|
|
| (102 intermediate revisions by 46 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post|FA}}
| | #Redirect [[Kig-Yar]] |
| {{Ratings}}
| |
| {{Cleanup}}
| |
| {{Covenant Species Infobox
| |
| |name= Kig-yar<br/> (Latin ''Perosus latrunculus'')
| |
| |image= [[File:JackalSniper.png|250px]]
| |
| |homeworld= [[Eayn]]
| |
| |height= {{Convert|6.8|ft|cm}}<ref name="ENC">'''''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''''': ''page 147''</ref>
| |
| |weight= {{Convert|195|lb|kg}}<ref name="ENC"/>
| |
| |skincolor= Orange, dark green, pale brown, etc.
| |
| |distinctions= Tall and slender with large, pale eyes, claws, and razor-sharp teeth.
| |
| |weapons=
| |
| |equipment=
| |
| |types=*[[Kig-yar Ranger|Ranger]]
| |
| *[[Kig-yar Sniper|Sniper]]
| |
| *[[Kig-yar Zealot|Zealot]]
| |
| *[[Kig-yar Major|Major]]
| |
| *[[kig-yar Minor|Minor]]
| |
| *[[Skirmisher]]
| |
| |affiliation= [[Covenant Empire]], later [[Covenant Loyalist]]s
| |
| |notable= *[[Bok]]
| |
| *[[Chur 'R-Mut]]
| |
| *[[Chur'R-Yar]]
| |
| *[[Jak]]
| |
| *[[Kig-Yar Pirate Prince|"Pirate Prince"]]
| |
| *[[Reth]]
| |
| *[[Yeg]]
| |
| *[[Zhar (Kig-yar)|Zhar]]
| |
| |othernames=
| |
| *Buzzard
| |
| *Chicken
| |
| *Crow
| |
| *Jackal
| |
| *Killer Bird
| |
| *Turkey
| |
| *Tree Turkey
| |
| *Vulture
| |
| }}
| |
| | |
| {{Quote|Jackals may be superior marksmen and they're very sneaky, but that doesn't make them excellent snipers — they’re a little too bloodthirsty for that.| Anonymous [[UNSC]] serviceman}}
| |
| | |
| The '''Kig-yar''' (Latin: ''Perosus latrunculus'', translated to "Hateful Bandit"<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 the two races of these these vicious creatures '''Jackals''' and '''Skirmishers''', 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.
| |
| | |
| ==History==
| |
| {{SectStub}}
| |
| | |
| Once, the Kig-yar culture was centered around rival clans sailing across [[Eayn]]'s seas as pirates, raiding the encampments and settlements of rival clans. As the distances between the clans diminished, so too did the differences, and a united Kig-yar race reached out to the stars in spacecraft, beginning to populate small asteroids around [[Chu'ot]]. Some of these saw opportunity, and became [[Space Piracy|pirates]] once more, raiding merchant ships. These were apparently the Kig-yar's only effective response to the overwhelming [[Covenant Military|Covenant military]] juggernaut when they arrived in their home-system in [[1342]]. The war between the two factions culminated around sieges of redoubts on the asteroids surrounding their world. Eventually, in order to survive, they accepted Letters of Marque: commissions from the [[Ministry of Tranquility]] to engage in the services of the Covenant, though often this was merely used as an excuse to continue raiding. The Kig-yar spent much of this time preying on the ships of the Covenant's enemies, such as the humans.
| |
| | |
| Though they theoretically stand as equals of the [[Unggoy]], the Kig-yar are actually in an elevated position, as most of the other races ignore the Unggoy, while the Kig-yar are purposefully cruel to them to reassure themselves of their own superiority. This reached a boiling point in [[2462]], when some Kig-yar attempted to poison recreational narcotics the Unggoy enjoyed which would have left the Unggoy sterile, in retaliation for the Unggoy encroaching on their habitats and displacing Kig-yar nests. Although a [[Prophet of Truth|junior staffer]] in the [[Ministry of Concert]] found evidence of this, the [[High Council]] failed to properly investigate the incident, culminating in the [[Unggoy Rebellion]].
