Vance

Vance
Biographical information
Species:	Human
Gender:	Male
Hair color:	Brown
Political and military information
Affiliation:	Cult of Osiris
Rank:	Disciple
Notable info:	Recruiter for the Trials of Osiris

"Osiris's greatest… fan."

— Ikora Rey

Brother Vance is a blind disciple and representative of the Cult of Osiris. When the Wolf Rebellion began, Vance travelled to the Vestian Outpost in the Reef and attempted to recruit the strongest Guardians for the Trials of Osiris, offering entry and rewards to the event. After leaving the Reef, Vance led The Lighthouse, a Cult outpost on Mercury located near the entrance to the Infinite Forest. He has written multiple books on Osiris and spends much time reading the portents and watching for Osiris' prophecies to come true. Ikora Rey derisively called Vance "Osiris' greatest fan."^[1] The de-facto leader of the cult,^{[citation needed]} Brother Vance, admits to having never met Osiris and expresses intense jealousy that the Guardian met with him in the Infinite Forest.^[2]

Biography

Chronicler of Osiris

"To be a Guardian! How I longed for it. After a near-death experience in which I lost my eyesight, I even believed that I had become a Guardian, that the great Osiris had granted me my dearest wish. How young and foolish I was!"

— Vance, lamenting on his past delusions

As a young follower of Osiris, Vance rejected the teachings of the Speaker and instead believed in the exiled Warlock's views on the Traveler. He wished to be a Guardian so that he could follow in his hero's footsteps and chronicled the life of Osiris in several books. However, he ended up in an accident that cost him his eyesight and nearly his life. This traumatic experience led to Vance believing that somehow Osiris had granted his wish to become a Guardian,^[3] and he claimed in his delusion to be an old Warlock like Osiris.^[4] Among the texts that he wrote was "The Definitive History of Osiris", in which he claimed that the Speaker created the Consensus to provide the illusion of democracy to the Last City in the aftermath of the Iron Lords death.^[5]

Vance would later journey to the Lighthouse in the Fields of Glass with the other Followers of Osiris. However, he had yet to see Osiris himself, only hearing cryptic phrases and text references from the other followers. During one sermon by Sister Faora as she spoke of the Darkness' return and how they were meant to save the Traveler and its people, Vance let out an outburst about how they were the same people who expelled them and Osiris. Faora elaborated that the people of the City were fearful of Osiris and cast him out for seeking the truth of Light and Dark before noting that Vance had arrived only a few hours ago. Vance stated that he came to the Lighthouse to learn, to which Faora told him that the first lesson was to listen. After this, Vance went silent and Faora continued.^[6]

Vance noted in his journal that, since coming to the Lighthouse, he had been praised by Faora for his interpretations of Osiris' texts and his ability to see what others could not. This made Vance think that his blindness could be a blessing instead of a curse. Later, when two Warlocks working for the Cult of Osiris battle against some Cabal attacking the Lighthouse, Vance heard two tones (one smooth and warm, and one sharp and cold.) coming from the spire after either of the Guardians were killed and resurrected. After the Cabal were driven off, he explained what happened to Faora and she recruited the two Warlocks to perform Thanatonautic experiments to recreate it. During these, Vance discovered that he was the only one of the Cults who could hear the tones, so it fell on him to decipher their meaning. Eventually, he received permission to broaden the scope of their experiments to guardians beyond the Cult of Osiris. It would be done under the guise of an exclusive competition reserved for the Guardians with the strongest connection to the Light, with which their patent to participate would fund their studies — The Trials of Osiris.^[7]

Recruiting at the Vestian Outpost

"The purpose of the Trials is to hone the right weapon for the right moment."

— Vance, to the Guardian

When the Wolf Rebellion began in the Reef, Vance was contacted by Sister Faora, who noted that the Last City would likely never allow the Trials to take place there despite the progress Lord Shaxx had made with the Crucible. She instead suggested to Vance that he travel to the Reef and attempt to set up the Trials there, as the Guardians were being allowed within select sections of the Reef due to the Rebellion. This would also allow Vance to gain an audience with Queen Mara Sov, who was an ally of Osiris, and hopefully, the Vanguard would not look for a reason beyond the Trials to explain why the Cult of Osiris was there.^[8] Vance was allowed access to the Vestian Outpost by the Queen and he set up a shrine in the outpost in the hopes of attracting Guardians into competing in the Trials of Osiris. While there, he met a Guardian and was astounded by how the Light shined around them, and noted that he now understood why Osiris was interested in them.^[9]

