Prophet of Regret

"I shall light this holy ring, release its cleansing flame, and burn a path into the divine beyond!"

- Prophet of Regret

The High Prophet of Regret is the youngest of the three High Prophets that lead the Covenant High Council.

Biography
The High Prophet of Regret (previously the Vice Minister of Tranquility) had been on the Covenant High Council for quite some time. He served during the destruction of Halo Installation 04 and was one of those who publicly condemned the Sangheili Commander who was responsible for the loss of the ring. While he appeared for the trial, it was by way of hologram, as Regret was searching for a method to initiate the Great Journey.

Earth
"The message just repeats, "Regret, Regret, Regret.""

- Cortana

The Prophet of Regret led the first attack on Earth. His fleet was small for an assault, totalling only two Assault Carriers and thirteen s. It is thought that he was directed to Earth by a Forerunner artifact, perhaps the one on Coral to search for the Ark, but he apparently had no knowledge of a human presence on Earth and that it was his enemy's homeworld. Nevertheless, he sent Ranger Elites and Boarding Craft to destroy the orbital super MAC gun's and then directed his two carrier's to punch through the UNSC Defense's. Only the one he was on made it through, thank's to the quick action's of the Master Chief.

He landed troop's in New Mombasa, the only place the Covenant landed on Earth. The attack on the city was a disaster, the confused Covenant were not prepared to fight such a massive human stronghold. Regret's carrier suddenly initiated a Slipspace jump right in the middle of New Mombasa. It is suspected that he had found the location of Installation 05 on Earth, because his lone carrier jumped straight to Delta Halo. The move was so surprising that only the was able to follow the Carrier as it jumped and destroyed the city.

Delta Halo
"I shall light this sacred ring, release its cleansing flame, and burn a path into the divine beyond!"

- Prophet of Regret

Regret's Carrier landed ground forces onto the surface of Installation 05, and the Covenant set up a presence around a "temple" in the middle of a lake, from which Regret began his religious sermons. He also transmitted an apology to the Prophet of Truth, indicating that he couldn't have known that the humans would be there or in such force. Truth responded by saying that only Mercy had spared him from "public" condemnation. Nevertheless, High Charity and the Second Fleet of Homogenous Clarity rushed to the new Halo, and a flight of Phantoms was deployed to rescue the Hierarch.

Regrets sermons were interrupted by the efforts of the Master Chief, leading a small group of Marines, in an assassination operation. The operation was a success, and Regret was killed by the Spartan, but the Phantoms had already turned away. The overhead Carrier used its energy projector to destroy the temple, expecting to kill the Master Chief and Regret at the same time - a far cry from public execution.

It isn't known how Regret's body escaped the destruction of the temple, but it was later assimilated by the newly formed Gravemind, reanimated and incorporated into the creature itself, into one of its many tentacles. He made a final appearance at the beginning of the next level, where he expressed annoyance with another captive of the Gravemind's, 2401 Penitent Tangent, and reacted to the presence of the Arbiter, showing that he was still conscious and sentient during this torment.

Personality
Based on a letter written from Truth to Mercy relating to his premature attack of Earth without realising the significant human presence and defensive measures. Regret is deemed a very rash and ambitious Prophet, immature and naive compared to the other Triumvirate members. He developed a habit of ingesting excess alcoholic beverages, and his work as Vice Minister of Tranquility meant that his duties brought him into regular contact with the Sangheili, and had adopted some of their personal traits, such as a preoccupation with honor and personal arms. During their visit to the Oracle upon the Forerunner Dreadnought, Regret - then still a Vice Minister - almost shot the Philologist - later to become Mercy - for percieved tampering with the Oracle.

Combat
Regret float's around in a Gravity Throne equipped with a weapon reminiscent of the Hunters'(called a Gravity Cannon in Halo 2's files) that fire's golden blast's of energy, and is impervious to direct attack. The only way to defeat him is to board his throne and melee attack him. However, Rocket's will lock onto the throne as if it were vehicle. Though this will not kill the prophet, enough rocket's can hurt him, reducing the number of hits he can take once you board his throne. Also a Lunge with the Energy Sword will weaken him, though not as much as a Rocket.

After a few melee hit's, he will throw you off and teleport away, and his throne must be re-boarded to resume the assault. This pattern will repeat until either he or the Master Chief dies.

Regret is not alone, however. Throughout the battle with him, Grunts and Honor Guard Elites will attempt to aid him against the Chief.

Due to a glitch, Regret can be knocked out of his throne and shoot you with a plasma pistol that has a faster rate of fire for a few seconds. Regret will then teleport back to his chair as if nothing had happened. A video can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjnlHcCNO28&mode=related&search=

Trivia

 * From approximately 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the cutscene at the beggining of the Gravemind level, you can hear regret saying exactly the same words as the Gravemind, perhaps as he is assimilated by it.
 * If you look closely at the Flood-Regret, he has a Human skull embedded in his body
 * Numerous holograms of Regret appear in the level's Delta Halo and Regret, as he gives his sermon, and can be lunged at with an energy sword or melee.
 * When Regret gives his sermon on Delta Halo he tells the entire history of the covenant, as well as the Prophets mission to begin the Great Journey.
 * If you have an Energy Sword when fighting Regret, jump on his throne, beat him twice, get off, then hit him with the sword. He should die.  It is unknown how this happens as all other attacks do not hurt him at all.
 * Because Regret reacts to the Arbiter as a fellow during his capture by the Gravemind, it may be that he was never involved in the orchastration of the Covenant Civil War.

Combat Quotes
"This is the humans' greatest warrior?"

"Warriors, attack! The Demon must die!"

"Your very existence offends me, Demon!"

"Guards! Remove this vermin from my sight!"

"You dare to interrupt my sermon!?"

"Incompetents! I'll kill him myself!"

"The Great Journey will not be postponed!"

"Surely, you can do better than that!"

"Perhaps you have underestimated me, no?"

"Why anyone would fear this Demon is beyond me!"

"Human filth! You imbrue this holy place!"

"Your world deserves to burn, Demon!"