Editing Speaker

|image= [[File:TheSpeakerInfobox.jpg|300px]]

|species=[[Human]]

|affiliation= The [[Last City]] <br> [[Guardian]]s <br> [[The Consensus]] <br> [[Vanguard]]

|rank= [[Speaker (title)|Speaker]] <br> Voice of the Traveler <br> Head of the [[Consensus]]

|class=

{{Quote|Devotion inspires bravery, bravery inspires sacrifice, sacrifice leads to death. So... feel free to kill yourself.|The Speaker to [[Dominus Ghaul]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTxFY8RjJcg '''YouTube''' - ''Destiny 2 - "Devotion, Bravery, and Sacrifice" Cutscene'']</ref>}}

The '''Speaker'''<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MbUCkGWkiE#t=294 Destiny Walkthrough Part 3 - LIVE - EXPLORING THE TOWER (Destiny Gameplay Alpha PS4)]</ref> was the head of the [[Consensus]] within the [[Last City]]; He was very old, having lived as far back as the earliest days of the City.<ref name = "Osiris">'''Bungie (2015-5-19)''', ''Destiny, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/Osiris#Osiris|Osiris]]''</ref> He apparently acted as an advisor and mentor to the [[Guardian]]s,<ref name="Bungie Commentary">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3G3V5PCJbk '''Building the Destiny E3 Reveal''' — ''Bungie Commentary'']</ref> even referring to the Titan [[Saint-14]] as his son.<ref name= "Saint-14">'''Bungie (2015-5-19)''', ''Destiny, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends $ Mysteries#Legend: Saint-14|Legends: Saint-14]]''</ref>  

The Speaker at one time also had an apprentice, [[Osiris]], but in the end they became bitter rivals over their differences in philosophy, and eventually Osiris was exiled from the City.<ref name = "Osiris"/> For this reason, the [[Cult of Osiris]] does not think favorably of the Speaker.

The Speaker also had a study in the North tower, where he sold [[legendary]] class items and emblems in exchange for [[Mote of Light|Motes of Light]].<ref name = "Alpha">'''Bungie (2014/6/12)''', ''Destiny: Alpha PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard.''</ref> The Speaker also exchanged high-level [[upgrade material]]s.<ref>[http://planetdestiny.com/complete-reef-reveal-recap/ '''Planet Destiny''': Complete "Reef Reveal" Recap]</ref>

 

The Speaker was born to two self-exiles during the [[Dark Age]] and learned he was the last known [[Speaker (title)|Speaker]], coming into possession of a mask built by another Speaker that allowed them to commune with the [[Traveler]] to an extent despite its damaged state. He eventually came to live in a small settlement of three-hundred people in the shadow of a mountain which fell under the tyrannical rule of [[Warlord]] [[Cathal]]. After six years of his rule, the [[Iron Lords]] arrived and drove Cathal away, leaving the settlement independent. Shortly after this, a silver [[Ghost]] found the Speaker and began to follow him as it continued its search for a being worthy of being reborn in the [[Light]]. One year later, the Speaker and several other leaders of the village met with Lady [[Efrideet]] to hear an offer for them to join a growing [[The Last City|city]] being built underneath the Traveler. During the meeting, the Speaker heard the Traveler express its approval of the City and desire to be a beacon calling its "children" home to it. The Speaker trusts Efrideet's assurances of protection and claim that the Warlords are nearly defeated, along with the fact that governance of the city would be decided by all its citizens together, Risen and non-Risen alike. The Speaker and the rest of the settlement leaders agree to move to the Last City.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/12/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Dawn]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Constellations#Building|Constellations - Building]]''</ref>

 

