Canon

High Council: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
No edit summary
 
(140 intermediate revisions by 68 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|CH|TF|H2}}
{{Disambig header|the legislative body of the Covenant|other councils|Council}}
[[Image:Elite Councillors.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Elite [[Councilor]]s]]
{{Organization infobox
[[Image:Prophet Councillors.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Prophet Councilors]]]]
|name=High Council
[[Image:CouncilsScorn.jpg|thumb|200px|Councilors at the trial of the future [[Arbiter]].]]
|image=[[File:H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg|300px]]
|type=Executive/legislative branch<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/high-council '''Halo Waypoint''': ''High Council'']</ref>
|founder=
|leaders-title=Headed by
|leaders=[[Hierarchs]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|partof=Covenant government{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|branches=[[:Category:Covenant organizations|Various ministries]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|headquarters=[[High Council Chamber]], [[High Charity]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|formed=c. [[850 BCE]]<ref name="bc159">'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 159''</ref>
|reorganized=
|dissolved=[[2552#November|November 2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|notable=
}}


The '''High Council''' is the theocratic decision-making body of the [[Covenant]]. <ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 154</ref> The High Council contained more than 200 [[Elites]] and [[Prophets]]<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 271</ref> and was headed by a triumvirate known as the [[High Prophets]] or "Hierarchs." Most of the Elite members of the Council were assassinated in ''[[Halo 2]]'' as part of the [[High Prophet of Truth]]'s plan to replace Elites with [[Brutes]] in Covenant society.  
The '''High Council''' was the central theocratic, aristocratic and legislative decision-making body of the [[Covenant]].<ref name="ch154">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 154''</ref> Based in the [[High Council Chamber]] in the heart of the Covenant holy city ''[[High Charity]]'', the High Council consisted of more than two hundred [[San'Shyuum High Councilor|San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili High Councilor]]s<ref name="ch271">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 271''</ref> and was headed by a triumvirate known as the [[Hierarchs]] or "High Prophets".


The theocratic Covenant follows the orders of the High Council to the letter. They are the entire government of the Covenant. The High Council seems to be split into smaller sub-groups, with different tasks and goals.
==History==
The High Council was formed shortly after the establishment of the [[Covenant]]. During the Covenant's early years, only the [[Hierarchs]] served on what would be the High Council. The Council was established sometime in [[850 BCE]] and consisted of a select number of [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili]] governmental delegates, as outlined in the [[Writ of Union]].{{Ref/Reuse|bc159}}


As of now, the exact status of the High Council is unknown - the expulsion of the Elites would have left a significant power vacuum, especially in the more military-focused aspects of Covenant leadership and it is not known if the Brutes would have assumed these roles yet. Add to this the invasion of the Covenant Capitol "World" [[High Charity]] by the Flood apparently devastated much of the Covenant leadership, wiping out a good portion of the Covenant population and it is entirely likely that the High Council no longer exists at all. Following the events of the Great Schism, the Sangheili separatists would likely promote thir own leader in the traditional way, the best warrior and leader combined . Most likely the Arbiter would earn this title.
Shortly after the [[Jiralhanae]]'s incorporation into the Covenant in [[2492]], a group of Sangheili commanders went before the High Council to address the Jiralhanae's pack mentality. They claimed that the Jiralhanae's natural instincts to fight to the top of any hierarchy would prove dangerous to the Covenant. Agreeing with the Sangheili's reasonable assessment, the High Council imposed restrictions on what technology the Jiralhanae could access and encouraged any peaceful "urges" among the species.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 199''</ref> In [[2525]], during the [[Ascension (ceremony)|ascension]] of the [[Prophet of Truth|Prophets of Truth]], [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]], the High Council had been initially reluctant to support the new Hierarchs. However, the Council eventually complied.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 380''</ref> During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the High Council would order the complete [[glassing]] of [[human colonies]] during times of "particular religious significance". During the [[Battle of Kholo]], the [[Prophet of Conviction]] represented the High Council and gave the order to [[Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|the Shipmaster]] of the [[Fleet of Righteous Vigilance]] to glass [[Kholo|the planet]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]", ''page 313''</ref> In [[2535]], the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the [[Covenant fleet]]s, against the desires of the [[Sangheili High Councilor]]s, forming the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 349''</ref> On [[2552|October 20, 2552]], the High Council convened to debate the fate of the [[Supreme Commander]] of the Fleet of Particular Justice, [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee. Ultimately, the High Council branded 'Vadamee a [[List of known Covenant heretics|heretic]] and sentenced him to execution.<ref name="heretic">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> However, the High Prophets intervened and 'Vadamee was given the rank of [[Arbiter]].<ref name="arbiter">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>


