], the planet of [[Draetheus V]] was [[Battle of Draetheus V|attacked]] by [[Merg Vol's Covenant]]. This group was eventually stopped by UNSC forces and Merg Vol was executed by [[Spartan Operations|Spartan]] [[Sarah Palmer]].{{Ref/Game|Sa}} In [[2557]], [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] [[Battle of Requiem|engaged UNSC forces]], including their flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity|Infinity}}, at [[Requiem]]. During these events, [[Ur-Didact|the Didact]] was awakened and soon joined forces with Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, although he was eventually [[New Phoenix Incident|defeated]] by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] over [[Earth]], and shortly after in the [[Composer's Forge]].{{Ref/Game|H4}} After the Didact's apparent death, control over his mechanical [[Promethean]] armies passed on to 'Mdama. Six months later, the UNSC again contested the occupying Covenant forces in the [[Requiem Campaign]], ending in the shield world's destruction at the hands of 'Mdama.{{Ref/Reuse|Departure}}

Only weeks after the destruction of Requiem, [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a mercanary organization]] that splintered off of 'Mdama's Covenant was hired by the human [[insurrectionist]] group [[New Colonial Alliance]] to [[Battle of Ealen IV|disrupt]] peace negotiations between the Arbiter and the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] on [[Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}}{{Ref/Reuse|escalation1}} During July 2558, [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|another splinter group]] of 'Mdama's Covenant attempted to rebel against the main faction, but 'Mdama's forces managed to capture its leader, [[Sali 'Nyon]], and eliminate all his followers.{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation16|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue 16]]''}} Eventually, 'Nyon would escape captivity and lead a mutiny aboard the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'', successfully breaking away and gathering more followers.{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation24|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 24|Issue 24]]''}}

A few of the more fanatical new factions have resumed the practice of [[glassing]] [[human colonies]] after the end of the Covenant War. The colony of [[Cleyell]] fell victim to such an attack in [[2556]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE17|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|Issue 17]]''}} However due to the lack of resources and size, these factions typically resorted to terrorist attacks. In early 2556, the human colony of [[Sedra]] suffered a [[bioweapon]] [[Terrorist attack on Sedra City|attack]] from a Sangheili insurgent belonging to an unidentified faction, utilizing a new element native to [[Alpha Shard|a fragment]] of [[Installation 04]]. A subsequent [[Mission to Alpha Shard|mission]] to the shard destroyed the deposits of the element, preventing its future use, but the perpetrators behind the attack were left unknown. Part of the mission was to capture the smugglers mining the element to prove that the Sangheili had broken the treaty which forbade either side from returning to Installation 04. However, both smugglers perished during the mission and the survivors were unable to retrieve any proof.{{Ref/Film|Id=Nightfall|HN}}

In [[2557]], some of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant led by [[Gek 'Lhar]] discovered the remnants of the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] known as [[Trove]] which had [[Battle of the Trove|been destroyed]] in [[2531]] by the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}. Following a brief skirmish with the crew of the ''[[Ace of Spades]]'', his Covenant forces retreated.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Smoke and Shadow|SaS}} [[ONI]] subsequently found the debris field by forcing the ''Ace of Spades'' crew to give up their data. However, [[Mission to the Korinth Prior system|a subsequent mission]] encountered Gek 'Lhar's forces who had returned to plunder the debris field for themselves. Though the {{UNSCShip|Taurokado}} retreated from the system, the UNSC returned again with a massive UNSC fleet which launched a huge nuclear bombardment against the shield world remnants, destroying it and keeping any surviving Forerunner technology out of the hands of Gek 'Lhar and thus Jul 'Mdama.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Renegades|Ren}}

