Jiralhanae: Difference between revisions

Exceedingly super strong (surpassing the strength of both Sangheili and [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-IIs]]), the Jiralhanae place a greater emphasis on brutality than wisdom and are on the whole a savage species. Preferring this potential for blind obedience, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] began plans to replace the Sangheili with Jiralhanae, slowly placing the latter in higher positions and giving them greater allowances than Sangheili troops would receive.<ref name="changeguard"/> Finally, on Truth's orders, the Jiralhanae began a galaxy-wide purge of [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] and commanders, sparking a cataclysmic civil war known as the [[Great Schism]] that led to the [[Battle of the Citadel|dissolution of the Covenant]]. This civil war would [[Post-Covenant War conflicts#Continuing Jiralhanae-Sangheili hostility|continue]] well after the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]] and like the Sangheili, the Jiralhanae would fight an internal civil war as well.<ref name="ret"/>

Despite their savagery, Jiralhanae proved intelligent enough to achieve [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 4 status]]. However, their warlike nature inevitably led them into conflict, and eventually the various Jiralhanae [[master-pack]]s—belonging into either of the Jiralhanae's two main social divisions (the [[Rh'tol]] and [[Vheiloth]] skeins) fell into a massive war known as the [[First Immolation]].<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/> This mechanized war of attrition lasted a decade and eventually led to the use of [[nuclear weapon]]s that devastated Doisac.<ref name="ch194">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 194''</ref> The First Immolation and the nuclear holocaust that followed nearly led to species self-extinction and caused the collapse of Jiralhanae society; by the time the Covenant discovered them in [[2492]] CE, the species had just rediscovered radio and rocketry. Although some Jiralhanae were quick to join the Covenant, such as those led by [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Maccabeus]],<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 260''</ref> others put up resistance against the invading alien hegemony.<ref name="bc187">'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 187''</ref> In their primitive state they were quickly defeated and absorbed into the Covenant.<ref name="ch194"/> The Jiralhanae's search for theological meaning led to the species' swift incorporation into the Covenant as they adopted the [[Covenant religion|empire's religion]] and began worshiping the [[Forerunner]]s.<ref name="bc187"/>

The Jiralhanae serve in the [[Covenant military]], deployed as heavy infantry and shock troops as opposed to the Spec Ops Elites' more subtle missions. Most of the Jiralhanae roles within the Covenant were only mere extensions of their own clan-based organizational structure, albeit more formalized under the Covenant's rule.<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/> The Covenant settled Jiralhanae on worlds rich in resources to guard them from anyone seeking to claim them for themselves. Meanwhile, the Jiralhanae lacked the capability to mine the resources themselves and were not provided the technologies necessary for the process, ensuring that the Prophets had secure control over the resources.<ref name="esc1">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref> Upon the Jiralhanae's inclusion into the Covenant a group of [[Sangheili]] commanders went before the Covenant [[High Council]] and claimed that the Jiralhanae's pack mentality would inevitably bring conflict between the two species. Citing the Jiralhanae's natural instincts to fight to the top of any hierarchy, the Sangheili commanders proposed that any peaceful "urges" that the Jiralhanae exhibited should be "aggressively encouraged". The High Council believed that the argument was fair, and began to impose restrictions on the technology the Jiralhanae could access. Although this ruling was meant to curb the enmity between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, a feud between the two species continued.<ref name="ch199">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 199''</ref>

Jiralhanae troops fought in many battles throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], including the [[First Battle of Harvest|first conflict]] on [[Harvest]] and the [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] of [[Reach]].<ref name="contact">'''Halo: Contact Harvest'''</ref><ref name="reach">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[New Alexandria (level)|New Alexandria]]''</ref> While effective combatants, they remained subordinate to the Sangheili, who continued to regard the Jiralhanae with universal disdain. Receiving differing opinions and suggestions on how to deal with the threat of [[human]]ity by both [[San'Shyuum]] and Sangheili, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] began pursuing numerous schemes as he sought to replace the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae; Truth considered the latter to be easier to control and more dogmatic. [[Tartarus]], a Jiralhanae who participated in the first contact on Harvest, caught the eye of the [[Hierarch]], who was impressed that the Jiralhanae managed to take control of the entire [[Rh'tol]] skein at a young age. In the final years of the Human-Covenant War Truth had prepared Tartarus for an ascension to military authority.<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/>

