Editing Kaidon

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Title infobox
|name=Kaidon
|image=[[File:H5G-Arbiter-ThelVadam.jpg|300px]]
|type=Head of government
|government=[[Sangheili]] city-states
|memberof=
|duties=Rule of a Sangheili state
|term=
|style=
|headquarters=Head [[keep]]
|formation=
|reorganized=
|abolished=
|notable=*[[Thel 'Vadam]]
*[[Levu 'Mdama]]
*[[Rojka 'Kasaan]]
*[[Thav 'Sebarim]]
}}

'''Kaidon''', or "lord",{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=150}} is a meritocratic rank held by the head of a [[Sangheili]] state. Kaidons are chosen by a council of [[elder]]s from their state.<ref name="cp89">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 89''</ref>

==Overview==
Kaidons are elected by a panel of their clan's [[elder]]s. After the kaidon has taken office, any elder who disagrees with the crowning of the new leader sends assassins to kill him or challenges the kaidon himself, as a form of testing whether the new leader is worthy of ruling the clan.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 171''</ref> Should the assassins fail, the sender is typically executed. However, if the kaidon is killed, no action is taken against the elder, as the Sangheili believe that a kaidon who cannot defend himself is unworthy of leadership.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 92''</ref> Any [[treason]]ous or disloyal individual that lived in the state that the kaidon governed could be executed by the kaidon.{{Ref/Novel|Id=BC2|BC|Chapter=2}}

Kaidons, despite being political rulers, are very active in the military, even leading long campaigns into enemy territory, leaving the elders to rule in his stead.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 94''</ref> Although a kaidon may be protected by numerous armed guards, the kaidon typically removes any threats himself to show that he is a capable leader. A kaidon typically arms himself with an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]] and may wield a ranged weapon, such as a [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistol]], as a sidearm. Kaidon is a life-long rank, so the next kaidon is crowned only after the current kaidon dies.{{Ref/Reuse|cp89}} In accordance with Sangheili tradition, only males can attain the title of kaidon. As female offsprings of a kaidon are unable to claim their fathers' lands and possessions, other kaidons might contest for a daughter's inheritance by attempting to secure their hand in marriage, either to themselves or to one of their sons. Sangheili history is filled with instances where kaidon daughters rejected suitors and fought them off for years, such as in the case of the [[Gray Maiden of Konar]]. Such daughters are given the noble title of [[Scion]].<ref name="soi19">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 19'' (Google Play edition)</ref>    

Kaidons reside within a High Room, located in the kaidon's own [[keep]]. The keep that the kaidon lives in is considered the head keep of the state, with there being numerous client keeps controlled by clan elders. A kaidon meets with the elders of the state's client keeps within an assembly house located inside the head keep where matters concerning the state are discussed.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 53''</ref>

[[The Refuge]] was also led by a kaidon. After Kaidon [[Ussa 'Xellus]] was forced to leave [[Xellus|his state]] on Sanghelios, he continued to lead the Refuge as its kaidon.{{Ref/Reuse|BC2}} After Ussa's death, the Refuge continued to be led by a kaidon by members of the Xellus clan. In the event of a kaidon's absence, another high-ranking Sangheili could be given the "necklace of rank" and serve as the "acting kaidon".{{Ref/Novel|BC|Chapter=21}} During [[Bal'Tol 'Xellus]]' term as kaidon, [[Oska 'Meln]] challenged his authority and led a rebellion throughout different sections of the Refuge. 'Meln declared himself the kaidon and told his followers that 'Xellus was a "false kaidon".{{Ref/Novel|BC|Chapter=20}}

==Known kaidons==
===Deceased===
*[[Orok 'Darsam]] – A kaidon and the uncle of the demigod hero [[Kel 'Darsam]] in ancient Sangheili [[religion|mythology]].<ref name="soi22">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 22'' (Google Play edition)</ref> 
*[[Nesh 'Radoon]] – A powerful sea lord and rival kaidon of 'Darsam in ancient Sangheili mythology.{{Ref/Reuse|soi22}}
*[[Ther 'Vadam]] – An ancient kaidon of the [[state of Vadam]]. After losing a war against one of his clan's rivals, he was imprisoned, though he eventually escaped. He spent years gathering allies, with whom he one day attacked his enemies' keep. He executed his enemies, as well as his former companions who were too cowardly to commit suicide.
*[[Ussa 'Xellus]] – Kaidon of the state of [[Xellus]] until the state's destruction in [[851 BCE]]; later the first kaidon of [[The Refuge]].{{Ref/Reuse|BC2}}
*[[N'Zursa 'Xellus]] – Former kaidon of the Refuge and Bal'Tol 'Xellus' uncle.{{Ref/Novel|Id=BC15|BC|Chapter=15}}
*[[Tulum 'Juranai]] – Former kaidon of the largest settlement on the colony [[Rahnelo]].<ref name="soi18">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 18'' (Google Play edition)</ref>
*[[Gerdon 'Hilot]] - Former kaidon of the city-state of [[Hilot]].{{Ref/Anthology|Id=lessonslearned|Fra|Lessons Learned}}
*[[Thav 'Sebarim]] - Kaidon of [[Malaston keep]] who later joined the [[Banished]]. Killed by [[John-117]] on [[Installation 07]] in [[2560]].{{Ref/Quest|Id=Hi|HI|Connections|Thav 'Sebarim}}
*[[Ghe 'Talot]] - A powerful Kaidon on [[Feldokra]] and ally to the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]. Killed by the [[Defenders of the Sanctum]] during the [[Battle of Netherop (2559)]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=OC18|HOut|Chapter=18}}

