Banished

"I've gathered this crew and they're loyal, because I am loyal... and because we share a vision. One where the blood we spill and the treasures we plunder are in the name of our own free will and nothing more."

- Atriox to his would-be assassins.

The Banished is a mercenary organization and splinter faction of the former Covenant Empire that rose to power after the conclusion of the Human-Covenant War. The organization is led by the Jiralhanae warlord Atriox.

History
"In the shadows of the Ark lurked a banished legacy of the shattered Covenant: a new opponent fueled not by religious fervor, but by raw lust for power."

- Curator on the Banished

Being a splinter group of the former Covenant, the Banished fought against the hegemony while it was at war with humanity. Unimpeded by the Covenant's devastating Great Schism, the Banished managed to salvage much of the empire's power after its eventual fall. At some point before 2559, the Banished also came into conflict with humanity.

In 2559, 28 years after the lost contact with the rest of the United Nations Space Command, the vessel arrived at the extra-galactic Forerunner structure known as the Ark, only to find that a UNSC research facility on its surface had been attacked by the Banished, leaving no survivors but Isabel, a smart AI. Soon afterward, the crew of the Spirit of Fire engaged the Banished in combat.

Members
Most of the former client species of the Covenant are represented in the ranks of the Banished, though the bulk of them are Jiralhanae. Unlike most Jiralhanae, Atriox does not care for the greater Sangheili-Jiralhanae feud, viewing it as petty. As such, he has welcomed many Sangheili into the Banished as warriors. However, the Sangheili under Decimus' command are treated with resentment and often sadistically sent on suicide missions. The Sangheili crew of the Enduring Conviction joined the Banished since its shipmaster reluctantly aligned himself with Atriox. Besides them there are three Special Operations Sangheili from the Silent Shadow, a former Covenant Special Operations unit. Some Mgalekgolo and Unggoy have joined the Banished ranks as well, with many of the latter drafted from the Banished's thrall colonies. They even have a small complement of Huragok. However, during their campaign on the Ark, the Banished did not employ Kig-Yar mercenaries.

Notable members

 * Atriox: Commander of the faction's massive army.
 * Decimus: A general in the Banished.
 * Let 'Volir: A Sangheili shipmaster reluctantly serving the Banished in exchange for supplies for his ship and crew.
 * Yam-Blim: An Unggoy thrall-taskmaster under the command of Decimus. Killed by Spartan-II Alice-130 on the Ark.

Jiralhanae

 * Warlord: Jiralhanae Chieftains loyal to Atriox, tasked to intercede on the Banished leader's behalf to subdue uncooperative packs and direct critical operations within the organization.
 * Atriox's Chosen: Jiralhanae warriors promoted by Atriox to be his personal enforcers.
 * Jiralhanae Jumper: These warriors wield gravity hammers and use jump packs.

Unggoy

 * Thrall-taskmaster: A role for Unggoy, some of whom serve under the command of Decimus.
 * Suicide Unggoy: Drawn from the Banished's thrall colonies, Unggoy in this role are selected for their aggressive and violent tendencies and indoctrinated by the Banished to serve in dedicated suicide squads.

Sangheili

 * Shipmaster: This rank is held by Let ‘Volir, commander of the Enduring Conviction.
 * Honor Guard: Skilled mercenary swordsmasters who evoke the traditions of the old Covenant Honor Guard in the service of shipmaster Let ‘Volir.

Equipment
Having salvaged and repurposed a great deal of Covenant matériel, the Banished are well equipped with a wide range of military technology.

Armor
Most of the infantry personnel of the Banished are equipped with crimson armor, including Jiralhanae power armor, Sangheili combat harnesses and Unggoy combat harnesses. Additionally, the Banished employ specialist Jiralhanae soldiers known as Jump-pack Jiralhanae, who are equipped with jump pack propulsion systems.

Weaponry
Weapons used by the organization include the Type-1 energy sword, Type-2 gravity hammer, Type-25 Spiker, Type-51 Carbine, Type-25 Brute shot,  Type-25 Brute plasma rifle, Type-25 plasma pistol and a mace-like weapon called Chainbreaker used by Atriox.

Vehicles
The vehicles at their disposal include the Blisterback mobile missile battery, Shroud aerial stealth vehicle, Marauder, and Reaver. The spike turret is used for static defense. They also field the Type-25 Chopper, Type-25 Spirit, Type-26 Banshee, Type-26 Wraith, Type-30 Locust, Type-32 Ghost, Type-47 Scarab and Type-56 Lich all of which depart from typical Covenant aesthetics. They also have at least one, the Enduring Conviction, at least five s, and at one point captured the SDV-class heavy corvette Elegy's Lament.

List of appearances

 * Know Your Enemy
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Tales from Slipspace
 * Hunting Party
 * Halo: Smoke and Shadow
 * Halo Wars 2