Kell: Difference between revisions
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|species= [[Fallen]] | |species= [[Fallen]] | ||
|type= [[Captain]] | |type= [[Captain]] | ||
|house= [[House of Devils]] <br> [[House of Judgment]] <br> [[House of Kings]] <br> [[House of Salvation]] <br> [[House of Stone]] <br> [[House of Winter]] <br> [[House of Wolves]] <br> [[House of Light]] | |house= [[House of Devils]] <br> [[House of Judgment]] <br> [[House of Kings]] <br> [[House of Salvation]] <br> [[House of Stone]] <br> [[House of Winter]] <br> [[House of Wolves]] <br> [[House of Light]] <br> [[Revenant Scorn]] | ||
|gender= Various | |gender= Various | ||
|rank= Political Leader <br> [[Ketch]] Commander | |rank= Political Leader <br> [[Ketch]] Commander | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
{{Quote|Without their Kell, Houses usually turn against each other.|[[Ghost]]}} | {{Quote|Without their Kell, Houses usually turn against each other.|[[Ghost]]}} | ||
Kells, or '''Kel''' in Eliksni culture, act as the political leader of their Fallen House, ruling their people and command their forces with an iron fist and usually commandeer their House's flagship [[Ketch]].<ref>'''Bungie ( | Kells, or '''Kel''' in Eliksni culture, act as the political leader of their Fallen House, ruling their people and command their forces with an iron fist and usually commandeer their House's flagship [[Ketch]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Leadership|Fallen Leadership]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Leadership#Sepiks_Prime|Sepiks Prime]]''</ref> Kells are also known for controling their Houses' [[Ether]] supply through the use of an [[The Elder Cipher|Elder Cipher]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/the-elder-cipher-3 Elder Cipher]''</ref> | ||
They are mysterious figures rarely seen by lower ranks of the House and often viewed as mad, however the Kells travel a delicate path toward understanding and in the Old ways of the Eliksni, sought guidance from the Elders of [[House of Judgment|House Judgement]] on codes of dignity and law.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] | They are mysterious figures rarely seen by lower ranks of the House and often viewed as mad, however, the Kells travel a delicate path toward understanding and in the Old ways of the Eliksni, sought guidance from the Elders of [[House of Judgment|House Judgement]] on codes of dignity and law.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves|House of Wolves]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#The_Ruling_House|The Ruling House]]''</ref><ref name="DTK">'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Death to Kells]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]] : [[House of Wolves (expansion)| House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Allies/The Queen|The Queen]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/The Queen#Variks, The Loyal|Variks, The Loyal]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - Item Description: [[Kellbreaker#Kellbreaker's Path|Kellbreaker's Path]]''</ref> | ||
Only the strongest Fallen warrior leads the pack.<ref>'''Bungie ( | Only the strongest Fallen warrior leads the pack.<ref>'''Bungie (2016/4/12)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[April Update]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/kells-cloak Kells' Cloak]''</ref> Kells maintain order among the House, whose subjects can often be aggressive. Their first command is a word and if unheeded, then the Kell's second command is the blade, resulting in docking.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - Item Description: [[Kellhunter#Kellhunter's Rally|Kellhunter's Rally]]''</ref> Shamed Eliksni may later redeem themselves through brutal ceremonial combats such as the [[Archon's Forge]] or other means to prove their might.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Ghost Stories|Ghost Stories]]: [[Lore:Ghost Stories#From Fallen Ground|From Fallen Ground]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Hunted|Fallen Hunted]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Hunted#WANTED:_Peekis,_the_Disavowed|WANTED: Peekis, the Disavowed]]''</ref> Since the Eliksni culture has a love for Honor, the weak are Honor-bond into subservience and respect their Kell's authority like that of a sniper.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - Item Description: [[Kellhunter#Kellhunter's Sight|Kellhunter's Sight]]''</ref> | ||
