Great Schism: Difference between revisions
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===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
{{Quote|no=two|1=Thel 'Vadamee|q1=We are strong, Kig-Yar. That is why we sit at the right hand of the Prophets.|2=Reth|q2=One day that shall pass.|3=Conversation between [[Reth]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee in [[2535]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 229''</ref>}} | {{Quote|no=two|1=Thel 'Vadamee|q1=We are strong, Kig-Yar. That is why we sit at the right hand of the Prophets.|2=Reth|q2=One day that shall pass.|3=Conversation between [[Reth]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee in [[2535]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 229''</ref>}} | ||
For centuries over the course of the [[history of the Covenant]], various high ranking [[Sangheili]] with great influence would eventually | [[File:H2A Terminals - Sangheili surrender.png|250px|thumb|left|The Sangheili threatened San'Shyuum power, while the Jiralhanae threatened Sangheili power.]] | ||
For centuries over the course of the [[history of the Covenant]], various high ranking [[Sangheili]] with great influence would use their power to ask questions, eventually coming close to discovering the truth about the [[Forerunner]]s. Discovering such a truth would falsify the [[Covenant religion]] and shatter the empire along with its power structure. As such, the [[San'Shyuum]] [[High Prophet]]s perceived these influential Sangheili as a threat to their authority, and would send them on suicidal missions decorated under the honorary guise of [[Arbiter]]s to discretely remove their threatening presence.<ref>[[Halo 2: Anniversary]] - [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 11]] - "In some cases, that influence was already being used to question the decisions of your Hierarchs. In fact, that very questioning often gave rise to the charges of heresy that so neatly removed the challenger from the Hierarchs' concern."</ref> | |||
With this history of influential Sangheili well documented among the High Prophets, the threat the Sangheili posed was made even more apparent in [[2552]], when [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]] spread information about the Great Journey being false.<ref>[[Halo 2]] - [[The Arbiter]] - "Our Prophets are false! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is a-"</ref> Intending to prevent the Covenant from falling apart and losing power, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] made plans to eject the entire Sangheili species from the hegemony, viewing them as untrustworthy and doubting their reliability and loyalty. [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadamee]], another powerful and influential Sangheili, failing to prevent the [[John-117|Demon]] from [[Battle of Installation 04|destroying]] a holy [[Installation 04|"Sacred Ring"]] further perpetuated distrust toward the Sangheili. | With this history of influential Sangheili well documented among the High Prophets, the threat the Sangheili posed was made even more apparent in [[2552]], when [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]] spread information about the [[Covenant religion#The_Great_Journey|Great Journey]] being false.<ref>[[Halo 2]] - [[The Arbiter]] - "Our Prophets are false! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is a-"</ref> Intending to prevent the Covenant from falling apart and losing power, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] made plans to eject the entire Sangheili species from the hegemony, viewing them as untrustworthy and doubting their reliability and loyalty. [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadamee]], another powerful and influential Sangheili, failing to prevent the [[John-117|Demon]] from [[Battle of Installation 04|destroying]] a holy [[Installation 04|"Sacred Ring"]] further perpetuated distrust toward the Sangheili. | ||
The High Prophet of Truth plotted to eventually replace the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]], as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns. Ever since the Jiralhanae's integration in [[2492]], their dominating physicality and aggressive behavior was perceived as a threat by the Sangheili to their superior status in the Covenant hierarchy. In turn, the Sangheili treated the Jiralhanae poorly and oppressed them, to keep them in line. Competition for dominance in the Covenant military and hatred festered between the two species, though the Sangheili maintained their authority and power a founding race. Feeding off of their societal rivalry, Truth knew that the Jiralhanae would be more than happy to replace the Sangheili as the Covenant's military leaders. He had appointed [[Tartarus]], a loyal Jiralhanae, to the position of [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] who would help him execute his plan. Truth kept these schemes to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. | The High Prophet of Truth plotted to eventually replace the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]], as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns. Ever since the Jiralhanae's integration in [[2492]], their dominating physicality and aggressive behavior was perceived as a threat by the Sangheili to their superior status in the Covenant hierarchy. In turn, the Sangheili treated the Jiralhanae poorly and oppressed them, to keep them in line. Competition for dominance in the Covenant military and hatred festered between the two species, though the Sangheili maintained their authority and power a founding race. Feeding off of their societal rivalry, Truth knew that the Jiralhanae would be more than happy to replace the Sangheili as the Covenant's military leaders. He had appointed [[Tartarus]], a loyal Jiralhanae, to the position of [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] who would help him execute his plan. Truth kept these schemes to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. | ||
