Scorn

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"I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain."
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Scorn
ScornInfobox.jpg
Overview

Nobility:

Uldren Sov
Fikrul, the Fanatic
Elykris, the Machinist
Hiraks, the Mindbender
Araskes, the Trickster
Reksis Vahn, the Hangman
Kaniks, the Mad Bomber
Pirrha, the Rifleman
Yaviks, the Rider

Lair:

The Hollowed Lair
The Sunken Pyramid
Harvest

At war with:

Vanguard
The Reef
House of Dusk
House of Spider
House of Kings
House of Wolves
Imperial Cabal
Lucent Brood
Xivu Arath's Horde (Dreaming City)
Taken (Dreaming City)
Rasputin

Allied with:

The Witness
Mindbent Hive
Xivu Arath's Horde
Taken
Loyalists
Nightmares
House of Salvation
Wrathborn
The Dread

Encountered:

Hunt for the Scorn
Clash of the Chosen
Endless Night
The Lucent War
Severing of the Nightmares
Battle of the War Gods
Clash of the Hive Gods
Hunt for Riven's Clutch
Operation Ahamkara

 

"Come... kill us! Death is our sword!"
Fikrul, the Fanatic

The Scorn are a faction of undead Fallen spawned by Darkness-tainted Ether, initially created by the Taken Ahamkara Riven using wish-magic. Under the leadership of Fikrul, the Fanatic and Uldren Sov, the Scorn orchestrated a massive breakout from the Prison of Elders and murdered the Hunter Vanguard Cayde-6, and went on to spread across much of the Reef and the Dreaming City. More recently, many became enthralled by the Witness and its followers, who used them as pawns against the Guardians and the turncoat Hive God, Savathûn.

History

Terror of the Reef

"These heathens were not Eliksni; they were more "Fallen" than any of their brethren."
— Roll Call

Capitalizing on the lack of leadership in the post-Taken War Reef, a group of Dregs who collectively titled themselves the "Scorned Barons" banded together after being cast out from the House of Exile. They waged a civil war against the Fallen Houses for practicing the old Eliksni ways and terrorized Awoken settlements within the Reef, degrading the once-prosperous civilization into a lawless frontier. They drove the remnants of the House of Wolves to extinction by destroying all of their remaining Servitors,[1][2][3] and even managed to take control of a local Hive brood, with Hiraks, the Mindbender taking In Anânh, Brood Queen as his consort.[4]

Sometime before the Red War, acting Regent-Commander Petra Venj enlisted the support of the Hunter Vanguard Cayde-6, and with the assistance of a small group of his most trusted Guardians hunted down the Scorned Barons. After a final standoff, the Barons were defeated and thrown deep into the Prison of Elders, with their Archon leader, Fikrul, the Fanatic, seemingly having been killed in the conflict.[5] The Barons bonded together here in their shared situation.[6][2]

Rise of the Scorn

The Scorn Baron, Fikrul, the Fanatic

"Kill a Fallen, I claim it as Scorn. Kill a Scorn, I raise ten more!"
— Fikrul, the Fanatic

At some point before the Scorn Breakout, Prince Uldren, who had been corrupted by Darkness and was working with the House of Kings, discovered the mortally wounded Fikrul. Uldren wished to save him, attracting the attention of the Taken Ahamkara Riven. Riven granted Uldren's wish, causing part of the Awoken Prince's Darkness to transfer into Fikrul's Ether, transmuting it into Dark Ether and raising Fikrul as the first of the Scorn.[7]

Fikrul and Uldren became allies and worked together to usurp Craask, Kell of Kings, immediately taking over the House of Kings; Fikrul would dock the King Kell of his arms and demoted Craask to Dreg status before slaughtering the entire House in a grand betrayal, as Uldren decided that the Kings were too bothersome to keep around.[8][9] With the use of Dark Ether, Fikrul raised the deceased Kings as a new army of undead Fallen to lead, which became known collectively as the Scorn.[10]

The Prison Break

"Ether trails. Look out for escaped Fallen. But... this Ether is... wrong, somehow."
— Ghost
Prison Break of the Scorned Barons with Uldren Sov