Later, Vance watched a Trials match alongside a repurposed Redjack frame working as his assistant named Ch3-5ka, which he called "Cheska". During this, he remarked on how most Guardians were so driven to kill each other for their rewards, power and glory, and how Followers of Osiris like him were driven by understanding and knowledge. Vance took note of the tone of the spire's droning hum becoming lower as a Titan shoulder-charged a Hunter, then spiking as the Titan shot the Hunter to death. As the Titan then tried and failed to shoot the Hunter's Ghost, Vance was more focused on analysing the sound of audio playbacks of the match, correlating gun caliber, Light affinity, and fireteam movements, pinpointing when the hum changed and directing Ch3-5ka to capture every analytic scrap. When the hum changed again to a deeper tone after the Hunter had been resurrected and killed the Titan with a Golden Gun shot, Vance took note of the harmonious connection between the Lighthouse's hum and the dead Guardian's light before ordering Ch3-5ka to give the win to the Titan's team.^[10]

Vance would eventually be summoned to speak with Mara Sov and present what he found in the Trials. As he explained that a tone sounds within the Lighthouse whenever a Guardian dies that only he can hear clearly, Mara interrupted him and revealed that she knew the reason he was there and advised Vance to stop the Trials and destroy all evidence of his work, telling him that he's stumbled into something beyond his comprehension. After hearing Vance state that he wanted clarity as what she said hadn't revealed anything she didn't already know, Mara asked Vance to come closer and told him that there was no clarity she could offer as the universe would reveal all when the time came. Finally, she tells him to do something for her, which Vance did to get into her good graces: When he next sees Osiris, tell him to plant the seed.^[11]^[12]

Following the meeting, Vance chose to ignore Mara's call to abandon his research into the tone, instead now revitalized with purpose. However, he would decommission Ch3-5ka to keep the work between him, Mara, Osiris, the Light and the Dark.^[13]

A Changing Tone

During the Red War, Vance had been watching a Trials Match when the Traveler's Light was caged. When a Lightless competitor's Ghost was destroyed by a Pulse Grenade and they suffered a final death, the Spire let out a single tone in D-sharp minor, rather than two harmonious tones. Vance believed it substantiated his theory on the tones and validated everything Osiris stood for. As such, he decided to discontinue the Trials of Osiris, no longer seeing use for it and wanting only Osiris' council.^[13]

The Return of Osiris

Combating the Infinite Mind

"All the lost prophecies are coming to pass. I'm finally going to meet Osiris!"

— Brother Vance

Vance would greet both the Guardian and Ikora Rey after they arrived on Mercury as Vex Descendants began assaulting the Lighthouse. After learning that the Guardian had Sagira, Vance was ecstatic and insisted they bring her to him. After the Descendants were dealt with, the Guardian met Vance, who provided them with the location of a Cult of Osiris temple in the EDZ that had the means of reviving Sagira and was eager to finally meet Osiris.^[1]

After the defeat of Panoptes and the reunion between Osiris and Ikora, Vance was visited by the Young Wolf. He was aghast that Osiris had returned to the Infinite Forest and the Guardian had not brought him to meet Vance, demanding to know how many books they had written about the Warlock and why they deserved to meet him. Setting aside his jealousy, Vance decided to continue recording the ongoing events on Mercury. He revealed that he had seen new portents of Vex activity within the Infinite Forest and requested the Young Wolf investigate. Vance hoped that Osiris would be pleased by this and that he might visit Vance as thanks.^[2]

Search for Saint-14

"With him by our side, we could succeed where Osiris fa- Well, you get the idea."

— Brother Vance

Following the destruction of Panoptes, the Guardian would make use of the Weapon Forge in the Lighthouse to construct several weapons linked to the Lost Prophecies. After completing them all, they would receive a final Prophecy Tablet and detect a signal coming from the Infinite Forest which they discover to be linked to Saint-14. Upon reporting this to Vance to see if he knows anything, he is ecstatic, imagining Saint joining them at the Lighthouse and battling the Vex alongside the Guardian and Osiris. He tells the Guardian to find Saint-14, almost telling them to succeed where Osiris failed before quickly cutting himself off.^[14]

As the Guardian enters the Infinite Forest again, Vance again implores him to find Saint, calling him a primary source of Osiris' early years that he wished to use to settle "differences of opinion in which one side is wrong." However, the Guardian returned with only a relic from Saint's grave which Vance helped craft into the Perfect Paradox and give to the Guardian, telling them that it was not the Followers' duty to keep relics like Saint's weapon.^[15]

