Hidden Swarm: Difference between revisions

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{{Hive Sect infobox
{{Hive Brood infobox
|image= [[File:Grimoire Hidden Swarm.jpg|300px]]
|image= [[File:HiddenSwarmInfobox.jpg|300px]]
|name= Hidden Swarm
|name= Hidden Swarm
|purpose= Frontline Military
|purpose= Serve [[Crota, Son of Oryx]] and his [[Spawn of Crota|spawn]] <br> Serve [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen]] {{c|formerly}} <br> Serve [[Xivu Arath, God of War]] <br> Frontline Military
|champion(s)= [[Swarm Princes]] (deceased) <br> [[Xyor, the Unwed]] (deceased) <br> [[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota]] (deceased) <br> [[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]]  
|champion(s)= [[Swarm Princes]] <br> [[Xyor, the Unwed]] <br> [[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota]] <br> [[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]]
|realm= [[Cosmodrome]] <br> [[Hellmouth]] <br> [[Scarlet Keep]]
|realm= [[Cosmodrome]] <br> [[Hellmouth]] <br> [[Scarlet Keep]]
|war= [[Vanguard]] <br> [[House of Devils]] <br> [[House of Exile]] <br> [[Taniks' Crew]] <br> [[Devil Splicers]] <br> [[House of Dusk]] <br> [[Sol Divisive]] <br> [[Lucent Brood]]
|ally= [[Spawn of Crota]] {{C|absorbed}} <br> [[Blood of Oryx]] <br> [[Taken]] <br> [[Savathûn's Brood]] {{c|formerly}} <br> [[Nightmare]]s <br>  [[Xivu Arath's Horde]] <br> [[Wrathborn]]
|encountered= [[Rise of the Young Wolf]] <br> [[Crota's Assault]] <br> [[Wolf Rebellion]] <br> [[SIVA Crisis]] <br> [[Haunting of the Moon]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|Mind the cracks and crevices of the Moon. There is an army in their shadows.|[[Ikora Rey]]}}
{{Quote|Mind the cracks and crevices of the Moon. There is an army in their shadows.|[[Ikora Rey]]}}
The '''Hidden Swarm''' are a brood of the [[Hive]] under the command of the Hive god [[Crota]] and his [[Spawn of Crota|disciples]], lead by the [[Swarm Princes]] under their commander [[Sardon, Fist of Crota]].  
The '''Hidden Swarm''' are a brood of the [[Hive]] previously under the command of the Hive god [[Crota]] and his [[Spawn of Crota|disciples]], led by the [[Swarm Princes]] under their commander [[Sardon, Fist of Crota]]. Since Crota's [[Crota's End|demise]] and the genocide of his spawn, the Swarm became the de facto Hive power on the Moon, led by Crota's own daughters.


Since they're the first Hive encountered in [[The Dark Within]]. On the [[Moon]], they're the outermost defensive line, warding off anyone attempting to enter the [[Hellmouth]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014-9-9)''', ''Destiny, PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies#The_Hidden_Swarm|The Hidden Swarm]]''</ref> They are identified by their red-orange coloring and the large nails driven through their arms and bodies. This sect of hive is encountered once more on Luna in ''Shadowkeep'', their general look remains the same compared to Savathûn's hive but they now seem to have some form of spiked growth all over their bodies.
The Hidden Swarm are the first Hive encountered in [[The Dark Within]]. On the [[Moon]], they're the outermost defensive line, warding off anyone attempting to enter the [[Hellmouth]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive|Hive]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive#The_Hidden_Swarm|The Hidden Swarm]]''</ref> They are identified by their red-orange coloring and the large nails driven through their arms and bodies. This sect of Hive is encountered once more on Luna in ''[[Shadowkeep]]''; their general look is similar to before, but they now seem to have some form of spiked growth all over their bodies.
 
Following their repeated defeats and setbacks, they would fall under the sway of [[Xivu Arath, God of War]].  


==History==
==History==
===Arrival in the Solar System===
===Arrival in the Solar System===
When [[Crota, Son of Oryx]] and his spawn arrived at the Solar System and took over the [[Moon]], The Hidden Swarm served as the beachhead force for Crota's staged invasion of Earth and also tasked with protecting their newly erected lunar strongholds, the most infamous, the [[Hellmouth]]. As they silently build their strength over the centuries, a [[Titan]] named [[Rezyl Azzir]] happen to intrude upon the Hellmouth and met with the Hive Wizard [[Xyor, the Unwed|Xyor, the Blessed]] and her consort Knight. Though Rezyl survived his encounter, it would ultimately be Xyor's plan to curse the Titan with her dark whispers into becoming the infamous [[Dredgen Yor]].
When [[Crota, Son of Oryx]] and his spawn arrived at the Solar System during the [[Collapse]] and took over the [[Moon]] as their territory, the Hidden Swarm served as their beachhead force and were also tasked with protecting their newly erected lunar strongholds, the most infamous of which being the [[Hellmouth]]. As they silently built their strength over the years for a staged invasion of Earth, a [[Titan (class)|Titan]] named [[Rezyl Azzir]] happened to intrude upon the Hellmouth and met with the Hive Wizard [[Xyor, the Unwed|Xyor, the Blessed]] and her consort Knight. Though Rezyl survived his encounter, it would ultimately be Xyor's plan to curse the Titan with her dark whispers into becoming the infamous [[Dredgen Yor]].<ref> '''Bungie (2016/20/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] - [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries|Legends & Mysteries]]: [[Grimoire: Allies/Legends & Mysteries#Legends and Mysteries: Rezyl Azzir|Legends and Mysteries: Rezyl Azzir]]''</ref><ref> '''Bungie (2017/28/3)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Age of Triumph]] - [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries|Legends & Mysteries]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/Legends & Mysteries#Legend: Rezyl Azzir - The Triumphant Fall | Legend: Rezyl Azzir - The Triumphant Fall]]'' </ref>


During the early [[City Age]], the Hidden Swarm launched their [[Seeder Ship]]s throughout [[Earth]] and engaged the [[Light]]-bearing [[Guardians]] at the [https://www.destinypedia.com/Grimoire:Activities/Crucible_Arenas#The_Rusted_Lands| Rusted Lands] in the Eastern Flooded Zone; only one surviving [[Hunter]] warned the City of the Hive threat. Against overwhelming odds, the Guardians barely succeeded in repealing their forces at the [[Battle of Burning Lake]], only to fail at their counteroffensive at the [[Great Disaster]] on the Moon.
During the early [[City Age]], the Hidden Swarm launched their [[Seeder Ship]]s throughout [[Earth]] and engaged the [[Light]]bearing [[Guardian]]s at the [[Rusted Lands]] in the Eastern Flooded Zone; only one surviving [[Hunter]] warned the City of the Hive threat. <ref> '''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] -  [[Grimoire :Activities/Crucible Arenas|Crucible Arenas]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Crucible Arenas#The Rusted Lands|The Rusted Lands]]''</ref>
Against overwhelming odds, the Guardians barely succeeded in repelling their forces at the [[Battle of Burning Lake]], only to fail at their counteroffensive at the [[Great Disaster]] on the Moon.<ref> '''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] -  [[Grimoire:Inventory/Heavy Weapons|Heavy Weapons]]: [[Grimoire:Inventory/Heavy Weapons#Raze-Lighter|Raze-Lighter]]''</ref><ref> '''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Letters from Eris|Letters from Eris]]: [[Lore:Letters from Eris#Regarding the Great Disaster|Regarding the Great Disaster]]'' </ref>


