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For centuries following the Collapse, the Darkness was believed by scholars of the [[Last City]] to be an inherently evil force, with its usage inevitably corrupting the wielder. This is now known to be untrue: just as the Light can be used for constructive and benevolent purposes as well as destructive and self-serving ones, the act of wielding the Darkness has no moral valence on its own, and it can be used for good or ill. Ancient civilizations such as the [[Ecumene]] and the [[Qugu]] used the Darkness for peaceful purposes, such as communing with the memories of their ancestors.<ref name="THW">'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#The Habitable World|The Habitable World]]''</ref><ref name="TAoS">'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#The Art of Symbiosis|The Art of Symbiosis]]''</ref> In contrast, the being known as the [[The Witness|Witness]] and its [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciples]], who collectively led the armada known as the [[Black Fleet]] and exterminated countless civilizations uplifted by the [[Traveler]], wielded the Darkness as a weapon against their enemies. Most of humanity's knowledge of the Darkness has come from the Collapse and subsequent conflicts with those aligned with the Witness and its cause, such as the [[Hive]], [[Taken]], [[Scorn]] and the [[Vex]] of the [[Sol Divisive]], which has led to a prevalent but one-sided view of Darkness as a destructive force hostile to life and peaceful civilization.  
For centuries following the Collapse, the Darkness was believed by scholars of the [[Last City]] to be an inherently evil force, with its usage inevitably corrupting the wielder. This is now known to be untrue: just as the Light can be used for constructive and benevolent purposes as well as destructive and self-serving ones, the act of wielding the Darkness has no moral valence on its own, and it can be used for good or ill. Ancient civilizations such as the [[Ecumene]] and the [[Qugu]] used the Darkness for peaceful purposes, such as communing with the memories of their ancestors.<ref name="THW">'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#The Habitable World|The Habitable World]]''</ref><ref name="TAoS">'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#The Art of Symbiosis|The Art of Symbiosis]]''</ref> In contrast, the being known as the [[The Witness|Witness]] and its [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciples]], who collectively led the armada known as the [[Black Fleet]] and exterminated countless civilizations uplifted by the [[Traveler]], wielded the Darkness as a weapon against their enemies. Most of humanity's knowledge of the Darkness has come from the Collapse and subsequent conflicts with those aligned with the Witness and its cause, such as the [[Hive]], [[Taken]], [[Scorn]] and the [[Vex]] of the [[Sol Divisive]], which has led to a prevalent but one-sided view of Darkness as a destructive force hostile to life and peaceful civilization.  


The nature of the relationship between the Light and Darkness remains somewhat ambiguous. The Witness and its followers clearly believe the Darkness to be superior to the Light and oppose all who would use it, and the Darkness itself is presented in ''[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]'' as having opposed the Light since before the beginning of time. However, in  ''[[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]'', a slightly more nuanced picture is given in the entry "Winnowing", where the Darkness is portrayed as playing a necessary and complementary role to that of the Light in helping to maintain the stability of life and civilization.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#Winnowing|Winnowing]]''</ref> After having gained insights into the Darkness from his studies of [[Strand]], Osiris states that the Light and Darkness are not truly antagonistic forces, but merely different.{{citation needed}}
The nature of the relationship between the Light and Darkness remains somewhat ambiguous. The Witness and its followers clearly believe the Darkness to be superior to the Light and oppose all who would use it, and the Darkness itself is presented in ''[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]'' as having opposed the Light since before the beginning of time. However, in  ''[[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]'', a slightly more nuanced picture is given in the entry "Winnowing", where the Darkness is portrayed as playing a necessary and complementary role to that of the Light in helping to maintain the stability of life and civilization.<ref name="Inspiral Winnowing">'''Bungie (2022/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]: [[Lore:Inspiral#Winnowing|Winnowing]]''</ref> After having gained insights into the Darkness from his studies of [[Strand]], Osiris states that the Light and Darkness are not truly antagonistic forces, but merely different.{{citation needed}}


==History==
==History==
===Origins===
===Origins===
{{Quote|Once upon a time,* a gardener and a winnower lived** together in a garden.***<br>* It was once before a time, because time had not yet begun.<br>** We did not live. We existed as principles of ontological dynamics that emerged from mathematical structures, as bodiless and inevitable as the primes.<br>*** It was the field of possibility that prefigured existence.|[[Lore:Unveiling#Gardener and Winnower|Unveiling: Gardener and Winnower]]}}
{{Quote|Once upon a time,* a gardener and a winnower lived** together in a garden.***<br>* It was once before a time, because time had not yet begun.<br>** We did not live. We existed as principles of ontological dynamics that emerged from mathematical structures, as bodiless and inevitable as the primes.<br>*** It was the field of possibility that prefigured existence.|[[Lore:Unveiling#Gardener and Winnower|Unveiling: Gardener and Winnower]]}}
According to the Lore Book "[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]," both the [[Light]] and the Darkness have existed since before the beginning of time, and thus before the universe came into existence. Being unbound by the laws of causality, neither the Light nor Darkness can be said to have a beginning. Rather, they are emergent properties of even more fundamental "mathematical structures" that in turn underlay reality itself.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#Gardener and Winnower|Gardener and Winnower]]''</ref>
According to the Lore Book "[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]," both the [[Light]] and the Darkness have existed since before the beginning of time, and thus before the universe came into existence. Being unbound by the laws of causality, neither the Light nor Darkness can be said to have a beginning. Rather, they are emergent properties of even more fundamental "mathematical structures" that in turn underlay reality itself.<ref name="U:G&W">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#Gardener and Winnower|Gardener and Winnower]]''</ref>


In the allegorical story recounted in the Lore Book, the Darkness and the Light are referred to as the "Winnower" and "Gardener" respectively. The Winnower and Gardener occupied themselves by engaging one another in a game, analogous to a vastly more complex version of the "Game of Life" devised by Earth mathematician John Conway. This game would consistently arrive at an end-state dominated by a single, self-perpetuating pattern, which subsumed all others in the game. The Winnower found this to be a pleasing outcome, but the Gardener felt the pattern to be boring and desired that the game endlessly produce novel patterns instead.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Flower Game|The Flower Game]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Final Shape|The Final Shape]]''</ref> To promote this novelty, the Gardener transformed itself into a new "rule" within the game; the Winnower did the same, to counteract the Gardener's efforts. These new rules were "set aside" from the other rules of the game, so that they could not be limited or influenced by them, but could manipulate the other rules to bring about their intended outcomes.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The First Knife|The First Knife]]''</ref>
In the allegorical story recounted in the Lore Book, the Darkness and the Light are referred to as the "Winnower" and "Gardener" respectively. The Winnower and Gardener occupied themselves by engaging one another in a game, analogous to a vastly more complex version of the "Game of Life" devised by Earth mathematician John Conway. This game would consistently arrive at an end-state dominated by a single, self-perpetuating pattern, which subsumed all others in the game. The Winnower found this to be a pleasing outcome, but the Gardener felt the pattern to be boring and desired that the game endlessly produce novel patterns instead.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Flower Game|The Flower Game]]''</ref><ref name="U:TFS">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Final Shape|The Final Shape]]''</ref> To promote this novelty, the Gardener transformed itself into a new "rule" within the game; the Winnower did the same, to counteract the Gardener's efforts. These new rules were "set aside" from the other rules of the game, so that they could not be limited or influenced by them, but could manipulate the other rules to bring about their intended outcomes.<ref name="U:TFK">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The First Knife|The First Knife]]''</ref>


While the story above is laden with metaphor and open to interpretation, it appears to suggest that the universe is the "game" that the Light and Darkness played in the garden, that the rules of the game are the laws of physics as they are commonly understood, and that the "new rules" that the Light and Darkness became are the basis of [[paracausality]]. The narrator of the Lore Book identifies themself as the Winnower, seemingly indicating that the Darkness, in addition to being a cosmic paracausal force, is sentient and driven by its own goals and motivations.
While the story above is laden with metaphor and open to interpretation, it appears to suggest that the universe is the "game" that the Light and Darkness played in the garden, that the rules of the game are the laws of physics as they are commonly understood, and that the "new rules" that the Light and Darkness became are the basis of [[paracausality]]. The narrator of the Lore Book identifies themself as the Winnower, seemingly indicating that the Darkness, in addition to being a cosmic paracausal force, is sentient and driven by its own goals and motivations.


