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Great Schism: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Infobox Military Conflicts
{{Infobox Military Conflicts
|name = Great Schism
|name = Great Schism
|image = [[File:War.jpg|300px]]
|image = [[File:War.jpg|280px]]<br/>
|begin = October 20th 2552<ref>''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''</ref>
Loyalist and Separatist fleets battle over High Charity near [[Installation 05]]
|end = Still ongoing by 2559<ref name="Evolutions">''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''</ref>
|begin = October 20th 2552<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref>
|end = Still ongoing by 2559<ref name="Evolutions">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'''</ref>
|place = [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]]
|place = [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]]
|result = *Eventual fragmentation of the Covenant
|result = Covenant Separatist Victory
*Eventual fragmentation of the Covenant
*Peace between the Humans and Separatist Members Established
*Peace between the Humans and Separatist Members Established
*Formation of various Brute controlled Covenant Loyalist factions.
*Formation of various Brute controlled Covenant Loyalist factions.
|side1 = *[[Covenant Loyalists]]
|side1 = *[[Covenant Loyalists]]
|side2 = *[[Covenant Separatists]]
|side2 = *[[Covenant Separatists]]
*[[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
* [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
|commanders1 = *[[High Prophet of Truth]]†
|commanders1 = *[[High Prophet of Truth]]†
*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]†
*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]†
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]†
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]†
*[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]]†
*[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]]†
|commanders2 = *[[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]
|commanders2 = *[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]
*[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]†
*[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]†
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}}
}}


The '''Great Schism''',<ref name=GoO>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''</ref> also known as the '''Covenant Civil War''' and the '''Great Betrayal''', was a major conflict between two factions, the [[Covenant Loyalists]] and the [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]], which split apart between [[2552|October 2552 and November 2552]]. During the Covenant Civil War, three major factions fought for victory: [[Human|Humans]] and their [[Covenant Separatists|Separatist]] allies, [[Covenant Loyalists]], led by the [[San 'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]], and the [[Flood]], which took over the Covenant [[List of Starships|Holy City]] of [[High Charity]] in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions.
The '''Great Schism'''<ref name=GoO>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref>, also known as the '''Covenant Civil War''' and the '''Great Betrayal''', was a major conflict between two factions, the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant loyalists]] and the [[Covenant Separatists|separatists]], which split apart between [[2552|October 2552 and November 2552]]. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: [[human]]s and their Sangheili-led separatist allies, the remnants of the Covenant, led by the [[San 'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]], and the [[Flood]], which took over the Covenant holy city of [[High Charity]] in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions.


==Seeds of conflict==
==Seeds of conflict==
Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the [[Prophet of Truth]] had plans of replacing the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae, as he saw them as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he despised the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself, and waited until the time was right. After Truth learned the location of the [[Human]] [[Earth|homeworld]], he secretly amassed a fleet of over five hundred warships, entirely commanded by the Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. However, this station and fleet was destroyed by a group of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose; putting a temporary halt to Truth's plan.<ref name="oct20">''[[Halo Waypoint]], "Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>
Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] had plans of replacing the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae, as he saw them as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he despised the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself, and waited until the time was right. After Truth learned the location of the human [[Earth|homeworld]], he secretly amassed a fleet of over five hundred warships, entirely commanded by the Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. However, this station and fleet was destroyed by a group of [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose; putting a temporary halt to Truth's plan.<ref name="oct20">''[[Halo Waypoint]], "Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>


Soon after, the [[Prophet of Regret]] made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[Portal|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took a fleet of fifteen ships to Earth. Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth, and gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly eliminate the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit still continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], but now without a leader. Only moments later, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili forces, as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold New Mombasa until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As [[High Charity]] and the rest of the Covenant fleet were now on their way to the newly-discovered [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], Truth's move remained a secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo some time before High Charity and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth; the final stage in his plan.<ref name="oct20"/>
Soon after, the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[The Artifact|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took a fleet of fifteen ships to Earth. Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth, and gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit still continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili forces, as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold New Mombasa until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As [[High Charity]] and the rest of the Covenant fleet were now on their way to the newly-discovered [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]], Truth's move remained a secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo some time before High Charity and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth; the final stage in his plan.<ref name="oct20"/>


