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Subject: So... pull up a chair, let's talk about Rtas!

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

tl;dr at bottom.

So yeah, Rtas 'Vadum (a.k.a Half-Jaw), the white-armor clad Sangheili Special Operations Commander that tagged along with the Arbiter in Halo 2 and subsequently appeared as the Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent in Halo 3. Yeah so what about him? Well, if you have the coup script, you will see that I am a pretty big fan of his character, and I often get questioned as to why. Many people think that he is just a generic side-kick character, an NPC really, with not much personality or character. So that is the reason for this thread: To explain why I think he is so awesome. (And because I am bored and procrastinating from studying for a crappy pharmaceuticals exam coming up.)

Now for most people, it seems, he (Along with most other Sangheili characters) are liked primarily for their ability to fight, kill and blow things up, and whilst that is okay it is not the sole reason for my appreciation (Although that is part of it :P). Rather, it lies in the way he seems to, I think, contrast with the rest of Sangheili society. I think he is quite open minded, a trait quite uncommon among Sangheili; innovative, respectful, indomitable and rather indiscriminately conscientious of the lives under his command. These are all things that are quite against the grain in the Sangheili mind set.

Firstly, look at the Sangheili's belief in the idea of ones blood being a manifestation of ones honor. To lose blood, in Sangheili society, is to lose honor and so it is considered shameful to be wounded. That was mostly brought up in our faces by the The Cole Protocol where Jora, one of Thels's zealots, was shot in the leg during an engagement with some Jackals. Jora believed it so shameful that he committed assisted suicide. Thel himself shared this view having been wounded in a training exercise earlier in his life but had subsequently kept the incident a secret due to having been tended to by a doctor, who are considered vermin as they cause another Sangheili to bleed dishonorably. Thon in Bloodlines also showed fanaticism about this when shot by a sentinel. So it is pretty clear I think that this is not just a point of view thing.

So when, in the Halo Graphic Novel story Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor, Rtas faces down his Flood infected sub-commander Bero 'Kusovai he ends up pretty bloodied and battered, having the left side of his face nearly destroyed (reason for the Half-jaw thing) and his left arm almost amputated. Despite this and the near fanatical belief that blood = honor and that injury is shameful, he never committed suicide, and in fact retained his high command of Spec-Ops commander. This may in fact be down to his more open minded nature in allowing him to view things more objectively than most other Sangheili.

He uses a point defense gauntlet in that story as well. Apparently the use of these is considered shameful, as seen in Ghosts of Onyx, yet Rtas used one against the Flood. Whether this, along with the previous point, is in fact demonstrating Rtas' disregard for honor in general I am quite unsure, but I would imagine that it is rather down to his objective nature and professionalism. The Flood was a severe threat, and he did whatever necessary to quell that threat without letting perhaps petty beliefs get in the way.

His little verbal standoff with Lord Hood aboard the Shadow of Intent. Some people tended to think that he was just being a dick for the sake of acting that way towards a Human, but I think that is quote mining. The topic was how a single Flood spore could destroy a species. His proposition of glassing the Earth was not born out of hatred for Humanity but rather concern of the Flood threat. Ultimately though, he spared the Earth after being convinced by the Arbiter. One would think though that his aversion of the Flood would override that decision, and considering that the Elites really did not need Humanities aid at that point (Or could not use it, Humanity had only a handful of ships left) he was possibly accepting the truth of Humanity from Thel, showing some understanding of Humanitys wrongly accused situation and spared Earth on those grounds, doing the right thing.