===Dark Below===
===Dark Below===
Unopposed after their victory at Luna, the Hidden Swarm continued to seed their brood in secret beneath [[Old Russia]] for millenia, until [[Fallen]] from the [[House of Devils]] stirred them up at [[Skywatch]] much to the discovery of a newly-Risen [[The Guardian|Guardian]]. With word reaching the [[Speaker]] about the resurgence of Hive activity on Earth, the Guardian was sent to investigate the [[Hellmouth]] for answers. What they found confirmed that the [[Hive]] was preparing a second invasion of Earth; this time also attacking the dormant [[Traveler]] in a ritual to drain its [[Light]] using a lost shard of it. The ritual was thwarted but the threat of the Hive remained; one which would be addressed by the former-Lightbearer [[Eris Morn]].
[[File:HiddenSwarm1.jpg|thumb|300px|Swarm Prince battling a Guardian]]


Having sworn vengeance on the Hive and their master Crota for the losses of her [[Light]], [[Ghost]], and [[First Crota Fireteam|fireteam]], Eris took tactical control over the [[Guardian]] operations as they work to dismantle the [[Spawn of Crota|leadership]] behind the Hidden Swarm, including the legendary [[Swarm Princes]] (whom forged Crota's infamous Sword) and their commander [[Sardon, Fist of Crota]] (whom lead the Hive spawn on Earth). Eventually Crota fell to the Guardians, with word of his death would reach his father: [[Oryx, the Taken King]].
Unopposed after their victory at Luna, the Hidden Swarm continued to seed their brood in secret beneath [[Old Russia]] for years, until [[Fallen]] from the [[House of Devils]] stirred them up at [[Skywatch]] much to the discovery of a newly-Risen [[The Guardian|Guardian]]. <ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[The Dark Within]]''</ref>
 
With word reaching the [[Speaker]] about the resurgence of Hive activity on Earth, a Vanguard scout was sent to investigate the fortified [[Hellmouth]] for answers; His trail lead him to the entrance of the [[Temple of Crota]] only to be killed by the Hive. His [[Ghost]] was held captive by [[Vurok, Eir Spawn]] who probed it of information for study; the Ghost would likewise gain glimpses of the [[Seeder Ship]]s prepared for invasion before expiring. Coming to the Moon for the first time, the Guardian would trace the deceased scout's location, where they faced Vurok and recovered the dead Ghost. From probing its memories, they soon got confirmation that the Hive were indeed preparing a second attack on Earth.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive|Hive]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Hive#Ghost Fragment: Hive 2|Ghost Fragment: Hive 2]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''' ''[[Destiny]] - [[The Dark Beyond]]''</ref>
 
Upon further inspection of the dead Ghost's memories, the Guardian's Ghost uncovered the existence of [[The World's Grave]], a vast archive chronicling everything that the Hive had known of Earth. Delving into the depths of the [[Hellmouth]] in search of insight into the enemy, the pair killed [[Kranox, the Graven]] and loot his key to the archive itself. Upon further investigation, the two would fully realize the scope of the Hive's plans of seeding the Earth for centuries in preparation for Crota's second coming. They would warn the City of the impending danger.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[The World's Grave (mission)|The World's Grave]]''</ref> 
 
By then, the Hive had begun a ritual draining the [[Light]] of the [[Traveler]] using a corrupted shard of it, causing the Speaker to issue an emergency broadcast to all Guardians to stop it. The Guardian would answer the call, battling deep through the [[Hellmouth]] and into the [[Chamber of Night]] where they were successful in stopping the [[Siphon Witch]]es of their ritual.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Chamber of Night (mission)|Chamber of Night]]''</ref>
 
At the same time, the Wizard [[Mormu, Xol Spawn]] had raised an unstoppable abomination called [[Phogoth, the Untamed]], a massive [[Spawn of Crota|Crota-spawn]] [[Ogre]] bred for destruction since the Great Disaster. Because of its savage nature, Phogoth was kept alive through foul rituals of rebirth and chained up in the Summoning Pits. However, their activity quickly alerted the [[Vanguard]] who called a [[The Summoning Pits|strike]] team to action, killing Mormu and destroying her creation before the Hive could unleash it upon Earth.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive|Exalted Hive]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive#Phogoth,_the_Untamed|Phogoth, the Untamed]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[The Summoning Pits]]''</ref>
 
The Guardians would later come to the Hellmouth seeking [[Thorn]], the most infamous of the [[Weapons of Sorrow]] once wielded by [[Dredgen Yor]] after he was corrupted by [[Xyor, the Unwed]] into becoming a [[Guardian]] killer. After recovering the cursed [[Hand Cannon]] in the Summoning Pits and cleansing it with [[Light]], the Guardians killed the Wizard responsible for Thorn's creation as a final step to claiming the weapon as their own.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[A Light in the Dark (Year 1)|A Light in the Dark]]''</ref>
 
The Hive's activity were pacified thanks to the actions of the Guardians, but the threat of Crota's return remained; one which would be addressed by the former-Lightbearer [[Eris Morn]]. Having sworn vengeance on the Hive and their master Crota for the losses of her [[Light]], [[Ghost]], and [[First Crota Fireteam|fireteam]], Eris took tactical control over the [[Guardian]] operations as they work to dismantle the [[Spawn of Crota|leadership]] behind the Hidden Swarm, including the legendary [[Swarm Princes]], who forged Crota's infamous Sword) and their commander [[Sardon, Fist of Crota]], whom led the Hive spawn on Earth.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''[[Destiny]] - [[The Sword of Crota]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Dark Below]] - [[Fist of Crota]]''</ref> Eventually, Crota fell to the Guardians, though word of his death would reach his father: [[Oryx, the Taken King]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Dark Below]] - [[Crota's End]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] -  [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted Hive|Exalted Hive]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Exalted_Hive#Oryx.2C_the_Taken_King|Oryx, the Taken King]]''</ref>
 
===SIVA Crisis===
{{quote|This is worst-case scenario. The Splicers aren't in a territorial war with the Hive; they're experimenting on them.|[[Ghost]]}}
Following a year after the Taken War and the death of their God-King, the Hidden Swarm on Earth still appear to be organized but hunkered down in their nests, and have recently gone into conflict with the [[SIVA]]-augmented Fallen [[Devil Splicers]] in the [[Plaguelands]].<ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]]''</ref> Soon enough, the ambitions of the Splicers, led by [[Kovik, Splicer Priest]], extend to experiment on not only themselves but the Hive as well, whether to control them as a slave army or to weaponize their mysterious biology. Furious, the Hive began an all-out war with the Splicers. Through the efforts of the Guardians (not out of pity), the Fallen's efforts to control or weaponize the Hive were thwarted and Kovik was killed.<ref>'''Bungie (2016/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]] - [[The Wretched Eye]]''</ref>


===Shadowkeep===
===Shadowkeep===
[[File:HiddenSwarm5.jpg|thumb|300px|Hidden Swarm remerges]]
{{Quote|Crota's minions emerge once more. The Hidden Swarm that previously served Crota has banded together once again, leaderless but not purposeless.|[[Eris Morn]]}}
{{Quote|Crota's minions emerge once more. The Hidden Swarm that previously served Crota has banded together once again, leaderless but not purposeless.|[[Eris Morn]]}}
Years after Crota's death and that of Oryx, the Hive on Luna would remain relatively quiet. As the attention of the Guardians became preoccupied by the chaos of the [[Red War]], the conflicts on Mercury, Mars and in the Reef, the Hive on Luna would be overlooked. As a result of numerous deaths, the various broods on the moon consolidated into the Hidden Swarm, becoming the ''de facto'' Hive power on the moon. Rallying under the banner of the scheming Daughters of Crota, led by [[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota|Hashladûn]], the Hidden Swarm sought power to turn their situation around. The discovery of the [[Pyramid]] beneath Luna's surface by Eris Morn provided such an opportunity.


