Forum:An idea to differentiate the Covenant from “the Covenant” in articles.

Forums: Index → Community Proposal → An idea to differentiate the Covenant from “the Covenant” in articles.

Proposal

Often throughout Halopedia we have many articles that mention both the Covenant (the original empire) and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant or other remnant factions. Because the games call them “the Covenant” it makes sense that we do the same in the articles. However it gets confusing when we mention the original empire a few paragraphs above, then mention it again with the same name when referring to a different faction. For example:

“

Around July 2557, the Covenant detected a signal originating from Installation 03 in the Khaphrae system. The signal was emanating from the Conduit, a device on Installation 03 that was capable of opening Forerunner slipspace portals throughout the galaxy. The Covenant succeeded in picking up the signal moments before the UNSC did and sent a large fleet to the ring to recover the Conduit. Procuring the Conduit, the Covenant sought to bring the device to Installation 03's Altar to activate it, where they could open slipspace portals for Prometheans to invade Gamma Halo and give themselves control over the installation. In response, the UNSC engaged the Covenant forces in an attempt to take the Conduit for themselves.

”

To Halo fans, it's clear that this paragraph is referring to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, but to newcomers or those not as invested in the lore (which many come to Halopedia to understand the lore) this is confusing to them, and articles such as the paragraph provided often can seem like it's referring to the original Covenant. This paragraph is one of many confusing examples.

It's important to differentiate the two as they are two entirely different organizations. The original Covenant was a massive empire founded on the basis of coalition between Sangheili and San'Shyuum, whereas Jul's self proclaimed Covenant was a splinter faction that has no San'Shyuum or Hierarch/Ministry government structure after the betrayal. Same goes for other Covenant remnants that are called “the Covenant”.

I propose the following to differentiate the two organizations (as well as any other remnant factions that share the name): while keeping the name given to the remnant factions in the games; in our articles we should call them “the Covenant” in quotations.

• When referring to the original Covenant empire, we can simply write them as: the Covenant.
• When referring to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant or other remnant factions, we can write them as: “the Covenant”.

These quotations will help differentiate the groups to the newcomers and readers, as well as emphasize the fact that a hundred warlords claim they rule the Covenant, but each of them leads only a small faction.

"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

What do you think of this proposal to help prevent confusion? People still call Jul 'Mdama's Covenant the erroneous Storm Covenant to this date.

Votes

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Support (1/1)

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1. Support — Of course I support this as I submitted it. Editorguy (talk) 20:23, 12 December 2018 (EST)

Neutral (0/0)

Please use "# Neutral -" if you are neutral to this

Against (0/0)

Please use "# Oppose -" if you are opposed to this

• Oppose While they need to be separated, the use of quotations would not resolve the issue. Readers are likely to ignore the quotations. The best and easiest way to do this differentiation is to place a note and educate the readers about the differences between the new Covenant and the old Covenant.— subtank 23:27, 14 December 2018 (EST)

Comments and suggestions

Please put any comments or suggestions for this here. Editorguy (talk) 20:23, 12 December 2018 (EST)