Before arriving in the City, the Speaker guided a Ghost named [[Geppetto]] to the [[Cosmodrome]] of [[Old Russia]], where it revived a [[Exo]] named [[Saint-14]]. Sensing greatness in this newly risen [[Guardian]], the Speaker told him that he would become an example for others to follow and together they journeyed to the Last City.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/12/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Dawn]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:The Pigeon and the Phoenix#15: Shepherd|The Pigeon and the Phoenix - #15: Shepherd]]''</ref> The Speaker established himself as a religious leader and preached about the Traveler and its ways within the growing camp beneath the Traveler. After the destruction of the [[Iron Lords]], the Speaker gained power in the Last City and helped to establish the [[Vanguard]] to keep order as factions vied for power. [[Saint-14]] and [[Osiris]] became the respective [[Titan (class)|Titan]] and [[Warlock]] Vanguards, and Saint-14 suggested that [[Tallulah Fairwind]] should be the [[Hunter]]'s representative. The Speaker went to Tallulah and explained their plan, but Tallulah was skeptical that the Hunters could or even needed to be organized and asserted they worked best independently. The Speaker noted her efforts at putting together Hunters on other missions across the solar system already, but she countered that there was a difference between independent and solitary. However, the Speaker then suggested that there might be other candidates and that he understood if it would be too much of a challenge for her. With her pride now offended and a [[Vanguard Dare|dare]] being offered, Tallulah accepted the Speaker's offer.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/12/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Dawn]], [[The Bombardiers]]''</ref> The inclusion of Osiris as the Warlock Vanguard was controversial due to rumors about his origins and the opposition of the [[Concordat]], who claimed Osiris was the product of a failed [[Golden Age]] experiment mistakenly reincarnated into a human by his Ghost, [[Sagira]].<ref name= "Osiris"/>

 

Years later, the Speaker declared the position of Hunter Vanguard vacant following the two-year disappearance of the current Vanguard, [[Kauko Swiftriver]].<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], [[Lore]]: [[Lore:The Man They Call Cayde#Raise|Raise]]''</ref> Soon after, the Speaker and Osiris sent Saint-14 after the notorious [[Fallen]] mercenary [[Taniks, the Scarred]] after his murder of the Hunter [[Nian Ruo]] and several other Guardians. Saint-14 failed to find Taniks, although one of Nian's comrades, [[Cayde-6]], succeeded and was believed to have killed Taniks, although the mercenary secretly survived the encounter. The supposed demise of Taniks elevated [[Andal Brask]] to the vacant seat of the Hunter Vanguard, as he and Cayde had made the Vanguard Dare over who would kill Taniks, with the loser becoming the new Vanguard.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], [[Lore]]: [[Lore:The Man They Call Cayde#Winner Take All|Winner Take All]]''</ref>

==="Disagreement" with Osiris===

[[File:Mask man and Ghost.jpg|thumb|300px|The Speaker within his library]]

{{Quote|Now that we have Consensus, I may inform you I have decided to banish former Warlock Vanguard Osiris from the Last City.|The Speaker}}<ref name="CoF">'''Bungie (2017/5/12)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Curse of Osiris]], [[Curse of Foresight]]''</ref>

As time went on, the Speaker and Osiris became close, with Osiris becoming the Speaker's apprentice,<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''Destiny: House of Wolves, Item Description: [[Bond of the Exile]]''</ref> as the Speaker saw Osiris grow weary of ordering countless missions and dealing with the cryptarchs. The Speaker became increasingly concerned about Osiris' investigations into thanatonautics, [[Ahamkara]]-lore, [[Xûr, Agent of the Nine|Xûr]] and [[The Nine]], as well as his questioning about the nature of [[Ghost]] reincarnation and the Traveler's motives, which the Speaker believed could disrupt the unity of the City and faith in the Guardians.<ref name= "Osiris"/>

 

 

====Investigating the Hive====

After a newly risen [[The Guardian|Guardian]] discovered the presence of the Hive in the [[Cosmodrome]], the Speaker summoned them and explained his role and some of the history of the conflict between the Traveler and the Darkness. Disturbed by the Hive activity, the Speaker lifted the Lunar Interdiction and sent a Titan to scout the moon. With that scout failing to report back, the Speaker asked the new Guardian to follow his trail and discover what became of him. The Titan and his Ghost were found dead at the gates of a Hive fortress, but the Guardian managed to recover information from the dead Ghost.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[The Dark Beyond]]''</ref> With this assault, the Speaker knew that the war against the Hive was about the begin once more and began preparing the City for it.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Story: Moon, Ocean of Storms#The Dark Beyond|The Dark Beyond]]''</ref> The Speaker analyzed the information recovered and learned of [[The World's Grave]], a location within the Hive's catacombs on the moon where they kept a repository of information. He once again dispatched the Guardian to raid the World's Grave and gather whatever information they could about the Hive and their plans for Earth.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[The World's Grave (mission)]]''</ref>