Kells also have access to better resources | Kells also have access to better resources, eat better, sleep safer and live longer. A strong Kell's power is described to be like the wind: swift, howling and everywhere at once, comparable to the Guardians. Kells are stronger, faster, and more intelligent than the common Eliksni.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - Item Description: [[Kellhunter#Kellhunter's Path|Kellhunter's Path]]''</ref><ref name="DTK"/> If a Kell dies, the House collapses into a civil war between their nobility vying for dominance and kellship. Only the most powerful contender or when all opposition is gone can a new claimant assume control.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen Leadership|Fallen Leadership]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen Leadership#Draksis, Winter Kell|Draksis, Winter Kell]]''</ref> When the Wolf Kell, [[Virixas, Kell of Wolves|Virixas]], was killed by [[Mara Sov]], three [[Baron]]s fought against each other to become the new Kell of Wolves.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Hunted|Fallen Hunted]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Hunted#WANTED:_Skolas.2C_Kell_of_Kells|WANTED: Skolas, Kell of Kells]]''</ref> | ||
However it is possible that a House can still function without a Kell, as an [[Archon]], [[Prime Servitor]], or another Kell from a different House can assume command of the House.<ref name = "Transcript">[http://destiny.bungie.org/forum/index.php?id=13568 '''Destiny.bungie.org''': ''Transcript of the official English version of the cards'']</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[The Taken King]] | However it is possible that a House can still function without a Kell, as an [[Archon]], [[Prime Servitor]], or another Kell from a different House can assume command of the House.<ref name = "Transcript">[http://destiny.bungie.org/forum/index.php?id=13568 '''Destiny.bungie.org''': ''Transcript of the official English version of the cards'']</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]], [[The Taken King]] - [[Prime's Path]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves|House of Wolves]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#A_Kell_Rising|A Kell Rising]]''</ref> Their loss severely weakens a House and demoralizes its forces, so for this reason, Kells are a prime target for enemy forces. | ||
After the fall of most of the Houses in the chaos that engulfed the Sol System following the [[Taken War]], few Fallen remained who could claim the title of Kell as most Eliksni do away the position along with most of the older functions of Houses entirely | After the fall of most of the Houses in the chaos that engulfed the Sol System following the [[Taken War]], few Fallen remained who could claim the title of Kell as most Eliksni do away with the position along with most of the older functions of Houses entirely, with only [[Eramis]] and [[Mithrax]] leading the [[House of Salvation]] and [[House of Light]] under the title of Kell. | ||
==Kell of Kells Prophecy== | ==Kell of Kells Prophecy== | ||
{{Quote|The Great Machine will marvel, moved by might, and come to crown him Kell of Kells.|[[House of Rain]] proverb}} | {{Quote|The Great Machine will marvel, moved by might, and come to crown him Kell of Kells.|[[House of Rain]] proverb}} | ||
According to a prophecy by the [[House of Rain]], the [[Great Machine]] would crown a mighty warrior as the Kell of Kells, and rule over all houses. At first no one attempted to claim the title for themselves, but few claimants would later rise.<ref>'''Bungie (2015 | According to a prophecy by the [[House of Rain]], the [[Great Machine]] would crown a mighty warrior as the Kell of Kells, and rule over all houses. At first no one attempted to claim the title for themselves, but a few claimants would later rise.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves|House of Wolves]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House of Wolves#The Kell of Kells|The Kell of Kells]]''</ref> | ||
==Kell of Kells Claimants== | ===Kell of Kells Claimants=== | ||
[[File:SkolasVenus.jpg|thumb|300px|Skolas, the first to claim the title.]] | [[File:SkolasVenus.jpg|thumb|300px|Skolas, the first to claim the title.]] | ||