In [[2558]], tensions continued to rise between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, but also between two Sangheili factions on the planet [[Carrow]] in one of the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s. In September, it turned into [[Carrow Conflict|an all-out conflict]] after the more extreme [[Thars 'Sarov]] called in a [[Jiralhanae]] faction led by [[Hekabe]] to aid him in an uneasy alliance. Thars was planing to backstab the Jiralhanae once they had served their use, while Hekabe had ulterior plans of his own intending to unleash hundreds of thousands of [[Sharquoi]] from their hive beneath the planet's surface to gain galactic dominance for himself and his Jiralhanae. The conflict led to the decimation of all three factions, but the aid of [[Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] and the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] ensured the destruction of the Sharquoi hive and the death of Hekabe and the end of his plans as well as the death of Thars. The consequences of the conflict led the new Sangheili leader on the planet, [[Kaidon]] [[Akato 'Dakaj]], to recognize the need for the humans and Sangheili to have a closer relationship if they were to survive. Though [[Rojka 'Kasaan]], the leader of the more friendly of the three factions survived, he agreed to act as an envoy between the Sangheili and the humans rather than trying to take up a leadership position again.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}}

In October [[2558]], 'Mdama's Covenant suffered a disastrous setback when its leader was killed by [[Fireteam Osiris]] while [[Battle of Kamchatka|engaging Promethean forces]]. 'Mdama's forces would continue in his name, including an attempt to [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|secure]] the ONI research vessel ''[[Argent Moon]]'' and [[Battle of Nuusra|an attack]] on Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s keep, but were ultimately destroyed in a [[Battle of Sunaion|a counterattack]] by the Swords of Sanghelios and [[Fireteam Osiris]] against their last major stronghold on Sanghelios, [[Sunaion]]. After learning of the destruction of 'Mdama's Covenant, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] considered the Covenant to be completely gone and believed that only they and the Swords of Sanghelios were left of the factions that developed after the Covenant fell.{{Ref/Novel|LoO|Chapter=??}} The Servants instigated the [[Second Onyx conflict]] around the time that the [[Created conflict]] was beginning.{{Ref/Reuse|loo}}

Following the closure of the [[Portal at Voi]] due to the Created conflict, forces from the [[Jiralhanae]]-led mercenary organization known as the [[Banished]] [[Attack on Installation 00|attacked]] [[Installation 00|the Ark]] in [[intergalactic space]] and took over the installation from the UNSC. In [[2559#March|March 2559]], the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} was pulled to the Ark through a [[slipspace portal]] under mysterious circumstances and [[Second Ark Conflict|engaged the Banished]] for control of the Ark. The ''Spirit of Fire'' managed to destroy the Banished [[flagship]], the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', stranding both forces on the Ark and later launched [[Installation 09|a new Halo ring]] in an attempt to get a [[distress beacon]] back to UNSC space.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2|HW2}} A disastrous mission to the ruins of [[High Charity]] resulted in [[Outbreak on Installation 00|a brief Flood outbreak]] on the Ark, but it was quickly contained by the Banished.{{Ref/Game|Id=Nightmare|HW2|Detail=''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare|Awakening the Nightmare]]''}}

By [[2559#October|October 2559]], the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] and two other Jiralhanae legions had joined forces with the Banished. On the Ark, Atriox had ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' [[Raid on Anodyne Spirit|raided]] for the fragments of [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]] that were once collected by [[Tartarus]] and given to the [[Prophet of Truth]].{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} A message was sent to [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] to locate the [[Menachite portal complex|Portal Under the Mountain]] on [[Reach]] in order for Atriox to return to the Milky Way, ostensibly to bring Banished reinforcements back to the Ark. During this time, Blue Team launched [[Operation: WOLFE|an operation]] to recover important objects from the ruins of [[CASTLE Base]] for Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]. Blue Team inadvertently led the Banished forces to the portal complex where a human acolyte of the Keepers activated a slipspace portal to the Ark. Atriox and some of his forces returned in a [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich|Lich]], but he departed for a more important mission, leaving behind thousands of Banished troops to hold the Ark. Determined to begin the Great Journey, [[Castor]]'s detachment of Keepers used the Lich to travel through the portal before it closed. During an encounter with [[Fred-104]] in the tunnels, [[Veta Lopis]] was able to pass him a message warning ONI of the Keepers and Atriox's plans.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR|SoR}}

