what are your comments on the arbiter?
He’s awesome. I’d like to see more of him.
i would like the arbiter to return
i would like to see more about elites in general
“Were it so easy” to describe the Arbiter, I would.
> He’s awesome. I’d like to see more of him.
Best character in Halo, hands down.
> “Were it so easy” to describe the Arbiter, I would.
HA! Funny.
The Arbiter, or Thel 'Vadam, as he prefers to be called, is by far the most delectable character in the series. He has the best exposition, the best motivation, and, of course, the best weaponry. He is My second favorite protagonist (following Johnson) in the series, and third in the whole series (Gravemind before Johnson).
Labeling him as a protagonist is apt; he’s a good guy. Love his story thread, but I’m still working through Glasslands, so I’m reserving updated judgement for a few more days…
> Labeling him as a protagonist is apt; he’s a good guy. Love his story thread, but I’m still working through Glasslands, so I’m reserving updated judgement for a few more days…
SPOILER!
There isnt a whole lot on Thel throughout that book. Maybe half a chapter? And you will certainly agree when you see Hood in that book.
I would like to see more of him, helping the UNSC look for John.
> I would like to see more of him, helping the UNSC look for John.
I think between the Return and Glasslands, we can assume the Sanghelli are a bit busy to help Humans find ‘the Demon’
I can just imagine him making a king theoden speech before charging the orcs in front of minas tirith with his arby voice, now THATS epic
> I can just imagine him making a king theoden speech before charging the orcs in front of minas tirith with his arby voice, now THATS epic
What?
> > I can just imagine him making a king theoden speech before charging the orcs in front of minas tirith with his arby voice, now THATS epic
>
> What?
I was just saying, seeing him do an epic speech in H4 before an epic battle would be epic, hence the king theoden speech from the lord of the rings
> > I would like to see more of him, helping the UNSC look for John.
>
> I think between the Return and Glasslands, we can assume the Sanghelli are a bit busy to help Humans find ‘the Demon’
Well I’m not saying it’s his main concern, just keeping his eyes and ears open for any sign of John.
> > > I can just imagine him making a king theoden speech before charging the orcs in front of minas tirith with his arby voice, now THATS epic
> >
> > What?
>
> I was just saying, seeing him do an epic speech in H4 before an epic battle would be epic, hence the king theoden speech from the lord of the rings
He should speak Elvish.
Much like we saw in The Cole Protocol, he is a deep and rich character that can be fleshed out in so many ways. I really hope he takes a central role in the post-war novels written by Karen Traviss yet to come. Then again, I’d like to see a lot of single character-centric fiction in the Halo universe. Much of the expanded universe is exactly that, and doesn’t really get you down to a lone collection of organisms inhabiting a single body. Would have been cool though to see him in the Halo: Anniversary Terminals in his full ornate armor as the Supreme Commander, Fleet of Particular Justice though, one of the few Sangheili armors that needs to be fully rendered. 
As a character however, and note this in a respectful note, he is very flawed and being misguided. I don’t see him having much respect for the threat that rebel forces pose to him and the allied nations on Sanghelios. While I believe that piece between the primary Human and Sangheili governments is key to stability in the post-war galaxy, much like the NATO and USUKCANAUSNZ alliance after the Second World War, he is pushing it way too much into the open with little regard for the own affairs of his people.
I want to see a major lasting piece between the two peoples as much as anyone, but Thel 'Vadam needs to understand that he needs to get his own house (Sanghelios, its citizens, and other colonies) in order before he can take the next step in being a strategic partner with the United Earth Government and form economic relationships with them, as well as the Kig-yar, Unggoy, etc.
He used to be my favourite character, but I can’t see him as anything but a war criminal now.
> I can’t see him as anything but a war criminal now.
How do you figure?
If your referring to his actions commanding the fleets and armies at Reach, then by that measure, all those involved with Operation FIRST STRIKE (including John-117 and Blue Team) could be considered the same for being indirectly responsible for harboring another war criminal. VADM Danforth Whitcomb (Commander-in-Chief, Reach) allowed the capture of a NOVA bomb that purposefully destroyed most of the Imperial colonial world of Joyous Exultation, killing millions and even shattering its moon.
Thel 'Vadam, while likely personally and indirectly responsbible for the deaths of millions, is no more guilty than President Truman or Colonel Tibbets (Commander, B-29 Superfortress Enola happy) for dropping the first nuke in anger during the Second World War.
Not to mention that even if he was charged by the United Earth Government as such, there would be no way they could enforce it, short of war or capture, the latter of which would probably lead to the former. More than likely, the only justice you’ll see is reconstruction aid and far down the line, war reparations. And besides, you can’t charge Thel 'Vadam and not do the same for the billions of other Covenant soldiers. It would be like sending the whole of the German, Japanese, Italian, etc. populations to jail just for being citizens or drafted into the military.
Yeah, saying he’s a war criminal is pretty pointless (same with that -Yoink- about Dr. Halsey as well, teh frak?). Especially considering all he did in the final months of the conflict to save Humanity and the galaxy as a whole.
> > I can’t see him as anything but a war criminal now.
>
> How do you figure?
Seriously! He turned against the Prophets and helped Master Chief bring thwart the Covenant.
He’s honestly not exonerated or even easily forgiven but he’s proved that he was a pawn and is capable of compassion as well as attempting to right any wrongs.
It’s much like -Yoink!--ism. It’s pretty laughable to think that “every German” was or wanted to be one during the time. You get forced into something, should you really be held fully accountable? Thel was able to admit to his being deceived and is obviously looking to make peace. Much of the Sangheili would rather see humanity simply burn. Thel is an example that you don’t judge a book by it’s cover.