This change in attitude towards Humanity and his respect is shown in the way he speaks to Master Chief. He becomes the only Sangheili, with the exception of the Arbiter, in the series so far to name him Spartan rather than Demon. (The Ark) Quite a leap for an Elite considering the venom that Spartans are treated with most of the time. These all contribute towards the idea that he is far more open minded and can thus accept things that he never thought possible and that he can distance himself from petty beliefs and misunderstandings. Certain Sangheili, such as the Shipmaster from The Return, appear incapable of doing this.
_____________________________________________________________ ________

His apparent indomitable nature can clearly be seen again in the Halo Graphic Novel. When told to see to the Minister of Etiology's needs exclusively, Rtas refused, choosing to deal with the much more serious Flood threat. After wielding his authority to get Rtas to submit, Rtas promptly dealt with the Minister - throwing him from his chair and threatening his life. Another instance is in Halo 2 where he confronts the Prophet of Truth about the changing of the guard. He was not afraid to speak his mind to the Heirarchs and would not be subdued so easily. Others like Thel felt largely intimidated being in the presence of a Heirarch (Cole Protocol). Rtas however, for the lack of a better phrase, does not appear to bend over backwards for these people.

As for his consideration for others under his command. Again in the Halo Graphic Novel, when confronting the Flood, he orders his Grunt soldiers behind the Sangheili in order to keep them from harm. It is not often that Sangheili show consideration for others outside of their race, much less for grunts. When dealing with the Minister again, he expresses his feelings for others well being when telling the Minister that he has lost many men to the Flood. On top of this, in The Flood, it is stated that Special Operations commandos are known for their complete lack of care for their own lives and others, being described as (If I remember rightly) along the lines of being insanely fanatical. When this is looked at it can be seen why Rtas is particularly unique.
_____________________________________________________________ ________

Then there is his badass aspects on the battlefield. He faced down The Flood on the Infinite Succor, then again on the Gas Mine, and then again in the Quarantine Zone (Particularly when he faced them alone after leaving the Arbiter at the Gondolas) and survived all the encounters. On the final mission in Halo 2, he leaves the Arbiter to take back a Brute controlled Cruiser. How exactly he did this is unknown but he would have had to have faced down many Brutes in order to do so. He appears to be quite innovative and quick thinking, utilizing a plasma cannon overload in the heat of the moment to kill a pursuing Flood horde in HGN and in defeating the 3:1 odds above the Ark. Finally, he is described as an unparalleled swordsman in the Encyclopedia, which obviously comes from his defeating of Bero Kusovai, who was described as the best duelist. Whether that meant the best Sangheili alive at the time or just the best in Rtas' team cannot be said though, but it is clear I think that Rtas is possibly one of the best commanders and warriors there is.

Another thing as well is the fact that you can see his fears, or at least apprehension. He is not a cliche "kickass and chew bubble gum" at all times character. At the final moments of the last cutscene in Halo 3, where he speaks to the Arbiter, you see him express his fears for his Home and his people. I feel it adds a lot more depth to him and helps avoid the cliche.
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So that is what I think. Mind you, none of this is fact, just my opinions and interpretation and it may turn out to be utterly wrong in future. So what do others think about/expect to happen with Rtas in possible future media?

(For those looking for the tl;dr: There is not one. I just wasted 10 seconds of your lazy life. LOL)

  • 02.20.2011 6:59 PM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

The Flood was a severe threat, and he did whatever necessary to quell that threat without letting perhaps petty beliefs get in the way.
I think this is a huge factor in Rtas' decisions over the course of the war. I agree that he is a unique individual amongst the Sanghelli, but his Honor is that of any if not the greatest of them.
I think that most Elites in the stories were not faced with enemies such as the flood, thus the ritual suicide because of bloodshed comes to the surface. Perhaps Rtas' thought that his spilled blood in the battles with the flood on the Infinite Succor were honorable ones and his survival could mean a great difference for his race.

Certain Sangheili, such as the Shipmaster from The Return, appear incapable of doing this.
I am still trying to understand why Kevin Grace or whoever did not chose Rtas' as the story's "Shipmaster". According to the motion comic, it is not him.

Finally, a well crafted post, kudos to you. Your love for this character is not unique. I've always respected this character ever since those defining moments at the Delta Halo Library.