By the final months of the war the High Prophet of Truth had gathered the personal allegiance of many of the [[San'Shyuum High Councilor|San'Shyuum members]] on the High Council.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 196''</ref> Recognizing the Jiralhanae's ferocity and unquestioning obedience, the San'Shyuum had decided to promote the Jiralhanae to the top of the Covenant military hierarchy—a position occupied by the Sangheili since the Covenant's inception. The Sangheili were scapegoated for failing to prevent the recent assassination of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] (secretly arranged by Truth), and their previous failure to safeguard [[Installation 04]]; these events were used to justify the decision.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 209''</ref> The Jiralhanae became the Hierarchs' chosen protectors, [[Changing of the Guard|replacing]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] and taking command of the [[Covenant fleet|fleet]]. This event led to some Sangheili Councilors to threaten resignation from the High Council.<ref name="changeguard">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> On [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]], Tartarus and the High Prophet of Truth enacted their plans after several decades of preparation. After Tartarus seemingly killed [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee,<ref name="QZ">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref> the Chieftain's second-in-command, [[Melchus]], led a massacre on the Sangheili High Councilors and several of the former Honor Guardsmen on [[Installation 05]].<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 219-222''</ref> These acts began the [[Great Schism]], a civil war that forced the Sangheili out of the Covenant proper, resulting in the fracturing of the Covenant empire. Tartarus attempted to initiate the Great Journey by activating Installation 05 but he was slain by the Arbiter and the [[Fleet of Retribution]],<ref>[https://youtu.be/8K3hG76Ctmo?t=1m51s Halo 101: Long Road Home] - "When a Covenant Civil War ignited across (Delta) Halo and in their holy city of High Charity, both the Humans and the Arbiter recognized that the Flood could not be allowed to escape under any circumstance. It was at that time that the Arbiter would quickly call together a contingent of faithful Sangheili, the '''newly formed''' Fleet of Retribution.", 343 Industries.</ref> who had formed a tentative alliance with the UNSC.<ref name="journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>

There were several Jiralhanae, such as [[Manus]] and the crew of ''[[Piety]]'', who remained loyal to their Sangheili commanders after the split of the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 225''</ref><ref name="wp jiralhanae"/> Many others served the Sangheili as security guards and servants on [[Sanghelios]]. However, this did not come without conflict. In [[2553#March|March 2553]], Jiralhanae servants in the state of [[Ontom]] launched [[terrorism|insurgent attacks]], which resulted in the death of dozens of Sangheili. Their revolt was quickly quelled by the city militia.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''pages 22-23''</ref> At least some Jiralhanae allied with various [[Covenant remnants|remnants of the Covenant]]; some fought on behalf of [[Merg Vol]]'s [[Merg Vol's Covenant|forces]] during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] in [[2554]], and others fought in the [[Battle of Installation 03]] as part of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] in [[2557]]. On [[2558#March|March 5, 2558]], the Jiralhanae Chieftain [[Lydus]] represented a [[Lydus' clan|polity]] of Jiralhanae willing to begin peace talks with the Swords of Sanghelios and the UNSC on [[Ealen IV]].<ref name="esc1"/> However, initial peace talks were foiled by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a mercenary group]] hired by the human [[New Colonial Alliance]].<ref name="esc3">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> Hidden in corners throughout the [[Orion Arm]], several Jiralhanae clans continue to gather in strength, continuing the work of the dissolved Covenant.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant'']</ref>