[[Skolas]] was the first prominent Fallen to proclaim themselves "Kell of Kells" following his release from [[Xur]]. While it is easy to mistake Skolas for being egotistical, it was however a rally call to his people as he says "I am the first, Kell of Kells, and I am the last, the Dreg of Dregs". His proclamation as the "Dreg of Dregs" is spoken with the promise that Fallen will regrow what is lost to them. Skolas became a key figurehead who understood how it felt to be conquered and started a movement where those who followed him were also named "Skolas" and fought for a common cause. | [[Skolas]] was the first prominent Fallen to proclaim themselves "Kell of Kells" following his release from [[Xur]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries|Legends & Mysteries]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries#Mystery: The Fate of Skolas|Mystery: The Fate of Skolas]]''</ref> While it is easy to mistake Skolas for being egotistical, it was, however, a rally call to his people as he says "I am the first, Kell of Kells, and I am the last, the Dreg of Dregs". His proclamation as the "Dreg of Dregs" is spoken with the promise that the Fallen will regrow what is lost to them. Skolas became a key figurehead who understood how it felt to be conquered and started a movement where those who followed him were also named "Skolas" and fought for a common cause.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen|Fallen]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen#Ghost Fragment: Fallen 3|Ghost Fragment: Fallen 3]]''</ref> | ||
Following the death of Skolas, [[Variks]] would | Following the death of Skolas, [[Variks]] would agree with him that only the Kell of Kells was capable of ending the brutal Fallen bloodshed. He then searched for a Kell of Kells candidate through the use of the [[Crow (device)|Crow]] surveillance network gifted to him by [[Petra]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/The Taken King|The Taken King]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/The Taken King#The Wolves of Mars|The Wolves of Mars]]''</ref> At one point, Petra jokes to Variks that perhaps he is the Kell of Kells.{{Citation needed}} Years later, when the [[Scorned Barons]] are imprisoned, [[Uldren]] questions Variks' loyalty to [[Mara Sov]]. Instead, Variks found himself thinking about the old House of Rain proverb of the Kell of Kells. After much thought, Variks decided that he would become the Kell of House Judgment, in the hope of unifying his race and also stylise himself as a new "Kell of Kells". Variks would later regret his decision to release all the [[Prison of Elders]] and state that the promise of Kell of Kells clouded his judgement.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Where Loyalty Lies|Where Loyalties Lie]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]] - [[The New Kell]]''</ref> | ||
After the prison break, Variks found an ally in [[Eramis]] and was present in the formation of [[House of Salvation]]. This alliance soured after Variks discovered her dark ambitions to destroy the [[Traveler]] and sent a distress call to the [[Guardian]]s. He informed them that it was the Shipstealer who attacked him and proclaimed | After the prison break, Variks found an ally in [[Eramis]] and was present in the formation of [[House of Salvation]]. This alliance soured after Variks discovered her dark ambitions to destroy the [[Traveler]] and sent a distress call to the [[Guardian]]s.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]] - [[Lore:The Once-Shipstealer|The Once-Shipstealer]]: [[Lore:The Once-Shipstealer#The Scribe|The Scribe]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]] - [[Darkness's Doorstep]]''</ref> He informed them that it was the Shipstealer who attacked him and proclaimed her as the "Kell of Kells" and unifier of the Houses. Eramis would do her best to live up to this claim from Variks and build a new military empire comprised of Fallen from the Houses of Devils, Wolves, Dusk and the [[Kell's Scourge]]. However, due to the losses of her Dark Council, and her dream of vengeance blinding her leadership, her house began to splinter, with some fleeing to either the [[House of Light]] or [[House of Dusk]], while she would be encased in [[Stasis]] following her duel against the [[The Guardian]], only to be freed when [[The Witness]] needed her for its plans. But her rule would be challenged once more following the continuing losses over searching for the relics of [[Nezarec]] by the [[City]], and Salvation being [[Wrathborn|sub]][[Scorn|jugated]] by [[Xivu Arath]], leading to her House dispersing once more. | ||
Nearing the end of the [[Endless Night]], [[Mithrax, Kell of Light]] and [[Saint-14]] would defend the [[Eliksni Quarter]] from a [[Vex]] invasion brought on accidentally by [[Lakshmi-2]] in a failed attempt to banish the House of Light. During this fight, Mithrax promised Saint-14 that if they fell there the Eliksni would tell the tale of the Saint fighting | Nearing the end of the [[Endless Night]], [[Mithrax, Kell of Light]] and [[Saint-14]] would defend the [[Eliksni Quarter]] from a [[Vex]] invasion brought on accidentally by [[Lakshmi-2]] in a failed attempt to banish the House of Light. During this fight, Mithrax promised Saint-14 that if they fell there the Eliksni would tell the tale of the Saint fighting alongside them, not against them. To which Saint-14 replies that Mithrax was the Kell of Kells, saying that they together were enough to save the House of Light.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/5/11)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Splicer]] - [https://youtu.be/PLFO7wuQu04?t=245 Cornered]''</ref> Mithrax now continues to be an exemplar of this title through the unification of the [[House of Spider]] into the House of Light and the constant refuging of other Eliksni fleeing the old crews.{{Citation needed}} | ||