A year after the Red War, both Uldren and Fikrul were caught by Petra and Cayde-6, willingly surrendering themselves and taken to the Prison of Elders.[11][12] After attempting to interrogate Fikrul on the whereabouts of Kaliks Prime,[13] Variks began experiments on Fikrul's corrupted Ether in the hopes of curing both him and Uldren, eventually discovering its "life-giving" properties.[14][15] The former Prince took advantage of Variks' wavering loyalty and tricked him into releasing the prison's inmates,[15] causing a massive riot which The Guardian and Cayde-6 were tasked to contain, unaware of the Scorn raised by Fikrul to aid in releasing the Barons. During their escape, Cayde-6 was confronted by Uldren and the eight Scorned Barons in a tense standoff, which ended with Uldren finishing off the Hunter Vanguard with his own Hand Cannon.[16]

After the escape, the horde of Scorn fled into the Tangled Shore behind the leadership of Prince Uldren, Fikrul and the seven other commanding Barons.[17] Without the approval of the Vanguard, the Guardian took it upon themselves to avenge the fallen Cayde-6 and hunt down the Scorned Barons throughout the Tangled Shore.[18][19]

Hunting the Barons

"Divide. Conquer. Isolate Uldren. He'll wind up at your feet. And all you have to do... is pull the trigger."
— The Spider.

After their release, the Scorn entered into a war with the Spider for control over the Tangled Shore and forced the Fallen crime boss into a deal with the Guardian and Petra Venj for information on their whereabouts.[20] The Guardian drove the Scorned Barons out of their den and scattered them across the Shore, taking out their forces bit by bit, and soon discovered each Baron had plans for when they would be done with the Reef.[21]

Encountering a trail left by Araskes, the Trickster, the Guardians discovered the Trickster had developed a wicked plan to sabotage engram caches with explosives, which she intended to send to the Last City to incite mayhem. The Guardian manages to destroy her caches and chases the Trickster throughout the Shore to corner her. Despite her cloaking and constant traps, the Guardian was able to kill Araskes.[22]

Later on, the Guardians found fiery trails blazing over the Shore, leading them to Yaviks, the Rider and her Pike gang. Within the Shore, Yaviks intended to continue her trail of destruction and anarchy over the Reef while also planning to beat Cayde-6's Pike racing record, as the Hunter Vanguard had previously bested her. The Guardian managed to procure a Pike of their own and initiate a destructive race with Yaviks. But, despite Yaviks' modified Heavy Pike, weaponry, and the aid of her gang, the Guardians were able to kill the Rider, thereby preserving Cayde's record.[23]

After a while, the Guardians were contacted by Kaniks, the Mad Bomber. Tracking the message, the Guardian encountered the Mad Bomber, who gleefully attacked them with his arsenal of explosives. The Guardian survived the initial attack and chased after Kaniks, who continued to mock Cayde's death, but despite his erratic tactics and explosives, the Guardian killed the Mad Bomber.[24]

Following intel provided by the Spider, the Guardian then tracked down Pirrha, the Rifleman, the Baron who killed Cayde's Ghost. The search leads the Guardian to Pirrha's initial sniper's nest in Hellrise Canyon. Once they enter, the Guardian realizes the nest is a trap as Pirrha's forces attack them. Surviving the trap, Pirrha contacts them, threatening to destroy their Ghost just as he did with Cayde's. Fighting past Pirrha's forces and keeping their Ghost safe from Pirrha's sniping, the Guardians manage to corner the Rifleman. Despite his Crossbow weapon and bothersome decoys, the Guardian kills Pirrha, avenging Cayde's Ghost.[25]

Within the fields of the Tangled Shore, the Guardian finds remains of Servitors, completely drained of their ether. The Spider takes this as evidence that Reksis Vahn, the Hangman, a Scorn Baron with a hatred for Servitors, is nearby. Following a trail of ether to Quitter's Well, the Guardian encountered the Hangman within his lair. Despite his great strength and Flame Cauldron weapon, the Guardian manages to slay the sadistic Baron.[26]

With another tip from the Spider, the Guardian searched for Hiraks, the Mindbender, a Scorn Baron with a morbid fascination for the Hive. The search for Hiraks takes them to a downed Hive Warship from the Taken War, which became a breeding ground for the Hive stranded on the Shore. Fighting past Hive soldiers under the control of Hiraks, the Guardian soon found a portal rupture that led to Hiraks' throne world, the Ascendant Plane which manifested from all the deaths of Hiraks' foes, including Cayde-6. Within the Ascendant Plane, the Guardian faced off against Hiraks, who was more powerful within his throne world, but despite his Hive servants and Ascendant powers, they killed the Mindbender which caused his Ascendant Plane to destabilize. The Guardian managed to escape just in time before the Ascendant Plane collapsed.[27]