New Trials

"I thought you would be proud…"

— Brother Vance after telling Osiris of his work

Two years after Osiris had returned from the Infinite Forest, Vance finally had the chance to speak to him. He envisioned Osiris praising him for unraveling the mystery of the Spire's tones. Instead, Osiris was furious, seeing what Vance had done as going too far. Vance tried to quell his anger, but Osiris simply told him that what he discovered presented a threat to every man, woman and child in existence and, like Mara Sov, told Vance he was meddling with forces he couldn't understand and told him to abandon his research as he would have someone else assume his duties. As Osiris turned to leave, Vance informed him of Mara's message to plant the seed, but while he didn't know what it meant, she knew he would. Osiris thanked Vance before departing, and the follower repeated Osiris' thanks to himself with a slight smile.^[12]

Sometime after the establishment of the new Trials hosted by Saint-14, Vance was building the Infinite Simulacrum using textured notes and schematics derived from Osirian lorepieces to build it from Simulation Seeds and connective Vex architecture. Having heard stories of an increase in the frequency of coronal mass ejections from the Sun making travel to Mercury difficult from visiting Guardians, Vance recognized them as part of a prophecy of ruin. Presumably due to his repeated exposure to the Lighthouse's hum, Vance could see what was to come, but no name for that day was sufficient.^[16]

The Arrival

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"Bring Vance this prophecy: Lock down the Infinite Forest and report to the Tower."

— Commander Zavala^[17]

Upon the arrival of the Pyramids to Mercury, Vance was visited by the Young Wolf once more, who provided him with a briefing from Commander Zavala of all that was happening throughout the solar system. Consulting his texts to determine which potential prophesized end-time scenario they were currently experiencing, Vance noted that Osiris had used an excessive amount of Fractaline to power the Obelisks during the Sundial crisis. From the Lighthouse, Vance could feel how reality had been damaged by those actions and that countless timelines were pulling against a chronological center, with the arrival of the Pyramids placing additional pressure on them that could cause it to collapse. He believed the Infinite Forest was key to solving this issue and requested the Young Wolf provide help in determining what could be done. When the Young Wolf returned from gathering data, Vance was absorbed in studying his scrolls and commented that the connections between Osiris, the Forest, and the Pyramid went beyond just prophecy, but abruptly cut himself off as he heard the Lighthouse chime a dirge for a Guardian falling the Trials of Osiris. He noted the tones had gotten richer in the shadow of the Pyramid and asked if the Young Wolf could hear it. He smiled as he heard the chime once more and described it as the song of life and death, causing the Young Wolf to depart to attend their other duties and leave Vance to his studies.^[17]

Once the Guardian departed the Lighthouse for the last time, Vance collected his belongings and entered through the gateway to the Infinite Forest. While he was initially afflicted by the dizzying nature of the place, he attuned his Infinite Simulacrum to the crack in the Forest and sealed himself within. Many iterations of Vance from different realities coalesced inside the Forest with him, spreading his message of hope and joy into every reality. The original Vance began to sing Hope for the Future before another iteration of himself finished his sentence. Vance turned to analyze his other self and he found his hands reaching towards his throat; his alternate self twisted beneath his hands, turning cold and rigid. He was thrown onto his back by the parallel version of himself, but Vance reached underneath his blindfold and began to gouge his eyes. Vance noted that his other self still had eyes and found it to be 'unfortunate'.^[18]

Personality and traits

The way to describe Brother Vance is complicated. He is a fanatic of Osiris and is dangerous because of that but is not exactly a threat to the Guardians. He is desperate for his "master's" attention, even digging into things he shouldn't and becomes jealous of the Guardian for meeting Osiris in person many times. Vance is delusional, believing that he himself is an old warlock. He will do anything for Osiris or anything in the name of Osiris, as he is described as Osiris's biggest fan. Vance also holds a reverence for anyone who was once close with Osiris such as Ikora, who was once Osiris's student.

