Hierarchs: Difference between revisions

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW}}

|term=One [[History of the Covenant|Age]]<ref name="enc125">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 125'' (2011 edition)</ref>

The '''Hierarchs''', also known as '''High Prophets''', ruled the entire [[Covenant Empire]], serving as the highest theocratic leaders in the [[High Council]]. Hierarchs rule with near absolute power over the Covenant, and the other races obey their will without question. The last three Hierarchs came to power in the beginning of the [[Ages of Reclamation|9th Age of Reclamation]] in [[2525]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc125}} The title of Hierarch was dissolved following the death of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] and the dissolution of the Covenant on [[2552|December 11, 2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3covenant}}

The title of Hierarch had existed before the establishment of the [[Covenant]], as early as [[860 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 6''</ref> By the time of the Covenant's formation, the Hierarchs were a triumvirate composed of three [[San'Shyuum]] that served as the highest authorities among the Covenant and held the most political and religious power.{{Ref/Reuse|enc125}} The true duty of the Hierarchs was to help guide the Covenant toward the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 126'' (2011 edition)</ref> The Hierarchs led the Covenant [[High Council]]. Hierarchs had complete control over the distribution of all [[Forerunner]] relics and technology—likely more so than the [[Ministry of Fortitude]]—and could distribute them however the Hierarch thought best benefited the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 159''</ref> If an individual failed a "holy mission" assigned to them by a Hierarch, dire consequences would result and [[capital punishment|execution]] may occur.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 170''</ref> Among their powers are composition and reorganization of fleets within the [[Covenant fleet|Covenant naval branch]], even without the approval of the High Council,<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 349''</ref> and appointing an [[Arbiter]] from among the [[Sangheili]] to serve as the "Will of the Prophets".<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> The Hierarchs also had the authority to create new Ministries within the Covenant, sometimes for the personal gain and ambition of one Hierarch.<ref name="bc51">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 51''</ref> The Hierarchs often issued edicts ''ex cathedra''; these edicts may have comprised general declarations, though they typically contained executive orders. As they were extensions of the Hierarchs' will, these edicts could not be refuted.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref>

Each Hierarch was dressed in a loose-sleeved robe with different coloring. Hierarchs donned golden headdresses that displayed a blue [[holography|holographic]] [[Halo Array|Halo installation]] on their forehead.<ref name="bc159">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 159''</ref> Hierarchs sat upon a [[anti-gravity chair|gravity throne]], luxurious anti-gravity chairs with gold, collar-like plating and were equipped with [[energy shielding]].<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 136'' (2011 edition)</ref> The Hierarchs were always protected by the [[Covenant Honor Guard]], with the Hierarch's personal guards always prepared to kill anything that attempted to harm the Hierarch. The Honor Guardsmen would also kill any individual that held an unholstered weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 144-145''</ref> However, the Sangheili with the title of [[Arbiter]] seemingly were an exception to the law, as seen with Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] when he activated two [[Type-1 energy sword]]s in front of [[Prophet of Regret|a Hierarch]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''</ref> The Hierarchs' gravity thrones were outfitted with a powerful [[assault cannon|gravity cannon]] that a Hierarch could to annihilate any possible threat.{{Ref/Reuse|bc159}}<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>

{{Outofdate|[[Halo: Broken Circle]]}}

*[[Unidentified Hierarch (Sanghelios)|Unidentified Hierarch]] (c. [[2142]])

File:HW Arbiter talks to Regret.png|The Prophet of Regret speaking to [[Ripa 'Moramee]].

File:TruthDeath-large.jpg|The death of the last Hierarch.

File:HierarchH2A.jpg|Art of the Hierarchs Regret, Mercy, and Truth.