Upon arriving on the Ark, the Keepers allied themselves with [[Prelate]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]]'s faction of surviving [[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant]], opposed by both the Banished and forces from the ''Spirit of Fire'' spearheaded by Veta Lopis and the [[Ferret]]s. Events were complicated by the Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]] who was believed to have been destroyed by Blue Team along with ''[[Argent Moon]]''. Intrepid Eye sought to fire the Halo Array in order to destroy the [[Domain]] and make Cortana vulnerable to destruction so that she could continue with her own plans to prepare humanity to accept the [[Mantle of Responsibility]]. The two allied Covenant remnants were able to reach [[Epsilon Clarion]], a facility on the Ark where the Halo Array could be fired, but both suffered heavy casualties as a result of [[Battle of Epsilon Clarion|attacks]] from both the Banished and the UNSC. However, Intrepid Eye's efforts to take control of the facility revealed the truth about the Halos and broke [[Dokab]] Castor's faith in the [[Covenant religion]], causing him to abandon the ancilla and the mission. Once Intrepid Eye was in Epsilon Clarion's systems, Lopis had the ''Spirit of Fire'' launch an [[orbital bombardment]] of [[EMP]] [[MAC]] rounds on the facility, destroying it, Intrepid Eye and the Ark's ability to fire the Halo Array.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}} The entirety of Castor's small detachment of Keepers was decimated, leaving the vengeful Castor and Sangheili [[Blademaster]] [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]] as the only survivors. Due to the revelation of Halo's true purpose, Castor was forced to withdraw from the Keepers' numbers.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P247|Enc22|Page=247}} The Banished's [[Clan of the Long Shields]] were also decimated by the conflict while the Covenant forces sent to aid in the mission were wiped out aside from Bhasvod himself, whose true intention was to set the stage for the [[San'Shyuum]] to return to reclaim the galaxy from their supposed hiding place on the shield world [[Cloister]]. After killing [[Mark-G313]], the undaunted Prelate returned to his forces to plan his next move.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}}

[[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter Thel 'Vadam]] and then-[[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] successfully rebelled against the San'Shyuum-led Covenant during the Great Schism, assassinating its remaining political leadership alongside the UNSC.{{Ref/Level|Id=cove|H3|[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]}}<ref name="waypoint-thel">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/arbiter-thel-vadam ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Arbiter Thel 'Vadam'']</ref> Following the conclusion of the [[Human-Covenant War]], 'Vadam and his allies formally established the Swords of Sanghelios and sought to make peace with the [[human]]s. The Swords are the most prominent post-Covenant faction to abandon not only the [[Covenant religion]] but also question the Sangheili's traditional worship of the Forerunners as well, which has been a point of controversy among some of the more conservative Sangheili.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=58-61}}{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=130}} The Servants of the Abiding Truth, in particular, consider 'Vadam and his allies blasphemers.{{Ref/Reuse|Thursday War}}

The Servants of the Abiding Truth is an insurgent group formerly led by Sangheili religious extremist and former [[Field Master]], [[Avu Med 'Telcam]].{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=18}} Unlike most of the post-Covenant factions, the Servants have their roots in an ancient order, mostly suppressed by the Prophets during the Covenant's reign and revived after the San'Shyuum were overthrown.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Page=19}} Outspoken in their opposition of the Arbiter and his abandonment of the worship of the Forerunners, the Abiding Truth launched an [[Blooding Years|armed insurgency]] against 'Vadam in [[2553#March|March 2553]], assisted by elements of the human [[Office of Naval Intelligence]].{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=114}} 'Telcam was [[Assassination of Avu Med 'Telcam|assassinated]] by [[SPARTAN-G059]] in [[2558#January|January 2558]]. However, they remain active in the [[Sarcophagus]] [[shield world]] after the onset of the [[Created conflict]], now led by [[Dural 'Mdama]], son of [[Jul 'Mdama]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=loo|LoO}}

