The Peripates, also translated as Migrants, are a prominent segment of the Covenant population that spend most or all of their lives aboard ships or mobile habitats rather than stationary worlds. While culturally eclectic between each other, the Peripates are often regarded collectively as a distinct subculture of the Covenant meta-civilization. They are generally regarded as more dynamic and up-to-date but also detached from what they call the "Rooted" or "Placid" populations and their largely-stationary life. When Peripates transition from migratory to stationary life, this is generally known as "going placid" or "growing roots".

Peripates travel either in singular ships or entire migrant caravans; a significant portion of the Covenant serving aboard the ministerial fleets and armadas are also regarded as Peripates, as they leave their home fleets only temporarily. This is particularly true for many Unggoy tribes and Lekgolo colonies, generations of whom are born, live, and die serving aboard ships. Outside the ministerial forces, traders and worldships with populations in the millions endlessly tour the Holy Ecumene and beyond; Kig-Yar make up a significant portion of this group. A significant portion of Peripates followed High Charity at all times, with a swarm of thousands of ships and habitats always in line to dock with the holy city. Following High Charity's destruction, the portion of these habitats not destroyed in the Great Schism found their way to the Strewn Shore, were left at Installation 04 or Installation 05, or returned to the Covenant sphere over time.

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