Will the Arbiter appear in the Halo show? Who are known Arbiter?

Thel’Vadam, often simply called the Arbiter, is the signature Sangheili in the Halo games, making him a prominent character in the series. But will the Arbiter show up in the Halo show?

This leaves fans wondering, will the Arbiter appear in the Halo show and if he does, how will he be introduced?

Could the Arbiter exist in the Halo show?

As of the fourth episode, Thel’Vadam has not shown up by name in the Halo show, but the story may be setting up for his arrival.

In the Halo games, Thel’Vadam is a Sangheili elite warrior who rises to the rank of Supreme Commander before the events of the first Halo game. After the first Halo ring is destroyed by Master Chief, and the flagship Ascendant Justice falls into his hands, Thel’Vadam is summoned before the High Council of the Prophets to answer for his failure.

Thel’Vadam is blamed for the loss of both the sacred Forerunner ring, as well as the Ascendant Justice. As a result, he is stripped of his honors and rank and given the role of Arbiter. The Arbiter is a tool of the Covenant, a Sangheili sworn to complete their most desperate and dangerous missions, often a death sentence. This punishment sends him on a path that eventually sees him ally with the Master Chief to topple the Covenant.

This storyline hasn’t been touched upon by the Halo series, at least not in the same way it’s presented in the game. But some elements are still there, meaning the Arbiter could make an appearance. It’s also possible he already has.

Details about Arbiter in the Halo show

In the Halo science fiction universe, an Arbiter is a ceremonial, religious, and political rank bestowed upon Covenant Elites. In the 2004 video game Halo 2, the rank is given to a disgraced commander named Thel ‘Vadamee as a way to atone for his failures. Although the Arbiter is intended to die serving the Covenant leadership, the High Prophets, he survives his missions and the Prophets’ subsequent betrayal of his kind. When he learns that the Prophets’ plans would doom all sentient life in the galaxy, the Arbiter allies with the Covenant’s enemies (humans) and stops the ringworld Halo from being activated. The Arbiter is a playable character in Halo 2 and its 2007 sequel Halo 3. The character also appears in Halo 5: Guardians and additional expanded universe material. A different Arbiter, Ripa ‘Moramee appears in the 2009 real-time strategy game Halo Wars, which takes place 20 years before the events of the main trilogy.

The appearance of the Arbiter in Halo 2 and the change in perspective from the main human protagonist Master Chief to a former enemy was a plot twist Halo developer Bungie kept highly secret. The character’s name was changed from “Dervish” after concerns that the name reinforced a perceived United States-versus-Islam allegory in the game’s plot. Actor Keith David lends his voice to the character in Halo 2, 3, and 5, while David Sobolov voices the Arbiter of Halo Wars.

Will the Arbiter appear in the Halo show?

While Thel’Vadam hasn’t had his name brought up, some fans are speculating that the Sanheili elite who witness the Master Chief activate the Forerunner artifact may be Thel’Vadam. This elite would have to be highly trusted to be sent to retrieve a Forerunner artifact, so it may be the first hint of him in the Halo show before he receives that rank.

Otherwise, Thel’Vadam doesn’t have much of a reason to be punished with the title of Arbiter until the first Halo ring is destroyed. So even if he does appear, he won’t yet be the Arbiter until the first Halo installation is destroyed, perhaps by the end of this season.

Evaluating the rank of Arbiter

The definition for the word Arbiter is “one who judges,” which fits the religious significance of the rank in the time of the Covenant. It was not solely a construct of the Hierarchs, however, as the title of Arbiter was reserved for the greatest warrior-rulers of the Sangheili species.

In effect, the ancient Arbiters were practically autocrats, who wielded untold authority and influence due to their superior combat capabilities. It was, in fact, an Arbiter (though unnamed) who sparked the Sangheili-San’Shyuum War, due to the Sangheili’s objection to the San’Shyuum’s desire to incorporate Forerunner technology into their own civilization. Although the war eventually ended with a ceasefire and the founding of the Covenant, the San’Shyuum would not ignore the mantle of the Arbiter, who would then become their most prominent and dangerous enforcer.

Fal ‘Chavamee was once such an enforcer. However, he believed that his people discarded their adherence to honor in exchange for power, and firmly believed that the Great Journey was a lie propagated by the manipulative San’Shyuum. For this act of heresy, the Prophets ordered his execution via duel. To forever tar Chavamee’s legacy, the Prophets gave the title of Arbiter to disgraced Sangheili as a means of regaining their family honor by performing suicidal missions. Thus, each subsequent Arbiter after Fal ‘Chavamee has been “created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis” in the words of the Prophet of Truth; it is not for nothing that the current Arbiter once considered the role as penance for failures.

Known Arbiters

This is a list of all known Arbiters in chronological order.

Judge-King of Qivro – A tyrannical Arbiter who ruled over the continent of Qivro, before the Sangheili became a spacefaring race. He was ultimately overthrown by the original Swords of Sanghelios
Unnamed Arbiter during the Taming of the Lekgolo, tasked with pacifying the Lekgolo resistance.
Fal ‘Chavamee – Arbiter during the period between the discovery of the Unggoy and the contact with humanity.
Ripa ‘Moramee – The seventeenth Arbiter in the line of Immaculate Succession who led Covenant forces on Harvest, Arcadia, and Shield 0459.
Thel ‘Vadam – The current Arbiter. He defeated the heretics led by Sesa ‘Refumee, led the Covenant Separatists during the Great Schism, and was John-117’s companion during the end of the Human-Covenant war.

Where is Arbiter in Halo?

With either a Banshee or a Wasp, fly over to the isolated island in the middle of the map. There, atop one of the cliffs, you will find a plushie of the Arbiter overlooking the landmass.

Who is the Arbiter in Halo 5?

Thel ‘Vadam (formerly Thel ‘Vadamee), often simply referred to as the Arbiter, is the deuteragonist of both Halo 2 and Halo 3, and is a supporting character in Halo 5: Guardians.

Who was the strongest Arbiter?

Overall, Fal ‘Chavamee is the bravest & most lethal Arbiter we have ever seen. His nobility & talent outmatch any other sangheili we’ve ever seen.

Why is the Arbiter called the Arbiter?

The title of Arbiter was meant for the pinnacle of the Sangheili, a master of the battle-field, who would lead all the clans. It became the highest possible honor bestowed upon a Covenant Sangheili by the Hierarchs during a time of great need.