===The Veil===
===The Veil===
The entity known as [[the Veil]] is a powerful source of Darkness and appears to act as a Darkness-affiliated counterpart to the Traveler, with which it is connected. Its origins are unknown, although it is known to have existed for billions of years, predating the Witness and the Black Fleet.<ref name="Origins">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0CKckjryVI'''YouTube''' - ''Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - The Witness's Origins Cinematic'']</ref>
The entity known as the [[The Veil|Veil]] is a powerful source of Darkness and appears to act as a Darkness-affiliated counterpart to the Traveler, with which it is connected. Its origins are unknown, although it is known to have existed for billions of years, predating the Witness and the Black Fleet.<ref name="Origins">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0CKckjryVI'''YouTube''' - ''Destiny 2: Season of the Deep - The Witness's Origins Cinematic'']</ref>


===The Witness===
===The Witness===
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===Lubrae's Ruin===
===Lubrae's Ruin===
Billions of years ago, the Witness visited the planet [[Lubrae]], where it met a young warrior named [[Rhulk]] who had become disillusioned with his family and clan following a series of perceived betrayals. The Witness granted Rhulk the use of the Darkness, which would later enable Rhulk to bring about the total annihilation of his own people by causing his homeworld's [[Sapphiric Sun]] to implode. Rhulk was subsequently taken in by the Witness and anointed the first of its Disciples.
Billions of years ago, the Witness visited the planet [[Lubrae]], where it met a young warrior named [[Rhulk]] who had become disillusioned with his family and clan following a series of perceived betrayals. The Witness granted Rhulk the use of the Darkness, which would later enable Rhulk to bring about the total annihilation of his own people by causing his homeworld's [[Sapphiric Sun]] to implode. Rhulk was subsequently taken in by the Witness and anointed the first of its [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciples]].


===The Ecumene===
===The Ecumene===
The civilization known as the [[Ecumene]] were attuned to the Darkness, though they did not seem to share the violent and destructive goals of the Witness and its [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciples]], and indeed would later come into conflict with the nascent [[Hive]].<ref name="THW"/>
The civilization known as the [[Ecumene]] were attuned to the Darkness, though they did not seem to share the violent and destructive goals of the Witness and its Disciples, and indeed would later come into conflict with the nascent [[Hive]].<ref name="THW"/>


===The Qugu===
===The Qugu===
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The Worm Gods promised to lend the sisters their paracausal powers, which they drew from the Deep, in return for the sisters becoming hosts for the Worms' larvae. The sisters agreed and became the founders and God-rulers of what would one day become known as the Hive.<ref name="Bargain"/> The Worms taught the nascent Hive Gods of the Sword Logic, which they used to become ever more powerful.{{Citation needed}}
The Worm Gods promised to lend the sisters their paracausal powers, which they drew from the Deep, in return for the sisters becoming hosts for the Worms' larvae. The sisters agreed and became the founders and God-rulers of what would one day become known as the Hive.<ref name="Bargain"/> The Worms taught the nascent Hive Gods of the Sword Logic, which they used to become ever more powerful.{{Citation needed}}


Much later, the Hive God Auryx (who was once Aurash) slew the Worm God Akka to obtain enough power to learn more about the secrets of the Deep, and in doing so he obtained the power to [[Taken|Take]],<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXVIII: King of Shapes|XXVIII: King of Shapes]]''</ref> a power wielded by the Witness. He became thereafter known as [[Oryx]], the Taken King. Sometime later, he sought to commune with the Witness directly and prepared an Ogre as a sacrifice, which the Deep inhabited and used to converse with Oryx.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXI: battle made waves|XXXI: battle made waves]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXII: Majestic. Majestic.|XXXII: Majestic. Majestic.]]''</ref>
Much later, the Hive God Auryx (who was once Aurash) slew the Worm God Akka to obtain enough power to learn more about the secrets of the Deep, and in doing so he obtained the power to [[Taken|Take]],<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXVIII: King of Shapes|XXVIII: King of Shapes]]''</ref> a power wielded by the Witness. He became thereafter known as Oryx, the Taken King. Sometime later, he sought to commune with the Witness directly and prepared an Ogre as a sacrifice, which the Deep inhabited and used to converse with Oryx.<ref name="BMW">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXI: battle made waves|XXXI: battle made waves]]''</ref><ref name="M. M.">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXII: Majestic. Majestic.|XXXII: Majestic. Majestic.]]''</ref>


===The Cambrian Explosion===
===The Cambrian Explosion===
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According to ''Unveiling'', the Cambrian Explosion (i.e. the rapid appearance and diversification of complex life on Earth) was one of innumerable examples across the history of the universe where the Darkness played a role in bringing about complex life, by virtue of curtailing the existence of weaker organisms and thereby driving biological evolution.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Cambrian Explosion|The Cambrian Explosion]]''</ref>
According to ''Unveiling'', the Cambrian Explosion (i.e. the rapid appearance and diversification of complex life on Earth) was one of innumerable examples across the history of the universe where the Darkness played a role in bringing about complex life, by virtue of curtailing the existence of weaker organisms and thereby driving biological evolution.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Cambrian Explosion|The Cambrian Explosion]]''</ref>


===The Whirlwind===
===Riis and The Whirlwind===
{{Quote|Where is the [[Great Machine]]? Where is the Great Machine?|[[Chelchis, Kell of Stone]]}}
{{Quote|Where is the Great Machine? Where is the Great Machine?|[[Chelchis, Kell of Stone]]}}
At an unknown time in the past, the Eliksni homeworld of [[Riis]] was visited by the Traveler, which ushered in an era of great prosperity and technological advancement. However, as with so many others before them, the Eliksni's Golden Age ended when the [[Black Fleet]] and the Witness found their civilization and decimated it, sending the Traveler fleeing and reducing the Eliskni to a race of interstellar nomads. This cataclysmic event became known in Eliksni history as the [[Whirlwind]]. Although few records remain from the time before the Whirlwind, this event likely marked the Eliksni's first encounter with the Darkness.{{Citation needed}}
 
At some point during the Golden Age of the [[Fallen|Eliksni]] on [[Riis]], a young Eliksni named [[Haaksis]] stole a scout-ship and became lost, eventually finding himself on an abandoned, airless world. He discovered an ancient, abandoned city, at the center of which was a "ship like a blade". Haaksis retrieved a spherical metallic artifact from the city, which spoke to him in his mind and showed him how to find his way home<ref>'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Garden-Way|The Garden-Way]]: [[Lore:The Garden-Way#Monsters|Monsters]]''</ref>. As Haaksis grew into adulthood, the voice within the artifact continued to speak to him, telling him of the pointless struggle of life, and of an impending doom that would befall the Eliksni<ref>'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Garden-Way|The Garden-Way]]: [[Lore:The Garden-Way#Monsters|Monsters]]''</ref>.
 
Years later, Haaksis became a Baron of the House of Rain, and attempted to rid himself of the artifact's visions by casting it away into a river. However, the artifact was swallowed by a local predator known as a "river-catcher," which became corrupted with Darkness and began attacking Haaksis' people. The Slayer Baron Kiiraskes was sent to slay the beast, and upon dispatching the creature, she and her apprentice [[Irrha]] discovered the artifact within its remains; upon examining Irrha's memoirs untold centuries later, the scribe [[Eido]] of [[House of Light|House Light]] inferred that the object was of the same kind as the [[Unknown Artifact|mysterious artifact]] given to the Young Wolf by the Witness during their exploration of the Lunar Pyramid<ref>'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Garden-Way|The Garden-Way]]: [[Lore:The Garden-Way#Monsters|Monsters]]''</ref>. Kiiraskes later mentioned that Chelchis, Kell of Stone had recently been delivering "strange reports" to the Houses of Kings and Judgment, which Chelchis felt signaled an impending catastrophe; however, Kiiraskes stated that Chelchis believed the true danger would come from within Eliksni civilization, not from the outside<ref>'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Garden-Way|The Garden-Way]]: [[Lore:The Garden-Way#Return|Return]]''</ref>.
 
Some time after this, Riis was attacked by the Witness and its Black Fleet, as well as Oryx's Hive, resulting in a cataclysm became known in Eliksni history as the [[Whirlwind]]. As it had so many times before, the Traveler fled Riis rather than face the Black Fleet, and the Eliskni were reduced to a race of interstellar nomads.


