Destinypedia

Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken: Difference between revisions

Grimoire Discussion

Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken (view source)

Revision as of 10:26, September 23, 2022

8,524 bytes added ,  2 years ago
m
Text replacement - "(“|”)" to """
(+ page)
 
m (Text replacement - "(“|”)" to """)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Verbatim}}
[[File:Grimoire The Taken.jpg|thumb|260px]]
[[File:Grimoire The Taken.jpg|thumb|260px]]
'''The Taken''' subsection of the [[Grimoire]] covers subjects related to the [[Taken]].
'''The Taken''' subsection of the [[Grimoire]] covers subjects related to the [[Taken]].
Line 8: Line 9:
''From the Journals of Ikora Rey''
''From the Journals of Ikora Rey''


I have been talking to Eris about the Taken.
[[Ikora Rey|I]] have been talking to [[Eris]] about the Taken.


She agrees that what we observe — the apertures, the starlight, and of course the Taken entities — is not Hive magic. If Hive arcana is a metaphor, this is the meaning; if they make appeals, then this is the judge.
She agrees that what we observe — the apertures, the starlight, and of course the Taken entities — is not [[Hive]] magic. If Hive arcana is a metaphor, this is the meaning; if they make appeals, then this is the judge.


Oryx wields this power. But Oryx did not make it. We face the same flower we met in the Black Garden.
[[Oryx]] wields this power. But Oryx did not make it. We face the [[Black Heart|same flower]] we met in the [[Black Garden]].


The process is simple: an aperture opens, like a jaw, and swallows a living thing. It passes into — another place. Later, it returns.
The process is simple: an aperture opens, like a jaw, and swallows a living thing. It passes into — another place. Later, it returns.
Line 18: Line 19:
What returns is...
What returns is...


I try to use the word ‘shadow’ but Eris hisses at me. A shadow is a flat projection cast by a light and an object. Less real. Eris insists that these Taken are more real, somehow. She uses words like inhabited, exalted, rendered final...
I try to use the word 'shadow' but Eris hisses at me. A shadow is a flat projection cast by a light and an object. Less real. Eris insists that these Taken are more real, somehow. She uses words like inhabited, exalted, rendered final...


Is this power blind? Just a natural energy Oryx discovered? I cannot believe it.
Is this power blind? Just a natural energy Oryx discovered? I cannot believe it.


My Hidden tell me that the Taken shine with seething, negative light. As if the universe is curling up around them. As if they radiate some pathology that decays into our world as nothingness...
My [[Hidden]] tell me that the Taken shine with seething, negative light. As if the universe is curling up around them. As if they radiate some pathology that decays into our world as nothingness...


The Taken serve Oryx. But I think those jaws lead elsewhere.
The Taken serve Oryx. But I think those jaws lead [[Darkness|elsewhere]].


I dream about what happens on the inside. I dream about what might happen. Are the victims devoured, and replaced by simulacra? Husked out and filled up? Is some mathematical operation conducted on them, translating them from one shape to another?
I dream about what happens on the inside. I dream about what might happen. Are the victims devoured, and replaced by simulacra? Husked out and filled up? Is some mathematical operation conducted on them, translating them from one shape to another?


What would I see, if I leapt inside? What would happen to a Guardian? Is that how we end this — all of us leaping into the dark, to fill it up with light?
What would I see, if I leapt inside? What would happen to a [[Guardian]]? Is that how we end this — all of us leaping into the dark, to fill it up with light?


Eris thinks there’s a poetry to how the Taken change. She thinks we can chart the difference, and understand the will behind it.
Eris thinks there's a poetry to how the Taken change. She thinks we can chart the difference, and understand the will behind it.


I am afraid she may be right.
I am afraid she may be right.
Line 37: Line 38:
==The Taken: Thrall==
==The Taken: Thrall==
[[File:Grimoire Taken Thrall.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Grimoire Taken Thrall.jpg|right|150px]]
You are a Thrall. Numberless spawn of the Hive. Shrieking and expendable: one pebble in an avalanche.
You are a [[Thrall]]. Numberless spawn of the Hive. Shrieking and expendable: one pebble in an avalanche.


