House of 'Vadam

"Thel 'Vadamee"

- Elder

The House of Vadam is a Sangheili clan. They live in Vadam, a relatively young yet powerful state in Yermo, Sanghelios. The clan's keep stands on Kolaar Mountain, Sanghelios and is located close to a harbor which brought wealth to the clan and the state. Vadam's land was well-developed and their serfs were strongly motivated and efficient, as their great ambitions were to gain distinction and receive a position inside the keep.

Each Sangheili that brought honor to the noble house was given the opportunity to add their name to the Vadam saga, a mural located within the keep. All male members of the House of Vadam were expected to meet high expectations in their military careers. The House of Vadam's kaidon during the Human-Covenant War and the following years was Thel 'Vadam, later known as the Covenant's last Arbiter.

History
The House of Vadam was founded during the Sangheili's first age of exploration, sailing to the land that would become the state of Vadam despite the oceans' massive tides. It was told by members of the house that Vadam keep was once captured by an opposing clan and the Sangheili of Vadam were forced to rot within their own fortress's dungeons. Their kaidon, Ther 'Vadam, soon escaped, however, due to the fact that he was skinny enough to slide through his cell's bars. He escaped to the desert and quickly grew in power, and recruited bandits and outlaws to form an army. His newfound allies had statuses that were lower than Vadam's but they were willing to fight under Vadam's leadership.

Soon, Ther returned to what was rightfully his with his army, scaled the walls, and killed all his enemies before throwing their bodies in the river; legend has it that the river ran purple with Sangheili blood for days. After this was done, he killed those of Vadam who had been foolish enough not to commit honorable suicide within their dungeon cells. During the San'Shyuum-Sangheili War, the state of Vadam was one of the many Sangheili city-states attacked by the Reformist San'Shyuum. However, their keep was too well-defended to be destroyed.

Years later, Shipmaster Thel 'Vadamee was given the title of kaidon. The day Thel 'Vadam assumed the rank of kaidon, in 2535, clan elder Koida 'Vadam sent assassins to kill him, a common practice among Sangheili if the kaidon's capability was in doubt; however, all of the three assassins were slain by Thel. Thel assembled the elders of his clan later the same day. Boldly announcing that the attempt on his life had failed, Thel promptly discovered and executed the culprit and exiled Koida's family line for his insolence. Thel would eventually be promoted to the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, one of the largest Covenant fleets. However, his failure to protect Installation 04 resulted in his demotion by the Covenant High Council. Rather than execute him, the Hierarchs of the Covenant charged him with the title of Arbiter. Following the Great Schism, Thel would ally himself with the United Nations Space Command and helped end the Covenant.

Following the Great Schism and the end of the Human-Covenant War, Vadam became perhaps the most prominent state on Sanghelios as the home of the Arbiter, now a key mediator between humanity and the Sangheili and the leader of the group known as the Swords of Sanghelios. However, many Sangheili believed that Thel was a traitor for aiding the humans or for not believing in the "gods". This dissent eventually led to a civil war across Sanghelios, initiated by the Servants of the Abiding Truth. Vadam keep was attacked during the war but, with the aid of, the attack was repelled and Vadam was saved. Thel 'Vadam continued to act as a face for the Sangheili as a whole in the coming years, even agreeing to peace negotiations with the Jiralhanae Chieftain Lydus' master-pack in 2558.

Known members

 * Thel 'Vadam – Kaidon
 * Lak 'Vadamee – Elder
 * Koida 'Vadam – Elder (deceased)
 * Unnamed descendants
 * Ther 'Vadam – Ancient kaidon
 * Marak 'Vadam (deceased)

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo Graphic Novel
 * The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: The Cole Protocol
 * Halo Legends
 * Origins
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * The Return
 * Halo: Glasslands
 * Halo: The Thursday War
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Terminals
 * Halo: Hunters in the Dark
 * Halo 5: Guardians