With most of the Barons dead, the Guardian managed to track down the Baron's second-in-command, Elykris, the Machinist to Salvage Zone QX. There, the Machinist challenged the Guardian and forced them to question their motives in the deaths of her comrades. Nonetheless, the Guardian battled with Elykris where she unleashed the full force of her stolen and salvaged weaponry. Even with the force of her weaponry and tactics, the Guardian managed to kill Elykris and destroy her stockpile.[28]

The Fall of Uldren

"Yes, Father. We ever serve and await return."
— Fikrul, the Fanatic

With the Scorn's leadership reduced to just Fikrul and Uldren, Petra maintained her hunt for the Prince while the Guardians continued their vendetta on the Shore. She managed to track him to Earth deep within the Dark Forest of the European Dead Zone. There, she witnessed him taking a shard of the Traveler bearing its Light. Though she managed to find Uldren, Petra failed in her chance to kill him, leaving her position exposed to the Dusk Fallen, enabling Uldren to escape.[28]

With the death of the Scorned Barons, Uldren escaped and walled himself inside the The Watchtower, to find his sister, Mara Sov. Guarding the structure were his Scorn forces, led by Fikrul, the last Scorn Baron. When The Spider's agents heard of this, they, under the command of The Guardian and Petra, attacked the Scorn. In his final battle, Fikrul questioned the Guardian's motives in killing them for revenge, or just for fun. However, despite his Dark Ether powers, the angered Baron was slain, and the Guardian continued to find Uldren. Upon arriving at the Gateway, they find a horrific Chimera, named the Voice of Riven, had captured him after using the rogue prince to release it. Despite the Taken monster's powers, it was destroyed, saving Uldren. Left crippled and defenceless, Uldren questioned his killers' motives and declares that despite his crimes, what he had done was for his sister. Uldren was then executed, leaving the Scorn broken.[29]

War in the Dreaming City

"The Scorn seek revenge for the death of the Fanatic. They will never willingly leave the Dreaming City."
— Petra Venj[30]

Following the demise of Fikrul and Uldren, the Scorn lingered within the Dreaming City and engulfed themselves in a conflict against the Taken. The Spider noted how he was placed in charge of safekeeping the City, but lost control due to the rising Scorn presence.[31]

Several Chieftains sought revenge and the thieves stole an oracle offering which fell into the hands of Elikaa.[32] Later Scorn champions such as Sikariis, and Varkuuriis began plaguing the Blind Well and enlisted their heralds Macuii, Itzlii and Tezcaa to guard it. They were promptly defeated by the Guardians who sought to gain another offering to the Oracle Engine.[33]

Still vengeful against the Awoken, Tirksnii and his group of Corsairbanes hunted down and killed Corsairs across the Dreaming City. Petra immediately issued a Bounty to avenge her comrades and sought the elimination of Tirksnii.[34]

Later, she receives intel from the Corsairs of a Scorn gathering by the entrance of the monastery. The Guardians are sent to investigate and depose the siege leader Drekaa outside and then defeat Kruvii within the Harbinger's Seclude.[35] Petra also coordinates a team to rescue the Taken Sedia and Avakrii is defeated along the way.[36] The Guardians also expurgate the Chieftains, Yirksii and Vilzii, out of their territories lost in the Dreaming City and Tangled Shore.[37][38]

Return of Fikrul

"Hello, dead thing. Come to slaughter my children? Me, perhaps? You die instead."
— Fikrul, the Fanatic

Despite the Scorn's falling numbers, leadership finally came back in place, as the Fanatic returned from death for revenge and to raise the other Barons from the dead once more. Fighting through the Scorn, a strike team entered The Hollowed Lair, with Fikrul challenging them. Despite his hatred and Dark Ether powers, the Guardians defeated the Scorn Archon once again but he swears that he will return, no matter how many times they strike him down.[39]

Another Baron, Elykris, the Machinist returned, but this time under the title "Reanimated Machinist" implying that she and the other Barons can be revived just like Fikrul.[40] Despite the return of Elykris and Fikrul, the Scorn's power and numbers appear to be unknown as The Drifter mentions that Scorn were all over the place and that they must be breeding and have appeared in places like Deep Six on Titan and Legion's Folly on Nessus.[41][42]

Glykon Ritual

"Meet Salvation."
— Locus of Communion

Following the Arrival of the Pyramids, many Scorn in the Tangled Shore would find themselves captured by Loyalist Cabal of former Emperor Calus,[43] and sent to the Cabal Carrier, Glykon Volatus. There, the Scorn would be subjected to experiments to satisfy Calus' understanding of the Darkness.[44] The experimentations would further develop after the Loyalists brought the Hive artifact, the Crown of Sorrow, aboard. Utilizing the Crown, Calus had a means of observing how the Darkness interfered with the Scorn's corrupted consciousness.[45] Many test subjects would perish from "continuous neuron death" except for one who "spoke with many dead voices". This Scorn would become known as the Locus of Communion.[46]

