Hierarchs

Character design and creation

Preliminary designs for the Prophets, including the Hierarchs, were done by artist Shi Kai Wang. According to The Art of Halo, the Prophets were designed to look feeble, yet sinister. Originally, the Prophets appeared to be fused to the special hovering thrones they use for transport; even in the final designs, the Prophets are made to be dependent on their technology. Special headdresses, stylized differently for each of the Hierarchs, adds personality to the aliens and a regal presence.

United Nations Space Command (UNSC)

The Hierarchs are not affiliated with the UNSC. They are leaders of the Covenant, the primary alien antagonist force in the Halo franchise. Their actions, such as the Prophet of Regret's attack on Earth, directly oppose UNSC forces and the Master Chief.

Covenant

The Covenant is ruled by three High Prophets, also called Hierarchs. When a new Hierarch takes power, they select a regnal name from a list of former Hierarchs, a tradition similar to that of some Orthodox Patriarchs. In Halo 2, the three Hierarchs are the Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret. Truth was voiced by Michael Wincott in Halo 2 and Terence Stamp in Halo 3; Mercy by Hamilton Camp; and Regret by Robin Atkin Downes.

The novel Halo: Contact Harvest explains that these three—originally the Minister of Fortitude, the Vice-Minister of Tranquility, and the Philologist—conspired to overthrow the previous Hierarchs. They concealed the fact that humanity is descended from the Forerunners, the Covenant’s gods, fearing this truth would destroy the Covenant. In Halo 2, Regret attacks Earth and flees to Delta Halo, where he calls for aid but is killed by the Master Chief.

Later, Mercy is attacked by the Flood on High Charity; Truth abandons him to die, securing sole control. In Halo 3: ODST, Truth inspects Engineers near a Forerunner construct outside New Mombasa. In Halo 3, Truth attempts to activate all Halo rings from the Ark and is killed by the Arbiter, marking the Covenant’s collapse. Artist Shi Kai Wang created preliminary designs for the Prophets.

According to The Art of Halo, they were meant to appear feeble yet sinister. Early concepts showed them fused to their hovering thrones, and the final designs still emphasize their dependence on technology. Each Hierarch wears a distinct headdress, adding personality and a regal presence.