History Characters / HaloTheBanished

* WeaponOfChoice: The [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Diminisher of Hope]], an [[AceCustom unique]] Gravity Hammer fitted with a red energy blade. [[spoiler: He drops it when he dies, and you can even requisition it from FOB weapon terminals afterwards.]]

-->'''Escharum:''' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqudJMxebM#t=31m44s The Banished will never bow to anyone again!]] '''Not the '''[[ScaryDogmaticAliens Covenant!]]''''' '''Not the '''[[ManipulativeBastard Prophets!]]''''' Not... [[TheDreaded Her.]]"

A Banished Chieftain deployed to ambush the Master Chief at their dig site. [[ThatOneBoss Notorious]] for being somewhat of a DifficultySpike.

* DarthVaderClone: Let's see: black-armored cyborg? Check. Red energy/plasma blade? Check. Antagonist who serves a greater evil? Double check. Merciless and out to get the hero? Naturally. While the parallels aren't perfect, Jega is the closest Halo has to Vader.

* NoSympathy: Decries Hyperius as a coward if Chief kills him first.

** From cut dialogue from Atriox's propaganda in ''Infinite'', he has explicitly stated that Humans would still be welcome if they proved themselves. Escharum evidently allowed some Banished humans to be kept alive such as the inspector in Halo: Divine Wind.

* FantasticRacism: Unlike Atriox, Escharum is more traditional and despises humans, and considers them no more than "vermin" while still letting some stay in the Banished like the inspector from Halo: Divine Wind. He conveniently averts this with the Sangheili however to regress back to the AliensAreBastards theme of the first ''Halo'' game.

->'''Debuted in: ''Halo:Divine Wind'''''

->'''Debuted in: ''Book/HaloDivineWind'''''

A Banished human who is well respected among the Banished during the events of HaloInfinite.

* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: [[spoiler:In ''Halo Infinite'', having born witness to the destruction of Dosiac, he wants to awaken the Endless and use the Halo Array to avenge his homeworld against Cortana.]]

** From cut dialogue from Atriox's propaganda in ''Infinite'', he has explicitly stated that Humans would still be welcome if they proved themselves. Escharum evidently allowed some Banished humans to be kept alive such as the inspector in halo: Divine Wind.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Atriox considered vengeance to be petty, yet seeks vengeance on Cortana when does mass killing by destroying his planet.

** ''Halo 4'' and ''5'' featured Jul 'Mdama's [[TheRemnant Covenant Remnant]], who maintained the rigid caste system of the original Covenant and sought to continue the war against humanity despite their dwindling resources and support. They were never seen as anything more than a nuisance who required the Prometheans as semi-allies to not be completely steamrolled by the revitalized UNSC forces. In contrast, the Banished are introduced as smashing the UNSC in the aftermath of ''Halo 5''[='s=] ending, taking advantage of the chaos sown by the Created War to emerge from the shadows and properly stake their claim in the galaxy.

* EqualOpportunityEvil: While the Banished's members [[TeethClenchedTeamwork tend to be competitive with each other at best]], Atriox himself generally sees all of those who join the Banished as having [[EvilIsOneBigHappyFamily equal potential for greatness like him]] regardless of species, seeking to secure a future for all their kind. They will even accept humans, though none of have been seen as of yet.

** The Covenant, which inflicted a massive CurbStompBattle against humanity during its prime, never even came close to touching a hair on Atriox's head.

** In retrospect, ''Infinite'' reveals this is the main reason for their activity as of late, as Cortana was actively hunting them down, with Doisac—the Brute homeworld—being destroyed as a consequence for refusing to join her in the first place, revealing the true scope of their desperation and [[OmnicidalManiac the depravity]] they'll stoop to in trying to save themselves.

** However, by ''Infinite'', some have moved past their feuds between one another possibly because Cortana's [[TyrantTakesTheHelm reign had pushed them to the brink]], especially the Brutes who are nearly extinct as a result of [[EarthShatteringKaboom Doisac being destroyed]], with some realizing that their best chance for survival is together against their enemies rather than fighting among themselves. Though many remain committed only for their payment as mercenaries. It doesn't dissipate ''every'' feud, but some of the Banished have chosen to move on from in-fighting.
* TragicVillain: At the end of the day, the Banished functioning in the present after the Human-Covenant War are simply a consequence of the survivors of Cortana's Created conflict who are all fleeing for their lives as well as seeking vengeance for their lot in life—Atriox possibly took it the worst, with the destruction of Doisac [[ItsAllMyFault being his fault]] enough to search for a means to destroy Cortana, possibly so he can claim vengeance for himself and his people, or for greater motives.

