Why the Concept Art is on Sanghelios.

Games Halo 5: Guardians
1

So, we gained new concept art of a place we’ve never seen in a game before, and here it is:

https://s3cmsassets.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/web/news-and-blogs/article-body/graphics/halo-5-guardians-concept-art-ca11b3e478cb49959c1bc3f7bca3533f.jpg

So I’ve seen a little speculation so far, and I’m going to tell you where it is and why.

It is Sanghelios, homeworld of the Elites.

There are a few things that give it away. For starters we all already know Sangheilios is a harsh planet with large deserts. So the terrain certainly matches. That’s not enough on it’s own, so let’s move on to the structures.

The buildings are generally rounded, they look somewhat ancient aesthetically but also futuristic technologically. The rounded design bears some similarity to the Covneant aesthetic of round walls and domed structures. This leads me to again believe that the structures are Covenant, most likely Sangheili in nature, especially with the red war banners.

Next, the statue. The statue upon close inspection appears to have a mandible guard similar to Elites, and the Helmet bears some resemblance to the Abiter’s helmet. The “right arm” (left from our perspective) appears to have Reach-like Armour, and the object he’s holding, or what of it we can make out, bears some similarity to the barrel of a Needle Rifle or Carbine. Also pointed out that the object the statue is holding resembles an Energy Sword, which I do see and agree with.

Finally, the dead givaway, in what little of the sky we have to see, there are two suns, both of which are red. Sanghelios is a planet in a Tri-Solar System, that means that there are 3 suns in Sanghelios’ sky. Sanghelios’ suns are also already known to be red-coloured. Which is actually where the name Sanghelios comes from, directly meaning “Blood Suns” in another language (I believe Latin? Could need confirmation).

So, that there are my 4 bits of information that help prove that some part of Halo 5: Guardians will take place on the homeworld of the Elites. Whether you visit this world as Master Chief, or as the new Oni Agent are beyond me.

2

I also agree.

The descriptions do match.
Plus, it looks as if that statue is holding a Energy Sword. And the person/figure in seems be a Sangheili base on its head and neck shape?

3

Aside from the satifaction of seeing it for the first time (second time, if you count Snowbound) in-game, what would Sangheilios offer to the story?

I can’t think of much. And with that being said, I’m assuming that the concept art we’re seeing is actually concept art for a multiplayer map instead of concept art from the campaign.

4

That figure bottom center also seems to have an elongated neck, which could support your theory.

5

I really really really hope this means that we’ll get to play as the Arbiter again! :'D

6

Im just saying, but that looks like it would be one sick small scale multiplayer map.

7

I really hope it’s Sanghelios but what would be the point of going there?

8

It seems like the Sangheili are humanities present equal since whatever remains of the Forerunners, are yet to be encountered again until Escalation #9 or possibly before so. I wouldn’t mind learning more about the Sangheili’s ancient roots.

9

I certainly agree with you OP but one quick question. Anyone know what those flying things are in the sky? They remind me of Reavers from Gears of War.

10

> I really hope it’s Sanghelios but what would be the point of going there?

Well considering what we know of the story so far, we may go there to seek out the Arbiter, or to find Dr. Halsey.

There’s a rift growing in the UNSC, and ONI is being depicted as the “evil” side of that rift. Gaining more control over the UNSC as a whole as the story progresses. Master Chief would likely be on the side opposing Oni. Finding the Arbiter to gain an ally, or seeking out Halsey would be a great way to wind up on Sangheilios, it’s entirely possible that through Halsey, Chief would gain an uneasy alliance with Jul 'Mdama and the Covneant Remnant as well.

I’ve said it before, I see a civil war in the works within the UNSC, and this could be the game that leads up to it’s beginning.

Those flying creatures remind me of the flying Mantas from the E3 Forest demo for Halo 4.

11

> > I really hope it’s Sanghelios but what would be the point of going there?
>
> Well considering what we know of the story so far, we may go there to seek out the Arbiter, or to find Dr. Halsey.

I would be pretty foolish for Jul 'Mdama to be hanging out at Sangheilios. And, it wouldn’t make too much sense for the Master Chief to want to seek out the Arbiter.

12

> > > I really hope it’s Sanghelios but what would be the point of going there?
> >
> > Well considering what we know of the story so far, we may go there to seek out the Arbiter, or to find Dr. Halsey.
>
> I would be pretty foolish for Jul 'Mdama to be hanging out at Sangheilios. And, it wouldn’t make too much sense for the Master Chief to want to seek out the Arbiter.

