Great Schism: Difference between revisions
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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> | 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 [[Covenant religion# | 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#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. | ||
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[[File:H2A Terminals - Murder of the Councilors.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The massacre of the Sangheili High Councilors.]] | [[File:H2A Terminals - Murder of the Councilors.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The massacre of the Sangheili High Councilors.]] | ||
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 | 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, like Regret was, 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 all 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> All Sangheili in the room were killed, many smashed into bloody pieces by [[Gravity Hammer]]s. Concurrently, [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]] and his Jiralhanae attempted to kill [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadamee]], knocking him into the pit of [[Library]]] and seizing the [[Index]] from him, as ordered by Truth. This would spark the start of the Great Schism. | ||
Word of the massacre of the Sangheili Councilors immediately spread, and was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili. 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 slaughter 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 | 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 few 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 [[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]] discovered that the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]] was attempting to aid the Sangheili, and 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, the High Prophet of 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. Clarity, '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> High Charity fell to the flood, leaving the Covenant without a capital and the dying San'Shyuum without a homeworld. Sangheili ships attempted to quarantine the region of space around High Charity, preventing any possibly infected ships from leaving, while also shooting down enemy Jiralhanae ships. | |||
[[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> | ||
The civil war was at first a conflict over orthodoxy and leadership, | The civil war was at first a conflict over orthodoxy and leadership, as [[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] summoned many Sangheili to [[Joyous Exultation]] in a plot to wipe out the Jiralhanae. However a revelation among the Sangheili occurred when Thel 'Vadam's [[Fleet of Retribution|contingent]] discovered the truth about the Halos and the Great Journey from both the [[Gravemind]] and [[343 Guilty Spark]]. Their disillusionment with reliogion changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively standing against the [[Covenant religion]] the following day. | ||
===Sangheili-human alliance=== | ===Sangheili-human alliance=== | ||
[[File:HLC The Great Schism.jpg|250px|thumb|left|One of the Sangheili leaders, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], duels against the Jiralhanae leader [[Tartarus]].]] | [[File:HLC The Great Schism.jpg|250px|thumb|left|One of the Sangheili leaders, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], duels against the Jiralhanae leader [[Tartarus]].]] | ||
A shaky alliance between | On [[Installation 05]], [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson's]] marines met [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam's]] forces and united to prevent the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], [[Tartarus]], from activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array.<ref name="journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> The Arbiter fought Tartarus face to face, while Johnson picked away at the Jiralhanae's shields with a [[Beam Rifle]] from afar. After killing Tartarus, the Arbiter solidified this alliance of circumstance by bringing in all local Sangheili forces to side with Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] and the UNSC. A shaky alliance between these Sangheili and their former foes, the [[human]]s, was forged out of necessity and revenge against the Covenant to some extent.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' "I will have my revenge on a Prophet, not a plague!"</ref> Both sides had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. Meanwhile, [[Rtas 'Vadum]] led a strike team of Sangheili to capture the [[Shadow of Intent]] from the Jiralhanae as a flagship for their local forces, forming the [[Fleet of Retribution]]. | ||
Weeks later on November 17, the devastated [[UNSC Home Fleet]] attempted a last-ditch assault on the High Prophet of Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], which had integrated with [[Portal at Voi|the Forerunner artifact]] that Regret had discovered nearly a month prior. This attack failed and a [[Indulgence of Conviction|Flood-controlled battlecruiser]] crashed in [[Voi]] only moments after Truth's fleet entered the [[Slipspace portal|portal]] generated by the artifact.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> However, the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], arrived in pursuit of the cruiser. After the fleet glassed the city and its environs, the Sangheili and UNSC agreed to follow Truth beyond the portal.<ref name="floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>{{clear}} | |||
====The Ark==== | ====The Ark==== | ||