==Councils==
After the High Prophet of Regret's death on [[Installation 05]], the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] with the Jiralhanae. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,<ref name="bc217">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 217-218''</ref> and the Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the High Council.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> The Prophet of Truth, knowing the High Council would elect a new Hierarch to replace Regret, made his move to eliminate the Sangheili High Councilors to prevent a more moderate Prophet from being elected and ruining his grand plan to eliminate the Sangheili and humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of [[Installation 05]] to make preparations for the activation of the installation. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guards — particularly those who opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions - had arrived at the Control Room. A large contingent of Jiralhanae, led by [[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]], entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 218-221''</ref> With the [[Great Schism|expulsion]] of the Sangheili, the [[Flood]] [[Fall of High Charity|invasion]] of [[High Charity]] and the eventual dissolution of the Covenant itself, the High Council was destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
'''[[Council of Concordance|The Council of Concordance]]'''<br />
As they created the [[Writ of Union|Writ of Union]] and the [[Ratification Parley]]. It is likely that they deal with legal and civilian matters of the [[Covenant]]. <ref>''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>


{{quote|What hope has this alliance<br />If we cannot conquer<br />Doubt of faith not each other-<br />If our belief should falter?<br />But put an ear to the stones<br />of this Holy City<br />Inside Their voices echo still:<br />"Seven rings begin the Journey!"|Excerpt, [[Ratification Parley]], High Council or Concordance}}
==Organization==
The theocratic [[Covenant]] followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they were the whole of the Covenant governance. The High Council was composed of over two hundred [[San'Shyuum]] [[Minister (title)|ministers]] and [[Sangheili]] commanders—referred to as High Councilors.{{Ref/Reuse|ch271}}<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 190''</ref> The triumvirate of [[Hierarchs]] that led the Council had the final word on all Council matters.{{Ref/Reuse|heretic}}{{Ref/Reuse|arbiter}} The Council was responsible for determining legislation and carried out the daily affairs of Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In the event of a Hierarch's death, the High Council was responsible for deciding which San'Shyuum would replace the absent Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 196''</ref> A Hierarch assigning an important mission to individuals without informing the rest of the Hierarchs was considered a violation of Council protocol.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 73''</ref> When a San'Shyuum minster was absent for a High Council session, the minister's [[Vice Minister|vice minister]] would be allowed to act as a substitute in their place.{{Ref/Reuse|ch154}} Additionally, a High Councilor could have another San'Shyuum accompany them to a meeting of the High Council as an assistant.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 208''</ref>


The High Council seemed to have been divided into several smaller councils, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all its aspects. Below the other councils, there were numerous ministries functioning within the Covenant. The lower caste members of the Covenant, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], [[Yanme'e]], and [[Unggoy]], were not represented on the High Council but were instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 150''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 155''</ref> The High Council was essentially the only true council the Sangheili were a part of during their service in the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 58''</ref> The High Councilors of the Council were protected by the [[Covenant Honor Guard]]. Following the [[Changing of the Guard]], the Sangheili Councilors were unwilling to trust the new [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] and employed Sangheili serving in the [[Covenant military]] instead.{{Ref/Reuse|bc217}}


'''[[Council of Deed and Doctrine|The Council of Deed and Doctrine]]'''<br />
==Council composition==
As the essay from the Prophet of Supposition on the [[Flood]] was sent to this Council, it is likely that they deal with intelligence matters. <ref>''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''</ref>
===First Age of Reconciliation===
'''[[Hierarchs]]'''
*[[High Prophet of Excellent Redolence]]
*[[High Prophet of the Glorious Journey]]  
*[[High Prophet of Unity]]  


'''[[San'Shyuum High Councilor]]s'''
*[[Prophet of Inner Conviction]]
*[[R'Noh Custo]]


'''[[Council of Masters|The Council of Masters]]'''<br />
===Twenty-Third Age of Doubt===
Deals with various military matters including promotions as well as tactical and strategic matters and may also be present in theaters of combat. <ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref>
'''Hierarchs'''
*[[High Prophetess of Obligation]]
*[[High Prophet of Tolerance]]  
*[[High Prophet of Restraint]]


===Ninth Age of Reclamation===
'''Hierarchs'''
*[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]
*[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]


'''[[Ministry of Tranquility|The Ministry of Tranquility]]'''<br />
'''San'Shyuum High Councilors'''
The [[Ministry of Tranquility]] apparently hires [[Jackals]] as mercenaries against [[UNSC]] civilian vessels <ref>http://halosm.bungie.org/story/staten102204.html</ref> and may be a Special Warfare branch of the High Council. Combined with the fact that they also have an extensive library of Forerunner Glyphs (mentioned by [[Joseph Staten]] in an interview), the Ministry of Tranquility may be the Covenant version of [[ONI]].
 