==Conflict erupts==
==Conflict erupts==
After the [[Prophet of Regret]] was killed by [[Master Chief]], the two remaining [[Prophets]], most notably the [[High Prophet of Truth]], reorganized [[Covenant]] society, seeing that the Elites could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the [[Elites (Sangheili)|Elites]] with the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] as the Prophets' [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors]]. The Elites viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the [[High Council]]. They also argued that if Truth had not withdrawn the [[Phantom]]s that had been en route to [[Prophet of Regret|Regret's]] location, the Prophet's death would have been prevented and the [[Demon]] would have been killed instead.
After the Prophet of Regret was killed by [[John-117]], the two remaining [[Hierarchs]], most notably the Prophet of Truth, reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] as the Prophets' [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|protectors]]. The Elites viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the [[High Council]]. They also argued that if Truth had not withdrawn the [[Phantom]]s that had been en route to Regret's location, the Prophet's death would have been prevented and the "Demon" would have been killed instead.


However, Truth further demoted the Elites by giving command of their [[Covenant Fleet]]s to the Brutes. Once enough Brutes were in place, Truth instigated the war by secretly ordering the assassination of many [[Councilors|ruling]] Elites. Truth also freed all of the Brute prisoners and pardoned them after release (Seen on the Halo Timeline Edict of the High Prophet of Truth). This was disguised as a Brute insurrection against the Covenant to the Elites, the [[Hunters (Lekgolo)|Hunters]] and most [[Unggoy|Grunts]]. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was an Elite revolt. After the killing of the Elite Council members, war broke out on [[High Charity]], the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Elites learned the truth about the [[Halos]] and the [[The Great Journey|Great Journey]]. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it.
However, Truth further demoted the Elites by giving command of their [[Covenant fleet]]s to the Brutes. Once enough Brutes were in place, Truth instigated the war by secretly ordering the assassination of many [[Councilors|ruling]] Elites. Truth also freed all of the Brute prisoners and pardoned them after release. This was disguised as a Brute insurrection against the Covenant to the Elites, the [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] and most [[Unggoy|Grunts]]. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was an Elite revolt. After the killing of the Elite Council members, war broke out on High Charity, with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Elites learned the truth about the [[Halo Array|Halos]] and the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]]. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it.


The split was not cleanly divided by either race or faction. [[Covenant Loyalists|Loyalists]] followed the Prophets and included Brutes, [[Jackals]], [[Drones]], some [[Grunts]] and some Hunters. [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]] included Elites, with most Hunters and an unknown number of Grunts also breaking away initially. The only Grunts who actually remained loyal to the Prophets were the most devout followers of the Covenant religion (ex. Deacons). This might also suggest that the Grunts' "new found courage" in ''[[Halo 3]]'' might have been the result of fanaticism rather than cowardice (as the Arbiter had suggested they followed the Brutes out of fear). There is some evidence to support this since there are a number of Grunts who commit acts that are anything but cowardly (ex. Kamikaze Grunts).
During the original conflicts aboard High Charity, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Loyalists followed the Prophets and included Jiralhanae, [[Kig-yar]], and [[Yanme'e]]. Separatists included Sangheili, with Mgalekgolo and most Unggoy also breaking away initially.


==Sangheili-Human alliance==
==Sangheili-human alliance==
The shaky alliance between the [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]] and their former foes, the [[Human|Humans]], was forged entirely out of necessity. The UNSC forces were on the defensive, and they had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. The Separatists, although moderately powerful, lost several important leaders including many Councilors. The Brutes also had many troop on Delta Halo and had control of all the nearby ships. The ships that were still in control of the Separatists were too busy engaging Brute ships at High Charity. The alliance of circumstance was forged in the control room of [[Delta Halo]], when Johnson and the Arbiter were coerced to unite in order to prevent Tartarus activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array, which would have killed every sentient being in the galaxy, including himself and the rest of his race; Tartarus, and the rest of the Covenant Loyalists, still believed the array would only start the Great Journey.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', [[The Great Journey (level)]] Final Cutscene</ref> However, the Arbiter persuaded the rest of the Sangheili to join the humans. While the two factions experienced some friction, due their alliance being based on the ''the enemies of my enemies are my friends'' principle instead of good political relationships, they learned to work with one another for their mutual survival. During the events of ''Halo 3'', the [[Elites]] fought alongside humans in battle.
The shaky alliance between the [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]] and their former foes, the [[human]]s, was forged entirely out of necessity. The UNSC forces were on the defensive, and they had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. The alliance of circumstance was forged in the control room of [[Delta Halo]], when Johnson and the Arbiter were coerced to unite in order to prevent Tartarus activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array, which would have killed every sentient being in the galaxy, including himself and the rest of his race, while he, and the rest of the Covenant Loyalist's, still believed the array would only start the Great Journey.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey (level)|The Great Journey]]'' Final Cutscene</ref> However, the Arbiter persuaded the rest of the Sangheili to join the humans. While the two factions experience some friction because their alliance is based on the ''the enemies of my enemies are my friends'' concept instead of good political relationships they learn to work with one another for their mutual survival.
[[File:TruthDeath-large.jpg|thumb|250px|The death of the Prophet of Truth.]]
The devastated [[UNSC]] [[fleet]] in [[Earth]]'s space were glad to accept the help of the superior separatist warships. The Elites' understanding of enemy equipment and Covenant's combat tactics proved invaluable in the [[Battle of Installation 00]], where a fleet three times larger than that sent by the Elites was completely destroyed by the smaller force. Recurrently the heroes of battle, the Arbiter and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] fought alongside one another many times in the desperate and long conflict. Together the two made an incredible team and the [[Prophet of Truth]] was finally killed by the Arbiter with the Master Chief deactivating the Halo Array.