Inventory

Trials rewards

Stone Tier—2 wins per passage ( 100)
Bronze Tier—3 wins per passage ( 100)
Armor Piece—5 wins per passage ( 500)
Silver Tier—6 wins per passage ( 100)
Weapon—7 wins per passage ( 500)
Gold Tier—8 wins per passage ( 100)

Trials Supplies

Boon of Osiris (3 passage coins)
Mercy of Osiris (3 passage coins)
Favor of Osiris (3 passage coins)

Quotes

"I may be blind, Guardian, but I know you are there."
"I lost my sight long ago but there are other senses".^[19]
"Do what the Queen asks. This is all part of the pattern."
"You know why I'm here, and you know what I offer."
"My master always had... an understanding with the Queen."
"Ask yourself, what would you do if it was proven the Speaker was a charlatan?"
"The candles are for focus. Don't let them distract you."
"Does Osiris live? I assure you, he lives through me."
"If you seek Osiris, you must begin with the Trials."
"If you're looking for me, you've found me."
"Don't worry about the candles. They center me."
"Yes. I am what you think I am."
"If you think you're ready, then you're ready."
"I was once a Guardian, like yourself, but now I am on a different path."
"I can't tell you where Osiris has gone. It isn't time for you to know."
"My regards to Cayde, Hunter."
"My regards to Commander Zavala, Titan."
"My regards to Ikora, Warlock."
"I sacrificed my sight in the Trials, and it wasn't enough."
"I think of myself as a hunter too. In a way."
"Osiris stood before the Nine on the ice fields of Europa, but the time wasn't right."
"C'mon, let's get a sense of your might."
"Excuse me, I was just meditating."
"I came here because we have business of our own with the Queen. Nothing to do with Wolves, but plenty to do with Skolas."
"Tell me, Guardian, do you think you're ready for the Trials?"
"Osiris fought at the battle of Six Fronts, it's said he seemed to be everywhere at once that day."
"They say the Nine released Skolas, no doubt they had their reasons. But it brought you here and they may yet regret that."
"If it's not time, it's not time."
"Breath."
"The Queen and Osiris, I believe they conspire. Have you heard the name Oryx, Guardian?"
"In your own time."
"He trusts Ikora, he knows her Hidden too well."
"There are a few of us 'followers of Osiris'. We... move around a lot."
"No rush."
"Oryx, this name, do you know it? They want this Oryx here, out of the darkness."
"I began as a Guardian, I left to follow a different path. Perhaps you will too one day."
"It all has to come together, but what if we miss."
"When you're ready."
"He says the Nine are vulnerable every moment they touch our world."
"Listen. Do you hear that?"
"If we miss our moment, if we're not ready, it won't come again"
"I was just reading his words. Osiris. Have you heard of him?"
"Are you the one who faced Crota?"
"What are the Warlocks focused on these days?"
"I was just meditating, Warlock. Would you like to join me?"
"I used to be a Warlock, now I follow a different path."
"No, you are not one of Ikora's Hidden, are you? I feel like we've met before."
"When you've been out of The City so long you start to talk to yourself, don't mind me."
"He is the one true Speaker, who knows that the Traveler will never speak again."
"I was talking to myself, you're not interrupting anything."
"It's a long time since I've been back at The Tower. Does the Speaker still speak of Osiris?"
"You are aware of the Hidden, yes? But you are not one of them. You do not wear the mark."
"Maybe you're the one. Why don't you show us."
"I was meditating, Titan. Join me if you'd like."
"I'm an old, blind Warlock far from home. Perhaps we can talk."
"What brings you out here so close to the Darkness. Can you feel it?"
"Titans know the value of stillness."
"Maybe you're the one we need, come forward."
"Good to meet you, Guardian. Have you heard of Osiris?"
"There's a deep, dark course ahead of us. The Wolves are just the beginning."
"They call me Vance. Nice to meet you. A guest on the Reef, like yourself."
"I follow Osiris, not the Speaker. Do you know his legend?"
"Is it coincidence that brings us together, do you think?"
"I see you have been to the darkness and back. Tell Eris I said hello."
"Is this where I should be?"
"I need to see the Queen again"
"Quiet. Still. Wait for them to come into alignment."
"It's hard to be your eyes out here, Master."
"Ah, here. If were not ready when the moment comes, if we miss by seconds. Darkness"
"Alas, Guardians will find us"
"The right weapon, honed in the Trials and ready at the right moment"
"What a strange place to find myself. What a strange time."
"Be still, be still. Let them come to you"
"Be still. Watch. No body. No weight. Be an eye"
"Why do wish for me to shadow this Uldren? Does he scare you?
"Who is this one who calls himself Arty?"
"Speak through me, Master. Let me help you find them"
"Why do you make me deal with this Shaxx, master? Is it a test?"
"None of them are ready for Mercury"
"I waited and waited and suddenly here they all are, you were right."
"The Wolves will test them, make them ready for the Trials"
"What does he say about the Nine?"
"Let's see. one, two, three, strike, step, strike, three, two, one."
"So many Guardians here, so few who have what it takes."
"Which technique? Guard, strike, guard, step, again"

Destiny 2