The Keepers of the One Freedom are a militant religious cult devoted to the worship of the Forerunners based on [[Venezia]]. The Keepers are unusual among post-Covenant factions in that they welcome human followers to their ranks, provided they swear to oppose the "heretic tyranny" of the [[Unified Earth Government]]. Because of this, the Keepers quickly gained popularity within the [[Outer Colonies]] after the Covenant War. As of July 2553, they were also supported by separatist elements within [[Gao]]'s planetary government, namely minister [[Arlo Casille]], who covertly supplied them with money and weapons.{{Ref/Novel|LL|Page=62 (Google Play edition)}} Later that year, they became victims of a plot by [[Dark Moon Enterprises]] to frame the assassination of Admiral [[Graselyn Tuwa]] and the kidnapping of her family on the Keepers. This led to [[Operation: RETRIBUTION]] in which [[Blue Team]] and the [[Ferret]]s foiled a [[bioweapon]] plot. During the operation, the Keepers' [[Salvation Base]] was destroyed through the detonation of six [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s and it was estimated that ninety percent of the Keepers forces in that sector were eliminated in the blast.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Retribution|Ret}} In [[2557]], the Keepers suffered tremendous losses in a [[Keepers Eradication Campaign|massive eradication campaign]] conducted by ONI using intelligence gathered over the course of eight months the [[Ferret]]s, working undercover in the faction. Around 15,000 Keepers are killed, leaving the faction decimated and with extremely low numbers.{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW1|DW|Chapter=11}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW11|DW|Chapter=11}} As a result, Castor was forced to abandon or sacrifice most of his followers.{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=15}} By [[2559#October|October 2559]], they had joined forces with the [[Banished]]. After activating a [[slipspace portal]] to the Ark, the Castor's detachment of Keepers forces abandoned the Banished and traveled through the portal in a [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich|Lich]] in order to begin the Great Journey.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}} On the Ark, Castor and the Keepers were manipulated by both the [[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant]] led by [[Prelate]] [[Dhas Bhasvod]] and [[Intrepid Eye]], the Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] who had long been posing as their holy Oracle. Both sought to use the Keepers to fire the Halo rings for their own purposes, but the Keepers were forced to contend with both the Banished and the UNSC. The battle resulted in the total destruction of Castor's forces apart from himself and [[Sangheili]] [[Blademaster]] [[Inslaan 'Gadogai]]. Their mission failed due to the intervention of the Ferrets and the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} who finally succeeded in destroying Intrepid Eye. Having learned the truth about their faith, Castor and 'Gadogai sought to exact vengeance upon their enemies,{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW|DW}} withdrawing from the Keepers' numbers. Despite the defeat of those led by Castor and ONI's eradication campaign, the Keepers of the One Freedom maintain a presence on several worlds and Forerunner installations, with their largest foothold still on Venezia.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P247}}