Though many of the Emperor's communions failed, he eventually succeeded when Egregore began to manifest among the Scorn. The Glykon was plunged into the Anomaly of Mars from its anchoring point of Phobos. The Scorn were freed and hunted down all the other passengers.[47][48] Eventually, the ship returned, and an exploration by The Guardian would find the derelict Glykon after intercepting its distress signal. After boarding the vessel, the Guardian defeated the Scorn and the Locus leading them and discovered the secrets of the experiments conducted upon them, supported by Osiris and Caiatl.[49]

During the Endless Night, simulations of the Scorn would be used by the Vex to fend off the Guardians looking to gain access to their Network over the Tangled Shore.[50]

Assaulting the Ley Lines

"So, the Scorn stage some sort of ritual combat? This is not of Eliksni culture. Are they... developing their own?"
— Mara Sov

After the Endless Night, a large number of Scorn would attack the Ley Lines situated in and around the Dreaming City. Led by Kruutiks, Reefbane, they would also attack the Blind Well directly.[51] Even worse, they seem to have made a pact of nonaggression with the Hive and Taken, if not an outright alliance. They would also somehow gain access to the Ascendant Realm and take over the Debris of Dreams located in the Shattered Realm. After multiple expeditions to the Shattered Realm, it was learned the Scorn seemed to be evolving. They were seen to have been mining Ascendent energy from the Realm, as well as engaging in a fighting pit that appeared to run on Sword Logic rules. The latter of which heavily suggests the Scorn are developing their own culture.[52] Eventually, when the day of the Exorcism arrived, the Scorn participated in the final assault alongside the Hive and Taken but were ultimately driven off.[53]

In the Witch Queen's Realm

Following the Scorn's failure to seize control over the Dreaming City or capture Savathûn, the Scorn were driven out of the Reef, but would soon reappear in the Court of Savathûn, looking to claim the Witch Queen's realm as their own. As the Guardian conducted their missions within the Throne World, looking to find out how Savathûn managed to control the Light, they noticed that the Scorn operated much more organized than previously encountered, leading Ikora to believe that the Scorn served a new master. Throughout their missions against the Lucent Brood, the Scorn would attempt to impede the Guardian or clash with the Lightbearing Hive in their attempts to claim territory but ultimately failed in their efforts.[54]

Guardians battling Scorn in the Dark City

After the Guardian succeeded in defeating Savathûn and thwarting her attempt to seal the Traveler away within her Throne World, her Ghost, Immaru, managed to escape and would lead the Lucent Brood in her stead, organizing the Hive in combating the Scorn who are looking to take advantage of the loss of their queen. This forces the Guardians to intervene before either faction could gain any significant ground. However, during their investigations in Savathûn's Throne World, the Guardians discover a Sunken Pyramid in the outskirts, with legions of Scorn guarding it. They soon learn that the Scorn's master: Rhulk, one of the Disciples of The Witness, lies trapped within by the Witch Queen herself. However, with Savathûn gone, Rhulk was poised to break free but Mara Sov became aware of this and warned the Guardians of the danger he posed. The Guardians would form a Raid Fireteam and storm the Sunken Pyramid, facing heavy resistance from empowered Scorn, including one notable Scorn Abomination called The Caretaker. Despite their efforts to protect their master, the Guardians managed to traverse deeper into the Pyramid even as the Scorn fought alongside the Taken. Ultimately confronting Rhulk at the center of the Pyramid armed with immense power and the Scorn's support, the Guardians slew the imprisoned Disciple, leading the Pyramid to fracture and the Scorn to retreat.[55]

Despite the Guardian's victory against the Disciple of the Witness, the Scorn were unwilling to abandon the Sunken Pyramid, hoping to claim it for their own and continue Rhulk's experiments in infusing Hive Worms on other living beings. Mara Sov became aware of this and informed the Guardians, leading them to enter the Pyramid again and clear out the Scorn's presence, as well as gather any useful secrets within.[56]

The Leviathan's Return

Sometime following the battles in the Witch Queen's realm, the factions of the Sol System would be surprised by the return of Calus's personal pleasure craft, the Leviathan, hanging derelict over the Moon. Eris Morn would discover that the massive vessel is emitting a signal towards the Lunar Pyramid beneath the moon's surface, as per Calus's wishes, which causes the Nightmare phantoms to return and torment anyone who gets too close. The Scorn themselves would be drawn to the Leviathan, though it is unknown if they now serve the former Cabal Emperor or not, but they have begun to claim territory deep within the ship and have begun to conduct rituals involving the Nightmares.