Jiralhanae are consummate carnivores and have evolved as predators, as evidenced by their fearsome fanged jaws and propensity for violence. They are known to eat the flesh of their enemies, such as [[human]]s. They consider [[thorn beast]] a delicacy.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 195''</ref> A Jiralhanae once stated he would have gladly devoured [[Thel 'Vadam|the future Arbiter]], had he been allowed.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]'' (Brute: ''"Them? What about us? My belly aches, and his flesh is seared just the way I like it."'')</ref> Jiralhanae have highly sensitive [[Wikipedia:olfactory glands|olfactory glands]] that allow them to quickly track down and hunt prey, even in unfamiliar territories.<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/>

Jiralhanae interpret direct eye contact as a challenge. They have been known to brutally beat to death humans who have boldly dared to stare at them.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''page 59''</ref>

[[File:Brute 1024.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Jiralhanae Army Commander]] circa [[2531]], an example of the Jiralhanae's strong physique.]]

Sangheili and Jiralhanae fleets were largely segregated, but this was not always the case.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package]]''</ref> Believing that the Jiralhanae posed a threat to both the Sangheili and the Covenant, a union of Sangheili commanders convinced the Covenant [[High Council]] to impose restrictions on the technology used by the Jiralhanae. The number of Jiralhanae [[shipmaster]]s was limited and the weaponry on Jiralhanae ships was mostly disabled.<ref name="ch199"/><ref name="ENC142"/> Jiralhanae units are typically deployed in packs led by one or more Chieftains or Captains. They fill a similar role in combat to the Sangheili, as they are both typically command groups of lesser Covenant infantry. However, Jiralhanae are generally not equipped with energy shields, except for Captains and Chieftains, and all Jiralhanae post-Great Schism, and wield a slightly different arsenal of weaponry.

 

It may be said that the Jiralhaneae's presence made the Unggoy more fierce as Thel Vadam said in Halo 3 that the Unggoy's newfound courage is but fear, implying they'd rather be killed by their enemies than risk bollockings or punishments from their Jiralhanae superiors.

The native Jiralhanae language is animalistic, incorporating a wide range of sounds from growls and barks, to full-out howls and roars,<ref>'''Halo 3'''</ref> though Jiralhanae also express emotions through scents and musks. Young Jiralhanae have difficulty controlling the release of these scents, but learn how to moderate them as they grow older.<ref name="ch203"/> A communal howl is often made by the [[pack]] [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftain]] as a sign of celebration, and failure to participate in the howl is a serious sign of disrespect to the Chieftain's authority.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 236''</ref>   

Most known Jiralhanae have [[Latin]]-sounding names, such as [[Tartarus]] and [[Bracktanus]]. The "-us" at the end of their name is an honor denoting maturity or experience in battle, similar to the "-ee" suffix on Sangheili names.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 258''</ref> The "-um" suffix is denoted to the Jiralhanae affiliated with the Rh'tol skein.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/possible-catalog-jiralhanae--us-suffix-question/c7324d4c-3aab-4a41-bfb5-208df1163974/posts?page=1#post5 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''(Possible Catalog) Jiralhanae -us suffix question'']</ref>

The Jiralhanae species is arranged in a [[pack]] society, based on a hierarchy determined by viciousness, physical abilities, and number of kills in combat.<ref name="enc144">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 144''</ref> A "pack master" leads Jiralhanae packs. A [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftain]] will frequently be addressed as such while issuing orders during combat. When the Jiralhanae were first incorporated into the [[Covenant military]], a number of pre-existing roles that already existed in Jiralhanae society were adopted by the [[Covenant]]. These include the ranks of Chieftain, [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]], [[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalker]], [[Jiralhanae Major|Major]], and [[Jiralhanae Minor|Minor]]. The ranks became more formalized under the Covenant's rule and they were splintered into numerous varieties based on their skein of origin, and its functional and organizational placement. Other time, many Jiralhanae ranks evolved or developed. After the [[Human-Covenant War]] and the Covenant's demise, most of the ranks and organization established by the Covenant as the Jiralhanae returned to [[Doisac]].<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/>

;[[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]]