===Banished===

The Banished are a mercenary group led by the Jiralhanae warlord [[Atriox]]. They fought against the Covenant long before the Great Schism since the late 2540s,<ref name="log outpost">''Halo Wars 2'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - ''Outpost'' - "The Banished have perfected their strip—mining and rapid assault and extraction efforts over a decade of raiding Covenant and other targets."</ref> and have consolidated a significant number of military assets in the wake of the Human-Covenant War. Similar to the Keepers of the One Freedom, the Banished are open to recruiting humans.{{Ref/Book|Id=H:OSFM1|OSFM|Page=161|Quote=In theory, all who can aid Atriox's ambition and will bend the knee are welcome, from human to hunter, but their violence and conditions of service limit recruitment opportunities.}} In [[2559]], they had a major presence on [[Installation 00]] and [[Second Ark Conflict|clashed]] with the UNSC forces from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} when the long-lost support vessel mysteriously stumbled upon the Ark.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-wars-2 ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Halo Wars 2'']</ref> Despite having an advantage, the Banished suffered massive losses to the ''Spirit of Fire's'' forces including their flagship the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' and their second-in-command [[Decimus]].{{Ref/Reuse|HW2}} The Banished later successfully contained [[Outbreak on Installation 00|a renewed]] [[Flood]] outbreak on the Ark caused by [[Pavium]] and [[Voridus]]' attempts to salvage [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Reuse|Nightmare}} By October 2559, the Banished still in the Milky Way had joined forces with the Keepers and two other Jiralhanae [[Legion#Banished|legions]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}} After Banished forces [[Raid on Anodyne Spirit|raided]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' for the [[Menachite Forerunner crystal]],{{Ref/Reuse|Sacrifice}} the Banished forces on the Ark and on [[Reach]] managed to open a [[slipspace portal]] that allowed Atriox to return to the Milky Way. Departing on a more urgent mission, Atriox left behind thousands of Banished forces to hold the Ark.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR}} The Banished on the Ark opposed the efforts of the Keepers of the One Freedom and the Covenant loyalists to fire the Halo Array, resulting in the destruction of both the Keepers and the [[Clan of the Long Shields]], but ultimately a defeat to the Keepers' plan at the hands of the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|DW}} In December, the Banished [[Battle over Installation 07|engaged]] the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} over [[Installation 07]], defeating the supercarrier and the UNSC, leaving the [[John-117|Master Chief]] believed to be dead by the Banished after losing a battle with Atriox and being thrown off of the Infinity during the attack. Six months later, after being recovered by [[Fernando Esparza|Echo 216]] from where he'd been left floating in space, the Master Chief [[Battle for Zeta Halo|engaged the Banished]] across the Halo ring's surface, killing [[Escharum]] and many of the Banished's other top warriors and lieutenants, while Atriox was attacked and believed to have been killed by [[Cortana]] during the aftermath of the [[Battle over Installation 07]]. However, with the help of The [[Harbinger]], Atriox succeeded in locating the [[Xalanyn|Endless]].{{Ref/Game|Id=Hi|Hi}}

 

=== 'Taralumee's faction ===

After the events of the Great war, [[Luro 'Taralumee]] used his previous station within the Covenant in an attempt to consolidate power for unknown reasons. His zealous devotion to the Great Journey while also renouncing the traitorous [[San'Shyuum]] allowed him to fill the vacuum in their absence,{{Ref/Site|Id=Clarity|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-clarity-grace |SiteName= Halo Waypoint: Clarity & Grace|ArchiveURL=http://web.archive.org/web/20151103161919/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-clarity-grace}} this zeal along with adherence to Covenant ideals has made his power consolidation considered dangerous by the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|Clarity}}

===Children of Oth Sonin===

{{Main|Children of Oth Sonin}}

Lydus is a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] leading a [[master-pack]] called the [[Children of Oth Sonin]] which emerged in a position of power among the Jiralhanae after the fall of the Covenant. In 2558, Lydus and the pack agreed to enter peace negotiations with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] to exchange Jiralhanae resources for food, overseen by the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation1}} However, the subsequent attack by 'Gajat's forces left these peace negotiations in doubt. Following the compromised peace talks on Ealyn IV, Lydus secretly hired the Banished as a mercenary military to take out his rivals, in exchange for using his shipyards and land. After the razing of Oth Sonin and the destruction of Doisac by the hand of the [[Created]], Lydus and his clan survived by escaping to an abandoned human colony world.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P255|Enc22|Page=255}}

[[Sali 'Nyon]] was a former member of [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s faction, until he decided that he was the true "Didact's Hand". After gaining followers from within 'Mdama's faction, he betrayed Jul and stole the [[UNSC]]'s half of the [[Janus Key]].{{Ref/Comic|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue 14]]''}} Despite this, one of his followers had a change of mind and stole his half of the Janus Key, delivering it to Dr. Halsey. Shortly after this, Jul's Covenant captured Sali 'Nyon and destroyed all of Nyon's hideouts, killing all his followers and ending his rebellion temporarily.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation16}} Months later during [[Operation: ATHENA]], [[Ayit 'Sevi]] released Sali from custody, allowing Sali and his new followers to take over the ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' and escape from Jul 'Mdama's forces.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation24}} 'Nyon remained as the de facto "Hand of the Didact" after 'Mdama's assassination and the collapse of his Covenant at [[Sunaion]].{{Ref/Reuse|Sunaion}}