 
'''[[Ministry of Concert|The Ministry of Concert]]'''<br />
The [[Ministry of Concert]] represents the various interests of the multiple client races within the Covenant to the High Council. Notably and logically biased in favor of the more prominent races. <ref>''Bestiarum''</ref>
 
 
'''[[Ministry of Conversion|The Ministry of Conversion]]'''<br />
The [[Ministry of Conversion]] is tasked with exploring stretched of space that are unknown to the Covenant, seeking out new potential devotees to the Covenant's faith. <ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref>
 
==Known Council Members==
 
'''High Prophets'''
 
*[[High Prophet of Truth]]
*[[High Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[High Prophet of Regret]]
 
'''[[Prophet Councilors]]'''
 
*[[Prophet of Supposition]]
*[[Prophet of Supposition]]
*[[Prophet of Disdain]]
*[[Prophet of Pity]]
*[[Prophet of Objection]]
*[[Prophet of Objection]]
*[[Prophet of Conviction]]
*[[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]]


'''Councilor Elites'''
'''[[Sangheili High Councilor]]s'''
*[[Torg 'Gransamee]]
*[[Duru 'Scoahamee]]
*[[K'hurk 'Bornisamee]]


*[[Soha 'Rolamee]]
==Production note==
The in-game High Council is far smaller than its canonical incarnation, being depicted by only 38 Prophets and 40 Elites. 'Vadamee, Tartarus and his two attendants, and fourteen Honor Guardsmen are also present. The Council, however, appears to be much closer to its canonical size in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.


{{Covenant Government}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A-ThelBeforeCouncil.jpg|[[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee before the High Council.
File:H2A - Tartarus and HighCouncil.png|[[Tartarus]] and [[Sangheili High Councilor]]s.
File:H2A - Hierarchs.jpg|The Hierarchs preside over 'Vadamee's trial, with the absent Regret present in holo-form.
File:CouncilsScorn.jpg|Councilors at Thel 'Vadamee's trial.
File:Elite Councillors.jpg|Sangheili Councilors discussing 'Vadamee's trial.
File:H2A - San'Shyuum Councilors.jpg|[[San'Shyuum High Councilor]]s.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
 
{{Covenant government}}


{{Clear}}
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Latest revision as of 00:29, February 22, 2024

This article is about the legislative body of the Covenant. For other councils, see Council.
High Council
H2A-HighCouncilSession.jpg
General overview

Type:

Executive/legislative branch[1]

Headed by:

Hierarchs[1]

Organizational overview

Affiliation:

Covenant[1]

Part of:

Covenant government[1]

Branches:

Various ministries[1]

Headquarters:

High Council Chamber, High Charity[1]

Historical overview

Formed:

c. 850 BCE[2]

Dissolved:

November 2552[1]

 

The High Council was the central theocratic, aristocratic and legislative decision-making body of the Covenant.[3] Based in the High Council Chamber in the heart of the Covenant holy city High Charity, the High Council consisted of more than two hundred San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors[4] and was headed by a triumvirate known as the Hierarchs or "High Prophets".

History[edit]

The High Council was formed shortly after the establishment of the Covenant. During the Covenant's early years, only the Hierarchs served on what would be the High Council. The Council was established sometime in 850 BCE and consisted of a select number of San'Shyuum and Sangheili governmental delegates, as outlined in the Writ of Union.[2]