| |
| | |
| Following the outbreak of the [[Human-Covenant War]], a group of Kig-yar under [[Reth]] made contact with [[the Rubble]], made of human survivors of the [[glassing]] of [[Madrigal]], trading Covenant weaponry in exchange for [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|slipspace drives]]. Although the humans believe the Kig-yar were defying Covenant authority, they were in fact proceeding with the blessing of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] to use the weapons to map [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] space and learn the location of [[Earth]]. The plan fell apart during due to the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] sending [[Sangheili]] warriors to investigate the weapons, believing the Kig-yar to be heretics.
| |
| | |
| During the [[Great Schism]], the Kig-yar sided with the Loyalists against the [[Covenant Separatist]]s. This may be due to their resentment of their mistreatment by the Sangheili, or the Covenant Loyalists offered more payment for their service; alternatively, it may have been that the Separatists and UNSC simply wouldn't trust them because of their cruel, bloodthirsty nature and greedy behavior.
| |
| | |
| ==Description==
| |
| ===Anatomy and physiology===
| |
| [[File:JackalCloseup.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A closeup on a Kig-yar Jackal's face. Notice the razor-sharp teeth and scaly skin.]]
| |
| | |
| Kig-yar are saurian, but they have features similar to birds of prey as well as reptiles. Their legs are sinewy and have muscular thighs, and are triple-jointed and bend backward, in a similar fashion to birds. They have sharp, curved fingernails and toenails. Being carnivores, their beaks are lined with razor-sharp teeth; some have far more numerous teeth which bear a passing resemblance to [[wikipedia:Baleen|baleen]].<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved'''</ref> Kig-yar have been known to eat the flesh of fallen enemies, as well as live prisoners. Kig-yar have extraordinary senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Male Kig-yar possess plumages of spiny quills at the back of the head and on the elbows; the color of this plumage indicates the Kig-yar's mood.<ref name="Contact">'''''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''''', pages 56/58</ref> Females lack these quill plumages, instead having calloused plates at the forearms and the rear of the head. This thick skin helps protect the female during courtship: when mating, the male will often chew on the back of the female's head, neck, and arms. Kig-yar reproduce by laying eggs which the female incubates, similar to birds. 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.
| |
| | |
| Kig-yar skin is rough, thick and scaly, and is tough enough to allow the Kig-yar to fight without wearing any kind of arm or foot protection. While Kig-yar have hollow bones and are physically frail, they are highly athletic, due to their muscular legs and predatory nature. It is likely they evolved from creatures that would have to have physical prowess to hunt.{{Citation needed}} This is evidenced by their speed and agility on human planets, even though their homeworld has weaker gravity and would make them lighter. Their blood is bright purple in color, similar to that of the [[Sangheili]], possibly showing a similar chemical makeup. The lack of calcium in their skeletons makes them a poor source of biomass for the [[Flood]]. Thus, Kig-yar that are infected by the Flood are typically turned into [[Flood Carrier Form|carrier forms]] rather than [[Flood Combat Form|combats forms]]. However, they have been utilized as combat forms during at least one [[Battle of the Flood-controlled Shield World|engagement]]. <ref>''[[Halo Wars]]''</ref>. This uncommonality seems to imply that the Kig-yar are deemed impractical for use as combat forms.
