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San'Shyuum: Difference between revisions

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|name=San 'Shyuum (''Perfidia vermis'') <br> "Prophet"
|name=San 'Shyuum (''Perfidia vermis'') <br> "Prophet"
|image=[[File:Regret2.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:Regret2.png|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Janjur Qom]]
|homeworld=Janjur Qom
|height=7'3", 2 inch<ref name="Beast">[[Bestiarum]]</ref>, (221 cm)<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''': ''page 118''</ref>
|height=7'3", 2 inch<ref name="Beast">[[Bestiarum]]</ref>, (221 cm)<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''': ''page 118''</ref>
|weight=200 lb<ref name="Beast"/> (91 kg)<ref name="ENC"/>
|weight=200 lb<ref name="Beast"/> (91 kg)<ref name="ENC"/>
|skincolor=Brown-pink, Gray-pink
|skincolor=Brown-pink, Gray-pink
|distinctions=Long necks, humanoid features
|distinctions=Long necks, humanoid features
|equipment=[[Gravity throne]]s, [[antigravity belt]]<ref>"He wore a red over robe, a gold under robe, and somewhere, hidden beneath all the fabric, an antigrav belt which served to keep his body suspended a full unit off the deck." <br /> -- ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 5</ref><br />
|equipment=[[Gravity Throne]]s, Gravity Belt<ref>"He wore a red over robe, a gold under robe, and somewhere, hidden beneath all the fabric, an antigrav belt which served to keep his body suspended a full unit off the deck." <br /> -- ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 5</ref><br />
|types=*[[Hierarchs|High Prophet]]
|types=*[[Hierarchs|High Prophet]]
*[[Prophet Councilors]]
*[[Prophet Councilors]]
*[[Minister (Title)|Minister]]
*[[Legate]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant Empire|Covenant Empire]], later [[Covenant Loyalists]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant Empire|Covenant Empire]], later [[Covenant Loyalists]]
|notable=*[[Prophet of Truth]]  
|notable=*[[Prophet of Truth]] (Previously [[Minister of Fortitude]])
*[[Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[Prophet of Mercy]]
*[[Prophet of Regret]]
*[[Prophet of Regret]]
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}}
}}
{{quote|Who would doubt the Prophets? What have they foretold that has not come to pass?|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}
{{quote|Who would doubt the Prophets? What have they foretold that has not come to pass?|[[Prophet of Truth]]}}
'''San 'Shyuum''' (Latin ''Perfidia vermis''<ref name="Beast"/>, meaning "worms of treachery"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865756 HBO Forums]</ref>), also known as '''Prophets''' by [[humans]], are a humanoid species native to [[Janjur Qom]] and the leadership caste within the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. The San 'Shyuum exert complete control over the Covenant's religious and political affairs.
'''San 'Shyuum''' (Latin ''Perfidia vermis''<ref name="Beast"/>, meaning "Worms of Treachery"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865756 HBO Forums]</ref>), also known as '''Prophets''' by the [[humans]], are a mammal-like species who are the leadership caste within the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] and one of the more mysterious member races of the hegemony. Prophets appear to exert complete control over religious and political affairs, fulfilling their role as leaders. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the false belief that firing the [[Halo Array]] will start the [[Great Journey]], transcending them into a god-like status. Although physically frail compared to other Covenant species, they wield near absolute power over the Covenant. They have a strong religious importance throughout the Covenant.
 
==Summary==
==Summary==
[[File:Cov Truth.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Prophet of Truth]], the main Prophet and one of the antagonists of the ''Halo'' series]]
Originating from Janjur Qom, the San'Shyuum are the religious leaders and commanding caste of the Covenant hierarchy. They hold a vital position in the Covenant because they are responsible for studying the holy [[Forerunner]] artifacts and using them to develop new technologies, and also because they keep order in the Covenant. They are an integral part of the Covenant [[High Council]], formerly sharing this responsibility with the [[Elites]]<ref name="Halo2"/> and later the Jiralhanae. At any given time, the covenant is headed by a triumvirate of Prophets. The Prophet triumvirates known in recent years were Obligation, Tolerance and Restraint, and most recently Truth, Mercy and Regret, all of whom are now deceased. Regret was killed by the [[Master Chief]] on [[Delta Halo]], Mercy by the [[Flood]] on ''High Charity'', and Truth by [[Thel 'Vadam]] in the Citadel on the [[Ark]].
They evolved on a former colony of an ancient race called the [[Forerunner]]s which the [[Covenant]] revere as their gods.<ref name="Conversations">''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''</ref> Prophets derive their legitimacy as leaders as well as their colloquial names from this connection. According to the San 'Shyuum, their world was destroyed some 3200 years ago, approx. 648 BCE, as the result of a natural [[Supernova|stellar collapse]]. Because of this, they have since elected to make their home on the mobile planetoid station ''[[High Charity]]''.<ref name="Beast"/>


The San 'Shyuum waged a fierce and bloody war against the [[Sangheili]] at one point, halted only by their realization that the war would never come to an end.<ref name="Conversations"/> The two races united to learn their secrets, forming a mutually beneficial arrangement that would eventually become the [[Covenant]], although they usually see themselves above the Sangheili. The Sangheili became the protectors of the Prophets while the Prophets dedicated themselves to studying their "gods" and learning the secrets behind the "[[Great Journey|ascension]]" they left on.<ref name="Halo2">''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>
Prophets are extremely frail, possibly due to being adapted for a low-gravity environment, or due to age, or a combination of both. The supplemental book incorporated in the ''[[Halo 3]] Collector's'' and ''Legendary Edition'' suggests that inbreeding and a lack of concern for physical health, perhaps superseded by the single-minded desire to achieve "trans-sentience" (Also known as the "Great Journey"), is probably responsible for this outcome.


Since the activation of the [[Halo Array]] and the subsequent [[reintroduction|reseeding]], the San 'Shyuum numbers have been dwindling, with the destruction of their original home world 3200 years before the events of [[2552]] likely contributing to this. While their population at the time of the reintroduction was 500,000,000,<ref name="Beast"/> there were only 23,831,463 San 'Shyuum existing by 2552. After the [[Flood]] invasion of ''[[High Charity]]'', the majority of their species was consumed, leaving less than a thousand alive. Most were doomed by the Sangheili quarantine of [[Delta Halo]] and the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]].
It is known that they claim to have evolved on a former colony of an ancient race called the [[Forerunners]] <ref name="Conversations">''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''</ref> which the Covenant revere as their gods. Prophets derive their legitimacy as leaders as well as their colloquial names from this connection. According to the Prophets their world was destroyed some 3200 years ago before the events of ''Halo 3'' (approx. 648 BCE) as the result of a natural stellar collapse; and because of this they have since elected to make their home on the mobile-planetoid ''High Charity'' <ref name="Beast"/>. It is also known that they waged a fierce and bloody war against the [[Elites]] at some point, halted only by their realization that war would never come to an end. <ref name="Conversations"/>. The two races united to learn their secrets, forming a mutually beneficial arrangement that would eventually become the Covenant, although they usually see themselves above the Elites. The Elites would become the protectors of the Prophets while the Prophets would dedicate themselves to studying their "[[Forerunner|gods]]" and learning the secrets behind the [[Great Journey|&quot;ascension&quot;]] they left on.<ref name="Halo2">''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>


