Shipmaster: Difference between revisions

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

{{Unit infobox|variant=Cov

|name=Shipmaster/Shipmistress

|species=[[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]]

|affiliation=[[Covenant]]<br>[[Covenant remnants]]<br>Independent Sangheili/Jiralhanae/Kig-Yar factions

'''Shipmaster''' (feminine form '''shipmistress'''), occasionally rendered as '''Ship Master''', is a title the [[Covenant]] use to describe an individual in command of a starship.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 4'' (2003)</ref> The size of the ship is not relevant, whether a [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] or a [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]]. The Covenant also use the term to describe the [[commanding officer]]s of [[human]] vessels.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 41'' (2003) (''"'Nosolee felt certain that the man named "[[Jacob Keyes|Keezz]]" held the position of Ship Master"'')</ref> Shipmasters occasionally command small [[task force]]s or [[Covenant fleet|fleets]], although this does not afford them the rank of [[Fleet Master]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign levels ''[[Floodgate]]'' and ''[[The Ark]]''</ref><ref name="return">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Return]]"</ref>

==Description==

The shipmaster of a particular ship gives orders from the command center of their vessel, the equivalent of a UNSC starship's [[bridge]]. There they oversee and supervise the running of the ship, and give orders during battle. They command the ship from a platform raised off the deck, surrounded by [[holography|holographic]] screens displaying relevant information.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''' campaign level ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]''</ref> Each shipmaster has his own personal insignia which is used to identify them within holographic readouts of a fleet when acknowledging orders from their Fleet Master, for example.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 283''</ref> Most shipmasters have bodyguards assigned to them, such as a [[Mgalekgolo]] pair or a [[lance]] of special infantry. Mgalekgolo guards were responsible for protecting the shipmaster at all costs and, if they failed to do so, were expected to enact revenge on the shipmaster's killer.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 190''</ref>

Sangheili of many different ranks may serve as shipmasters, though the position is often assumed by high-ranking individuals such as [[Special Operations Commander]]s, [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]], or [[Sangheili General|Generals]]. The lowest-ranked shipmaster known was [[Sangheili Major|Major]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree|Voro 'Mantakree]], who became the shipmaster of his vessel—''[[Incorruptible]]''—after killing the [[Tano 'Inanraree|previous shipmaster]]. 'Mantakree was later promoted to Fleet Master and placed in charge of a task force sent to [[Onyx]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 243''</ref> Shipmasters that command ships with a significant amount of firepower garner more respect among subordinates and other shipmasters.<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 174''</ref> Shipmasters often wear gold-colored armor as a symbol of their lofty status, though Special Operations personnel serving as shipmasters are known to retain their silver armor.<ref name="return"/><ref name="h3">'''Halo 3'''</ref> Some Sangheili shipmasters wear [[doarmir]] fur cloaks as a sign of status.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 159''</ref>

The Sangheili place significant importance on the title of shipmaster, and it often supersedes an individual's rank when they are being addressed. Thus, Sangheili in command of [[battle group]]-sized units,<ref name="return"/><ref name="h3"/> or in some cases entire fleets, have been referred to solely as shipmasters. Examples of this practice include [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee, in command of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], and [[Jul 'Mdama]], addressed as shipmaster by his crew despite holding the rank of Supreme Commander in the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|revived Covenant]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''</ref> Occasionally, a [[San'Shyuum]] [[San'Shyuum High Councilor|High Councilor]] from the Covenant [[High Council]] would witness the [[glassing]] of a world. If the Prophet declared that the glassing performance pleased the "[[Forerunners|gods]]", the shipmaster's status would be greatly increased within the Covenant military.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 314''</ref>

*[[Orna 'Fulsamee]] – Shipmaster of the ''[[Blameless Conceit]]''

*[[Mahkee 'Chava]] - Shipmistress of an unknown ship.

*[[Sali 'Nyon]] - Shipmaster of [[Breath of Annihilation]]

*[[Sav Fel]] – Shipmaster of ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]''.

*[[Chol Von]] – Shipmistress of the ''[[Paragon]]'', formerly known as ''Joyous Discovery''.

File:H2A Terminals - Thel Commander.jpg|Shipmaster Thel 'Vadamee in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'''s [[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|terminals]].

**''[[The Package]]''

**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''

**''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''

**''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminals]]''

**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}

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