The devastated [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[Fleet]] in [[Earth]]'s space were glad to accept the help of the superior [[Separatist]] Warships. The [[Elites]]' understanding of enemy equipment and [[Covenant]]'s combat tactics proved invaluable in the [[Battle of Installation 00]], where a fleet three times larger than that sent by the Elites was completely destroyed by the smaller force. Recurrently the heroes of battle, the Arbiter and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] fought alongside one another many times in the desperate and long conflict. Together the two made an incredible team and the [[Prophet of Truth]] was finally killed by the Arbiter with the Master Chief deactivating the Halo Array, marking a some-what end to the Great Schism. Later, the Chief destroyed the Flood-controlled ''[[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]'' and the Ark was severely damaged when he fired the new Halo ring created above the Ark which also destroyed the Flood. Unfortunately, the Master Chief and accompanying AI [[Cortana]] ended up drifting in space following the end of [[Halo 3]] . The Arbiter's presence at memorial services for the [[Master Chief]] indicated that in the wake of victory, [[Separatist]]s and humans remained friendly to one another as they both had made tremendous sacrifices in order to stop Truth and the Loyalist forces, as well as the Gravemind and the Flood.
Later, the Chief destroyed the Flood-controlled ''[[High Charity]]'' and the Ark was severely damaged when he fired the new Halo ring created above the Ark which also destroyed the Flood. [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] stated that Truth's fleet was destroyed at the battle over the Ark. Had any of them survived on the Ark or in the ruins of their fleet, they were either taken by the Flood or killed when the unfinished [[Installation 04B]] fired and destroyed itself and heavily damaged the Ark.


With [[Truth]] dead, ''[[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]'' destroyed, and the [[Ark]] essentially lost after [[Installation 04B]]'s firing, the remaining [[Loyalist]] forces remained active in at least some form, rebuilding their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Assembly (level)]]</ref> Even though the Brutes eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Elite commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="Evolutions" />
The Arbiter's presence at memorial services for the Master Chief indicated that in the wake of victory, separatists and humans remained friendly to one another as they both had made tremendous sacrifices in order to stop Truth and the Loyalist forces, as well as the Gravemind and the Flood.


According to the [[Bestiarum]] in [[Halo 3]]'s Limited Edition, the [[Grunts]] were too indecisive to continue the rebellion and the true political motivation of the [[Hunters]], if any, remained a mystery. [[Ship Master]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] stated that [[Truth]]'s Fleet was destroyed. Had any of the [[Covenant]] Loyalists survived on the [[Ark]] or in the ruins of their Fleet, they were either taken by the [[Flood]] or killed when the unfinished [[Installation 04B]] fired and destroyed itself and heavily damaged the Ark.
With Truth dead, ''[[High Charity]]'' destroyed, and the [[Ark]] essentially lost after [[Installation 04B]]'s firing, the remaining loyalist forces remained active in at least some form, rebuilding their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', multiplayer level, ''[[Assembly (Level)]]''</ref> Even though the Brutes eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Elite commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="Evolutions"/>
 
According to the [[Bestiarum]], the [[Unggoy]] were too indecisive to continue the rebellion and the true political motivation of the [[Mgalekgolo]], if any, remained a mystery.