===Pre-Collapse===
===Pre-Collapse===
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The Guardian began receiving [[Lore:Unveiling|messages]] through the Unknown Artifact, seemingly from the Darkness itself; Eris dismissed the messages as attempts at manipulation, but they provided potentially valuable information into the origin of the Light, the Darkness, the [[Vex]], and the Universe itself.{{Citation needed}}
The Guardian began receiving [[Lore:Unveiling|messages]] through the Unknown Artifact, seemingly from the Darkness itself; Eris dismissed the messages as attempts at manipulation, but they provided potentially valuable information into the origin of the Light, the Darkness, the [[Vex]], and the Universe itself.{{Citation needed}}


When [[Osiris]] confronted [[Rasputin]] regarding his allegiance to the Light or the Darkness, the Warmind directed him to an anomalous signal located in the Kuiper Belt. Upon arriving at the coordinates, [[Sagira]] reported feeling strange, like the Guardian's Ghost when approaching the [[Pyramid]]. Osiris then entered "an anomalous Maw" and returned with a "cold metal seed" before setting his ship on a course to return to the inner Solar System.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/3/10)''', ''[[Weblore:Season of the Worthy]] - [[Weblore:Season of the Worthy#What Gives Me Pause|What Gives Me Pause]]''</ref>
When [[Osiris]] confronted [[Rasputin]] regarding his allegiance to the Light or the Darkness, the Warmind directed him to an anomalous signal located in the Kuiper Belt. Upon arriving at the coordinates, [[Sagira]] reported feeling strange, like the Guardian's Ghost when approaching the [[Pyramid]]. Osiris then entered "an anomalous Maw" and returned with a "cold metal seed" before setting his ship on a course to return to the inner Solar System.<ref name="WGMP">'''Bungie (2020/3/10)''', ''[[Weblore:Season of the Worthy]] - [[Weblore:Season of the Worthy#What Gives Me Pause|What Gives Me Pause]]''</ref>


===Season of Arrivals===
===Season of Arrivals===
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===Beyond Light===
===Beyond Light===
[[File:EuropaPyramid.jpg|thumb|330px|The Europa Pyramid silently hovering above the Europan ice fields.]]
[[File:EuropaPyramid.jpg|thumb|330px|The Europa Pyramid silently hovering above the Europan ice fields.]]
{{Quote|The Light believes you thankless. Nothing more than a soldier asked again and again to do its bidding.<br>So we want to thank you. With a gift. To help you finally take control.|The [[Pyramids]] to [[The Guardian|the Guardian]]}}
{{Quote|The Light believes you thankless. Nothing more than a soldier asked again and again to do its bidding.<br>So we want to thank you. With a gift. To help you finally take control.|The [[the Witness|Witness]] to [[The Guardian|the Guardian]]}}
Sometime during or after the arrival of the Black Fleet, a [[The Europan Pyramid|sixth Pyramid]] touched down on [[Europa]]. It remained unknown to the rest of the system for a time, until [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness]] and her newly-formed [[House of Salvation]] touched down on Europa and discovered the Pyramid. There, she attempted to harness the power of [[Stasis]], gifted to her and her followers through [[Splinter of Darkness|Splinters of Darkness]] originating from the Pyramid, to rebuild the Eliksni Empire and destroy the Traveler.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]]''</ref>
 
Sometime after the initial detection of the Black Fleet by Rasputin, a [[The Europan Pyramid|sixth Pyramid]] touched down on [[Europa]]. It remained unknown to the rest of the system for a time, until [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness]] and her newly-formed [[House of Salvation]] discovered it hovering over the icy surface of the moon. Using [[Splinter of Darkness|Splinters of Darkness]] originating from the Pyramid, Eramis attempted to harness the power of [[Stasis]] to rebuild the Eliksni Empire and destroy the Traveler.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]]''</ref>


Subsequently, the Guardian would also be granted the power of Stasis, initially through a Splinter of Darkness and later drawing the power from within themselves.
Subsequently, the Guardian would also be granted the power of Stasis, initially through a Splinter of Darkness and later drawing the power from within themselves. Their Stasis abilities would be magnified by repeated communions with a [[Ziggurat]] deployed by the Europan Pyramid.


===The Witch Queen===
===The Witch Queen===
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===Season of the Deep===
===Season of the Deep===
Following Titan's reappearance, the Guardian worked together with [[Sloane]] to strengthen her telepathic connection to Ahsa, with whom Sloane had become psychically bonded with through the Darkness. Ikora and Osiris also noted that the Veil's paracausal signature had become stronger after Titan's reappearance, and speculated that the connection between Titan and the Veil could hold a clue in following the Witness.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/5/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Deep]]''</ref>
Following Titan's reappearance, the Guardian worked together with [[Sloane]] to strengthen her telepathic connection to Ahsa, with whom Sloane had become psychically bonded with through the Darkness. Ikora and Osiris also noted that the Veil's paracausal signature had become stronger after Titan's reappearance, and speculated that the connection between Titan and the Veil could hold a clue in following the Witness.<ref name="Origins"/>


===The Fall of the Witness===
===The Fall of the Witness===
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In the centuries following the Collapse, several theories as to what the Darkness actually is were proposed by various scholars among the Guardians and other people of the City. The most well-known of these are listed below:
In the centuries following the Collapse, several theories as to what the Darkness actually is were proposed by various scholars among the Guardians and other people of the City. The most well-known of these are listed below:


*[[Pujari]] claimed that the Darkness is both a physical and moral presence, evil made tangible. It was a storm of corruption emerging from the Golden Age.<ref name = "Darkness"/> Also known as the Pujari Position, it is one of two doctrines that was widely popular at the [[Tower]] and the City at large.<ref name = "Foreword">'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Lore:Chirality]]: [[Lore:Chirality#Foreword|Foreword]]''</ref>  
*[[Pujari]] claimed that the Darkness is both a physical and moral presence, evil made tangible. It was a storm of corruption emerging from the Golden Age.<ref name = "Darkness"/> Also known as the Pujari Position, it is one of two doctrines that was widely popular at the [[Tower]] and the City at large.<ref name = "Foreword">'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Lore:Chirality|Chirality]]: [[Lore:Chirality#Foreword|Foreword]]''</ref>  


*[[Saint-14]] argued that the Darkness was an invading armada of aliens. Some suggest that these aliens had been previously rejected by the Traveler for their sins. In reality, the most likely explanation is the [[Fallen]].<ref name = "Darkness"/> His position stood as the most eminently practical of public opinions in the City.<ref name = "Foreword"/>
*[[Saint-14]] argued that the Darkness was an invading armada of aliens. Some suggest that these aliens had been previously rejected by the Traveler for their sins. In reality, the most likely explanation is the [[Fallen]].<ref name = "Darkness"/> His position stood as the most eminently practical of public opinions in the City.<ref name = "Foreword"/>
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{{Quote|Out in the world we ask a simple, true question. A question like, can I kill you, can I rip your world apart? Tell me the truth. For if I don't ask, someone will ask it of me. <br> And they call us evil. Evil! Evil means 'socially maladaptive.' We are adaptiveness itself.|The Darkness}}
{{Quote|Out in the world we ask a simple, true question. A question like, can I kill you, can I rip your world apart? Tell me the truth. For if I don't ask, someone will ask it of me. <br> And they call us evil. Evil! Evil means 'socially maladaptive.' We are adaptiveness itself.|The Darkness}}


Following the arrival of [[Oryx, the Taken King]] in the Sol System, records were discovered aboard Oryx's [[Dreadnaught]] that provide new insight into the Darkness' history and nature. These records suggest that the Darkness is a manifestation or embodiment of the universal struggle for existence: whereas the Traveler seeks to nurture civilization by encouraging peace and mutual cooperation, the Darkness is dedicated to the annihilation of all beings and civilizations who do not possess the strength to survive in the face of conquest. Its eventual goal is to bring about a universe inhabited solely by those entities who have survived by defeating all opposition. To this end, it has destroyed countless planets and civilizations, either through direct action or through its disciples, such as the [[Hive]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]''</ref>
Following the arrival of [[Oryx, the Taken King]] in the Sol System, a series of records known as the Books of Sorrow were discovered aboard Oryx's [[Dreadnaught]] that provided new insight into the nature of the Darkness. According to these records, on one occasion Oryx went deep into the [[Ascendant Realm]] using the [[Tablets of Ruin]] and prepared an unborn [[Ogre]], which he used as a vessel to summon and communicate with what he claimed to have been the Darkness itself.<ref name="BMW"/>


On one occasion, Oryx went deep into the [[Ascendant Realm]] using the Tablets of Ruin and prepared an unborn [[Ogre]], which he used as a vessel to summon and communicate with the Darkness, saying "I can see you in the sky. You are the waves, which are battles, and the battles are the waves. Come into this vessel I have prepared for you." It is here that the Darkness explained to Oryx how it viewed existence and how the universe functioned.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXXI: Battle Made Waves|XXXI: Battle Made Waves]]''</ref>
In the conversation that followed, the Darkness portrayed itself as a manifestation or embodiment of the universal struggle for existence: whereas the Traveler seeks to nurture civilization by encouraging peace and mutual cooperation, the Darkness is dedicated to the annihilation of all beings and civilizations who do not possess the strength to survive in the face of conquest. Its eventual goal is to bring about a universe inhabited solely by those entities who have survived by defeating all opposition.<ref name="M. M."/> To this end, it has destroyed countless planets and civilizations, either through direct action or through its disciples, such as the [[Hive]].


