Xytan 'Jar Wattinree

Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree was a high ranking Covenant Elite military officer. He was the Regent Command of the Combined Fleet of Righteous Purpose. Xytan was over 11 and a half feet tall, a giant even among the regularly 8 or 9 foot tall Elites.

He was legendary among the soldiers of the Covenant. He had never been defeated in battle, he had never failed at any task, no matter what the challenge, and he was never wrong. His only flaw was that he had been so revered, some respected him above any Prophet, and for that he had been exiled to lead a fleet only at the fringes of the vast Covenant empire.

During the Civil War of the Covenant, 'Jar Wattinree was one of the first Elite leaders to take command of the confused Elites and rally them at Joyous Exultation. There, he planned to ambush the Brutes and destroy them to end the civil war before they could destroy the Flood. The Imperial Admiral had no illusions about the true nature of the Halos or the Flood.

Unfortunately, his flagship, Sublime Transcendence, was destroyed by a NOVA bomb they had taken from Reach and inadvertedly activated by the Grunt Kwassass (debatable), and he is assumed to have perished in the explosion.

When asked about Xytan's fate, Eric Nylund said, "I have to leave Xytan’s fate unknown for now." This may mean that he actually survived the NOVA bomb and will appear in Halo 3 or future novels.

Rank
As an Imperial Admiral, Xytan 'Jar Wattinree holds the highest military rank known possible for an Elite, save Councilor and Arbiter. His armor was described as "silver armor covered with the gold Forerunner glyphs of sacred mystery." Such silver-and-gold Elite armor has yet to be seen or mentioned elsewhere, and may be superior in quality to the gold armor of a Zealot.