San'Shyuum
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| San'Shyuum | |
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| Biological overview | |
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Latin name: |
Perfidia vermis[1] |
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Diet: |
Omnivorous |
| Physical information | |
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Avg. height: |
213.4 cm (7')–226.1 cm (7'5") (In Gravity Thrones)[2][1] |
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Avg. weight: |
81.4 kg (179.4 lbs)–96.6 kg (212.9 lbs)[1] |
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Distinctions: |
Long necks, humanoid features[1] |
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Avg. lifespan: |
Over two hundred years[3] |
| Sociocultural information | |
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Homeworld: |
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Notable individuals: |
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Also known as: |
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Languages: |
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San'Shyuum (Latin Perfidia vermis,[3] meaning "worms of treachery"),[16] also known as Prophets by many individuals, are a near-extinct sapient species native to Janjur Qom. Prior to the Great Schism in 2552, the San'Shyuum served as the leadership caste of the Covenant. By that time, the San'Shyuum had exerted complete control over the Covenant's religious and political affairs.[3]
Contemporary San'Shyuum civilization developed on a planet rich in artifacts left behind by the Forerunners, whom the Covenant would later revere as gods.[13] Prophets derived their legitimacy as leaders as well as their colloquial names from this connection. The San'Shyuum of the Covenant originated from the Reformists, a radical faction that believed Forerunner technology should be deeply analyzed and fled Janjur Qom aboard the Forerunner Dreadnought after a lengthy civil war.[17] According to the San'Shyuum, their homeworld was later allegedly destroyed in 648 BCE as the result of a natural stellar collapse. Because of this, they elected to make their home on the mobile planetoid station High Charity, powered by the Dreadnought.[3]
The San'Shyuum waged a fierce and bloody war against the Sangheili between 938 and 852 BCE,[17] halted only by their realization that the war would never come to an end.[13] The two races united to learn their secrets, forming a mutually beneficial arrangement that would eventually become the Covenant, although they typically regarded themselves as above the Sangheili. The Sangheili became the protectors of the Prophets while the Prophets dedicated themselves to studying their "gods" and learning the secrets behind the "ascension" they left on.[18]
Since the activation of the Halo Array and the subsequent reseeding, the San'Shyuum population has diminished. While their population at the time of the reintroduction was 500,000,000,[3] there were only 23,831,463 living San'Shyuum by 2552. After the Flood invasion of High Charity, the majority of their species was consumed and it was estimated that less than a thousand members of the species still lived, assuming that the destruction of Janjur Qom did in fact occur.[3] However, a flotilla of starships capable of supporting thousands managed to evacuate surviving San'Shyuum from High Charity,[5] with a secret destination set for the shield world of Cloister to hide from the vengeful Sangheili.[19] The current status of this flotilla's voyage and whereabouts, are unknown to most in the known galaxy.[20] Over the years, many of these ships were hunted down by the Shadow of Intent and their crews imprisoned until they stood trial. However, most were too proud to answer for their crimes and attempted to flee, only to be slaughtered.[11]
In late 2559, the San'Shyuum Order of Restoration emerged from hiding under the leadership of High Lord Dovo Nesto -- the greatest and most powerful San'Shyuum to survive the destruction of both High Charity and the Covenant -- and set out to restore the Covenant empire.[21][22] Following a failed attempt to take over the Domain through the Lithos, Nesto took control of the Covenant remnant once led by Sali 'Nyon to continue his efforts to restore the Covenant empire.[23]