===Relation to Simplicity, Emotion and Memory===
===Relation to Simplicity, Emotion and Memory===
The Darkness is associated with simplification and the removal of extraneous entities; in contrast, the Light appears to be associated with the "growth and preservation of complexity".<ref>'''Bungie (2024/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - Item Description: [[The First Knife#Lore|The First Knife]]''</ref> In keeping with this, the Darkness is often associated with triangles and tetrahedrons, whereas the Light is associated with circles and spheres.
The Darkness is associated with simplification and the removal of extraneous entities; in contrast, the Light appears to be associated with the "growth and preservation of complexity".<ref name="TFK">'''Bungie (2024/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - Item Description: [[The First Knife#Lore|The First Knife]]''</ref> In keeping with this, the Darkness is often associated with triangles and tetrahedrons, whereas the Light is associated with circles and spheres.


[[Clovis Bray I]] studied the Darkness during the late Golden Age, having been exposed to it through the K1 Anomaly and later through the entity he called "Clarity Control." In his notes, he observed that the Darkness violated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_theorem Noether's theorem], and did not follow established physical rules of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symmetry_(physics) symmetry] and conservation. He also noted that the Darkness possessed "anti-structural" properties, and had a tendency to reduce the entropy of systems it was applied to, leading him to hypothesize that it may have been responsible for the low-entropy state of the universe preceding the Big Bang.
[[Clovis Bray I]] studied the Darkness during the late Golden Age, having been exposed to it through the K1 Anomaly and later through the entity he called "Clarity Control." In his notes, he observed that the Darkness violated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_theorem Noether's theorem], and did not follow established physical rules of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symmetry_(physics) symmetry] and conservation. He also noted that the Darkness possessed "anti-structural" properties, and had a tendency to reduce the entropy of systems it was applied to, leading him to hypothesize that it may have been responsible for the low-entropy state of the universe preceding the Big Bang.
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This dichotomy was further highlighted when the Witness entered the Traveler's Pale Heart, as it attempted to use the Traveler's Light to bring its vision of the Final Shape into reality; the Final Shape existed as a concept within the Darkness, but the Witness needed the Light to enforce its ideas upon the physical universe.
This dichotomy was further highlighted when the Witness entered the Traveler's Pale Heart, as it attempted to use the Traveler's Light to bring its vision of the Final Shape into reality; the Final Shape existed as a concept within the Darkness, but the Witness needed the Light to enforce its ideas upon the physical universe.
In ''Unveiling'', the Darkness states that it was the source of humanity's consciousness, senses and minds, a product of having shaped the evolution of life on Earth during the Cambrian Explosion. The Darkness also states that it has the ability to emulate the minds of sentient beings, allowing it to see the world from their perspective and thus more easily communicate with them.


===The Winnower===
===The Winnower===
{{Quote|It is the nature of life to favor existence over nonexistence, and to prefer the fertile soil to the poisoned wind. Because those who open their mouths to that wind pass from the world and leave no descendant, whether of flesh or of thought. <br>But imagine the abomination of a world where nothing can end and no choice can be preferred to any other. Imagine the things that would suffer and never die. Imagine the lies that would flourish without context or corrective. Imagine a world without me.|The narrator of ''Unveiling''}}<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#Pleased to Meet You|Pleased to Meet You]]''</ref>
{{Quote|It is the nature of life to favor existence over nonexistence, and to prefer the fertile soil to the poisoned wind. Because those who open their mouths to that wind pass from the world and leave no descendant, whether of flesh or of thought. <br>But imagine the abomination of a world where nothing can end and no choice can be preferred to any other. Imagine the things that would suffer and never die. Imagine the lies that would flourish without context or corrective. Imagine a world without me.|Unveiling}}<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#Pleased to Meet You|Pleased to Meet You]]''</ref>


Several Lore entries contain statements from a being which calls itself the Winnower, which is all but explicitly stated to be the Darkness itself; the true nature of this entity remains mysterious and contentious at present.
Several obscure entries contain statements attributed to an entity referred to as "the Winnower," which appears to be either synonymous with or the source of Darkness itself; the true nature of this entity remains mysterious and contentious at present.


In all of the aforementioned entries, the Winnower exhibits an informal, friendly demeanor, and refers to itself in the first person; both of these seem to indicate that the speaker in these entries is not the Witness, which is less casual in its speech and with a few notable exceptions has always been seen to refer to itself in the plural. The Winnower also seems to be fond of using the word "majestic" in reference to things which it admires, such as the process of natural selection as applied to the cosmos, or the Guardians, as they have slain many powerful beings and thus gained its attention and favor. However, it remains unclear to what degree various other statements that have been ascribed to the Darkness itself in fact originate from the Witness, which has also been referred to as the "voice in the Darkness".
During their exploration of the Lunar Pyramid, the Guardian received an [[Unknown Artifact|unknown artifact]] from the [[The Witness|Witness]] which relayed [[Lore:Unveiling|a series of messages]] addressed to the Guardian by the Winnower, which presented itself as one of two cosmic entities or forces which gave rise to the universe, alongside its opposing counterpart the "[[Light|Gardener]]". The Witness acknowledged the Winnower as a separate entity shortly before its destruction at the hands of the Coalition, stating that it was not the Winnower, but merely ''"the first knife clutched in its hand"'' <ref name="Salvation's Edge">'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Salvation's Edge]]''</ref>. The name "Winnower" was also used by [[Ahsa]] when she recounted the origin of the Witness to the Guardian, referring to the Veil.<ref name="Origins"/>


The Witness acknowledged the Winnower as a separate entity shortly before its destruction at the hands of the Coalition, stating that it was not the Winnower, but merely "the first knife clutched in its hand." Previously, when the Guardian first made contact with the Witness in the Lunar Pyramid, the Witness relayed a series of messages to the Guardian via the Unknown Artifact, which were seemingly addressed to the Guardian from the Winnower. After having read these messages, [[Ikora Rey]] interpreted them as being narrated by the Witness, which she viewed to have deceitfully presented itself as a "monolithic cosmic force"; however, in a later conversation with [[Mara Sov]], she wondered whether the texts were in fact a shadow of the truth, in which the Witness was merely a pawn of some other force<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]], [[Jumpship|Jumpship Lore]]: [[The First Knife]]''</ref>.
In the messages received by the Guardian and translated by [[Eris Morn]], the Winnower states itself to be one of two primordial entities who predate the universe, the other being the [[Light|Gardener]].<ref name="U:G&W"/> The Winnower is presented as embodying the reduction of complexity, whereas the Gardener embodies the growth and preservation of complexity.<ref name="U:TFK"/> In the allegorical story recounted by the Winnower, these two entities struggled with one another in the state which preceded the multiverse, and upon inadvertently creating the multiverse as a by-product of this struggle, each became a [[paracausality|paracausal]] force which would serve to further their respective goals within its many universes.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#T = 0|T = 0]]''</ref> The Winnower claims to have subsequently influenced the evolution of life throughout the cosmos, stating that it was responsible for the Cambrian Explosion that gave rise to complex animal life on Earth, and thus the evolution of humanity<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]: [[Lore:Unveiling#The Cambrian Explosion|The Cambrian Explosion]]''</ref>. This story not only appears to provide an origin for the Light and Darkness as they are presently known, but also implies that the Darkness is itself sentient and has its own motivations, exerting its influence on reality in various subtle ways so as to guide the universe toward an eternal, maximally simplified form known as the [[Final Shape]].<ref name="U:TFS"/>