The Guardian learned that the Hive were conducting a ritual to reach out and disrupt the Traveler by draining its [[Light]]. Armed with this knowledge, the Speaker could now sense the dark ritual being performed on a shard of the Traveler. He ordered the Guardian to return to the moon to stop the Hive before they succeeded in their plot and brought an end to the Last City, and also sent out a high-priority message on all channels stating that halting the ritual was the Vanguard's most important task. The Guardian was successful, freeing the shard of the Traveler from the Hive's corruption, but during the mission they received a mysterious message from the [[Elisabeth Bray|Exo Stranger]] who requested they meet her on [[Venus]]. The Speaker thanked the Guardian upon their return to the Tower, noting that the Traveler, while still broken, had regained some of its Light.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Chamber of Night (mission)]]''</ref>

====The Black Garden====

{{Quote|For centuries, we feared the forces of Darkness massing against us. These Guardians show us what we are, what we have always been, and what we will be again. We are what remains of the Light and we will not be stamped out.|The Speaker}}

The Guardian learned from the strange Exo that the [[Black Garden]] was connected to the Vex and contained a threat to the City which prevented the Traveler from healing. The Guardian would require the aid of the Awoken in the Reef to find and enter the Black Garden. Concerned about the Vex and previous rumors about the Darkness that resided in the heart of the Black Garden, the Speaker allowed the Guardian to pursue this quest.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Story: Venus, Ishtar Sink#A Stranger's Call|A Stranger's Call]]''</ref> He congratulated the Guardian after they killed the Vex Gate Lord [[Zydron, Gate Lord|Zydron]] in order to acquire its eye to access the Black Garden. However he warned them that despite Queen [[Mara Sov]]'s assistance, she would likely have an agenda of her own and was not to be fully trusted.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Story: Venus, Ishtar Sink#Eye of a Gate Lord|Eye of a Gate Lord]]''</ref> The Guardian broke into the [[Cabal]]'s [[Exclusion Zone]] on Mars to discover the location of the gate into the Black Garden. The Speaker thanked them for reopening the Vanguard's access to the [[Meridian Bay]] and the lost city of [[Freehold]] and its Golden Age secrets, but again cautioned them on the Awoken's tactics.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Story: Mars, Meridian Bay#Exclusion Zone|Exclusion Zone]]''</ref>  

The Guardians successfully broke into the Black Garden and discovered the [[Black Heart]] at the center, guarded by the [[Sol Progeny]]. They destroyed it, bringing the Black Garden back into reality on [[Mars]], which enabled Light to return to the Traveler. The Speaker summoned the Guardian back to the Tower, where he hosted a celebration for this great victory over the Darkness. Addressing the Vanguard, dozens of Guardians, and the citizens of the Last City, the Speaker proclaimed that they no longer had to fear and cower before the forces of the Darkness. The Speaker then met privately with the Guardian in his Observatory, noting that he had faith in the Tower, the Vanguard, the City, and in them while the Traveler remained silent. He thanked them for all that they had done for the City and all that they would do in the future.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[The Black Garden]]''</ref> Despite this celebration, the Speaker noted that the Vex's power was not broken and suggested that the Guardian now turn their attention towards the [[Vault of Glass (location)|Vault of Glass]], as the Progeny were said to have been meant to bring dark powers forth from within it.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Story: Mars, Meridian Bay#The Black Garden|The Black Garden]]''</ref>

====Further Battles====

 

 

===The Red War===

[[File:Ghaul3.gif|thumb|300px|The Speaker captured by Cabal Emperor, Dominus Ghaul]]

