- “But... here you now stand. This is my last fight. A true test of legends! Our story will outlive us both. Set a fire in your heart, Spartan! Bare your fangs! Fight hard! Die well.”— Escharum[1]
Escharum is a legendary veteran Jiralhanae male who serves as a War Chief within the Banished. He is the leading member of the Hand of Atriox, a group of deadly Spartan killers, current second in command of the Banished and was Atrox's old mentor. He led the Banished to victory in defeating the UNSC at Installation 07.[1]
Biography[]
Early life[]
At some point, Escharum rose to the rank of War Chief within the Banished. He is extremely loyal to Atriox[1] and was his mentor.
Reach[]
In October of 2559, Atriox gave Escharum orders to send his forces to the glassed human world of Reach to locate a portal to the ark in order for Atriox to return to the galaxy.[3] The portal system on the Ark had been disabled for the Banished during the ongoing war against the UNSC Spirit of Fire.
Escharum sent his forces commanded by the Chieftain Castor to Reach to occupy the entire planet as they search for the portal. During the search, Castor discovers a human presence on the planet, later discovered to be Blue Team, and realizes that the humans could lead them straight to the portal. While Castor and his forces track the humans, Escharum arrived in his Corvette Elegy's Lament to check up on Castor's progress.[3]
While an angry Escharum berated Castor for his slow progress, a flight of human aircraft was spotted heading towards the Menachite mountains. Escharum, reassured, sent squadrons of Banshees and Seraphs to fend off the humans while his men excavate the portal.[3] Escharum, Castor, and 'Gadogai (a Sangheili working for the Banished), enter the portal room to witness Atriox's return. The Banished leader arrives in a Lich and meets Escharum and his men. Castor reveals his intentions to leave the Banished behind and travel to the Ark to restart the Great Journey[3]. For this treachery, Atriox orders 'Gadogai to kill Castors as he and his men leave Reach on Escharum's Corvette. However, Castor instead convinces 'Gadogai to join him as they leave to fulfil the Great Journey.[3]
Destruction of Installation 07[]
Escharum led the Banished in an attack against the UNSC on Installation 07, the Battle of Zeta Halo. Six months after defeating the UNSC Infinity, Atriox was said to have been killed, and Escharum succeeded him, leading the Banished with an iron hand. When the Banished ship Gbraakon was scuttled by the Master Chief John-117, he was delighted of the arrival of a worthy adversary, and his opinion didn't change despite the continuous defeats suffered by his men at the hands of the Spartan.[1]
Escharum later fought John-117 himself, though he mortally wounded in the ensuing battle. He wanted to continue fighting, but John told him it was over. John caught him before he collapsed. In his dying breath, he told him that his death would inspire a thousand others and that he wanted to let his men know that he died well.
Trivia[]
- Escharum is a major Banished antagonist in the video game Halo Infinite.[2]
- Escharum was Atrox's old mentor
- Escharum is said to be 80-90 years old
Gallery[]
Notes and references[]
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