Not really, Master Chief leaving for “unknown reasons” and the seeds being sown for a UNSC civil war against Oni, Master Chief needs to look outside the UNSC for allies in the fight. He knows, and trusts, the Arbiter. Jul is also known to have a larger faction of Sangheili with more control than most others, I don’t see why he wouldn’t pit stop at Sanghelios from time to time, and even if he doesn’t, Chief needs to start his search for Halsey somewhere. With Requiem gone his only leads would be on Sanghelios.

Question for those noting the figure looks like it may be an Elite. Do you think this could be a hint at Elites returning as playable characters?

13

This definitely seems to be Sanghelios, or at least a planet in system. There appears to be something in the background to the left of the suns in the sky. Three black circular objects with black lines and tendrils coming out of them. These seem very flood-like to me. Perhaps Sanghelios will be hit by a flood invasion, and we’ll play as the Arbiter to defend it.

14

All I want are teh Arbiter and elites to play as.
I just hope that it will be like true!

15

I would love to see the Sanghelli homeworld or reunite with the Arbiter to face a Galactic threat

16

If I were to guess anywhere, it would be Sangheilios as well.

However, I believe he’s holding a sword. The statue looks old as well, implying that it isn’t an energy sword. I believe that this could be a Sangheili military (or army) outpost/stronghold/etc; that was made back when the Arbiter was a rank of honor and not shame.

Just a little more speculation…

17

> This definitely seems to be Sanghelios, or at least a planet in system. There appears to be something in the background to the left of the suns in the sky. Three black circular objects with black lines and tendrils coming out of them. <mark>These seem very flood-like to me.</mark> Perhaps Sanghelios will be hit by a flood invasion, and we’ll play as the Arbiter to defend it.

I think they look more like the flying Squids that were supposed to be on the level Infinity rather than actual Flood forms.

18

My goodness. You’re right. It’s totally Sanghelios. And what a beautiful MM map.this art would make…

19

I feel like any human seeking out help from Jul would literally be insane. I really don’t think their is an Elite out their who hates humans more. The last thing Jul would do would be to help either side. He would much rather attack them both at the same time.

Also, this Halsey out for revenge thing I keep seeing. I don’t buy it. Halsey is very VERY smart, smart enough to know that she was on borrowed time, and that one day she would become replaceable, the creation of the Spartan III project, and later the Spartan IV project shows this. Halsey knows what it means to “tie up loose ends,” and that’s what she is, a loose end. Shes not going to destroy everything she has spent her life trying to accomplish because it’s all coming full circle. No, I believe she is playing Jul for the fool he really is, or at least believes him to be, and that we are going to see one more brilliant moment of glory from Doctor Cathrine Halsey, the one who was willing to get her hands dirty, and take the fall for it.

20

> I feel like any human seeking out help from Jul would literally be insane. I really don’t think their is an Elite out their who hates humans more. The last thing Jul would do would be to help either side. He would much rather attack them both at the same time.
>
> Also, this Halsey out for revenge thing I keep seeing. I don’t buy it. Halsey is very VERY smart, smart enough to know that she was on borrowed time, and that one day she would become replaceable, the creation of the Spartan III project, and later the Spartan IV project shows this. Halsey knows what it means to “tie up loose ends,” and that’s what she is, a loose end. Shes not going to destroy everything she has spent her life trying to accomplish because it’s all coming full circle. No, I believe she is playing Jul for the fool he really is, or at least believes him to be, and that we are going to see one more brilliant moment of glory from Doctor Cathrine Halsey, the one who was willing to get her hands dirty, and take the fall for it.

Jul doesn’t exactly ‘hate’ humanity, he feels threatened by them. He doesn’t act out of some desire to extinguish a race from the face of the galaxy, he acts out of a desire not to have his own race destroyed. And considering events that have happened in the past, he knows and is aware that ONI in particular is the primary threat to his people.

Contrary to the surface, Jul isn’t even that much of a Terrorist. He and the Remnant spent the majority of the time between Halo 3 and 4 floating around Requiem trying to get it to open, and fighting to gain favour with the other Elites, not attacking humans. The only major time humans were attacked by Jul’s forces wasn’t even Jul’s attack, it was the Didact’s composition of a city on Earth. The ‘cover story’ for the event was that Remnant forces invaded and attacked the city with nukes.

Halsey also isn’t out to get the entire UNSC, she’s smart enough to know who ordered her execution, she knows it was an ONI order. A large part of why she’s a loose end is because she knows so much about ONI, and knows just how deeply they’ve corrupted the UNSC. That was the real reason for her imprisonment, again covered with the story of her kidnapping children for the Spartan II project. (We all know she did, but that wasn’t the reason she was imprisoned, it was her opposition to the ONI agenda that got her in trouble.)