Kaaranese Sangheili

The Sangheili of the Urs System reached a level of technological sophistication relatively recently, expanding quickly and making First Contact with the San'Shyuum in approximately AD 1500. Before that, technological progression was relatively predictable, and their rediscovery of interstellar travel was swiftly followed by total war. It is therefore difficult to see how Sangheili could have colonised a planet several hundred lightyears from Sanghelios, lost contact and forgotten about it, and the colonists built up a civilisation that rivalled Sanghelios itself.

The answer, of course, is that they didn't. Genetic studies of Sangheili mitochromial DNA show that the Morhekans split off from the main species much earlier - approximately 90,000 years ago, after the activation of the Halo Array. Exactly how the Morhekans reached Ketesh remains a mystery few feel confident in solving - even local legend is extremely hazy, mentioning only that their ancestors were "guided" to their new home by "the Holy Light of the Gods wisdom" as they fled persecution. Exactly what they were fleeing is not stated - neither is how they reached Ketesh, when it would be another 91500 years until their Sanghelios ancestors would achieve interstellar travel. What is known is that the Morhekan Sangheili made this planet their home, and have branched out in almost every way possible, making it their own.

The Morheka were discovered by a routine missionary ship patrol in 2123, the discovery of Sangheili with no prior connection to Sanghelios or the Covenant sending ripples of shock and disconcertion throughout the upper echelons. The Sangheili military leaders, expecting a fierce resistance, prepared to conquer the planet with their military might. The Prophets, exually distressed at the thought of once again facing a hostile Sangheili world, poured their efforts into communicating and negotiating with them, hoping to prevent them from becoming a rallying point for anti-Prophet sentiment. Ultimately, both of these steps were unneccessary - Ketesh joined the Covenant as its most recent acquisition willingly, with only a few religious groups voicing resistance. Today, Morhekans make up 15% of the Sangheili military personnel, with members in the upper echelons of the Covenant military. Though retaining a distinct and unique cultural flavour, Morhekans have a fascination with Sanghelios culture, and the cultural influence of their brethren has become popular, replacing the older Qu'refran Architecture once common across the planet.

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