Jiralhanae: Difference between revisions

*[[Needler]] (''Halo 3: ODST'' only)

*[[Brute Shot]]

*[[Carbine]]

*[[Shotgun]] (''Halo 2'' only)

*[[Spiker]]

*[[Incendiary Grenade]]

*[[Spike Grenade]]

*[[Plasma Grenade]]

*[[Plasma Rifle]]

*[[Plasma Cannon]]

*[[Gravity Hammer]]

*[[Mauler]]

*[[Energy Sword]] (as seen in the ''[[Et Tu Brute]]'' ''Halo 3'' trailer)

*[[Wraiths]]

*[[Ghost (vehicle)|Ghosts]]

*[[Banshee]]

*[[Phantom]]

*[[Prowler]]

*[[Brute Chopper]]

*[[War Chieftain]]

*[[Brute Chieftain]]

*[[Brute Honor Guard]]

*[[Brute Captain Ultra]]

*[[Brute Captain Major]]

*[[Brute Captain]]

*[[Brute Bodyguard]]

*[[Brute Stalker]]

*[[Jump Pack Brute]]

*[[Brute Ultra]]

*[[Brute Major]]

*[[Brute Minor]]

|notable = *[[Tartarus]]

*[[Lepidus]]

*[[Gargantum]]

*[[Bracktanus]]

*[[Brute Army Commander]]

*Baby Kongs (variations of which include BK, and its phonetic version Bravo Kilo)

*BigFoot

The '''Jiralhanae''' (Latin, ''Servus ferox'', translated to "Wild Slave"<ref>http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive29.pl?read=865756</ref>), also known as '''Brutes''', are the newest members of the Covenant. They are a large, bipedal, ape-like species from [[Doisac]]. The Jiralhanae were the the second Covenant species encountered by the [[Humans]], after the [[Kig-Yar]] raid on the freighter 'This Way Up'. They were first encountered by the Harvest colonial militia. The Brutes have a profound hatred of the [[Sangheili]], unmatched by any other feud within the Covenant, fired by the Jiralhanae's natural aggressive nature and the Sangheili's attitudes of superiority.

The Jiralhanae have been part of the Covenant since before the destruction of the [[UNSC]] agricultural colony on [[Harvest]]<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]], Page 194''</ref>, and were always feared by the Sangheili for their monomaniacal behavior. The Jiralhanaes' plans to seize power over the Sangheili began with their alliance with the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] during the [[Battle of Harvest]] and continued to gain headway until the eventual [[Great Schism|splitting]] of the Covenant. They eventually [[Changing of the Guard|took the role]] of the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophet]]s' [[Honor Guard]]s from the Sangheili after the Sangheili failed to prevent [[Regret (Level)|the assassination]] of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] by the [[John-117|Master Chief]], finally culminating with the Jiralhanae replacing the Sangheili as the leaders of the [[Covenant Military]].

[[File:AncientDoisacBrutes.png|240px|left|thumb|Ancient Brutes on Doisac.]]

[[File:1223827034 Brute group.jpg|240px|left|thumb|A [[Brute Chieftain]] performing a sermon in front of his pack.]]

Their warrior culture makes them formidable opponents, even for [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartans]], and they were incorporated into the Covenant as fierce guards for the Prophets and heavy infantry.

Brutes 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 [[Humans]] they face in battle, and have been seen eating the meat of a [[Thorn Beast]], apparently considered a delicacy among Brutes.<ref name="Halo: Contact Harvest">''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref> They have once stated they would have gladly devoured the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], had they been allowed<ref>[[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]], [[Halo 2]]-"Them? What about us? My belly aches, and his flesh is seared just the way I like it."</ref>.

As part of the Covenant, Brutes were required as a prerequisite to convert to the Prophets' religion of worshiping the [[Forerunners]]. Previously, their original culture revolved around the worship of totems and idols<ref name="Halo 3 Bestiarum"/>, but they made swift converts. As it is, the Brutes are now the most fanatical adherents to the Prophet's faith, although they seem to hold little concept of sanctity, evidenced by Tartarus's handling of the [[343 Guilty Spark (Character)|"Oracle"]], among other things.

Though Brutes are described numerous times as the most recent additions to the Covenant, their "ancient feud"<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''</ref> with the Sangheili means that their introduction into the Covenant was still some time ago.