[Edited on 02.20.2011 7:56 PM PST]

  • 02.20.2011 7:51 PM PDT

Signatures are for squares.

Rtas has always been my favorite Elite character, even above the Arbiter, and for many of the reasons you listed.

I was severely disappointed we never got to see him in combat in Halo 3.

  • 02.20.2011 8:12 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: Crucio
The Flood was a severe threat, and he did whatever necessary to quell that threat without letting perhaps petty beliefs get in the way.
I think this is a huge factor in Rtas' decisions over the course of the war. I agree that he is a unique individual amongst the Sanghelli, but his Honor is that of any if not the greatest of them.
I think that most Elites in the stories were not faced with enemies such as the flood, thus the ritual suicide because of bloodshed comes to the surface. Perhaps Rtas' thought that his spilled blood in the battles with the flood on the Infinite Succor were honorable ones and his survival could mean a great difference for his race.

Yeah. He could have viewed the knowledge he gained about the Flood on the mission invaluable and so chose to live on and inform his people about it should it ever return.

Posted by: Crucio
Certain Sangheili, such as the Shipmaster from The Return, appear incapable of doing this.
I am still trying to understand why Kevin Grace or whoever did not chose Rtas' as the story's "Shipmaster". According to the motion comic, it is not him.

Hopefully he will be in future novels/games. On a side note, the Shipmaster in the Return became a Shipmaster before Rtas as well.

Posted by: privet caboose
I was severely disappointed we never got to see him in combat in Halo 3.

I know. They could of made him the 3rd/4th co-op character at least, but alas. Now that he is a rank of Shipmaster, it is not likely that he will be seen taking part in much combat now in future.

  • 02.20.2011 8:35 PM PDT

I am the 21st century Jim Jones

I really was expecting R'tas to be a playable character in Halo 3. Halo 3 lacked a lot of good things, like Zealots or a Gravemind boss battle..

Behind Truth, R'tas is my favorite Character by far.

  • 02.20.2011 9:06 PM PDT
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"Time was your ally human. But now it has abandoned you. The Forerunners....have returned. And this tomb... is now yours". - The Didact

One thing i also love about Rtas are his epic speeches to his men.

  • 02.21.2011 9:34 AM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Absolutely agreed.

I was really annoyed that Rtas became a pretty minor character in Halo 3, he's unique for the fact we've seen more of him than most other Sangheili.

Halo 3 would have been made much more awesome with a prologue level where you take control of Thel (set directly after Halo 2), you have to grab a Phantom (the one by the bridge leading to the Scarab platform, for instance), then fly up to the Cruiser Rtas took back.

  • 02.21.2011 10:35 AM PDT
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They commit suicide when they spill blood?

Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games? LASO challenges would be so much easier. Just drop the shields, score a hit, and watch the suicide action!

I like this...I demand a patch for Reach to include this feature.

---

But yeah...half-face is cool...

[Edited on 02.21.2011 10:39 AM PST]

  • 02.21.2011 10:39 AM PDT

Walk softly, and carry a big midget.

I really like Rtas too, he's like the Sgt Johnson of the Elites. I hope we see him in Halo 4.

Posted by: Naked Crook
Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games?


Edit: It's not a fact. Some Elite's believe it and some don't. Just like the belief that it's Heresy to use Human weapons.

[Edited on 02.21.2011 11:12 AM PST]

  • 02.21.2011 11:11 AM PDT

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.
Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar.
tenn' Ambar-metta!


Posted by: Jayster 94
I really like Rtas too, he's like the Sgt Johnson of the Elites. I hope we see him in Halo 4.

Posted by: Naked Crook
Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games?


Edit: It's not a fact. Some Elite's believe it and some don't. Just like the belief that it's Heresy to use Human weapons.


Yeah, still you can see in Halo: Reach campaing (ONI base) Elites using a Warthog turret to fight you. What happened to the heressy of using human weapons?