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
===2552===
===[[2552]]===
'''September 22:'''
'''September 22:'''
*[[Installation 04]] is destroyed by [[UNSC|Human]] forces. Its [[Monitor]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]], escapes to [[Threshold]]. The ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'' is wiped out. The Fleet's secondary flagship, the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', is captured by Humans.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref>
*[[Installation 04]] is destroyed by [[UNSC|Human]] forces. Its [[Monitor]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]], escapes to [[Threshold]]. The ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'' is wiped out. The Fleet's secondary flagship, the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', is captured by Humans.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref>
*A [[Covenant]] Artifact Retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] is investigating the [[Gas Mine]] of Threshold when he encounters 343 Guilty Spark. Inspired by Spark's words, 'Refumee rebelled against the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of the Covenant.
*A [[Covenant]] Artifact Retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] is investigating the [[Gas Mine]] of Threshold when he encounters 343 Guilty Spark. Inspired by Spark's words, 'Refumee rebelled against the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of the Covenant.
'''October 20:'''
'''October 20:'''
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the [[High Council]] and sentenced to death.
*[[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]], the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the [[High Council]] and sentenced to death.
*The [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] overrides the council and makes the Supreme Commander an Arbiter of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his [[Heretic|rebellion]], which they dub "Heresy".
*The [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] overrides the council and makes the Supreme Commander an Arbiter of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his [[Heretic|rebellion]], which they dub "Heresy".
*Start of the [[Battle of Earth]]. The defeated [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] is forced to retreat to [[Installation 05]], pursued by the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad]]''.
*Start of the [[Battle of Earth]]. The defeated [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] is forced to retreat to [[Installation 05]], pursued by the ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad]]''.
*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth.<ref name="oct20"/>
*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth.<ref>''[[Halo Waypoint]], "Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>
*The Arbiter and a Spec Ops Commander, [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] lead a team of [[Special Ops Elites|Spec Ops]] forces to Threshold, where they kill Sesa 'Refumee and successfully crush his rebellion.
*The Arbiter and a Spec Ops Commander, [[Rtas 'Vadumee]] lead a team of [[Special Ops Elites|Spec Ops]] forces to Threshold, where they kill Sesa 'Refumee and successfully crush his rebellion.
'''October 21:'''
'''October 21st:'''
*Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives to Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal]].<ref>Halo 3: ODST, [[Coastal Highway]]</ref>
*Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives to Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal]].<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level, ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>
'''November 2:'''
'''November 2:'''
*The [[John-117|Master Chief]] tracks down and kills the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05.
*The [[John-117|Master Chief]] tracks down and kills the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05.
*''[[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity Defense Fleet|Defense Fleet]] arrives at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Honor Guard]] [[Elites]] with [[Brutes]]. Insulted, the Elite [[Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.
*''[[High Charity (Structure)|High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity Defense Fleet|Defense Fleet]] arrives at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Honor Guard]] [[Elites]] with [[Brutes]]. Insulted, the Elite [[Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.
'''November 2–3:'''
'''November 2-3:'''
*The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve [[The Index]]. The Arbiter successfully takes the Index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the Index from him, as he was secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.
*The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve [[The Index]]. The Arbiter successfully takes the Index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the Index from him, as he was secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.
*Most of the Elite [[Councilor]]s are taken to the surface of [[Installation 05]] where they are murdered by the [[Brutes]].
*Most of the Elite [[Councilor]]s are taken to the surface of [[Installation 05]] where they are murdered by the [[Brutes]].
*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant Navy]] to the Brutes, while Tartarus declares war on the Elites, and the [[Battle of High Charity]] begins. Fighting between Elite and Brute forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the Fleet, as Elite and Brute controlled ships attack one another.
*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant Navy]] to the Brutes, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[First Battle of High Charity]] begins. Fighting between Elite and Brute forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the Fleet, as Elite and Brute controlled ships attack one another.
*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' in the middle of the battle by jumping through [[Slipspace]] in the [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]] into [[High Charity]] and then afterward through the use of [[Pelican]]s to invade the rest of the city. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by an [[Infection Form]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth
*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' in the middle of the battle by jumping through [[Slipspace]] in the [[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]] into [[High Charity]] and then afterward through the use of [[Pelican]]s to invade the rest of the city. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by an [[Infection Form]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth
*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05|Halo]].
*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05|Halo]].
Line 92: Line 97:
*The battle in and around High Charity ends with the Flood in control of the city. The [[Brute]] and [[Elite]] Fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.
*The battle in and around High Charity ends with the Flood in control of the city. The [[Brute]] and [[Elite]] Fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.
'''November 3:'''
'''November 3:'''
*The Prophet of Truth departs High Charity for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Brute]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], the Master Chief is on the ship, with the intention of "Finishing the Fight".
*The Prophet of Truth departs High Charity for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Brute]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], the Master Chief is on the ship, with the intention of "Finishing the Fight".
*The UNSC [[Prowler]] ''[[Dusk]]'' witnesses the battle between Elite and Brute held ships above [[Delta Halo]], both fighting each other, pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the [[Flood]] from the ringworld and links up with [[Battlegroup Stalingrad]].
*The UNSC [[Prowler]] ''[[Dusk]]'' witnesses the battle between Elite and Brute held ships above [[Delta Halo]], both fighting each other pausing only to escalate an immediate outbreak of the [[Flood]] from the ringworld and links up with [[Battlegroup Stalingrad]].
*[[Major Domo]] [[Voro 'Mantakree]] kills his [[Ship Master]], [[Tano 'Inanraree]], while he is attempting to allow the [[Flood]] to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, the ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and becomes the ''de facto'' leader of the ''[[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]''. He leads his new forces to ''[[Joyous Exultation]]'', pursued by the [[Brute]] [[Gargantum]] and his ships.
*[[Sangheili Major]] [[Voro 'Mantakree]] kills his [[Ship Master]], [[Tano 'Inanraree]], while he is attempting to allow the [[Flood]] to enter the ship. He then assumes command of the ship, the ''[[Incorruptible]]'', and becomes the ''de facto'' leader of the ''[[Second Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity]]''. He leads his new forces to ''[[Joyous Exultation]]'', pursued by the [[Brute]] [[Gargantum]] and his ships.
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] plans to lure the [[Brute]] leadership to Joyous Exultation and plans an ambush for them. He deploys the newly-promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] to [[Onyx]] to recover the [[Forerunner]] technologies there and prevent the UNSC forces there from claiming it themselves. A NOVA bomb captured by the Supercarrier ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' devastates the planet moments after Mantakree's forces leave, the survivors joining Mantakree at Onyx.<ref>''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]'', pages 244-245</ref>
*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] plans to lure the [[Brute]] leadership to Joyous Exultation and plans an ambush for them. He deploys the newly-promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] to [[Onyx]] to recover the [[Forerunner]] technologies there and prevent the UNSC forces there from claiming it themselves. A NOVA bomb captured by the Supercarrier ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' devastates the planet moments after Mantakree's forces leave, the survivors joining Mantakree at Onyx.<ref>'''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''pages 244-245''</ref>
'''November 8, 2552:'''
'''November 8, 2552:'''
*The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the [[Sol System]], and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.<ref name="bungie.net">http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989</ref>
*The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the [[Solar System]], and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989</ref>
'''November 17, 2552:'''
'''November 17, 2552:'''
*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and [[John-117]] bails out, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="bungie.net"/>
*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, and [[John-117]] bails out, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989</ref>
*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Artifact, and the Loyalist fleet follows it through the portal, marking the end of the Battle of Earth. The [[Flood]] infest Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].
*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Artifact, and the Loyalist fleet follows it through the portal, marking the end of the Battle of Earth. The [[Flood]] infested Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].


