Prophet of Mercy
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| High Prophet of Mercy | |
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Homeworld: |
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Born: |
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Died: |
November 3, 2552[2] (aged 220) |
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Cause of death: |
Died when John-117 tore a Flood pod infector from his neck.[2] |
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Gender: |
Male[3] |
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Height: |
215.9 centimeters (7 ft 1.0 in)[1] (In gravity throne) |
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Weight: |
87.3 kilograms (192.4 lb)[1] |
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Hair color: |
Gray[4] |
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Eye color: |
Light Blue[4] |
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- "Halo! Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation!"
- — The Prophet of Mercy[5]
The High Prophet of Mercy, born Hod Rumnt,[1][6] was one of three Hierarchs that lead the Covenant High Council during the Human-Covenant War. He was by far the oldest of them.[1]
Biography[edit]
Early career[edit]
Hod Rumnt was elected to the High Council before either of his fellow Hierarchs, the High Prophets of Truth and Regret, were even born. His tenure was marked by several tense debates with Sangheili High Councilors over the proper dispensation of Forerunner artifacts. During that time, he was considered one of the last of the Old Guard, as he publicly questioned the wisdom of the San'Shyuum's demilitarization at the close of the Sangheili-San'Shyuum war.[6] This brand of thinking may have contributed to his later willingness to help replace the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae.
By 2525, during the 23rd Age of Doubt, Rumnt had apparently given up politics in order to more effectively indulge his spiritual side. He served as the Philologist on the Forerunner Dreadnought, where he led the ascetic priests prior to his ascension to Hierarch.<[7]
Rise to power[edit]
The Philologist was present when the Minister of Fortitude Ord Casto and the Vice Minister of Tranquility Lod Mron came to ask for confirmation of the "reliquaries" found on Harvest. As the three San'Shyuum were analysing the data collected over the planet, the Oracle of the Dreadnought suddenly came online. The Oracle revealed that the humans were Reclaimers that were left behind and largely proved the Great Journey to be false. Shortly after, the Oracle attempted to launch the Dreadnought in order to transport the human population of Harvest to the Ark, during which time it referred to the humans as its creators. The Philologist, overcome with spiritual awe, beseeched the Oracle to complete its task; however, when the Dreadnought's electrical pathways were short-circuited by the Lekgolo worms that had been moving within them, thus stopping the Dreadnought's launch, the Philologist regained enough sense to disconnect the Oracle from the Dreadnought's systems.[7]
Because the Philologist had heard the Oracle's secrets, which would shatter the Covenant if they became known, the other two Prophets offered for him to be their third Hierarch.[7] The Philologist agreed, if perhaps reluctantly; he was later seen picking irritably at his new robes during the Hierarch initiation ceremony. With his help (doubtlessly his former career as a member of the High Council was very helpful for their campaign), the three San'Shyuum successfully rose to the mantle of Hierarch. The Philologist procured the name the Prophet of Mercy.[8]
Human-Covenant War[edit]
Being the oldest member of the Prophet triumvirate, Mercy was well-acquainted with the Covenant's governmental systems and history. The three Hierarchs worked together to ensure the Covenant's dominance over humanity, while making sure that no individual discovered the truth of the Covenant religion.[9]
Mercy was present with the High Prophet of Truth and the High Prophet of Regret at the trial of Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee with the High Council. Mercy questioned why Thel did not destroy the UNSC Pillar of Autumn over Reach and later had to demand order in the Council when an argument broke out amongst the Councilors.[3] After the trial, Mercy and Truth had Chieftain of the Jiralhanae Tartarus bring 'Vadamee before them. While the Jiralhanae had thought the Sangheili would be executed, the San'Shyuum instead talked with 'Vadamee. During the conversation, Mercy mentioned a bit of Covenant history, citing the Unggoy Rebellion and the Taming of the Lekgolo as cases where an Arbiter was appointed to resolve the conflict. 'Vadamee was given the title of Arbiter, but Mercy warned that he would die undertaking the Council's tasks.[10]
After Regret foolishly and partially unintentionally began the attack on the human homeworld, Earth while severely outnumbered, Regret sent a formal apology to Mercy and Truth, asking them to 'forgive his premature arrival' and claiming that he was unaware of the human presence on the planet. Although Truth wished to give Regret a public display of his and Mercy's contempt, he was spared due to Mercy's "wise counsel".[11] Following Regret's death on Installation 05 at the hands of John-117, the Jiralhanae replaced the Sangheili's position on the Covenant Honor Guard. After Tartarus and the Arbiter captured monitor 343 Guilty Spark, he was interrogated by Mercy and Truth. They discovered that they required Installation 05's Activation Index to fire the Halo and begin the Great Journey. After meeting with the Arbiter, the two remaining Hierarchs tasked 'Vadamee with acquiring the Index.[5]