Kig-Yar: Difference between revisions

There are several distinct races of Kig-Yar, though humans commonly identify the species according to two groupings—'''Jackals''' and '''Skirmishers'''—based on encounters in the battlefield. In combat, Kig-Yar typically serve as snipers and scouts within the Covenant due to their excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing.<ref name="HE155"/>

A small number of Kig-Yar were enlisted as mercenaries by conservative Sangheili states,<ref name="11th hour"/> while many served in the various [[Covenant remnants|Covenant remnant groups]], including [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|reformed Covenant]]. A massive pirate faction had settled on the desolate world of [[Ven III]] by [[2558]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 11|Issue #11]]''</ref> A notable exception to the Kig-Yar's chiefly disparate mentality was Shipmistress [[Chol Von]], who wished to gather a formidable naval force to defend the Kig-Yar home system from outside threats. However, few Kig-Yar shared her ambitions and her efforts ended up bearing little fruit.<ref name="mdic"/>

Unique even among the diverse assortment of the other client species of the Covenant, the Kig-Yar species has vast genetic variation within their race.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> The Kig-Yar species is represented by at least three morphologically distinct subtypes. These include the mainstream "Jackals" of [[Ruuht]],<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2988575_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2988575 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 39'']</ref> the notably reptilian Jackals of [[Ibie'sh]], and the more physically robust and more avian "[[Skirmisher]]s" of [[T'vao]]. Many [[xenobiology|xenobiologists]] believe the morphological variation among the Kig-Yar likely represents diverging evolutionary pressures in response to varied environments and ecosystems on prehistoric Eayn and, subsequently, their various interplanetary colony worlds. However, all of the known variations of the species have the ability to effectively breed with all other subtypes of the Kig-Yar species and exhibit no marked cognitive differences.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' (2011), ''pages 56-57''</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/characters/video/the-jackals/24dc0ecc-8cf0-473a-aae3-266fe6019d61?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Jackals'']</ref>

Kig-Yar hailing from the isolated, volcanic continent of Ibie'sh—'''Ibie'shans'''—display the most "primitive" characteristics of all the known Kig-Yar subtypes, being closest to the species' common ancestor.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> Ibie'shans have the same body structure as most of their kin, but their heads are far more muscular and reptilian in appearance, with shorter snouts and underbites.<ref name="Bulletin"/><ref>'''Halo 4'''</ref><ref name="VIS">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page ???''</ref> These Jackals also differ from the more commonly seen variety in having reddish plumes and yellow-tinted eyes. Ibie'shans have served in the [[Covenant military]] as early as [[2526]]<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref> and now constitute the majority of Kig-Yar in [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]].<ref name="waypointuniverse"/>

Kig-Yar are often considered to be driven and motivated solely by personal desires and needs.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> Ancient Kig-Yar were once divided into [[clan]]s, scattered across [[Eayn]]. The clans would often compete for resources and raid each other's cities or hold inter-clan competitions in major population centers.<ref name="HE157"/> During the Kig-Yar's service in the [[Covenant]], the clans became slightly obsolete. However, many Kig-Yar still kept their roots to these clans, often living in territory that had been claimed by their clans ages ago. Parts of [[Myur City]], on [[T'vao]], had been once claimed by [[Chol Von]]'s clan.<ref name="md86">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 68''</ref> Kig-Yar clans often work together, unless one clan has grievances with another. Allied clans defend one another, if necessary.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 138''</ref> The center of a clan is known as the "clan home" and often contains a "clan mother" to cook for the young.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''pages 163-165''</ref> Known clans include the [[Mor clan]] and the [[Gei clan]].<ref name="md142">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 142''</ref>

[[Piracy]] plays an important role in Kig-Yar society and history. While legitimate organizations, governments, and business were found throughout Kig-Yar society, pirates once plagued Eayn's seas. After becoming an interplanetary race, many Kig-Yar returned to piratical ways.<ref name="ch93"/> Many Kig-Yar chicks desire to be pirates when they grow up. Many Kig-Yar folklore heroes were pirates and represented freedom during the Kig-Yar's service with the Covenant. There were numerous Kig-Yar pirates that operated independently of the Covenant. These pirates would contact and ally themselves with like-minded Kig-Yar that served in the [[Covenant military]]. The Covenant-serving Kig-Yar would often contact the pirates when opportunities to steal Covenant supplies and materials arose.<ref name="HE155"/> Members of other species—including [[San'Shyuum]], [[Sangheili]], and [[human]]s—are often distrustful of the Kig-Yar, believing every member of the race to be a pirate.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "[[The Return]]", ''page 509''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 266''</ref><ref name="md94">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 94''</ref>