As the Guardians investigate the Leviathan and conduct Nightmare Harvests to contain the Nightmares, they occasionally clash with the Scorn, attempting to thwart the Lightbearers' efforts. Despite the Scorn's attempts, the Guardians would make progress in severing Calus's connections to the Lunar Pyramid and discovering any clues as to what Calus was looking to accomplish, which was to merge with the Lunar Pyramid, gain its power and become a Disciple of The Witness. Though the Guardians would succeed in severing Calus's connections to the Pyramid, the Emperor nonetheless succeeded in beginning the transformation, leading the Guardians to make one last desperate severance ritual to prevent Calus from gaining the Pyramid's power. The Scorn would aid the new Disciple but despite their efforts, the Guardians can push Calus back, preventing him from gaining the Pyramid's power. However, Calus nonetheless accomplished what he intended, the former Emperor had become a Disciple of the Witness and thereby became the herald of the Second Collapse.

Salvation's Punishment

"To defile Eramis's House... this is not an act of desperation. It is punishment."
— Mara Sov

Though the Scorn failed in aiding Calus in seizing control over the Lunar Pyramid, the Scorn would in time serve a new master in preparing for the Witness's return, the Hive God of War, Xivu Arath. To supplement her forces, Xivu Arath consolidated her Wrathborn forces in seizing control over the Warsat Network as Rasputin remained incapacitated since its failed effort to stop the Black Fleet's initial arrival. To aid her efforts, Xivu Arath assumed control over most of what was left of the House of Salvation, after their leader, Eramis, failed in her mission to claim the relics containing the pieces of the dead Disciple, Nezarec before the Guardians. To further punish Eramis for her failure, Xivu Arath killed many Salvation Fallen and resurrected them as Scorn, some of whom Eramis had known personally.[57]

Fighting alongside the War God's Wrathborn forces, the Scorn would seek out one of the Warmind's creators, Clovis Bray I, and subjugate him to grant Xivu Arath full control over the Warsat Network and turn its arsenal on the Last City. However, the Guardians, Ana Bray and Osiris also sought out Clovis to conscript his aid in restoring Rasputin. After rescuing the scientist, Clovis would direct the Guardians to locate the Subminds that have the data needed to repair Rasputin and regain his control over the network.[58] One submind, Malahayati, was located on Luna, within a Seraph vault and it was guarded by the Scorn, led by Once-Phyris, the Exhumed Tether, a Captain and Marksmen that once served under Eramis. Despite Phyris' efforts, the Guardians slayed her and recovered the submind's data. Further, Mara theorizes that without Phyris acting as a nexus of control, her hold over the Scorn on Luna will weaken for now.[59]

Another former lieutenant of Eramis' would be resurrected as Scorn to serve Xivu Arath and the Witness's plans: Praksis, the Technocrat now dubbed as the Defiled, much to the Shipstealer's dismay. Praksis would be charged with guarding the Nexus Control hub of the Seraph Station, clashing with the Guardians as they infiltrated the space station to plant a virus and gather intel regarding a Clovis Bray weapon. Despite Praksis's efforts and Stasis powers, the Guardians would slay him again.[60]

Experiments of Light

"Savathûn kept these undead dolts in here under lock and key. Studied 'em for a while. She wanted to see if they were anything like Nokris's necromancy. They weren't. They got a special kind of resurrection just for them. No Ghosts, no throne worlds. Just Dark Ether and the Witness. And lucky for us, they just keep comin'."
— Immaru

During the aeons, Savathûn had amassed several specimens within her Spire and Altars of Summoning, including several powerful Scorn, to study their ability of resurrection to see if it was similar to the Necromantic powers Nokris wielded. She would also conduct various experiments, which continued even in her absence. Vanguard forces would storm these areas to harvest the Scorn as tithes to empower Eris Morn into a God of Vengeance to rival Xivu Arath.[61][62]

Hunting Riven's eggs

After Xivu Arath was banished from her throne world, the Scorn would continue to spread corruption in the Dreaming City. Managing to find a way into Riven's Lair, the Locus of Subjugation would lead Scorn in an attempt to steal an egg of Riven. But, they would be killed by a Guardian fireteam.[63]

