Ages of Conversion

"Thus was the Age of Reconciliation the true seed of the Age of Conversion. The new Age was vested in the adaptation of all other sentient species that came to our attention, a conversion that came about through the domination of revelation itself and, when necessary, conquest."

- From the Prophet of Clarity's Notes on the History of the Covenant

The Ages of Conversion were considered the fifth age, in the Covenant's cyclical perspective of the ages. Ages of Conversion were time periods in Covenant history when the hegemony incorporated other races into itself.

Overview
In the ceremonial Progression of the Ages, the Ages of Conversion are represented by a specific mineral.

During the Progression of the Ages, an appropriate dialogue is as followed:

Leader, or Chieftain: Conversion!

Congregation, or Pack: ''Fifth! Obedience and freedom!''

Lekgolo
During one of the first Ages of Conversion, the Covenant discovered the gas giant of Te, surrounded by the remains of a large Forerunner installation occupied by the native Lekgolo. After discovering that the Lekgolo had been devouring the installation, which resulted in the San'Shyuum declaring war on the species. The ensuring war led to the creation of an Arbiter to lead Covenant forces during the Taming of the Lekgolo. However, the Arbiter would come to discover that some Lekgolo had only devoured around the Forerunner materials and could be of great value if incorporated into the empire. The San'Shyuum eventually agreed and the Lekgolo were absorbed into the Covenant Empire in 784 BCE.

Yanme'e
The Yanme'e were forcibly incorporated into the Covenant as a slave race in the year 1112.

Kig-Yar
For several years prior to 1342, a war between the Kig-Yar species and the Covenant took place in the Y'Deio system. One of the causes of the war was the Covenant sought access to a Forerunner facility buried in one of the Kig-Yar habitats.

The Covenant first arrived in the Y'Deio system with small contingent fleets. These fleets were attacked by Kig-Yar pirates and mercenaries beginning a naval campaign. These pirate fleets were the only defense the Kig-Yar had against the Covenant, though this fleet paled in comparison to the Covenant's.

The Covenant would score numerous naval victories and demonstrated their naval superiority. However, Kig-Yar forces hid among the various asteroids in their system forcing the Covenant to ferret them out. The Covenant would also attack various asteroid redoubts, decimating many from the bloodline of Chur'R-Yar in their defense. Fighting would take place elsewhere in the system over Forerunner artifacts.

The militias of various sectarian societies in the asteroid belt of Chu'ot joined with pirate groups to help fight off the Covenant. By the end of the war, a unified front of raiders and mercenaries reached an agreement with the Covenant. The Letter of Marque offered and accepted by Kig-Yar.

Unggoy
The Unggoy surrendered to the Covenant's will almost immediately upon first contact with it in 2142.

Jiralhanae
The Jiralhanae become full members to the hegemony in 2492. Many were eager to partake in all the Covenant could offer, but violence was required to coerce many others into submission.

Fourth Age of Conversion
The Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier came into service with the Covenant fleet during the Fourth Age of Conversion.

Other
As these ages often saw war and aggressive politics, s were deployed by the Covenant fleet to protect merchants and pilgrims traversing the expanding empire.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Contact Harvest
 * Halo: Broken Circle
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Terminals
 * Halo: Envoy