4,805
edits
Thel 'Vadam: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
|||
| (19 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{disambig header|the Arbiter during the end of the Human-Covenant War|other articles relating to "Arbiter"|Arbiter (disambiguation)}} | {{disambig header|the Arbiter during the end of the Human-Covenant War|other articles relating to "Arbiter"|Arbiter (disambiguation)}} | ||
{{Character Infobox|variant=Cov | {{Character Infobox|variant=Cov | ||
|image=[[File: | |image=[[File:H2A - Arbiter.png|300px]]<!-- Do NOT replace the introductory image.--> | ||
|homeworld=[[Vadam]], [[Sanghelios]]<ref name="VIS">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 11''</ref> | |homeworld=[[Vadam]], [[Sanghelios]]<ref name="VIS">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 11''</ref> | ||
|birth=[[2485|December 10th, 2485]]<ref name="VIS"/> | |birth=[[2485|December 10th, 2485]]<ref name="VIS"/> | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
During the [[Great Schism]], Thel became a leading member of the [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|Covenant separatists]], and aided the UNSC in their effort to stop the Prophet of Truth and his forces from activating the [[Halo Array]]. He fought many battles alongside the [[Spartan|"demon"]] [[John-117]] on [[Installation 05]], [[Earth]], and [[Installation 00]] in the final days of the war. | During the [[Great Schism]], Thel became a leading member of the [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|Covenant separatists]], and aided the UNSC in their effort to stop the Prophet of Truth and his forces from activating the [[Halo Array]]. He fought many battles alongside the [[Spartan|"demon"]] [[John-117]] on [[Installation 05]], [[Earth]], and [[Installation 00]] in the final days of the war. | ||
Returning to [[Sanghelios]] after the conclusion of the war, the Arbiter went on to become a symbol of Sangheili honor and resilience in the face of betrayal. He attempted to unite the feudal states across his homeworld in forming the first coalition government since the [[Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War|First Age of Conflict]]. Despite his efforts, he met resistance from many of his people, who felt that his ideals and beliefs went against the traditional values of the Sangheili. | Returning to [[Sanghelios]] after the conclusion of the war, the Arbiter went on to become a symbol of Sangheili honor and resilience in the face of betrayal. He attempted to unite the feudal states across his homeworld in forming the first coalition government since the [[Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War|First Age of Conflict]]. Despite his efforts, he met resistance from [[Covenant remnants|many of his people]], who felt that his ideals and beliefs went against the traditional values of the Sangheili. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
[[File:Arbiter kneel.png|thumb|left|225px|'Vadamee after the Prophets, stripped of his armor and branded with the [[Mark of Shame]].]] | [[File:Arbiter kneel.png|thumb|left|225px|'Vadamee after the Prophets, stripped of his armor and branded with the [[Mark of Shame]].]] | ||
At some point between 2535 and 2552, Thel's exceptional leadership and combat prowess earned him the rank of [[Supreme Commander]] of the Fleet of Particular Justice. Near the end of his time serving as Supreme Commander, he led the Covenant forces under his command to victory over the UNSC's greatest military stronghold. The [[Fall of Reach]] proved to be the highlight of Thel's service in the Covenant. As the battle ended, Thel ordered a flotilla of warships to follow the fleeing ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn]]''. The ''Autumn'''s course led them to holy Forerunner artifact | At some point between 2535 and 2552, Thel's exceptional leadership and combat prowess earned him the rank of [[Supreme Commander]] of the Fleet of Particular Justice. Near the end of his time serving as Supreme Commander, he led the Covenant forces under his command to victory over the UNSC's greatest military stronghold. The [[Fall of Reach]] proved to be the highlight of Thel's service in the Covenant. As the battle ended, Thel ordered a flotilla of warships to follow the fleeing ''[[UNSC Pillar of Autumn]]''. The ''Autumn'''s course led them to holy Forerunner artifact [[Installation 04]]. After confirming that the ring was a creation of the "gods", the [[Prophet of Stewardship]], the highest ranking political figure with the Fleet, immediately claimed authority over the operation, claiming the mission was now a religious matter. As Thel was unwilling to relinquish command with the ''Pillar of Autumn'' en route, and unable to contact ''[[High Charity]]'' to determine