Since the collapse of the Covenant, [[Kig-Yar]] society has shown little to no change. It is still overwhelmingly matriarchal in nature and is prone to piracy.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/kig-yar ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Kig-Yar'']</ref> Significant Kig-Yar activities have been recorded on planets such as [[Venezia]] and [[Ven III]]. Kig-Yar scavengers have also continued to occupy glassed [[human colonies]], as in the case of [[Cleyell]].

The Shields of Requiem are a Sangheili-led mercenary group based out of the [[Lich]] ''[[Sundered Psalm]]'' compromised of various [[Sangheili]], [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Unggoy]] soldiers, who previously fought under the command of [[Jul 'Mdama]] among his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|forces]] during the [[Battle of Requiem]] and [[Requiem Campaign]].<ref name="Megabloks">[https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-us/worlds/halo/playsets/shields-requiem-lance-fmm88 ''Mega Construx'' ''- Shields of Requiem Lance'']</ref>{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-encyclopedic-enlightenment|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Encyclopedic Enlightenment|D=06|M=4|Y=2022}}

 

 

After the end of the war, several former Covenant members that were loyal to the Covenant during the [[Great Schism]] sought revenge against the Sangheili.{{Ref/Novel|SoI|Page=133|Quote=And I promise the Sangheili will pay for everything they have done}} Predominantly composed of Jiralhanae, this faction was led by [[San'Shyuum]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] and [[Boru'a'Neem]]. It is one of the few post-war factions to contain San'Shyuum, and to resume hostility against the [[Sangheili]] but not [[humanity]]. After discovering the truth that he was being used by Boru, Tem sacrificed himself to destroy the [[Prototype Halo installation]] and end the threat it posed as well as Boru's plan. In the process, [[Rtas 'Vadum]] discovered that many more San'Shyuum had survived than was previously believed and resolved to track them down and determine who deserved punishment for their actions and who deserved forgiveness.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Shadow of Intent|SoI}}

Led by [[Zealot]] [[Merg Vol]], the faction initiated one of the first [[post-Covenant War conflicts]], attacking the [[human]] research world of [[Draetheus V]] to access the [[Forerunner]] artifacts on [[X50|its moon]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Umbra|Sa|[[Operation A: Umbra]]}} Ultimately, the [[UNSC]] defeated the group and Vol was executed by Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]], leading to the faction's dissolution.{{Ref/Level|Sa|[[Mission 25: Battle for the Moon|Battle for the Moon]]}} [[Parg Vol]], a former member of this group, joined the faction led by 'Mdama following the battle,{{Ref/Reuse|VIP}} but was [[Assassination of Parg Vol|killed]] by [[Fireteam Crimson]] during the [[Requiem Campaign]].<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Catherine/Hunting Trip|S1E03 ''Hunting Trip'']]</ref>

This faction was created to be a brand new Sangheili-led "Covenant" and was founded on [[Hesduros]] by [[Jul 'Mdama]], who initially started as a member of the Servants of the Abiding Truth but grew disillusioned with their religious zeal and willingness to collaborate with humanity even temporarily.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=436-441}} Despite the ostensibly religious trappings of the group and the genuine zeal of many of its members, 'Mdama himself secretly did not view the Forerunners as gods, only projecting the façade of a religious leader to motivate his followers.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=437}} Since the [[Battle of Requiem|events of the first Requiem campaign]], Jul 'Mdama's faction was considered by the [[UNSC]] to be the biggest threat among the many Covenant remnant factions, and absorbed elements of [[Merg Vol's Covenant faction]],<ref name="VIP">''Spartan Ops'', [[S1/Catherine/The VIP|S1E3 - ''The VIP'']]</ref> spun off [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|two]] [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant faction|smaller]] groups,{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} and allied themselves with the [[Ur-Didact]]'s [[Promethean]] constructs, and with the greatest mind of the UNSC: Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]. During the [[Battle of Kamchatka]] in October 2558, this Covenant faction received three fatal blows: Halsey was rescued by Fireteam Osiris, the Prometheans betrayed their Covenant allies, and the leader Jul 'Mdama was assassinated. After this devastating event, his Covenant—temporarily led by [[Kitun 'Arach]] and other high ranking Sangheili—launched a final, desperate assault to Sanghelios, but it failed and the faction was [[Battle of Sunaion|destroyed]] by the Swords of Sanghelios.{{Ref/Level|Id=Sunaion|H5|[[Battle of Sunaion (level)|Battle of Sunaion]]}} After the destruction of 'Mdama's Covenant, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] considered the Covenant to be truly gone.{{Ref/Reuse|loo}}