  • 02.21.2011 12:34 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: MasterSin
Posted by: Jayster 94
I really like Rtas too, he's like the Sgt Johnson of the Elites. I hope we see him in Halo 4.
Posted by: Naked Crook
Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games?


Edit: It's not a fact. Some Elite's believe it and some don't. Just like the belief that it's Heresy to use Human weapons.


Yeah, still you can see in Halo: Reach campaing (ONI base) Elites using a Warthog turret to fight you. What happened to the heressy of using human weapons?

About the belief on Blood-honor and Human weapons. These things would be viewed as such by Sangheili society in general, but individuals will differ. An example would be that we usually consider national pride to be a good thing, but others don't like it. The Sangheili are not a hive mind. I don't understand why, if somebody reads about 1 Elite, they automatically assume that all others must think that way.

Posted by: ajw34307
Absolutely agreed.

I was really annoyed that Rtas became a pretty minor character in Halo 3, he's unique for the fact we've seen more of him than most other Sangheili.

Halo 3 would have been made much more awesome with a prologue level where you take control of Thel (set directly after Halo 2), you have to grab a Phantom (the one by the bridge leading to the Scarab platform, for instance), then fly up to the Cruiser Rtas took back.

Halo 3 missed out on a lot of things, this no less being one of them. I've always wondered how he took that Cruiser, probably on-board being hundreds of Brutes. Another thing...How did Rtas come to command the Shadow of Intent? Is that ever explained anywhere?

  • 02.21.2011 1:24 PM PDT

I am the 21st century Jim Jones


Posted by: anton1792
Posted by: MasterSin
Posted by: Jayster 94
I really like Rtas too, he's like the Sgt Johnson of the Elites. I hope we see him in Halo 4.
Posted by: Naked Crook
Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games?


Edit: It's not a fact. Some Elite's believe it and some don't. Just like the belief that it's Heresy to use Human weapons.


Yeah, still you can see in Halo: Reach campaing (ONI base) Elites using a Warthog turret to fight you. What happened to the heressy of using human weapons?

About the belief on Blood-honor and Human weapons. These things would be viewed as such by Sangheili society in general, but individuals will differ. An example would be that we usually consider national pride to be a good thing, but others don't like it. The Sangheili are not a hive mind. I don't understand why, if somebody reads about 1 Elite, they automatically assume that all others must think that way.

Posted by: ajw34307
Absolutely agreed.

I was really annoyed that Rtas became a pretty minor character in Halo 3, he's unique for the fact we've seen more of him than most other Sangheili.

Halo 3 would have been made much more awesome with a prologue level where you take control of Thel (set directly after Halo 2), you have to grab a Phantom (the one by the bridge leading to the Scarab platform, for instance), then fly up to the Cruiser Rtas took back.

Halo 3 missed out on a lot of things, this no less being one of them. I've always wondered how he took that Cruiser, probably on-board being hundreds of Brutes. Another thing...How did Rtas come to command the Shadow of Intent? Is that ever explained anywhere?

They should of had a level covering that, or a bonus level in Halo 2.

  • 02.23.2011 8:37 AM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Posted by: Sigma617
I thought the Cruiser was the Shadow of Intent.

I know it's an Assault carrier but they could retcon that.


That's a retcon I could agree with as it would make sense.

  • 02.23.2011 9:29 AM PDT

Oh hey there

Posted by: petarded2
It's a metaphor for the 07s' lack of identity. too old to be newfa­g, yet too new to be oldfa­g, we wander b.net in search of a home, forever trying to be something we are not.

I never really thought about Rtas' injury and the Elite code of honor that was shown to us in the Cole Protocol. But it would make sense that he would kill himself after being "dishonored" in such a way, especially one that is so visible.

Mysteries wrapped in riddles.

