Sangheili: Difference between revisions

Originally a founding species of the unified conglomerate of races known as the Covenant, they later led the Covenant breakaway faction known as the [[Covenant Separatists]], who sided with the humans against their former allies, due to the fact that the [[Prophet of Truth]] and the [[Prophet of Mercy]] had ordered the genocide of the entire Sangheili race. This was established after the assassination of the [[Prophet of Regret]] at the hands of the [[John-117|"Demon"]]. It was the Sangheili who were ultimately held responsible for the Prophet of Regret's death, and were seen as "unfit" to continue to guard the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophets]]. The Prophets sought to achieve this through the use of the other Covenant races, primarily the [[Brutes]]. The aftermath of the [[Great Schism]] formed the bedrock of the Covenant's ultimate collapse.  

When the Prophets declared war on a previously unknown species called "Humans", the Sangheili followed their lead without question. After a period of time, however, even though the Prophets insisted that the Humans were "unclean beings" that must be eliminated from the galaxy, many seasoned Sangheili veterans began to question the refusal of the Prophets to even consider accepting the Humans into the Covenant.<ref group="Notes">Thel 'Vadam mentioned "even the smallest [[humans]] hurl themselves against our defenses with honor. If only the [[Unggoy]] were as committed." This shows that humans have earned grudging respect of the Sangheili. They claimed variously that Humans are "tenacious", that their technology is "limited, but...useful", that their battle techniques are "impressive", and that they are "excellent strategists".</ref><ref>'''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''', ''[[Conversations_from_the_Universe#Sangheili_Conversation|Sangheili Conversation]]''</ref> They seem to believe that Humans, although physically weak, at least compared to themselves, are brave and even honorable. Certainly, most Sangheili believe that Humans should be offered admittance to the Covenant. Some even believe that the Humans are equal to them - a ''considerable'' step for a Sangheili, or any member of the Covenant to make. The Sangheili admired how willing and brave the Humans were when fighting to survive against outright extinction, they even respected to a certain degree those few soldiers who were willing to stay behind and cover their comrades from a Covenant attack. A few Sangheili even had some degree of disrespect for the [[Prophets]] before the Great Schism.

Sangheili are at least 2.24 meters tall including helmet and armor, have two fingers and two thumbs on each hand which are much larger than human fingers and thumbs, which make the Sangheili look ungainly when wielding small human weapons such as the [[M6 Series|pistol]]. They look vaguely like lizards or [[Wikipedia:Theropod|theropods]], except for their jaws. When wearing armor, they take on a shark-like look because of the "fins" on the sides of their helmets. Their jaws are made up of four separate mandibles attached to their face, a more insect-like trait. The Sangheili are attributed for great strength and intelligence, and are praised for their bravery and honor. Sangheili warriors augment these natural abilities further through use of [[Sangheili Personal Energy Shield|Energy Shields]] integrated into their armor. Depending upon rank and mission objective, they are commonly seen in battle with [[Plasma Rifles]], [[Covenant Carbines]], [[Needlers]], [[Type-31 Rifle]] and sometimes, if they are higher ranked, [[Energy Swords]]. Sangheili employ coffin-like [[Orbital Insertion Pods]] as well as [[Phantom]] and [[Spirit]] Dropships for military transit purposes and rapid-response operations. Historically, Sangheili have followed the Covenant mentality of maintaining hatred towards Humanity, believing them to be an affront to their religion and a challenge towards the Great Journey. However there are signs that this stance is being slowly abandoned as seen in the tentative alliance between the two enemies, forming the core allied [[Covenant Separatists|faction]] at the end of ''Halo 2'' and during ''Halo 3''.

Sangheili are muscular and at least a foot taller than a [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]]. Their jaws are quadruple-hinged, with an upper jaw and four mandible-like lips. With few exceptions, these mandibles are generally shown with six teeth each; many sources also depict an additional large fang on the tips of each mandible.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''', ''page 7''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''page ??''</ref> Anywhere from eight to ten broader teeth have been observed mounted on the central jaw structure. In ''Halo Wars'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the Sangheili are depicted with more numerous, more feral-looking teeth. In the ''[[Halo Legends]]'' short ''[[The Duel]]'', the Sangheili [[Han (The Duel)|Han]], [[Fal 'Chavamee]], and [[Roe]], keep their mandibles closed, using only the front two joints of their lower mandibles to speak, giving them a more humanoid appearance. While it may not actually be canon to the ''Halo'' franchise, it is possible that the Sangheili don't usually use all four of their mandibles, except when breathing heavily; an example would be during combat situations, though this has yet to be confirmed. Sangheili smell with the use of two nostrils, each a little in front and below the eye socket. Given their predatory nature, a Sangheili's sense of smell is likely very developed. Their hands are [[Wikipedia:Tetradactyly|tetradactyl]], having four digits; two middle fingers, and two opposing thumbs on the outside for grasping. Their legs are [[Wikipedia:Digitigrade|digitigrade]], with short upper and lower legs, and elongated tarsals, using the distal and intermediate phalanges to support their weight when walking. This arrangement possibly allows them to run very quickly and jump large distances, compared to ordinary humans and other Covenant races.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 201''</ref> Their superior agility may also be attributed to their homeworld's higher gravity; the additional strength required to move normally in a high-gravity environment would likely cause them to be more powerful in lower gravity situations. They also appear to have a double set of pectoral muscles, which contribute to their incredible strength.

