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{{Outdated}}
{{Faction infobox
{{Faction infobox
|variant=
|variant=
|image=
|image=
|domain(s)= Galactic
|Domain(s)= Galactic
|type= Interstellar government
|Type= Interstellar government
|functions=
|Functions=
|othernames= Amiable Ecumene <br> Habitable World
|Other names= Amiable Ecumene  
|conflicts= [[Hive-Ecumene war]]
|Conflicts=  
|leadership= Ecumene Crisis Council
|Leadership= Ecumene Crisis Council
|notable= Stalled the Hive to near extinction
|Notable= Stalled the Hive to near extinction
|war=[[Hive]]
}}
}}
The '''Ecumene''' (or '''Amiable Ecumene''') was an interstellar government composed of multiple advanced spacefaring species in a unknown galaxy. It was destroyed during its cataclysmic [[Hive-Ecumene war|war]] with the [[Hive]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]''</ref><ref name="XXIX">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXIX: Carved in Ruin|XXIX: Carved in Ruin]]''</ref>
The '''Ecumene''' (or '''Amiable Ecumene''') was an interstellar government composed of multiple advanced spacefaring species in a unknown galaxy. It was destroyed during its cataclysmic [[Hive-Ecumene war|war]] with the [[Hive]], who attacked it at the behest of the [[The Witness|Witness]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard''</ref><ref name="XXIX">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXIX:_Carved_in_Ruin|XXIX: Carved in Ruin]]''</ref>


==Overview==
==Overview==
The Ecumene was a peaceful alliance of multiple technologically-advanced spacefaring species, such as the [[Dakaua]], and was well over twenty thousand years old by the time the Hive first encountered it.<ref name="XXV">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXV: Dictata ir Dakaua|XXV: Dictata ir Dakaua]]''</ref> Member species were known as "clients" of the Ecumene. They were evidently attuned with the [[Darkness]], if not wielders of it, and their connection to the Darkness appeared to form a central part of their civilization.<ref name="Habitable World">'''(2023/3/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]] - [[Lore:Inspiral#The_Habitable_World|The Habitable World]]''</ref>
The Ecumene was a peaceful alliance of multiple technologically-advanced spacefaring species, such as the [[Dakaua]], and was well over twenty thousand years old by the time the Hive first encountered it. Member species were known as "clients" of the Ecumene. They were evidently attuned with the [[Darkness]], if not wielders of it, and their connection to the Darkness appeared to form a central part of their civilization. <ref name="Art of Symbiosis">'''(2023/3/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]] - [[Lore:Inspiral#The_Art_of_Symbiosis|The Art of Symbiosis]]''</ref>


Prior to the advent of the [[Hive]], the Ecumene maintained contact with the [[Ammonite]] civilization of [[Fundament]] and were aware of its destruction, but not of its cause.<ref name="XXV"/> The [[Vex]] possessed a gate within Ecumene territory, though the extent of their presence is unknown.<ref name="XLIII">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XLIII: End of Failed Timeline|XLIII: End of Failed Timeline]]''</ref>
Prior to the advent of the [[Hive]], the Ecumene maintained contact with the [[Ammonite]] civilization of [[Fundament]] and were aware of its destruction, but not of its cause.<ref name="XXV">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXV:_Dictata_ir_Dakaua|XXV: Dictata ir Dakaua]]''</ref>


==History==
The Ecumene was led by the Ecumene Crisis Council during the war against the Hive, which had the authority to marshal the economic and technological resources of all civilizations for the war effort.<ref name="XXVII">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVII:_Eat_the_Sky|XXVII: Eat the Sky]]''</ref> Its military, the Ecumene Status Army, utilized soldiers or weapons called "war angels". Its level of technology was considerable; [[Xivu Arath]] described them as "''lords of matter and physical law'',"<ref name="XXVI">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXVI:_star_by_star_by_star|XXVI: star by star by star]]''</ref> and they regularly destroyed entire planets in order to kill Hive leadership.<ref name="XXXIV">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XXXIV:_More_beautiful_to_know|XXXIV: More beautiful to know]]''</ref>
===The Ancient Past===
The origins and early history of the Ecumene remain unknown; by the time they encountered the Hive, their dominion had grown to encompass many client species, including the [[Dakaua]],<ref name="XXIX"/> and a significant portion of their local galaxy; at least one whole galactic arm is mentioned ("''spinward frontier''") to be under their banner.<ref name="XXVII"/> The Ecumene is known to have persisted for at least twenty five thousand, one hundred and forty years.<ref name="XXV"/><ref name="XXVI">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXVI: star by star by star|XXVI: star by star by star]]''</ref>