==Description==
[[Image:Cov Truth.jpg|220px|right|thumb|[[High Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]], the main Prophet and one of the antagonists of the ''Halo'' series]]
===Anatomy and physiology===
As the representatives of the gods, the Prophets hold a great amount of power over the other races of the Covenant, earning reverential titles such as "Holy One" and "Eminence".<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref> They are protected at all times by the mighty [[Legion]]s of Elite [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guards]] <ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref>, and rarely involve themselves in combat, preferring to dedicate themselves to studying [[Forerunner]] artifacts. However, important events to the Covenant usually require a high-ranking Prophet, such as a Hierarch, to be present.<ref name="Halo2"/>
[[File:H2 - Regret.png|thumb|200px|right|The [[Prophet of Regret]].]]
Prehistoric San 'Shyuum were very lithe and muscular; both the Forerunners and humans considered the San 'Shyuum to be very beautiful. After their surrender in the [[human-Forerunner wars]], the San 'Shyuum began to place their trust in the wisdom of often-paraplegic elders, though their warriors retained the musculature for which their species was renowned.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page ???''</ref> Eventually, after the firing of the Halos, the entirety of the San 'Shyuum had submitted to this new, sedentary lifestyle.


Modern San 'Shyuum are extremely frail, possibly due to being adapted to low-gravity environments, due to age, or a combination of both. Inbreeding and a lack of concern for physical health, perhaps superseded by the single-minded desire to achieve the Great Journey are probably responsible for this outcome.<ref name="Beast"/>
The majority of the Prophets use anti-gravity belts to support themselves. Higher ranking Prophets, such as the Hierarchs (a group of three Prophets with total control of the Covenant), use anti-gravity thrones to support themselves. These however, are not so much for support as they are for personal defense - they are fitted with holographic emitters, an [[energy shield]] generator, a teleportation device, and a built-in [[Gravity Cannon]]. In the event of assassins getting past their guards, they are able to defend themselves quite well with the [[Gravity Cannon]].<ref name="Halo2"/>


San'Shyuum are a gangly, bipedal species, with very long necks and limbs. They evolved on a planet with low gravity, and tend to have some degree of difficulty moving in higher-gravity environments. Although young San'Shyuum are significantly stronger and more mobile, the majority of San'Shyuum in the Covenant are very elderly, and this combined with a life of physical inactivity leaves most if not all Prophets withered and weak. As a result, most San'Shyuum elders wear some form of anti-gravity device. However, they are capable of moving unaided, if only for a brief period of time.
Since the activation of the [[Halo Array]], the Prophet's numbers have been dwindling, with the destruction of their original homeworld 3200 years before the events of [[2552]] likely contributing. At the time of ''Halo 2'', there were only 23,831,463 Prophets existing. After the [[Flood]] invasion of High Charity, their new "Home World," the majority of their species was consumed, leaving less than a thousand alive. Most were doomed by the Elite's quarantine of [[Delta Halo]] and the rest of the Covenant Fleet. The [[Bestiarum]] contains a most curious reference to the Prophets. Where the rest of the races have one entry for population, the Prophets have two: Their current population, and one noted as "At time of Reseeding", exactly 500,000,000. <ref name="Beast"/>


San'Shyuum have distinct, often fur-covered lobes of skin hanging underneath their chin similar to a beard, known as "wattles".<ref name="Harvest">''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref> Prophets of greater age, for example the High Prophet of Mercy, have skin lobes on either side of their heads reminiscent of ears; despite this resemblance, the San 'Shyuum actually receive sound at the back of the head. Prophets have three digits on each hand, and are usually found wearing massive ornamental pieces that may also double as life support systems. The head-pieces of Covenant Hierarchs bear holographic representations of a Halo Ring. Lower-ranking [[Prophet Councilors]] wear more functional robes that lack any ornamentation whatsoever.


The lifespan of a San 'Shyuum appears to be extensive, largely through the development of technologies to increase it. Such a process began in about 1552, which was one thousand years before the events of ''Halo 3''. The San 'Shyuum have put considerable effort into the increase of lifespan of their own species, as more than a quarter of their population are now super-bicentenarians.<ref name="Beast"/>
==Description==


===Culture===
===Anatomy and Physiology===
During the time of the Forerunners, the San 'Shyuum culture was centered around the pursuit of beauty and pleasure. They were known throughout the galaxy for their hedonism, their beauty, and their skills at manipulating other races with their nearly universal appeal. Following their surrender in the Human-Forerunner wars, however, their culture became centered around the guidance of elderly religious leaders known as prophets.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum,''' ''page ???''</ref>


Before the Covenant was formed, a thousand or so Prophets called [[Reformers]], who believed in using Forerunner technology for their use and wished to explore the [[Dreadnought]] they had discovered, left their homeworld, leaving the[[Stoics]] (those who only wished to worship the technology and not explore the Dreadnought) stranded.<ref name="Harvest"/> The resulting calamity meant that the Covenant San 'Shyuum population was reduced to a few thousand, forcing the species to carefully manage their gene pool to prevent the loss of beneficial genes and the introduction of undesirable traits, with individuals possessing negative recessive traits placed in the [[Roll of Celibates]] to prevent their breeding. The Prophet of Truth is on such a list. However, if they should have such sexual urges, the Prophets will use concubines. If such a pregnancy should occur, however, they must be aborted, or the children will be killed at birth and the father sterilized.<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', page 264</ref>
While little is known of the San 'Shyuum homeworld, it is known that its gravity was quite lower than Earth's.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]'', Page 258</ref> Because of this, and their status of political figureheads who perform little physical work, most Prophets are physically frail creatures, preferring to move around using anti-gravity technology. A life of physical inactivity leaves most if not all Prophets withered and weak. They are capable of moving unaided, however: In the ''Halo 3'' level ''[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]'', the Prophet of Truth is seen walking for a short amount of time.


It is known that the fertility cycles of female San 'Shyuum are short and few and far between, which would make it difficult for San 'Shyuum to have children. As a result, they would have a celebration called a [[Birthing Period]] when a child was conceived, which was very uncommon.
Each Prophet has distinct, often fur-covered lobes of skin hanging underneath their chin similar to a beard, known as "wattles".<ref name="Harvest">''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''</ref> Prophets of greater age, for example the High Prophet of Mercy, have skin lobes on either side of their heads reminiscent of ears; despite this resemblance, the San 'Shyuum actually receive sound at the back of the head. Older Prophets, such as the Prophet of Mercy, appear to lose the pigment in their skin as they age and turn a shade of grey, then white. Prophets have three digits on each hand, and are usually found wearing ornamental pieces that may also double as life support systems. These head-pieces bear a holographic representation of a Halo (indicating that the Covenant have known about the [[Halo rings]] for much longer than originally thought), but each is uniquely shaped and highly ornamental. However [[Prophet Councilors]] have been seen wearing more functional robes that lack any ornamentation whatsoever. These Prophets have a lower status and, as a result, wear simple robes and can be found on the seating above the [[Council Chamber]] accompanying Sangheili [[Elite Councilor|Councilors]]. Prophets also seem to have parts of their brain showing through absences of skin on their heads, while skin is still there, it may be possible that they evolved to allow their brain to grow to such a size that the skin is there simply to hold it in place.