who held jurisdiction, a power struggle emerged between Thel and Stewardship for ultimate authority. As the [[Battle of Installation 04]] wore on, the Prophet began subverting Thel, misappropriating military forces to secure facilities on the ring. Thel sent a single infantry unit to the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' to relieve the Prophet, but it was destroyed on approach. Stewardship threatened further punishment for any future affronts to his leadership. As Thel assembled a strike force to physically relieve the Prophet, the emergency beacon on the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' was activated. Thel dispatched a [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] force to assess the threat and procure the [[Minister of Etiology]]. As Thel was about to leave with his strike force for ''Ascendant Justice'', [[Special Operations Commander|Spec Ops Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]] returned to the ship and revealed the results of his mission: the [[Flood]] had been unleashed on Halo.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:H2_thelvandam_kneel.jpg|thumb|250px|right|'Vadamee about to receive the Arbiter's armor, with the Prophets nearby.]] | [[File:H2_thelvandam_kneel.jpg|thumb|250px|right|'Vadamee about to receive the Arbiter's armor, with the Prophets nearby.]] | ||
With the situation deteriorating, Thel ordered the evacuation of all ships from the ring, as well as shooting down any vessel which failed to return clean bioscans. When Thel's force arrived on ''Ascendant Justice'', he discovered that the Prophet of Stewardship had left for the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''. The crew of the ''Ascendant Justice'' acknowledged Thel's authority as Supreme Commander without hesitation.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''2010 Adjunct''</ref> Unsurprisingly, Thel refused to come to the Steward's aid after its capture by the UNSC. These distractions were to cost Thel the battle, as SPARTAN-117 and Cortana successfully detonated, ''Pillar of Autumn'' under the nose of the Covenant's occupation. With little else to be done, Thel ordered his surviving ships to fall back. This retreat was to save his life, but not his honor. In an act that further humilated Thel, the ''Ascendant Justice'' was captured by [[John-117]] and a small human boarding party. Shortly after his ships failed to pursue the ''Ascendant Justice'', Thel was called before the Covenant High Council to answer for his failures.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 340''</ref> | With the situation deteriorating, Thel ordered the evacuation of all ships from the ring, as well as shooting down any vessel which failed to return clean bioscans. When Thel's force arrived on ''Ascendant Justice'', he discovered that the Prophet of Stewardship had left for the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''. The crew of the ''Ascendant Justice'' acknowledged Thel's authority as Supreme Commander without hesitation.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''2010 Adjunct''</ref> Unsurprisingly, Thel refused to come to the Steward's aid after its capture by the UNSC. These distractions were to cost Thel the battle, as SPARTAN-117 and Cortana successfully detonated, ''Pillar of Autumn'' under the nose of the Covenant's occupation. With little else to be done, Thel ordered his surviving ships to fall back. This retreat was to save his life, but not his honor. In an act that further humilated Thel, the ''Ascendant Justice'' was captured by [[John-117]] and a small human boarding party. Shortly after his ships failed to pursue the ''Ascendant Justice'', Thel was called before the Covenant High Council to answer for his failures.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 340''</ref> | ||
| Line 96: | Line 96: | ||
After Tartarus' defeat on Delta Halo, 'Vadamee officially changed his surname to "'Vadam", symbolizing his resignation from the Covenant; the rest of the Elites followed suit. | After Tartarus' defeat on Delta Halo, 'Vadamee officially changed his surname to "'Vadam", symbolizing his resignation from the Covenant; the rest of the Elites followed suit. | ||