| |
| | |
| There is a great deal of physiological disparity among the Kig-yar. Some specimens, most notably the Skirmishers, possess a more squared cranial structure from typical Jackals, while others have slighter, more avian heads: in both cases, these Kig-yar lack the beak-like "overbite" shared by the majority of the species. Kig-yar eyes are also greatly varied, with Jackals having large, bulbous eyes and Skirmishers having narrow, slitted eyes. Kig-yar eye colors are known to include purple, pink, pale, yellow, orange, and black. The Skirmishers, unlike most Kig-yar, are more heavily built, with powerful muscles, and feature feathery plumages on the head and elbows in lieu of fleshy quills. Among the Jackals and the Skirmishers, skin color is also greatly varied, including red, gray, green, pale brown, tan, yellow, and golden skin; Skirmishers often have similarly colored feather plumages. This physiological diversity is likely due to uneven distribution across many worlds and drastically varied environments.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/characters/video/the-jackals/24dc0ecc-8cf0-473a-aae3-266fe6019d61?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Kig-yar'']</ref><ref group="note">In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Jackals feature green or red skin, squared heads, and far more numerous teeth. In later media, all Kig-yar, except the Skirmishers, have yellow-orange skin, narrower heads, and fewer teeth.</ref>
| |
| {{SectStub}}
| |
| | |
| ==Culture==
| |
| [[File:Ancient KigYar.png|thumb|200px|Ancient Kig-Yar on Eayn.]] | |
| | |
| Unlike 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 serve the Covenant due to the monetary rewards the Prophets pay them. However, due to the long time they have been in the Covenant, a large number of them have accepted the [[Covenant religion|Covenant religion]]. Kig-yar have been known to coexist relatively peacefully 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: As long as it benefits them economically, Kig-yar will co-operate with nearly any group, even declared enemies of the Covenant.
| |
| ===Role within The Covenant===
| |
| Kig-yar serve primarily as infantry, police forces and overseers. They also commonly crew Covenant Missionary Ships, such as the [[Minor Transgression]]. Originally, they were intended to replace the Unggoy as the foot soldiers of the Covenant, but their temperament made this impractical. Instead, they were assigned roles that were better suited to their natural abilities, such as scouts and snipers.
| |
| | |
| Within Covenant society, Kig-yar have little status and are subservient to all but the Unggoy. Because of this, Kig-yar frequently harass Unggoy to assert what little authority they have. In some cases, Sangheili or Jiralhanae dispose of criminals or prisoners by feeding them to Kig-yar convicts, who eat the victim alive.
| |
| | |
| Kig-yar are extremely cruel to members of other species; this is evidenced by their willingness to eat Unggoy and humans alive, and the way they abuse Yanme'e Unmutuals, as shown in Halo: Evolutions.
| |
| | |
| The Kig-yar are not represented on the [[High Council]] but are instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]]. The Kig-yar do not vocally complain about their position but instead have selected to siphon off resources to their brethren. Whether the Covenant leadership was aware of this is currently unknown.
| |
| | |
| ===Government===
| |
| The Kig-yar government is a post-industrial [[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.
| |
| {{SectStub}}
| |
| | |
| ===Naming===
| |
| Kig-yar 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|Shipmistresses]], 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. However, their naming system might not be the one of their own culture; it has been stated that Sangheili do not allow the Kig-yar to have more than one name. Alternatively, it may be that the Kig-yar language consists of single syllable words (their name for themselves, Kig-yar, actually is two single syllable words combined).
| |
| | |
| ==Homeworld==
| |
| {{Main|Eayn}}
| |
| | |
| Eayn is the homeworld of the Kig-yar species and is the primary satellite of the planet [[Chu'ot]]. It is characterized by its single equatorial ocean, sparse volcanism, and almost total lack of glaciation. Only about one-third of all Kig-yar who still reside in the Y'deio system call Eayn their home; many have chosen to live among the minor planets within the asteroid belt since their initial contact with the Covenant. However, it is theorized that the Kig-yar have colonized many other planets, due to their physiological diversity.
| |
| | |
| ==Rank Structure==
| |
| <!-- Please provide a summarized description of each rank. Follow the Sangheili article Rank Structure format. -->
| |
| {{Col-begin}}
| |
| {{Col-1-of-2}}
| |
| ==="Jackal" ranks===
| |
| {| cellpadding="5" border="1" style="clear: both;"
| |
| ! '''Rank'''
| |
| ! '''Image'''
| |
| ! '''Description'''
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''Jackal Leaders'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Kig-yar Zealot|Jackal zealot]]'''
| |
| |
| |
| | Little is known of the Kig-yar Zealot's role. The only known Kig-yar Zealot is [[Zhar (Kig-yar)|Zhar]]<ref name="Contact"/>.
