The Arbiter Stands – An Essential Ally for Humanity and Master Chief
As Halo‘s expansive sci-fi universe continues evolving, one constant remains – the formidable Sangheili commander known as the Arbiter. This iconic ally of Master Chief and humanity as a whole is very much alive, last seen fighting alongside UNSC forces in Halo Infinite. And with threats like The Endless now emerging, the need for his veteran leadership and combat prowess seems greater than ever.
So fret not Halo followers, the Arbiter still lives up to his famous rallying mantra – "Warriors, we stand as one united in purpose and vision." This is the chronicle of his redemption from ruthless Covenant enforcer to humanity‘s champion against extinction.
From Blind Faith to Disillusionment – The Arbiter‘s Beginning
In Halo lore, the "Arbiter" represents a storied Sangheili rank bestowed upon only the most lethal warriors to carry out suicidal missions on the Covenant‘s behalf. The most recent Arbiter is Thel ‘Vadam, born in 2510 as a member of the influential Vadam bloodline on Sanghelios. His early feats saw him rapidly ascend the Covenant hierarchy and by 2552 he attained the vaunted rank of Supreme Commander.
Fanatical in his religious devotion, he administered the Covenant‘s genocide against humanity without hesitation. That is until being branded a failure after the destruction of Halo Installation 04. At this turning point Thel faced a ceremonial death sentence, only to receive an unlikely pardon as the next appointed Arbiter. Though this "act of nobility" was in truth a means to manipulate him, it set Thel down the path of disillusionment with the Covenant and finding common ground with his former mortal enemies – humanity.
The Forging of an Alliance – Partners to the Bitter End
In assuming the role of Arbiter, Thel aided Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Major Avery Johnson in unraveling the dark conspiracy around the Ark and Halo ring installations. Alongside Master Chief he stormed Prophet of Truth‘s stronghold in a final desperate gamble to halt the annihilation of all sentient life in the galaxy. Though Earth and the Ark suffered heavy losses, their victory severed the Covenant leadership and brought an end to the decades long conflict with humanity – an unthinkable outcome given their genocide pact not long prior.
Having seen the deception and hypocrisy rotting the Covenant at its core, Thel severed ties completely and formed the Swords of Sanghelios faction to lead resistance against Jul ‘Mdama‘s extremist faction – allying once more with the UNSC in a tentative human-Sangheili pact. While this alliance remains strained at times politically, the Arbiter‘s personal loyalty and duty to safeguarding Master Chief is unwavering even in the era following Cortana.
Their shared experiences as seasoned soldiers have cultivated a mutual respect and understanding that transcends old hatreds. Now in the wake of Cortana‘s death and the emergence of threats like The Endless, humanity needs the Arbiter‘s strength and leadership more urgently than ever.
Abilities Profile – What Makes the Arbiter Such a Deadly Foe
As a distinguished Sangheili commander from a renowned lineage, the Arbiter represents the pinnacle of their already fearsome warrior culture. Both in and out of his customized combat harness, his impressive attributes and abilities include:
- Towering stature over 8 feet tall with dense musculature
- Innate strength enabling wielding of heavy plasma weaponry
- Reflexes/agility to swiftly counter adversaries in close quarters
- Expertise with the Energy Sword and familiarity with any Covenant armament
- Adaptability to harsh environments – vacuums of space, irradiated zones, etc.
- Indomitable willpower and high pain tolerance common of Sangheili
- Sound tactical mind for devising strategies and exploiting weaknesses
- Inspiring leadership to rally troops against overwhelming odds
The Arbiter‘s legendary exploits include surviving missions deemed suicidal even by Covenant standards, felling scores of Flood in hand-to-hand combat, and storming Forerunner constructs bristling with lethal sentinels. Not to mention eliminating rogue Covenant factions and securing humanity valuable intelligence and allies among Sangheili factions.
In many ways Thel ‘Vadam represents the apex of the Sangheili species‘ prowess – a walking tank built for frontline warfare. No wonder the Master Chief has come to value his partnership so highly.
The Sangheili Species – Proud Warriors Bound by Honor
To fully appreciate the Arbiter, some background on the Sangheili people proves insightful. Hailing from the harsh world of Sanghelios, the Sangheili had been important members of the Covenant hierarchy for nearly 3000 years. Originally allied to enforce the religious doctrine of the San‘Shyuum (Prophets), over time they chafed under their new role as military enforcers rather than equals.
Key notes on Sangheili culture/biology include:
- Strong martial traditions – Glory in battle is paramount
- Matriarchal clans bound by deep familial ties
- Height generally between 7-8 feet tall
- Doubled jaws lined with sharp teeth – Useful for combat
- Dense musculature but also quick reflexes
- Thick reptilian hide that varies in color between individuals
- Oviparous reproduction – Eggs are laid and hatchlings incubated
This pairing of brute strength, speed and durability with a tactical intellect for warfare manifested the Sangheili‘s famed prowess. When the Arbiter severed ties with the Covenant, it split the species across their childhood allegiance to the San‘Shyuum and their cultural hatred of humanity. To this day some factions remain stubborn holdouts against allying with humans. But the Arbiter‘s leadership of the Swords of Sanghelios has secured humanity a powerful coalition.
