A big title for a small subject really, but it's a recurring thought I've had on and off for the past couple of years and I haven't seen mention of it elsewhere. So, to get it out of my head (and scavenge a last-minute opportunity before Halo 3's release to appear to be a seer of tru7h) I'll scribble it down here.
Why, specifically, do Covenant creatures refer to the Chief as "Demon" or "Devil"? What part of their dogma led to this? Was it the Prophets labelling Humanity's greatest defenders as unwholesome abominations?
Whatever the reason, ONI's suit-designers (aka Bungie) gave Covies at least one hook to hang the accusation on; the Chief has horns. Two of them. Well, you could see the split-peak on a MJOLNIR helmet as two protrusions starting at the temples.
-- Steve's wondering if this was indeed a part of the art design, or if he's just seeing nails to bash with his imaginary Gravity Hammer.
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Comments
narcogen
Re: Musing on the Covenant's reaction to the Chief
Interesting questions.
I don't think the 'horns' had anything to do with it. In fact, the idea that 'demons' or 'devils' have horns is centric to human culture, but there's no reason to believe it also exists in Covenant culture. So even if the Chief had been intentionally given horns, it'd have to be explained why the Covenant felt that implied a demonic nature.
I think the actual explanation is simpler than that. The Prophets railed their constituents against humanity, and set them on the path to extinction, rather than absorption in to the Covenant, based on this idea that humanity "blocked access to sacred sites"-- meaning possibly, the colonization and defense of worlds where Forerunner artifacts were located.
As the search for such artifacts is integral to the Covenant beliefs, merely that act might have labelled all humans as demonic.
However, beyond that I think it is the Chief's combat abilities-- near-equal to an Elite's-- that earned him the label. Just as superstitious humans ascribe actions that seem impossible or contrary to the natural laws they understand to supernatural influence, the Covenant believe humanity to be evil and inferior, and almost any show of competent resistance was likely to be labeled the work of some demon or otherworldly influence.
The problem with that, of course, is that the Chief is referred to singularly as 'demon', whereas the novels tell us there were once many Spartans. The only act that would seem to single out the Chief in this regard is the destruction of 04, but they're calling him demon before that.
Rampant for over se7en years.