Jackals (Kig-Yar)

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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:41 pm

The Kig-Yar, or Jackals, serve as assassins, and scouts within the Covenant due to their exceptional senses of sight, smell and hearing.

They use plasma pistols, plasma rifles, needlers, beam rifles and carry a strong energy shield to compensate for their physical weakness; a well-positioned Jackal can hold his own against several Marines, though grenades are effective against them. They stand approximately 5'8" tall.

Jackals have little status in the Covenant hierarchy, and are subservient to all but the Grunts. Although they technically stand as equals with the Grunts, the reality is that Jackals are usually in an elevated position. While the other races consider the Grunts beneath notice, the Jackals are often purposefully cruel in order to assure themselves of their own superiority.

Jackals are not permitted by the Elites to have more than one name, but Jackal society had never placed a premium on such things, so they don't care. Examples of Jackal names include Yeg, Jak, and Bok.

The Jackals ranks include:

Jackal minors are signified by a blue energy shield and server as general infantry.

Jackal majors are slightly mor elevated and are signified by an orange shield. Not much is different about their appearance other than their shield color.

Sniper Jackals not not carry energy shields, as both their hands are used to operate beam rifles, the Covenant long range sniper weapon.

It should also be noted that Jackals actually do wear metal armor on their bodies along with their energy shields, though it is not known if this signifies rank.

Jackals are vaguely birdlike in appearance, with feather-like "hair" on their heads, arms, and feet. They have three fingers on each hand, and beak-like teeth. ONI scientists have noted a great variance in skin tone and color between Jackals, and they have discovered some kind of spots or patterns that cover their bodies. Some colors of Jackal skins include dark orange and dark green. Although the Jackals vary in skin color, their blood is always purple in color.