===Existing===
*[[Thel 'Vadam]] – The latest known kaidon of Vadam; killed the assassins sent by the elder [[Koida 'Vadam]], then executed the latter and banished his family. Later he became the [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], and the Arbiter after that. After becoming the Arbiter, he killed the [[Prophet of Truth]], effectively ending the [[Human-Covenant War]]. After the Great Schism, he sought reconciliation with humanity following the war, drawing ire from more conservative Sangheili.<ref name="Glasslands">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 59''</ref>
*Unidentified kaidon of [[Moram]] – This kaidon was the target of a coup attempt by [[Ripa 'Moramee]], one of his clanmates. 'Moramee's attempt failed and he was brought before the kaidon, who banished him to the [[Weeping Shadows of Sorrow]] penitentiary. 'Moramee's resolve during the coup led to his ascension to the rank of [[Arbiter]].{{Ref/Comic|HWG}}
*[[Levu 'Mdama]] – Kaidon of the state of [[Mdama]] following the Human-Covenant War in [[2553]]. Allied himself with Thel 'Vadam and sought reconciliation with humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|Glasslands}}
*[[Panom]] – Kaidon of the [[State of Panom]] on [[Hesduros]]. Allied himself with [[Jul 'Mdama]] and formed a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|new Covenant]] to find the [[Ur-Didact|Didact's]] [[shield world]], [[Requiem]].<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 441''</ref>
*[[Bal'Tol 'Xellus]] – Kaidon of the Refuge as of [[2553]]. Ended the [['Greftus Faction]] rebellion.{{Ref/Reuse|BC15}}
*[['Juran|Tulum 'Juranai's youngest son]] – Kaidon of Rahnelo's largest settlement as of 2553.{{Ref/Reuse|soi18}}
*[[Dinnat 'Hilot]]'s mate - Chosen as Gerdon 'Hilot's replacement as kaidon of Hilot.{{Ref/Reuse|lessonslearned}}
*[[Rojka 'Kasaan]] - Former kaidon of the city-state of [[Rak]] on [[Carrow]]. In [[2558]], after quelling the opposition of [[Thars 'Sarov]] and helping prevent a planetary crisis, he returned to Rak and relinquished leadership to Kaidon Akato 'Dakaj.<ref name="he">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]''', ''page 372''</ref>
*[[Akato 'Dakaj]] - A lesser kaidon who assumed control of Rak in 2558 following Thars' rebellion on Carrow.{{Ref/Reuse|he}}
*[[Dreka 'Xulsam]] - A Kaidon that leads the [[Nwari Wastewalkers]] clan under the [[Banished]] and that serves as part of [[The Eight]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=ET|ET|Chapter=20}}

==Trivia==
[[Eric Nylund]]'s ''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'' makes references to "Major Domo Sangheili".<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 349''</ref> As a "[[Wikipedia:Majordomo|majordomo]]" is the head (or acting head) of a household, it could be that this was an early concept for the kaidon or [[elder]] titles introduced in ''Halo: The Cole Protocol''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HWG MoramKaidon.png|A view of a Kaidon
File:HM-Thel.png|Kaidon Thel 'Vadam in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:H5G-Arbiter-ThelVadam.jpg|[[Thel 'Vadam]] Kaidon of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]
File:HINF ThavOnPatrol.jpg|Kaidon Thav 'Sebarim in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HTV-elite kaidon.jpg|A Kaidon in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Mo|MCC}}
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Fractures]]''
**''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Empty Throne]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Edge of Dawn]]''

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

{{Sangheili Ranks}}

[[Category:Kaidons| ]]
[[Category:Covenant titles]]