San'Shyuum
The San’Shyuum are a species that features in Halo.
Contents |
History
The San'Shyuum (Prophets) was an intelligent sapient species native to the planet Janjur Qom situated in the Milky Way Galaxy. Thousands of years ago, they evolved into a spacefaring civilization where they provided quiet support to ancient Humanity in their conflict with the Forerunners.
After the Halo Array's activation, the various species were reseeded as part of the Librarian's efforts with Janjur Qom similarly being replanted with the San'Shyuum. In time, the San'Shyuum had forgotten their conflict with the Forerunners and redeveloped technology, language and philosophy that was centred around observation of Forerunner relics. Around 2200 BCE, two major sects formed within their society with these factions included the conservative Stoics and the militant progressives called the Reformists. The Stoics believed that the Forerunner artifacts were divine and that dismantling them would dishonour their gods that had left them on their world. Reformists by contrast opposed the simple, superficial observation and were exhausted with such worship as they instead believed true power of the gods could be awakened by close study as well as disassembly of their artifacts. Central to this spiritual and scientific dispute was the Forerunner dreadnought that was a massive spaceship that was present at the centre of the Great Apothea sea. Members of the more radical Reformists were able to activate the ancient vessel allowing them to depart their homeworld and leave the civil war behind. During the Reformist San'Shyuum's travels, they encountered a powerful warrior species known as the Sangheili with war erupting between the two races over control of the Forerunner's legacy. The conflict nearly brought about destruction for both species until a bargain was struck and an alliance was formed between the San'Shyuum and Sangheili.
Thus, the writing of the Writ of Union was made in the year 852 BCE with the radical Reformists thus establishing a religious based political and military alliance with the Sangheili that became known as the Covenant. In the early days of the Covenant, there were only Sangheili and San'Shyuum. Over the years, this empire gradually began to incorporate several other species that spanned across the Orion Arm that stretched over hundreds of worlds that consisted of billions of individuals.
As the war dragged on for decades, the Sangheili's near-complete control of the Covenant military proved to be a source of friction and distrust from the San'Shyuum, including Truth. Many San'Shyuum feared that the Sangheili would eventually rebel and turn against them. With several San'Shyuum seeking to overthrow the Sangheili, the loyal Jiralhanae were secretly armed and empowered by Truth and his allies.
During this time, the Covenant had finally discovered the Halo rings that were sacred to their faith. Around this time, the High Prophet of Truth had discovered writings that showed that humans were central to the Forerunner as their successors. As a result, the Prophet was threatened by this and decided to create a plan that sought to wipe out humanity. In addition, the Hierarchs sought to break the Sangheili's power hold over the Covenant's military as they believed that this would eventually be turned against them. This led to the events of the Changing of the Guard as they began to replace the Elites with the Brutes that the Prophets had elevated in power.
As this coincided with the disappearance of most Huragok, others believed that the San'Shyuum may have taken the Huragok with them when they fled. By 2558, limited numbers of San'Shyuum continued to be encountered within the Unified Earth Government's and the former Covenant's sphere of influence in the galaxy.
On October 28, 2558, Cortana, leader of the faction of rogue artificial intelligences calling themselves the Created, broadcast a message wherein she invited the San'Shyuum among other select ex-Covenant races to either accept her offer of protection and prosperity or to suffer her wrath
Overview
In appearance, the San'Shyuum (Latin: Perfidia vermis) were a race of light brown skinned humanoids with long necks and a lack of hair. Originally, their species were noted for their intelligence and attractiveness long ago in their ancient history. However, Forerunner genetic manipulation saw the San'Shyuum transformed leading a transformation in their physical appearance as punishment for their alliance with humanity. As a result, they were turned into tall, lithe beings that had long serpentine necks and a thin, frail skeletal structure that resulted in them moving slowly as well as delicately. Prophets had tridactyly-fingers with narrow, highly tactile hands along with prehensile feet. Despite their feet, these were often atrophied to the point of uselessness. Young San'Shyuum were able to walk upright like their distant ancestors but as they aged they began to make use of anti-gravity systems for mobility. Whilst possessing physical impediments, the Prophets had dramatically extended their lifespans through the use of medical advancements allowing them to live for centuries.
Some records suggest that the prehistoric San'Shyuum were genetically manipulated by the Forerunners at the end of the human-Forerunner wars, resulting in an unfortunate physical reduction of their species as punishment for their alliance with humanity.
Modern San'Shyuum, especially those that have spent considerable time in the low gravity of High Charity, tend to have some degree of difficulty moving in higher-gravity environments. Although younger San'Shyuum are significantly stronger and capable of walking upright, the majority of San'Shyuum in the Covenant are very elderly, and this combined with a life of physical inactivity leaves most of the Covenant's San'Shyuum withered and weak. As a result, most San'Shyuum wear some form of anti-gravity device
It was noted that the San'Shyuum were accomplished manipulators.
For millennia, they had worshipped the Forerunners as gods that were reverted in their species and led to that belief in the Covenant. The San'Shyuum had a central belief around transcendence that they believed the Forerunners achieved through the divine artifacts known as Halo. Among their people, they believed in this concept that they referred to as the Great Journey. The San'Shyuum believed that an understanding of the Holy relics of the gods would allow them to attain godhood for themselves. Within the Covenant, the Prophets operated as religious leaders with their primary activity being searching, studying and incorporating Forerunner technology.
At any given time, the Covenant was headed by a triumvirate of San'Shyuum, known as the Hierarchs. Although the High Council had an equal representation of both the San'Shyuum and Sangheili, the Hierarchs that led the council ultimately dictated all policies and decisions. Below the Hierarchs, the High Councilors of the Covenant determined legislation and executed the day-to-day affairs of the government.
Technologically, they were rated as a Tier 2 ranked civilization.
Prelates were select San'Shyuum individuals selected to enter the Sacred Promissory, under the Minister of Preparation's discretion, where they were subject to the use of the Promissory's Forerunner technology to alter their minds and bodies. Prelates were able to apply for removal from the Roll of Celibates following this procedure, though some fears around whether these procedures may ruin potential chances for healthy offspring remained. Prelates were created with the assistance of chirurgeons, who accomplished this work not only on High Charity but also aboard specialized DSC-class agricultural support ships fitted with the appropriate arcane Forerunner instrumentation.
Members
- Prophet of Truth :
- Prophet of Regret :
- Prophet of Mercy :
Notes
- The Prophets were created by Bungie where they featured in the setting of the Halo universe.
In other media
Television
- In Halo, the Prophets appeared in the setting of the Paramount live-action television series set in the Silver Timeline.
Appearances
- Halo 2:
External Links
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