In the messages received by the Guardian and translated by [[Eris Morn]], the Winnower states itself to be one of two primordial entities who predate the universe, the other being the [[Light|Gardener]]. The Winnower is presented as embodying the reduction of complexity, whereas the Gardener embodies the growth and preservation of complexity. In the allegorical story recounted by the Winnower, these two entities struggled with one another in the state which preceded the multiverse, and upon inadvertently creating the multiverse as a by-product of this struggle, each became a [[paracausality|paracausal]] force which would serve to further their respective goals within its many universes. This story not only appears to provide an origin for the Light and Darkness as they are presently known, but also implies that the Darkness is itself sentient and has its own motivations, namely to reduce all of reality to an eternal, maximally simplified form known as the [[Final Shape]].  
The unnamed narrator of the entry "''Winnowing''" in the Lore Book ''[[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]'' writes in a similar style and tone as the Winnower in ''Unveiling'', and the entry itself appears to reference and elaborate slightly on the information presented in the previous Lore Book.<ref name="Inspiral Winnowing"/> The narrator of the entry describes how a garden requires both a gardener to care for its plants, and a winnower to prune away excess growth and rot; if there is no winnower to do the pruning, the plants will be forced to do it themselves lest the garden deteriorate. Much as with ''Unveiling'', this description appears to be allegorical, and seems to suggest that both the Darkness and Light are necessary to maintain the stability of life and civilization within the universe; as the narrator states, ''"there can be no gardens without knives"''.<ref name="Inspiral Winnowing"/>


The entry "Winnowing" in the Lore Book ''[[Lore:Inspiral|Inspiral]]'' seems to be narrated by the same entity as ''Unveiling'', and elaborates slightly on the information presented in the previous Lore Book. The narrator of the entry describes how a garden requires both a gardener to care for its plants, and a winnower to prune away excess growth and rot; if there is no winnower to do the pruning, the plants will be forced to do it themselves lest the garden deteriorate. Much as with ''Unveiling'', this description appears to be allegorical, and seems to suggest that both the Darkness and Light are necessary to maintain the stability of life and civilization within the universe.
Following the revelation that the Witness and its Black Fleet were behind the Collapse and other historical events once attributed to the Darkness itself, and the discovery that [[Stasis]] and [[Strand]] could be wielded by Guardians without inevitably leading to moral corruption, the Vanguard has for the most part come to regard the Darkness as a neutral force, without any form of guiding intent or moral connotations associated with its use <ref>'''Bungie (2024/7/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Lore:Chirality|Chirality]]: [[Lore:Chirality#Cacosmia|Cacosmia]]''</ref>. Similarly, various statements once ascribed to the Darkness have since been recontextualized as instead originating from the Witness, which was referred to by [[Mara Sov]] as "the Voice in the Darkness".{{citation needed}} After reading ''[[Lore:Unveiling|Unveiling]]'', [[Ikora Rey]] stated that messages were in fact narrated by the Witness, which it had deceitfully presented itself as a "monolithic cosmic force"; however, in a later conversation with [[Mara Sov]], she wondered whether the texts were in fact a shadow of the truth, in which the Witness was merely a pawn of some other force<ref name="TFK"/>.
 
A conversation between [[Oryx, the Taken King]] and what is said to be the Darkness itself is also recorded in the [[Books of Sorrow]], "''Majestic. Majestic.''", in which the Darkness further describes a philosophy of winner-takes-all and survival at the expense of others.


==Aspects and Manifestations==
==Aspects and Manifestations==
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[[File:PyramidNightmare.jpg|300px|thumb|Nightmares surrounding the Luna Pyramid]]
[[File:PyramidNightmare.jpg|300px|thumb|Nightmares surrounding the Luna Pyramid]]


Nightmares are the expression of a yet-untapped power of the Darkness, believed to be co-opted by [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain]] and woven into his [[Pyramid]] as a security system.<ref name="Visitation">'''Bungie (2023/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[The Visitation]]''</ref> They are apparitions created using the Darkness, usually manifesting to a given individual as someone whose memory is associated with fear, regret or other emotional trauma. Like Deepsight, this power is thematically in keeping with the Darkness' association with memory and consciousness.
Nightmares are apparitions created using the Darkness, usually manifesting to a given individual as someone whose memory is associated with fear, regret or other emotional trauma. It is believed that this application of the Darkness was first discovered by [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain]], who later wove Nightmares into his [[Pyramid]] as a security system.<ref name="Visitation">'''Bungie (2023/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[The Visitation]]''</ref> Like Deepsight, this power is thematically in keeping with the Darkness' association with memory and consciousness.


===Egregore===
===Egregore===
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===Darkness Fields===
===Darkness Fields===
Based upon matching descriptions from [[Emperor Calus]], the [[Hive]], [[Cayde-6]], and [[Awoken]] records, certain Darkness-related entities seem to have the ability to project a field that gives the impression of complete darkness surrounding an individual. Calus wrote that upon encountering the Black Fleet, it initially appeared as a complete void to him, while the crew of the ''Yang Liwei'' reported being surrounded by a force that "made the stars go out" after their ship was confronted by a [[Pyramid]]. Cayde-6 described being enveloped by a smothering, paralyzing black cloud during the Collapse; however, in this case, it left his senses intact so that he could witness the destruction of his surroundings. Similar smothering miasmas of Darkness have been encountered by [[Guardians]] in areas where the Darkness is entrenched, such as the [[Disciple's Bog]] in [[Savathûn's Throne World]].
Based on matching descriptions from [[Emperor Calus]], the [[Hive]], [[Cayde-6]], and [[Awoken]] records, certain Darkness-related entities seem to have the ability to project a field that gives the impression of complete darkness surrounding an individual. Calus wrote that upon encountering the Black Fleet, it initially appeared as a complete void to him,<ref>'''Bungie (2019/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Opulence]] - [[Lore:The Chronicon|The Chronicon]]: [[Lore:The Chronicon#DLXXIX.|DLXXIX.]]''</ref> while the crew of the ''Yang Liwei'' reported being surrounded by a force that "made the stars go out" after their ship was confronted by a [[Pyramid]];<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Marasenna|Marasenna]]: [[Lore:Marasenna#Cosmogyre III|Cosmogyre III]]''</ref> Osiris similarly described a Pyramid as being surrounded by a "maw" of darkness when he sought out the Black Fleet beyond the edge of the Heliopause.<ref name="WGMP"/> During the Collapse, Cayde-6 described being enveloped by a smothering, paralyzing black cloud, however, in this case, it left his senses intact so that he could witness the destruction of his surroundings.<ref>'''[[Cayde's Treasure Island Book]]''', ''"Tendrils of pain crawl over my splayed fingers, my outstretched arms, my shoulders, my neck, my screaming mouth as it consumes. I'm being enveloped. Everything is wrong. Primordial. My systems go sideways. All but my sensors. It wants me to witness this, the world. It's world now. Suffocating in the black poison. I collapse. We all collapse."''</ref> Similar smothering miasmas of Darkness have been encountered by [[Guardians]] in areas where the Darkness is entrenched, such as the [[Disciple's Bog]] in [[Savathûn's Throne World]].{{Citation needed}}


The Drifter also encountered [[Monolith creatures|mysterious entities]] on an unknown, distant ice world that were trapped in alien monoliths. These beings had a disturbing ability to kill [[Ghost]]s from just being near them, and to nullify [[Light]] itself. The beings were everywhere on the world, and were described as having a "Darkness field."
Following the Collapse, areas of planets became blasted by the Darkness so badly that it made it impossible for the Light to shine there, and for Ghosts to resurrect their Guardians.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - Item Description: [[Imperial Needle#Lore|Imperial Needle]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Ghost Stories|Ghost Stories]]: [[Lore:Ghost Stories#No Rez for the Weary|No Rez for the Weary]]''</ref>
 
The Drifter also encountered [[Monolith creatures|mysterious entities]] on an unknown, distant ice world that were trapped in alien monoliths. These beings had a disturbing ability to kill [[Ghost]]s from just being near them and nullify [[Light]] itself.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Ancient Apocalypse Armor (Warlock)#Ancient Apocalypse Gloves|Ancient Apocalypse Gloves]]''</ref> The beings were everywhere on the world, and were described as having a "Darkness field."<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Ancient Apocalypse Armor (Warlock)#Ancient Apocalypse Robes|Ancient Apocalypse Robes]]''</ref> The [[Suppressor]] devices used by the [[Shadow Legion]] during the invasion of [[Neomuna]] were similarly able to inhibit the Light-based abilities of Guardians, as are some forms of Dread such as [[Grim]] and [[Tormentor]]s.{{Citation needed}}


