San'Shyuum High Councilor

For the Sangheili members of the High Council, see Sangheili High Councilor.

High Councilors were the San'Shyuum representatives on the High Council, the executive and legislative, decision-making body of the Covenant. These politicians served on the council, alongside their Sangheili counterparts.

History
The title was established around 850 BCE, along with the High Council of the Covenant. San'Shyuum High Councilors were originally a select number of governmental delegates that served the early High Council, as outlined in the Writ of Union. In 2525, the Minister of Fortitude, the Philologist Hod Rumnt, and the Vice Minister of Tranquility went before the High Councilors and announced their intentions to replace the current Hierarchs of the Covenant. Although they were initially reluctant, the High Councilors accepted the bid and the three became the new Hierarchs. During the Human-Covenant War, with the High Prophet of Truth arguably leading the High Council, the San'Shyuum High Councilors began to hold more power over their Sangheili equivalents. In 2535, the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the Covenant fleets, despite the protests of the Sangheili Councilors.

Plotting against the Sangheili, the High Prophet of Truth orchestrated the massacre of the Sangheili High Councilors on November 3, 2552 on Installation 05 —partly to also prevent the High Council from electing a new Hierarch to replace the recently assassinated High Prophet of Regret. The title of High Councilor was dissolved alongside the High Council itself shortly after, as the Great Schism resulted in the fragmentation of the Covenant and the deaths of numerous San'Shyuum that served on the High Council.

Powers and functions
Over a hundred San'Shyuum High Councilors served the Covenant's High Council, convening in the High Council Chamber on High Charity. Those who held seats on the council were some of the most influential and powerful individuals in the entire Covenant Empire. San'Shyuum High Councilors were responsible for determining legislation and executed the day-to-day affairs of the Covenant government. The High Councilors were additionally responsible for selecting a replacement of a Hierarch, if considered necessary. San'Shyuum Councilors had the power to reorganize the Covenant military and fleets, if such an effort was deemed imperative. Some High Councilors assigned themselves to a fleet, serving as a representative for the High Council. Those that held the title had their own office on High Charity, guarded by warriors of the Covenant Honor Guard.

Some of the High Councilors were San'Shyuum Ministers that represented their ministry on the council. The Minister of Concert was the only member of the High Council that allowed the views and concerns of the Covenant's lower-caste species—including the Kig-Yar, Yanme'e, and Unggoy—to be vetted to the council. When a Minister was unable to attend a session of the High Council, the Minister's Vice Minister may act as a substitute in their place. Additionally, San'Shyuum High Councilors could hold other titles while serving office, including the title of Prophet.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Conversations from the Universe
 * Halo: Contact Harvest
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * The Return
 * Halo: Broken Circle
 * Halo 2 Anniversary