'''Late November through December, 2552'''
'''Late November through December, 2552'''
Line 108: Line 113:
*High Charity is destroyed by the Master Chief after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.
*High Charity is destroyed by the Master Chief after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili via the [[Shadow of Intent]], back to Earth.
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili via the [[Shadow of Intent]], back to Earth.
*The Battle of [[Installation 04B]]. Thel 'Vadam, [[Master Chief]] and Johnson battle to the control room of [[Installation 04B]]. Guilty Spark turns [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before subsequently being destroyed by John-117. Installation 04(II)'s Sentinels turn on the Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam, and the Elites. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, damaging the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended The Human-Covenant War.
*The Battle of [[Installation 04 (II)]]. Thel 'Vadam, [[Master Chief]] and Johnson battle to the control room of [[Installation 04 (II)]]. Guilty Spark runs [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04(II)'s Sentinels turned on the Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam, and the Elites. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, damaging the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended The Human-Covenant War.
*The Master Chief, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape but only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth. The Master Chief and Cortana are drifting in space due to the portal closing. They are inside the back half of [[Forward Unto Dawn]], and while technically MIA, are presumed KIA by the UNSC.<ref name="Memorial">''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Halo (Halo 3 Level)#Eulogy|Halo (Level)]]</ref>
*The Master Chief, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape but only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth. The Master Chief and Cortana are drifting in space due to the portal closing. They are inside the back half of [[Forward Unto Dawn]], and while technically MIA, are presumed KIA by the UNSC.<ref name="Memorial">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, [[Halo (Halo 3 Level)#Eulogy|Halo]] </ref>


