Kig-yar: Difference between revisions

*[[Kig-Yar Pirate Prince|Pirate Prince]]

{{Quote|Jackals may be superior marksmen and they’re very sneaky, but that doesn’t make them excellent snipers — they’re way too bloodthirsty for that.| Anonymous [[UNSC]] serviceman}}

The '''Kig-yar''' (Latin: ''Perosus latrunculus'', translated to "Hateful Highwayman"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865756 '''HBO Forums''']</ref>) are a saurian species<ref name="B.net">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ODST Guide]</ref> which serve the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], and later the [[Covenant Loyalists]], as mercenaries and privateers. [[Human]]s have termed these vicious creatures '''Jackals''', as they are known for their swiftness, viciousness, and dexterity, despite their physical frailty. In combat, Kig-yar serve as either snipers or scouts within the Covenant due to their excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing.

[[File:JackalCloseup.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A closeup on a Jackal's face. Notice the razor-sharp teeth and scaly skin.]]

Though they are not a low-gravity species, they do have many qualities that are shared with species from low-g worlds. The female of the species lack the spiny plumage (said plumage's color serving as indication of the Jackal's mood)<ref name="Contact">'''''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''''', pages 56/58</ref> of the male; replacing it with calloused plates at the forearms and the rear of the head. This thick skin helps protect the female during courtship. When mating, the male can choose to fertilize the egg, in which a male is produced, whereas if the eggs are not fertilized a female is produced. Aside from the obvious differences in reproductive organs, the male and female of the species are more or less identical in appearance with no physical disparity or mass distribution between the sexes.

Unlike many other Covenant client races such as the Unggoy, Kig-yar were space-faring long before joining the Covenant. As such, the Kig-yar are unique among [[Covenant races]]: rather than being faithful followers of the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophets']] religion, they are mercenaries paid by the Covenant. However, due to the long time they have been in the Covenant, a large number of them have accepted the [[Covenant Religion|Covenant religion]]. Jackals have been known to live fairly peaceful lives with humans, as evidenced by the relationship between [[the Rubble]] and [[Reth]]'s forces on [[Metisette]]. When the Kig-yar were finally ordered by the Prophets to attack and destroy the humans of the Rubble, many of them even regretted the order. This is likely due to the pragmatic, mercantile culture of their race. They can likely live happily with anyone in a relationship of trade.

 

Kig-yar have little status in the Covenant hierarchy and are subservient to all but the Unggoy. Although they technically stand as equals with the Grunts, the reality is that Jackals are usually in an elevated position, while the other races consider the Grunts beneath notice. The Jackals are often purposefully cruel to them in order to assure themselves of their own superiority. The Jackals are not represented on the [[High Council]] but are instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]]. However, unlike the other castes, the Kig-yar do not vocally complain about their position but instead have selected to siphon off resources to their brothers. Whether the Covenant leadership was aware of this is currently unknown.

The ranking authorities in Covenant society have been known to let Kig-yar eat prisoners alive, perhaps indicating that the Jackals are much more bloodthirsty and cruel than is typically seen in combat. This probability is supported by the vicious screeches, squawks, and squalls that Jackals make in combat, and the UNSC remark stating that Jackals are ''"too bloodthirsty"'' to really be called snipers. The Jackals are despised by most Sangheili for their devious nature. They all chose the side of the [[Covenant Loyalists]] after the [[Great Schism]] (This is mostly because the Covenant loyalists payed better or because of their resentment of the Sangheili).

The Kig-yar government is a postindustrial [[Capitalism|capitalist system]], with a population of 978 million.<ref>'''''[[Bestiarum]]'''''</ref> It is also described as an [[wikipedia:ochlocracy|ochlocracy]], a system of government best described as a government by mob, or the intimidation of constitutional authorities. Presumably, this implies that whatever form of local government the Kig-yar possess is ineffective and ignored.

Jackals are not permitted by the Elites to have more than one name, but Kig-yar society has never placed a premium on such things, so the restriction is of little consequence to them. In private, Kig-yar often make use of their full names.{{Citation needed}} Jackal names usually consist of a single syllable, with two consonants and one vowel, such as [[Yeg]], [[Jak]] and [[Bok]]. However, [[Chur'R-Yar]] and [[Chur'R-Mut]], who were both [[Shipmaster|Ship Mistresses]], have multiple syllables in their names. It is speculated that the Kig-yar naming system is at least partially based on sex, rank, or both.

! colspan="3"|'''Kig-yar Leaders'''

|'''[[Kig-yar Zealot]]'''

*Chur'R-Yar and Chur'R-Mut are the only known female Kig-Yar, and were also the first two female Covenant characters to appear in ''Halo'' canon.

*Jackals possess a salty, occasionally acrid smell.<ref name="B.net"/>

*There are Jackals that do not have the bright spines of most Jackals. These could be females.