Hashladûn and her coven of sisters sought to use the Pyramid's power and connection to the Darkness to provide them the means to turn their situation to their advantage and exact vengeance against the Guardians for ravaging their lineage. Using a forbidden piece of arcane knowledge, the [[Cryptoglyph]], Hashladûn and her sisters managed to create phantasmal [[Nightmares]] based on the Guardians' traumas and the necessary armor to shield themselves against the Pyramid's influence. Further Hashladûn had the Hidden Swarm construct a massive crimson fortress, the [[Scarlet Keep]], that would act as an amplifier for their magics and to defend the Pyramid. However, the Hidden Swarm's resurgence would catch the attention of [[Eris Morn]], whom called upon the [[Vanguard]] to commit their forces to Luna, sending in the Guardian to push back the Hive.
Years after Crota and Oryx's deaths, the Hive on Luna would remain relatively quiet. As the attention of the Guardians became preoccupied with the chaos of the [[Red War]], the conflicts on [[Curse of Osiris|Mercury]], [[Warmind (expansion)|Mars]], and in [[Forsaken|the Reef]], the Hive on Luna would be overlooked. As a result of numerous deaths, the various broods on the Moon consolidated into the Hidden Swarm, becoming the "de facto" Hive power on the moon. However, the toll of the [[Taken War]] had left the Hidden Swarm bereft of warriors of a caliber befitting royalty that could lead the Hive on the Moon.<ref name = "FiB">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|X: Faith in Bone]]''</ref> Crota's brood rallied around the strongest of his children: his four daughters [[Besurith, Daughter of Crota|Besurith]], [[Kinox]], [[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota|Hashladûn]], and [[Voshyr]].<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Toland, the Shattered]]: [[Toland, the Shattered#Quotes|"When Oryx fell, Crota's brood rallied around the strongest of his surviving children, reaffirming their belief in the logic, accepting their loss. But deep in the hearts of four of Crota's daughters - Besurith, Kinox, Hashladûn, and Voshyr - a seed of doubt quietly took root. They resolve to lead their leaderless Swarm toward a new dawn and slaughter all who stood in their way."]]''</ref> While the Swarm attempted to reaffirm their belief in the sword logic, the daughters of Crota held faith in the belief of Oryx's second coming and schemed to recapture the greatness of their lineage.<ref name="Faith in Bone">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#X: Faith in Bone|X: Faith in Bone]]''</ref>
 
Hashladûn and her coven of sisters contemplated the inactive [[Pyramid (Luna)|Lunar Pyramid's]] power and its connection to the Darkness as a means to conjure back their grandfather, the fallen Oryx, and exact their vengeance against the Guardians for ravaging their lineage. However, the Hidden Swarm was soon marred by corruption and conspiracy from within, as a Knight named [[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment|Zulmak]] was gaining favor through combat in the Pit and threatened to succeed leadership of the Swarm much to the Daughters' contempt.<ref name="Faith in Bone"/>
 
Meanwhile, a coven of Hive siblings had their own conspiracy to usurp the Daughters using the forbidden art of Unmaking in defiance of Oryx's Sword-Logic.<ref name="A Sinister Plot">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#V: A Sinister Plot|V: A Sinister Plot]]''</ref>
Together with her [[Deathsinger]] sister [[Ir Airâm, Deathsinger|Azavath]] and her Knight brother [[Akrazul, the Severed]], [[Malkanth, the Deceiver]] enacts a ritual to
cleave Azavath's body together with the essence of her brother.<ref name="The Unmaking pt.II">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#IX.II: The Unmaking|IX.II: The Unmaking]]''</ref>  Their conspiracy failed as Akrazul's rage proved too much for Malkanth to contain and the newly remade Azavath impales his blade into Malkanth's sternum, fatally killing her.<ref name="Apocrypha pt.IX.X">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#IX.X: Apocrypha|IX.X: Apocrypha]]''</ref> Wielding dual [[Cleaver]]s, the now possessed Deathsinger unleashes havoc upon the Pit; butchering Zulmak and the congregation of the Scarlet Court until she is unmade by the [[Deathsong]] sung by the reborn Malkanth (whose body was in turn possessed by the real Azavath and became Ir Airâm). Hashladûn and her sisters would also find the opportunity to assassinate their enemies under the chaos of Azavath's warpath. With their leadership secure, the Daughters began their plans to return their father to glory.<ref name="The Anti-Logic">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#XI: The Anti-Logic|XI: The Anti-Logic]]''</ref>


The Guardian would soon enter the Scarlet Keep to investigate but would soon discover the Pyramid and encounter the Nightmares for the first time, nearly getting overwhelmed as the Nightmares took the form of Crota, [[Dominus Ghaul]] and [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]]. Fortunately, Eris Morn would rescue the Guardian and soon leads the charge against the Hidden Swarm. Gaining the Vanguard's support, Eris Morn guides the Guardians into dismantling the Hidden Swarms power base while seeking a way to enter the Pyramid. The Guardians would soon enough confront Hashladûn herself within the Scarlet Keep, managing to slay the eldest of Crota's daughters at the peak of the Tower of Woe. Further, the Guardians risked the darkness of the Hive's most forbidden sanctum, the Catacombs, to acquire the Cryptoglyph so Eris can create armor to combat the Nightmares, slaying [[Besurith, Daughter of Crota]] in the process. Such actions were critical blows to the Hidden Swarm but they would remain a threat the Guardians continue to fight against as well as containing the Nightmares.
Over the course of months, the Hidden Swarm constructed a massive crimson fortress, the [[Scarlet Keep]], before the [[Pyramid]] that would act as an amplifier for their magics and to immunize themselves of the Pyramid's trauma-inducing influence.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Eris Morn]]: [[Eris Morn#Quotes|"The energy spilling from the tower suggests another purpose: I believe it amplifies Hive magic. This may be where the Hive achieve their immunity to the Pyramid's influences."]]''</ref> By then, the whole Swarm were fully radicalized under the Daughters' heretical belief in the Taken King's return and the complete disavowal of the [[Sword Logic]].<ref name="Poison"> '''Bungie (2019/9/16)''', ''[[Weblore:Shadowkeep]] - [[Weblore:Shadowkeep#Poison|Poison]]''</ref> However, it would later be revealed to every event that happened prior was all part of a massive plot orchestrated by [[Savathûn, the Witch-Queen]], to wipe the remaining heirs of her late brother's lineage at the [[Guardians]]' hands. <ref name="Apocrypha pt.XI.X">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned|Inquisition of the Damned]]: [[Lore:Inquisition of the Damned#XI.X: Apocrypha|XI.X: Apocrypha]]''</ref> She would in turn manipulate [[Eris Morn]] of her curiosity into uncovering the Lunar Pyramid hidden beneath the surface.<ref> '''Bungie (2019/9/16)''', ''[[Weblore:Shadowkeep]] - [[Weblore:Shadowkeep#THE BLACK NEEDLE |THE BLACK NEEDLE]]''</ref>


====Return of Zulmak====
[[File:HiddenSwarm.jpg|thumb|300px|Nightmares and the Hidden Swarm]]
Currently, the last of Crota's spawn, Voshyr, and Kinox, remain in hiding, seeking power regardless of the means going against the Sword-Logic to ensure that the legacy of their father and grandfather does not fade. The remaining daughters of Crota then make use of a weapon they gained following a conspiracy within the Pit beneath the Scarlet Keep, a powerful knight that became their puppet named [[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]]. Using demented rituals that involved sacrificing Nightmares to an Ascendant Crystal to empower Zulmak, the daughter of Crota aimed to use their puppet to stand against the Guardians. However, as their Altars of Sorrow rituals caused seismic disturbances, the Guardians were alerted to their activities.


