The mighty Covenant Empire was not always a deadly alliance between many alien races fighting against humanity. The term ‘Covenant’ was coined by the original two races to join in a pact: the Sangheili (the Elites) and the San ‘Shyuum (the Prophets).
In the years before the Covenant, the Prophets travelled through space looking for precious items known as Forerunner Artefacts. Their obsession with finding these ancient weapons and tools led them to the planet of the Elites. Unbeknownst to them was the ferocious power the elites had in the field of war, holding back the Prophets through sheer physical strength and numbers. The Prophets held their own using an ancient warship known as the Forerunner Dreadnought, a ‘Keyship‘ powered by technology far exceeding what the Elites could field. Only through integrating Forerunner technology into their own could the Elites force the Prophets into a stalemate, leading to a sharing of technologies – and the precious forerunner artefacts. This early peace between the two races became known as the covenant, and so the name stuck as an encompassing term for the entire empire.
The Sangheili take the role of controlling military affairs and as elite guards as the second highest caste within the covenant, while the San ‘Shyuum take on a role more akin to religious leaders as the highest caste within the system. Their orders are without question and carried out by all lesser castes while allowing the prophet’s time to study their artefacts and take control of any high rulings – often calling themselves the voice of the Gods. Many other races eventually found themselves devoured by the Covenant Empire, usually through violence. The Humans were excluded from ever joining the Covenant and instead a galaxy wide genocide was launched against them.
The other races bound by the Covenant before its collapse comprises:
- Jiralhanae (Brutes) – String and hardy beasts who although relatively new into the covenant, fought their way to third on the caste system through sheer brutality. Have an intense feud with the Elites, even succeeding them briefly.
- Mgalekgolo (Hunters) – Huge beasts actually comprised of thousands of tiny worms called Lekgolo. Together they form 12 foot tall heavily armoured super soldiers armed with massive plasma cannons. They are also used to control the deadly Scarab tanks.
- Unggoy (Grunts) – The lowest on the pecking order and often used as cannon fodder by the higher races. Can only breathe methane so carry large tanks on their back which make easy targets.
- Kig-Yar (Jackals) – Deadly marksmen due to their exceptional sight and senses, but are near the bottom of the caste system second only to the Unggoy. Carry around portable energy shields and often use ranged weapons.
- Huragok (Engineers) – An artificial race. They carry out repairs on technology and are directly responsible for researching Forerunner artefacts. They do not directly carry out combat duties and usually only have a shield on them.
- Yanme’e (Drones) – Little flying pests often armed with needlers. Travel in large swarms to overwhelm ground forces.
After the Covenant was broken (through the Elite rebellion and in no small part from the human the Covenant call the ‘Demon‘ (Master Chief), most of the races have gone silent without the associated hierarchy in place. Only splinter cells now attempt to continue the war with humanity.
//