{{Hide|title=Revenant Spoilers| | |||
During the zero hour of the Revenant [[Scorn]] uprising, [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]] would confront [[Uldren Sov|Crow]], the [[The Guardian|Guardian]], and Eramis, brandishing his new [[Echo (object)|Echo]] which he'd then use to transform all the Eliksni within the [[Ketch]] attempting to rescue Eramis into Scorn. Fikrul would then claim that with the power of [[Darkness]] and now [[Light]] at his hands, all Ketches would bow to him as Kell of Kells.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmfoSft8hNo A Reunion and a Gift]''</ref> Due to how powerful Fikrul has become, along with how many Eliksni have bowed to him willingly, through resurrection, or by corruption, and with Mithrax's declining health thanks to [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain|Nezarec]]'s curse, he is currently a rising candidate for the prophecy's conclusion.}} | |||
==Notable Kells== | ==Notable Kells== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 74: | ||
*[[Skolas, Kell of Kells]] | *[[Skolas, Kell of Kells]] | ||
*[[Mara Sov|Mara Sov, Queen of the Reef]] | *[[Mara Sov|Mara Sov, Queen of the Reef]] | ||
===[[Scorn|Revenant Scorn]]=== | |||
*[[Fikrul, the Fanatic]] | |||
===[[Fallen|Unknown Affiliation]]=== | ===[[Fallen|Unknown Affiliation]]=== | ||
| Line 82: | Line 88: | ||
*'''[[House of Salvation]]''' | *'''[[House of Salvation]]''' | ||
**[[Kridis, Dark Priestess]]<ref> | **[[Kridis, Dark Priestess]]<ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]] - [[Empire's Fall]]''</ref> | ||
*'''[[House of Judgment]]''' | *'''[[House of Judgment]]''' | ||
| Line 91: | Line 97: | ||
*[[House of Exile]] | *[[House of Exile]] | ||
*[[Kell's Scourge]] | *[[Kell's Scourge]] | ||
*[[House of Spider]] | |||
==Mentioned Only== | ==Mentioned Only== | ||
*[[Drifis, the Daring]], | *[[Drifis, the Daring]]<ref>'''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume II]]''', "[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume II#Onslaught|Onslaught]]", ''38 - 39''</ref> | ||
*A Kell killed by [[Rezyl Azzir]].<ref>'''Bungie (2016/4/ | *A Kell killed by [[Rezyl Azzir]].<ref>'''Bungie (2016/4/12)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[April Update]] - [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries|Legends & Mysteries]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries#Rezyl Azzir - War Without End|Rezyl Azzir - War Without End]]''</ref> | ||
*A Kell who docked [[Taniks, the Scarred]] in the item description of ''Does Not Bow''. | *A Kell who docked [[Taniks, the Scarred]] in the item description of ''Does Not Bow''.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - Item Description: [[Does Not Bow]]''</ref> | ||
*A Kell who died in the item description of ''Cloak of Five Full Moons''. | *A Kell who died in the item description of ''Cloak of Five Full Moons''.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Red Moon Phantom Armor#Cloak of Five Full Moons|Cloak of Five Full Moons]]''</ref> | ||
*A Kell being confronted by a [[Hunter]] mentioned in the lore tab for the [[Gunslinger]] subclass. | *A Kell being confronted by a [[Hunter]] mentioned in the lore tab for the [[Gunslinger]] subclass.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - Item Description: [[Gunslinger#Destiny 2|Gunslinger]]''</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
| Line 110: | Line 117: | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Kells have their own bodyguards in the form of [[Kell's Guard]] and [[Wolves' Guard]] for the Houses of Winter and Wolves, however it's unknown if one of them | *Kells have their own bodyguards in the form of [[Kell's Guard]] and [[Wolves' Guard]] for the Houses of Winter and Wolves, however, it's unknown if one of them is the true protector of a Kell. | ||
*For decades [[Riksis, Devil Archon]] and [[Sepiks Prime]] maintained authority over the [[House of Devils]]. This shows evidence that a House can function without a Kell. | *For decades [[Riksis, Devil Archon]] and [[Sepiks Prime]] maintained authority over the [[House of Devils]]. This shows evidence that a House can function without a Kell. | ||