Delving deep beneath the Keep, the Guardians explored the black Pit and encountered powerful Hive, Disciples of the Broken Blade. After slaying each disciple and solving intricate puzzles, the Guardians managed to reach Zulmak's lair, the [[Cradle of Damnation]]. There, the Guardians face off with the Daughter's puppet but despite his strength and his Ascendant Crystal, the Guardians used his own Swords and magic against him, allowing the Guardians to slay him. However, due to the Daughter's forbidden use of necromantic sorcery, Zulmak continually revives after every slaying, forcing the Guardians to return to the Pit and kill Zulmak.
Eventually, the discovery of the [[Pyramid]] by [[Eris Morn]] unleashed phantasmal [[Nightmares]] based on the Guardians' traumas that the Swarm could exploit. Within hours, seismic activity erupted across the Moon, cracking its surface at the [[Ocean of Storms]] and driving the Hive into a frenzy; to which the [[Vanguard]] would deploy a massive siege operation upon the gates of the Keep and secure ground at [[Sorrow's Harbor]].<ref name="A Mysterious Disturbance">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[A Mysterious Disturbance]]''</ref>


==Notable Members==
The Guardian would soon enter the Scarlet Keep to investigate Eris' whereabouts but would soon discover the Pyramid and encounter the Nightmares for the first time, nearly getting overwhelmed as the Nightmares took the form of Crota, [[Dominus Ghaul]] and [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]]. Fortunately, Eris Morn would rescue the Guardian and soon take charge of operations against the Hidden Swarm. Gaining the Vanguard's support, Eris Morn guided the Guardians into dismantling the Hidden Swarm's power base while seeking a way to enter the Pyramid.<ref name="A Mysterious Disturbance"/>
*[[Swarm Princes]] - Leaders&dagger;
 
The Hive began experimenting to summon Nightmares near the Scarlet Keep starting with the [[Nightmare of Gothrax, Swarm Protector]].<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[In Search of Answers]]''</ref> Using a forbidden piece of arcane knowledge, the [[Cryptoglyph]], Hashladûn and her sisters experimented on the phantasmal Nightmares created by the Pyramid only for their efforts to be fruitless as they could not raise their father nor grandfather; their essences having truly dissipated and that the Nightmares were not alive. Kinox instead encouraged her sisters to act by [[Necromancy|reanimating]] the fallen Zulmak as their puppet champion; whose essence was gifted to them by the Witch Queen herself. Besurith and Voshyr would recover the Knight's husk and Hashladûn infused him with phantasmal power of the Nightmares.<ref name="Heretic">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Item Description: [[Heretic#Lore|Heretic]]''</ref>
Unfortuately, the Guardians would soon confront Hashladûn herself within the Keep, slaying the eldest of Crota's daughters at the peak of the Tower of Woe.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[The Scarlet Keep]]''</ref> Further on, the Guardians braved the darkness of the Hive's most forbidden sanctum, the [[Catacombs]], to acquire the Cryptoglyph so Eris could create armor to combat the Nightmares, slaying [[Besurith, Daughter of Crota]] in the process.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[In the Deep]]''</ref> Such actions were critical blows to the Hidden Swarm but they would remain a threat the Guardians continue to fight against as well as containing the Nightmares.
 
====Pit of Heresy====
[[File:HiddenSwarm6.jpg|thumb|300px|The Instrument of Torment, Zulmak]]
{{Quote|If all are unworthy, all will seek to subvert the tenets of logic in ways grand and infinitesimal, because all will revert to their truest form—all will become survivors.|Kinox}} <ref name="Apostate">'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Item Description: [[Apostate#Lore|Apostate]]''</ref>
For several weeks after their sisters' deaths, [[Voshyr]] and [[Kinox]] would remain in hiding in the Pit to continue their heretical work; going against the Sword Logic for the sake of survival. Having learned from Hashladûn's failed attempt to preserve their family's past glory, Kinox took the opportunity to make use of Zulmak as their champion to rally the failing Swarm.<ref name="Heretic"/> <ref name="Apostate"/> Using demented rituals that involved sacrificing Nightmares into a crystal, the surviving daughters of Crota enacted a dark yet desperate ritual to commune with the [[Voice in the Darkness]]. However, as their [[Altars of Sorrow|rituals]] caused seismic disturbances, Eris and the Guardians were alerted to their activities.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Transcript:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hev8IF4neTw The Deepening Wake]''</ref>
 
Delving deep beneath the Keep, the Guardians explored the [[Pit of Heresy]] and encountered powerful Hive, Disciples of the Broken Blade. After slaying each disciple and solving intricate puzzles, the Guardians managed to reach the ritual taking place in Zulmak's lair, the [[Cradle of Damnation]]. There, the Guardians faced off with the Daughters' champion but despite his strength and the power gained from the sacrificed Nightmares, the Guardians used his own Cleavers and Hive magic against him, bringing the monster down and thwarting the ritual.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[Pit of Heresy]]''</ref> However, due to the Daughters' desire for revenge, they would remain active and plotting to attempt the same ritual over again in the unknown future.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/29)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - Transcript:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=genP9gQOaL0 Lingering Torment]''</ref>
 
===The Scarlet Court's Fall===
{{Quote|There it is. Along with the entire Scarlet Court. Crota's remaining children, and their spawn, can be destroyed in one fell swoop.|Osiris}}
During the year since the events of Shadowkeep, [[Voshyr]] and [[Kinox]] had both heirs and children of their own - more nobles to Oryx's lineage.
 
A full year after Hashladûn's demise left the lunar Hive leaderless, the broken Swarm began calling out to [[Xivu Arath, God of War]] in wake of the [[Black Fleet]]'s [[Season of Arrivals|arrival]] and prayed to be recommitted into the fold.<ref name="Fang of Xivu Arath">'''Bungie (2020/11/16)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Hunt]] - Item Description: [[Fang of Xivu Arath#Lore|Fang of Xivu Arath]]''</ref> Acting as the God of War's envoy, the [[High Celebrant of Xivu Arath]] came to Luna to wrestle the Swarm free of the exiled [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Witch Queen's]] plans and instead reform Luna in [[Xivu Arath, God of War|Xivu Arath's]] image: A world where all tithes were tribute to her. Almost a week after the [[Beyond Light|events]] on [[Europa]], the warlock [[Osiris]] had also tracked the most potent of the Cryptoliths' signals across the Solar System to the Moon. Beneath the shadow of the Lunar Pyramid, Osiris found the entirety of the Scarlet Court, including the remaining kin of Crota, communing with a visage of Xivu Arath alongside her High Celebrant. <ref name="Immolant"/>
 
In an audacious and "suicidal" move as described by [[Sagira]], Osiris descended upon the gathering as the mighty Phoenix he was and began to slaughter the court. Voshyr and her two daughters [[Yishra]] and [[Ayriax]] were the first to perish before they could even finish their incantation - incinerated by Osiris' [[Daybreak]]. Kinox was also vanquished attempting to flee into the crevices with her son [[Ulg'Urin]] and his cohort of Knights having died in defense of a massive [[Nova Bomb]]. The remaining lesser nobles were killed in the slaughter, which filled the Hive god of war with power from the Warlock's violence. Osiris was then stripped of his supers when the visage and will of Xivu Arath emanating from the large Cryptolith taunted him. Osiris was pinned and around him were cleaved Runes in the stone by the High Celebrant. In a stunning and tragic act, Sagira broke through the oppressive force Xivu projected that was slowly killing Osiris and sacrificed herself - destroying the Cryptolith and projection, saving Osiris but leaving him Ghostless. The light in the place of Sagira's sacrifice remained for days.<ref name="Immolant">'''Bungie (2020/11/13)''', ''[[Weblore:Season of the Hunt]] - [[Weblore:Season of the Hunt#Immolant Pt. 2 | Immolant Pt. 2]]''</ref>
 