And if any single Sangheili can unify their kind, it would be the commanding presence of Thel Vadam.
The Measure of a Leader – Virtues that Earned Redemption
What truly sets the Arbiter apart to earn humanity‘s trust is his morality and conduct underscoring sincere intentions. As previously covered, Thel‘s illustrious lineage and career saw him embraced as a rising star within the Covenant armada. Ruthless, cunning and battle-hardened, he inflicted crushing defeats upon human forces including Admiral Cole‘s legendary fleet.
But upon being appointed Arbiter, the Prophet‘s lies became clear and seeds of doubt took root in Thel‘s conscience. Experiencing firsthand the Flood‘s perversion of life and sacrifice of Sergeant Johnson‘s men provoked deeper introspection of the Covenant‘s doctrines. By partnering with the Master Chief to stop the Ark‘s activation, Thel turned against his former masters for good.
Key evidence of Thel‘s leadership qualities include:
- Disavowed former religious zealotry upon realizing the San‘Shyuum‘s deceit
- Protecting Sergeant Johnson‘s troopers from the Flood during extraction
- Forging peace between humanity and Sangheili allies as kaidon of his keep
- Wrestling with difficult truths about the legitimacy of the Great Journey
- Willing to challenge social taboos for pragmatic cooperation with humans
- Charismatic ability to sway numerous commanders to his separatist cause
In essence, the Arbiter‘s crisis of faith opened his eyes to the truth – serving old grudges continued a cycle of bloodshed. Only by moving beyond the past could there be hope of forging understanding. Without his daring leadership the Human-Covenant War may have ended very differently.
"I Will Not Allow You to Leave This Planet!" – A Rivalry for the Ages
A fun aspect around the Arbiter is his early rivalry and later camaraderie with his former nemesis, the Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. As the UNSC‘s finest the Chief rivals Thel‘s capabilities in most every category – strength, tactics, willpower, leadership, etc. Initially clashing repeatedly during the Siege of the Control Room on Installation 04, over time these frequent battles cultivated mutual respect between the two.
By Halo 3 they fought side-by-side to quell the Flood infestation and halt the Ark‘s calamitous firing. Chief even retrieved Cortana at Thel‘s insistence knowing this A.I.‘s value. Their back-to-back final push to save Commander Keyes cemented their partnership with Thel proudly declaring he would stand by the Chief‘s side. Ever since they‘ve maintained an unbreakable fellowship even across the gulfs of space and years.
So while fans may endlessly debate who ranks supreme between the Master Chief and Arbiter, their brotherly bond transcends such rivalry. As the most storied Sangheili commander of his era, none can match Thel ‘Vadam‘s intimacy with humanity‘s champion. This relationship shapes galactic events even now.
A New Saga Unfolds – The Arbiter‘s Role Going Forward
Peering ahead at upcoming titles like Halo: Divine Wind and the Reclaimer Saga, what fate awaits our stoic Sangheili champion? The Arbiter‘s role in Halo Infinite set the stage for humanity‘s pact with Sangheili allies even as threats like the Banished rise. Key story elements still left hanging that his character arc may factor into include:
Post-Guardians Galaxy:
- Political instability as UNSC rebuilds after Cortana
- Leadership dynamics between Sangheili factions
- Mercenary/pirate groups exploiting instability for gain
The Endless Mystery:
- Origins and intentions still unknown
- Imprisonment by Forerunners suggesting immense power
- Capable of "transgalactic" destruction per audio logs
Banished Ambitions:
- Escharum‘s defeat leaves leadership in flux
- Ambitions to gain control over Zeta Halo and beyond
- Brute violence contrasts Sangheili discipline
As humanity and Sangheili explore this new saga together, the Arbiter remains our most critical ambassador bridging relations between species. His guidance and combat expertise navigating threats old and new will doubtless prove invaluable to whatever comes next!
So while some hero characters get relegated to lore footnotes, everything about Halo Infinite‘s framingHints at the Arbiter playing an pivotal role rivaling the Master Chief himself as threats escalate.
Sangheili Loyalist Factions:
- Swords of Sanghelios: 500 worlds, 5 fleets
- Vadam Keeps: 11 worlds, 3 fleets
Banished Forces:
- Warships: ~100
- Ground/air vehicles: ~2,000
- Brute battalions: ~20Whatever fate awaits in those distant stars, take faith that the Arbiter still stands guard over his allies. But the next chapter remains unwritten…What destiny do the stars foretell for this weathered but unyielding warrior? We eagerly anticipate finding out!