===2553===
===2553===
'''March 3''':
'''March 3''':
*The [[Human|Humans]] and the [[Elites]] make a memorial near Mt. Kilimanjaro on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the Battle of the [[Ark]], while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the Human-Covenant war. The memorial has the number 117 engraved on it in the corner.
*The [[Humans]] and the [[Elites]] make a memorial near Mt. Kilimanjaro on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the Battle of the [[Ark]], while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the Human-Covenant war. The memorial has the number 117 engraved on it in the corner.


===2559===
===2559===
Line 122: Line 127:
*The term "Great Schism" is taken from [[wikipedia:Schism (religion)|human religious debates]] over orthodoxy and power, most notably the [[wikipedia:East-West Schism|East-West Schism]], the [[wikipedia:Western Schism|Western Schism]], and the [[wikipedia:Old Believers#The schism|Old Believers' Schism]]. The [[wikipedia:Sunni-Shia relations|Sunni-Shia split]] is also often called a schism.
*The term "Great Schism" is taken from [[wikipedia:Schism (religion)|human religious debates]] over orthodoxy and power, most notably the [[wikipedia:East-West Schism|East-West Schism]], the [[wikipedia:Western Schism|Western Schism]], and the [[wikipedia:Old Believers#The schism|Old Believers' Schism]]. The [[wikipedia:Sunni-Shia relations|Sunni-Shia split]] is also often called a schism.
*In ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', the [[Prophet of Truth]] foreshadows the Schism, noting that if the Sangheili ever separated from the Covenant, the entire government would collapse.
*In ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', the [[Prophet of Truth]] foreshadows the Schism, noting that if the Sangheili ever separated from the Covenant, the entire government would collapse.
*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', it is implied that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was aware of internal conflict within the Covenant from early on. During the level [[Tayari Plaza (Level)|Tayari Plaza]] which takes place on October 20, [[Edward Buck|Buck]] asks [[Veronica Dare|Dare]] about the Elite bodies lying around the city, as they appear to have been killed by the Brutes, to which Dare only responds with it being classified.
*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', it is implied that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was aware of internal conflict within the Covenant from early on. During the level [[Tayari Plaza (level)|Tayari Plaza]] which takes place on October 20, [[Edward Buck|Buck]] asks [[Veronica Dare|Dare]] about the Elite bodies lying around the city, as they appear to have been killed by the Brutes, to which Dare only responds with it being classified.
*The Great Schism is similar to Order 66 from the Star Wars universe. Just like Palpatine contacted the Clones to kill the Jedi, Truth contacted the Brutes to kill the Elites in the same cold blooded slaughter.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Schism_2.png|A Sangheili facing off a Jiralhanae in combat.
File:Schism_3.png|A group of Sangheili charge towards Jiralhanae defenses.
File:Schism_4.png|Sangheili warships and ground forces after a victorious battle.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
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{{Covenantwars}}
{{Covenantwars}}
[[es:Guerra Civil Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[Category:Wars]]

Revision as of 09:13, May 21, 2011

Template:Ratings Template:Infobox Military Conflicts

The Great Schism[1], also known as the Covenant Civil War and the Great Betrayal, was a major conflict between two factions, the Covenant loyalists and the separatists, which split apart between October 2552 and November 2552. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: humans and their Sangheili-led separatist allies, the remnants of the Covenant, led by the San 'Shyuum and the Jiralhanae, and the Flood, which took over the Covenant holy city of High Charity in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions.

