Balaho

Balaho is the Unggoy  homeworld and it is the fifth planet orbiting the star Tala.

Description
It is a mostly-frozen planet with temperatures ranging from -33°C (-27.4 F) to 5°C (41°F) and two moons, Buwan and Padpad; the primary and secondary satellites, respectively. Being a terrestrial planet with significant amounts of methane in the atmosphere, this explains why Unggoy wear a methane tank while they are on other planets. This gas prevents much of the world from being seen from orbit.

The parts of the surface that are not covered by polar ice caps or fresh water are brackish tidal flats where naturally occurring pillars of fire exist. Most of the Unggoy live in this area where the cold season is not as harmful to them. The world is still recovering from an environmental collapse caused by massive global over-industrialization prior to the activation of the Halo Array. Before it was found by the Covenant, Balaho was mostly dominated by Unggoy tribes. This world was almost glassed by orbital bombardment due to the Unggoy Rebellion. It was this threat that made the Grunts surrender, ending the rebellion.

The planet was also the site of the Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience. The Unggoy, once again disobeying the Covenant, were put down on Balaho during a battle in which the Covenant, commanded by future Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, led the Unggoy back to the order of the Covenant.

Sentient

 * Unggoy

Non-sentient

 * Shade crab
 * Zap-jelly
 * Mud wasp
 * Scrub grub