Kaidon

Kaidon, or "clan leader", is a meritocratic rank held by the head of a Sangheili state. Kaidons are chosen by a council of elders from their state.

Overview
Kaidons are elected by a panel of their clan's elders. After the kaidon has taken office, any elder who disagrees with the crowning of the new leader sends assassins to kill him or challenges the kaidon himself, as a form of testing whether the new leader is worthy of ruling the clan. Should the assassins fail, the sender is typically executed. However, if the kaidon is killed, no action is taken against the elder, as the Sangheili believe that a kaidon who cannot defend himself is unworthy of leadership. Any treasonous or disloyal individual that lived in the state that the kaidon governed could be executed by the kaidon.

Kaidons, despite being political rulers, are very active in the military, even leading long campaigns into enemy territory, leaving the elders to rule in his stead. Although a kaidon may be protected by numerous armed guards, the kaidon typically removes any threats himself to show that he is a capable leader. A kaidon typically arms himself with an energy sword and may wield a ranged weapon, such as a plasma pistol, as a sidearm. Kaidon is a life-long rank, so the next kaidon is crowned only after the current kaidon dies.

Kaidons reside within a High Room, located in the kaidon's own keep. The keep that the kaidon lives in is considered the head keep of the state, with there being numerous client keeps controlled by clan elders. A kaidon meets with the elders of the state's client keeps within an assembly house located inside the head keep where matters concerning the state are discussed.

The Refuge was also led by a kaidon. After Kaidon Ussa 'Xellus was forced to leave his state on Sanghelios, he continued to lead the Refuge as its kaidon. After Ussa's death, the Refuge continued to be led by a kaidon by members of the Xellus clan. In the event of a kaidon's absence, another high-ranking Sangheili could be given the "necklace of rank" and serve as the "acting kaidon". During Bal'Tol 'Xellus' term as kaidon, Oska 'Meln challenged his authority and led a rebellion throughout different sections of the Refuge. 'Meln declared himself the kaidon and told his followers that 'Xellus was a "false kaidon".

Known kaidons

 * Ther 'Vadam – An ancient kaidon of the state of Vadam. After losing a war against one of his clan's rivals, he was imprisoned, though he eventually escaped. He spent years gathering allies, with whom he one day attacked his enemies' keep. He executed his enemies, as well as his former companions who were too cowardly to commit suicide.
 * Thel 'Vadam – The latest known kaidon of Vadam; killed the assassins sent by the elder Koida 'Vadam, then executed the latter and banished his family. Later he became the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, and the Arbiter after that. After becoming the Arbiter, he killed the Prophet of Truth, effectively ending the Human-Covenant War. After the Great Schism, he sought reconciliation with humanity following the war, drawing ire from more conservative Sangheili.
 * Levu 'Mdama – Kaidon of the state of Mdama following the Human-Covenant War in 2553. Allied himself with Thel 'Vadam and sought reconciliation with humanity.
 * Ussa 'Xellus – Kaidon of the state of Xellus until the state's destruction in 851 BCE; later the first kaidon of the Refuge.
 * Bal'Tol 'Xellus – Kaidon of the Refuge as of 2553. Ended the 'Greftus Faction rebellion.
 * Panom – Kaidon of the State of Panom on Hesduros. Allied himself with Jul 'Mdama and formed a new Covenant to find the Didact's shield world, Requiem.
 * Unidentified kaidon of Decided Heart – This kaidon was the target of a coup attempt by Ripa 'Moramee, one of his clanmates. 'Moramee's attempt failed and he was brought before the kaidon, who banished him to the Weeping Shadows of Sorrow penitentiary. 'Moramee's resolve during the coup led to his ascension to the rank of Arbiter.

Trivia
Eric Nylund's Halo: Ghosts of Onyx makes reference to "Major Domo Sangheili". As a "majordomo" is the head (or acting head) of a household, it could be that this was an early concept for the kaidon or elder titles introduced in Halo: The Cole Protocol.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Cole Protocol
 * Halo Wars: Genesis
 * Halo: Glasslands
 * Halo: The Thursday War
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Broken Circle