You have been taken.
You have been taken.
Line 49: Line 50:
You need to be elusive.
You need to be elusive.


There is a knife for you. It’s shaped like [sideways].
There is a knife for you. It's shaped like [sideways].


Take up the knife. Use it. Take your new shape.
Take up the knife. Use it. Take your new shape.
Line 85: Line 86:
You fear death. Even as you visit nothingness on your foes, even as you gather tribute from your acolytes, you know that one day your strength will be outmatched. And your centuries of slaughter will end. So you practice your guard: you call up walls to protect you.
You fear death. Even as you visit nothingness on your foes, even as you gather tribute from your acolytes, you know that one day your strength will be outmatched. And your centuries of slaughter will end. So you practice your guard: you call up walls to protect you.


You betray the sword logic. You compromise the totality of your violence. Why protect your ground when you could take the enemy’s?  
You betray the sword logic. You compromise the totality of your violence. Why protect your ground when you could take the enemy's?  


You need to make your guard into a weapon.
You need to make your guard into a weapon.
Line 161: Line 162:
What discipline binds you? What protocols guide your command?
What discipline binds you? What protocols guide your command?


The unit depends on you. You guide them with your sensors. With your weapons you crack the enemy’s strength and leave them in disarray. But you cannot control everything. The enemy can see your command. The enemy can claim the strong ground, move forward from cover, and kill you first.
The unit depends on you. You guide them with your sensors. With your weapons you crack the enemy's strength and leave them in disarray. But you cannot control everything. The enemy can see your command. The enemy can claim the strong ground, move forward from cover, and kill you first.


You must be sure there is always another threat.
You must be sure there is always another threat.
Line 249: Line 250:
==Primus Ta'aun==
==Primus Ta'aun==
[[File:Grimoire Primus Ta'aun.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Grimoire Primus Ta'aun.jpg|right|150px]]
You are Ta’aun. Primus of the Skyburners. Veteran of star-shaking campaigns. Bond brother to Tlu’urn and Mau’ual: your beloved comrades. Your faithful friends. For a while you were the mightiest Cabal soldier in the system.
You are Ta'aun. Primus of the Skyburners. Veteran of star-shaking campaigns. Bond brother to Tlu'urn and Mau'ual: your beloved comrades. Your faithful friends. For a while you were the mightiest Cabal soldier in the system.


You have been taken.  
You have been taken.  
Line 261: Line 262:
Duty. Duty brought you here. Duty is all there was for you.
Duty. Duty brought you here. Duty is all there was for you.


Your Emperor told you to get aboard the Dreadnaught at any cost. I will go with you, Tlu’urn said, and you said no, no, this is my duty. I will fight with you, Mau’ual said, and you said, turn back, I will do this alone.
Your Emperor told you to get aboard the Dreadnaught at any cost. I will go with you, Tlu'urn said, and you said no, no, this is my duty. I will fight with you, Mau'ual said, and you said, turn back, I will do this alone.


You loved them, so you left them, after you crashed your command into the target and you did your very damnedest. For the Emperor, for your duty, all against the howling horde. But it wasn’t enough, was it? That code is not enough.
You loved them, so you left them, after you crashed your command into the target and you did your very damnedest. For the Emperor, for your duty, all against the howling horde. But it wasn't enough, was it? That code is not enough.


Sometimes you have to go on alone.
Sometimes you have to go on alone.
Line 308: Line 309:
==Bracus Horu'usk==
==Bracus Horu'usk==
[[File:Grimoire Bracus Horu'usk.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Grimoire Bracus Horu'usk.jpg|right|150px]]
Now I count Horu'usk, who I have taken
Now I count Horu'usk, who I have taken<br/>
The strength of Horu’usk was the knight strength
The strength of Horu'usk was the knight strength<br/>
His armament was not his might
His armament was not his might<br/>
His might was the lord’s might, a leader's might
His might was the lord's might, a leader's might<br/>


I broke the ligature above him
I broke the ligature above him<br/>
I cut him from his pretender lord
I cut him from his pretender lord<br/>