=== 'Gajat's mercenary group ===

[[Vata 'Gajat]] was a former member of [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s faction, until he saw the benefit of human [[Wikipedia:Capitalism|capitalism]] and turned mercenary. The faction's equipment and resources are a mixture from both the original [[Covenant]] and 'Mdama's group. By [[2558|March 2558]], 'Gajat and the group were employed by the [[New Colonial Alliance]].{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} The group was responsible for the [[Battle of Ealen IV|disruption]] of a [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]] peace meeting on [[Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|escalation1}} They later assisted the [[New Colonial Alliance]] in their attempt to assassinate Lord Hood and destroy the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} During the [[Ambush at Oth Lodon]] many of its forces, including 'Gajat himself, were killed, leaving the group's future uncertain.{{Ref/Comic|HE|[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue 6]]}}

On the former [[human]] outer colony of [[Carrow]], now [[Joint Occupation Zone|jointly-held]] between humans and [[Sangheili]], a sea change in governance has come to [[Rak]], the foremost Sangheili habitation on the planet. In [[2558]], a Sangheili known as [[Thars 'Sarov]] took power. Thars is utterly opposed to peace with humans and believes that sharing Carrow with them is impossible. Those loyal to him began to attack humans here and there, but it wasn't until July of 2558 that the first one was killed and hostilities between his group and the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] erupted.{{Ref/Novel|Fra|Detail=''[[Oasis]]''}} Things escalated into [[Carrow Conflict|all-out war]] between Thars and his cousin [[Rojka 'Kasaan]], escalated when Thars brought in [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] and his forces to help. In truth, Hekabe sought a [[Sharquoi]] hive located on the planet and betrayed Thars. Thars' faction was almost entirely wiped out by the civil war and Hekabe's betrayal and the rest of his forces fell when Sharquoi took over his surviving ships to escape the planet. In a final confrontation with Rojka, Thars' remaining warriors fell to [[Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] and a few surviving Sangeheili of Rojka's faction and Thars was [[execution|executed]] by Rojka for his actions. During this time, [[Akato 'Dakaj]] took control of Rak and executed the [[kaidon]]s who had lent their support to Thars.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}}

After his cousin [[Thars 'Sarov]] betrayed him to take control of [[Rak]] on the planet [[Carrow]], Rak's leader [[Rojka 'Kasaan]] formed a faction loyal to him to oppose Thars' forces. However, in [[Carrow Conflict|the ensuing conflict]], Thars called upon the help of [[Hekabe's faction|a Jiralhanae faction]] led by [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] which gave him the edge over Rojka in a space battle. Rojka's fleet was destroyed while his {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} ''[[Unwavering Discipline]]'' crashed on Carrow. Rojka gave chase to [[Gray Team]], the Spartans [[Operation: SUNSPEAR|responsible for the destruction]] of his homeworld [[Glyke]] while Thars relentlessly pursued Rojka even with Hekabe betraying him. Thars succeeded in slaughtering the entire faction aside from Rojka and three Sangheili he sent back to Rak. With Hekabe taking control of the [[Sharquoi]], Rojka and his remaining warriors, who unexpectedly traveled to [[Suraka]] to help their leader, allied themselves with Gray Team to defeat Thars and stop Hekabe from using Thars' surviving ships. With one Sangheili piloting a Banshee and the other two cloaked, the were able to catch Thars and his warriors by surprise and defeat them with the help of Gray Team. However, at least one if not all three of the surviving warriors were killed in the process. Rojka subsequently aided in the defeat of Hekabe and survived to return to Rak where the [[kaidon]]s who had supported Thars had been executed by [[Akato 'Dakaj]] and his forces. Despite having won his conflict with Thars, Rojka did not retain power as the leader of Rak which instead went to Akato. Instead, Rojka agreed to act as the envoy between Rak and the human population of Suraka, the conflict having created the need for both species to come closer together.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}}