:Jiralhanae War Chieftains are in charge of the larger Jiralhanae [[pack]]s. Superior to the standard Chieftain title, often used heavy weapons in battle to establish their strength and physical prowesses.<ref name="enc144"/> War Chieftains were often given command of small outposts or served as [[Type-47 Scarab]] commanders during their service in the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref>

:The title of Chieftain had existed long before the Jiralhanae were incorporated into the Covenant military. Often commanding small packs or [[clan]]s, Chieftains led Jiralhanae and several lower caste species alike into battle.<ref name="enc144"/> Chieftains picked what pack members he went into battle with, based on strength. However, some Chieftains choose their pack members based on their beliefs and virtues. Chieftains occasionally led religious sermons and rituals.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 196''</ref>

The Jiralhanae received a more standardized military structure after the species joined the Covenant, although the organization of their ranks and roles drew heavily from their native pack hierarchy.<ref name="wp jiralhanae"/> Inexperienced Jiralhanae that had just joined the military were given the rank of [[Jiralhanae Minor|Minor]], identified by their blue colored power armor similar to the Minor rank in other species' military structures.<ref name="stats">'''[[Bungie.net]]''', ''service record''</ref> Minors were given little armor for protection. After gaining experience, a Jiralhanae was promoted to the rank of [[Jiralhanae Major|Major]]. The equipment used by Majors were basic, but significantly better than that of the Minors. Majors often commanded Jiralhanae Minors and [[Unggoy]]. [[Jiralhanae Ultra|Ultra]] was the highest rank obtainable by standard Jiralhanae infantry personnel. Ultras often led lower-ranked troops or served under Chieftains.<ref name="enc145">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 145''</ref> Ultras operated a wide range of weaponry and vehicles. Three Jiralhanae specialist ranks existed within the Covenant military. Replacing the [[Stealth Sangheili]] at the dawn of the [[Great Schism]], [[Jiralhanae Stalker]]s served in reconnaissance and infiltration roles. Equipped with [[active camouflage]], Stalkers often operated as bodyguards, spies, and assassins for Chieftains. [[Jiralhanae Jumper]]s served as an aerial support unit that was equipped with [[jump pack]]s. Their jump packs give them enhanced mobility on the battlefield although John 117's presence rendered them easily defeated. [[Jiralhanae Bodyguard]]s were responsible for the protection of Chieftains and other political figures within the Covenant,<ref name="stats"/> often enforcing tribal and military laws.<ref name="enc145"/>

[[File:1223827034 Brute group.jpg|thumb|250px|A Chieftain performing a sermon in front of his pack.]]

Three officer ranks also existed within the Jiralhanae hierarchy. [[Jiralhanae Captain]]s were the lowest of the three ranks and often commanded groups of infantry into battle. [[Jiralhanae Captain Major]]s led packs of Jiralhanae, Unggoy, and low-ranking [[Kig-Yar]] during engagements. It was believed among Captain Majors that fear worked best to instil inspiration within their troops.<ref name="enc144"/><ref name="stats"/> [[Jiralhanae Captain Ultra]] was the highest rank available for Jiralhanae officers. They commanded larger packs and [[lance]]s, and were known for their ability and strength.<ref name="enc144"/>

After the death of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], the remaining [[Hierarchs]] initiated the [[Changing of the Guard]]. All [[Sangheili]] members of the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] were replaced by [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen]].<ref name="changeguard"/> The new Honor Guardsmen were given the exact same duties as their predecessors. The role of the Honor Guard was largely ceremonial, unless the [[San'Shyuum]] they were protecting became threatened.<ref name="enc145"/>

:Presumably the same rank or near same rank as Chieftain of the Jiralhanae. May be a specific rank created for war and conflict, such as the [[Human-Covenant War]]. An Army Commander served during the [[Harvest campaign]]<ref name="Cards">[[:File:IMG 0005.jpg|'''Halo Wars''', ''Collectors Edition Leader Cards'']]</ref> and another participated in the massacre of the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]].<ref name="h2aterm">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminal 12]]''</ref>