Even at a glance, the Brutes are one of the most primitive members of the Covenant, at least technologically. Even though they employ [[Power Armor]], and use a selection of the Covenant's weapons such as the [[Brute Plasma Rifle|Plasma Rifle]], their native technology is crude; they often use weapons propelling spike-like or explosive projectiles. These weapons are often fitted with effective metal blades for melee combat.

Though the Jiralhanae retained their pack and tribal culture, their constant internal feuds began to take a back seat as enmity with the Sangheili built up, caused by the similarity in roles between the two species. Though the Jiralhanae retained the majority of their pre-Covenant technology, they also began to incorporate aspects of Covenant technology into their own designs, including mounting a plasma cannon onto their [[Brute Prowler|Prowler]], a vehicle with a strong Jiralhanae aesthetic but with some Covenant technology. The Jiralhanae have little need to learn the languages of other species, instead relying on translation devices<ref name="Halo: Contact Harvest"/>. Their exact fate, after the disastrous defeat at [[Installation 00|the Ark]], is unknown, though it is extremely unlikely that they would surrender or retreat, or that the Sangheili would allow them to. A Sangheili Shipmaster visiting [[Kholo]] noted that at least some Jiralhanae factions had formed separate from the Covenant, waging an internecine war against each other and when the remaining [[San 'Shyuum]] retreated into hiding, they returned to their primitive savage nature, allowing the Sangheili to gain the upper hand in battle.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', "The Return"</ref>.

They have very sharp teeth and sometimes use them as a weapon. Standing roughly 8" feet tall, [[John-117]] barely survived a hand-to-hand battle with one, proving how physically powerful they can be. However it should be noted that John-117 and the other Spartans were suffering from the non-stop combat they had endured since the battle of Reach, with John-117 sustaining, in Doctor Halsey's words, "Burns, brain damage, fractures, and internal bleeding". The other Spartans involved in the fight had sustained various injuries from falling over two kilometers at terminal velocity onto Reach's surface. It appears that their physical strength cannot be accurately quantified.<ref>''[[Halo 2 Collector's Edition Game Manual]]''</ref>

The Brutes, with the exception of [[Tartarus]], did not use energy shielding in ''[[Halo 2]]''. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', all of them are equipped with [[Power Armor]] that emphasizes their natural strength and power. Brutes speak in deep, gravelly voices when speaking Human languages and speak their native language as a series of grunts, hisses, roars and deep communal howls during ceremonies and for communication.

In many military records, Brutes are referred to as 'Bravo Kilos', since [[UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] have nicknamed Brutes "Baby Kongs" or "Gorillas", a reference to King Kong.

Brutes are physically imposing enemies to face in combat. Standing at approximately 8 feet tall, they not only tower over their [[human]] opponents, but the majority of their Covenant allies, with only [[Hunters]] standing taller. They have thick, gray skin that is extremely resilient to damage.

In [[Halo 2|their first appearance]], they are covered in thick, shaggy fur that offers further protection. It covers most of the body except for the head and the shoulder blades. However, the Brutes in ''[[Halo 2]]'' are shaggier than those of ''[[Halo 3]]''. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Brutes have what looks like scales on their arms, but it may have been extensions to their armor, or simply their thick skin, as seen from McFarlane action figures. Brutes exhibit two coloration's: brown and gray. This is perhaps an indication of age, since lower ranking Brutes are brown and most [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Honor Guards]], and [[Tartarus]] himself, are grey. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', they are seen with shaven faces, which increase the fearful effect they have on opponents.

In ''Halo 3'' Brutes have mixed red-and-blue blood (on first glance they look completely red, but on closer inspection one would see blue spots in pools of Brute blood). At a casual glance, it appears purple. In ''Halo 2'', however, it appeared black. Brutes resemble a cross between an ape and a rhino, being taller and more muscular in the torso and limbs than a [[human]].  

Brutes have digits on each hand including opposable thumbs. As such they can make use of a variety of weapons both of Covenant and human design. Their feet have only two digits. The Halo 3 Tartarus figure has a red tongue but if this is canon is unknown. When it comes to ranged conflict Brutes show a tendency to use large, rapid firing, often powerful weapons. This may be indicative of their mentality and an extension of their brutal nature. The many spikes and serrated edges that adorn their race's weapons, vehicles and armor further exhibit this. It is interesting to note that in ''[[Halo 2]]'' Jiralhanae can be seen using human [[Shotguns]]. The Brutes also wield a handgun version of the Shotgun, the [[Mauler]], in ''Halo 3''.