 

 

A rogue faction of [[Covenant]] soldiers led by [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]] who, in [[2526]], sought to destroy [[ONI]] following [[Operation: SILENT STORM]], seeing it as the biggest threat to the Covenant. While they succeeded in getting one of the [[Luminal Beacon]]s into ONI's custody during the [[Battle of Netherop]], the Covenant retaliated for Nizat's rogue actions, destroying most of the [[Flotilla of Unsung Piety]] and forcing the survivors to retreat. Nizat and his ground forces were then exiled on [[Netherop]]'s surface with a mine shell being placed in orbit of the planet to prevent anyone from coming back for him. In addition, [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Amalea Petrov]] and some of her forces were left stranded on Netherop as well.{{Ref/Novel|Oblv}} Over the next thirty-three years, the UNSC and Covenant survivors fought each other, resulting in the death of most of Nizat's forces, leaving only Nizat himself and six others while the humans numbers continued to grow as the stranded survivors had children and families.{{Ref/Novel|Out|Chapter=7}}{{Ref/Novel|Out|Chapter=9}}

In [[2559]], the Defenders of the Sanctum were encountered by the UNSC and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] when they visited the planet in search of the [[Precursor]] weapon dubbed the [[Divine Hand]]. During the [[Battle of Netherop (2559)|battle]] that followed, three of the surviving [[Sangheili]] were killed by [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Olympia Vale]], one was killed by [[Oath Warden]] [[Crei 'Ayomuu]], [[Blademaster]] [[Meduz 'Ra'ashi]] defected to the Swords of Sanghelios and Nizat and [[Tam 'Lakosee]] were captured with Nizat suffering severe injuries. Unable to get the two to give up their zealotry, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] stranded Nizat and Tam, the last members of this faction, on Netherop. Facing imminent death by infection, starvation and dehydration, Tam chose to mercy kill Nizat so as to spare him that fate.{{Ref/Novel|Out}}

This ancient group was the very first Covenant splinter faction, created by [[Ussa 'Xellus]] and other Sangheili who opposed the Writ of Union. During the time of the Covenant's creation, the [[Council of City States|Sangheili]] and [[Reformists|Reformist San'Shyuum]] had united to create the empire. Ussa and like-minded Sangheili who opposed this union, fled their homeworld as it was occupied by the newly formed Covenant empire. They had arrived at the [[shield world]] known as [[the Refuge]] and continued to practise pre-Covenant Sangheili traditions for many generations since. However, many fell victim to the [[Blood Sickness]] over the centuries since. In [[2553]], the Refuge was rediscovered by the crew of the supply ship ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]'' led by [[San'Shyuum]] [[Zo Resken]], descendant of the [[Prophet of Inner Conviction]] who had pursued the Ussans to the Refuge in the first place and chose to leave them be even though he suspected the Ussans not to be gone when they had the shield world's Disassembler process initiated. With the help of [[Huragok]] [[Sluggish Drifter]], the Refuge's [[monitor]] [[Enduring Bias]] was repaired and he helped to put down a rebellion and cure the Blood Sickness. Enduring Bias reassembled the Refuge into a circular structure similar to a [[Halo Array|Halo ring]] and those Ussans who wished to return to [[Sanghelios]] were allowed to do so while many remained on the Refuge.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Broken Circle|BC}}

**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}

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