Ascetics

The Ascetics are a group within the Sangheili culture.

Overview
Prior to the formation of the Covenant, the Ascetics were a sect of religiously devout Sangheili who controlled and enforced ideological purity within their faith, which was achieved through the Ascetic guard. They also had other functions, mostly involving religious matters; for example, the study, explanation and interpretation of religious and historical texts. When the Sangheili first joined with the Prophets to form the Covenant, one of the terms of the Writ of Union was the dissolution of the Ascetic guard, though they were reconstituted as an organization under the authority of the San'Shyuum-controlled Ministry of Abnegation. With the return of the Sangheili's sovereignty in the Great Schism came the revival of the Ascetics as an independent group.

The Ascetics use a unique, ancient design of combat harness which incorporates a fully enclosed helmet and a traditional bladed mandible guard.

Trivia

 * The Ascetic combat harness is available as an armor permutation in Halo 3.
 * The Ascetics wanted Usze ‘Taham to be their emissary to the Covenant fleet at the time of the Great Schism.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Hunters in the Dark