Ascetics: Difference between revisions

{{Disambig header|the Sangheili group|the practices involving asceticism in general|Asceticism}}

|image=[[File:AsceticArmor.png|250px]]<br>^{The armor harness worn by the Ascetics.}

|authority=[[Ministry of Abnegation]]<ref name="vis"/> (pre-Great Schism)

|branch=Sangheili

The '''Ascetics''' are a group within the [[Sangheili]] culture.<ref name="Tru7h">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack '''Bungie.net''': ''The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3'']</ref><ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 56''</ref> The Ascetics use a unique, ancient design of [[Ascetic harness|combat harness]] which incorporates a fully enclosed helmet and a traditional bladed mandible guard.

Prior to the formation of the Covenant, the Ascetics were a sect of religiously devout Sangheili who controlled and enforced ideological purity within their faith, which was achieved through the Ascetic guard. They also had other functions, mostly involving religious matters; for example, the study, explanation and interpretation of religious and historical texts. When the Sangheili first joined with the [[San'Shyuum]] to form the [[Covenant]], one of the terms of the [[Writ of Union]] was the dissolution of the Ascetic guard, though they were reconstituted as an organization under the authority of the San'Shyuum-controlled [[Ministry of Abnegation]].<ref name="vis"/> The Ascetics continued to recruit worthy Sangheili warriors into their order with the intentions of keeping the ideals of their ancient beliefs and practices alive within the Covenant.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/usze-taham '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Usze 'Taham'']</ref>

With the return of the Sangheili's sovereignty in the [[Great Schism]] came the revival of the Ascetics as an independent group.<ref name="vis"/> With the aid of [[Usze 'Taham]] and other like-minded Sangheili, the Ascetic guard was quickly resurrected and aided the newly formed [[Swords of Sanghelios]] in combating the [[Jiralhanae]] and the San'Shyuum. By [[2555]], 'Taham continued to assist the Ascetics by serving as a liaison for several Sangheili factions, [[keep]]s, and the [[UNSC]].<ref name="universe"/>

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File:Thel 2558.png|An Ascetic serving under [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV]] in [[2558]].