===Secret preparations=== | ===Secret preparations=== | ||
After the High Prophet of Truth learned the location of the [[Earth|human homeworld]], he secretly amassed [[Truth's fleet|a fleet]] of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 297''</ref> In [[2552#September|September 2552]], this station and the fleet [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|were destroyed]] by a group of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 407''</ref> This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.<ref name="oct20">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref> | After the High Prophet of Truth learned the location of the [[Earth|human homeworld]], he secretly amassed [[Truth's fleet|a fleet]] of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 297''</ref> In [[2552#September|September 2552]], this station and the fleet [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|were destroyed]] by a group of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 407''</ref> This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.<ref name="oct20">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref> | ||
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The High Prophet of Truth predicted that the High Council would elect a new Hierarch to replace Regret, and so he made his move to eliminate the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] to prevent another moderate Prophet from being elected.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/high-council '''Halo Waypoint''': ''High Council'']</ref> Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by ordering the assassination of many Sangheili Councilors.<ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> Many Sangheili High Councilors and former Honor Guards were ordered to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of Installation 05 to begin preparing for the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]]. However, [[Jiralhanae Captain]] [[Melchus]] arrived at the Control Room with a large, heavily armed contingent of Jiralhanae and proceeded to massacre the Councilors and former guardsmen.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 219-222'' (Google Play edition)</ref> This would spark the start of the Great Schism. | The High Prophet of Truth predicted that the High Council would elect a new Hierarch to replace Regret, and so he made his move to eliminate the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] to prevent another moderate Prophet from being elected.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/high-council '''Halo Waypoint''': ''High Council'']</ref> Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by ordering the assassination of many Sangheili Councilors.<ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> Many Sangheili High Councilors and former Honor Guards were ordered to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of Installation 05 to begin preparing for the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]]. However, [[Jiralhanae Captain]] [[Melchus]] arrived at the Control Room with a large, heavily armed contingent of Jiralhanae and proceeded to massacre the Councilors and former guardsmen.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 219-222'' (Google Play edition)</ref> This would spark the start of the Great Schism. | ||
This massacre of the Sangheili Councilors was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many [[Mgalekgolo]] and [[Unggoy]]. The Jiralhanae and other loyalists were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt, rejecting their newly elevated status. After the assassination of the Councilors, war and violence broke out on ''High Charity'', with the two sides polarizing quickly. Video messages of the various massacres were sent to all Sangheili forces,<ref>[[Halo: Evolutions]] [[The Return]] (Motion Comic) - "We were scouting for humans when the message came in. I could not comprehend what I was seeing. Our betrayal by the Prophets. The Slaughter of our leaders."</ref> resulting in the entire species learning that they had been forced out of the Covenant.<ref name="Elites">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae Canon Fodder] - "The resulting conflict would be called the Great Schism, and it would divide the Covenant into two, ultimately forcing the Sangheili out."</ref> | This massacre of the Sangheili Councilors was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many [[Mgalekgolo]] and [[Unggoy]]. The Jiralhanae and other loyalists were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt, rejecting their newly elevated status, and were ordered to kill all Sangheili on sight. After the assassination of the Councilors, war and violence broke out on ''High Charity'', with the two sides polarizing quickly. Video messages of the various massacres were sent to all Sangheili forces,<ref>[[Halo: Evolutions]] [[The Return]] (Motion Comic) - "We were scouting for humans when the message came in. I could not comprehend what I was seeing. Our betrayal by the Prophets. The Slaughter of our leaders."</ref> resulting in the entire species learning that they had been forced out of the Covenant.<ref name="Elites">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/jiralhanae Canon Fodder] - "The resulting conflict would be called the Great Schism, and it would divide the Covenant into two, ultimately forcing the Sangheili out."</ref> | ||