* AntiVillain: Of the NobleDemon variant. Atriox is ruthless, but is fairly honorable, and has something of a strong moral code. Sadly, he quickly becomes a TragicVillain by ''Infinite'' as he has possibly forgone most of his old morals with the destruction of [[YouCantGoHomeAgain Doisac]], seeking to unlock the secrets of Zeta Halo, possibly for [[OmnicidalManiac genocide]] as some theorize.

** That said, compared to a majority of other splinter faction leaders, including some of his own men like [[BloodKnight Decimus]], Atriox is still a surprisingly BenevolentBoss given how long he allowed [[DitzyGenius Voridus]] to be a thorn in his side and his general policy of [[EqualOpportunityEvil accepting anyone into his ranks]], even Humans, so long as they prove themselves loyal to the cause or, more specifically, [[PragmaticVillainy useful to him]].

** He detests racism, and the concept of [[FinalSolution genocide]] enrages and disgusts him. When he hears that some of his warbands are mistreating and even killing some of their human HiredGuns, Atriox is deeply upset. ''Infinite'', however, reveals that Doisac's [[YouCantGoHomeAgain destruction]] at the hands of Cortana may have broken this and he sought to destroy everything Cortana built, though it is unclear if he wants to commit [[OmnicidalManiac galactic genocide]] as Cortana was already willing to destroy Earth if disobedient, or if he wanted the secrets of the ring for other purposes.

* FantasticRacism: Seemingly played straight at first as the end of the ''Shadows of Reach'' book upon his return to the galaxy he shows hostility to the humans allied with him, which is highly unbecoming of his pragmatic nature and previous characterization overall—but it is actually '''[[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]''' as later events reveal that his frustration made a momentary lapse in judgment possibly caused by being unable to score any meaningful victory against the Spirit of Fire while stranded on the Ark, as shown when he expresses [[SurroundedByIdiots frustration and rage]] towards the more bigoted members of the Banished who had exiled and/or killed their human followers for the actions of a handful fleeing during the Flood outbreak.

** From cut dialogue from Atriox's propaganda in ''Infinite'', he has explicitly stated that Humans would still be welcome if they proved themselves. It might have been the case if not for Escharum.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Atriox considered vengeance to be petty, thus Elites could join his Brute dominated Banished despite the mass killings both species had done to each other. In ''Infinite'', however, it is theorized he does not appear to extend this line of thinking to humanity when Cortana does mass killing by destroying his planet.
** OmnicidalManiac: In ''Infinite'' it's implied that it was Atriox's plan to use Zeta Halo in bloody vengeance for Doisac—the Brute homeworld—after its [[EarthShatteringKaboom destruction]] at the hands of Cortana. His goals are stated to be to uncover the ring's "secrets".
** {{Revenge}}: His reason for his actions in ''Infinite'' may be due to wanting to have vengeance for the destruction of Doisac, by destroying Cortana's reign altogether.
** TragicVillain: Atriox's downfall from a brutal, but still honorable Warlord to a potentially OmnicidalManiac is put in this light after Cortana may have broken him by killing ''12.5 billion'' Brutes and razed his homeworld.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: While his plan is unclear, with the potential to be [[OmnicidalManiac inexcusably monstrous]], with how far gone Cortana was [[KnightTemplar at the point]] he had defeated her and the untold death she callously inflicted across the galaxy—especially on the Brutes themselves by rendering them nearly extinct—Atriox's complete beatdown of Cortana comes off as sweet karmic punishment for her trying to play God.

* AntiVillain: It's revealed towards the latter half of ''Infinite'' that Escharum is not quite the monster he presents himself as, seeing himself as little more than just another soldier who's doing what must be done for the sake of his people, especially in light of [[EarthShatteringKaboom what happened]] to Doisac at the hands of Cortana. His actual personality that shines through from his bombastic, vicious persona that he presents, shows a more NobleDemon quality as he follows [[IGaveMyWord his word earnestly]] to the letter and he actually doesn't take that much pleasure in the carnage he's forced to perpetuate among his own ranks to keep them in line as well as against humanity. In fact, [[KillEmAll the usage]] of the Halo wasn't even his idea to begin with, and simply him honoring his pupil Atriox's original intent of controlling the Halo to unlock its secrets after [[NeverFoundTheBody his supposed death]] and may not care if he actually succeeded in using it in the first place as all he wants to do is go out in [[TheLastDance a final blaze]] of glory as he's [[IncurableCoughOfDeath dying]] anyway.

* DragonAscendant: With Atriox mysteriously having vanished after his victory over the UNSC Infinity and the Master Chief, Escharum has assumed command over the Banished, directing their forces on Zeta Halo against the remnants of humanity.