With the demise of the Scarlet Court came the end of the Taken King's lineage with no surviving heirs of Crota left; the remaining Hive had pledged themselves to Xivu Arath as their only master. One Knight, [[Kelgorath, Risen from Bones]] would renounce his ties to Savathûn and leave the Swarm to become a powerful [[Wrathborn]] in service of the Hive god of war. According to him, Xivu Arath had rightfully avenged the deaths of Crota's kin by taking away Osiris' [[Light]] and [[Ghost]]. <ref name="Risen from Bones ">'''Bungie (2021/08/07)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Lost]] - [[Lore:Ripples|Ripples]]: [[Lore:Ripples#III - Risen from Bones|III - Risen from Bones]]''</ref>
 
===Lucent Feud===
Following the loss of the Scarlet Court, the Hidden Swarm would fully pledge themselves to Xivu Arath, countinuing to maintain a foothold in the Scarlet Keep in her name. However, the Hidden Swarm would come into conflict with the [[Lucent Brood]], the servants of Savathûn who abandoned their worms and now use the Light. The Lucent Brood intended to claim the Keep, planning on making it the center of a massive ritual using stolen Light to open a portal large enough to launch an invasion of Earth. The Hidden Swarm would fight to keep their holdings on the Moon but would also clash with the Guardians and their new [[Cabal]] allies in their efforts to stop the Lucent Brood's invasion.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Risen]] - [[PsiOps Battlegrounds|PsiOps Battleground]]: [[PsiOps Battleground: Moon|Moon]]''</ref>
 
==Notable members==
[[File:Grimoire_Hidden_Swarm.jpg|thumb|200px|The Hidden Swarm]]
===Leadership===
*'''[[Swarm Princes]]''' {{c|pre-''The Dark Below''}}
**[[Banuk, Ur Prince]]
**[[Banuk, Ur Prince]]
**[[Dakoor, Yul Prince]]
**[[Dakoor, Yul Prince]]
**[[Garok, Xol Prince]]
**[[Garok, Xol Prince]]
**[[Merok, Eir Prince]]
**[[Merok, Eir Prince]]
*Daughters of [[Crota]] - Acting leaders
*'''Scarlet Court''' {{c|Shadowkeep}}
**[[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Besurith, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Besurith, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Voshyr, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Voshyr|Voshyr, Daughter of Crota]]
**[[Kinox, Daughter of Crota]]
***[[Ayriax|Ayriax, Daughter of Voshyr]]
***[[Yishra|Yishra, Daughter of Voshyr]]
**[[Kinox|Kinox, Daughter of Crota]]
***[[Ulg'Urin|Ulg'Urin, Son of Kinox]]
*'''[[Xivu Arath, God of War]]''' {{c|post-Shadowkeep}}
 
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
 
===Hive Champions===
*[[Blade of the Monarch]]
*[[Blade of the Monarch]]
*[[Bone Collector]]
*[[Devoted of Ir Yût]]
*[[Ehrath'ur, Eternal Blade]]
*[[Gotra, Eir Spawn]]
*[[Gotra, Eir Spawn]]
*[[Gothrax, Protector of the Swarm]]
*[[Gothrax, Protector of the Swarm]]
*[[Ir Absuul, First Aria]]
*[[Ir Airâm, Deathsinger]]
*[[Ir Nagash, Second Aria]]
*[[Ir Sûfra, Third Aria]]
*[[Kranox, the Graven]]
*[[Kranox, the Graven]]
*[[Lisknis, the Devils Executor]]
*[[Malura, the Fated]]
*[[Mormu, Xol Spawn]]
*[[Mormu, Xol Spawn]]
*[[Räkta, the Mournful]]
*[[Räkta, the Mournful]]
*[[Siphon Witch]]
*[[Sullied Ogre]]
*[[Sulmâkta, High Conductor]]
*[[Telthor, Unborn]]
*[[Telthor, Unborn]]
*[[Umra, Xol Spawn]]
*[[Umra, Xol Spawn]]
*[[Velnith, Wealthkeeper]]
*[[Volmâr, the Tempted]]
*[[Vurok, Eir Spawn]]
*[[Vurok, Eir Spawn]]
*[[Wrath of the Swarm]]
*[[Xyor, the Unwed]]
*[[Xyor, the Unwed]]
*[[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]]
*[[Zulmak, Instrument of Torment]]
{{Col-2}}
===Former Members===
*[[Kelgorath, Risen from Bones]]
===Mentioned Characters===
*[[Akrazul, the Severed]]
*[[Kuldax]] {{c|presumably}}
*[[Malkanth, the Deceiver]]
{{Col-end}}
==Unique forces==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;[[Thrall]] variants
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Revenant Thrall]]
;[[Cursed Thrall]] variants
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
;[[Acolyte]] variants
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Revenant Acolyte]]
;[[Knight]] variants
*[[Accursed Swordbearer]]
*[[Blistered Knight]]
*[[Brood Enforcer]]
*[[Fissure Knight]]
*[[Heretical Knight]]
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Might of the Broken Blade]]
*[[Pit Keeper]]
*[[Revenant Knight]]
*[[Trove Guardian]]
*[[Wealthkeeper]]
;[[Darkblade]] variants
*[[Apocalyptic Blade]]
*[[Malevolent Blade]]
{{Col-2}}
;[[Wizard]] variants
*[[Apprentice of the Cryptoglyph]]
*[[Brood Mother]]
*[[Blistered Wizard]]
*[[Deathsinger]]
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Malevolent Ritualist]]
*[[Omen of the Broken Blade]]
*[[Revenant Wizard]]
*[[Scholar of the Cryptoglyph]]
*[[Siphon Witch]]
*[[Ugul Gar Wizard]]
*[[Worm Keeper]]
;[[Ogre]] variants
*[[Blistered Ogre]]
*[[Fissure Ogre]]
*[[Harrowing Pariah]]
*[[Infernal Ogre]]
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Revenant Ogre]]
*[[Unstoppable Ogre]]
;[[Shrieker]] variants
*[[Eye of the Swarm]]
*[[Luminous Eye]]
*[[Lunar Scavenger]]
*[[Oracle of the Broken Blade]]
*[[Unhallowed Shrieker]]
{{Col-end}}
==Trivia==
*In the Cryptoglyphs given in the physical Shadowkeep Collector's Edition, it is revealed that the Hidden Swarm believes that Oryx is still alive in a spiritual sense. Their basis for this belief is in the [[Books of Sorrow]] describing Oryx killing his sisters in their throne worlds and later bringing them back after gaining the power to [[Taken|Take]].
*In ''[[Season of the Deep]]'', the Hive encountered on [[Salvage (activity)|Titan]] [[Deep Dive|activities]] chiefly use the models of the Hidden Swarm. However, it is unknown if they are actually from the Hidden Swarm.
==Non-canon appearances==
===Rising Timeline===
{{Main|Hidden Swarm/Rising}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<Gallery>
<Gallery>
File:Shadowkeep Hidden Swarm.png|The Hidden Swarm's reemergence in ''Shadowkeep''.  
Hashladûn Scarlet Keep.jpg|Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota
File:Shadowkeep Hidden Swarm.png|The Swarm's reemergence in ''Shadowkeep''.
HiddenSwarm2.jpg|Hidden Swarm in force.
Zulmak Pit of Heresy.jpg|Zulmak, Instrument of Torment
HiddenSwarmWitch.jpg|Another view of Hashladûn
File:E3 Hive Ogre.jpg|A Hidden Swarm Ogre
File:Knight.jpg|A Hidden Swarm Acolyte
Swarm Princes D2.jpg|The Swarm Princes in ''Forsaken''.
 