With regards to naming practices, each San 'Shyuum has a given name and a family name. However, once they rise to a certain level in the bureaucracy, they prefer to be addressed by their title, or be known by a trait they claimed to possess.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', Page 119</ref> Upon their ascension, Hierarchs may select a regal name from a list of former High Prophets. For example, the Prophet Hod Rumnt is always addressed by his titles, such as Philologist, or his regnal name, the [[Prophet of Mercy]].
The lifespan of a Prophet appears to be extensive, largely through the development of technologies to increase it. Such a process began in about 1552, which was one thousand years before the events of ''Halo 3''. The San 'Shyuum have put considerable effort into the increase of lifespan of their own species, as more than a quarter of their population are now super-bicentenarians.<ref name="Beast"/>


===Role in the Covenant===
===Culture===
The San 'Shyuum hold a vital position in the Covenant because they are responsible for studying the holy [[Forerunner]] artifacts and using them to develop new technologies, and also because they manage political affairs and maintain order in the Covenant. They hold many seats on the [[Covenant]] [[High Council]], formerly sharing this responsibility with the [[Sangheili]]<ref name="Halo2"/> and later the [[Jiralhanae]].


At any given time, the Covenant is headed by a triumvirate of Prophets, known as the [[Hierarchs]]. The Prophet triumvirates known in recent years were Obligation, Tolerance and Restraint, and most recently [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]], [[Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]], and [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]], all of whom are now deceased.
Little is known about the culture of the San 'Shyuum. In an unknown time, before the Covenant was formed, a thousand or so pro-technology Prophets called [[Reformists]] (who believed in using Forerunner technology for their use and wished to explore the [[Dreadnought]]) left their homeworld, leaving the anti-tech [[Stoics]] (those who only wished to worship the technology and not explore the Dreadnought) stranded.<ref name="Harvest"/> The resulting calamity meant that the Covenant San 'Shyuum population was reduced to a few thousand, forcing the species to carefully manage their gene pool to prevent the loss of beneficial genes and the introduction of undesirable traits, with individuals possessing negative recessive traits placed in the [[Roll of Celibates]] to prevent their breeding. The Prophet of Truth is on such a list. However, if they should have such sexual urges, the Prophets will use concubines. If such a pregnancy should occur, however, they must be aborted, or the children will be killed at birth and the father sterilized.<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 264</ref>


As the representatives of the gods, the Prophets held a great amount of power over the other races of the Covenant, earning reverential titles such as "Holy One" and "Eminence".<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref> They are protected at all times by the mighty [[Legion]]s of [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|Honor Guards]],<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> and rarely involve themselves in combat, preferring to dedicate themselves to studying Forerunner artifacts. However, important events to the Covenant usually require a high-ranking Prophet, such as a Hierarch, to be present.<ref name="Halo2"/>
It is known that the fertility cycles of female San 'Shyuum are short and few and far between, which would make it difficult for San 'Shyuum to have children. As a result, they would have a celebration called a [[Birthing Period]] when a child was conceived, which was very uncommon.


The majority of the San 'Shyuum use anti-gravity belts or anti-gravity chairs to support themselves, a more advanced form of the wheeled chairs they used before the activation of the Halo Array.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 211''</ref> Higher-ranking Prophets, such as the Hierarchs, use shielded [[Gravity throne|anti-gravity thrones]] to support themselves. These however, are not so much for support as they are for personal defense - they are fitted with holographic emitters, an [[energy shield]] generator, a teleportation device, and a built-in [[gravity cannon]]. In the event of assassins getting past their guards, they are able to defend themselves quite well with the gravity cannon.<ref name="Halo2"/>
With regards to naming practices, each San 'Shyuum has a given name and a family name. However, once they rise to a certain level in the bureaucracy, they prefer to be addressed by their title.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', Page 119</ref> Upon their ascension, Hierarchs may select a regal name from a list of former High Prophets. For example, the Prophet Hod Rumnt is always addressed by his titles, such as Philologist or his regal name, the [[Prophet of Mercy]].


==History==
==History==
===Human-San 'Shyuum alliance===
Human-San 'Shyuum alliance
{{main|Human-San 'Shyuum alliance}}
:''Main article: [http://www.halopedian.com/Human-San_%27Shyuum_alliance Human-San 'Shyuum alliance]''
Sometime around 110,000 B.C. the San 'Shyuum were part of an alliance with the [[human]]s' empire, forming a major power in the [[Orion Arm]] of the galaxy. During this period, they encountered the [[Flood]] for the first time, but the spread of the infection was successfully pushed back by their human allies while it was still relatively minor. The empire later collapsed when the San 'Shyuum surrendered during the Human-Forerunner wars. <ref>'''[[Halo: Cryptum]]''', page ?</ref>
Sometime around 110,000 B.C. the San 'Shyuum were part of an alliance with the [http://www.halopedian.com/Human humans]' empire, forming a major power in the [http://www.halopedian.com/Orion_Arm Orion Arm] of the galaxy. During this period, they encountered the [http://www.halopedian.com/Flood Flood] for the first time, but the spread of the infection was successfully pushed back by their human allies while it was still relatively minor. The empire later collapsed when the San 'Shyuum surrendered during the Human-Forerunner wars. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12">[http://www.halopedian.com/San_%27Shyuum#cite_note-12 [13]]</sup>
 
===[[http://www.halopedian.com/index.php?title=San_%27Shyuum&action=edit&section=8 edit]] Quarantine===
===Quarantine===
Abandoning their hedonistic life styles for guidance under religious elders, the San 'Shyuum were allowed to colonize one other world but were kept in quarantine under the [http://www.halopedian.com/Confirmer Confirmer] and the ''[http://www.halopedian.com/Deep_Reverence Deep Reverence]''. But as the Confirmer grew lax in his duties, the San 'Shyuum began stockpiling weapons.
Abandoning their hedonistic life styles for guidance under religious elders, the San 'Shyuum were allowed to colonize one other world but were kept in quarantine under the [[Confirmer]] and the ''[[Deep Reverence]]''. But as the Confirmer grew lax in his duties, the San 'Shyuum began stockpiling weapons.