Upon arriving on [[Earth]] with Johnson, 'Vadam and several of his allies discovered the Master Chief's point of impact after his escape from Truth's Dreadnought. When John regained consciousness, he attempted to kill 'Vadam with Johnson's [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|sidearm]]. Johnson quickly informed the Spartan that the surviving Elites had allied with humanity after the Chief's last encounter with them. The Chief took Johnson | Upon arriving on [[Earth]] with Johnson, 'Vadam and several of his allies discovered the Master Chief's point of impact after his escape from Truth's Dreadnought. When John regained consciousness, he attempted to kill 'Vadam with Johnson's [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|sidearm]]. Johnson quickly informed the Spartan that the surviving Elites had allied with humanity after the Chief's last encounter with them. The Chief took Johnson's word, and 'Vadam assisted the Master Chief through the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], guiding him through the dense forest to the [[A2 Hydroelectric Facility|dam site]]. He then aided the Chief and the other UNSC forces during the defense of [[Crow's Nest]] from Truth's forces. | ||
===Battle of Voi=== | ===Battle of Voi=== | ||
| Line 132: | Line 132: | ||
After a desperate escape from the Flood, the two soldiers witnessed the construction of a new Installation 04. As the newly created Halo was not linked to the rest of the network, it could be fired safely, destroying every remaining Flood infection form in its radius without harming humanity or the Covenant client races. The Arbiter, Johnson and Rtas 'Vadum evacuated all UNSC and Covenant separatist forces from the Ark while John went to rescue Cortana and retrieve the original Index from ''High Charity''. Thel later arrived on ''High Charity'' shortly after John set it to self destruct, using a [[M7057 Defoliant Projector|flamethrower]] to cover their escape. | After a desperate escape from the Flood, the two soldiers witnessed the construction of a new Installation 04. As the newly created Halo was not linked to the rest of the network, it could be fired safely, destroying every remaining Flood infection form in its radius without harming humanity or the Covenant client races. The Arbiter, Johnson and Rtas 'Vadum evacuated all UNSC and Covenant separatist forces from the Ark while John went to rescue Cortana and retrieve the original Index from ''High Charity''. Thel later arrived on ''High Charity'' shortly after John set it to self destruct, using a [[M7057 Defoliant Projector|flamethrower]] to cover their escape. | ||
The two then escaped on a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican dropship]], crashing it into Installation 04B; after fighting through numerous Flood forms, they rendezvoused with Sergeant Major Johnson and 343 Guilty Spark at the [[Control Room]]. The Monitor betrayed them after realizing that an immediate activation of the incomplete ring would destroy it and damage the Ark. In the battle that followed, the [[rampancy|rampant]] 343 killed Johnson and knocked the Arbiter out of the room. After the destruction of 343, Both Cortana and Thel expressed sorrow over Johnson's death, noting his sacrifice would not be forgotten. John activated Halo, with Thel and Cortana joining him as they escaped the crumbling Halo in a [[Warthog]]. They succeeded in reaching the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and escaped the Ark and Halo just before it fired. Before departing to the bridge, Thel and John nodded to each other, a moment of mutual respect between warriors. This would be the last time 'Vadam would see the Chief for several years, as he then exited the hangar, and made his way to the bridge, while Chief and Cortana stayed behind and guided the frigate to its jump point, but the slipspace portal collapsed as ''Forward Unto Dawn'' transitioned. The aft end of the ship, with John-117 and Cortana aboard, was sheared off and left adrift in unknown space. The bow section, containing 'Vadam, completed the jump and landed on Earth, where he was rescued. The Covenant Empire had ceased to exist, and Thel began the first steps to his people into a new future. | The two then escaped on a [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican dropship]], crashing it into Installation 04B; after fighting through numerous Flood forms, they rendezvoused with Sergeant Major Johnson and 343 Guilty Spark at the [[Control Room]]. The Monitor betrayed them after realizing that an immediate activation of the incomplete ring would destroy it and damage the Ark. In the battle that followed, the [[rampancy|rampant]] 343 killed Johnson and knocked the Arbiter out of the room. After the destruction of 343, Both Cortana and Thel expressed sorrow over Johnson's death, noting his sacrifice would not be forgotten. John activated Halo, with Thel and Cortana joining him as they escaped the crumbling Halo in a [[Warthog]]. They succeeded in reaching the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and escaped the Ark and Halo just before it fired. Before departing to the bridge, Thel and John nodded to each other, a moment of mutual respect between warriors. This would be the last time 'Vadam would see the Chief for several years, as he then exited the hangar, and made his way to the bridge, while Chief and Cortana stayed behind and guided the frigate to its jump point, but the slipspace portal collapsed as ''Forward Unto Dawn'' transitioned. The aft end of the ship, with John-117 and Cortana aboard, was sheared off and left adrift in unknown space. The bow section, containing 'Vadam, completed the jump and crash-landed on Earth, where he was rescued. The Covenant Empire had ceased to exist, and Thel began the first steps to his people into a new future. | ||