Scarletkeep4.jpg|The Scarlet Keep
ScarletKeep3.jpg|Another view of the Keep
ScarletKeep5.jpg|Entrance into the Keep
 
PitofHersey2.png|The Pit of Heresy
ScarletKeep2.jpg|A Swarm crystal
PitofHersey1.jpg|A Swarm ritual
 
</Gallery>
</Gallery>
==Trivia==
*It's unknown what [[Hive]] deity spawned the Hidden Swarm, as none of the known gods have been referenced to giving birth to this brood.
**Because of this, the Hidden Swarm is the only [[Hive]] brood other than the [[Cult of the Worm]] that has no main god leading or breeding the brood.
**Its most likely that they serve the Hive god [[Crota]], as their commanders all follow [[Sardon, Fist of Crota]].
***In Shadowkeep, it is confirmed that they are Servants of Crota.
**In the cryptoglyphs given in the physical Shadowkeep Collector's Edition, it is revealed that the Hidden Swarm believes that Oryx is still alive in a spiritual sense. Their basis for this belief is in the Book of Sorrows describing Oryx killing his sisters in their throneworlds and later bringing them back after gaining the power to [[Taken|Take]].


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Destiny]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Destiny]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[The Dark Below]]''
**''[[The Dark Below]]''
*''[[Destiny 2]]''
**''[[House of Wolves]]''
**''[[Shadowkeep]]''
**''[[Rise of Iron]]''
***''[[The Dawning (Rise of Iron)|The Dawning]]''
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]]''
**''[[Season of the Hunt]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Lost]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Risen]]''


==References==
==References==
Line 81: Line 247:


{{Hive}}
{{Hive}}
{{Enemy Factions}}
{{Enemy factions}}


[[Category:Hive]]
[[Category:Hive]]
[[Category:Hive Sects]]
[[Category:Hive broods]]

Latest revision as of 13:43, November 17, 2024

Hidden Swarm
5:7 Image ratio
Overview

Purpose:

Serve Crota, Son of Oryx and his spawn
Serve Savathûn, the Witch Queen (formerly)
Serve Xivu Arath, God of War
Frontline Military

Champion(s):

Swarm Princes
Xyor, the Unwed
Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota
Zulmak, Instrument of Torment

Realm:

Cosmodrome
Hellmouth
Scarlet Keep

At war with:

Vanguard
House of Devils
House of Exile
Taniks' Crew
Devil Splicers
House of Dusk
Sol Divisive
Lucent Brood

Allied with:

Spawn of Crota (absorbed)
Blood of Oryx
Taken
Savathûn's Brood (formerly)
Nightmares
Xivu Arath's Horde
Wrathborn

Encountered:

Rise of the Young Wolf
Crota's Assault
Wolf Rebellion
SIVA Crisis
Haunting of the Moon

 

"Mind the cracks and crevices of the Moon. There is an army in their shadows."
— Ikora Rey

The Hidden Swarm are a brood of the Hive previously under the command of the Hive god Crota and his disciples, led by the Swarm Princes under their commander Sardon, Fist of Crota. Since Crota's demise and the genocide of his spawn, the Swarm became the de facto Hive power on the Moon, led by Crota's own daughters.

The Hidden Swarm are the first Hive encountered in The Dark Within. On the Moon, they're the outermost defensive line, warding off anyone attempting to enter the Hellmouth.[1] They are identified by their red-orange coloring and the large nails driven through their arms and bodies. This sect of Hive is encountered once more on Luna in Shadowkeep; their general look is similar to before, but they now seem to have some form of spiked growth all over their bodies.

Following their repeated defeats and setbacks, they would fall under the sway of Xivu Arath, God of War.

History[edit]

Arrival in the Solar System[edit]

When Crota, Son of Oryx and his spawn arrived at the Solar System during the Collapse and took over the Moon as their territory, the Hidden Swarm served as their beachhead force and were also tasked with protecting their newly erected lunar strongholds, the most infamous of which being the Hellmouth. As they silently built their strength over the years for a staged invasion of Earth, a Titan named Rezyl Azzir happened to intrude upon the Hellmouth and met with the Hive Wizard Xyor, the Blessed and her consort Knight. Though Rezyl survived his encounter, it would ultimately be Xyor's plan to curse the Titan with her dark whispers into becoming the infamous Dredgen Yor.[2][3]

During the early City Age, the Hidden Swarm launched their Seeder Ships throughout Earth and engaged the Lightbearing Guardians at the Rusted Lands in the Eastern Flooded Zone; only one surviving Hunter warned the City of the Hive threat. [4] Against overwhelming odds, the Guardians barely succeeded in repelling their forces at the Battle of Burning Lake, only to fail at their counteroffensive at the Great Disaster on the Moon.[5][6]

Dark Below[edit]

Swarm Prince battling a Guardian

Unopposed after their victory at Luna, the Hidden Swarm continued to seed their brood in secret beneath Old Russia for years, until Fallen from the House of Devils stirred them up at Skywatch much to the discovery of a newly-Risen Guardian. [7]

With word reaching the Speaker about the resurgence of Hive activity on Earth, a Vanguard scout was sent to investigate the fortified Hellmouth for answers; His trail lead him to the entrance of the Temple of Crota only to be killed by the Hive. His Ghost was held captive by Vurok, Eir Spawn who probed it of information for study; the Ghost would likewise gain glimpses of the Seeder Ships prepared for invasion before expiring. Coming to the Moon for the first time, the Guardian would trace the deceased scout's location, where they faced Vurok and recovered the dead Ghost. From probing its memories, they soon got confirmation that the Hive were indeed preparing a second attack on Earth.[8][9]

Upon further inspection of the dead Ghost's memories, the Guardian's Ghost uncovered the existence of The World's Grave, a vast archive chronicling everything that the Hive had known of Earth. Delving into the depths of the Hellmouth in search of insight into the enemy, the pair killed Kranox, the Graven and loot his key to the archive itself. Upon further investigation, the two would fully realize the scope of the Hive's plans of seeding the Earth for centuries in preparation for Crota's second coming. They would warn the City of the impending danger.[10]

By then, the Hive had begun a ritual draining the Light of the Traveler using a corrupted shard of it, causing the Speaker to issue an emergency broadcast to all Guardians to stop it. The Guardian would answer the call, battling deep through the Hellmouth and into the Chamber of Night where they were successful in stopping the Siphon Witches of their ritual.[11]

At the same time, the Wizard Mormu, Xol Spawn had raised an unstoppable abomination called Phogoth, the Untamed, a massive Crota-spawn Ogre bred for destruction since the Great Disaster. Because of its savage nature, Phogoth was kept alive through foul rituals of rebirth and chained up in the Summoning Pits. However, their activity quickly alerted the Vanguard who called a strike team to action, killing Mormu and destroying her creation before the Hive could unleash it upon Earth.[12][13]

The Guardians would later come to the Hellmouth seeking Thorn, the most infamous of the Weapons of Sorrow once wielded by Dredgen Yor after he was corrupted by Xyor, the Unwed into becoming a Guardian killer. After recovering the cursed Hand Cannon in the Summoning Pits and cleansing it with Light, the Guardians killed the Wizard responsible for Thorn's creation as a final step to claiming the weapon as their own.[14]

The Hive's activity were pacified thanks to the actions of the Guardians, but the threat of Crota's return remained; one which would be addressed by the former-Lightbearer Eris Morn. Having sworn vengeance on the Hive and their master Crota for the losses of her Light, Ghost, and fireteam, Eris took tactical control over the Guardian operations as they work to dismantle the leadership behind the Hidden Swarm, including the legendary Swarm Princes, who forged Crota's infamous Sword) and their commander Sardon, Fist of Crota, whom led the Hive spawn on Earth.[15][16] Eventually, Crota fell to the Guardians, though word of his death would reach his father: Oryx, the Taken King.[17][18]

SIVA Crisis[edit]

"This is worst-case scenario. The Splicers aren't in a territorial war with the Hive; they're experimenting on them."
— Ghost

