Sangheili harness
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Sangheili harness refers to a wide variety of armor systems used by the Sangheili soldiers of the Covenant and its splinter groups. The differences between harnesses depend on rank, function, or style. Some harnesses are designed for specific tactical functions, while others trace their origin to a need for hierarchical distinction, and some are instead primarily ceremonial in nature.[1]
Though the combat harness is only one variant among many other Sangheili harnesses, the term "combat harness" is sometimes used off-handedly in a synecdochical manner when referring to other Sangheili harnesses, as it is the most basic, well-known, and widespread harness variant.[2][3][4][5]
Design details[edit]
A Sangheili harness consists of a techsuit, typically dark in color, over which armor plates are laid. The latter are often brightly coloured to indicate the wearer's rank or affiliation; in keeping with Sangheili design conventions, they are usually sleek and organic in appearance. The armor of most harnesses includes a helmet, chestplate, pauldrons, vambraces, cuisses, greaves, and foot protection -- though some lighter patterns forgo the vambraces.[6]
High-ranking Sangheili appear to have greater flexibility in their choice of harness, and may choose between standard or ornamented designs;[7][8] Gold coloration is universally associated with a commanding role (e.g. Field Masters, Generals, Banished Warlords.)[9][10][11][12]
The Sangheili harness is almost always equipped with energy shielding, with some variants featuring enhanced shields.[13][3] It also boosts the speed and strength of its user, though in this aspect it remains less effective than the human-made MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor; Sangheili harnesses are also less durable than MJOLNIR.[14]
History[edit]
The Covenant Empire originally applied a structured coding of armor color for combat, political, and ceremonial roles.[1] However, after the empire's collapse, its various splinter factions did not adhere strictly to this color coding, resulting in a wide variety of colorations being in use in the post-war era.[11]
Influence from and on humanity[edit]
In 2525, science lances were dispatched to the Chi Ceti system by the Prophet of Regret to capture technology and equipment from the Damascus Testing Facility for study.[15] While the outcome of their mission is unknown, the facility was held by the UNSC and continued to develop new MJOLNIR armor variants throughout the Human-Covenant War[16] and in the years that followed.[17]
After the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC, ONI, and various private corporations started developing a number of armor permutations based on Sangheili armor technology for the MJOLNIR (GEN2) platform. This was done either by cooperating with human-allied Sangheili — such those from the Swords of Sanghelios, especially those on board Anvil Station — or by independent research, testing, and reverse-engineering, sometimes bordering on disrespect for safety protocols.
The ANUBIS helmet's enhanced sensor suite was developed in collaboration with Sangheili, though ONI security paranoia has slowed technology integration.[18] Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme's FREEBOOTER-class Mjolnir features seamless nanofabricated armor panels that also hint at a Sangheili trade link.[19] Sangheili-sourced nanolaminates and scanning elements make the Dauntless sensor grid and faceplate expensive even by Watershed Division standards.[20]
Although not built from Sangheili technology properly, the VALKYRIE-class Mjolnir is fully compatible with all known Covenant flight systems in addition to human ones.[21] The Saturnine VISR hardware is fully compatible with Sangheili combat harness power and data feeds, leading some to believe it is intended for export.[20]
HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir was developed by a Sangheili artisan-armorer prodigy whose skill allowed her to reverse-engineer even the classified parts of the Mjolnir platform, including the neural interface. This Mjolnir variant is produced by Kolaar Manufactorum, and bears the name of a predatory creature from Sanghelios.[22] Also produced by Sangheili, intended for use by Spartans working with the Swords of Sanghelios, are the THREMALEON[23] and SERPIN[24] Mjolnir classes. On the other hand, the Accord harness is a Sangheili harness primarily designed by humans as part of the Anvil Initiative.[25]
Types[edit]
Military harnesses[edit]
Harnesses used in the military of the Covenant and its remnants.
- Combat harness - The combat harness is the ubiquitous armor system available to Sangheili of all ranks,[26] used across all Covenant conflicts, and considered the "mainline" by humans; its iconic shape is an emblem of Sangheili military might.[27] Despite this, there are many iterations of the combat harness, which share a general design plan but differ in a wide range of functional and aesthetic features; these may be considered separate patterns by the Sangheili themselves.[13][11][7] The adaptability of this armor has caused it to remain in use among many disparate Covenant remnant groups.