===Leader of the Sangheili=== | ===Leader of the Sangheili=== | ||
| Line 161: | Line 161: | ||
===Search for John-117=== | ===Search for John-117=== | ||
{{Quote|To find him you have to forget the stories, forget the legends.|Thel "Vadam to Agent [[Locke]].}} | {{Quote|To find him you have to forget the stories, forget the legends.|Thel "Vadam to Agent [[Jameson Locke]].}} | ||
Thel 'Vadam later met with ONI's [[Locke|Agent Locke]] and told him about John-117's past actions and the events yet to come. The Arbiter agreed to aid Locke because both human and Sangheili lives depended on Locke finding the Master Chief.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]'''</ref> | Thel 'Vadam later met with ONI's [[Jameson Locke|Agent Jameson Locke]] and told him about John-117's past actions and the events yet to come. The Arbiter agreed to aid Locke because both human and Sangheili lives depended on Locke finding the Master Chief.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]'''</ref> | ||
==Personality== | ==Personality== | ||
| Line 179: | Line 179: | ||
Voiced by [[Keith David]], the Arbiter was introduced as a secondary playable character in ''[[Halo 2]]''; this was part of [[Bungie]]'s creative decision to broaden the scope of the story from what [[Jaime Griesemer]] referred to as an "alien war movie with a space marine". Reception to his inclusion was mixed; Bungie community lead [[Brian Jarrard]] attributed some of the fan backlash to a discord between the game's marketing and the actual gameplay; whereas the marketing presented the game's focus as being the defense of Earth from the Covenant, this aspect constitutes only the first missions of the game.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article '''Eurogamer.net:''' ''Better Than Halo: The Making of Halo 2'']</ref> In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Arbiter was relegated into a supporting character and there are no levels designed solely from his perspective; he remains a playable character in the [[Cooperative play|co-op]] [[campaign]]. | Voiced by [[Keith David]], the Arbiter was introduced as a secondary playable character in ''[[Halo 2]]''; this was part of [[Bungie]]'s creative decision to broaden the scope of the story from what [[Jaime Griesemer]] referred to as an "alien war movie with a space marine". Reception to his inclusion was mixed; Bungie community lead [[Brian Jarrard]] attributed some of the fan backlash to a discord between the game's marketing and the actual gameplay; whereas the marketing presented the game's focus as being the defense of Earth from the Covenant, this aspect constitutes only the first missions of the game.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article '''Eurogamer.net:''' ''Better Than Halo: The Making of Halo 2'']</ref> In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Arbiter was relegated into a supporting character and there are no levels designed solely from his perspective; he remains a playable character in the [[Cooperative play|co-op]] [[campaign]]. | ||
The original title for the character was "the Dervish", a title from the Sufi sect of Islam, but was changed to avoid overt parallels with the Muslim world. Ultimately, it was decided that "Arbiter" was more thematically suitable for his character arc.<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17985 '''Gamasutra''': ''Q&A: Englobe's Edwards Talks Gaming's "Geocultural Risks"'']</ref> In the Spanish versions of ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', the Arbiter is translated as ''Inquisidor'', which means Inquisitor. This is because the cognate of Arbiter in Spanish, "'' | The original title for the character was "the Dervish", a title from the Sufi sect of Islam, but was changed to avoid overt parallels with the Muslim world. Ultimately, it was decided that "Arbiter" was more thematically suitable for his character arc.<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17985 '''Gamasutra''': ''Q&A: Englobe's Edwards Talks Gaming's "Geocultural Risks"'']</ref> In the Spanish versions of ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', the Arbiter is translated as ''Inquisidor'', which means Inquisitor. This is because the cognate of Arbiter in Spanish, "''árbitro''", means "referee". | ||
