Great Schism: Difference between revisions

[[Unidentified Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster]]<ref name="The Return"/> <br>

The '''Great Schism''',<ref name="GoO">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 240''</ref> also known as the '''Covenant Schism''',<ref name="GoO245">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 245''</ref>  was a major civil war between the forces loyal to the [[Covenant]] (led by the [[San'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]]) against the [[Covenant separatists]] (composed of the [[Sangheili]] and their followers), which split apart on [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]]. Battles during the Schism took place all throughout Covenant space, most prominently on ''[[High Charity]]'', the heart of the alien empire. The [[Flood]] additionally played a tertiary role, when they took over the holy city in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions. The deciding battles were fought between the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]] allied with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] against the [[High Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] and his remnants of the Covenant on the [[Installation 00|Ark]]. The Schism marked both the end of the Covenant and the partition of its client species for a thousand years.<ref name="GoO245"/> For the UNSC, it served as a major turning point that led to the [[Battle of Installation 00|end of the war]] after their [[Fall of Reach|disastrous defeat on Reach]].

The conflict went down in Sangheili history as the '''Great Betrayal''',<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return'', ''page 247''</ref> its deep wounds continuing to stir animosity between their kind and the Jiralhanae for years to come.<ref name="The Return"/>

[[File:H2A Terminals - Sangheili surrender.png|250px|thumb|left|The Sangheili threatened San'Shyuum power,<ref name="challenger"/> while the Jiralhanae threatened Sangheili power.<ref name="Conversations"/>]]

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.<ref name="challenger"/> 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 name="challenger">[[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>  

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.<ref name="Conversations">[[Conversations from the Universe]]: [[Conversations from the Universe#Grunt Conversation|Grunt Conversation]] "And you have ears, you've heard the disrespect the Jiralhanae show the Sangheili. They hate each other. The Sangheili have lived too long under the shelter of the Covenant as the strongest of us. The Jiralhanae come stomping along and suddenly it's not so simple as it was."</ref> In turn, the Sangheili treated the Jiralhanae poorly and oppressed them, to keep them in line.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-wars-2-new-character-images-and-details-revea/1100-6442098/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0b '''Gamestop''': ''Halo Wars 2: New Character Images and Details Revealed''] - "Decimus still harbors some resentment against the Elites under Atriox's banner due to how Elites treated the Brutes during the time of the Covenant"</ref> Competition for dominance in the Covenant military and hatred festered between the two species,<ref name="Conversations"/> though the Sangheili maintained their authority and power a founding race.<ref>[[Bestiarum]] "The Sangheili are, simply put, technological and societal equals of the Prophets yet, for a significant period, found themselves as the dominant military muscle for the entire Covenant structure"</ref> 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.

On October 20, the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] made a move the High Prophet of Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[Portal at Voi|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|a fleet]] of fifteen ships to Earth.<ref name="oct20"/> Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth; he gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. To Regret's surprise, Earth was the human homeworld, resulting in a [[Battle of Mombasa|massive battle]] forcing him to flee. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit and ground forces continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command]] without a leader. Moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground discretely killed all remaining Sangheili on Earth,<ref name="odst">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref> as Truth had ordered. They took over the Sangheili's duties to occupy the human city of [[New Mombasa]] until more Jiralhanae reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]] were on their way to the newly discovered [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]], Delta Halo, the murder of these Sangheili ground forces remained secret from the rest of the Covenant.  

