Sangheili: Councilor

Councilor is a title bestowed upon Sangheili that become members of the High Council. It is the highest known title that can be given to a Sangheili.

Background
Councilors are the highest rank within Sangheilian society. Because the pursuit of honor in battle is the sole pursuit of the Sangheili it's safe to assume that Councilors have killed a substantial amount of enemies.

Combat
Because warfare is the primary purpose of Sangheili participation in the Covenant, Councilors are extremely skilled warriors in almost all forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. Councilors typically carry the iconic Energy Sword, which also serves as a symbol of their status as aristocrats. They are part of a select few Sangheili military ranks, such as Zealots and Ultras, that are permitted to use this weapon. They are also, albeit infrequently, armed with Plasma Rifles, with their accuracy unmatched. Like an Ultra, they will let loose a war cry and switch to their Energy Sword if an enemy gets too close to them.

In addition to their great skill in combat, Councilors are also equipped with an extremely durable Combat Harness, similar in appearance to the standard issue version, but with superior armor compared to that worn by lesser ranks, similar to that of the SpecOps. Additionally, the built-in energy shielding system is capable of taking an enormous amount of damage, equivalent to that of an Elite Ultra: they can withstand up to three Shotgun blasts in close range, devastating melee attacks from behind, multiple Plasma Grenades or Fragmentation Grenades and even surviving a blast from a Rocket Launcher and a slash from an Energy Sword, even when their shield is down.

Physical Appearance
Councilors are easily recognizable by their large, distinct and oddly shaped, ornate headdresses, fixed to a traditional Elite Helmet. Their armor, normally the standard Combat Harness adorned by most other regular service Elites (with the exception of the helmet), are a pearlescent white, or metallic-silver color, very similar to that worn by Ultra Elites, the only difference being that they have no steel markings on their armor as many other Elite ranks do. Councilors sometimes wear a different helmet that has the same basic shape, but has different designs and is more open.