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''Jackal Specialists'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Kig-yar Ranger|Jackal Ranger]]'''
| |
| |[[File:Jackal Rangers.jpg|100px]]
| |
| | Jackal Rangers are trained for zero-G [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA]] combat, and are equipped with [[vacuum suit]]s and magnetic boots.
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Jackal Sniper]]'''
| |
| |[[File:JackalSniper.png|100px]]
| |
| | Sniper Jackals are the Covenant's foremost long-range combatants. They are known to carry weapons such as [[Type-31 Rifle|needle rifles]] and [[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System|beam rifles]], but do not use point-defense gauntlets as to better wield their weapon.
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''Jackal Infantry'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Jackal Major]]'''
| |
| |[[File:JackalMajor.png|100px]]
| |
| | Major Jackals are more experienced than Minors and are issued stronger point-defense gauntlets that emit a violet-colored shield post Great Schism and an orange or red colored shield pre Great Schism. They typically carry plasma pistols and needlers.
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Jackal Minor]]'''
| |
| |[[File:JackalMinor.png|100px]]
| |
| | The rank of Minor is the lowest field rank a Jackal can attain. They are armed with standard-strength, light blue [[Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlet|point defense gauntlets]] and small arms such as the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] or [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|needler]].
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| {{col-2-of-2}}
| |
| ==="Skirmisher" ranks===
| |
| {| cellpadding="5" border="1" style="clear: both;"
| |
| ! '''Rank'''
| |
| ! '''Image'''
| |
| ! '''Description'''
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''[[Skirmisher]] Leaders'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Skirmisher Champion]]'''
| |
| |[[File:HReach - Skirmisher.png|100px]]
| |
| | The Champion is the highest rank of the Skirmishers, a specialized group of shock troops comprising of more heavily built Kig-yar, deployed on the ground for their viciousness and fierce tactics. Members of this rank have bright red armor, a helmet, and shields. They appear to be the leading rank of Skirmishers, being neither infantry nor specialists.
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''Skirmisher Specialists'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Skirmisher Commando]]'''
| |
| |[[File:Skirmishercommando.jpg|100px]]
| |
| | Members of this rank have bright green armor and a helmet, and will occasionally use [[Armor Abilities|holograms]] to deceive the enemy.
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Skirmisher Murmillo]]'''
| |
| |[[File:Murmillo.png|75px]]
| |
| | Members of this rank have gold armor, helmets, and occasionally elbow shields.
| |
| |-
| |
| ! colspan="3"|'''Skirmisher Infantry'''
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Skirmisher Major]]'''
| |
| |[[File:Skirmisher_Major.png|100px]]
| |
| | Members of this rank have red feathers and red-gray armor.
| |
| |-
| |
| |'''[[Skirmisher Minor]]'''
| |
| |[[File:Halo Reach - Skirmisher.png|100px]]
| |
| | The lowest rank of Skirmisher; members of this rank have black feathers and gray armor.
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| {{Col-end}}
| |
| | |
| {{Jackal Ranks}}
| |
| {{SectStub}}
| |
| | |
| ==Trivia==
| |
| *The Kig-yar were the first Covenant species fought by human beings. [[Staff Sergeant]]s [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] and [[Nolan Byrne]] fought and killed two of them in the [[Skirmish on Minor Transgression|skirmish]] on ''[[Minor Transgression]]'' over [[Harvest]], shortly before the [[First Battle of Harvest]]. Later, they became the first Covenant species encountered by the SPARTAN-IIs aboard ''[[Unrelenting]]'' at [[Chi Ceti IV]].<ref name="FoR">'''''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''''', pages 125/126</ref>
| |
| *The name '''"Jackal"''' comes from a wild dog that is similar to the coyote, and is a reference to their scavenger appearance and nature.
