Jega 'Rdomnai

Jega 'Rdomnai is a Sangheili blademaster and Spartan Killer serving the Banished.

Early life
Jega 'Rdomnai was born on the Sangheili homeworld of Sanghelios on February 19, 2490, eventually enlisting in the Covenant military as is the custom for all male Sangheili.

Covenant and the Silent Shadow
During his service within the Covenant, Jega 'Rdomnai became a blademaster and a member of the Silent Shadow, a unit within the Covenant's Special Operations branch. During one of his missions, he lost his left arm and left mandibles in an explosion caused by a pair of Spartan-IIIs. 'Rdomnai had the two replaced with prostheses, despite robotic replacements being antithetical to Covenant tradition and principles. The Sangheili's favored bloodblade underwent a similar transformation. After it sustained damage during the explosion, 'Rdomnai brought the sword's hilt to the artisan-armorers at Cherras Keep, who reforged the blade as Ghostpierce. His injuries also gave 'Rdomnai a lust for battle and vengeance, both of which completely outweighed his own pride in his own Sangheili culture. The exact circumstances that resulted in his injuries became shrouded in rumors, with very few aware of the true history. Following his injuries, 'Rdomnai became obsessed within hunting down and exacting revenge on any Spartans he could. Eventually, he became shunned by those within the Covenant.

Banished service
At some point before the Installation 07 conflict in 2560, 'Rdomnai joined the Banished as the first recruit for the Hand of Atriox. 'Rdomnai became the Jiralhanae Escharum's most respected soldier, having worked together for the longest and even becoming his closest friend, which was very rare between their species. Within the Banished, there were many rumors about 'Rdomnai and his injuries. Some said he was an experiment, which became an affront to his fellow Sangheili. Others made mention of a clandestine ambush gone wrong.

'Rdomnai was among the many Banished soldiers on Installation 07 following the ambush on. In late April 2560, he killed Spartan Bonita Stone when she was exploring the subterranean Forerunner structures under Outpost Tremonius. Then, on May 15, when Spartans Theodore Sorel and Vedrana Makovich infiltrated the Banished excavation site at the Conservatory, 'Rdomnai ambushed the two, with Sorel being wounded by 'Rdomnai's surprise attack. Makovich urged Sorel to run ahead to locate the monitor of the ring, while she would fend off 'Rdomnai. Makovich died in the following duel against the Sangheili, while Sorel made a last stand deeper inside the facility, being killed by the Jiralhanae brothers Tovarus and Hyperius.

Two weeks later, during the Installation 07 conflict, 'Rdomnai attended a meeting between Escharum and Tremonius, where they learned that Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 was still alive. When Tremonius questioned Escharum's leadership, and disrespected Atriox, R'domnai forcibly restrained and threated the Jiralhanae. After Tremonius left, 'Rdomnai was ordered by Escharum to follow the Master Chief from a distance, as Escharum wanted to know everything about him. As more Banished members fell to the Spartan, Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to bring John-117 to him alive while 'Rdomnai noted with concern his friend's worsening terminal illness.

'Rdomnai attacked and kidnapped Fernando Esparza in order to bait the Master Chief into storming the House of Reckoning after he and the Weapon disabled the Reformation spires. Witnessing Escharum smash a holotable in a fit of rage, 'Rdomnai asked Escharum if there was a problem and he stated that he was losing patience with the Harbinger and demanded that 'Rdomnai tell him that his mission was a success. 'Rdomnai simply stated that the Master Chief will come to them and revealed that he had captured Fernando Esparza, much to Escharum's delight. Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to keep Esparza alive, but to have his fun as 'Rdomnai deserved it. Escharum laughed as he watched 'Rdomnai drag Esparza away. 'Rdomnai interrogated and tortured Esparza.

After the Master Chief finally arrived at the House of Reckoning, 'Rdomnai confronted him in a transport docked in the arena on the third level, using Esparza's holorecorder to lure the Master Chief in and trap him. Despite using his active camouflage extensively, 'Rdomnai was ultimately defeated by the Master Chief, although the Spartan was unable to confirm the kill as the Sangheili's body disappeared without a trace. After his friend's supposed death, Escharum informed the Master Chief that 'Rdomnai had wanted to kill Esparza, but Escharum had promised him a sweeter prize or a warrior's death instead.

Equipment
During his time in the Covenant he wore the Silent Shadow variant of the Infiltration harness. At some point he switched to a black combat harness, which he customised with red markings, red claw-like ornaments and the Banished's symbol at the center of the chest armor. Jega uses a bloodblade, as well as a custom variant of bloodblade on his mechanical arm called Ghostpierce.

Gameplay
Jega 'Rdomnai deploys active camo during the entirety of his fight, only revealing himself when lunging at the player. After reaching a certain threshold of damage taken, 'Rdomnai will initiate a "hard cloak", fleeing and disappearing entirely from the room, although staggering attacks such as fusion coils can prevent this temporarily. During this phase he will not be shown on threat sensors. Jega will eventually reappear in camouflage and attack the player once more. This continues until he is defeated.

Production notes
343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling cited Jega 'Rdomnai's robotic prostheses as an example for what the Covenant would have been like without its "dogmatic restraint". Easterling also contrasted 'Rdomnai to Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, with 'Rdomnai being representative of 'Vadam's "psycho elements".

Trivia

 * Jega 'Rdomnai is one of the only main antagonists with no achievement tied to his defeat.
 * Jega's body cloaks upon his apparent death, a behavior not seen with any other active camouflage user in the game.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Evolutions
 * Headhunters
 * Halo Infinite