==Influences==
==Influences==
===The Witness and its Precursors===
The precursor species that gave rise to the Witness is the oldest known species to have encountered and wielded the Darkness. Eons after discovering the [[The Traveler|Traveler]], the precursors found the Veil in a distant star system, and sought to use its Darkness in combination with the Traveler's Light to bring about a "[[Final Shape]]" for the universe. Afterward, they used the Darkness of the Veil to merge the consciousnesses of their entire species into the [[The Witness|Witness]]<ref name="Origins"/>.
===Guardians===
===Guardians===
{{Quote|You are the gardener's final argument. It would mean everything if I could convince you that I am the right and only way.<br>I truly value you. To the gardener, you are a means to an end. To me, you are majestic. Majestic. You are full of the only thing worth anything at all.<br>I am, by the only standard that matters or will ever matter, the winning team. Existence is a test that most will fail. Would you not count yourself among the victorious few?<br>Don't hurry to deliver your answer. I'll come over and hear it myself.|The narrator of ''Unveiling''}}
{{Quote|You are the gardener's final argument. It would mean everything if I could convince you that I am the right and only way.<br>I truly value you. To the gardener, you are a means to an end. To me, you are majestic. Majestic. You are full of the only thing worth anything at all.<br>I am, by the only standard that matters or will ever matter, the winning team. Existence is a test that most will fail. Would you not count yourself among the victorious few?<br>Don't hurry to deliver your answer. I'll come over and hear it myself.|The narrator of ''Unveiling''}}
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As of recently, many Guardians have come to wield the Darkness in the form of [[Stasis]] and [[Strand]], and utilize its abilities such as [[Deepsight]] to reveal hidden secrets and [[Weapon Crafting|shape]] weapons from memory. According to [[Osiris]], the key to wielding the Darkness properly is to have the right perspective, such as a sense of self-discipline to use Stasis or a proactive, open mindset to use Strand.
As of recently, many Guardians have come to wield the Darkness in the form of [[Stasis]] and [[Strand]], and utilize its abilities such as [[Deepsight]] to reveal hidden secrets and [[Weapon Crafting|shape]] weapons from memory. According to [[Osiris]], the key to wielding the Darkness properly is to have the right perspective, such as a sense of self-discipline to use Stasis or a proactive, open mindset to use Strand.
===Ghosts===
With certain modifications, [[Ghost]]s can access the Darkness as well as the Light; the [[Drifter's Ghost]] became attuned to the Darkness after being modified with parts scavenged from other Ghosts.<ref name="Bond">'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/illicit-reaper-bond Illicit Reaper Bond]''</ref>The Witness was also capable of overriding Ghosts and using them as conduits for communication, although it is unclear whether this ability stemmed from its use of the Darkness or the Light, or some other power at its disposal.{{citation needed}}


===Eliksni===
===Eliksni===
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{{quote|What others call dark which is not I know what it is but no time room calm given for an appropriate telling so I say only that what is not shadow is an ally and a wonder and I respect what I cannot steal from and you cannot take from the dark you can claim only pain from the dark and that is why the dark is worthy of love beyond all other love that astonishing ability to evade being robbed.|Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2}}
{{quote|What others call dark which is not I know what it is but no time room calm given for an appropriate telling so I say only that what is not shadow is an ally and a wonder and I respect what I cannot steal from and you cannot take from the dark you can claim only pain from the dark and that is why the dark is worthy of love beyond all other love that astonishing ability to evade being robbed.|Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2}}


The Eliksni civilization was destroyed when the [[Black Fleet]] attacked [[Riis]] and the [[Traveler]] fled, an event known as the [[Whirlwind]]. A reclaimed (though corrupted) Fallen story mentions that the Fallen respect what they cannot steal from, which is "why the dark is worthy of love beyond all other love that astonishing ability to evade being robbed".<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen|Fallen]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen#Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2|Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2]]''</ref>  
The Eliksni civilization was destroyed when the [[Black Fleet]] attacked [[Riis]] and the Traveler fled, an event known as the [[Whirlwind]]. A reclaimed (though corrupted) Fallen story mentions that the Fallen respect what they cannot steal from, which is "why the dark is worthy of love beyond all other love that astonishing ability to evade being robbed".<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen|Fallen]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen#Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2|Ghost Fragment: Fallen 2]]''</ref>  


Sometime around the events of [[Shadowkeep]], Guardians were introduced to Fallen [[Champion]]s who had been "touched" by the Darkness and given powerful abilities to fight back against their foes.<ref name="Stem the Dark">'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/stem-the-dark Stem the Dark]''</ref> Usually they are seen in high-leveled endgame content such as Nightfalls and recently Raids.
Sometime around the events of [[Shadowkeep]], Guardians were introduced to Fallen [[Champion]]s who had been "touched" by the Darkness and given powerful abilities to fight back against their foes.<ref name="Stem the Dark">'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/stem-the-dark Stem the Dark]''</ref> Usually they are seen in high-leveled endgame content such as Nightfalls and recently Raids.


Later, [[Eramis]] would proclaim herself as the [[Kell|Kell of Darkness]] of the [[House of Salvation]] and led the newly formed House to [[Europa]] to acquire the powers of the Darkness. They began utilizing the Darkness as a means to destroy the [[Guardian]]s and [[The Last City]], going against the Fallen's traditions and ideals by willingly using the very thing that [[Whirlwind|destroyed]] their [[Riis|home]]. With her newfound [[Stasis|power]], she began plotting to rebuild their Eliksni civilization and take vengeance against the [[Traveler]] for abandoning her people centuries prior.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-beyond-light-expansion-will-let-you-wiel/1100-6478184/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa1d '''GameSpot''' - ''Destiny 2 Beyond Light Expansion Will Let You Wield Darkness'']</ref>
Later, [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness|Eramis]] would proclaim herself as the [[Kell]] of the [[House of Salvation]] and led the newly formed House to [[Europa]] to acquire the powers of the Darkness. They began utilizing the Darkness as a means to destroy the [[Guardian]]s and [[The Last City]], going against the Fallen's traditions and ideals by willingly using the very thing that destroyed their home. With her newfound power, she began plotting to rebuild their Eliksni civilization and take vengeance against the Traveler for abandoning her people centuries prior.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-beyond-light-expansion-will-let-you-wiel/1100-6478184/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa1d '''GameSpot''' - ''Destiny 2 Beyond Light Expansion Will Let You Wield Darkness'']</ref>
{{clear}}


===Scorn===
===Scorn===
[[File:FikrulNothingLeft.jpg|thumb|300px|The resurrecting Fikrul the Fanatic]]
[[File:FikrulNothingLeft.jpg|thumb|300px|The resurrecting Fikrul the Fanatic]]
{{Quote|We… are alike. Trapped in death… a never-ending dance.|Fikrul, the Fanatic}}
{{Quote|We… are alike. Trapped in death… a never-ending dance.|Fikrul, the Fanatic}}
The [[Scorn]] are a horde of undead [[Fallen]] created through the use of [[Dark Ether|Ether infused with Darkness]]. Originally born from a distorted wish granted to [[Uldren Sov]] by the [[Taken]] [[Ahamkara]] [[Riven]], the Scorn display the ability to resurrect, even multiple times, though their minds seemingly degrade with each return. They were originally led by [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]], a heretical [[Archon]] and first in their number, but since his disappearance, they have been seen under the control of other powerful Darkness entities, like the [[Disciples of the Witness]] and [[Xivu Arath, God of War]]. The Witness itself seems capable of resurrecting dead Eliksni into more Scorn, which has been used as punishment for Eramis's repeated failures.
The [[Scorn]] are a horde of undead Fallen created through the use of [[Dark Ether|Ether infused with Darkness]]. Originally born from a distorted wish granted to [[Uldren Sov]] by the [[Taken]] [[Ahamkara]] [[Riven]], the Scorn display the ability to resurrect, even multiple times, though their minds seemingly degrade with each return. They were originally led by [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]], a heretical [[Archon]] and first in their number, but since his disappearance, they have been seen under the control of other powerful Darkness entities, like the [[Disciples of the Witness]] and [[Xivu Arath, God of War]]. The Witness itself seems capable of resurrecting dead Eliksni into more Scorn, which has been used as punishment for Eramis's repeated failures.