| |
| *"Kig-yar" is Breton for "chicken" and Phonetic Welsh for "chicken meat".{{Citation needed}}
| |
| *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.
| |
| *Although Jackals carry grenades in ''[[Halo 2]]'' , they are never seen using them. This is possibly because of the fact that, in terms of game mechanics, they '[[Dual-wielding|dual-wield]]' their energy shield with whatever other weapon they are carrying.
| |
| *In all games prior to ''Halo: Reach'', all Jackals shoot left-handed and are the only Covenant species to do so, with the exception of [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee. However, in ''Halo: Reach'' Jackals shoot with their right hands and carry their shields with their left hands.
| |
| *Kig-yar possess a strong salty, occasionally acrid stench.<ref name="B.net"/>
| |
| *Occasionally, Jackals can be seen without their usual bright spines on their heads. Canonically, these would likely be females, this appearance is probably the result of a glitch.
| |
| *In game, Jackals do not use melee attacks.
| |
| | |
| ===Mistakes===
| |
| *In ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]],'' Kig-yar blood is said to be blue, despite its actual purple coloration.<ref>'''[[The Fall of Reach]]''', page 327</ref>
| |
| *The first time Jackals are encountered in-game is in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' on the level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved Level)|Halo]]''. They do not appear in the first level, ''[[Pillar of Autumn (Level)|Pillar of Autumn]]'', due to the Covenant's mistrust of them being on enemy vessels because of their pirating ways. However, in ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', they are mentioned as boarding the {{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}} during their initial attack.
| |
| | |
| ==Gallery==
| |
| <gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
| |
| File:Jackal sculpt.jpeg|The prototype of McFarlane Toys' Jackal figure.
| |
| File:JackalWHelm2.jpg|The helmet worn by Jackals in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
| |
| File:Behindyou.jpg|Jackal in the level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'' in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
| |
| File:Jackal Lakeside.jpg|A Kig-yar sniper from ''Halo 2'' wields a [[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System|particle beam rifle]].
| |
| File:Jackal.jpg|A Kig-yar Minor with an overcharged plasma pistol in ''Halo 2''.
| |
| File:1215645880 Jackal Blood.jpg|A Jackal's blood stain.
| |
| File:19317669-Full.jpg|A Kig-yar Minor on patrol on [[Installation 00|The Ark]] in ''Halo 3''.
| |
| File:Halo3 Jackal.jpg|A Kig-yar sniper from ''Halo 3''.
| |
| File:SHARPSHOOTER!.jpg|A Kig-yar sniper with a beam rifle in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
| |
| File:Kig-Yar_Variants.jpg|A Kig-yar sniper and a Kig-yar infantryman seen in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
| |
| File:Kig-Yar_Phalanx_Halo_3-_ODST.jpg|A Kig-Yar lance armed with plasma pistolsp and point defense gauntlets in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
| |
| File:Cov jackalfinal.jpg|Concept art of the Kig-yar for ''Halo Wars''.
| |
| File:Jackals.jpg|Kig-Yar, as they appear in ''Halo Wars''.
| |
| File:HaloReach - Jackal.png|Jackals in ''Halo: Reach''.
| |
| File:Kig-yar Major III.jpg|A Kig-yar Major in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
| |
| </gallery>
| |
| | |
| | |
| ==Note==
| |
| <references group="note"/>
| |
| | |
| ==Sources==
| |
| {{reflist}}
| |
| | |
| ==Related Pages==
| |
| *[[Kig-yar/Gameplay|Kig-yar in gameplay]]
| |
| *[[Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlet]]
| |
| | |
| {{Covenant}}
| |
| [[Category:Living Organisms]]
| |
| [[Category:Covenant Species]]
| |
| [[Category:Kig-yar]]
| |