During the Forerunner-Flood War, the [[Librarian]] visited Janjur Qom to secure specimens of San 'Shyuum for preservation from the Halo Array. The San 'Shyuum elders correctly guessed that a catastrophe was imminent, and launched a short-lived uprising against their Forerunner overseers. All San 'Shyuum on the planet were subsequently killed when a Halo was fired on a low power setting nearby.
During the Forerunner-Flood War, the [http://www.halopedian.com/Librarian Librarian] visited Janjur Qom to secure specimens of San 'Shyuum for preservation from the Halo Array. The San 'Shyuum elders correctly guessed that a catastrophe was imminent, and launched a short-lived uprising against their Forerunner overseers. All San 'Shyuum on the planet were subsequently killed when a Halo was fired on a low power setting nearby.
 
===[[http://www.halopedian.com/index.php?title=San_%27Shyuum&action=edit&section=9 edit]] The Ark and reseeding===
===The Ark and reseeding===
The San'Shyuum would be reseeded on their homeworld following the firing of the Halo Array. Having lost nearly all memory of the Forerunners, they discovered Forerunner technology on their homeworld and based their religion around the artifacts they found.                                                                                                                                                        
The San'Shyuum would be reseeded on their homeworld following the firing of the Halo Array. Having lost nearly all memory of the Forerunners, they discovered Forerunner technology on their homeworld and based their religion around the artifacts they found.  
 
===San 'Shyuum Civil War===
{{main|San 'Shyuum Civil War}}
{{main|San 'Shyuum Civil War}}
The San 'Shyuum who would later found the Covenant left their homeworld [[Janjur Qom]] due to a brutal civil war on their home planet. The conflict began when some San 'Shyuum believed that they should enter into the [[Forerunner]] [[Dreadnought]] present on their planet and learn from its technology, even though much of the population believed that the ship was a sacred artifact and should not be interfered with. The two sides fighting in this war were the [[Stoics]], or the San 'Shyuum who refused to enter and desecrate the [[Dreadnought]], and the [[Reformists]], who wanted to develop new technologies by entering studying the [[Dreadnought]].<ref name="Harvest"/>
As revealed in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', the San 'Shyuum left their homeworld, Janjur Qom, with only about one thousand in their population due to a brutal civil war on their home planet. Just like the [[Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War]] that would take place later on, it all began when some San 'Shyuum believed that they should enter into the [[Forerunner]] [[Dreadnought]] present on their planet, even though many of the population believed that they shouldn't ever touch the ship and should revere it as it was, which was presumed to be trapped in the surface of the planet as though it had crashed there. The two sides fighting in this war were called the [[Stoics]], or the San 'Shyuum who refused to enter and desecrate the Dreadnought, and the San 'Shyuum who wanted to develop new technologies by entering the Dreadnought, called [[Reformists]].<ref name="Harvest"/>


In 2100 BC, at the climax of the war, about a thousand Reformists commandeered the Dreadnought, while the Stoics debated what to do, since even their fury toward the Reformists could not bring them to destroy the object of their reverence. The Reformists then took flight from the planet, breaking off a massive chunk of rock in doing so. This piece of rock would later become the foundation of [[High Charity]], the Holy City of the Covenant.<ref name="Harvest262">''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 262</ref>
In [[2100 B.C.E.]] at the climax of the Civil War, about a thousand of the Reformers commandeered the Dreadnought, while the Stoics debated what to do, since even their hate could not bring them to destroy the object of their reverence. However, when the Reformers took flight from the planet they tore a chunk out of it.<ref name="Harvest262">''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 262</ref>


Although the Reformists had achieved victory and left the Stoics (who sent out communication messages threatening that they would be damned for their impudence toward [[Forerunner|the gods]]) behind, they realized that they were doomed due to the small number that had joined their cause to control the [[Dreadnought]] <ref name="Harvest262"/>. With an extremely small gene pool, they would need to create strict controls around mating to prevent potentially disastrous inbreeding.
Even though the Reformers were victorious and had left the Stoics (who sent out communication messages threatening that they would be damned for their digressions to [[Forerunner|the gods]]) behind, they realized that they were indeed ruined by the fact that there were only about a thousand that had joined their cause to control the Dreadnought <ref name="Harvest262"/>. With an extremely small gene pool they would need to create strict controls around mating to prevent potentially disastrous inbreeding. The next step in San 'Shyuum history would be the [[Sangheili]]-San 'Shyuum War, but since they had developed a fleet to complement the Dreadnought.


===Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War===
===Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War===
{{main|Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War}}
{{main|Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War}}
The war between the [[Sangheili]] and the San 'Shyuum began soon after their first encounter in [[938 B.C.E.]]. As with the San'Shyuum Stoics, the Sangheili believed that [[Forerunner]] technology should not be touched or used for personal gain, while the San'shyuum believed that it should be reverse-engineered to further their own technology. Their first meeting resulted in a bloody engagement. Physically, the Sangheili were far superior - one Sangheili warrior was the equal to at least ten San 'Shyuum<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 147</ref>. However, technologically, the San 'Shyuum had the advantage: they had the [[Forerunner]] [[Dreadnought]] which proceeded to wipe out the Sangheili armada using hit-and-run tactics. Eventually, the Sangheili realized that their only chance for survival lay in using the Forerunner relics on their planet to engineer more effective weapons. This forced the Sangheili to abandon their convictions, and with the core reason of their conflict now gone, the two races united in [[852 B.C.E.]] to form the early Covenant, with the San 'Shyuum as the head religious leaders and the Sangheili as the military backbone and defenders of the Prophets.
The war between the [[Sangheili]] and the San 'Shyuum began soon after their first encounter in [[938 B.C.E.]]. Sangheili believed that [[Forerunner]] technology should not be touched or used for personal gain while most of the San 'Shyuum believed otherwise, and disassembled Forerunner relics to produce their own versions. Their first meeting resulted in a bloody engagement. Physically the Sangheili were far superior. One Sangheili warrior was the equal to at least ten San 'Shyuum<ref>''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', page 147</ref>. However, technologically, the San 'Shyuum had the advantage: they had the [[Forerunner]] [[Dreadnought]] which proceeded to wipe out the Sangheili armada using hit-and-run tactics. Eventually in [[852 B.C.E.]], in order to ensure the survival of both races, the Sangheili gave up their own conviction, and the two races merged to form the early Covenant with the San 'Shyuum as the head religious leaders and the Sangheili as the physical backbone and defenders of the Prophets.


===Fall of High Charity===
===Fall of High Charity===
With the outbreak of the Flood and its subsequent arrival on the holy city [[High Charity]], the San 'Shyuum will have had two extinction events visited upon them within a single great cycle. Only those individuals who were permanently posted somewhere other than their ''ersatz'' homeworld are certain to have survived. Even those who held some position within the [[Covenant fleet]] have no hope for survival, as the entire fleet was present at Installation 05 and the Sangheili quarantined it. This is also impacted by&nbsp;many Elites killing the San 'Shyuum in an act of vengeance and/or honor. Their current total population is now estimated at less than one thousand. It is likely that the number of Flood Prophet forms are drastically higher as a result of the Flood outbreak.
With the outbreak of the Flood and its subsequent arrival on the holy city [[High Charity]], the San 'Shyuum will have had two extinction events visited upon them within a single great cycle. Only those individuals who were permanently posted somewhere other than their ''ersatz'' homeworld are certain to have survived. Even those who held some position within the [[Covenant fleet]] have no hope for survival, as the entire fleet was present at Installation 05 and the Sangheili quarantined it. This is also impacted by&nbsp;many Elites killing the San 'Shyuum in an act of vengeance and/or honor. Their current total population is now estimated at less than one thousand. It is likely that the number of Flood Prophet forms are drastically higher as a result of the Flood outbreak.