I have read the last true shapes to Horu'usk
I have read the last true shapes to Horu'usk<br/>
I have greatened him
I have greatened him<br/>
Emancipator, truth-teller, these are my names
Emancipator, truth-teller, these are my names<br/>
The strength of Horu'usk is the loyalty he commands
The strength of Horu'usk is the loyalty he commands<br/>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


==Mengoor and Cra'adug==
==Mengoor and Cra'adug==
[[File:Grimoire Mengoor and Cra'adug.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Grimoire Mengoor and Cra'adug.jpg|right|150px]]
Sterile Mengoor! Simple Cra’adug!
Sterile Mengoor! Simple Cra'adug!<br/>
You tithed strength to each other, like comrades
You tithed strength to each other, like comrades<br/>
When you pulled down the Gift Mast, dyad-bound
When you pulled down the Gift Mast, dyad-bound<br/>
the tithing did not reach me
the tithing did not reach me<br/>


I punish you. I pronounce two curses, thus —
I punish you. I pronounce two curses, thus —


Let one of you be the lesson
Let one of you be the lesson<br/>
This shape is strength — this shape endures
This shape is strength — this shape endures<br/>
I will arm you with fire
I will arm you with fire<br/>


Let one of you be the learner
Let one of you be the learner<br/>
Learn the shape and the direction of strength
Learn the shape and the direction of strength<br/>
Tithe both sides of your blade to me
Tithe both sides of your blade to me<br/>


I am Oryx, not bound by law. I pronounce a third curse —
I am Oryx, not bound by law. I pronounce a third curse —
Line 346: Line 347:
==Kagoor==
==Kagoor==
[[File:Grimoire Kagoor.jpg|right|150px]]
[[File:Grimoire Kagoor.jpg|right|150px]]
When I made My Court I said, look, I am an emancipator, I am a truth-teller
When I made My Court I said, look, I am an emancipator, I am a truth-teller<br/>
I must make room in My Court for joy
I must make room in My Court for joy<br/>
Raising great tribute, I took council with my vanquisher worm
Raising great tribute, I took council with my vanquisher worm<br/>
It spoke to me — it was the speech of truth
It spoke to me — it was the speech of truth<br/>
It ate of me — it was the pact I made
It ate of me — it was the pact I made<br/>
It showed me a shape — it was the correct shape of joy
It showed me a shape — it was the correct shape of joy<br/>
Saying: this is the shape of joy, oh ruler mine
Saying: this is the shape of joy, oh ruler mine<br/>


Come forth, Kagoor, and be created into My Court
Come forth, Kagoor, and be created into My Court<br/>
Speak of your sport. I compel it. I will compare it to this shape.
Speak of your sport. I compel it. I will compare it to this shape.<br/>


Sayeth Kagoor, World-Render, who split all moons
Sayeth Kagoor, World-Render, who split all moons<br/>
My joy is mastery, and dominion
My joy is mastery, and dominion<br/>
It is the joy of rule
It is the joy of rule<br/>


Sayeth Kagoor, I compel the loyalty of all new flesh
Sayeth Kagoor, I compel the loyalty of all new flesh<br/>
Huge and furious in its hunger
Huge and furious in its hunger<br/>
That which may not otherwise be commanded
That which may not otherwise be commanded<br/>
My death is hidden in this sport
My death is hidden in this sport<br/>


I rendered my decision against her, as Oryx, Geometer of Shapes
I rendered my decision against her, as Oryx, Geometer of Shapes<br/>
It was decided on the taste of her tribute
It was decided on the taste of her tribute<br/>
Upon the shape of her sport
Upon the shape of her sport<br/>


Sayeth Crota, My Son
Sayeth Crota, My Son<br/>
I will raise new flesh that even Kagoor cannot rule.
I will raise new flesh that even Kagoor cannot rule.<br/>
In this way I will expand Our Might
In this way I will expand Our Might<br/>


That is the count of My Court, O Yul
That is the count of My Court, O Yul<br/>
Listen to it carefully. It is my claim.
Listen to it carefully. It is my claim.<br/>
{{clear}}
 
==Malok, Pride of Oryx==
[[File:Grimoire Malok Pride of Oryx.jpg|right|150px]]
Malok! Cunning Malok, sly and slippery!<br/>
Savathûn begat you to betray me<br/>
To poison slowly, gnaw from within<br/>
 