===War with the Hive===
The [[Vex]] possessed a gate within Ecumene territory, though the extent of their presence is unknown.<ref name="Forty Three">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books_of_Sorrow#XLIII:_End_of_Failed_Timeline|XLIII: End of Failed Timeline]]''</ref>
{{Quote|Sunrise-scents were long fading when I read the first report of strife, though delight lingered sweet on my breath. Buoys offline. Sentinels unresponsive. A first strike. A lingering scent we could not understand, though the Deep indicated familiarity. From the beacons: Aiat. Aiat.|An unnamed Ecumene member recounting the start of the Ecumene's conflict with the Hive.<ref name="Habitable World"/>}}


Approximately twenty-four thousand years after the first Hive destroyed the Ammonite civilization and departed Fundament, the Ecumene's frontier fell under attack by the Hive.<ref name="XXV"/> A record from this time notes that the Hive could be sensed through the Darkness as they encroached on the Ecumene's territory.<ref name="Habitable World"/>
===Culture===
Ecumene society made use of various synthetic chemicals, possibly specialized pheromones, in communication. Members would "gland" a certain chemical, such as "sixty proof assimilation liquor" or "one hundred twenty proof fight or flight encoding" that would allow them to reinforce the general meaning of a message. Messages were marked with an imperative notice that identified which chemical to gland, as well as what punitive measure would be used ("noncompliance taxation") or what consequence would occur ("certain catastrophic defeat") if the recipient did not comply. Messages were also punctuated with emotional bursts that possibly involved the administration of an additional chemical: "VIGILANCE SPIKE" would likely bring the recipient to a state of increased alertness, while "ENACT IMPULSE" concluded the message and urged the recipient to act on it.<ref name="XXV"/><ref name="XXVII"/><ref name="XXXIV"/>


Over the course of a century, the Ecumene Status Army failed to protect seventeen member worlds from Hive incursions. After the Dakaua discovered the [[Hive#Origins|Krill]] [[Taox]], who explained the Hive's motivations and the identities of its leaders, the Ecumene decided to deploy its most powerful weapons with the goal of completely eradicating the Hive.<ref name="XXV"/>
==History==
{{Quote|Sunrise-scents were long fading when I read the first report of strife, though delight lingered sweet on my breath. Buoys offline. Sentinels unresponsive. A first strike. A lingering scent we could not understand, though the Deep indicated familiarity. From the beacons: Aiat. Aiat.|An unnamed Ecumene member recounting the start of the Ecumene's conflict with the Hive.}}


This strategy of overwhelming force proved effective for a time, and the Hive's advanced stalled. In response, [[Oryx, the Taken King|Oryx]] acquired the power to [[Taken|Take]] from the [[Worm]] [[Akka]], the power of the [[Darkness]] itself, and rapidly regained the advantage. The Ecumene Crisis Council met and determined that the Ecumene and its member species faced extinction within two hundred twenty years, and should therefore devote every aspect of its civilization to fighting the Hive. While this bought the Ecumene some time, the Hive's victory was now inevitable. After a century of war, the Ecumene Crisis Council was killed by Oryx at a place called the Fractal Wreath. Forty years after that, Oryx deceived the Dakaua and eliminated them. The Ecumene fled from the galaxy into the intergalactic void but were pursued by the Hive. One thousand years later, the Ecumene had been annihilated so utterly that only the Hive and Taox, who had managed to flee, remembered it.<ref name="XXVII">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXVII: Eat the Sky|XXVII: Eat the Sky]]''</ref><ref name="XXIX"/>
Approximately twenty-four thousand years after the first Hive destroyed the Ammonite civilization and departed Fundament, the Ecumene's frontier fell under attack by the Hive. A record from this time by an unnamed Ecumene member notes that the Hive could be sensed through the Darkness as they encroached on the Ecumene's territory. <ref name="Art of Symbiosis"/>


==Culture==
Over the course of a century, the Ecumene Status Army failed to protect seventeen member worlds from Hive incursions. After the Dakaua discovered the [[Hive#Origins|Krill]] [[Taox]], who explained the Hive's motivations and the identities of its leaders, the Ecumene decided to deploy its most powerful weapons with the goal of completely eradicating the Hive.<ref name="XXV"/>
Ecumene society made use of various synthetic chemicals, possibly specialized pheromones, in communication<ref name="XXV"/><ref name="XXVII"/><ref name="XXXIV"/> using the Darkness as a medium.<ref name="Habitable World"/>
 
Members would "gland" a certain chemical, such as "sixty proof assimilation liquor" or "one hundred twenty proof fight or flight encoding" that would allow them to reinforce the general meaning of a message. Messages were marked with an imperative notice that identified which chemical to gland, as well as what punitive measure would be used ("noncompliance taxation") or what consequence would occur ("certain catastrophic defeat") if the recipient did not comply. Messages were also punctuated with emotional bursts that possibly involved the administration of an additional chemical: "VIGILANCE SPIKE" would likely bring the recipient to a state of increased alertness, while "ENACT IMPULSE" concluded the message and urged the recipient to act on it.<ref name="XXV"/><ref name="XXVII"/><ref name="XXXIV">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXIV: More beautiful to know|XXXIV: More beautiful to know]]''</ref> "RECORD" seems to indicate ordinary writing, "GRIEF IMPULSE" indicates additional emotional flavoring, while "ENACT: REMEMBER" is for permeance, likely by utilizing the Darkness to record things safely.<ref name="Habitable World"/>
 
Alongside the use of glands, the Ecumene united its disparate client species through use of the Darkness, which joined them to each other in a psychic network of common understanding,<ref name="Habitable World"/> and likely what led them to maintain cohesion up until the Hive completely exterminated them a thousand years after breaking their government apart.<ref name="XXIX"/> This peaceful use of the Darkness was elided from Oryx's narrative of their demise in the Books of Sorrow.
 