*The proper Fallen name for Kells lacks the second letter L.<ref>'''Bungie (2018 | *The proper Fallen name for Kells lacks the second letter L.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:The Dreaming City|The Dreaming City]]: [[Lore:The Dreaming City#Misraaks|Misraaks]]''</ref> | ||
**This is most likely a Human mispronunciation, as Kel sounds like Kell. | **This is most likely a Human mispronunciation, as Kel sounds like Kell. | ||
**"-kel" also appears to be an honorific that Eliksni use to refer to their Kells. For instance, [[Phylaks]], [[Kridis]] and [[Variks]] all refer to [[Eramis]] as "Eramiskel" at different points in [[Beyond Light]]. | **"-kel" also appears to be an honorific that Eliksni use to refer to their Kells. For instance, [[Phylaks]], [[Kridis]] and [[Variks]] all refer to [[Eramis]] as "Eramiskel" at different points in [[Beyond Light]]. The same can be said for those, such as [[Mithrax, Kell of Light]], referred to as Misraakskel. | ||
*Before getting his four arms docked by Fikrul, the Kell of Kings final word to Uldren was Dreg, which resulted in the Last Kell demoting to a Dreg. | *Before getting his four arms docked by Fikrul, the Kell of Kings' final word to Uldren was Dreg, which resulted in the Last Kell demoting to a Dreg.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:The Forsaken Prince|The Forsaken Prince]]: [[Lore:The Forsaken Prince#Docking|Docking]]''</ref> | ||
*In Maltese or Hungarian languages, Kell means to be necessary, need to, must, or be obligatory.<ref>https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/kell</ref> | *In Maltese or Hungarian languages, Kell means to be necessary, need to, must, or be obligatory.<ref>https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/kell</ref> | ||
| Line 143: | Line 150: | ||
**''[[Episode: Revenant]]'' | **''[[Episode: Revenant]]'' | ||
*''[[Destiny: Fall of Osiris]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Destiny: Fall of Osiris]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[The Hidden Dossier]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Entelechy]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Entelechy]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:46, November 15, 2024
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Political Leader |
- "In a world without Kells, Dreg strength will breed nothing but chaos."
- — House of Rain proverb
A Kell is the political leader of a Fallen house and the commander of their House's Ketch.
Overview[edit]
- "Without their Kell, Houses usually turn against each other."
- — Ghost
Kells, or Kel in Eliksni culture, act as the political leader of their Fallen House, ruling their people and command their forces with an iron fist and usually commandeer their House's flagship Ketch.[1] Kells are also known for controling their Houses' Ether supply through the use of an Elder Cipher.[2]
They are mysterious figures rarely seen by lower ranks of the House and often viewed as mad, however, the Kells travel a delicate path toward understanding and in the Old ways of the Eliksni, sought guidance from the Elders of House Judgement on codes of dignity and law.[3][4][5][6]
Only the strongest Fallen warrior leads the pack.[7] Kells maintain order among the House, whose subjects can often be aggressive. Their first command is a word and if unheeded, then the Kell's second command is the blade, resulting in docking.[8] Shamed Eliksni may later redeem themselves through brutal ceremonial combats such as the Archon's Forge or other means to prove their might.[9][10] Since the Eliksni culture has a love for Honor, the weak are Honor-bond into subservience and respect their Kell's authority like that of a sniper.[11]
Kells also have access to better resources, eat better, sleep safer and live longer. A strong Kell's power is described to be like the wind: swift, howling and everywhere at once, comparable to the Guardians. Kells are stronger, faster, and more intelligent than the common Eliksni.[12][4] If a Kell dies, the House collapses into a civil war between their nobility vying for dominance and kellship. Only the most powerful contender or when all opposition is gone can a new claimant assume control.[13] When the Wolf Kell, Virixas, was killed by Mara Sov, three Barons fought against each other to become the new Kell of Wolves.[14]
However it is possible that a House can still function without a Kell, as an Archon, Prime Servitor, or another Kell from a different House can assume command of the House.[15][16][17] Their loss severely weakens a House and demoralizes its forces, so for this reason, Kells are a prime target for enemy forces.
