Baphilas

Baphilas is the fifth planet orbiting the star Shefa. Baphilas was colonised in 1931 CE by the Covenant Empire, and became the capital planet of the Lights of Purity.

Prehistory
Centuries prior to the arrival of the Covenant, the Forerunners would use Baphilas as a testing grounds for genetic research on organic life, with many structures being constructed on Baphilas for this purpose, along with a small number of local Sentinels and Forerunner researchers. During the closing years of the Forerunner-Flood War, Baphilas was abandoned by the Forerunners.

Early History
"This planet and it's inhabitants will live in harmony.""- A San'Shyuum scribe referring to Baphilas in the Baphilas report, 1940 CE."The Covenant would discover Baphilas in the year of 1929 CE. The San'Shyuum would see the religious significance of the Shefa system due to the discovery of Forerunner artifacts on the planet in 1931 CE, and would allow a selected number of Sangheili clans to settle on the planet. A year later, scribes would discover the true nature of the Forerunner structures on the planet and they'd be deemed as insignificant. Restrictions on the planet were lifted, and members of the Covenant were allowed to travel freely to and from Baphilas. Around this time, the Yanme'e would establish several hives across Baphilas.

Great Schism
During the Great Schism, Baphilas would see little of the conflict. Dominant Sangheili clans would have the loyalty of the local Yanme'e, with the only battles taking place on the surface being between Jiralhanae scouting parties and Sangheili clansmen. Vetan 'Hanam would arrive at the planet with the Lights of Purity following the Second Battle of Elysia in late 2552, and would unite the planet's Sangheili and Yanme'e under a single government, along with the Unggoy and Lekgolo on the planet. The Lekgolo would be permitted to establish a number of colonies on the planet's surface, while the Yanme'e were granted permission to colonise the terraformed Moon of Baphilas.

Lights of Purity
Baphilas would enter a new age of prosperity as the species on the planet lived in relative harmony. In 2555, the planet's Sentinels were remotely activated by Cassandra.