 

On the anniversary of the [[Battle of Six Fronts]], the Speaker was preparing to give a speech when the Last City was suddenly assaulted by the Cabal's [[Red Legion]].<ref>'''Bungie:''' ''[https://www.bungie.net/en/News/Article/47017 Solstice of Heroes development update]'', 7/17/2018</ref> The [[Tower]] was the focal point of the Legion's assault, and despite the efforts of [[Ikora Rey]] and [[The Guardian]],<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Homecoming]]''</ref> the Speaker was captured in his quarters and imprisoned aboard [[Dominus Ghaul]]'s command ship, ''[[The Immortal]]''.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Adieu]]''</ref> While the Red Legion worked to complete the [[Traveler Cage]] and learn how to extract its Light, Ghaul interrogated the Speaker on the nature of the Traveler's favor and how to gain the Light as the [[Guardian]]s did.

 

The Speaker taunted Ghaul and told him to save them both the trouble and kill him, causing Ghaul to note the irony of the Speaker's title due to how little he had to say. He revealed that his men had reported that the Guardian had regained their connection to the Light and demanded to know how that was possible if the Speaker and his people had no power over the Traveler. The Speaker mocked the idea that the Light could be contained as it lived in all things and angrily claimed that the Traveler would protect itself from Ghaul's ambitions.

 

[[File:SpeakerGhaul2.jpg|thumb|300px|The Speaker tells Dominus Ghaul to "kill himself".]]

 

When Ghaul then claimed he and the Traveler were not so different, the Speaker continued his mocking by declaring they were nothing alike and that Ghaul had begun small and would end small. Angered by the Speaker's defiance, Ghaul grabbed him by the throat and stated that if the Traveler had truly chosen Humanity through free will, then nothing would stop him from taking the Light by force. Refusing to be intimidated, the Speaker informed the leader of the Red Legion that only those chosen could wield the Light. Calming once more, Ghaul revealed that he knew this, and that was why he had spared the Speaker in order to learn how to get it to choose him.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Combustion]]''</ref>

 

As his captivity continued over several weeks, the Speaker continued to have conversations with Ghaul about the nature of the Light and the Traveler. One day Ghaul questioned what qualities drew the Traveler to Guardians. The Speaker explained that devotion, self-sacrifice, and death were the keys to being a Guardian. Ghaul was intrigued by the Speaker listing death and asked for an explanation. He told Ghaul that devotion inspired bravery, which led to sacrifice and death, and thus sarcastically suggested that Ghaul should try killing himself to claim the Light. Ignoring the Speaker's mocking, Ghaul told him of his history as an outcast raised by [[The Consul]] to be an instrument of revenge and how he had risen past his deformities to gain not only glory but control of the Cabal Empire, a goal he had devoted himself to and sacrificed for. Ghaul declared he would not take the Light by force as to do so would be to admit defeat, and he would not be defeated. He asked if the Speaker understood now why he believed he should be chosen, the Speaker claimed to understand, now knowing more about the monster who stood before him. The Consul then entered the room, and the Speaker overheard them exchange words about Ghaul's reluctance to forcibly claim the Light. As Ghaul left, the Speaker and the Consul were left staring at each other, with distaste evident on the Consul's face.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Fury]]''</ref>

 

[[File:SpeakersMaskBroken.jpg|thumb|300px|The Speaker's broken mask.]]

 

When the Vanguard launched a counterattack to reclaim the Last City and free the Traveler, the Speaker witnesses Ghaul and the Consul argue over their losses, including the sabotage of ''[[The Almighty]]''. With the cage complete, the Consul encouraged Ghaul to take the Light by force, but Ghaul ignored him and turned to the Speaker, questioning what more the Traveler wanted of him. The Speaker lies to him that although he claims to speak for the Traveler, he never said that the Traveler actually spoke to him.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/12/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Dawn]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Constellations#Singing|Constellations: Singing]]''</ref> This lie confuses and angers Ghaul, who turns away from the Speaker, giving the Consul the opportunity to kill the Speaker for his influence over Ghaul. The Speaker's body fell limp to the ground and his mask was crushed beneath the Consul's feet, but Ghaul executed the Consul for his insolence before ultimately being destroyed by the Traveler itself for attempting to steal the Light.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Chosen]]''</ref>