After the fall of most of the Houses in the chaos that engulfed the Sol System following the Taken War, few Fallen remained who could claim the title of Kell as most Eliksni do away with the position along with most of the older functions of Houses entirely, with only Eramis and Mithrax leading the House of Salvation and House of Light under the title of Kell.
Kell of Kells Prophecy[edit]
- "The Great Machine will marvel, moved by might, and come to crown him Kell of Kells."
- — House of Rain proverb
According to a prophecy by the House of Rain, the Great Machine would crown a mighty warrior as the Kell of Kells, and rule over all houses. At first no one attempted to claim the title for themselves, but a few claimants would later rise.[18]
Kell of Kells Claimants[edit]
Skolas was the first prominent Fallen to proclaim themselves "Kell of Kells" following his release from Xur.[19] While it is easy to mistake Skolas for being egotistical, it was, however, a rally call to his people as he says "I am the first, Kell of Kells, and I am the last, the Dreg of Dregs". His proclamation as the "Dreg of Dregs" is spoken with the promise that the Fallen will regrow what is lost to them. Skolas became a key figurehead who understood how it felt to be conquered and started a movement where those who followed him were also named "Skolas" and fought for a common cause.[20]
Following the death of Skolas, Variks would agree with him that only the Kell of Kells was capable of ending the brutal Fallen bloodshed. He then searched for a Kell of Kells candidate through the use of the Crow surveillance network gifted to him by Petra.[21] At one point, Petra jokes to Variks that perhaps he is the Kell of Kells.[citation needed] Years later, when the Scorned Barons are imprisoned, Uldren questions Variks' loyalty to Mara Sov. Instead, Variks found himself thinking about the old House of Rain proverb of the Kell of Kells. After much thought, Variks decided that he would become the Kell of House Judgment, in the hope of unifying his race and also stylise himself as a new "Kell of Kells". Variks would later regret his decision to release all the Prison of Elders and state that the promise of Kell of Kells clouded his judgement.[22][23]
After the prison break, Variks found an ally in Eramis and was present in the formation of House of Salvation. This alliance soured after Variks discovered her dark ambitions to destroy the Traveler and sent a distress call to the Guardians.[24][25] He informed them that it was the Shipstealer who attacked him and proclaimed her as the "Kell of Kells" and unifier of the Houses. Eramis would do her best to live up to this claim from Variks and build a new military empire comprised of Fallen from the Houses of Devils, Wolves, Dusk and the Kell's Scourge. However, due to the losses of her Dark Council, and her dream of vengeance blinding her leadership, her house began to splinter, with some fleeing to either the House of Light or House of Dusk, while she would be encased in Stasis following her duel against the The Guardian, only to be freed when The Witness needed her for its plans. But her rule would be challenged once more following the continuing losses over searching for the relics of Nezarec by the City, and Salvation being subjugated by Xivu Arath, leading to her House dispersing once more.
Nearing the end of the Endless Night, Mithrax, Kell of Light and Saint-14 would defend the Eliksni Quarter from a Vex invasion brought on accidentally by Lakshmi-2 in a failed attempt to banish the House of Light. During this fight, Mithrax promised Saint-14 that if they fell there the Eliksni would tell the tale of the Saint fighting alongside them, not against them. To which Saint-14 replies that Mithrax was the Kell of Kells, saying that they together were enough to save the House of Light.[26] Mithrax now continues to be an exemplar of this title through the unification of the House of Spider into the House of Light and the constant refuging of other Eliksni fleeing the old crews.[citation needed]
Notable Kells[edit]
House of Devils[edit]
House of Kings[edit]
House of Light[edit]
House of Salvation[edit]
House of Stone[edit]
House of Winter[edit]
House of Wolves[edit]
Revenant Scorn[edit]
Unknown Affiliation[edit]
Claimants to Kellship[edit]
Houses without Kells[edit]
Mentioned Only[edit]
- Drifis, the Daring[29]
- A Kell killed by Rezyl Azzir.[30]
- A Kell who docked Taniks, the Scarred in the item description of Does Not Bow.[31]
- A Kell who died in the item description of Cloak of Five Full Moons.[32]
- A Kell being confronted by a Hunter mentioned in the lore tab for the Gunslinger subclass.[33]
Gallery[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- Kells have their own bodyguards in the form of Kell's Guard and Wolves' Guard for the Houses of Winter and Wolves, however, it's unknown if one of them is the true protector of a Kell.