His name, Thel 'Vadam, was first established in the novel ''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''. While the narrative does not explicitly connect the character with that of the Arbiter from the games, in the very end of the story a reference is made to him being assigned in command of the Fleet of Particular Justice. It was not until later videos on ''Halo Waypoint'' that the Arbiter was explicitly identified as Thel 'Vadam. | His name, Thel 'Vadam, was first established in the novel ''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''. While the narrative does not explicitly connect the character with that of the Arbiter from the games, in the very end of the story a reference is made to him being assigned in command of the Fleet of Particular Justice. It was not until later videos on ''Halo Waypoint'' that the Arbiter was explicitly identified as Thel 'Vadam. | ||
In ''Halo 2'', the Arbiter has no mandible guards, but he does in ''Halo 3''. Notably, the armor of the last known Arbiter, [[Ripa 'Moramee]], did possess mandible guards. In ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', 'Vadam wears a more ornamental, gold-colored suit and overall more closely resembles the Sangheili seen in ''Halo 4''. Unlike in previous media, his now-ashen gray skin has sparse scales instead of being smooth and leathery. He is also depicted with the ''Halo 4''-style mouth structure, such that the bases of his upper mandibles are nearly parallel to his eyes. While his new armor is simply a different suit in-universe, it is unclear whether the changes to his physiology represent a retcon or are simply a case of artistic license. This is particularly notable since ''Halo 3''-style Elites are depicted in Issues 1 and 6. | In ''Halo 2'' and ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'', the Arbiter has no mandible guards, but he does in ''Halo 3''. Notably, the armor of the last known Arbiter, [[Ripa 'Moramee]], did possess mandible guards. In ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', 'Vadam wears a more ornamental, gold-colored suit and overall more closely resembles the Sangheili seen in ''Halo 4''. Unlike in previous media, his now-ashen gray skin has sparse scales instead of being smooth and leathery. He is also depicted with the ''Halo 4''-style mouth structure, such that the bases of his upper mandibles are nearly parallel to his eyes. While his new armor is simply a different suit in-universe, it is unclear whether the changes to his physiology represent a retcon or are simply a case of artistic license. This is particularly notable since ''Halo 3''-style Elites are depicted in Issues 1 and 6. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
| Line 193: | Line 193: | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2A-Thel SC.jpg|Thel 'Vadam as a Supreme Commander. | |||
File:H2A Arby.jpg|Thel 'Vadam as he appears in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''. | |||
File:H2A - Arbiter and 'Vadum.png|[[Rtas 'Vadum]] and Thel 'Vadam converse. | |||
File:Supremecommander.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee in his Supreme Commander cloak in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''. | |||
File:ChiefArbiterConcept.jpg|Concept art of Thel 'Vadam and [[John-117]] inside a [[Forerunner]] facility. | File:ChiefArbiterConcept.jpg|Concept art of Thel 'Vadam and [[John-117]] inside a [[Forerunner]] facility. | ||
File:1223857594 Arby3.jpg|'Vadam taunting his enemies to attack in ''Halo 3''. | File:1223857594 Arby3.jpg|'Vadam taunting his enemies to attack in ''Halo 3''. | ||
File:Thel `Vadam Tranparent.png|Another view of Thel 'Vadamee. | |||
File:Thel 'Vadam - Origins.png|Thel 'Vadam as seen in ''[[Halo Legends]]:'' ''[[Origins]]''. Note the longer, hanging mandibles similar to [[Ripa 'Moramee]]. | |||
File:Thel 2558.png|Thel 'Vadam in [[2558]]. | File:Thel 2558.png|Thel 'Vadam in [[2558]]. | ||
File:ThelcalmsLydus.png|Lydus threatening to kill Vladamir Scruggs while Thel 'Vadam attempts to learn why Scruggs is holding Lord Hood hostage. | |||
File:Master Chief Collection - Arbiter reflection.png|Thel 'Vadam's reflection in Agent Locke's visor in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]. | File:Master Chief Collection - Arbiter reflection.png|Thel 'Vadam's reflection in Agent Locke's visor in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]]. | ||
File:Arbiterlegendarycollection.jpg|The [[McFarlane Toys/Legendary Collection Series#Arbiter|Arbiter Legendary Collection Figure]] made by [[McFarlane Toys]]. | File:Arbiterlegendarycollection.jpg|The [[McFarlane Toys/Legendary Collection Series#Arbiter|Arbiter Legendary Collection Figure]] made by [[McFarlane Toys]]. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||