 

 

 

The Speaker proved his leadership capabilities during his younger years, gathering many survivors and Guardians to lay the foundation of the Last City for the purpose in providing a safe haven for the survivors of the Collapse. As he became the leader of the Consensus, the Speaker pressed for unity amongst the factions and citizens. For this, the Speaker will not stand for any voice or force that seeks to topple the order in the Last City or speak of the Darkness in any way other than a force to defeat. Perhaps the only time he lost his calm demeanor was during his arguments with his former student Osiris. The Speaker resented how Osiris began to question the purpose of the Guardians and more so on the nature of the Traveler. In addition, he was repulsed with the morbid warnings of the Hive spoken by Eris Morn.

There were times when the Speaker would hold a grudge, which he did infamously with Osiris. At first, they were friends as teacher and student but the growing debate on the Light, Darkness and of the Vex threat did their arguments grow more heated and bitter. When Osiris's work began to be distributed through the City as "holy texts" and cause divisions between the Guardians, the Speaker believed that enough was enough. The Speaker denounced Osiris as a heretic, demonized his work and exiled him from the Last City. As a result, the Cult of Osiris do not have a high opinion of the Speaker. However, the Speaker was not above making attempts to make amends as he sent messages to Osiris to speak with him but unfortunately, none reached him.

Though the Speaker is aware that by the time the Guardian rises, times were starting to become bleak and is saddened at the loss of so many Guardians and of the dwindling hope for the system. However, thanks to the Guardian's successes throughout the system did he feel joy at the Last City being at peace and was ever thankful that they had taught him to hope again.

 

 

!width="200"|Hunter Cloaks !!width="200"|Titan Marks !!width="200"|Warlock Bonds

| [[Cloud Walker Tribute]]<br>[[Cosmic Joke]]<br>[[Cult/Trinary Star]]<br>[[Dead Zone Revolution]]<br>[[Legend of Six Coyotes]]<br>[[Quantum-Phoenix Blue]]<br>[[Strength of the Pack]]<br>[[Venom of Ikaheka]] || [[Deep Stone Crypt (Mark)]]<br>[[Freeholder's Memory]]<br>[[Honor of Cormorant]]<br>[[Moctezuma-Polyphonic]]<br>[[Season of Ages XII]]<br>[[Spirit of Saturn]]<br>[[Thalor's Golden Maul]]<br>[[Year 1993]] || [[Binary Lazarus]]<br>[[Harlequin Pendulum]]<br>[[Seal of the Twin Eagle]]<br>[[Spirit of the Vulture]]<br>[[The Five Lives of Albios]]<br>[[Ulan-Tan's Burial Ring]]<br>[[Union of the Consensus]]<br>[[White Polygon Construct]]

The Speaker also sells a selection of Rare [[Ghost shell]]s for {{Icon|glimmer}} 810 each. They are set at levels 34, 36, and 38, and are capped at 190 [[Light]]. These same Ghost Shells also have a chance to randomly drop as loot, and can have any Light value up to 300.

*''"Perhaps I can rest now without worry or fear."''

*The Speaker was nicknamed the "Mask" for a time.<ref name="Bungie Commentary"/>

*Though the Speaker is not a [[Guardian]], he can be seen accompanied by a Ghost.

*Prior to [[Beyond Light]] (when Bungie repacked Destiny 2, removing files no longer used in the game), a model for the Speaker was found in the game files, despite him not appearing outside of pre-rendered cutscenes.

==List of appearances==

**''[[The Taken King]]'' {{Mo}}

***''[[Age of Triumph]]''

*''[[Destiny 2]]''

**''[[Curse of Osiris]]'' {{Mo}}

**''[[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]]'' {{Mo}}

*''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume II]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==