Shipmaster

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Shipmaster/Shipmistress
Biographical and armament information
Species	Sangheili, Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar
Weapons	Energy Sword Plasma Rifle Covenant Carbine Plasma Grenade Gravity Hammer Energy cutlass
Equipment	Sangheili Personal Energy Shield
Political and military information
Missions	Space Operations
Role	Ship Commanders
Notable	Rtas 'Vadum Thel 'Vadam Jul 'Mdama Orna 'Fulsamee Tano 'Inanraree Voro 'Mantakree 'Qunu Chur'R-Yar Chur 'R-Mut Maccabeus Let 'Volir Unnamed Shipmaster of the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance Unnamed Shipmaster of the Rapturous Arc
Affiliation	Covenant Covenant separatists Covenant remnants Swords of Sanghelios

Shipmaster (feminine: Shipmistress), alternately spelled Ship Master, is both a term the Covenant use to describe anyone or anything in charge of a single ship (including Humans) as well as an actual office in the Covenant navy.

As described by their title, Sangheili Shipmasters often command a single Covenant Starship. The size of the Starship does not seem to matter, whether a Covenant Frigate or a Reverence-class cruiser.

Duties

When referring to a Sangheili, Shipmaster is a Covenant title for a high-ranking Covenant Sangheili who is in command of a single Starship. As per to denote their high-ranking status, most Shipmasters usually have bodyguards, such as a Mgalekgolo pair or a Lance.

While Shipmasters hold their individual power to command, they still fall under the chain of command, taking orders from their Fleet's Fleet Master, Supreme Commander or Imperial Admiral. They also report to the Council of Masters.

From what the UNSC has observed, the Shipmaster of a particular ship gives orders from the command center of their vessel, the rough equivalent of a UNSC Starship's bridge. There they oversee and supervise the running of the ship, and give orders during battle. They command the ship from a platform raised off the deck, surrounded by holoscreens displaying relevant information.

Mutinies for the title of shipmaster could take place on Covenant ships. After killing the previous Shipmaster of the Incorruptible, Major Voro 'Mantakree was given the title of Shipmaster, and then promoted to Zealot so that he could become a Fleet Master, in charge of a task force sent to Onyx.

Armor & Attire

Let 'Volir's unique Banished armor.

Shipmasters do not appear to have a strict armor or attire guide. Lat 'Ravamee wore a Zealot combat harness, Ardo 'Moretumee donned a General coombat harness, and Rtas 'Vadum used a white Sangheili Combat Harness. Some Sangheili Shipmasters were known to wear Doarmir fur cloaks as a sign of status.

Known Rank Holders

These, so far, are the only identified Shipmasters/Shipmistresses.

Sangheili

• Rtas 'Vadum - Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent.
• Jul 'Mdama - Shipmaster of the Blight of the Profane and later the Song of Retribution.
• Orna 'Fulsamee - Shipmaster of the destroyer Blameless Conceit at the Battle of Installation 04.
• Tano 'Inanraree - Former Shipmaster of the Incorruptible.
• Lat 'Ravamee - Shipmaster of the Truth and Reconciliation.
• Voro Nar 'Mantakree- Shipmaster of the Incorruptible.
• Ardo 'Moretumee - Shipmaster of the Ardent Prayer.
• Buran 'Utaral - Former Shipmaster of the Unflinching Resolve and later the Song of Wrath.
• Let 'Volir - Shipmaster of the Enduring Conviction.
• Forze 'Mdama - Shipmaster of an unknown ship.
• Thon 'Talamee - Shipmaster of the Clarity of Faith.
• Khoto 'Gaaran - Shipmaster of the Vengeful Deed
• 'Rduan - Shipmaster of the Defender of Faith.
• Qunu - Shipmaster of the Far Sight Lost.
• Unnamed Shipmaster - Shipmaster of an unnamed ship in the Fleet of Righteous Vigilance.
• Unnamed Shipmaster - Sangheili Shipmaster of the Rapturous Arc.

Jiralhanae

• Maccabeus - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Rapid Conversion.
• Lepidus - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Triumphant Declaration.
• Gargantum - Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Twilight Compunction.
• Pellius- Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the A Psalm Every Day.
• Parabum- Jiralhanae Shipmaster of the Valorous Salvation.

Kig-Yar

• Chur'R-Yar - Kig-Yar Shipmistress of the Minor Transgression.
• Chur 'R-Mut - Kig-Yar Shipmistress of the A Psalm Every Day.
• Chol Von - a former T'vaoan shipmistress of an unknown ship.

San'Shyuum

• Minister of Etiology - San'Shyuum Minor Prophet of the Infinite Succor.
• Minister of Inquisition - San'Shyuum Shipmaster of the Harbinger of Piety.

Appearances

Halo: The Cole Protocol

Main article: Halo: The Cole Protocol

A Kig-Yar Shipmistress and a Jiralhanae Shipmaster named Pellius appear in this novel. They plot against Thel 'Vadamee and his Zealot allies, shooting the Sangheili's ship down upon arriving in 23 Librae.  

Halo: Combat Evolved

Main article: Halo: Combat Evolved

Only one Shipmaster is seen, the Shipmaster of the Truth and Reconciliation. He was killed by John-117 during his infiltration of the ship to find and rescue Captain Keyes. As a senior officer, his combat skills are honed, and he makes far fewer tactical mistakes than, for example, Sangheili Minor, but he is still subdued by the Spartan.

Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

Main article: Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

Two Shipmasters are mentioned in Ghosts of Onyx. The first is Tano 'Inanraree, and the second is his successor and killer, Voro 'Mantakree. 'Mantakree later was given the office of Fleet Master to pursue the Human controlled Covenant Destroyer Bloodied Spirit.

Halo 3

Main article: Halo 3

In Halo 3, Rtas 'Vadum holds the position of Shipmaster. He is seen commanding the Assault Carrier, Shadow of Intent, as well as the Fleet of Retribution which glassed Voi and the surrounding areas.

Halo: Reach

Main article: Halo: Reach

In Halo: Reach, there is a Sangheili General, named Ardo 'Moretumee in the control room of the Covenant Corvette, the Ardent Prayer, who is the Shipmaster of this vessel.

Halo: Glasslands

The most notable shipmaster in Halo: Glasslands is Jul 'Mdama, although others are mentioned. Without the leadership and recources provided by the San'Shyuum, he is without a ship. In the book, he plots to assassinate Thel 'Vadam for his decision to form a peace treaty with the humans.

Trivia

• Though speculated to be the Covenant equivalents to UNSC Navy Captains, they may wield more influence than expected - Shipmasters have been seen in Halo: The Flood and Halo 3 directing relatively small battle groups, instead of single ships (though occasionally in 20th and 21st century fleets, the flagships' captain will command the fleet in the absence of an admiral. It's possible a similar system is used by the Sangheili, or the Covenant in general.)
• In Halo 3, after the memorial, Rtas 'Vadum hands the Shadow of Intent over to the Arbiter. This may technically give him the position of Shipmaster.
• As seen in Halo 3, the Shipmaster (Rtas 'Vadum) was in control of the entire Covenant Fleet. This would make Rtas 'Vadum a Fleet Master.
• The Sangheili Ship Master from Halo Legends' The Package wears a new and more ornate version of the Sangheili Combat Harness helmet.
• In the brief weeks between the end of the Human-Covenant war and the Blooding Years, Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood came to be known by the Sangheili as the Shipmaster of Shipmasters.