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Arbiter: Difference between revisions
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The title was originally the greatest religious, military, and political rank of the Sangheili. After they joined the Covenant, however, the role was downplayed in importance somewhat, with the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] ranking higher in political matters. This would eventually change again: approximately 400 years before the Human-Covenant war, [[Fal 'Chavamee|an Arbiter]] declared he did not believe in the Great Journey and was stripped of his rank and killed. Thus the title became a brand of shame. Arbiters were sent on highly perilous and suicidal missions by the Hierarchs. On these missions, the Arbiter was expected to die and to become another great martyr of the Covenant on their path to the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} This was seen as a way to regain, in part, their honor. Depending on the nature of his assignment an Arbiter would have either acted alone as a singular combatant, with support by [[Covenant military]] forces, or they were tasked to lead large numbers of Covenant troops.<ref name="h2journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> | The title was originally the greatest religious, military, and political rank of the Sangheili. After they joined the Covenant, however, the role was downplayed in importance somewhat, with the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] ranking higher in political matters. This would eventually change again: approximately 400 years before the Human-Covenant war, [[Fal 'Chavamee|an Arbiter]] declared he did not believe in the Great Journey and was stripped of his rank and killed. Thus the title became a brand of shame. Arbiters were sent on highly perilous and suicidal missions by the Hierarchs. On these missions, the Arbiter was expected to die and to become another great martyr of the Covenant on their path to the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} This was seen as a way to regain, in part, their honor. Depending on the nature of his assignment an Arbiter would have either acted alone as a singular combatant, with support by [[Covenant military]] forces, or they were tasked to lead large numbers of Covenant troops.<ref name="h2journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> | ||
Notable Arbiters have been appointed by the Prophets during incidents such as the Taming of the Lekgolo, the Unggoy Rebellion, the [[Human-Covenant War]], and most recently, the threat of the [[heretics]] led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}<ref name="enc138">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 138''</ref> | Notable Arbiters have been appointed by the Prophets during incidents such as the Taming of the Lekgolo, the Unggoy Rebellion, the [[Human-Covenant War]], and most recently, the threat of the [[heretics]] led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}<ref name="enc138">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe]]''', ''page 138''</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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{{Quote|The tasks you must undertake as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will die, as each Arbiter has before you.|The High Prophet of Mercy, to Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}}} | {{Quote|The tasks you must undertake as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will die, as each Arbiter has before you.|The High Prophet of Mercy, to Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}}}} | ||
[[File:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Arbiter that quelled the Unggoy Rebellion.]] | [[File:H2A Terminals - UR Arbiter 2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Arbiter that quelled the Unggoy Rebellion.]] | ||
Originally, the function of Arbiter was to serve as the ruler of the [[Sangheili]] species.{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm6}} When the [[Covenant]] was established, the title of Arbiter was one of the few pieces of Sangheili culture that was left unmolested by the [[San'Shyuum]]. The Arbiter continued to serve as the commander-in-chief of the [[Covenant military]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm7}} and served as the guardian of the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref>'''[[Halo Channel]]''': ''Who is the Arbiter? - Part 1''</ref> After the function of Arbiter was altered approximately four hundred years prior to [[2552]], the Arbiter followed the direct orders of the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Reuse|Duel}} Every Arbiter was chosen during a time of great conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} Arbiters were charged with carrying out extremely dangerous missions that were meant to redeem themselves from past sins and heresies through death. Although the Arbiters were aware that their title was a death sentence, they would gladly carry out the Hierarchs' missions and anticipated a glorious death to regain lost honor.{{Ref/Reuse|enc138}}{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm11}} To most members of the Covenant, especially the [[Unggoy]], the Arbiter was seen as a savior in times of dire need; their Sangheili peers consider them the living embodiment of the "Will of the Prophets".{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} Their corpses—or presumably memorials in some cases{{Ref/Reuse|Escape}}<ref name="ENC"> '''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 139''</ref>—were housed in identical caskets in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]. In the center of this room was a floating pod that contained the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]] when one was not currently appointed. This armor, while highly decorative, is fully functional as battle armor.{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} | Originally, the function of Arbiter was to serve as the ruler of the [[Sangheili]] species.{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm6}} When the [[Covenant]] was established, the title of Arbiter was one of the few pieces of Sangheili culture that was left unmolested by the [[San'Shyuum]]. The Arbiter continued to serve as the commander-in-chief of the [[Covenant military]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm7}} and served as the guardian of the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref>'''[[Halo Channel]]''': ''Who is the Arbiter? - Part 1''</ref> After the function of Arbiter was altered approximately four hundred years prior to [[2552]], the Arbiter followed the direct orders of the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Reuse|Duel}} Every Arbiter was chosen during a time of great conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} Arbiters were charged with carrying out extremely dangerous missions that were meant to redeem themselves from past sins and heresies through death. Although the Arbiters were aware that their title was a death sentence, they would gladly carry out the Hierarchs' missions and anticipated a glorious death to regain lost honor.{{Ref/Reuse|enc138}}{{Ref/Reuse|h2aterm11}} To most members of the Covenant, especially the [[Unggoy]], the Arbiter was seen as a savior in times of dire need; their Sangheili peers consider them the living embodiment of the "Will of the Prophets".{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} Their corpses—or presumably memorials in some cases{{Ref/Reuse|Escape}}<ref name="ENC"> '''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 139''</ref>—were housed in identical caskets in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]. In the center of this room was a floating pod that contained the [[Arbiter body armor|armor of the Arbiter]] when one was not currently appointed. This armor, while highly decorative, is fully functional as battle armor.{{Ref/Reuse|h2arbiter}} | ||
Though considered a commanding role of high esteem, the Arbiter was condemned to a life of suicidal missions to regain his honor. This includes the current Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], who was branded a heretic for his failure to protect [[Installation 04|one of]] the sacred [[Halo Array|Halo rings]] from the so-called "[[Demon]]", [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] [[John-117]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> Although the Arbiter is a singular warrior, he has the authority to give orders to other Covenant soldiers; this command can be likened to that of a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[General|four-star general]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', ''instruction manual''</ref> Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] once activated his [[Type-1 energy sword|energy swords]] in the presence of a [[Prophet of Regret|Hierarch]], something that was normally seen as an act of aggression against the Prophet and was punishable by death. His status as Arbiter is likely the only reason the nearby [[Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] did not kill him on the spot.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''</ref> | Though considered a commanding role of high esteem, the Arbiter was condemned to a life of suicidal missions to regain his honor. This includes the current Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], who was branded a heretic for his failure to protect [[Installation 04|one of]] the sacred [[Halo Array|Halo rings]] from the so-called "[[Demon]]", [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] [[John-117]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> Although the Arbiter is a singular warrior, he has the authority to give orders to other Covenant soldiers; this command can be likened to that of a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[General|four-star general]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', ''instruction manual''</ref> Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] once activated his [[Type-1 energy sword|energy swords]] in the presence of a [[Prophet of Regret|Hierarch]], something that was normally seen as an act of aggression against the Prophet and was punishable by death. His status as Arbiter is likely the only reason the nearby [[Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]] did not kill him on the spot.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''</ref> | ||