===Post-war===
===Post-War===
With their population at dangerously low levels following the loss of High Charity, and now having to contend with the wrath of their former guardians, the San 'Shyuum gave their new Jiralhanae protectors access to all the technology they could. For a few years after the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Covenant was successfully fighting off the Separatists, who had long depended on the San 'Shyuum to provide them technology. But according to a [[Unnamed Sangheili Shipmaster (The Return)|Sangheili Shipmaster]], the Prophets soon "vanished". The Sangheili had heard rumors that the San 'Shyuum went on the Great Journey, but disregarded them. Most likely the few remaining survivors went into hiding or simply died out.<ref>'''[[Halo Evolutions: Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[The Return]]''</ref>
 
Little is known about what happened to the San 'Shyuum after the [[Human-Covenant War]], but according to a Sangheili Shipmaster, the Prophets "vanished". The Sangheili had heard rumors that the San 'Shyuum went on the Great Journey, but disregarded them. Most likely the few remaining survivors went into hiding or simply died out.


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
The Prophet of Regret is the only Prophet that is confronted in combat by the [[Master Chief]] in the [[Halo series]] in the game ''Halo 2''. He appears at the level called [[Regret (level)|Regret]]. The Prophets do make other appearances though, mostly in the cinematic sequences in ''Halo 2''. In fact, in most of the cinematic sequences, there is at least one Prophet present. Also, Mercy's corpse is found at the beginning of the level called [[High Charity (level)|High Charity]], and Truth's corpse can be seen at the last playable section of [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]].
The Prophet of Regret is the only Prophet that is confronted in combat by the [[Master Chief]] in the [[Halo series]] in the game ''Halo 2''. He appears at the level called [[Regret (Level)|Regret]]. The Prophets do make other appearances though, mostly in the cinematic sequences in ''Halo 2''. In fact, in most of the cinematic sequences, there is at least one Prophet present. Also, Mercy's corpse is found at the beginning of the level called [[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]], and Truth's corpse can be seen at the last playable section of [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]] in ''Halo 3''


The Prophet of Regret also appears as an in-game "Hero" unit in [[Halo Wars]], riding his gravity throne amidst combat. He can call down a "Cleansing beam" or glassing beam that drains the players resources; it is guided around by one of the thumbsticks.
The Prophet of Regret also appears as an in-game "Hero" unit in [[Halo Wars]], riding his gravity throne amidst combat. He can call down a "Cleansing beam" or glassing beam that drains the players resources; it is guided around by one of the thumbsticks.


==Known San 'Shyuum==
 
==Known Prophets==
===High Prophets===
===High Prophets===
*[[Prophet of Restraint|High Prophet of Restraint]] (Deposed)
*[[Prophet of Restraint|High Prophet of Restraint]] (Deposed)
Line 120: Line 111:
*[[Prophet of Disdain]]
*[[Prophet of Disdain]]
*[[Prophet of Objection]] (Unknown, probably Deceased)
*[[Prophet of Objection]] (Unknown, probably Deceased)
*[[Prophet of Stewardship]] (Deceased)
*[[Truth and Reconciliation's Prophet]] (Deceased)
*[[Unidentified Prophet (The Babysitter)]] (Deceased)
*[[Unidentified Prophet (The Babysitter)]] (Deceased)
*[[Prophet of Conviction]] (Deceased)
*[[Prophet of Conviction]] (Deceased)
Line 130: Line 121:
*[[Minister of Penance]] (Unknown)
*[[Minister of Penance]] (Unknown)


===Pre-historic Prophets===
==Ranks==
*[[First Prophet]]
*[[High Prophet]]- [[High Council]] ([[Hierarchs]])
*[[Sustaining Wind]]
*[[Lesser Prophet]] - High Council
*[[Minister]] - Leader of a Ministry
*Vice-Minister
*Junior Minister
*Cleric