Shortly after the Jiralhanae's incorporation into the Covenant in 2492, a group of Sangheili commanders went before the High Council to address the Jiralhanae's pack mentality. They claimed that the Jiralhanae's natural instincts to fight to the top of any hierarchy would prove dangerous to the Covenant. Agreeing with the Sangheili's reasonable assessment, the High Council imposed restrictions on what technology the Jiralhanae could access and encouraged any peaceful "urges" among the species.[5] In 2525, during the ascension of the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret, the High Council had been initially reluctant to support the new Hierarchs. However, the Council eventually complied.[6] During the Human-Covenant War, the High Council would order the complete glassing of human colonies during times of "particular religious significance". During the Battle of Kholo, the Prophet of Conviction represented the High Council and gave the order to the Shipmaster of the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance to glass the planet.[7] In 2535, the San'Shyuum High Councilors reorganized the Covenant fleets, against the desires of the Sangheili High Councilors, forming the Fleet of Particular Justice.[8] On October 20, 2552, the High Council convened to debate the fate of the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, Thel 'Vadamee. Ultimately, the High Council branded 'Vadamee a heretic and sentenced him to execution.[9] However, the High Prophets intervened and 'Vadamee was given the rank of Arbiter.[10]

After the High Prophet of Regret's death on Installation 05, the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy publicly replaced the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen with the Jiralhanae. This decision was not approved of by the High Council,[11] and the Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the High Council.[12] The Prophet of Truth, knowing the High Council would elect a new Hierarch to replace Regret, made his move to eliminate the Sangheili High Councilors to prevent a more moderate Prophet from being elected and ruining his grand plan to eliminate the Sangheili and humanity.[1] During the Battle of Installation 05, the San'Shyuum and Sangheili High Councilors were to meet in the Control Room of Installation 05 to make preparations for the activation of the installation. However, only some of the Sangheili Councilors and former Honor Guards — particularly those who opposed the Changing of the Guard, but were unwilling to resign from their positions - had arrived at the Control Room. A large contingent of Jiralhanae, led by Captain Melchus, entered the Control Room and proceeded to massacre the Councilors, as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.[13][14] With the expulsion of the Sangheili, the Flood invasion of High Charity and the eventual dissolution of the Covenant itself, the High Council was destroyed.[1]

Organization[edit]

The theocratic Covenant followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they were the whole of the Covenant governance. The High Council was composed of over two hundred San'Shyuum ministers and Sangheili commanders—referred to as High Councilors.[4][15] The triumvirate of Hierarchs that led the Council had the final word on all Council matters.[9][10] The Council was responsible for determining legislation and carried out the daily affairs of Covenant.[1] In the event of a Hierarch's death, the High Council was responsible for deciding which San'Shyuum would replace the absent Hierarch.[16] A Hierarch assigning an important mission to individuals without informing the rest of the Hierarchs was considered a violation of Council protocol.[17] When a San'Shyuum minster was absent for a High Council session, the minister's vice minister would be allowed to act as a substitute in their place.[3] Additionally, a High Councilor could have another San'Shyuum accompany them to a meeting of the High Council as an assistant.[18]

The High Council seemed to have been divided into several smaller councils, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all its aspects. Below the other councils, there were numerous ministries functioning within the Covenant. The lower caste members of the Covenant, such as the Kig-Yar, Yanme'e, and Unggoy, were not represented on the High Council but were instead vetted by the Ministry of Concert.[19][20] The High Council was essentially the only true council the Sangheili were a part of during their service in the Covenant.[21] The High Councilors of the Council were protected by the Covenant Honor Guard. Following the Changing of the Guard, the Sangheili Councilors were unwilling to trust the new Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen and employed Sangheili serving in the Covenant military instead.[11]

Council composition[edit]

First Age of Reconciliation[edit]

Hierarchs

San'Shyuum High Councilors

Twenty-Third Age of Doubt[edit]

Hierarchs

Ninth Age of Reclamation[edit]

Hierarchs

San'Shyuum High Councilors

Sangheili High Councilors

Production note[edit]

The in-game High Council is far smaller than its canonical incarnation, being depicted by only 38 Prophets and 40 Elites. 'Vadamee, Tartarus and his two attendants, and fourteen Honor Guardsmen are also present. The Council, however, appears to be much closer to its canonical size in Halo 2: Anniversary.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo Waypoint: High Council
  2. ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, page 159
  3. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 154
  4. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 271
  5. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 199
  6. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 380
  7. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "The Return", page 313
  8. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 349
  9. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
  10. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  11. ^ a b Halo: Broken Circle, pages 217-218
  12. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  13. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Uprising
  14. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, pages 218-221
  15. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 190
  16. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 196
  17. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 73
  18. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 208
  19. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 150
  20. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 155
  21. ^ Halo: Glasslands, page 58

v • d • e
 
Government of the Covenant
Lesser councils
Miscellaneous
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=High_Council&oldid=1618801"