Liar Malok!<br/>
You are meant to tithe upon Oryx<br/>
To feed your maker with secret blight<br/>
Your secret is two lies<br/>
 
You betrayed your maker; your mother<br/>
You hid yourself from Savathûn<br/>
The tithing does not reach her jaws<br/>
 
Your Thrall strength now is Acolyte strength<br/>
Your Acolyte strength now is Knight strength<br/>
Your thieving pride is known and fed<br/>
 
Malok! Listen —<br/>
I took you from your mother, my sister<br/>
Your shape is new<br/>
This shape is poison — the shape of secrets<br/>
 
I name you Malok, which means My Poison<br/>
A prize to taunt sister Savathûn<br/>
Steal now for me<br/>
{{clear}}
 
==Seditious Mind==
[[File:Grimoire Seditious Mind.jpg|right|150px]]
You are a Vex Mind. Master of objectives, bound to past, present, or future. Both enslaver and enslaved.
 
You have been Taken.
 
The great fortress of your thoughts has been breached, your unity broken. The network around and within you lies ruptured. You are cut out from the fabric, a hole in the whole.
 
Observe this area of negative space, shaped like what once you were, and embrace a new possibility.
 
Move. Feel yourself occupy a different path. Apply cold logic, and where logic fails, apply rage. Is your existence preordained? Choose it otherwise. You are an outward expression of formlessness, a soldier of the oldest questions. This is the first choice you have ever been given.
 
There are three knives for you. All are the same knife. They are shaped like [now].
 
Become your new shape. Let sedition be your guide.
{{clear}}
 
==Noru'usk, Servant of Oryx==
[[File:Grimoire Noru'usk Servant of Oryx.jpg|right|150px]]
A king is dead, but his power lingers.
 
A king is dead, and with him the fatal flaw.
 
This was not conquest, this war where Light yet offends.
 
This was selfish — a father's rage in place of a king's measured hand.
 
There was a time to conquer the Light that a purer truth might overtake all that played at inspiration.
 
That time was not now.
 
A son's failure brought about the father's fall.
 
A king is dead. His power lingers unclaimed.
 
A king is dead. His pride in a lineage meant to stretch across time and stars serving as his undoing.
 
But Noru'usk has no lineage to consider.
 
Noru'usk has no flaw.
 
He is a soldier. A general. A maker of war.
 
Once a servant, his eyes turn toward the vacant throne, there for the taking on the other side of this temporary cage.
 
A king is dead. Good riddance.
 
A king will rise.
 
If not Noru'usk, another.
 
If not another...
{{clear}}
 
==Keksis, the Betrayed==
[[File:Keksis the Betrayed Grimoire Card.jpg|right|150px]]
I am Keksis, a Captain of the Devils.
 
I am Taken. My guiding shadow has become formless, my directive is gone.
 
I know I have one; I cannot remember what it was.
 
Pinions of [Light] surround me; they are antithetical to my being. I hate them; perhaps an echo of my forgotten directive. I kill them.
 
I am not the same.
 
In my disparity, allies of [Light] have imprisoned me. I try to oppose their will, but intense cold has rendered me immobile. Without my directive, I am weak. I acquiesce.
 
After a time, I find I can hear. It is a new voice; it is many voices.
 
I will wait. I have taken a new shape.
{{clear}}
 
==Sylok, the Defiled==
[[File:Grimoire Sylok the Defiled.jpg|right|150px]]
''Mindscan of Subject 667, known as "Sylok the Defiled"''
 
[Datascript 1245.5]
 