- For decades Riksis, Devil Archon and Sepiks Prime maintained authority over the House of Devils. This shows evidence that a House can function without a Kell.
- The proper Fallen name for Kells lacks the second letter L.[34]
- This is most likely a Human mispronunciation, as Kel sounds like Kell.
- "-kel" also appears to be an honorific that Eliksni use to refer to their Kells. For instance, Phylaks, Kridis and Variks all refer to Eramis as "Eramiskel" at different points in Beyond Light. The same can be said for those, such as Mithrax, Kell of Light, referred to as Misraakskel.
- Before getting his four arms docked by Fikrul, the Kell of Kings' final word to Uldren was Dreg, which resulted in the Last Kell demoting to a Dreg.[35]
- In Maltese or Hungarian languages, Kell means to be necessary, need to, must, or be obligatory.[36]
List of appearances[edit]
- Destiny (First appearance)
- House of Wolves
- The Taken King (Mentioned only)
- Rise of Iron (Mentioned only)
- Destiny 2 (Mentioned only)
- Forsaken (Mentioned only)
- Season of the Drifter (Mentioned only)
- Shadowkeep (Mentioned only)
- Season of Dawn (Mentioned only)
- Season of the Worthy (Mentioned only)
- Season of Arrivals (Mentioned only)
- Beyond Light
- Season of the Hunt (Mentioned only)
- Season of the Splicer
- Season of Plunder
- Season of the Seraph
- Lightfall (Mentioned only)
- Season of Defiance
- Season of the Witch (Mentioned only)
- Season of the Wish (Mentioned only)
- The Final Shape
- Episode: Echoes (Mentioned only)
- Episode: Revenant
- Destiny: Fall of Osiris (Mentioned only)
- The Hidden Dossier (Mentioned only)
- Entelechy (Mentioned only)
References[edit]
- ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Fallen Leadership: Sepiks Prime
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Item Description: Elder Cipher
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - House of Wolves: The Ruling House
- ^ a b Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Item Description: Death to Kells
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny : House of Wolves - The Queen: Variks, The Loyal
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Item Description: Kellbreaker's Path
- ^ Bungie (2016/4/12), Destiny: April Update - Item Description: Kells' Cloak
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Item Description: Kellhunter's Rally
- ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Ghost Stories: From Fallen Ground
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Fallen Hunted: WANTED: Peekis, the Disavowed
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Item Description: Kellhunter's Sight
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Item Description: Kellhunter's Path
- ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Fallen Leadership: Draksis, Winter Kell
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Fallen Hunted: WANTED: Skolas, Kell of Kells
- ^ Destiny.bungie.org: Transcript of the official English version of the cards
- ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny, The Taken King - Prime's Path
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - House of Wolves: A Kell Rising
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - House of Wolves: The Kell of Kells
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Legends & Mysteries: Mystery: The Fate of Skolas
- ^ Bungie (2015/5/19), Destiny: House of Wolves - Fallen: Ghost Fragment: Fallen 3
- ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - The Taken King: The Wolves of Mars
- ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Most Loyal: Where Loyalties Lie
- ^ Bungie (2020/11/10), Destiny 2: Beyond Light - The New Kell
- ^ Bungie (2020/11/10), Destiny 2: Beyond Light - The Once-Shipstealer: The Scribe
- ^ Bungie (2020/11/10), Destiny 2: Beyond Light - Darkness's Doorstep
- ^ Bungie (2021/5/11), Destiny 2: Season of the Splicer - Cornered
- ^ Bungie (2024/10/8), Destiny 2: Episode: Revenant - A Reunion and a Gift
- ^ Bungie (2020/11/10), Destiny 2: Beyond Light - Empire's Fall
- ^ Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume II, "Onslaught", 38 - 39
- ^ Bungie (2016/4/12), Destiny: April Update - Legends & Mysteries: Rezyl Azzir - War Without End
- ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Item Description: Does Not Bow
- ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Item Description: Cloak of Five Full Moons
- ^ Bungie (2017/9/8), Destiny 2 - Item Description: Gunslinger
- ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Dreaming City: Misraaks
- ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Docking
- ^ https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/kell
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