==Ranks==
:<small>''Note'': Only the San 'Shyuum in the High Council are referred to as Prophets. This is likely due to the "Prophet of..." title only appearing in High [[Councilors]].</small>
{| cellpadding="5" border="1" style="clear: both;"
! '''Rank'''
! '''Image'''
! '''Description'''
|-
! colspan="3"|<center>'''High Council'''</center>
|-
|'''[[Hierarchs|Hierarch]]'''
|[[File:BestiarumProphet.jpg|150px]]
|Leaders of the High Council, the Hierarchs are the High Prophets of the Covenant and leaders of the alien hegemony. They are elected by the Council, and ascend at the beginning of a new [[Age]]. There are three Hierarchs during each Age.
|-
|'''[[Lesser Prophet]]'''
|[[image:Prophet_Councillors.jpg|150px]]
|San 'Shyuum representative to the Covenant High Council, they are the ones to use the traditional "Prophet of..." naming scheme, and are highly ranked members of Covenant society. They rate full powered gravity thrones.
|-
| ! colspan="3"|<center>'''Ministerial'''</center>
|-
|'''[[Minister (Title)|Minister]]'''
|[[File:Legate.jpg|150px]]
|The heads of Covenant ministries, Ministers manage the bureaucracy of the Covenant and serve on the High Council. They rate full powered gravity thrones.
|-
|'''[[Vice-Minister]]'''
|
|Deputies of the full Minister, and substitutes for the Minister when necessary. They rate gravity thrones that can travel in groups of three.
|-
|'''[[Senior staffer]]'''
|
|Senior aides to the Minister and Vice-Minister. They rate gravity thrones that can travel in groups of seven.
|-
|'''[[Junior staffer]]'''
|
|Entry level Ministry workers, Junior staffers are the lowest members of a Covenant Ministry, and rate the weakest gravity thrones, which require groups of twenty to travel effectively.
|-
! colspan="3"|<center>'''Religious'''</center>
|-
|'''[[Philologist]]'''
|
|Leader of the [[Asceticism|Ascetic priests]] who tends to the Oracle on High Charity, the Philologist is necessary to the ascension of a new set of Hierarchs.
|-
|'''[[Cleric]]'''
|
|San 'Shyuum who perform religious and medicinal duties. They only warrant stone gravity thrones
|-
|'''[[Vice Cleric]]'''
|
|Subordinate to Clerics.
|}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The High Prophets' names are almost always ironic counterpoints to their behavior. The [[Prophet of Truth]] was prone to lying, the [[Prophet of Mercy]] was very harsh towards others, the [[Prophet of Regret]] was headstrong and unapologetic, and the [[Prophet of Restraint]] stepped down as a result of high sexual exploits when it was forbidden for him to do so, therefore showing a lack of restraint.
*The High Prophets' names are usually always the opposite of what their behavior is. The [[Prophet of Truth]] was prone to lying, the [[Prophet of Mercy]] was very harsh towards others, the [[Prophet of Regret]] was headstrong and unapologetic, and the [[Prophet of Restraint]] stepped down as a result of high sexual exploits when it was forbidden for him to do so, therefore showing a lack of restraint.
*A Prophet's blood is strikingly red, like that of a [[Human]]. This can be seen when the player beats the Prophet of Regret in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and if the player shoots Truth's corpse in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
*Prophet's blood is strikingly red, like that of a [[Human]]. This can be seen when the player beats the Prophet of Regret in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and if the player shoots Truth's corpse in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
* ''Perfidia'' is Latin for "Perfidy," which means "a deliberate breach of trust, faithlessness, treachery." ''Vermis'' means, "worm". Thus, the Prophets' scientific name can be translated into "treacherous worm".
*Early designs of the Prophets had a far more integrated and cybernetic feel, with the [[Gravity Throne]] more fused with the Prophet's organic structures.{{citation needed}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' states that only the highest-ranking Prophets have the luxury of traveling in singular platforms in High Charity. Lower-ranking Prophets have to travel in groups of threes, fives or tens. This is because the thrones of lower-ranking Prophets are not individually capable of flight, so they must combine gravity fields with other thrones in order to fly.
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' states that only the highest-ranking Prophets have the luxury of traveling in singular platforms in High Charity. Lower-ranking Prophets have to travel in groups of threes, fives or tens. This is because the thrones of lower-ranking Prophets are not individually capable of flight, so they must combine gravity fields with other thrones in order to fly.
*The Halo 3 Limited Edition [[Bestiarum]] states that there are less than 1000 San 'Shyuum left in the universe after High Charity was consumed by the [[Flood]], killing the majority of the San 'Shyuum population (approx. 20 million).
*The Halo 3 Limited Edition [[Bestiarum]] states that there are less than 1000 San 'Shyuum left in the universe after High Charity was consumed by the [[Flood]], killing the majority of the San 'Shyuum population (approx. 20 million).
*They are the only Covenant species that does not appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*It is possible that their thrones are inspired by Frieza's hover throne in Dragonball Z. Or more likely by Baron Harkonnen's hover belt from Dune.
*They are the only Covenant species that doesn't appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*There are 19 known prophets in the covenant.
*The gravity throne has its own weapon called the [[Gravity Cannon]].
*At the time of the [[Human-Forerunner_War|Human-Forerunner War]], the San 'Shyuum and Humans were strong [[Human-San_'Shyuum_Alliance|allies]]. However, while the Humans were punished by being deevolved and split into sub species, the San 'Shyuum were simply quarantined to 2 planets.
*Before their quarantine they were regarded as handsome and sensual, seeking only the pleasures in life and revering youth and beauty. Some time later however, they went on to respecting only elders, looking upon the young and beautiful with distain.
*Before the Stoics and Reformers , the Prophets believed that Forerunner artifacts were deemed holy, that it was consisdered heresy to study the relics to deeply a depth.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
File:Prophet.png|Early render of a Prophet.
File:Prophet.png|Early render of the Prophet.
File:1225417639 Truth and mercy.jpg|The High Prophets, Truth and Mercy.
File:1225417639 Truth and mercy.jpg|The High Prophets, [[Truth]] and [[Mercy]].
File:Mercy.jpg|The [[High Prophet of Mercy]].
File:Mercy.jpg|The [[High Prophet of Mercy]].
File:Anime Prophet.JPG|A Prophet as seen in [[Halo Legends]].
File:Anime Prophet.JPG|A Prophet as seen in [[Halo Legends]].
File:H2prophets.gif|Mercy along with Regret.
File:H2prophets.gif|[[Mercy]] along with [[Regret]].
File:Prophethalowars.JPG|Regret in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:Prophethalowars.JPG|Regret in [[Halo Wars]].
File:Holo Truth.png|The Prophets are most often seen by their followers through their sermons via [[Portable holo-pedestal]]s.
File:Holo Truth.png|The [[Prophets]] are most often seen by their followers through their sermons via [[Holo-Pedestal]]s.
File:Prophet Councillors.jpg|Prophet Councilors.
File:Prophet Councillors.jpg|[[Prophet]] Councilors.
File:Halo 3 Truth.jpg|The [[Prophet of Truth]] takes over a [[COM]] transmission to the [[UNSC]] base [[Crow's Nest]] on [[Earth]] to deliver an eerie, threatening message.
File:Halo 3 Truth.jpg|The [[Prophet of Truth]] took over a coms transmission from the [[UNSC]] base [[Crow's Nest]] on [[Earth]] to deliver an eerie, threatening message.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>
==Related Pages==
*[[High Prophets]]
*[[High Council]]
{{Covenant}}
{{Covenant}}


[[it:Profeti (San 'Shyuum)]]
[[es:San 'Shyuum]]
[[fr:San 'Shyuum]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Covenant Species]]
[[Category:Covenant Species]]
[[Category:Host Species]]
[[Category:Host Species]]
[[Category:Living Organisms]]
[[Category:Living Organisms]]

Revision as of 19:54, April 2, 2011

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"Who would doubt the Prophets? What have they foretold that has not come to pass?"
— Prophet of Truth

San 'Shyuum (Latin Perfidia vermis[1], meaning "Worms of Treachery"[2]), also known as Prophets by the humans, are a mammal-like species who are the leadership caste within the Covenant and one of the more mysterious member races of the hegemony. Prophets appear to exert complete control over religious and political affairs, fulfilling their role as leaders. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the false belief that firing the Halo Array will start the Great Journey, transcending them into a god-like status. Although physically frail compared to other Covenant species, they wield near absolute power over the Covenant. They have a strong religious importance throughout the Covenant.

Summary

Originating from Janjur Qom, the San'Shyuum are the religious leaders and commanding caste of the Covenant hierarchy. They hold a vital position in the Covenant because they are responsible for studying the holy Forerunner artifacts and using them to develop new technologies, and also because they keep order in the Covenant. They are an integral part of the Covenant High Council, formerly sharing this responsibility with the Elites[3] and later the Jiralhanae. At any given time, the covenant is headed by a triumvirate of Prophets. The Prophet triumvirates known in recent years were Obligation, Tolerance and Restraint, and most recently Truth, Mercy and Regret, all of whom are now deceased. Regret was killed by the Master Chief on Delta Halo, Mercy by the Flood on High Charity, and Truth by Thel 'Vadam in the Citadel on the Ark.

Prophets are extremely frail, possibly due to being adapted for a low-gravity environment, or due to age, or a combination of both. The supplemental book incorporated in the Halo 3 Collector's and Legendary Edition suggests that inbreeding and a lack of concern for physical health, perhaps superseded by the single-minded desire to achieve "trans-sentience" (Also known as the "Great Journey"), is probably responsible for this outcome.

