Kig-Yar: Difference between revisions

*Tree-Turkey

*Vulture<ref>'''[[Conversations from the Universe]]'''</ref>

|homeworld=[[Eayn]]

|height={{Convert|6.2|ft|cm}}–{{Convert|6.8|ft|cm}}<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 100''</ref>

|weight={{Convert|195|lb|kg}}–{{Convert|206|lb|kg}}<ref name="EVG"/>

|lifespan=

|techlevel=Native Tier 4/Adopted Tier 2<ref name="bestiarum"/>

*[[Zhar (Kig-Yar)|Zhar]]

}}

==History==  

===Post-war===

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"/>

==Description==

===Anatomy and physiology===

Kig-Yar share many features with Earth avians as well as reptiles and exhibit several features that are common among species that have evolved in low-gravity environments.<ref name="bestiarum"/> Their legs are sinewy and muscular, and are reverse-jointed in a similar fashion to those of birds. Being carnivores, their sharp beaks are lined with razor-sharp teeth, and their tri-digit hands and feet have sharp talons. Kig-Yar have been known to eat the flesh of fallen enemies, as well as that of live prisoners. They are gifted with extraordinarily acute senses of sight, hearing, and smell, making them adept as scouts and snipers in the Covenant military. Kig-Yar are also very agile, and can execute swift jumps and rolls in combat; these abilities are most pronounced in the more muscular [[T'vaoan]] subspecies, members of which can leap great distances and cover ground at extremely high speeds. Kig-Yar possess a strong salty, occasionally acrid stench.<ref name="B.net"/><ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 159''</ref>

====Subtypes====

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>

'''T'vaoans''', commonly known as Skirmishers, originated from the Kig-Yar colony [[asteroid]] of T'vao.<ref>'''[[Halopedia:Letter - Re:Mortal Dictata Question]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''Chapter 2''</ref> They have darker skin and stockier, squared heads with small yellow eyes. They also have more beak-like mouths and bony facial coverings. T'vaoans have true feathers on their heads and arms, unlike the Jackals' quills. Like Jackals, T'vaoans have sharp talons on their hands and feet. While both subspecies are quite agile, T'vaoans are capable of sprinting at great speeds and leaping long distances. Male Kig-Yar from T'vao had much heavier upper body plumage than other Kig-Yar. Females from T'vao had a ruff of feathers on their heads and necks instead of scales.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''Chapter 3''</ref> The higher gravity and more dramatic atmospheric shifts of T'vao led to the development and evolution of these avian features.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/>

==Culture==

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>

===Role within the Covenant===

{{Quote|Yet some are effective snipers, and, once drawn into the Covenant they have proven loyal, though they are quarrelsome with the Unggoy and others at times.|From the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]]'s ''[[Notes on the History of the Covenant]]'', referring to the Kig-Yar<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 186''</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"/>