Seeds of conflict

Even long before the start of the Great Schism, the High Prophet of Truth had plans of replacing the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae, as he saw them as more willing and unquestioning pawns, while he despised the Sangheili, doubting their reliability and loyalty. However, he kept these schemes strictly to himself, and waited until the time was right. After Truth learned the location of the human homeworld, he secretly amassed a fleet of over five hundred warships, entirely commanded by the Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station Unyielding Hierophant. However, this station and fleet was destroyed by a group of SPARTAN-IIs who learned of its purpose; putting a temporary halt to Truth's plan.[2]

Soon after, the High Prophet of Regret made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant Forerunner artifact on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took a fleet of fifteen ships to Earth. Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth, and gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit still continued to engage the UNSC, but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili forces, as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold New Mombasa until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As High Charity and the rest of the Covenant fleet were now on their way to the newly-discovered Delta Halo, Truth's move remained a secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo some time before High Charity and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth; the final stage in his plan.[2]

Conflict erupts

After the Prophet of Regret was killed by John-117, the two remaining Hierarchs, most notably the Prophet of Truth, reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as the Prophets' protectors. The Elites viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the High Council. They also argued that if Truth had not withdrawn the Phantoms that had been en route to Regret's location, the Prophet's death would have been prevented and the "Demon" would have been killed instead.

However, Truth further demoted the Elites by giving command of their Covenant fleets to the Brutes. Once enough Brutes were in place, Truth instigated the war by secretly ordering the assassination of many ruling Elites. Truth also freed all of the Brute prisoners and pardoned them after release. This was disguised as a Brute insurrection against the Covenant to the Elites, the Hunters and most Grunts. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was an Elite revolt. After the killing of the Elite Council members, war broke out on High Charity, with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Elites learned the truth about the Halos and the Great Journey. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it.

During the original conflicts aboard High Charity, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Loyalists followed the Prophets and included Jiralhanae, Kig-yar, and Yanme'e. Separatists included Sangheili, with Mgalekgolo and most Unggoy also breaking away initially.

Sangheili-human alliance

The shaky alliance between the Separatists and their former foes, the humans, was forged entirely out of necessity. The UNSC forces were on the defensive, and they had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. The alliance of circumstance was forged in the control room of Delta Halo, when Johnson and the Arbiter were coerced to unite in order to prevent Tartarus activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array, which would have killed every sentient being in the galaxy, including himself and the rest of his race, while he, and the rest of the Covenant Loyalist's, still believed the array would only start the Great Journey.[3] However, the Arbiter persuaded the rest of the Sangheili to join the humans. While the two factions experience some friction because their alliance is based on the the enemies of my enemies are my friends concept instead of good political relationships they learn to work with one another for their mutual survival.

The death of the Prophet of Truth.

The devastated UNSC fleet in Earth's space were glad to accept the help of the superior separatist warships. The Elites' understanding of enemy equipment and Covenant's combat tactics proved invaluable in the Battle of Installation 00, where a fleet three times larger than that sent by the Elites was completely destroyed by the smaller force. Recurrently the heroes of battle, the Arbiter and the Master Chief fought alongside one another many times in the desperate and long conflict. Together the two made an incredible team and the Prophet of Truth was finally killed by the Arbiter with the Master Chief deactivating the Halo Array.

Later, the Chief destroyed the Flood-controlled High Charity and the Ark was severely damaged when he fired the new Halo ring created above the Ark which also destroyed the Flood. Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum stated that Truth's fleet was destroyed at the battle over the Ark. Had any of them survived on the Ark or in the ruins of their fleet, they were either taken by the Flood or killed when the unfinished Installation 04B fired and destroyed itself and heavily damaged the Ark.

The Arbiter's presence at memorial services for the Master Chief indicated that in the wake of victory, separatists and humans remained friendly to one another as they both had made tremendous sacrifices in order to stop Truth and the Loyalist forces, as well as the Gravemind and the Flood.

With Truth dead, High Charity destroyed, and the Ark essentially lost after Installation 04B's firing, the remaining loyalist forces remained active in at least some form, rebuilding their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.[4] Even though the Brutes eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Elite commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.[5]

According to the Bestiarum, the Unggoy were too indecisive to continue the rebellion and the true political motivation of the Mgalekgolo, if any, remained a mystery.