During the Dark Age, a castle belonging to a Warlord named Naeem was attacked by the House of Kings, with the Warlord herself being killed in the process. With her dying breath, she wished for vengeance.[64] Many years later, after the Witness entered the Traveler and Xivu Arath was banished from her throne world, the remains of the Ahamkara Hefnd would grant this wish after luring the now leaderless Taken to the castle. He fed on their desire for a purpose to corrupt the dead House of Kings into Scorn.[65][66] Those resurrected in the castle seemed to develop a culture surrounding Hefnd's bones, placing them in shrines across the castle and worshipping Chieftain Totems that held bone fragments within Taken Blights.[67]

The news of these Scorn on Earth would eventually catch the attention of Fikrul, who has been leading a crew of his own Scorn independent from the Witness after fleeing the Tangled Shore. Aboard a stolen Ketch, he tasked five powerful Chieftains dubbed Knights to bring the Scorn to them before the Witness could claim them.[68] However, the Knights would be broken and fall under the control of Hefnd. They would fight alongside the Dragon's Scorn and the Taken, only to be cut down by a Guardian fireteam sent to investigate the ruins.[69]

When the Techeuns pulled the final egg out of the Ley Lines and into the Caliginous Expanse within the court of Mara Sov, the Scorn would infiltrate the Awoken Queen's court to retrieve it. However, they would quickly come into conflict with the Guardian, who would slay the Plaguewielders and enter the portal into the Catacombs. It becomes apparent that the Witness raised most of these Scorn, some of them bear Fikrul's mark. Upon arriving at the Caliginous Expanse, the Guardian engages with Elikaa, the Pale Rot, who was attempting to make a wish using the final egg. Despite its resilience, it couldn't defeat the Guardian and is slain in a fearsome battle. Successfully retrieving the final egg, the Guardian makes the fifteenth wish to pursue the Witness. Despite their failure to make the wish, the Scorn would continue their assault within Riven's Lair, now being directed by the agents of Fikrul.[70]

Serving the Final Shape

As The Witness neared completing its Final Shape upon reality, the desperate Vanguard initiated Operation Ahamkara to stop the entity, with the Guardian, Ikora Rey and Zavala passing through the portal on the Traveler to search for Crow and establish an investigation on the means to located and destroy the Witness. As the group became separated upon entering the Pale Heart, the Guardian would encounter large numbers of Scorn serving to protect the Witness's efforts alongside that of The Dread. Despite their efforts, the Guardian slayed them and reunited with the Vanguard, Crow and a miraculously revived Cayde-6.

Though the Vanguard's efforts to find a way to stop the Witness came at great cost, they learned much in discovering the entity's weakness: dissenters within its collective consciousness' left clues that ultimately revealed that by targeting the minds within the collective using the Light, then the Witness can be unmade. This method proved successful in wounding the Witness but the Vanguard was forced to retreat as the Witness grew enraged at their defiance. Nonetheless, the Coalition arrived to save the group and with the knowledge they had, they had the means to destroy the Witness.

Before the final battle, both Crow and Cayde began investigating the Scorn's operations within the Pale Heart, learning that the morbid Fallen were seeking to poison the Pale Heart using Dark Ether, spreading the Witness's corruption. With the Guardian's aid, the two succeeded in disrupting the Scorn's operations and slaying the Abomination spreading the Dark Ether, Lii'liks, Harvester of the Witness. With their mission a success, Cayde officially names Crow his successor as Hunter Vanguard, undoing the damage the Scorn had inflicted upon the Vanguard years prior.[71]

With the final clash at hand, a six-member raid fireteam assaulted the Witness's monolith to sever its hold on the Traveler's Light. Despite the Witness appearing in its true form and its tremendous power, the team succeeded in releasing the Witness's grip upon the Traveler and further wounded it, forcing the entity to retreat.[72] With the Witness vulnerable, the Coalition gathered its full strength and all of its allies to defeat it once and for all. The Scorn would defend their master alongside the Dread and Taken but despite their efforts, a Guardian team of 12 succeeded in unmaking the Witness, destroying it for good and ending the War.[73]

The loss of their master sent shockwaves through the Witness's servants, with the Scorn and Taken in particular languishing or lashing out. However, Fikrul remained at large to possibly lead what is left of the Scorn which partly motivated Crow to track his whereabouts.

