Sangheili Honor Guardsman

Sangheili Honor Guardsman Species and equipment information Species Sangheili Weapons Energy stave Plasma rifle Energy sword Carbine Equipment Sangheili personal energy shield Political and military information Mission types Escort and guard important individuals Role Guarding important sites and individuals, usually the Prophets Affiliation Covenant
	[Source]

"We have always been your protectors!"

—Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee talking to the Prophet of Truth^[1]

The honor guardsman was a Covenant Sangheili position, serving as elite protectors to the Prophets, particularly the Hierarchs, in the Covenant Honor Guard.^[1][2][3]

[edit] Overview

Honor guardsmen were among the most skilled of all Sangheili warriors and were hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets and other high ranking officials in the Covenant High Council. The Lights of Sanghelios were a revered elite unit among the Sangheili honor guards.^[4]

Honor guardsmen in service to the Honor Guard of the Covenant wore highly ornate armor, colored in a combination of glowing red and orange. It featured jutting spikes and pauldrons, though this was not always so.^[5] It is unknown how many Sangheili honor guardsmen were in service, though the Sanctum of the Hierarchs on High Charity could accommodate as many as three hundred.^[6]

Honor guardsmen were expected to immediately kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.^[7] In addition, they kept order during important meetings within the High Council. Although the position was a great honor, it was seen by some Sangheili as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who were aware of the Hierarchs' duplicity.^{[citation needed]}

The Sangheili honor guardsmen were likely instated immediately after the signing of the Writ of Union, which led to the establishment of the Covenant. For thousands of years, the Sangheili protected the Hierarchs and the other Prophets according to the Writ's strictures.^[1] After the death of the Prophet of Regret during the Ninth Age of Reclamation in November 2552, the Prophets of Truth and Mercy replaced the Sangheili honor guards with the Jiralhanae. This "Changing of the Guard" was a major step in a carefully planned coup that soon devolved into the Great Schism.^[8] Some of the honor guardsmen killed themselves after learning of the Prophets' treachery.^[9] Others assisted Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee in stopping Tartarus, the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae, from activating Halo Installation 05 and therefore killing all sentient life in the galaxy.^[10]

[edit] Personal honor guards

In addition to the formal Honor Guard of the Covenant, some Sangheili warlords maintain honor guards drawn from their personal forces.^[11][12] Ripa 'Moramee, a "warlord thrall", used his personal guard in an attempt to overthrow his kaidon on Decided Heart; this coup failed and 'Moramee was sentenced to a life of imprisonment. After the Prophet of Regret pardoned 'Moramee and granted him the rank of Arbiter, the latter's personal guard protected the two as they scoured a Forerunner Shield World in an attempt to gain control of several powerful dreadnoughts stationed at the Apex. When human forces from the UNSC Spirit of Fire entered the Shield World, 'Moramee had some of his guards escort the Hierarch to High Charity.^[12] Unlike formal honor guardsmen, who would kill anyone who drew a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch, 'Moramee's guard refrained from doing so.^[13]

[edit] Halo Wars gameplay

In Halo Wars, Sangheili honor guardsmen are the leader-specific unit of the Prophet of Regret. They wield energy swords and deal tremendous damage to infantry. They are trained directly from the Citadel. They initially lack energy shields, though they can be upgraded with them. They can also be outfitted with active camouflage.

[edit] Gallery

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  A Sangheili honor guard.

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  A procession of Sangheili honor guardsmen.

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  Sangheili honor guardsmen during the judgment of Thel 'Vadamee.

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  Members of 'Moramee's personal guard protecting the High Prophet of Regret.

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  A render of a Sangheili honor guard in Halo Wars.

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  Sangheili Honor Guardsman as depicted in the motion comic adaption of the Halo: Evolutions story The Return.

[edit] List of appearances

• Halo 2
• Halo Wars
• Halo: First Strike (First appearance)
• Halo: The Cole Protocol
• Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
  • The Return
• Halo Legends
  • Origins
  • The Babysitter

[edit] Sources

1. ^ ^{a b c} Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
2. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 381
3. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 95
4. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 153
5. ^ Halo Legends: The Babysitter
6. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 339
7. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 341
8. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
9. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, The Return
10. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
11. ^ Halo Wars: Genesis
12. ^ ^{a b} Halo Wars, campaign levels Scarab, Shield World, and Beachhead
13. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Scarab