* FantasticRacism: Unlike Atriox, Escharum is more traditional and despises humans, and considers them no more than "vermin". The premise of ''Halo Infinite'' is his endeavor to wipe out humanity. He conveniently averts this with the Sangheili however to regress back to the AliensAreBastards theme of the first ''Halo'' game.

** Both have [[OmnicidalManiac omnicidal ambitions]] with the Halo Array; whereas Truth played with the Covenant's beliefs so he could satisfy his AGodIAm delusions under the pretence of completing the Great Journey, Escharum is honest with his beliefs of weaponizing the Halos to wipe out all of their enemies, especially [[PunyEarthlings mankind]], that stand before them and not at all clouded by any sense of grandeur beyond that goal, neither is he worried if he himself dies in the process given how he wants to go out in TheLastDance regardless of what actually happens.

* NobleDemon: He's trying to activate the Hallo Array in Atriox's place, but apart from the normal BadBoss moments of Brutes and his [[PunyEarthlings distain for humans]], he's honorable, polite, and brave, eager to fight Master Chief [[TheLastDance as his last mission]], values his friendships with Atriox and Jega 'Rdomnai, and giving those who impress him nothing but respect.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: Something he very directly states when he consider's humanity's "stupid shoes" to be a reason to wipe out the human race. One can only wonder if those views are widely-shared among the Grunts or the Banished as a whole, as it was mentioned in a propaganda broadcast.

-->'''Atriox:''' Run, little demons... Hunt them down. Find out where the came from. And bring me back anything… useful.

** Accomplishes yet again against '''''[[TheHero the Master Chief]]''''' himself in the opening of ''Infinite'', although unlike Red Team, Chief does take a hell of a lot more damage on the chin with three direct hits from his hammer and [[CurbStompCushion deals a good few punches that actually staggers Atriox before finally going down]].

* RebelWithoutACause: Zig-zagged. They rose in opposition to the Covenant and their theocratic regime, but apart from that they don't have much of an ideology outside of plundering and living freely.

* GenreSavvy: In an audio log, he warns a Kaidon Thav 'Sebarim that he has to be more vigilant, given how the Master Chief basically single-handedly destroyed the Covenant and could easily do the same to the Banished. It's implied this was before the Banished knew the Chief was alive.

-->'''Atriox:''' Run, little demons... Hunt them down! Find out where the came from! And bring me back anything…useful.

* RebelWithoutACause: Zig-zagged. They rose in oppsition to the Covenant and their theocratic regime, but apart from that they don't have much of an ideology outside of plundering and living freely.

-->'''Escharum:''' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqudJMxebM#t=31m44s The Banished will never bow to anyone again!]] '''Not the '''[[ScaryDogmaticAliens Convenant!]]''''' '''Not the '''[[ManipulativeBastard Prophets!]]''''' Not... [[TheDreaded Her.]]"

* DamageSpongeBoss: He's by far the most durable boss in the entire series, at least in terms of single player campaign. Not only is he a PuzzleBoss with an externally powered shield that you need to shut off before you can damage him, but even without his shield he can tank an ''insane'' amount of firepower before going down, requiring a total of over a thousand assault rifle rounds or ''many'' rocket launcher shots to kill. However, ironically, a combination of electric weaponry and the humble Needler can take him out, as the first will stun-lock him and allowing the latter’s needles to explode for huge amounts of damage .

* BadassArmy: The Banished war-machine is feared for a reason, they may field a much smaller force than the original Covenant, but ''engaged'' them in a brutal conflict with guerilla tactics to a stalemate, and their soldiers, most of them seasoned ex-Covenant mercenaries, are pound-for-pound of higher skill and discipline than their counterparts, supported by powerful contraptions and vehicle support. They manage to pull off what even the Forerunners failed to do; ''beat the Flood in a conventional ground war.''

* RisingEmpire: The Banished has been able to gather a huge amount of power, war material, mercenaries and influence during the Post-War peroid, to the extent their only real rival are the Swords of Sanhelios in terms of strength; with ONI especially concerned with the fact they are getting so strong, they're starting to build ties with ''human'' criminal networks, and begin to influence the rims of the Outer Colonies.

-->'''Escharum:''' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqudJMxebM#t=31m44s The Banished will never bow to anyone again!]] '''Not the ''''[[ScaryDogmaticAliens Convenant!]]'''''' '''Not the '''[[ManipulativeBastard Prophets!]]'''''' Not... [[TheDreaded Her.]]"

* NeverBeHurtAgain: '''Escharum:''' "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqudJMxebM#t=31m44s The Banished will never bow to anyone again!]] '''Not the ''''[[ScaryDogmaticAliens Convenant!]]'''''' '''Not the '''[[ManipulativeBastard Prophets!]]'''''' Not... [[TheDreaded Her.]]"