Shipmaster

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Shipmaster, (feminine form Shipmistress), alternately spelled Ship Master, is both a term the Covenant use to describe an individual in command of a single ship, as well as an actual office in the Covenant navy. As described by their title, Sangheili Shipmasters often command a single Covenant starship. The size of the starship does not seem to be relevant, whether a frigate or a Reverence-class Cruiser. The term is also used to describe the commanding officers of human vessels. Shipmasters occasionally command small battle groups, altough this does not afford them the rank of Fleet Master.

Description
When referring to a Sangheili, Shipmaster is a title for a high-ranking Covenant Elite who is in command of a single starship. To denote their high-ranking status, most Shipmasters usually have bodyguards, such as an Mgalekgolo pair or a lance of special infantry. Shipmasters are subject to orders from their fleet's Fleet Master, Supreme Commander, or Imperial Admiral.

The Shipmaster of a particular ship gives orders from the command center of their vessel, the rough equivalent of a UNSC starship's bridge. There they oversee and supervise the running of the ship, and give orders during battle. They command the ship from a platform raised off the deck, surrounded by holoscreens displaying relevant information.

Typically, only Ultras and Zealots serve as Shipmasters. However, after killing the previous Shipmaster of his vessel, the Incorruptible, Major Domo Voro 'Mantakree was given the title of Shipmaster, and then promoted to Zealot so that he could become a Fleet Master, in charge of a task force sent to Onyx. Given the sheer size of the Covenant, the majority of Shipmasters are probably either Major Domos or Ultras.

As such, higher ranks than Zealot may hold command positions over a starship. Arbiters, should their role call for it, could be given command of the ship. Councilors could also have the potential to be a Shipmaster, as even Zealots are subordinate to them. These ranks could theoretically be considered the Shipmaster of a particular ship; most likely the flagship of a fleet. There are also Alpha Jiralhanae also sometimes serve as Shipmasters.

The title of Shipmaster is sometimes be held by other species than the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, specifically Kig-yar. Both known Kig-yar Shipmasters, Chur'R-Yar and Chur 'R-Mut, were female, hence their title of Shipmistress.

Physical appearance
Sangheili Shipmasters featured thus far, do not appear to have any changes to their armor to distinguish themselves from other members of their rank as it is impossible to tell a Zealot Shipmaster apart from a Zealot Field Master based on their armor.

Other types of Shipmasters, such as Alpha Jiralhanae or Minor Prophets, are yet to be sighted. A particular example is Shipmaster Lepidus who wore dark purple armor, seemingly to denote the rank of a Captain, though this is simply a conjecture. Similar to the Sangheili Shipmasters, it is unknown if their armor would be different, to denote their individual rank.

Known Shipmasters

 * Rtas 'Vadum - Former Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent.
 * Thel 'Vadam - Current Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent.
 * Orna 'Fulsamee - Shipmaster of the Truth and Reconciliation.
 * Tano 'Inanraree - Former Shipmaster of the Incorruptible.
 * Qunu - Shipmaster of the Far Sight Lost.
 * Chur'R-Yar - Kig-yar Shipmistress of the Minor Transgression.
 * Maccabeus - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Rapid Conversion.
 * Chur 'R-Mut - Kig-yar Shipmistress of the A Psalm Every Day.
 * Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster - Shipmaster of an unnamed ship in the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance.
 * Lepidus - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Triumphant Declaration.
 * Gargantum - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Twilight Compunction.
 * Pellius- Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the A Psalm Every Day.
 * Parabum- Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Valorous Transgression.
 * Minister of Etiology- San 'Shyuum Minor Prophet of the Infinite Succor.
 * Voro Nar 'Mantakree- Shipmaster of the Incorruptible.
 * Minister of Inquisition - San 'Shyuum Shipmaster of the Harbinger of Piety.
 * Thon 'Talamee - Shipmaster of the Clarity of Faith.

Trivia

 * Though speculated to be the Covenant equivalents to UNSC Navy Captains, they may wield more influence than expected - Shipmasters have been seen in Halo: The Flood and Halo 3 directing relatively small battle groups, instead of single ships (though occasionally in 20th and 21st century fleets, the flagships' captain will command the fleet in the absence of an admiral. It is possible a similar system is used by the Sangheili, or the Covenant in general.)
 * As seen in Halo 3, the Shipmaster (Rtas 'Vadum) was in control of the entire Covenant Fleet. This would make Rtas 'Vadum a Fleet Master. However, after the memorial, Rtas 'Vadum hands the Shadow of Intent over to the Arbiter. This may technically give him the position of Shipmaster.
 * Voro Nar 'Mantakree was known for becoming a Shipmaster when he killed his CO aboard the Covenant Cruiser, the Incorruptible.
 * Sangheili Shipmasters are known to wear Doarmir fur cloaks as a sign of status.