Brutes are known to descend into a highly aggressive berserk killing-rage when all their pack mates have been killed. Their incredible physical strength coupled with a dogged self determination to kill their target makes a berserk Brute a force to be reckoned with, powerful enough even to kill [[Hunters]] (if they slam into the Hunter enough). Also, when berserking, they will not hesitate to attack an enemy, even if the target is in a vehicle, such as a [[Ghost]]. If the target is in a [[Spectre]] or [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]], they will board it and attempt to kill (in a [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]) or force the enemy out (such as in a [[Warthog]] or [[Spectre]]). Interestingly, they will neither attack nor hijack a low flying vehicle (such as a [[Banshee]]).

Brutes are extremely zealous creatures, known for their willingness to cling to ancient, bloody traditions and are deep believers in the promise of the [[Great Journey]] and in the [[Forerunners]]. Their home world is war torn, and Brutes are known for their particular joy in vicious activity, complimented by regimented discipline.

'''[[Jiralhanae Army Commander]]''' - Only in [[Halo Wars]], probably same rank or near same rank as Chieftain of the Jiralhanae. May be a specific rank created for war and conflict, such as the [[Human-Covenant war]].

*During concept stages for [[Halo 3]], the Brutes were planned to use deployable metal shields, rather than the energy shields used by Elites. This idea was eventually cut from the final game, although it would inspire the Brutes ducking animation.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Animation_BillOBrien</ref>

*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' the power armor of the Brutes completely lights up instead of small sparks marking where gun fire hits their armor like in ''[[Halo 3]]''. This makes them similar to [[Elite]] and [[Spartan-II]] Energy Shields.

 

*In ''Contact Harvest'', it is said that the honorable way to finish off one's relative when battling to the death for leadership rights to become the next Chieftain is to use their ceremonial dagger to slice their opponent's throat.

 

*The word "Jiralhanae" is a Korean word, roughly meaning "stupid aggressive lunatic", which describes the Brutes' aggressive personality.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Covenant_%28Halo%29&diff=next&oldid=45665662</ref>

 

*''Servus'' is Latin for slave. ''Ferox'' means "headstrong, spirited, courageous, warlike/wild, arrogant, unbridled, or belligerent". In a translation, their name means "headstrong slave", likely a nudge at their devout faith in the [[Great Journey]].

*In ''Halo 2'', it is possible to find Brutes wielding Human [[Shotgun]]s. This is the only in-game instance of a Covenant member making use of human weaponry by default.

*The "-us" suffix on the end of Brute names is actually a Latin noun ending, which designates something as masculine.

 

*Although in ''[[Contact Harvest]]'' the Brutes wear the armor that they wear in ''[[Halo 3]]'', the armor changes for some reason in ''Halo 2''. For example, [[Tartarus]] wore the Red Captain armor but it disappears in ''Halo 2''. This may be accounted for the fact that the Brutes were added "a little too late" (according to ''Et Tu Brute'') in ''Halo 2''. Nonetheless, the question remains of why the Brutes gave up their power armor. The Brutes seen in ''Halo Wars'' also wear the ''Halo 3'' Brute armor. This is most likely because Tartarus' pack had a different armor code.

*[[Halo Wars]] was the first game to have the Brutes, or any Covenant species for that matter, mentioned by their actual name rather than their human equivalent. This is when they are encountered on the level, [[Anders' Signal (Level)|Anders' Signal]]. [[Serina]] describes them as Jiralhanae, then states that they are also known as Brutes.

*In the ''Halo Legends'' episode ''The Package'', Brutes are depicted without their armor, have green blood, and appear to be less resilient to ballistic damage than in the games. In the episode, Brutes are shown commanding squads of Grunts and Jackals instead of Elites on an Elite-controlled ship.

*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', if any Brute becomes infected by the [[Flood]] he will turn into a [[Combat Form#Jiralhanae (Brute) Form|Flood-infected Brute Minor]] due to graphical restraints. However, if the player triggers a loading point that removes the Flood from the level while a Infection Form has begun the infection process, the Flood Infection Form will be deleted, the infection process will be stopped yet the transformation will simultaneously complete. This will result in infected Brutes who are allied with the Flood while retaining berserking, appearance, and hijacking abilities. The only noticeable Flood features are signs of Flood infection growing on their back. The only known instance of half-infected Brutes is on The Covenant.