Sangheili have a binary vascular system<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts Of Onyx]]''', ''page 226''</ref><ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page ???''</ref> which circulates indigo-colored blood through their veins; the coloration is most likely caused by bimetallic [[Wikipedia:Hemoglobin|hemoglobin]], possibly cobalt-iron, whereas the crimson-blooded Humans possess monometallic iron-based hemoglobin. Though there are many theories on the subject, the chemical formula(e) of Sangheili hemoglobin is still unknown. It is assumed that they breathe oxygen, as they can breathe the same atmosphere as humans without any trouble, and their homeworld has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, similar to Earth's.

What the Sangheili consider to be dishonorable has also limited their flexibility in battle. Being wounded is considered a dishonor by the Sangheili, and it has been seen that most Sangheili go berserk upon having their blood spilled and charge straight at their enemies for revenge. Others, such as [[Jora 'Konaree]], have chosen to kill themselves after being seriously wounded in battle. The preference of most Sangheili to die rather than live wounded has resulted in unnecessary casualties. Retreat is viewed as an even greater dishonor, and many Sangheili have doomed themselves to be killed rather than retreat. The UNSC has very frequently taken advantage of the Sangheili concept of honor to lure them into traps. Although, after the downfall of the Covenant; the Elites have referred to making what they see as dishonorable and making it similar to human tactics. Examples of this include [[Operation: First Strike]], [[Kurt-051|Kurt's]] final actions in the [[Battle of Onyx]], the [[Battle of Alpha Base]], and [[Preston Cole|Cole's]] Last Stand at [[Battle of Psi Serpentis|Psi Serpentis]].

In many ways, the Sangheili are much like humans. They communicate, are loyal to their superiors and comrades, become protective of their troops and become angry and vengeful if other Sangheili are killed. They fear very little, taking great pride in an ancient, honor-laden code. Even when mortally wounded, the Sangheili still charge towards the enemy in a doomed last minute attack. Sangheili honor also dictates that they always be the first ones into a battle, and to never allow themselves to be captured alive.{{citation needed}} The more honorable captured Sangheili typically commit suicide while in prison to retain some measure of honor; often times when they are freed those who have not are executed anyway, as was the case with one of Thel Vadam's ancestors. However, escaping or staging an uprising is acceptable, by the same example. <ref name="CP170">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 170, 195-196''</ref>

The Sangheili place great value in their names, and it is considered both a privilege and an honor for only those proved worthy. The Sangheili generally consider humans to be nameless (one notable exception being the Spartans encountered in the battlefield, whom they exclusively refer to as "Demons"), and resent that the humans have assigned the label "Elite" to them (although they have been given many other names far more derogatory, such as squid-head, split lip, split face, etc). The word "Elite" is often transposed as an English translation of their own name in-game and in other media.

|This rank seems to be the Sangheili equivalent of the [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain]]. This rank is likely part of the Zealot class. "General" may simply be a human-given name for the rank of Field Master, given their similar roles.

*It is mentioned in ''The Fall of Reach'' that Covenant races would rather fight their enemies with their bare hands than pick up fully loaded human weapons, yet they show no shame when they obtain them in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 2''. They will sometimes even thank the player when handed a powerful human weapon such as the Rocket Launcher. This is likely because they are Covenant Separatists, and no longer view humans as heretics, nor their weapons 'unclean'.

*There has been a running inconsistency in the franchise regarding when humans first encountered the Sangheili. According to ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Elites had not been deployed to combat against the UNSC prior to the Fall of Reach when John-117 encountered one above Reach.<ref>[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]</ref> However, this has been abandoned in newer sources, most of which depict Sangheili being active in the field for most of the Human-Covenant War. Finally, the project page for ''Halo: Reach'' confirms that Elites have been observed in the field since the [[First Battle of Harvest]] in [[2525]].<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=24611 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach: Enemies - Elite'']</ref>