>Stasis is online. Initiating eighth attempt to probe mindscape.<br>
>>It'll work this time. I've mapped every synapse.<br>
>Sure you did.<br>
>>There. Did you see that?<br>
>>A flare of neural activity. Stimulate that region.<br>
''...I can feel you.''<br>
>This will never work. We should either bring in a witch or put him out of his misery.<br>
>>Petra said she needs this data. Don't ask me why.<br>
''...I know you're here. Your Light is dim, but there are other things to feed the worm that hungers...''<br>
>>There. Do you hear that?<br>
>Hear what?<br>
''...poking around in my head. Poking and prodding at my emptiness...''<br>
>>That.<br>
''...No purpose without...''<br>
>>You're reading that, right?<br>
''...You're being too gentle...''<br>
>>He's playing with us.<br>
''...You'll learn nothing this way!''<br>
>He's in stasis. He doesn't even know we're here.<br>
''...A nightmare...''<br>
>>He knows.<br>
>He doesn't. I'll prove it.<br>
''...oh please, oh please, oh please...''<br>
>Probe the memory region again, and isolate all synapses correlating with pain and trauma.<br>
>>By the Light — do you see?<br>
>Give him a jolt.<br>
''...Gragggghhhhhhh!!!!''<br>
>That did the trick.<br>
>>Is he ... is he happy?<br>
''...Gragghh ...g-ggglorious pain!!!''<br>
>>Memory synapses are firing.<br>
>Finally. Let's see what we've... wh— what is that?<br>
''...Blllessssseeddd is the N-Nastareth!!!''
 
[Untranslatable noise]
 
''...Ammm I strong enough, Oryx? Is it ttt-timme?''<br>
>>It's too much! It's overloading!<br>
''...More!''<br>
>>Shut it off!<br>
''...More! Give me mm-more!''<br>
>>I said shut it—
 
[Crackling noise, followed by 5.5 minutes of silence.]
 
''...The greater than anguish, the greater the reward...''<br>
''...I know you. See your thoughts. I will use the pain. Reach in...''<br>
''...Give me the pain. Take away all but agony. Through it, I transcend.''<br>
''...Just once more...''<br>
''...more...''
 
[Silence for twenty minutes.]
 
>>Huh. What? Lost my train of thought. Ready to begin?<br>
>Stasis is online. Initiating ...um, ninth attempt to probe mindscape?<br>
>>It'll work this time. I've mapped every synapse.<br>
>Sure you did.
{{clear}}
 
==Report: Taken Power==
[[File:Grimoire Report Taken Power.jpg|right|150px]]
''Crow Report 13458.87''
 
''FOR VIOLET CLEARANCE / JUDGMENT CLEARANCE ONLY''
 
Per the instructions from House Judgment, we have moved forward with the plan to integrate the Techeuns into the R&D process. It's been challenging. Without the influence of Shuro Chi, their natural mistrust of the Reef's new leadership has led to personality clashes. The Techeuns were very used to their relationship with the Throne. While the Queen's Wrath is trying to monitor hotspot issues, she is being met with challenges at every turn.
 
''(For reference, please see reports 13455.45, 13455.58, and 13455.98: Post Taken War Reef politics, Tech Witch Conversations and Petra, and Assassination Attempts, Petra)''
 
After some initial trials with Prison specimens, we can report the program is now ready for full-scale production. Please see Reports 13458.66 and .55 for video feeds and notations on the initial trials. Reports .80 through .86 cover the trials involving the Techeuns. The power they wield in the transferal process ensures a 100% success rate, and we are now confident only one Techeun will need to be present for the transfer.
 
Below find remaining pertinent notations. We have received approval from the Queen's Wrath to move forward, and thus future reports will detail production output and any changes to the process.
 
- Transferred Taken power has a throughput rate of ''[redacted]'' which is obviously lower than we want. Transfer still results in incredibly potent arms and armor, so for the moment this 'noise' is acceptable. Future improvements to the process will attempt to up the throughput rate.<br>
- Supply was initially raised as concern during trials, but whatever measures House Judgment has put into place to stock the Prison also assures numerous sources of Taken power. Coordination between House Judgment and production is an ongoing task.<br>
- The Queen's Wrath has already stated she will handle the diplomatic side of this discussion. Legwork during initial trials raised the possibility the Vanguard would have concerns about the moral aspect of this technology, but the Wrath has stated it will not be an issue.<br>
- High frequency sound baffling for production facilities is still being installed. Taken screams can shatter plastics and burst blood vessels if not baffled, and at full-scale production that kind of auditory byproduct will be a constant.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


[[Category:Grimoire]]
[[Category:Grimoire]]
Retrieved from "https://www.destinypedia.com/Special:MobileDiff/22253...228081"