Rise of the Revenant Scorn

"Bow to Fikrul, Kell of Kells!"
— Fikrul the Fanatic

Following the defeat of the Witness, several paracausal artifacts known as Echoes emerged from the portal leading to the Traveler's Pale Heart. One of these Echoes found its way into the possession of Fikrul, who discovered that he could use its power to change the Ether within living Fallen into Dark Ether, allowing him to create the Revenant Scorn from the living as well as the dead. Upon encountering this new subtype of Scorn, the Eliksni of the House of Salvation and House of Light dubbed them "na-veskirisk", or "not lifeless," referring to the fact that they were not created from the dead.[74]

Structure

Scorn Army

"The Scorn aren't Fallen. Not anymore."
Petra Venj

The Scorn are created from deceased Fallen, either recently or after repeated deaths, reanimated by Fikrul, the Fanatic and later the Witness through the use of Dark Ether and transformed into warped, undead monstrosities.[17][75] Described as "frenzied, bloodthirsty puppets" by Petra Venj, they are unwaveringly loyal to the will of their master and throw themselves into combat with little care for self-preservation. This abandonment of personal safety is likely down to their capacity to resurrect from defeat unless their corpses are burned beyond recognition.[47]

Scorn vary drastically in size and form, with Abominations in particular nearly being the size of a Hive Ogre.[17][75] Many of them have docked lower arms as a remnant of their previous status as Dregs.[75] Rather disturbingly, some Scorn classes, including Ravagers and Abominations, seem to also lack heads. It could be possible that their interaction with the Dark Ether has allowed the Scorn extrasensory abilities as every class of Scorn have some kind of metal plating covering their eyes, aside from Screebs, that wear no armor, and the Barons.

Scorn generally wear crudely-fashioned armor fastened with chains and painted gray or ochre. Many of their unique devices and weapons follow a similar aesthetic, consisting of metal plates bolted or welded together. The Drifter said that their blood is flammable, as well as being able to breed quickly, implying that they are getting their numbers up in more ways than resurrection.

Following the events after Season of the Lost, numerous Scorn emerging under the control of the Witness of the Black Fleet would sport purple-colored armor and banners, though the reason for this is currently unknown. They would also be seen as more organized, with swathes of newly made Scorn champions having the strength close to that of the late Scorned Barons leading these Scorn. These Scorn are seen to work under the direction of those who are sworn to the Witness, such as Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness, an agent of the Black Fleet, and Calus, former Emperor of the Cabal who has become a Disciple.

The Scorned Barons

"The Barons had become heads of a new House, priests in their own rites, and arbiters of their own trials."
— Roll Call

The Scorned Barons are former members of the House of Exile who were cast out of the House before the Red War. As Dregs they banded together and self-proclaimed themselves as Barons and are not of traditional nobility held esteemed by Fallen Houses. Instead, they've formed a close kinship together and hold each other in high regard while the noble Fallen Houses disregarded them.[2]

After their exile, they no longer affiliated themselves with any House and chose to follow Uldren Sov. He is given honorary titles such as "King Sov" and "Father" and the Barons will do anything to help pursue his goals.[citation needed] Beneath Uldren are eight Barons, led by the former Wolf Archon, Fikrul, the Fanatic. His most ardent follower is Elykris, the Machinist who serves the group as his second in command.[citation needed] The Barons challenged the sovereignty held by the Spider and set their base of operations by the Tangled Shore. Each one has a unique set of skills and combat specialities.

Kaniks and Elykris respectively serve as the explosive and munitions expert for the group,[1] while Araskes prefers to keep her operations behind the scenes and places traps for unsuspecting victims. She is also the spokesperson for the Scorn and sent for negotiations and to establish trades.[1] Yaviks leads a gang of Pikers who steal supplies for the Barons[citation needed], while Reksis Vahn brutally mauls Servitors to harvest their Ether.[76] Pirrha acts as their line of defense by being an all-seeing sharpshooter. He is aided by a security network spread across the Tangled Shore and eliminates any threat who enters their territory.[1] This gifts them the freedom to do anything they please as Hiraks can practice twisted experimentations on the Hive to the extent that they become loyal to him and command his own Brood called the Mindbent.[27]

The group also differs in ideologies as Elykris prefers to hoard everything she salvages such as Servitors, while Reksis chooses to destroy them. The Hangman seeks nothing but destruction, while the Machinist aims to preserve Fallen technology.[76] Pirrha is another example of Fallen enhancing themselves with technology and seeking evolution similar to Devil Splicers and Taniks.[77] Similarly, Kaniks is also outfitted with mechanical limbs, a byproduct of his mad bombings that have disabled him.[78] Hiraks explored a different path by studying Hive knowledge, transcending into an Ascendant Eliksni,[79] while Fikrul appeases any tensions among the group as their spiritual leader.[76] He is the propagator of the Scorn and once celebrated leader of the Eliksni faith, banished for his heresies against it.[80]