  • 02.23.2011 9:39 AM PDT

Concerning the cruiser thing, I would not be surpised if Rtas recuited as many surviving Sangheili as he could to help him. He may be bad-ass, but I know he would be smart enough to know he cannot take a cruiser full of Brutes by himself.

What he likely did is take several groups of Sangheili, have some go to engineering, while rest go to the bridge. Once the bridge is taken, lock the ship down so they can kill the remaining brutes room by room at their leisure (much like what the humans did in both First Strike and The Flood). That's how I had him do it when I covered it in one of my fanfictions.

  • 02.23.2011 9:42 AM PDT

I am the 21st century Jim Jones


Posted by: Spartan1065
I never really thought about Rtas' injury and the Elite code of honor that was shown to us in the Cole Protocol. But it would make sense that he would kill himself after being "dishonored" in such a way, especially one that is so visible.

Mysteries wrapped in riddles.


I read that as, the only honorable way to shed blood is during warfare.

  • 02.23.2011 9:58 AM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: scene4kaos
Posted by: Spartan1065
I never really thought about Rtas' injury and the Elite code of honor that was shown to us in the Cole Protocol. But it would make sense that he would kill himself after being "dishonored" in such a way, especially one that is so visible.

Mysteries wrapped in riddles.

I read that as, the only honorable way to shed blood is during warfare.

Even then there is a taboo about it. It was in combat that Jora got injured. Thon went nuts when he got hit by sentinels as well.

HGN did come out before The Cole Protocol, so it is possible that the idea simply was not conjured up yet, or they are indeed telling us something about Rtas. No matter what I would like to believe though it was probably the due to the former.

  • 02.23.2011 10:09 AM PDT

I'm dual-weildin' mah SMG's!

Can I just mention a few things?

Firstly, Rtas' injury was by energy sword. Now, I haven't seen the comics but I don't think that an energy sword can actually spill blood, like the lightsaber in star wars, all you can see is scorched flesh.

Secondly, Spilling blood in sanghelian society is completely fine as long as it was spilled by an enemy. In fact, i'd fully expect that kind of battle scar to be a sign of respect and awesomeness. Thats why doctors are so shameful, because they make their living cutting and spilling blood.

Lastly, the shield gauntlet he used was an elite variant. The ones in Onyx were forced to used the Jackal shields. Using the Jackal ones is what's dishonorable.

Rtas is in fact my favourite Elite character though, and he does seem awfully open minded anyway in the way he acts.

"All cruisers fire at will! Burn their mongrel hides!"

= Win

  • 02.23.2011 11:45 AM PDT
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Posted by: NinjaChicken197
Can I just mention a few things?

Firstly, Rtas' injury was by energy sword. Now, I haven't seen the comics but I don't think that an energy sword can actually spill blood, like the lightsaber in star wars, all you can see is scorched flesh.

Secondly, Spilling blood in sanghelian society is completely fine as long as it was spilled by an enemy. In fact, i'd fully expect that kind of battle scar to be a sign of respect and awesomeness. Thats why doctors are so shameful, because they make their living cutting and spilling blood.

Lastly, the shield gauntlet he used was an elite variant. The ones in Onyx were forced to used the Jackal shields. Using the Jackal ones is what's dishonorable.

Rtas is in fact my favourite Elite character though, and he does seem awfully open minded anyway in the way he acts.

"All cruisers fire at will! Burn their mongrel hides!"

= Win


Dont get me started on Rtas...he cannot even count. In his small universe...3 = 1...

  • 02.23.2011 11:51 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Then is it an even fight! Burn their mongrel hides!

[Edited on 02.23.2011 12:04 PM PST]

  • 02.23.2011 12:03 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

Posted by: NinjaChicken197
Firstly, Rtas' injury was by energy sword. Now, I haven't seen the comics but I don't think that an energy sword can actually spill blood, like the lightsaber in star wars, all you can see is scorched flesh.

Naa it was pooling on the floor and leaving a hefty trail behind him.