The Ecumene was led by the Ecumene Crisis Council during the war against the Hive, which had the authority to marshal the complete economic and technological resources of all civilizations for the war effort.<ref name="XXVII"/>  Its level of technology was considerable; [[Xivu Arath]] described them as "''lords of matter and physical law'',"<ref name="XXVI"/> and they regularly destroyed entire planets in order to kill Hive leadership.<ref name="XXXIV"/> Its military was known as the Ecumene Status Army, and utilized soldiers or weapons called "war angels",<ref name="XXVI"/> security assets called "perimeter security units",<ref name="XXV"/> and possessed a hierarchy of military assets from perimeter, militia, to shock fleets to wage war.<ref name="XXVII"/>  


Members of the Ecumene referred to it alternately as the Amiable Ecumene<ref name="XXV"/> or Ecumene<ref name="XXVII"/> if government or the Habitable World if civilian,<ref name="Habitable World"/> while the Hive identified it as merely the Ecumene.<ref name="XXVI"/>
This strategy of overwhelming force proved effective for a time, and the Hive's advanced stalled. In response, [[Oryx, the Taken King|Oryx]] acquired the power to [[Taken|Take]] from the [[Worm]] [[Akka]], the power of the [[Darkness]] itself, and rapidly regained the advantage. The Ecumene Crisis Council met and determined that the Ecumene and its member species faced extinction within two hundred twenty years, and should therefore devote every aspect of its civilization to fighting the Hive. While this bought the Ecumene some time, the Hive's victory was now inevitable. After a century of war, the Ecumene Crisis Council was killed by Oryx at a place called the Fractal Wreath. Forty years after that, Oryx deceived the Dakaua and eliminated them. The Ecumene fled from the galaxy into the intergalactic void but were pursued by the Hive. One thousand years later, the Ecumene had been annihilated so utterly that only the Hive and Taox, who had managed to flee, remembered it.<ref name="XXVII"/><ref name="XXIX"/> Even so, their use of the Darkness would in turn be forgotten by the Hive and [[The Witness]], both evidently unable to fathom the idea of it being used for good.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*It is possible that the Ecumene had knowledge of the [[Traveler]], as they were in contact with the Ammonite civilization at the time of its fall.
*It is possible that the Ecumene had knowledge of the [[Traveler]], as they were in contact with the Ammonite civilization at the time of its fall, and may have been uplifted by it thousands of years prior.
*The Ecumene is also the name of the government of the [[Halopedia:Ecumene|Forerunner civilization]] from the ''Halo'' universe, another franchise created by Bungie.
*The Ecumene is also the name of the government of the [[Halopedia:Ecumene|Forerunner civilization]] from the ''Halo'' universe, another franchise created by Bungie.
::It should also be noted that the fate of the Ecumene in ''Destiny'' parallels, or is at least similar to, the events that occurred with the Forerunners in ''Halo''. Both civilizations were technologically-advanced spacefaring species, who went to war against an aggressive parasitic alien race. Both went to great lengths in order to kill the alien invaders, only to be eventually overwhelmed, overrun, and wiped out to the point of extinction.
::It should also be noted that the fate of the Ecumene in ''Destiny'' parallels, or is at least similar to the events that occurred with the Forerunners in ''Halo''. Both civilizations were technologically-advanced spacefaring species who went to war against an aggressive parasitic alien race. Both went to great lengths in order to kill the alien invaders, only to be eventually overwhelmed, overrun, and wiped out to the point of extinction.
*''[[wikipedia:The_Culture|The Culture]]'' book series mentions "[[wikipedia:The_Culture#Physiology|glanding]]", where certain synthetic chemicals are injected, by conscious command, into a person's body to increase mental acuity or other bodily functions for various everyday activities.
*''[[wikipedia:The_Culture|The Culture]]'' book series mentions "[[wikipedia:The_Culture#Physiology|glanding]]", where certain synthetic chemicals are injected, by conscious command, into a person's body to increase mental acuity or other bodily functions for various everyday activities.


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]'' {{First mentioned}}
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Deep]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Deep]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[The Hidden Dossier]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[The Final Shape]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Entelechy]]'' {{Mo}}


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{Darkness}}


[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

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