Thel 'Vadam: Difference between revisions

{{Character Infobox|variant=Cov

|image=[[File:H2A Thel Epilogue.png|300px]]<!--Do NOT replace the introductory image.-->

|rank-title=Title

Thel commanded numerous fleets during his service in the [[Covenant]], most notably as the [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], which mounted a successful [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] and occupation of the [[human]] colony [[Reach]] and later during [[Battle of Installation 04|operations]] on [[Installation 04]]. 'Vadam was responsible for over one billion [[human]] casualties during the war, and the [[glassing]] of at least seven colonies.<ref name="terminal 3">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminal 3]]''</ref> During the [[Great Schism]], Thel became a leading member of the Sangheili who seceded from the Covenant, and aided the UNSC in their effort to stop the Prophet of Truth and his forces from activating the [[Halo Array]]. He fought many battles alongside the [[Spartan|"demon"]] [[John-117]] on [[Installation 05]], [[Earth]], and [[Installation 00]] in the final days of the war.  

[[File:H2A Terminals - Thel training.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Thel 'Vadamee training.]]

Thel was born to the [[House of Vadam]], rulers of the powerful state of Vadam on Sanghelios. In his youth Thel was trained in the ways of fighting by his relative [[Lak 'Vadamee]].<ref name="tcp349">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 349''</ref> He later joined the Covenant military, adding the "-ee" suffix to his surname according to custom. Thel participated in the Covenant attack on the human colony [[Madrigal]] in [[2528]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 146 and 156''</ref>

Within a short time, Thel achieved both the rank of [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]] and the title of [[Shipmaster]], and became kaidon of his state through the votes of Vadam's elders.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 89''</ref> Shortly after being promoted to Shipmaster, Thel sustained an injury in the training ring due to a mistake. His family hushed up the incident, as well as the resultant visit by a physician, due to the Sangheili's cultural stigma toward doctors and medical operations. During his convalescence, Thel handmade an old-fashioned [[doarmir]]-fur Shipmaster's cloak, and would later wear it as part of his Shipmaster's attire to remind him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 159''</ref>

 

Thel's role as kaidon was important for the House of Vadam, as he was tasked with continuing the reign of the powerful state of Vadam. Early in his rule, he was attacked by three Sangheili assassins wielding energy swords. He managed to kill all three without injury, and proceeded to appear before Vadam's elders to determine which had ordered the attack. Thel discovered that the assassination orders had come from the elder [[Koida 'Vadam]], and after killing him, he ordered all of Koida's line to leave Vadam keep by sunrise.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 83-94''</ref>

In [[2535]], Thel was sent to [[Charybdis IX]] with command over the vessel ''Retribution's Thunder'' to participate in the [[Battle of Charybdis IX]], while being overseen by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]]. He and several other Sangheili boarded the {{UNSCShip|Do You Feel Lucky?}} and attempted to access the vessel's navigation database, but it had already been purged. He left and witnessed the destruction of the ship before being called to the ''[[Infinite Sacrifice]]'', where he met the Prophet of Regret in person. Regret informed him of humans reportedly wielding modified Covenant weapons, a transgression he believed to be the doing of the [[Kig-Yar]]. He was then sent to the [[23 Librae]] system to track down the source of the illegal weapons traders. For the mission, his ship was accompanied by the Kig-Yar vessel ''[[A Psalm Every Day]]'', commanded by Shipmistress [[Chur'R-Mut]] and the [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Pellius]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 138-148''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 153''</ref>

Upon arriving at 23 Librae, Thel and his crew discovered the [[Rubble]], a collection of asteroid habitats built by Kig-Yar and Insurrectionist humans working together. Almost immediately afterward, the ''Thunder'' was attacked by ''A Psalm Every Day''; Pellius had decided to betray Thel so that he could claim sole credit for the discovery. Thel and his crew were taken by surprise, allowing the traitorous vessel's second salvo to disable the ''Thunder's'' weapons, communications and engines. ''A Psalm Every Day'' escaped while Kig-Yar boarding craft and [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Spirit]]s strafed the hull. Thel, increasingly frustrated, gave permission for his crew to abandon ship; this was a test to weed out the weaker Sangheili among his crew. Enemy Spirits destroyed the retreating craft in short order. Thel then ordered the destruction of the ''Retribution's Thunder'', which killed the boarding Kig-Yar.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 155-163''</ref> Thel, however, survived and was captured, imprisoned on the Rubble along with most of the bridge crew. They ultimately managed to escape and hijack a [[Kig-Yar shuttle]],<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 169-172''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 187-190''</ref> taking them to [[Unnamed Kig-Yar transport|another Kig-Yar vessel]]. On the surface of [[Metisette]], Thel captured the leader of the warband, [[Reth]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 194-203''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 214-217''</ref>