It is known that they claim to have evolved on a former colony of an ancient race called the Forerunners [4] which the Covenant revere as their gods. Prophets derive their legitimacy as leaders as well as their colloquial names from this connection. According to the Prophets their world was destroyed some 3200 years ago before the events of Halo 3 (approx. 648 BCE) as the result of a natural stellar collapse; and because of this they have since elected to make their home on the mobile-planetoid High Charity [1]. It is also known that they waged a fierce and bloody war against the Elites at some point, halted only by their realization that war would never come to an end. [4]. The two races united to learn their secrets, forming a mutually beneficial arrangement that would eventually become the Covenant, although they usually see themselves above the Elites. The Elites would become the protectors of the Prophets while the Prophets would dedicate themselves to studying their "gods" and learning the secrets behind the "ascension" they left on.[3]

File:Cov Truth.jpg
High Prophet of Truth, the main Prophet and one of the antagonists of the Halo series

As the representatives of the gods, the Prophets hold a great amount of power over the other races of the Covenant, earning reverential titles such as "Holy One" and "Eminence".[5] They are protected at all times by the mighty Legions of Elite Honor Guards [6], and rarely involve themselves in combat, preferring to dedicate themselves to studying Forerunner artifacts. However, important events to the Covenant usually require a high-ranking Prophet, such as a Hierarch, to be present.[3]

The majority of the Prophets use anti-gravity belts to support themselves. Higher ranking Prophets, such as the Hierarchs (a group of three Prophets with total control of the Covenant), use anti-gravity thrones to support themselves. These however, are not so much for support as they are for personal defense - they are fitted with holographic emitters, an energy shield generator, a teleportation device, and a built-in Gravity Cannon. In the event of assassins getting past their guards, they are able to defend themselves quite well with the Gravity Cannon.[3]

Since the activation of the Halo Array, the Prophet's numbers have been dwindling, with the destruction of their original homeworld 3200 years before the events of 2552 likely contributing. At the time of Halo 2, there were only 23,831,463 Prophets existing. After the Flood invasion of High Charity, their new "Home World," the majority of their species was consumed, leaving less than a thousand alive. Most were doomed by the Elite's quarantine of Delta Halo and the rest of the Covenant Fleet. The Bestiarum contains a most curious reference to the Prophets. Where the rest of the races have one entry for population, the Prophets have two: Their current population, and one noted as "At time of Reseeding", exactly 500,000,000. [1]


Description

Anatomy and Physiology

While little is known of the San 'Shyuum homeworld, it is known that its gravity was quite lower than Earth's.[7] Because of this, and their status of political figureheads who perform little physical work, most Prophets are physically frail creatures, preferring to move around using anti-gravity technology. A life of physical inactivity leaves most if not all Prophets withered and weak. They are capable of moving unaided, however: In the Halo 3 level The Covenant, the Prophet of Truth is seen walking for a short amount of time.

Each Prophet has distinct, often fur-covered lobes of skin hanging underneath their chin similar to a beard, known as "wattles".[8] Prophets of greater age, for example the High Prophet of Mercy, have skin lobes on either side of their heads reminiscent of ears; despite this resemblance, the San 'Shyuum actually receive sound at the back of the head. Older Prophets, such as the Prophet of Mercy, appear to lose the pigment in their skin as they age and turn a shade of grey, then white. Prophets have three digits on each hand, and are usually found wearing ornamental pieces that may also double as life support systems. These head-pieces bear a holographic representation of a Halo (indicating that the Covenant have known about the Halo rings for much longer than originally thought), but each is uniquely shaped and highly ornamental. However Prophet Councilors have been seen wearing more functional robes that lack any ornamentation whatsoever. These Prophets have a lower status and, as a result, wear simple robes and can be found on the seating above the Council Chamber accompanying Sangheili Councilors. Prophets also seem to have parts of their brain showing through absences of skin on their heads, while skin is still there, it may be possible that they evolved to allow their brain to grow to such a size that the skin is there simply to hold it in place.

The lifespan of a Prophet appears to be extensive, largely through the development of technologies to increase it. Such a process began in about 1552, which was one thousand years before the events of Halo 3. The San 'Shyuum have put considerable effort into the increase of lifespan of their own species, as more than a quarter of their population are now super-bicentenarians.[1]

Culture

Little is known about the culture of the San 'Shyuum. In an unknown time, before the Covenant was formed, a thousand or so pro-technology Prophets called Reformists (who believed in using Forerunner technology for their use and wished to explore the Dreadnought) left their homeworld, leaving the anti-tech Stoics (those who only wished to worship the technology and not explore the Dreadnought) stranded.[8] The resulting calamity meant that the Covenant San 'Shyuum population was reduced to a few thousand, forcing the species to carefully manage their gene pool to prevent the loss of beneficial genes and the introduction of undesirable traits, with individuals possessing negative recessive traits placed in the Roll of Celibates to prevent their breeding. The Prophet of Truth is on such a list. However, if they should have such sexual urges, the Prophets will use concubines. If such a pregnancy should occur, however, they must be aborted, or the children will be killed at birth and the father sterilized.[9]

It is known that the fertility cycles of female San 'Shyuum are short and few and far between, which would make it difficult for San 'Shyuum to have children. As a result, they would have a celebration called a Birthing Period when a child was conceived, which was very uncommon.

With regards to naming practices, each San 'Shyuum has a given name and a family name. However, once they rise to a certain level in the bureaucracy, they prefer to be addressed by their title.[10] Upon their ascension, Hierarchs may select a regal name from a list of former High Prophets. For example, the Prophet Hod Rumnt is always addressed by his titles, such as Philologist or his regal name, the Prophet of Mercy.

History

Human-San 'Shyuum alliance

Main article: Human-San 'Shyuum alliance

Sometime around 110,000 B.C. the San 'Shyuum were part of an alliance with the humans' empire, forming a major power in the Orion Arm of the galaxy. During this period, they encountered the Flood for the first time, but the spread of the infection was successfully pushed back by their human allies while it was still relatively minor. The empire later collapsed when the San 'Shyuum surrendered during the Human-Forerunner wars. [13]

[edit] Quarantine

Abandoning their hedonistic life styles for guidance under religious elders, the San 'Shyuum were allowed to colonize one other world but were kept in quarantine under the Confirmer and the Deep Reverence. But as the Confirmer grew lax in his duties, the San 'Shyuum began stockpiling weapons.

During the Forerunner-Flood War, the Librarian visited Janjur Qom to secure specimens of San 'Shyuum for preservation from the Halo Array. The San 'Shyuum elders correctly guessed that a catastrophe was imminent, and launched a short-lived uprising against their Forerunner overseers. All San 'Shyuum on the planet were subsequently killed when a Halo was fired on a low power setting nearby.

[edit] The Ark and reseeding

The San'Shyuum would be reseeded on their homeworld following the firing of the Halo Array. Having lost nearly all memory of the Forerunners, they discovered Forerunner technology on their homeworld and based their religion around the artifacts they found.

