T'vaoan: Difference between revisions

Despite the amount of T'vaoans that died in the [[Human-Covenant War]], many still remained. The T'vaoan Shipmistress [[Chol Von]] attempted to create a united [[Kig-Yar]] government to defend the [[Y'Deio system]] from threats, while others, such as [[Sav Fel]], returned to the Kig-Yar's ancient ways of [[piracy]].<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata'''</ref> At least [[Tek|one T'vaoan]] joined [[Vata 'Gajat]]'s [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary group]], serving as 'Gajat's second-in-command.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref>

T'vaoans are a subset of the [[Kig-Yar]] species hailing from the isolated environment of [[T'vao]]. The morphological variation among the Kig-Yar represents divergent evolution in response to varied environments on prehistoric [[Eayn]].<ref name="enc">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' (2011), ''pages 156-157''</ref> [[Xenobiology|Xenobiologists]] believe that the [[asteroid]]'s higher gravity and atmospheric shifts led to the development of the T'voans' avian features.<ref name="waypointuniverse"/> They are much faster and stronger than the more lightly-built common Kig-Yar, known to humans as Jackals (particularly the Ruuhtians and Ibie'shan). They have darker skin and stockier, squared heads with small yellow eyes with slitted pupils, as opposed to the bulbous and pale eyes of the Ruuhtians. They also have more beak-like mouths and bony facial coverings. Skirmishers have true feathers on their head, back, and arms, unlike the Jackals' quills. A Skirmisher's voice is more raspy and guttural—this is because they have an expanding voice chamber on their throat. Skirmishers serve as Covenant shock troops, while the more lightly built Jackals see deployment as dedicated [[Kig-Yar Ranger|ranger]] or [[Kig-Yar Sniper|sniper units]]. Unlike other Kig-Yar, Skirmishers do not display color changes in their plumage when their moods shift.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 65''</ref>   

Their head shape appears to be more avian than their cousins; their skin tone is noticeably darker and not yellowish. They also run much faster than Jackals, reaching speeds of up to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per hour in open environments,<ref name="enc"/> and can jump incredible heights. Like Jackals, Skirmishers have sharp talons on their hands and feet. While Kig-Yar are generally quite agile across all subsets, Skirmishers are capable of sprinting at great speeds and leaping long distances. Male Kig-Yar from T'vao had much heavier upper body plumage than other Kig-Yar. Females from T'vao had a ruff of feathers on their heads and necks instead of scales.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''Chapter 3''</ref> Young T'vaoan chicks are covered in a brown fledgling down which gradually moults and gives way to scales and plumage as they age.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 71''</ref>

The Covenant use Skirmishers as close-range combatants, attacking in packs and using lightning-fast flanking tactics, as opposed to the mainline Kig-Yar troops, who are often used as defensive and [[Kig-Yar Sniper|long-range combatants and assassins]]. Anatomically, they possess a profile similar to regular Kig-Yar, though in combat they do not wield [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|large rounded energy shields]] like the Jackals. High-ranking Skirmishers do wear point defense gauntlets or wrist shields, medium sized ovular shields strapped on to their wrists, to help them deflect bullet and light plasma fire.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63_LHQoVyxU '''YouTube''': ''Halo: Reach - 5 Minute Firefight'']</ref>

Apart from combat roles, and like the common Kig-Yar, the T'vaoans can hold commanding roles such as the title of [[shipmaster]] in the [[Covenant military]].

=== Ranks structure ===

Fresh T'vaoans start as [[Skirmisher Minor]]s (marked with black feathers and grey armor) and are promoted to [[Skirmisher Major|Major]] (marked with red feathers and greyish-red armor) once they have accumulated sufficient combat experience.

There are several specialist ranks for the Skirmishers. These specialists are equipped with their own variation of combat armor and given equipments to fulfill their specific, respective roles. The [[Skirmisher Murmillo|Murmillones]], for example, in their orange armor, are equipped [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet|point defense gauntlets]] on each arm. The [[Skirmisher Commando|Commandos]], on the other hand, don green armor and are equipped with a [[Type-27 hologram|holographic projector]].

Leading the Skirmishers in combat is the [[Skirmisher Champion|Champion]], outfitted with heavier gold armor and sometimes employing holograms to confuse their enemies.