Toil and Trouble (Quest)

This article is about the Season of the Witch quest. For the Shotgun introduced in Forsaken, see Toil and Trouble.

Prev:	Into the Depths
Next:	The Bladed Path
Toil and Trouble
Game:	Destiny 2: Season of the Witch
Objective:	Assist Eris Morn in learning the truth about the Witch Queen's dangerous bargain.

Toil and Trouble is the prologue quest in the Season of the Witch quest chain.

Steps

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Step 1

Journey into Savathûn's throne world and uncover its secrets.

• Complete the "Way of the Witch" mission.
  • Complete "Way of the Witch": 0/1

Notes

See Way of the Witch mission for transcript.

Step 2

Claim the secrets hidden by the illusions of Savathûn's Spire.
Savathûn's Spire can be accessed via the H.E.L.M. in the Destinations tab of the Director.

• Reveal the secrets of the Hive by completing Savathûn's Spire.
  • Complete Savathûn's Spire: 0/1

---

{Cutscene}

After ascending the Spire for the first time, the Guardian returns to the Athenaeum.

Athenaeum, Savathûn’s Throne World

The Guardian, Ikora Rey, and Immaru stand by as Eris Morn prepares a Hive ritual.

• Eris Morn: Xivu Arath draws strength from our conflict. She believes her logic absolute. I will grasp it and contravene its power. There is no other way.
• Ikora: Will you come back from this?
• Eris Morn: Does it matter if I do?

Eris Morn approaches the ritual circle, strewn about with worms.

• Eris Morn: What I am has served me, and has served humanity.

Eris Morn carves Hive runes with the Acolyte's Staff.

• Eris Morn: Akka... Xita... Sel...
• Ikora: This is what Savathûn wants.
• Eris Morn: We serve our interests, not Savathûn’s.
• Immaru: Heh. She’s outmaneuvered you again.

The Guardian grabs Immaru, threatening to crush the Ghost.

• Immaru: [gasps] You need me!
• Eris Morn: We need your silence.

The Guardian releases Immaru.

• Immaru: [grunts]
• Eris Morn: Do not be afraid. Bear witness to my sublimation.

Eris Morn hands the Acolyte’s Staff to the Guardian, and walks to the center of the ritual circle.
With Eris at the center, the Guardian invokes Hive magic and activates the ritual.

• Eris Morn: I separate the true from the dead. I am the many-mouthed hunger. I am the knife-edged truth. I devour the free. I conspire with my vengeance.

Hive soulfire envelops around Eris as she levitates.

• Eris Morn: I will take what I need. The words in my throat are the weapon in my fist. Aiat, aiat, aiat!

Eris removes her bandages that cover her three Hive eyes. She convulses in pain as her limbs bend and bones break; transforming her body. Eris drops to the floor as the ritual completes.

• Eris Morn: I am the many-mouthed hunger. I am the knife-edged truth.

Ikora looks on cautiously on Eris’s transformation.

• Eris Morn: Bring me your tithes.

{Cutscene Ends}

Notes

See Savathûn's Spire (First Ascent) activity for transcript.

Step 3

Eris constructed a portal to Savathûn's throne world in the H.E.L.M. She waits in her Athenaeum on the other side.

• Investigate the portal in the southern wing of the H.E.L.M.
  • Open the Portal: 0/1

---

Vanguard Orbital Command, Hub for Emergency Logistics and Maneuvers

The Guardian travels to the southern wing of the H.E.L.M. where a Hive portal is inactive and waiting.
The Guardian uses the Acolyte's Staff to invoke Hive magic, connecting the portal to the Athenaeum in Savathûn’s Throne World.

Step 4

Eris awaits in her Athenaeum, a secure corner of Savathûn's throne world.

• Speak with Eris Morn in the Athenaeum.
  • Contact Eris: 0/1

---

Athenaeum, Savathûn’s Throne World

The Guardian speaks to Eris Morn in the Ritual Circle. She is in her Hive morph, the Harbinger.

• Eris Morn: Guardian, though my form twists in this rune-bound circle, I remain Eris Morn — given not to the Deep, but to vengeance. The Hive have taken much from me. By naming the worms, I have taken from them... and I must take from you. A splinter of Hive worm rests in your staff. It is enough to bind us, and mark you as my acolyte. By the sword logic of the Hive, your conquests strengthen me. You must tithe mightily if I am to become strong enough to defeat Xivu Arath. She draws power from all conflict. She is the blade breaker, war drinker, conqueror immortal. Aiat. Drown her in blood. Add your voice to the chorus of violence. Let us show her what it is to be Hive.

"Though my form twists in this rune-bound circle, I remain Eris Morn," says the figure before you, her voice strained by the transformation.

Eris gestures a clawed hand toward the staff you used to begin the Hive ritual. "A splinter of a Hive worm rests in your staff," she says. "It is enough to bind us, and mark you as my acolyte. By the sword logic of the Hive, your conquests strengthen me."

You think of the bargain Immaru offered the Vanguard: Savathûn will reveal how to follow the Witness if you can deal with her sister. You nod in understanding.

"You must tithe mightily if I am to become strong enough to defeat Xivu Arath," Eris says. You hear her smile viciously beneath the mask of chitin.

"Let us show her what it is to be Hive!"

Step 5

Visit the Lectern of Divination to learn about the Deck of Whispers.

• Visit the Lectern of Divination in the Athenaeum.
  • Visit the Lectern of Divination: 0/1

---

The Lectern of Divination will collect cards from the Deck of Whispers, a powerful form of Hive magic manifested through your tithes to Eris Morn. Here, you may contemplate and interpret your Opaque Cards to unlock their power. This process requires gathering Insight throughout the system.

Once acquired, Major Arcana cards will be displayed in the Athenaeum. When 5 Major Arcana cards have been acquired, 1 will be selected at random before each encounter in Savathûn's Spire and the Altars of Summoning. Adding a card to your deck will allow that card to be randomly drawn.

Each Major Arcana card bestows unique benefits. Major Arcana cards may be added or removed from your deck by interacting with them in the Athenaeum. You must have at least 5 cards in your deck to draw upon their power in Season of the Witch activities.

Minor Arcana cards can be found in Season of the Witch activities or granted as rewards in ritual activities. When interpreted, they bestow perks, items, and upgrades.

The Lectern of Divination wavers with the heavy, coiling smoke of incense and glint of candlelight. From their place on the table, the cards whisper sweetly, promising secrets, truths, and lies.

Step 6

Investigating Eris Morn's Ritual Table may provide the answers you seek.

• Visit the Ritual Table in the Athenaeum.
  • Visit the Ritual Table: 0/1

---

The cluttered Ritual Table is covered in various artifacts used in the study of Hive magic.

Eris Morn's scattered journals lay open across the table, pages weighed down by pieces of rock and bone. You notice sketches of Hive runes, worms, moths, and intricate diagrams of unrecognizable magical objects.

You recognize buried amongst the esoterica a drawing of the Acolyte's Staff, along with the detailed spell that would bind its maker and wielder in the tithing ritual...

Appearance

• Destiny 2: Season of the Witch (First appearance)