Dominus Ghaul

"I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain."
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Dominus Ghaul
Biographical information
Species:	Cabal
Faction:	Red Legion
Rank:	Dominus
Class:	Centurion
Gender:	Male
Height:	8'1
Weight:	800 lbs.
Combat information
Mission:	Homecoming Chosen
Abilities:	Quake Smash

"You're not brave. You've merely forgotten the fear of death. Allow me to reacquaint you."

— Dominus Ghaul

Dominus Ghaul is the military emperor of the Cabal Empire. Ghaul arrived in the solar system following the Skyburners' distress call with the goal of claiming the Traveler and its Light for himself. He successfully led his forces in a surprise attack against the City, having eliminated the Vanguard satellites prior to attacking the Tower and isolating the Traveler within a restraining shield, leaving the Guardians displaced and crippled. He also managed to swiftly capture and imprison The Speaker aboard his command ship, The Immortal.

He also has stationed a massive ship outside of the Sun, which siphons Light from it. He is the main antagonist of Destiny 2. Ghaul is mentored by a Cabal political leader known as The Consul.

Ghaul seeks to rebuild Cabal society with the help of the Traveler, aiming to develop his people past the established status quo, while taking the Light for himself.

Biography

"I command Legions. Conquered worlds. Waged war across the galaxy to prove my worth. I alone am worthy of the Traveler's Light."

— Dominus Ghaul

Ghaul was born as a Cabal outcast, having been left for dead as an orphan. From his youth, he was rejected and tormented by his fellow trainees within his Legion, which he claims made him stronger as a result. Ghaul was raised to believe he and the Red Legion should have received the Traveler's power, and that in choosing humanity, it made the wrong choice. At some point, Ghaul became a target of The Consul, a disgruntled member of the Cabal Praetorate who desired to influence and raise him as his pupil, in the hopes that he could overthrow Calus. Years later, Ghaul grew to become a prominent commander in the Empire, where under the Consul's direction, led a successful coup against Calus with the aid of a number of the Emperor's closest allies and advisors. Calus was exiled to his ship, the Leviathan, and left to wander the cosmos. In attacking the City, Ghaul sought to show the Traveler the error of its ways and establish a new order of Guardians from within the ranks of his own species.

Traits

"Do you see all that I have done?"

— Dominus Ghaul

Ghaul is adorned in large white armor with red and gold detailing, and is often seen without a helmet, sporting a metal facemask instead. He may have albinism, given his pale skin and deep red eyes. Ghaul appears to be an adept strategist, choosing to launch his invasion during a severe thunderstorm that concealed his warships from visual detection until it was too late. Ghaul also managed to accomplish, in the span of several hours, what the other races could not do in centuries, to conquer the Last City and scattered the Guardians. Thousands of years prior, Ghaul also managed to lead a united military coup against Emperor Calus single-handedly, demonstrating his adept skills and charisma toward his people.

On the battlefield, Ghaul is a ruthless and domineering 8 foot tall warlord, going as far as to conquer an entire civilization at the behest of his people's benefit, demonstrating a cold lack of care and sympathy for other alien races outside of the Cabal, excluding the Psion and War Beast races. Ghaul is also incredibly physically strong for a member of his race, being able to effortlessly send a fully armored Titan flying into the air just by kneeing him. Ghaul is able to throw fully armored Guardians around as if they were mere toys, even putting a lone Titan onto the ground in seconds, a physical testament to his might.

Ghaul also views himself with high esteem to the point of arrogance, condescendingly calling The Guardian a "creature," telling them to not to look at him afterward. In addition, he believes that he alone is worthy of the Traveler's Light and its gifts. Therefore, he feels that the Guardians don't deserve the Traveler's Light as him and his people do, displaying traits of megalomania.

However, Ghaul was not always like this, as Calus' journal revealed that Ghaul was once an innocent orphan, who was adopted by The Consul, meant to be used as a proxy to usurp Calus and the Empire. The Consul instilled ideals of hatred and rage into Ghaul and taught him to become a powerful warrior, one without mercy. However, though Ghaul was intended to be a puppet to the Consul's group, he proved to be far more strong-willed than anticipated. In time, the group that elevated and used him, the Consul included, learned to fear him and follow his creeds.

Quotes

• "Welcome to a world without Light."
• "Humanity never deserved power."
• "Do not look at me, Creature!"
• "I was born an outcast, left for dead."
• "Rejection. Ridicule. Torment. It made me stronger."
• "Your Light, is mine."
• "Your journey ends... here."

Trivia

• The name "Gary", as Cayde calls him, has quickly evolved to a memetic status amongst the community.
• Ghaul is the first Cabal character to be observed fluently speaking English, and the fifth overall antagonist to do so. How he has learned a human language remains unknown.
• Luke Smith has compared Ghaul to Hans Gruber from the Die Hard series.
• Dominus Ghaul is voiced by Neil Kaplan.
• Ghaul bears a strong physical resemblance to Darth Malgus from the Knights of The Old Republic series. He also bears resemblance to a Grunt from Halo.

Gallery

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  Concept art of Ghaul.

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  Ghaul observing the invasion from within his warship.

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  Ghaul standing within the hallway of his warship.

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  Ghaul confronts the Guardian who has infiltrated his warship.

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  Ghaul menaces about.

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  Ghaul marching toward a weakened Guardian.

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  Ghaul preparing to kill The Guardian.

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  Ghaul with his Bloodguard Centurions.

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  Ghaul speaking to The Guardian.

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  In a shocking display of his might, Ghaul kicks The Guardian off of his warship to their death.

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  Emperor Dominus Ghaul.

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  Ghaul glaring at The Guardian.

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  Close-up of Ghaul.

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  Ghaul faces off with The Speaker.

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  Ghaul seated on his throne.

Browse more images on this article's gallery page.

List of appearances

• Destiny 2 (First appearance)
• Cabal Booklet (Mentioned only)