Kig-Yar society is matriarchal, with males described as being “henpecked” by their females and having to toil for a living.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 60''</ref> Early Kig-Yar society was a form of tyrannical matriarchy. Eayn's government would eventually spread power more widely and equally among the species, though females generally remained at the top. Before the Kig-Yar's indoctrination into the Covenant, female Kig-Yar were in control of breeding rights, territory, familial organization, and control of major assets. The matriarchal-based society continued after the collapse of the Covenant empire.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> The expectations of young male chicks are lower than their female counterparts. Kig-Yar females typically hop from mate to mate, however, males generally stay around their mate's nests for as long as they are tolerated.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 243''</ref> T'vaoans believe themselves to be superior over the rest of the Kig-Yar.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 272''</ref>

The Kig-Yar are unique among [[Covenant races]]: rather than being faithful followers of the [[San'Shyuum]]'s [[Covenant religion|religion]], they served the Covenant due to the monetary rewards the Prophets paid them. However, due to their long service in the Covenant, a large number of them came to accept the [[Covenant religion]]. Although the Kig-Yar held a rather low standing in the Covenant hierarchy, their position closely resembled a separate and independent entity that operated as mercenaries for the Covenant;<ref name="bestiarum"/> most Kig-Yar saw their service in the Covenant as a business arrangement, rather than a true religious and spiritual journey.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> The Kig-Yar were not represented on the [[High Council]] but were instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]]. The Kig-Yar did not vocally complain about their position but had instead selected to siphon off resources to their brethren, to which the Covenant powers either turned a blind eye to or were unaware of it.<ref name="HE155"/><ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 150''</ref> [[Black market]]s were also operated on ''[[High Charity]]'' by the Kig-Yar; the [[Hierarchs]] were aware of it, but seemingly only monitored the markets.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 146''</ref> Unlike some species in the Covenant,<ref name="bestiarum"/> the culture of the Kig-Yar did not suffer as a result of their incorporation to the hegemony. When the Covenant was dissolved at the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]], Kig-Yar society and culture experienced little change.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/>

Kig-Yar served primarily as light infantry, police forces, overseers, and marksmen. They were commonly used for interdiction, infiltration, and assassination operations. Kig-Yar privateers also commonly crew Covenant [[missionary ship]]s, such as the ''[[Minor Transgression]]''. Originally, they were intended to replace the Unggoy as the foot soldiers of the Covenant, but their temperament made this impractical. Instead, they were assigned roles that were better suited to their natural abilities, such as scouts and snipers.<ref name="HE155">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''pages 154-155'' (2011 edition)</ref>  

In the original [[Covenant]], Kig-Yar were divided into several different ranks. Males formed the bulk of most of Kig-Yar presence in the [[Covenant military]], while females were often given command positions.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/>

 

Several specialist ranks exist of the Kig-Yar. The Kig-Yar rank of [[Kig-Yar Sniper|Sniper]] comprises the Covenant's foremost long-range combatants. They are known to carry weapons such as [[Type-31 needle rifle|needle rifles]] and [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|particle beam rifles]], but do not use point defense gauntlets as to better wield their weapon.<ref name="e146-7"/> [[Kig-Yar Ranger]]s are part of the Covenant's [[Special Warfare Group]] division, [[Fleet Security]], and are trained for zero-G [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA]] combat, and are equipped with [[vacuum suit]]s and magnetic boots.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref> One of the highest ranks obtainable by a Kig-Yar in the Covenant was [[Kig-Yar Zealot|Zealot]].<ref name="EVG"/>

Kig-Yar were also employed by the Covenant as prison guards to protect [[penal colony|penal colonies]], such as the one on [[Verge]].<ref>''[Halo: Evolutions''', "[[Blunt Instruments]]", ''page 234''</ref> The Kig-Yar were often used as a police force in former Covenant colonies, although normally under the supervision of a representative from one of the races higher in the Covenant hierarchy. The Kig-Yar were believed to have been given the responsibility due to their intimidating and threatening appearance they often project, keeping the Unggoy in-line.<ref name="bestiarum"/>