Scorn under this new leadership enjoy access to powerful Pyramid technology, which allows many of them to rise to the power of their deceased [[Baron]]s, and perhaps even surpass them. However, despite their power, all Scorn are often fully enslaved to the entity controlling them, incapable of expressing original thoughts. When abandoned without a guide, they follow whatever order was given to them last, which usually brings them to repeat their violence on others in an endless loop.
Scorn under this new leadership enjoy access to powerful Pyramid technology, which allows many of them to rise to the power of their deceased [[Baron]]s, and perhaps even surpass them. However, despite their power, all Scorn are often fully enslaved to the entity controlling them, incapable of expressing original thoughts. When abandoned without a guide, they follow whatever order was given to them last, which usually brings them to repeat their violence on others in an endless loop.
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===Cabal===
===Cabal===
The Cabal had some texts on their [[athenaeum world]]s that theorized about the Darkness, with the little concrete information the texts contained about the Darkness having been recorded from the "dreams of worms".<ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] -Item Description: [[Equitis Shade Armor#Equitis Shade Rig|Equitis Shade Rig]]''</ref>
The [[Cabal]] had some texts on their [[Athenaeum World]]s that theorized about the Darkness, with the little concrete information the texts contained about the Darkness having been recorded from the "dreams of worms".<ref>'''Bungie (2018/8/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] - Item Description: [[Equitis Shade Armor#Equitis Shade Rig|Equitis Shade Rig]]''</ref>


[[File:ZavalaCabal.jpg|thumb|300px|Zavala, Osiris, and Cabal talking about the Darkness]]
[[File:ZavalaCabal.jpg|thumb|300px|Zavala, Osiris, and Cabal talking about the Darkness]]


During his exile, the former emperor [[Calus]] sought the means to defeat his usurper [[Ghaul]] by exploring the secret places of the galaxy and pushing the limits of reason once he regains control of the Leviathan. He eventually crossed paths with a perfect void at the edge of the universe, being the Witness and the [[Black Fleet]], and resolved to become its herald.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - Item Description: [[It Stared Back#Lore|It Stared Back]]''</ref> He would watch them consume the light of the universe, and all among the last of the living would know his greatness.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Calus' letter]]''</ref> Calus also knows of the pact that [[Oryx]] made with the [[Worms]], comparing it to Ghaul's takeover of the legions.<ref>'''[[Cabal Booklet]]''', "[[Cabal Booklet#Ghaul, the Dominus|Ghaul, the Dominus]]"</ref> Calus' strange powers and his claims of "''knowing the truth''" about the galaxy and his mockery of the Guardians' "''feeble light''" imply that he may have some knowledge of the Darkness.
During his exile, the former [[Emperor]] [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] sought the means to defeat his usurper [[Dominus Ghaul]] by exploring the secret places of the galaxy and pushing the limits of reason once he regains control of the Leviathan. He eventually crossed paths with a perfect void at the edge of the universe, being the Witness and the Black Fleet, and resolved to become its herald.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - Item Description: [[It Stared Back#Lore|It Stared Back]]''</ref> He would watch them consume the light of the universe, and all among the last of the living would know his greatness.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Calus' letter]]''</ref> Calus also knows of the pact that [[Oryx, the Taken King|Oryx]] made with the [[Worm]]s, comparing it to Ghaul's takeover of the legions.<ref>'''[[Cabal Booklet]]''', "[[Cabal Booklet#Ghaul, the Dominus|Ghaul, the Dominus]]"</ref> Calus' strange powers and his claims of "''knowing the truth''" about the galaxy and his mockery of the Guardians' "''feeble light''" imply that he may have some knowledge of the Darkness.


At some point, [[Red Legion]] [[Psion]]s used their psionic powers to successfully harness and infuse Taken energy into themselves and their superiors, empowering them with Taken-enhanced shielding. However, this effort was stopped by [[The Guardian]].<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dark Alliance]]''</ref>  
At some point, [[Red Legion]] [[Psion]]s used their psionic powers to successfully harness and infuse Taken energy into themselves and their superiors, empowering them with Taken-enhanced shielding. However, this effort was stopped by [[The Guardian]].<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dark Alliance]]''</ref>  


During the [[Season of Dawn]], the Guardians had faced Cabal [[Champion]]s who were "touched" by the Darkness and were given newfound abilities.<ref name="Stem the Dark"/> Soon they were frequently encountered at high-leveled endgame content, most notably Nightfalls.
During the [[Season of Dawn]], the Guardians had faced Cabal Champions who were "touched" by the Darkness and were given newfound abilities.<ref name="Stem the Dark"/> Soon they were frequently encountered at high-leveled endgame content, most notably Nightfalls.
 
During [[Season of the Haunted]], Calus would return to Sol two years later, now the newest [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciple]] of the [[The Witness|Witness]]. He would succeed in merging his consciousness with the [[The Lunar Pyramid|Lunar Pyramid]], however, he would be stopped by [[The Coalition]] who would sever his connection with the pyramid.
 
Calus alongside his new army the [[Shadow Legion]] would arrive in Sol alongside [[The Witness]]. The Shadow Legion have access to powerful [[Pyramid]] technology and are assisted by [[Tormentor]]s among their ranks. They are said to be filled with emptiness and follow orders without question. The Shadow Legion are described by [[Empress Caiatl]] as not knowing what it is like to be [[Cabal]] when their attempt to recreate the [[Rite of Proving]] failed.


During [[Season of the Haunted]], Calus would return to Sol two years later, now the newest Disciples of the Witness. He would succeed in merging his consciousness with the [[The Lunar Pyramid|Lunar Pyramid]], however, he would be stopped by the [[The Coalition|Coalition]] who would sever his connection with the pyramid.


{{clear}}
Calus alongside his new army the [[Shadow Legion]] would arrive in Sol alongside the Witness. The Shadow Legion have access to powerful [[Pyramid]] technology and are assisted by [[Tormentor]]s among their ranks. They are said to be filled with emptiness and follow orders without question. The Shadow Legion are described by [[Empress Caiatl]] as not knowing what it is like to be Cabal when their attempt to recreate the [[Rite of Proving]] failed.


===Hive===
===Hive===
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The Hive revere the Darkness and serve the [[the Witness|Witness]]. The progenitors of the Hive made a pact with their highest gods, the [[Worms]], who grant the powers of Darkness to the Hive. The Hive god [[Oryx, the Taken King]] stole the power of the Darkness from his patron deity, [[Akka, the Worm of Secrets]], which allowed him to wield the Darkness and create [[Taken]]. The Hive religion, based around the 'Sword-Logic', is based upon the Darkness' philosophy of survival-of-the-fittest and power through conquest.
The Hive revere the Darkness and serve the [[the Witness|Witness]]. The progenitors of the Hive made a pact with their highest gods, the [[Worms]], who grant the powers of Darkness to the Hive. The Hive god [[Oryx, the Taken King]] stole the power of the Darkness from his patron deity, [[Akka, the Worm of Secrets]], which allowed him to wield the Darkness and create [[Taken]]. The Hive religion, based around the 'Sword-Logic', is based upon the Darkness' philosophy of survival-of-the-fittest and power through conquest.
{{clear}}


===Vex===
===Vex===
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The majority of the Vex avoid the Darkness, due to a combination of their inability to simulate paracausality and the fact that their ultimate goal of Convergence (an end state of the universe where only the Vex exist) means that they would have to overcome the Darkness. The Vex of the [[Sol Divisive]] however, worship the [[Black Heart]], an aspect of the Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Vex Axis Minds|Vex Axis Minds]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Vex Axis Minds#Sol Progeny|Sol Progeny]]''</ref>Osiris theorized that some Vex technology is tuned to react to the presence of the Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/Crucible Arenas|Crucible Arenas]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Crucible Arenas#Timekeeper|Timekeeper]]''</ref>
The majority of the Vex avoid the Darkness, due to a combination of their inability to simulate paracausality and the fact that their ultimate goal of Convergence (an end state of the universe where only the Vex exist) means that they would have to overcome the Darkness. The Vex of the [[Sol Divisive]] however, worship the [[Black Heart]], an aspect of the Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Vex Axis Minds|Vex Axis Minds]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Vex Axis Minds#Sol Progeny|Sol Progeny]]''</ref>Osiris theorized that some Vex technology is tuned to react to the presence of the Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] - [[Grimoire:Activities/Crucible Arenas|Crucible Arenas]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Crucible Arenas#Timekeeper|Timekeeper]]''</ref>