[[File:H2A-Brutes vs Elites.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Former Sangheili Honor Guards fight with the Jiralhanae on ''High Charity''.]] | [[File:H2A-Brutes vs Elites.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Former Sangheili Honor Guards fight with the Jiralhanae on ''High Charity''.]] | ||
The ships within the [[High Charity defense fleet]] began shooting each other down while gunfire erupted aboard the interior ''High Charity''. At the front lines of the conflict, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Those who followed the High Prophets included all San'Shyuum and Jiralhanae (with a [[Zo Resken|few]] [[Piety|exceptions]]),<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 55''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle'''</ref> many [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], some Unggoy, and a minority of the Mgalekgolo. The forces allied with all the Sangheili consisted of many Mgalekgolo, Unggoy and [[Huragok]].<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''page 509''</ref> | The ships within the [[High Charity defense fleet]] began shooting each other down while gunfire erupted aboard the interior ''High Charity''. At the front lines of the conflict, the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Those who followed the High Prophets included all San'Shyuum and Jiralhanae (with a [[Zo Resken|few]] [[Piety|exceptions]]),<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 55''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle'''</ref> many [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], some Unggoy, and a minority of the Mgalekgolo. The forces allied with all the Sangheili consisted of many Mgalekgolo, Unggoy and [[Huragok]].<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''page 509''</ref> | ||
After discovering that the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]] was attempting to aid the Sangheili, the [[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]] attempted to have him executed for treason. However, a group of Sangheili led by [[G'torik 'Klemmee]] arrived and rescued the Prophet of Clarity—killing Exquisite Devotion in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 242''</ref> | After discovering that the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]] was attempting to aid the Sangheili, the [[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]] attempted to have him executed for treason. However, a group of Sangheili led by [[G'torik 'Klemmee]] arrived and rescued the Prophet of Clarity—killing Exquisite Devotion in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 242''</ref> After the Sangheili-led and Jiralhanae-led forces fought each other in High Charity for several hours, [[Flood]] infected [[Pelican]]s eventually crashed into the holy city spreading the parasite. Around this time, Truth left the [[High Prophet of Mercy]] to die at the hands of the Flood, solidifying his place as the autocrat of the Covenant.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>. The chaos was further intensified when Truth abanoned High Charity in the [[Forerunner dreadnought]], disconnecting it from the grid, leaving the entire city in the dark without power amongst the Flood. Resken, 'Klemmee, and the rest of their small group would later escape ''High Charity'' aboard a stolen supply ship, ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 250''</ref> | ||
[[Chol Von]], a [[T'vaoan]] [[Shipmaster|shipmistress]], renamed her [[missionary ship]] ''[[Paragon|Joyous Discovery]]'' as ''Paragon'' at some point of the Great Schism.<ref name="md141">'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 141''</ref> During the Schism, she captured a [[Phantom]], killing two [[Sangheili]] in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 73''</ref> | [[Chol Von]], a [[T'vaoan]] [[Shipmaster|shipmistress]], renamed her [[missionary ship]] ''[[Paragon|Joyous Discovery]]'' as ''Paragon'' at some point of the Great Schism.<ref name="md141">'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 141''</ref> During the Schism, she captured a [[Phantom]], killing two [[Sangheili]] in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 73''</ref> | ||
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Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining Sangheili and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo [[Installation 08]] was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI [[Cortana]] had escaped on the frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.<ref name="h3 halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining Sangheili and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo [[Installation 08]] was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI [[Cortana]] had escaped on the frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.<ref name="h3 halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | ||
== | ==Aftermath== | ||
[[File:Escalation schism.png|thumb|200px|left|An Elite fights against a Brute raiding his settlement.]] | [[File:Escalation schism.png|thumb|200px|left|An Elite fights against a Brute raiding his settlement.]] | ||
{{Main|Sangheili-Jiralhanae war}} | {{Main|Sangheili-Jiralhanae war}} | ||
