Jiralhanae: Difference between revisions

The '''Jiralhanae''' (Latin, ''Servus ferox'', translated to "wild slave"<ref>[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive29.pl?read=865756 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Bestiarum Latin names translated'']</ref>), known by [[human]]s as '''Brutes''', are the newest race to join the [[Covenant]]. They are a species of carnivorous, mammal-like aliens from [[Doisac]].

The Jiralhanae were the second Covenant species encountered by the humans following the [[Kig-yar]] raid on the freighter ''[[This End Up]]''. They were also the first Covenant species encountered by the [[Harvest Colonial Militia]]. The Brutes have a profound hatred of the [[Sangheili]], unmatched by any other feud within the Covenant, fueled by the Jiralhanae's naturally aggressive demeanor and the Sangheili's natural sense of superiority (presumably viewing the Brutes as "savages").

Jiralhanae are mammalian in appearance and share physical characteristics with [[Earth]]'s gorillas, rhinoceros, and bears; due to their bear-like features, they are designated as pseudo-ursines.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=28450 '''Halo: Reach official website''' - Enemies - Brute]</ref> They have thick, gray skin, and are covered with matted black, tan, or brown fur. The majority of Jiralhanae shave their fur, with higher-ranking individuals sporting beards or mohawks. Their large, stocky appearance is most likely due to the gravity on their planet, which is about twice the gravity of that on [[Earth]]. As they age, the hair will change to a grayish-silver color.  

Jiralhanae are immensely strong, hence the "Brute" moniker, and are capable of delivering crushing blows in hand-to-hand combat. Their teeth are very sharp, and are frequently used as natural weapons. In battle, they are prone to fits of berserk rage, and will proceed to rush at and pummel any targets within reach with terrifying aggression.

Jiralhanae are obviously carnivores, given their fearsome fanged jaws and propensity for violence. It has been stated that they feed on the flesh of their enemies, such as the [[Human]]s they face in battle and have been seen eating the meat of a [[Thorn Beast]], apparently considered a delicacy among Brutes.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 195''</ref> A Brute once stated he would have gladly devoured [[Thel 'Vadam|the future Arbiter]], had he been allowed.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]'' (''"Them? What about us? My belly aches, and his flesh is seared just the way I like it."'')</ref>

Despite their savagery, Jiralhanaae proved intelligent enough to achieve [[Technological Achievement Tiers|spaceflight and space-faring status]], though their warlike nature caused them to collapse into a devastating war.<!--Please do not replace with "civil war". This phrase would suggest a unified government, which is both unsourced and alien to the Jiralhanae cultural system--> They had recently concluded a mechanized war of attrition between the [[Master Pack]]s which took them back to a pre-industrial state when the Covenant discovered them in [[2492]]. They had just rediscovered radio and rocketry and in their primitive state, they were quickly defeated and absorbed into the Covenant.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 194''</ref>