At some point between 2535 and 2552, Thel's exceptional leadership and combat prowess earned him the rank of [[Supreme Commander]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]]. Sometime after this promotion he led the Covenant forces in the [[Battle of Camber]]. 'Vadamee and his fleet caught the UNSC forces completely unaware. He began his ground and orbital assault before most of the planet was aware of the attack. While 17 of his ships bombarded key defensive positions, 'Vadamee personally led an attack on the UNSC system headquarters. He first engaged the [[3rd Battalion Reserves]], who were caught completely unprepared. 'Vadamee ordered his men to wait for the humans to prepare to defend themselves before wiping out the entire unit.<ref name="h2at2">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminal 2]]''</ref> Throughout his time as Supreme Commander he was also responsible for the glassing of [[Bounty]], [[Alluvion]], [[Mesa]], [[Greydowns]], [[Kroedis II]], and [[Estuary]]. He and his forces were responsible for over 1 billion human casualties—23,000 of them military personnel—and the destruction of 123 UNSC ships.<ref name="terminal 3"/> ONI [[ONI#Section Three|Section 3]] attempted to kill him at different times, but failed each time resulting in the deaths of several operatives.<ref name="a2at1">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminal 1]]''</ref>

In March 2553, the Arbiter greeted Phillips in Vadam. Phillips requested a tour of Sanghelios' most ancient cities to which Thel approved and assigned Phillips an escort, [[Cadan 'Ilmir]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 425''</ref>  Not long after, they lost Phillips in [[Ontom]] after dissident Jiralhanae detonated an explosive in the state. In the wake of this uprising, 'Telcam and the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] launched their attack on the state of Vadam. 'Vadam was later contacted by Lord Hood who informed him that he could recover Phillips and quell the rebellion. 'Vadam was doubtful of his offer but graciously accepted his help.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 236-238''</ref> Despite 'Telcam's ship having been shot down early in the battle, the situation on Sanghelios intensified as reinforcements from like-minded [[keep]]s arrived to attack Vadam keep. Lord Hood arrived on Sanghelios onboard humanity's most powerful ship, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. The Arbiter was caught off guard and as his own reinforcements failed to arrive on time, he reluctantly accepted the UNSC's help in fending off the attackers. ''Infinity'' decimated the rebel forces while the {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}} posed as a Kig-Yar pirate ship and covertly destroyed some of 'Vadam's ships, leaving the Arbiter with a Pyrrhic victory. After the battle, Thel 'Vadam was in talks to visit the UNSC ''Infinity''.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 405''</ref>

===Distress call from humans===

{{Main|Operation: FAR STORM}}

In [[2555]] UNSC contacted 'Vadam after discovering that the [[Halo array]] had been set to fire in three weeks. The countdown had been initiated from the Ark, and they needed help in re-activating the [[Portal at Voi|portal]] at [[Voi]] in order to dispatch a team there to disable the activation sequence. 'Vadam sent [[Usze 'Taham]] and [[N'tho 'Sraom]], along with other Sangheili and a [[Huragok]] to aide the humans.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 59-66''</ref>

|q1=I'm a [[Spartan-IV|Spartan]] now, sir.  

|q2=I know who you are. Yet now you hunt [[John-117|another Spartan]], the greatest of your clan.

Meanwhile, John-117 and the rest of [[Blue Team]] had apparently gone rogue to pursue Cortana and the UNSC dispatched [[Fireteam Osiris]] to retrieve them. After Blue Team escaped Osiris aboard a Forerunner [[Guardian]] that Cortana had enter slipspace to an unknown location, Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] and Spartan Sarah Palmer proposed for Osiris to utilize the Guardian located near Sunaion to follow Blue Team. Not wishing for the UNSC to get too engaged in the Sangheili civil war, Lasky had ''Infinity'' travel to Swords of Sanghelios and arranged for Osiris to be escorted to the Arbiter's position by Swords of Sanghelios soldiers. Osiris fought their way to the Arbiter's position at the Elder Council Chamber, while the Covenant started to overwhelm the Swords of Sanghelios at the camp. With help from surviving Swords of Sanghelios soldiers, the Spartans eliminated the Covenant forces around the chamber and moved inside to find the Arbiter; Osiris arrived at his position just as he was single-handedly killing several Covenant Sangheili. Contacting [[Mahkee 'Chava]], Osiris was extracted from the chamber along with the Arbiter by a [[Type-57 Phantom]].<ref name="sos"/> Returning to the Arbiter's primary camp in Nuusra with Palmer and Halsey, 'Vadam and Osiris leader Spartan [[Jameson Locke]] spoke about using Sunaion's Guardian to pursue Blue Team. However, using her recently gained access to the [[Domain]], Cortana suddenly blacked out every network at the camp. Halsey came up with a plan that involved locating a Forerunner [[Constructor]] at a support station for the Guardian and inputting commands into it to make the construct activate the Guardian for Osiris.<ref name="alliance">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Alliance]]''</ref>