Following a year after the Taken War and the death of their God-King, the Hidden Swarm on Earth still appear to be organized but hunkered down in their nests, and have recently gone into conflict with the SIVA-augmented Fallen Devil Splicers in the Plaguelands.[19] Soon enough, the ambitions of the Splicers, led by Kovik, Splicer Priest, extend to experiment on not only themselves but the Hive as well, whether to control them as a slave army or to weaponize their mysterious biology. Furious, the Hive began an all-out war with the Splicers. Through the efforts of the Guardians (not out of pity), the Fallen's efforts to control or weaponize the Hive were thwarted and Kovik was killed.[20]

Shadowkeep[edit]

Hidden Swarm remerges

"Crota's minions emerge once more. The Hidden Swarm that previously served Crota has banded together once again, leaderless but not purposeless."
— Eris Morn

Years after Crota and Oryx's deaths, the Hive on Luna would remain relatively quiet. As the attention of the Guardians became preoccupied with the chaos of the Red War, the conflicts on Mercury, Mars, and in the Reef, the Hive on Luna would be overlooked. As a result of numerous deaths, the various broods on the Moon consolidated into the Hidden Swarm, becoming the "de facto" Hive power on the moon. However, the toll of the Taken War had left the Hidden Swarm bereft of warriors of a caliber befitting royalty that could lead the Hive on the Moon.[21] Crota's brood rallied around the strongest of his children: his four daughters Besurith, Kinox, Hashladûn, and Voshyr.[22] While the Swarm attempted to reaffirm their belief in the sword logic, the daughters of Crota held faith in the belief of Oryx's second coming and schemed to recapture the greatness of their lineage.[23]

Hashladûn and her coven of sisters contemplated the inactive Lunar Pyramid's power and its connection to the Darkness as a means to conjure back their grandfather, the fallen Oryx, and exact their vengeance against the Guardians for ravaging their lineage. However, the Hidden Swarm was soon marred by corruption and conspiracy from within, as a Knight named Zulmak was gaining favor through combat in the Pit and threatened to succeed leadership of the Swarm much to the Daughters' contempt.[23]

Meanwhile, a coven of Hive siblings had their own conspiracy to usurp the Daughters using the forbidden art of Unmaking in defiance of Oryx's Sword-Logic.[24] Together with her Deathsinger sister Azavath and her Knight brother Akrazul, the Severed, Malkanth, the Deceiver enacts a ritual to cleave Azavath's body together with the essence of her brother.[25] Their conspiracy failed as Akrazul's rage proved too much for Malkanth to contain and the newly remade Azavath impales his blade into Malkanth's sternum, fatally killing her.[26] Wielding dual Cleavers, the now possessed Deathsinger unleashes havoc upon the Pit; butchering Zulmak and the congregation of the Scarlet Court until she is unmade by the Deathsong sung by the reborn Malkanth (whose body was in turn possessed by the real Azavath and became Ir Airâm). Hashladûn and her sisters would also find the opportunity to assassinate their enemies under the chaos of Azavath's warpath. With their leadership secure, the Daughters began their plans to return their father to glory.[27]

Over the course of months, the Hidden Swarm constructed a massive crimson fortress, the Scarlet Keep, before the Pyramid that would act as an amplifier for their magics and to immunize themselves of the Pyramid's trauma-inducing influence.[28] By then, the whole Swarm were fully radicalized under the Daughters' heretical belief in the Taken King's return and the complete disavowal of the Sword Logic.[29] However, it would later be revealed to every event that happened prior was all part of a massive plot orchestrated by Savathûn, the Witch-Queen, to wipe the remaining heirs of her late brother's lineage at the Guardians' hands. [30] She would in turn manipulate Eris Morn of her curiosity into uncovering the Lunar Pyramid hidden beneath the surface.[31]

Nightmares and the Hidden Swarm

Eventually, the discovery of the Pyramid by Eris Morn unleashed phantasmal Nightmares based on the Guardians' traumas that the Swarm could exploit. Within hours, seismic activity erupted across the Moon, cracking its surface at the Ocean of Storms and driving the Hive into a frenzy; to which the Vanguard would deploy a massive siege operation upon the gates of the Keep and secure ground at Sorrow's Harbor.[32]

The Guardian would soon enter the Scarlet Keep to investigate Eris' whereabouts but would soon discover the Pyramid and encounter the Nightmares for the first time, nearly getting overwhelmed as the Nightmares took the form of Crota, Dominus Ghaul and Fikrul, the Fanatic. Fortunately, Eris Morn would rescue the Guardian and soon take charge of operations against the Hidden Swarm. Gaining the Vanguard's support, Eris Morn guided the Guardians into dismantling the Hidden Swarm's power base while seeking a way to enter the Pyramid.[32]

The Hive began experimenting to summon Nightmares near the Scarlet Keep starting with the Nightmare of Gothrax, Swarm Protector.[33] Using a forbidden piece of arcane knowledge, the Cryptoglyph, Hashladûn and her sisters experimented on the phantasmal Nightmares created by the Pyramid only for their efforts to be fruitless as they could not raise their father nor grandfather; their essences having truly dissipated and that the Nightmares were not alive. Kinox instead encouraged her sisters to act by reanimating the fallen Zulmak as their puppet champion; whose essence was gifted to them by the Witch Queen herself. Besurith and Voshyr would recover the Knight's husk and Hashladûn infused him with phantasmal power of the Nightmares.[34] Unfortuately, the Guardians would soon confront Hashladûn herself within the Keep, slaying the eldest of Crota's daughters at the peak of the Tower of Woe.[35] Further on, the Guardians braved the darkness of the Hive's most forbidden sanctum, the Catacombs, to acquire the Cryptoglyph so Eris could create armor to combat the Nightmares, slaying Besurith, Daughter of Crota in the process.[36] Such actions were critical blows to the Hidden Swarm but they would remain a threat the Guardians continue to fight against as well as containing the Nightmares.

Pit of Heresy[edit]

The Instrument of Torment, Zulmak

"If all are unworthy, all will seek to subvert the tenets of logic in ways grand and infinitesimal, because all will revert to their truest form—all will become survivors."
— Kinox [37]

For several weeks after their sisters' deaths, Voshyr and Kinox would remain in hiding in the Pit to continue their heretical work; going against the Sword Logic for the sake of survival. Having learned from Hashladûn's failed attempt to preserve their family's past glory, Kinox took the opportunity to make use of Zulmak as their champion to rally the failing Swarm.[34] [37] Using demented rituals that involved sacrificing Nightmares into a crystal, the surviving daughters of Crota enacted a dark yet desperate ritual to commune with the Voice in the Darkness. However, as their rituals caused seismic disturbances, Eris and the Guardians were alerted to their activities.[38]

Delving deep beneath the Keep, the Guardians explored the Pit of Heresy and encountered powerful Hive, Disciples of the Broken Blade. After slaying each disciple and solving intricate puzzles, the Guardians managed to reach the ritual taking place in Zulmak's lair, the Cradle of Damnation. There, the Guardians faced off with the Daughters' champion but despite his strength and the power gained from the sacrificed Nightmares, the Guardians used his own Cleavers and Hive magic against him, bringing the monster down and thwarting the ritual.[39] However, due to the Daughters' desire for revenge, they would remain active and plotting to attempt the same ritual over again in the unknown future.[40]

The Scarlet Court's Fall[edit]

"There it is. Along with the entire Scarlet Court. Crota's remaining children, and their spawn, can be destroyed in one fell swoop."
— Osiris

During the year since the events of Shadowkeep, Voshyr and Kinox had both heirs and children of their own - more nobles to Oryx's lineage.

