Sangheili Councilors
Prophet Councilors
Councilors at the trial of the Supreme Commander, Thel 'Vadam, who would later become the Arbiter.
The High Council was the central Theocratic/Aristocratic and decision-making body of the Covenant. The High Council possessed both legislative and judicial powers within Covenent society.[1] The High Council consisted of more than 200 Sangheili and San 'Shyuum[2] and was headed by a triumvirate known as the Hierarchs or "High Prophets." Most of the Sangheili members of the Council were assassinated during the Battle of Installation 05 as part of the High Prophet of Truth's plan to replace Sangheili with Jiralhanae in Covenant society.
Overview
The Theocratic Covenant followed the orders of the High Council to the letter as they constituted the governing body of the Covenant governance. The High Council seemed to have been divided into sub-groups, with different tasks and goals which keep the Covenant up and running within all its aspects.
As of now, the exact status of the High Council is still unknown, the expulsion of the Sangheili would have left a significant power vacuum, especially in the more military-centric aspects of Covenant leadership and it is not known if the Jiralhanae would have assumed these roles yet. Add to this the fact that the invasion of the Covenant "Capital World" and "Holy City" of High Charity by the Flood apparently devastated much of the Covenant leadership, wiping out a large portion of the Covenant population and making it entirely likely that the High Council no longer exists at all. The final defeat of the Loyalists by the UNSC and Separatists was the keystone to ending the tradition. Following the events of the Great Schism, the Sangheili Separatists would likely promote their own leader, or leaders, in the traditional way, the best warrior and leader combined. It is most likely that the Arbiter would earn this title, as most of the qualified High Ranking Separatists were killed at Joyous Exultation.[3]
Known Council Members
High Prophets
Prophet Councilors
Trivia
- In the opening scene to Halo 2, 80 Councilors are in the Council Chamber. They are in two groups of four rows of five Sangheili, along with two groups of four rows of five San 'Shyuum.
- All Prophets of the High Council are deceased or have been deposed.
- The High Council makes an appearance in Halo Wars: Genesis at Ripa 'Moramee's sentencing.
List of appearances
- Halo 2 (First appearance)
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo: Contact Harvest
- Halo Wars: Genesis
Sources
- ↑ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 154
- ↑ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 271
- ↑ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 245
| |||||||||||||||||