Main article: San 'Shyuum Civil War

As revealed in Halo: Contact Harvest, the San 'Shyuum left their homeworld, Janjur Qom, with only about one thousand in their population due to a brutal civil war on their home planet. Just like the Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War that would take place later on, it all began when some San 'Shyuum believed that they should enter into the Forerunner Dreadnought present on their planet, even though many of the population believed that they shouldn't ever touch the ship and should revere it as it was, which was presumed to be trapped in the surface of the planet as though it had crashed there. The two sides fighting in this war were called the Stoics, or the San 'Shyuum who refused to enter and desecrate the Dreadnought, and the San 'Shyuum who wanted to develop new technologies by entering the Dreadnought, called Reformists.[8]

In 2100 B.C.E. at the climax of the Civil War, about a thousand of the Reformers commandeered the Dreadnought, while the Stoics debated what to do, since even their hate could not bring them to destroy the object of their reverence. However, when the Reformers took flight from the planet they tore a chunk out of it.[11]

Even though the Reformers were victorious and had left the Stoics (who sent out communication messages threatening that they would be damned for their digressions to the gods) behind, they realized that they were indeed ruined by the fact that there were only about a thousand that had joined their cause to control the Dreadnought [11]. With an extremely small gene pool they would need to create strict controls around mating to prevent potentially disastrous inbreeding. The next step in San 'Shyuum history would be the Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War, but since they had developed a fleet to complement the Dreadnought.

Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War

Main article: Sangheili-San 'Shyuum War

The war between the Sangheili and the San 'Shyuum began soon after their first encounter in 938 B.C.E.. Sangheili believed that Forerunner technology should not be touched or used for personal gain while most of the San 'Shyuum believed otherwise, and disassembled Forerunner relics to produce their own versions. Their first meeting resulted in a bloody engagement. Physically the Sangheili were far superior. One Sangheili warrior was the equal to at least ten San 'Shyuum[12]. However, technologically, the San 'Shyuum had the advantage: they had the Forerunner Dreadnought which proceeded to wipe out the Sangheili armada using hit-and-run tactics. Eventually in 852 B.C.E., in order to ensure the survival of both races, the Sangheili gave up their own conviction, and the two races merged to form the early Covenant with the San 'Shyuum as the head religious leaders and the Sangheili as the physical backbone and defenders of the Prophets.

Fall of High Charity

With the outbreak of the Flood and its subsequent arrival on the holy city High Charity, the San 'Shyuum will have had two extinction events visited upon them within a single great cycle. Only those individuals who were permanently posted somewhere other than their ersatz homeworld are certain to have survived. Even those who held some position within the Covenant fleet have no hope for survival, as the entire fleet was present at Installation 05 and the Sangheili quarantined it. This is also impacted by many Elites killing the San 'Shyuum in an act of vengeance and/or honor. Their current total population is now estimated at less than one thousand. It is likely that the number of Flood Prophet forms are drastically higher as a result of the Flood outbreak.

Post-War

Little is known about what happened to the San 'Shyuum after the Human-Covenant War, but according to a Sangheili Shipmaster, the Prophets "vanished". The Sangheili had heard rumors that the San 'Shyuum went on the Great Journey, but disregarded them. Most likely the few remaining survivors went into hiding or simply died out.

Appearances

The Prophet of Regret is the only Prophet that is confronted in combat by the Master Chief in the Halo series in the game Halo 2. He appears at the level called Regret. The Prophets do make other appearances though, mostly in the cinematic sequences in Halo 2. In fact, in most of the cinematic sequences, there is at least one Prophet present. Also, Mercy's corpse is found at the beginning of the level called High Charity, and Truth's corpse can be seen at the last playable section of The Covenant in Halo 3

The Prophet of Regret also appears as an in-game "Hero" unit in Halo Wars, riding his gravity throne amidst combat. He can call down a "Cleansing beam" or glassing beam that drains the players resources; it is guided around by one of the thumbsticks.


Known Prophets

High Prophets

Lesser Prophets

Legates

Ranks

Note: Only the San 'Shyuum in the High Council are referred to as Prophets. This is likely due to the "Prophet of..." title only appearing in High Councilors.

Trivia

  • The High Prophets' names are usually always the opposite of what their behavior is. The Prophet of Truth was prone to lying, the Prophet of Mercy was very harsh towards others, the Prophet of Regret was headstrong and unapologetic, and the Prophet of Restraint stepped down as a result of high sexual exploits when it was forbidden for him to do so, therefore showing a lack of restraint.
  • Prophet's blood is strikingly red, like that of a Human. This can be seen when the player beats the Prophet of Regret in Halo 2 and if the player shoots Truth's corpse in Halo 3.
  • Perfidia is Latin for "Perfidy," which means "a deliberate breach of trust, faithlessness, treachery." Vermis means, "worm". Thus, the Prophets' scientific name can be translated into "treacherous worm".
  • Early designs of the Prophets had a far more integrated and cybernetic feel, with the Gravity Throne more fused with the Prophet's organic structures.[citation needed]
  • Halo: Contact Harvest states that only the highest-ranking Prophets have the luxury of traveling in singular platforms in High Charity. Lower-ranking Prophets have to travel in groups of threes, fives or tens. This is because the thrones of lower-ranking Prophets are not individually capable of flight, so they must combine gravity fields with other thrones in order to fly.
  • The Halo 3 Limited Edition Bestiarum states that there are less than 1000 San 'Shyuum left in the universe after High Charity was consumed by the Flood, killing the majority of the San 'Shyuum population (approx. 20 million).
  • It is possible that their thrones are inspired by Frieza's hover throne in Dragonball Z. Or more likely by Baron Harkonnen's hover belt from Dune.
  • They are the only Covenant species that doesn't appear in Halo: Reach.
  • There are 19 known prophets in the covenant.
  • The gravity throne has its own weapon called the Gravity Cannon.
  • At the time of the Human-Forerunner War, the San 'Shyuum and Humans were strong allies. However, while the Humans were punished by being deevolved and split into sub species, the San 'Shyuum were simply quarantined to 2 planets.
  • Before their quarantine they were regarded as handsome and sensual, seeking only the pleasures in life and revering youth and beauty. Some time later however, they went on to respecting only elders, looking upon the young and beautiful with distain.
  • Before the Stoics and Reformers , the Prophets believed that Forerunner artifacts were deemed holy, that it was consisdered heresy to study the relics to deeply a depth.

Gallery

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Beast
  2. ^ HBO Forums
  3. ^ a b c d Halo 2
  4. ^ a b Conversations from the Universe
  5. ^ Halo: The Flood
  6. ^ Halo: First Strike
  7. ^ Halo Encyclopedia, Page 258
  8. ^ a b c Halo: Contact Harvest
  9. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 264
  10. ^ Halo Encyclopedia, Page 119
  11. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 262
  12. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 147

Related Pages

Template:Covenant

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