War of Beginnings

"WE'VE GOT A NEW CONTACT, UNKNOWN CLASSIFICATION!" This article may contain information based upon upcoming, unreleased, or recently-released content from Halo: Elegy, and may not be fully complete. Additionally, the information may be subject to change if it is based on pre-release material. Please update it as soon as any relevant and accurate material is available.

Previous:	War of Wills Clan Battles of Sanghelios
Next:	Mission to Janjur Qom Rending
War of Beginnings
Date:	938 BCE–852 BCE (First Age of Conflict)
Location:	Ulgethon Codisfold Anvarl Sanghelios Various other Sangheili colonies
Outcome:	Writ of Union San'Shyuum-Sangheili alliance declared Formation of the Covenant Unofficial San'Shyuum victory
Details Belligerents San'Shyuum Reformists Sangheili Commanders Hierarch J'nellin Hierarch Qurlom Breaking Shadow Pervading Stone† Arbiter Vema 'Togad Supreme Commander Ophon 'Qaram First Kaidon Mhelaat 'Orlam† First Kaidon Pelahsar the Strident Strength Anodyne Spirit Aggressor Sentinels San'Shyuum infantry Many warships Joori's Light Reckless Pursuit Unidentified weapon emplacements Numerous Banshee-like aircraft Dozens of ship-boring craft Many Sangheili infantry Casualties Thousands of San'Shyuum Pervading Stone Ushering Dusk Many warships Many Sangheili The entire population of Ulgethon First Kaidon Mhelaat 'Orlam

"So full of hate were our eyes that none of us could see.
Our war would yield countless dead, but never victory."

— Covenant Writ of Union

The War of Beginnings, also known as the San'Shyuum-Sangheili War and the First Age of Conflict, was an interstellar war set between the Sangheili species and the Reformist San'Shyuum, over religious and technological differences. At the conclusion of the war, the Writ of Union was penned and initiated, and the Covenant was kindled.

Background

San'Shyuum

After fleeing their homeworld of Janjur Qom in 2100 BCE, the San'Shyuum Reformists discovered ancient Forerunner installations in orbit over