Through unknown means, the Sol Inherent, a powerful subdivision of the [[Sol Divisive]], appear to have been exposed to the Darkness and changed by it somehow, causing them to take on malformed, organic, visceral appearances. Upon the deactivation of the [[Sanctified Mind, Sol Inherent|Sanctified Mind]], a structure behind it opens up to reveal a statue identical to the one found on the [[Pyramid]], hidden by a geometrical platform above which floats a [[Pyramid Scale]]. The significance of this is unknown.<ref name="GOS"/>
Through unknown means, the Sol Inherent, a powerful subdivision of the [[Sol Divisive]], appear to have been exposed to the Darkness and changed by it somehow, causing them to take on malformed, organic, visceral appearances. Upon the deactivation of the [[Sanctified Mind, Sol Inherent|Sanctified Mind]], a structure behind it opens up to reveal a statue identical to the one found on the Lunar Pyramid, hidden by a geometrical platform above which floats a [[Pyramid Scale]]. The significance of this is unknown.<ref name="GOS"/>


During the events of [[Shadowkeep]], Guardians faced [[Champion#List of Champions|Vex Champions]] who have been "touched" by the Darkness and were given newfound abilities to be on par against their powerful adversaries.<ref name="Stem the Dark"/>They were later encountered in high-level content such as Nightfalls.
During the events of [[Shadowkeep]], Guardians faced [[Champion#List of Champions|Vex Champions]] who have been "touched" by the Darkness and were given newfound abilities to be on par against their powerful adversaries.<ref name="Stem the Dark"/>They were later encountered in high-level content such as Nightfalls.
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[[File:TheNinePyramids.jpg|thumb|300px|The Emissary showing the Drifter the Darkness fleet]]
[[File:TheNinePyramids.jpg|thumb|300px|The Emissary showing the Drifter the Darkness fleet]]


The [[Awoken]] were once humans but were transformed during the Collapse upon reaching the edge of the [[asteroid belt]]. Beyond the belt, "the edge of the Deep Black", the system is totally immersed in Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Guardian/Races|Races]]: [[Grimoire:Guardian/Races#Awoken|Awoken]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Places/Saturn|Saturn]]: [[Grimoire:Places/Saturn#Saturn|Saturn]]''</ref> The events of their transformation were further detailed in the Lore book "Marasenna", which reveals that the Awoken were captured in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelblitz_(astrophysics) kugelblitz] formed by the Darkness and Light battling one another in the vicinity of the [[Yang Liwei]]. As a result of this event, the Awoken were reborn as beings containing both Light and Darkness within themselves.
The [[Awoken]] were once humans but were transformed during the Collapse upon reaching the edge of the [[Asteroid Belt]]. Beyond the belt, "the edge of the Deep Black", the system is totally immersed in Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Guardian/Races|Races]]: [[Grimoire:Guardian/Races#Awoken|Awoken]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Places/Saturn|Saturn]]: [[Grimoire:Places/Saturn#Saturn|Saturn]]''</ref> The events of their transformation were further detailed in the Lore book "Marasenna", which reveals that the Awoken were captured in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelblitz_(astrophysics) kugelblitz] formed by the Darkness and Light battling one another in the vicinity of the [[Yang Liwei]]. As a result of this event, the Awoken were reborn as beings containing both Light and Darkness within themselves.


During his possession by the [[Taken]] [[Ahamkara]] known as [[Riven]], [[Uldren Sov]] emitted streams of Darkness from his eyes to activate the gate of the [[Dreaming City]].<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Nothing Left to Say]]''</ref>
During his possession by the Taken [[Ahamkara]] known as Riven, Uldren Sov emitted streams of Darkness from his eyes to activate the gate of the [[Dreaming City]].<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Nothing Left to Say]]''</ref>


===Taken===
===Taken===
[[File:Oryx.gif|thumb|300px|Oryx demonstrating the power to Take]]
[[File:Oryx.gif|thumb|300px|Oryx demonstrating the power to Take]]


As demonstrated by the [[the Witness|Witness]] and [[Oryx, the Taken King]] the Darkness can be used to take direct possession of other beings, transforming them into [[Taken]]. When a being is Taken, they are warped into the Ascendant Plane, where they are reshaped into spectral ghost-like versions of their former selves, with new paracausal abilities and a single-minded dedication to the one that Took them.
As demonstrated by the Witness and Oryx, the Darkness can be used to take direct possession of other beings, transforming them into Taken. When a being is Taken, they are warped into the Ascendant Plane, where they are reshaped into spectral ghost-like versions of their former selves, with new paracausal abilities and a single-minded dedication to the one that Took them.


===Ecumene===
===Ecumene===
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*The tetrahedral shapes often seen in association with the Darkness allude to the philosophy of the Darkness, as presented in the Books of Sorrow and ''Unveiling''; tetrahedrons are the simplest possible three-dimensional shape, and the Darkness seeks to reduce the universe into a maximally simplified, eternal form. Notably, the Pyramids of the Black Fleet are themselves tetrahedrons, with each face being either a right, isosceles or regular triangle. In contrast, the Traveler is a sphere, which can be described as having infinitely many faces; this may allude to the philosophy of the Light, which encourages complexity and diversity.
*The tetrahedral shapes often seen in association with the Darkness allude to the philosophy of the Darkness, as presented in the Books of Sorrow and ''Unveiling''; tetrahedrons are the simplest possible three-dimensional shape, and the Darkness seeks to reduce the universe into a maximally simplified, eternal form. Notably, the Pyramids of the Black Fleet are themselves tetrahedrons, with each face being either a right, isosceles or regular triangle. In contrast, the Traveler is a sphere, which can be described as having infinitely many faces; this may allude to the philosophy of the Light, which encourages complexity and diversity.
*A teaser released on the official Destiny 2 Twitter page on the 29th of May 2020 features a 1:13 long video that plays audio that seems to fit the nature of the Darkness. The Video also features a typical soundbar background but the bars do not move in time with the audio itself, instead, they are frozen with some of the bars forming the shape of a small pyramid and a large pyramid. At the end of Season of Arrivals, it was revealed that these sounds were the ambience for the pillar room. Many of these sounds were reused for the Europan Pyramid's interior, mixed with the pulsing from the Lunar Pyramid.
*A teaser released on the official Destiny 2 Twitter page on the 29th of May 2020 features a 1:13 long video that plays audio that seems to fit the nature of the Darkness. The Video also features a typical soundbar background but the bars do not move in time with the audio itself, instead, they are frozen with some of the bars forming the shape of a small pyramid and a large pyramid. At the end of Season of Arrivals, it was revealed that these sounds were the ambience for the pillar room. Many of these sounds were reused for the Europan Pyramid's interior, mixed with the pulsing from the Lunar Pyramid.
*The theme that accompanies the Darkness and the Pyramids contains seven notes.
*The theme that accompanies the Darkness and the Pyramids contains seven notes.
*The Lore entry ''[[Nacre]]'', written by an anonymous entity, uses a similar tone as that used by the speaker in ''Unveiling'' and "''Majestic. Majestic''"; the speaker in ''Nacre'' also references "my sedimentary necrolite, frozen in time," which appears to reference the Witness' failed vision of the Final Shape, whether or not the speaker is the Darkness/Winnower is unconfirmed.
*The Lore entry of ''[[Nacre]]'', written by an anonymous entity, uses a similar tone as that used by the speaker in ''Unveiling'' and "''Majestic. Majestic''"; the speaker in ''Nacre'' also references "my sedimentary necrolite, frozen in time," which appears to reference the Witness' failed vision of the Final Shape, whether or not the speaker is the Darkness/Winnower is unconfirmed.
*In various Lore entries, entities associated with the Darkness are described as giving off the smell of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrichor petrichor] or wet soil.<ref name="War">'''Bungie (2024/10/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Revenant]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Garden-Way|The Garden-Way]], [[Lore:The Garden-Way#War|War]]''</ref><ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/interactions/relic-conduit-the-hidden-shape?highlight=petrichor</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2018/12/07)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Forge]] - [[Lore]]:[[Lore:The Black Armory Papers|The Black Armory Papers]]: [[Lore:The Black Armory Papers#Entry 70, 71, 72|Entry 70, 71, 72]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Above All Else#II. The Whispering Dark|Above All Else: I. The Whispering Dark]]''</ref> The significance of this, if any, is unknown.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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*''[[Destiny 2]]''
*''[[Destiny 2]]''
*''[[Destiny: Fall of Osiris]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Destiny: Fall of Osiris]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume I]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Mysterious Logbook]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Mysterious Logbook]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume III]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[The Hidden Dossier]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[The Hidden Dossier]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Bitter]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Bitter]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Entelechy]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Entelechy]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Destiny Grimoire Anthology, Volume VII]]'' {{Mo}}


==References==
==References==
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