Sangheili High Councilor

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Councilor is a high-tier political title attainable by the Sangheili.

Background
Councilor is one of the highest positions attainable by a Sangheili warrior, whether militarily or politically. Councilors act as representatives of the Sangheili species within the Covenant High Council, along with the Lesser Prophets. Their power is derived directly from the High Council and the Hierarchs.

A large number of Councilors were present at Delta Halo, supposedly to witness the activation of the Halo ring. In truth, it was a ruse in order for the Jiralhanae to begin their slaughter, depriving the Sangheili of their leadership within the Covenant. While some survived, it is not known how many, or whether they returned to serve as leaders of the remaining Sangheili.

Combat
Because warfare is the primary purpose of Sangheili participation in the Covenant, Councilors are extremely skilled warriors in almost all forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. As Sangheili are ranked according to the numbers of kills obtained, Councilors are likely to have slaughtered a significant amount, likely being retired Zealots, since Councilors are rarely seen in battle.

Councilors typically carry the iconic Energy Sword, which also serves as a symbol of their status as aristocrats. With only select few Sangheili military ranks, such as Zealots and Ultras, are permitted this and they are adept at close-combat with the sword. They are also, albeit infrequently, armed with Plasma Rifles, with their accuracy unmatched. Like an Ultra Elite, they will let loose a war cry and switch to their Energy Sword if an enemy gets too close to them.

In addition to their great skill in combat, Councilors are also equipped with an extremely durable Combat Harness, similar in appearance to the standard issue version, but with superior armor compared to that worn by lesser ranks, similar to that of the SpecOps in Halo CE. Additionally, the built-in energy shielding system is capable of taking an enormous amount of damage, equivalent to that of an Elite Ultra: they can withstand up to three Shotgun blasts in close range, devastating melee attacks from behind, a hit from the Fist of Rukt, multiple Plasma Grenades or Fragmentation Grenades and even surviving a blast from a Rocket Launcher and a slash from an Energy Sword, even when their shield is down. Halo 2 is the only game in which you see and work with Councilors.

Description
Councilors are easily recognizable by their large, distinct and oddly shaped, ornate headdresses, fixed to a traditional Elite Helmet. Their armor, normally the standard Combat Harness adorned by most other regular service Elites (with the exception of the helmet), are a pearlescent white, or metallic-silver color, very similar to that worn by Ultra Elites, the only difference being that they have no steel markings on their armor as many other Elite ranks do. Councilors sometimes wear a different helmet that has the same basic shape, but has different designs and is more open.

Trivia

 * The headdresses worn by Sangheili Councilors closely resemble the Queen's head, from the movie Aliens; though it is smaller and narrower. In addition, both Halo's Covenant Empire and Aliens' titular species have caste systems.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo: The Flood
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

Related pages

 * Arbiter
 * Ultra
 * High Prophets
 * High Council
 * Honor Guard Councilor
 * Council Chamber