The Covenant deployed a [[Kraken]] between the support station and Osiris' position. While the Arbiter's forces engaged the Kraken with air squadrons, Osiris provided ground support. While the Swords of Sanghelios pushed the Kraken into a retreat, Osiris boarded the walker and destroyed its power core. With the Kraken destroyed, Osiris entered the nearby Forerunner support station and retrieved the Constructor. However, the Spartans were suddenly engaged by [[Promethean]] constructs.<ref name="enemy lines">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Enemy Lines]]''</ref> After battling their way to the extraction point, the Osiris returned to the Swords of Sanghelios camp at Nuusra, where 'Vadam was ready to begin the attack on Sunaion and finally destroy the Covenant. As the Constructor departed to activate the Guardian, the Arbiter's forces launched their assault on Sunaion.<ref name="before the storm">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref> 'Vadam and Osiris traveled to Sunaion aboard a [[Type-56 Lich]], narrowly avoiding anti-air weaponry. While the Arbiter led forces in engaging Covenant forces, Osiris destroyed the anti-air emplacements to allow the more air support from one of the Swords of Sanghelios' fleets. Osiris then moved towards the Guardian's position, with Locke warning the Arbiter to move his fleet before the Guardian set off its concussive blasts upon activation. However, Promethean constructs began engaging the Swords of Sanghelios near the Guardian's location and started to overwhelm the Arbiter's forces. As the Guardian began to initiate its activation sequence, parts of the city began falling apart. Osiris arrived at the 'Vadam's location just as he was killing a [[Promethean Knight]]. The Arbiter and the four Spartans came under attack from Promethean forces and were soon attacked by the [[Warden Eternal]]. The five managed to defeat the Warden and his Prometheans, just as the Guardian began to leave Sanghelios. Palmer managed to pick up the Spartans in a Pelican and drop them off aboard the Guardian before the construct left the planet into slipspace. 'Vadam then regrouped with his own soldiers and led the Swords of Sanghelios in eliminating the last of the Covenant forces on the planet.<ref name="sunaion">'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Battle of Sunaion]]''</ref>

As noted by [[Jameson Locke]], Thel was an incredibly brilliant commander, known for utilizing advanced tactics that made his fleet unstoppable. Among the Covenant, he was noted for being one of the youngest Sangheili to attain the ranks of both Shipmaster and Supreme Commander.<ref name="a2at12">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminal 12]]''</ref> During the war, 'Vadamee was known for his tendency to lead campaigns from the front lines. His unorthodox tactics in comparison to the Covenant at large quickly caught the eye of ONI; Lieutenant Commander Locke considered him the most dangerous asset the Covenant had due to his unpredictability and tactical flexibility.<ref name="a2at1"/> After the [[Fall of Reach]], 'Vadamee's influence within the Covenant fleet had grown so great [[Sesa 'Refumee]] suspected the Prophets may perceive him as a threat to their power even before learning of his appointment as Arbiter.<ref name="a2at13">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 2 Anniversary|Terminal 13]]''</ref>  

The Arbiter wears mandible guards in ''Halo 3'' despite lacking them in ''Halo 2'' and ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''. ''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' depicts 'Vadam in the likeness of ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Elites, most notably through the light tone and sparse texture of his skin. ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' ignores this overhaul, though he does wear his armor from the comic series in the "bookend" cutscenes—albeit with an open helmet with fixed mandible guards. ''Halo 5: Guardians''<nowiki>'</nowiki> depicts 'Vadam in the likeness of ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Elites like in ''Halo: Escalation'', though he continues to wear his armor from the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' "bookend" cutscenes. This is due to resource management rather than a retcon.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/why-the-heck-are-thel-s-covenant-wearing-h4-armor/662e9ed3-828e-448b-bd79-d6cf2c9bab06/posts?page=1#post20 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''GrimBrother ONE on resources'']</ref>

File:Thel 2558.png|Thel 'Vadam in [[2558]].

File:H2A Arby.jpg|An early image of Thel 'Vadam in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

File:Supreme Commander Thel 3D model.jpg|An early model of Thel in Supreme Commander armor in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

File:H2A-ArbiterThelVadam-Render.jpg|An early model of Thel in Arbiter armor in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

File:H2A-ThelModel-Front.jpg|Model of Thel, used as the basis for all Sangheili models in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

File:H2A-ThelModel-Face.jpg|Close up on the face of the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' Thel model.

File:H2A-ThelModel-FullBody.jpg|Untextured full body model of Thel in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

[[Category:Playable Characters]]