Posted by: NinjaChicken197
Secondly, Spilling blood in sanghelian society is completely fine as long as it was spilled by an enemy. In fact, i'd fully expect that kind of battle scar to be a sign of respect and awesomeness. Thats why doctors are so shameful, because they make their living cutting and spilling blood.

It is in any circumstance I believe. Their society as a whole views it that way, but individuals may differ. The Jackals that got Jora were enemies, as were the sentinels that got Thon, yet they still went in a huff about it.

Posted by: Naked Crook
Dont get me started on Rtas...he cannot even count. In his small universe...3 = 1...

It comes from the fact that the UNSC needs to outnumber the Covenant 3 to 1 in space for a UNSC victory to become feasible, i.e. an even fight. The Elites are used to those odds, so when they faced the Brutes over the Ark that would most likely be what he was thinking of.

You did not actually think he was literally implying 3 = 1, right?

  • 02.23.2011 12:15 PM PDT

I'm dual-weildin' mah SMG's!

Posted by: anton1792
Posted by: NinjaChicken197
Firstly, Rtas' injury was by energy sword. Now, I haven't seen the comics but I don't think that an energy sword can actually spill blood, like the lightsaber in star wars, all you can see is scorched flesh.

Naa it was pooling on the floor and leaving a hefty trail behind him.

Posted by: NinjaChicken197
Secondly, Spilling blood in sanghelian society is completely fine as long as it was spilled by an enemy. In fact, i'd fully expect that kind of battle scar to be a sign of respect and awesomeness. Thats why doctors are so shameful, because they make their living cutting and spilling blood.

It is in any circumstance I believe. Their society as a whole views it that way, but individuals may differ. The Jackals that got Jora were enemies, as were the sentinels that got Thon, yet they still went in a huff about it.

Posted by: Naked Crook
Dont get me started on Rtas...he cannot even count. In his small universe...3 = 1...

It comes from the fact that the UNSC needs to outnumber the Covenant 3 to 1 in space for a UNSC victory to become feasible, i.e. an even fight. The Elites are used to those odds, so when they faced the Brutes over the Ark that would most likely be what he was thinking of.

You did not actually think he was literally implying 3 = 1, right?


Oh, right, I guess that makes sense. Lightsabers and Energy Swords are totally diffterent.

Well, an honorable enemy. Jackals are easy to kill after you get past the big annoying round blue -blam!- infront of them, and Sentinels fall to a single bullet without their shields. Rtas was hurt by a flood infected Elite during a sword fight.

ROFL

  • 02.23.2011 12:25 PM PDT

Posted by: MasterSin
Posted by: Jayster 94
I really like Rtas too, he's like the Sgt Johnson of the Elites. I hope we see him in Halo 4.
Posted by: Naked Crook
Why isn't this little fact commonly practiced in the games?
Edit: It's not a fact. Some Elite's believe it and some don't. Just like the belief that it's Heresy to use Human weapons.
Yeah, still you can see in Halo: Reach campaing (ONI base) Elites using a Warthog turret to fight you. What happened to the heressy of using human weapons?
I guess it never existed. FoR told that a jackal refused to use an AR, but Jackals aren't religious at all. That incident doesn't really tell us anything.

  • 02.23.2011 1:31 PM PDT
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Posted by: anton1792
You did not actually think he was literally implying 3 = 1, right?


Well...

3:1 implies 3 enemies to 1 ally. This could mean 300 vs 100, 3000 vs 1000...

in no way is this an even fight.

Rtas believes that these are even fights.

An even fight is 1 vs 1, 10 vs 10, 30 vs 30...

Therefore...Rtas cannot differentiate numbers, and believes, mathematically, 3 = 1.

If it went like:

"Shipmaster, they outnumber us 3:1"

and Rtas replied:

"Well, this fight will be a difficult one...but the rewards of victory will be great"

that would make more sense.

  • 02.23.2011 1:49 PM PDT

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