Thread:Eureka Enderborn/@comment-26535281-20161022215116/@comment-26084195-20161115014753

First sighted at the furthest reaches of Ultima Segmentum, this Xenos civilization is theorized to come from outside the universe by method of wormhole in rapid numbers, having emerged somewhere in the Ultima segmentum and taken some time to hide and build enough strength, ascertaining their surroundings before emerging in their earnest, where they have become yet another problem for an already dying galaxy. While the Imperium represents Ignorance, the Tau represents Naivety, and the Eldar represent Arrogance; the Covenant represents Religious Zealotry, Paranoia and Blind Superstition, making the Covenant the analogue of the Spanish Empire cirque Renaissance period in space.

The Covenant, like the Tau, are a empire made up of a coalition of different Xenos, however unlike those of the Tau most of the Xenos were forced into joining their empire, either by force or threat of extermination. The main religion the Covenant enforced on other Xenos, is their aspect of the "Great Journey" in which they must venerate an old and extinct race of near God-like beings called the Forerunners, those who oppose worshiping are faced with the crimes of Heresy, similar to that of the Imperium. Furthermore just like the Imperium the Covenant consider tinkering and improving the tech of their so called "Gods" is a crime of treason, thus the technology of the Covenant, in contrast their advance look, are actually stagnating in progress and have in return, invented or improved very little over the centuries. Xenologists such as Aaron Harplouch suggested that the Covenant usually go to a war of religion, rather then the war on ideology such as the Tau or a war on resources and space such as the Imperium. Furthermore unlike certain races like the Tau for example, the Covenant has been space-faring for multiple millenia long before Humanity has even tinkered with fire, and are thus identified as an "Old-Race" by Imperium Xenologists. Life in the Covenant is noted to be strifed with brutality, inequality coupled with extremely harsh punishments, as well as extreme racism and jealousy among Xeno races, and with the added caste system placed in the empire; this often leave Xenologists scratching their heads in absolute surprise that their empire has not fragmented yet. What is most interesting in the Covenant is how overly-zealous and ignorant they really are, so much so that they make even the most fanatical of the Imperial Ecclesiarch look tame in comparison, examples include throwing an entire swarm of Jiralhanae at a Imperial Baneblade without hesitation or fear. Furthermore with the Covenant's hostile and violent reactions to all things considered as "Blasphemy" to their religion, it is not uncommon to see the Covenant enacting "Holy Conquest" and exterminating entire swathes of Xenos even if they are innocent or peaceful. Such aggressive tendencies and overzealousy has lead to border clashes or even total war with Imperium and Covenant forces, either due to land, resources, living space or religion, such wars usually accumulate into the hundreds of billions at best, on both sides.

However, relationships with the Imperium and Covenant are not always hostile, sometimes Imperium Rogue Traders and Diplomats would come and ask for either peace talks or trade. If the Covenant are in a good mood, such trade or peace talks would be accepted; of course the Imperium being the Imperium, such trade between Xeno tech are highly restricted by the Inquisition, and only a certain few deemed as "Safe" could be passed on in Imperial space. However they will truly unite if an even greater threat comes looming over the corner, such as the case of The Storm of Highkhoest where both Imperium and Covenant forces united against a massive Dark Eldar raiding party, crushing their opposition that included over a trillion dead. In a sense, the Covenants relationship with the Imperium are more rivalry then actual enemies, and the Covenant only attack Imperium space only if they are in the way of the Covenants "Holy Conquest".