Timeline

2552

September 22:

October 20:

  • Thel 'Vadamee, the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the High Council and sentenced to death.
  • The High Prophet of Truth overrides the council and makes the Supreme Commander an Arbiter of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his rebellion, which they dub "Heresy".
  • Start of the Battle of Earth. The defeated High Prophet of Regret is forced to retreat to Installation 05, pursued by the UNSC In Amber Clad.
  • Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth.[7]
  • The Arbiter and a Spec Ops Commander, Rtas 'Vadumee lead a team of Spec Ops forces to Threshold, where they kill Sesa 'Refumee and successfully crush his rebellion.

October 21st:

  • Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives to Earth and starts the excavation of the Portal.[8]

November 2:

November 2-3:

  • The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve The Index. The Arbiter successfully takes the Index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the Index from him, as he was secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.
  • Most of the Elite Councilors are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the Brutes.
  • The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the Covenant Navy to the Brutes, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the First Battle of High Charity begins. Fighting between Elite and Brute forces breaks out all over High Charity. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the Fleet, as Elite and Brute controlled ships attack one another.
  • The Flood invade High Charity in the middle of the battle by jumping through Slipspace in the In Amber Clad into High Charity and then afterward through the use of Pelicans to invade the rest of the city. The High Prophet of Mercy is attacked by an Infection Form and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth
  • Tartarus attempts to activate Halo.
  • Thel 'Vadamee, with the help of Sergeant Johnson and Rtas 'Vadumee, kills Tartarus.
  • Miranda Keyes aborts the activation of Halo, placing the entire Halo Array on standby status. 343 Guilty Spark reveals the existence of the Ark.
  • The battle in and around High Charity ends with the Flood in control of the city. The Brute and Elite Fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.

November 3:

November 8, 2552:

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the Solar System, and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.[10]

November 17, 2552:

  • The Forerunner Dreadnought enters Earth's atmosphere, and John-117 bails out, landing in the jungles near Mount Kilimanjaro.[11]
  • Battle of Voi. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Artifact, and the Loyalist fleet follows it through the portal, marking the end of the Battle of Earth. The Flood infested Voi, only to be contained by the Sangheili fleet.

Late November through December, 2552

  • Battle of Installation 00.
  • All Loyalist vessels destroyed over the Ark by the Separatist Fleet.
  • The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. The Master Chief stops the Ark from firing the Halo Rings.
  • High Charity is destroyed by the Master Chief after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.
  • Rtas 'Vadum evacuates all humans and Sangheili via the Shadow of Intent, back to Earth.
  • The Battle of Installation 04 (II). Thel 'Vadam, Master Chief and Johnson battle to the control room of Installation 04 (II). Guilty Spark runs rampant, killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04(II)'s Sentinels turned on the Master Chief, Thel 'Vadam, and the Elites. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, damaging the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the Gravemind. These final events ended The Human-Covenant War.
  • The Master Chief, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape but only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth. The Master Chief and Cortana are drifting in space due to the portal closing. They are inside the back half of Forward Unto Dawn, and while technically MIA, are presumed KIA by the UNSC.[12]

2553

March 3:

  • The Humans and the Elites make a memorial near Mt. Kilimanjaro on planet Earth to commemorate those who were lost in the Battle of the Ark, while also serving as a small memorial for those lost in the Human-Covenant war. The memorial has the number 117 engraved on it in the corner.

2559

  • The Great Schism rages on. While the Jiralhanae wage their own internecine wars, the Sangheili themselves are gradually losing their fleets in a war of attrition, having lost the technical expertise kept exclusively by the Prophets.[5]
  • A Sangheili Shipmaster returns to the partially-glassed human colony of Kholo.[5]

Trivia

Gallery

  • A Sangheili facing off a Jiralhanae in combat.

    A Sangheili facing off a Jiralhanae in combat.

  • Schism 3.png

    A group of Sangheili charge towards Jiralhanae defenses.

  • Sangheili warships and ground forces after a victorious battle.

    Sangheili warships and ground forces after a victorious battle.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
  2. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty" history article
  3. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, The Great Journey Final Cutscene
  4. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer level, Assembly (Level)
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Evolutions
  6. ^ Halo: First Strike
  7. ^ Halo Waypoint, "Ten Twenty" history article
  8. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level, Coastal Highway
  9. ^ Halo:Ghosts of Onyx, pages 244-245
  10. ^ http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989
  11. ^ http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989
  12. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Halo

v • d • e
 
Wars in Covenant history
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