Regret arrived at Delta Halo weeks before ''High Charity'' and the rest of the Covenant, and indirectly served yet another purpose for Truth plan: to scapegoat the Sangheili.<ref name="oct20"/> With the arrival of the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} commanded by Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] on Delta Halo, the UNSC managed to [[Battle of Installation 05|assassinate the Prophet of Regret]] after they got the intel they needed, with [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] [[John-117]] set to carry out this task.{{clear}}

The High Prophet of Truth further demoted the Sangheili by giving command of their fleets to the Jiralhanae, including the [[Fleet of Profound Solitude]], [[Fleet of Tranquil Composure]] and [[Fleet of Inner Knowledge]].<ref name="HWTimeline"/> Many Sangheili [[Shipmaster]]s and [[Fleetmaster]]s would be replaced with new Jiralhanae commanders. Truth allocated more loyal forces to his disposal by pardoning and releasing all Jiralhanae prisoners, while publicly framing it as a celebration for the species newly elevated status in Covenant society.<ref name="HWTimeline">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref>  

{{Quote|The Great Schism is upon us. The unbreakable Covenant [[Writ of Union]] has been split asunder. This is the end of the Ninth, and final, [[Ages of Reclamation|Age]].|Xytan 'Jar Wattinree<ref name="GoO"/>}}

With Truth dead, ''High Charity'' destroyed, and the Ark heavily damaged after Installation 08's firing, some of the remaining [[Jiralhanae]] forces tried to rebuild their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer level ''[[Assembly]]''</ref> The [[San'Shyuum]] eventually abandoned them to hide from the vengeful wrath of the [[Sangheili]],  as the Jiralhanae collapsed into various civil wars. The Jiralhanae resorted to raiding Sangheili settlements, plundering resources for survival. Some Sangheili commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="The Return"/>

*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth under secret orders of the Prophet of Truth.<ref name="oct20"/>

*The Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives at Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]]. They kill all remaining Sangheili in the city.<ref name="odst"/>

*''[[High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]] arrive at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]]. Insulted, the [[Sangheili Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.<ref name="icon"/>

*Most of the Sangheili Councilors are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the [[Jiralhanae]].<ref name="uprising"/>

*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant military]] to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[Fall of High Charity|Fall of ''High Charity'']] begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over ''High Charity''. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.<ref name="gravemind"/>

*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump aboard {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and its embarked [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by a [[Pod infector]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who now reigns as the Covenant's sole leader.<ref name="gravemind"/>

*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05]] by forcing [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] to insert the Index into the Control Room's [[The Core|Core]].<ref name="journey"/>

*Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and Rtas 'Vadumee, kills Tartarus.<ref name="journey"/>

*Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire [[Halo Array]] on standby status. [[343 Guilty Spark]] reveals the existence of [[Installation 00|the Ark]].<ref name="journey"/>

*The Flood takes control of ''High Charity'' and many of its warships. [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Sangheili]] fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.<ref name="journey"/>

*The Prophet of Truth departs ''High Charity'' for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Jiralhanae]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], John-117 is on the ship, with the intention of "finishing the fight".<ref name="journey"/>

*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere. [[John-117]] ejects from the ship upon reentry, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="bnet"/>

*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Portal, and his loyalist fleet follows it through the portal. The [[Flood]]-infested Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].<ref name="floodgate"/>

*Truth and his loyalists arrive at the Ark, pursued by the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]]. [[Battle of Installation 00|A massive battle]] begins over the Ark. All of Truth's vessels are eventually destroyed over the Ark by the Sangheili fleet.<ref name="ark"/>

*Sangheili and human forces [[Battle of the Citadel|fight]] their way to the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]]. The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. John-117 stops the Ark from firing the Halo rings.<ref name="cove"/>

*''High Charity'' is [[Raid on High Charity|destroyed]] by John-117 after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.<ref name="cortana"/>

*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili, via the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', back to Earth.<ref name="cortana"/>

*Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, John-117 and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] [[Raid on Installation 08|battle]] to the [[control room]] of [[Installation 08]]. Guilty Spark runs [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 08's sentinels turn on the Spartan, Thel 'Vadam, and the Sangheili. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, devastating the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended the Human-Covenant War.<ref name="h3 halo"/>

*John-117, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape the Ark. With their escape vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} cut in half upon slipspace transition, only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth.<ref name="h3 halo"/>