A full year after Hashladûn's demise left the lunar Hive leaderless, the broken Swarm began calling out to Xivu Arath, God of War in wake of the Black Fleet's arrival and prayed to be recommitted into the fold.[41] Acting as the God of War's envoy, the High Celebrant of Xivu Arath came to Luna to wrestle the Swarm free of the exiled Witch Queen's plans and instead reform Luna in Xivu Arath's image: A world where all tithes were tribute to her. Almost a week after the events on Europa, the warlock Osiris had also tracked the most potent of the Cryptoliths' signals across the Solar System to the Moon. Beneath the shadow of the Lunar Pyramid, Osiris found the entirety of the Scarlet Court, including the remaining kin of Crota, communing with a visage of Xivu Arath alongside her High Celebrant. [42]

In an audacious and "suicidal" move as described by Sagira, Osiris descended upon the gathering as the mighty Phoenix he was and began to slaughter the court. Voshyr and her two daughters Yishra and Ayriax were the first to perish before they could even finish their incantation - incinerated by Osiris' Daybreak. Kinox was also vanquished attempting to flee into the crevices with her son Ulg'Urin and his cohort of Knights having died in defense of a massive Nova Bomb. The remaining lesser nobles were killed in the slaughter, which filled the Hive god of war with power from the Warlock's violence. Osiris was then stripped of his supers when the visage and will of Xivu Arath emanating from the large Cryptolith taunted him. Osiris was pinned and around him were cleaved Runes in the stone by the High Celebrant. In a stunning and tragic act, Sagira broke through the oppressive force Xivu projected that was slowly killing Osiris and sacrificed herself - destroying the Cryptolith and projection, saving Osiris but leaving him Ghostless. The light in the place of Sagira's sacrifice remained for days.[42]

With the demise of the Scarlet Court came the end of the Taken King's lineage with no surviving heirs of Crota left; the remaining Hive had pledged themselves to Xivu Arath as their only master. One Knight, Kelgorath, Risen from Bones would renounce his ties to Savathûn and leave the Swarm to become a powerful Wrathborn in service of the Hive god of war. According to him, Xivu Arath had rightfully avenged the deaths of Crota's kin by taking away Osiris' Light and Ghost. [43]

Lucent Feud[edit]

Following the loss of the Scarlet Court, the Hidden Swarm would fully pledge themselves to Xivu Arath, countinuing to maintain a foothold in the Scarlet Keep in her name. However, the Hidden Swarm would come into conflict with the Lucent Brood, the servants of Savathûn who abandoned their worms and now use the Light. The Lucent Brood intended to claim the Keep, planning on making it the center of a massive ritual using stolen Light to open a portal large enough to launch an invasion of Earth. The Hidden Swarm would fight to keep their holdings on the Moon but would also clash with the Guardians and their new Cabal allies in their efforts to stop the Lucent Brood's invasion.[44]

Notable members[edit]

The Hidden Swarm

Leadership[edit]

Unique forces[edit]

Thrall variants
Cursed Thrall variants
Acolyte variants
Knight variants
Darkblade variants
Wizard variants
Ogre variants
Shrieker variants

Trivia[edit]

  • In the Cryptoglyphs given in the physical Shadowkeep Collector's Edition, it is revealed that the Hidden Swarm believes that Oryx is still alive in a spiritual sense. Their basis for this belief is in the Books of Sorrow describing Oryx killing his sisters in their throne worlds and later bringing them back after gaining the power to Take.
  • In Season of the Deep, the Hive encountered on Titan activities chiefly use the models of the Hidden Swarm. However, it is unknown if they are actually from the Hidden Swarm.

Non-canon appearances[edit]

Rising Timeline[edit]

Main article: Hidden Swarm/Rising

Gallery[edit]

  • Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota

    Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota

  • The Swarm's reemergence in Shadowkeep.

    The Swarm's reemergence in Shadowkeep.

  • Hidden Swarm in force.

    Hidden Swarm in force.

  • Zulmak, Instrument of Torment

    Zulmak, Instrument of Torment

  • Another view of Hashladûn

    Another view of Hashladûn

  • A Hidden Swarm Ogre

    A Hidden Swarm Ogre

  • A Hidden Swarm Acolyte

    A Hidden Swarm Acolyte

  • The Swarm Princes in Forsaken.

    The Swarm Princes in Forsaken.

  • The Scarlet Keep

    The Scarlet Keep

  • Another view of the Keep

    Another view of the Keep

  • Entrance into the Keep

    Entrance into the Keep

  • The Pit of Heresy

    The Pit of Heresy

  • A Swarm crystal

    A Swarm crystal

  • A Swarm ritual

    A Swarm ritual

List of appearances[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Hive: The Hidden Swarm
  2. ^ Bungie (2016/20/9), Destiny: Rise of Iron - Legends & Mysteries: Legends and Mysteries: Rezyl Azzir
  3. ^ Bungie (2017/28/3), Destiny: Age of Triumph - Legends & Mysteries: Legend: Rezyl Azzir - The Triumphant Fall
  4. ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Crucible Arenas: The Rusted Lands
  5. ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Heavy Weapons: Raze-Lighter
  6. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Letters from Eris: Regarding the Great Disaster
  7. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - The Dark Within
  8. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Hive: Ghost Fragment: Hive 2
  9. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9) Destiny - The Dark Beyond
  10. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - The World's Grave
  11. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Chamber of Night
  12. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - Exalted Hive: Phogoth, the Untamed
  13. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - The Summoning Pits
  14. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - A Light in the Dark
  15. ^ Bungie (2014/9/9), Destiny - The Sword of Crota
  16. ^ Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny: The Dark Below - Fist of Crota
  17. ^ Bungie (2014/12/9), Destiny: The Dark Below - Crota's End
  18. ^ Bungie (2015/9/15), Destiny: The Taken King - Exalted Hive: Oryx, the Taken King
  19. ^ Bungie (2016/9/15), Destiny: Rise of Iron
  20. ^ Bungie (2016/9/15), Destiny: Rise of Iron - The Wretched Eye
  21. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: X: Faith in Bone
  22. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Toland, the Shattered: "When Oryx fell, Crota's brood rallied around the strongest of his surviving children, reaffirming their belief in the logic, accepting their loss. But deep in the hearts of four of Crota's daughters - Besurith, Kinox, Hashladûn, and Voshyr - a seed of doubt quietly took root. They resolve to lead their leaderless Swarm toward a new dawn and slaughter all who stood in their way."
  23. ^ a b Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: X: Faith in Bone
  24. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: V: A Sinister Plot
  25. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: IX.II: The Unmaking
  26. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: IX.X: Apocrypha
  27. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: XI: The Anti-Logic
  28. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Eris Morn: "The energy spilling from the tower suggests another purpose: I believe it amplifies Hive magic. This may be where the Hive achieve their immunity to the Pyramid's influences."
  29. ^ Bungie (2019/9/16), Weblore:Shadowkeep - Poison
  30. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Inquisition of the Damned: XI.X: Apocrypha
  31. ^ Bungie (2019/9/16), Weblore:Shadowkeep - THE BLACK NEEDLE
  32. ^ a b Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - A Mysterious Disturbance
  33. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - In Search of Answers
  34. ^ a b Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Heretic
  35. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - The Scarlet Keep
  36. ^ Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - In the Deep
  37. ^ a b Bungie (2019/10/1), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Item Description: Apostate
  38. ^ Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Transcript:The Deepening Wake
  39. ^ Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Pit of Heresy
  40. ^ Bungie (2019/10/29), Destiny 2: Shadowkeep - Transcript:Lingering Torment
  41. ^ Bungie (2020/11/16), Destiny 2: Season of the Hunt - Item Description: Fang of Xivu Arath
  42. ^ a b Bungie (2020/11/13), Weblore:Season of the Hunt - Immolant Pt. 2
  43. ^ Bungie (2021/08/07), Destiny 2: Season of the Lost - Ripples: III - Risen from Bones
  44. ^ Bungie (2022/2/22), Destiny 2: Season of the Risen - PsiOps Battleground: Moon

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Hive
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Hive sects
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Technology
Spaceships
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Consumables
Materials

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Factions of enemy species
Cabal legions
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Hive broods
Vex collectives
Miscellaneous factions
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