Important Events
Evo-014's Summary
LEADER: Jul 'Mdama
HOMEWORLD: Hesduros
PERIOD: Apr 1, 2553 - Oct 28, 2558
Jul Mdama's Covenant emerged as a faction of Covenant remnants in the post-war era, shortly after the conclusion of the devastating Human-Covenant War. Led by Jul 'Mdama, a Sangheili warrior, this group harbored a deep-seated grudge against humanity and the Swords of Sanghelios following 'Mdama's capture by the clandestine organization ONI and the tragic loss of his beloved wife.
During his escape, 'Mdama chanced upon a secluded faction of Sangheili and skillfully exploited their unwavering faith in the Covenant religion, as well as his profound knowledge of Forerunner history. Through cunning manipulation, he amassed a formidable following of devoted adherents, propelling him to become one of the most influential leaders in the chaotic aftermath of the Covenant's downfall.
History
In the aftermath of the collapse of the Covenant, a void of power emerged, giving rise to numerous splinter groups with their own ideologies and objectives. Among them was Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, which preserved many of the beliefs held by the original Covenant. 'Mdama skillfully capitalized on the long-standing Forerunner worship ingrained in former Covenant members, forging a potent alliance in the early years following the Human-Covenant War. Although he himself was not devoutly religious during the Covenant's existence, he recognized the potential to amass a substantial following by posing as a new prophet. This strategy proved largely successful, solidifying Jul 'Mdama's Covenant as one of, if not the most influential faction among the remnants of the Covenant by the mid-2550s.
The formation of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant can be attributed to a series of actions orchestrated by ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) and the UNSC during a period when ONI sought to sow unrest within the former Covenant species. In the immediate aftermath of the Covenant's downfall, ONI began supplying weapons to factions opposing the rule of Thel 'Vadam, most notably to a Sangheili named Avu Med 'Telcam. During one of these transactions, considered heretical during the Covenant era, 'Mdama uncovered 'Telcam's thirst for power. However, he was subsequently captured by ONI's special operations team known as Kilo-Five. While held in the ONI detention facility ONIRF Trevelyan on the Sarcophagus, 'Mdama further witnessed the dishonorable tactics employed by humanity in warfare. His subsequent escape fueled his determination to gain power and combat humanity wherever possible, fueled also by the loss of his wife during the Siege of Kolaar at the hands of Thel 'Vadam and the UNSC.
The decline of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant was as rapid as its rise. In October 2558, after years of unearthing Forerunner artifacts to bolster his forces, 'Mdama met his demise on Kamchatka at the hands of Spartan-IV team Fireteam Osiris during the Battle of Kamchatka. His death dealt a fatal blow to his loyal followers, although they held out at the stronghold of Sunaion on Sanghelios for several weeks before being ultimately ousted by the Swords of Sanghelios on October 27th.
Followers
Initially, Jul 'Mdama did not harbor strong religious convictions and had no intention of establishing his own faction. However, circumstances unfolded in a way that fueled his animosity towards those seeking reconciliation between humans and Sangheili. While Jul himself did not share the religious fervor of his followers, who deeply revered the Forerunners and the Didact, he skillfully manipulated their beliefs to his advantage. Exploiting their faith, he convinced them that he was chosen to guide the Sangheili of Hesduros in their quest to locate the Didact, earning himself the title of the "Didact's Hand."
Those who opted to align with 'Mdama displayed unwavering loyalty, even to the point of fighting to the death in the Battle of Sunaion, despite Jul's demise at the hands of Fireteam Osiris several days earlier.
