Jiralhanae

The Jiralhanae, commonly known as Brutes by humans, are a robust bipedal sapient species native to the planet Doisac and the last species to be incorporated to the Covenant collective. They are known for their incredible strength and durability, and are regarded by many as a savage species due to their territoriality, aggressive tendencies and tribal social structures. The Jiralhanae have an ancient mutual animosity with the Sangheili, originating from nearly a millennium of irregular conflict between the two species in the spinward side of the Orion Arm before the Jiralhanae's assimilation to the Covenant.

Etymology
"Jiralhanae" allegedly means "Thrice-risen ones". The name's origin is unclear, and it does not directly mean anything in any known modern Jiralhanae language or dialect. Some Covenant scholars, by drawing similarities to the modern grammar of semi-isolated Jiralhanae groups living in the Nuemian Boundary and the Inner Corelight Reefs, have concluded that the popular meaning may have some basis in reality. San'Shyuum linguists have postulated that the original name may perhaps have been Yrrolhanag (yrro= to rise, to lift up + ol-hann= three times + -nag = suffix used for peoples or ethnic groups).

However, alternate theories have been presented. Some Covenant sources suggest it originated as the name of one of the ethnic groups or tribal associations that first raided Covenant colonies in the coreside spinward regions of the Holy Ecumene. Likewise, it is uncertain if the name began as the Jiralhanae's own endonym or an exonym by the Sangheili based on what they thought the Jiralhanae called themselves, though today most Jiralhanae claim the name solely as their own. Likewise, most Jiralhanae embrace the "Thrice-risen ones" meaning as being prophetic of their history.

There are many variations of the name in different populations, e.g. Jirahhanae, Diraanae, Yrohane, and Tira Hannaeg. In some diaspora populations in longtime contact with Sangheili, such as those of the Oarthen Threshold, the name has even "Sangheilized" into the form Jiralanee, without conscious effort on either party's part, and Doisac-born Brutes often mock the "farborn" for this. Whatever the original name may have been, the Covenant formally uses "Jiralhanae", which has led to some degree of standardization also taking root among the clans most involved with the Covenant.

Biology
While now recognized independently-evolved aliens, the Jiralhanae have convergently evolved various characteristics commonly described by human xenobiologists as pseudo-ursine, simian and pachydermian. Early on into humanity's encounters with the Covenant, it was speculated that Jiralhanae may be related to terrestrial fauna - the most notable candidates brought forth were higher primates and bears. Alongside the dinosauroid Kig-Yar, this would make them the first potential examples of sapient out-of-place biota known to humanity. However, autopsies and DNA analysis quickly dispelled this notion, showing that the species has no direct link to Earth life.

Gravity adaptation
The Jiralhanae's robust physiques owe much to their homeworld's high gravity of 2.1g. They take great pride in this, and there is a common belief that gravity builds not only strength, but also character. Along with certain quirks and limitations in their natural spatial awareness and sense of orientation, this is one reason many Jiralhanae dislike space and spending time in low or microgravity. Their threshold for debilitating muscle and bone atrophy is at around 0.8-1g of prolonged exposure, where most other species can withstand half that or less. This also led to even the early Jiralhanae colonies on Doisac's moons quickly developing artificial gravity devices. Unfortunately, it also often causes Jiralhanae who spend time on low-gravity worlds to develop various physiological conditions, and many Jiralhanae consider it taboo to procreate on such worlds as it is believed "lightborn" offspring will grow up to be weak.

In addition to the various ethnic groups already present across Doisac, various diaspora populations of Jiralhanae on other worlds have diverged from the species baseline. While many colonial populations sought to settle high-gravity worlds, and some managed to, most had to make do with what they had. Jiralhanae lightworlders are typically taller but less physically robust than their Doisac-born counterparts, which — coupled with the homeworld's harsh conditions — is often used by Doisac Jiralhanae to justify their sense of superiority. The lightworlders are often called Larthanae, a pun of sorts meaning "Skinny ones" or "Delicate ones". A common stereotype prevails among the so-called "pure" Jiralhanae of the Larthanae as weak and submissive, and they are frequently mocked and humiliated by heavyworlders of a particularly spiteful temperament. In general, the lightworlders can do little but accept their lot while trying to ignore the indignity, though some struggle to prove themselves by routinely spending time and exercising in high gravity. This rarely does much to impress heavyworlder Jiralhanae, who are only convinced by concrete displays of power and dominance. However, it has also contributed to the splintering of the Jiralhanae meta-society, with many groups of Larthanae actively seeking to distance themselves from Doisac's ways both in terms of physical distance and culture.

Jiralhanae shipmasters frequently run their ships' artificial gravity at Doisac's 2.1g or close to it, though if other species (particularly Kig-Yar, San'Shyuum or Yanme'e are present, this may not be seen as feasible. With their hardy body plans and exoskeletons, Unggoy can withstand high gravity surprisingly well, though above a certain point the Jiralhanae have found it hinders their productivity; to Kig-Yar, Yanme'e and San'Shyuum, it can be lethal. Some Jiralhanae crews have also been known to use this as a show of dominance, intentionally turning up their ships' artificial gravity for the discomfort of other species, especially Sangheili and even lightworlder Jiralhanae, during diplomatic meetings and boarding operations alike. Similar issues apply to other species landing on Doisac.