Canon

Unggoy

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Unggoy
Kafv
Render of an Unggoy Conscript.Included as part of the magazine kit linked to in this tweet.
Ritrit
A render of the Unggoy Storm.
Zimzib
StormUnggoy.png
Biological overview

Latin name:

Monachus frigus

Classification:

Xenoarthropod

Subspecies:

Ritrit, Kafv, Zimzib

Physical information

Avg. height:

138.4 centimetres (4 ft 6.5 in)–167 centimetres (5 ft 6 in)[1]

Avg. weight:

112.6 kilograms (248 lb)–118 kilograms (260 lb)[1]

Distinctions:

Short, stocky, round-headed, endoskeletal and exoskeletal, vertebroid and arthropoidal, wrinkly skin, high-pitched voices, stubby limbs.

Avg. lifespan:

121+ years[2]

Sociocultural information

Homeworld:

Balaho

Technology level:

Native Tier 6/Adopted Tier 2[3]

Notable individuals:

Also known as:

  • Chimp
  • Crab
  • Crybaby
  • Gas-sucker
  • Grunt
  • Lobster
  • Monkey
  • Pig
  • Punk
 

"When in doubt, flee."
— Unggoy philosophy[4]

Unggoy[5] (Latin, Monachus frigus, meaning "cold monk"), also known as Grunts by many individuals, are a sapient species of squat bipedal xeno-arthropodal vertebroid lifeforms[1][6] from the planet Balaho. In 2142, the Unggoy became the fourth species to be assimilated into the Covenant. During their tenure in the hegemony, Unggoy were always the lowest-ranking species in general terms, and were frequently mistreated by members of almost every other race, especially the Kig-Yar, Jiralhanae, and Sangheili.

Unggoy were primarily used by the Covenant as laborers or—in combat situations—cannon fodder. They are commonly referred to as "Grunts", mainly because they are considered weak compared to other former Covenant species and because they performed the majority of the labor required by the empire.[7][8]

History[edit]

The Ark and reseeding[edit]

Unggoy are believed to have evolved from smaller amphibious primates.[1] Prior to the activation of the Halo Array, the Unggoy had managed to achieve a Tier 4 society on their homeworld, Balaho. However, the planet and the Unggoy civilization was devastated by the collapse of its biosphere due to massive global over-industrialization.[3]

The Unggoy were one of many species indexed by the Librarian for preservation on Installation 00 from the firing of the Halo Array. They were subsequently returned to their homeworld Balaho, where they began re-building their culture.[9]

Induction into the Covenant[edit]

The Unggoy join the Covenant.

In 2142, the Unggoy and their defenseless homeworld were discovered by the Covenant. Most species of the Covenant became incorporated due to faith or mutual beneficence, however the Unggoy were forced into lowly positions within the Covenant through force and aggressive conversion.[1][10] The Unggoy were quickly conquered with little resistance and were the fourth species to be inducted into the empire. The species was quick to become one of the most devoted followers of the Covenant religion and the Great Journey.[11] It even became a popular notion among the Unggoy, thanks to the theologian, Ang'napnap the Enlightened, that the Forerunners' pre-ascension forms were akin to their very own.[12] By the time of their discovery by the Covenant, the Unggoy homeworld was still recovering from its ecological collapse over a hundred millennia earlier, and the Unggoy's Tier 6 civilization had yet to return to its former state.[3]