While the current status of the original eight Barons is uncertain, other Scorn have since risen to similar power thanks to their alliance with the Pyramids, such as Brutiks, Lightbane, and lead the army in their more recent endeavors.[54]

Members

Leadership

Scorned Barons

Knights of Fikrul

Scorn Chieftains

Scorn Champions

Unique forces

Technology

Scorn technology is based on the Fallen's, but possibly even cruder. While the Eliksni can make powerful weapons out of scraps, the Scorn seem to keep them in an even greater state of disrepair, with many of their items having exposed circuitry and apparent energy leaks. Much of their weapons are covered in crude bolts, which also adorn their armor, often apparently sewn into their bodies. The Scorn often go into battle with little more than bolted-on scraps and torn rags, uncaring of the rigors of combat.

The Scorn lack most of the machines and vehicles used by the Fallen, only rarely being encountered using Pikes and Skiffs, though they have modified Walkers to suit their own combat style. Their only use for Servitors is to turn them into Ether Harvesters, and they otherwise dismantle and torture them.

In contrast, the Scorn are rather adept in the use of esoteric arts, as seen with the Chieftain's Ether Totems or the Fanatic's Staff. Screebs and Abominations are also believed to be the result of Darkness-based rituals.[citation needed] Another example of this ability was when they adapted the technology of the Fallen drills to mine and later refine Ascendant Energy directly from the Ascendant Realm.[52]

After becoming allied with the Witness, they also started adopting Pyramid technology, such as the Crux of Darkness and Resonant Splinter, which they use to enhance their forces and establish footholds in Light saturated areas, such as The Wellspring.[81][82]

Their main method of engagement seems to be teleportation through the use of Dark Ether.

Gallery

Scorn Leaders

Scorn Units

Other

Trivia

  • They are the second enemy faction in-game to be led by an antagonist of a different species, the first being the Grasp of Nokris and their Worm God Xol.
  • The Scorn are the first faction of Fallen seen in the Ascendant Realm, and the first to ally themselves with Hive combatants.
  • The Scorn is the first Fallen faction in the Destiny series that does not possess its own Servitors of any kind, likely as a result of their hatred for the Fallen's old traditions and beliefs. However, many of their lairs are littered with their extracted cores, such as the Bay of Drowned Wishes in the Dreaming City
  • The Game Informer Forsaken issue reveals that the Scorn do not take cover, and have the most aggressive AI in the Destiny series.
  • The Scorn are the third faction of undead beings seen in the Destiny series, the first being Guardians and the second being the Grasp of Nokris of the Hive.
  • With the Scorn's Barons, nearly all of them can speak English, some broken while others are more fluent.
    • The Mindbender is the only one who speaks a completely unintelligible speech, similar to the Hive
    • The Hangman and the Rider only give growls and roars.
  • At the release of The Witch Queen, Scorn within Savathûn's Throne World had armor and banners colored a more muted yellow which can be seen in promotional material. After The Witch Queen's release, these would be changed to a dark purple. The reason for this change is currently unknown.
    • However, given what was stated in Season of the Wish, it may have been done to better identify the Scorn raised by Fikrul and those raised by the Witness.
  • In the second issue of the Cayde's Six comic series, the Barons make use of House of Devils troops as backup as the Scorn themselves had not been created at that point.
    • Also in the comic, the only Barons present are Hiraks, Araskes, Kaniks, Pirrha, Elykris and Fikrul, suggesting that Reksis Vahn and Yaviks had either been captured before the comic's events or that they joined after Uldren and Fikrul destroyed the House of Kings.

List of appearances

References

  1. ^ a b c d Game Informer: These Are The Eight Barons Who Helped Kill Cayde-6 In Destiny 2: Forsaken
  2. ^ a b c Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Most Loyal: Roll Call
  3. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Lawless Frontier: Anguish, Ten-Fold
  4. ^ .Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Broodhold
  5. ^ Destiny: Cayde's Six
  6. ^ Game Informer #104: At the Crossroads
  7. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Fanatic | Part II
  8. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Fikrul
  9. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Docking
  10. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Petra
  11. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Forsaken Prince: Free | Part I
  12. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Most Loyal: Two Cells
  13. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Most Loyal: Revolution
  14. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Most Loyal: Chain of Souls
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  19. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Luxury of Revenge
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  23. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Rider
  24. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Mad Bomber
  25. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Rifleman
  26. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Target: The Hangman
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  28. ^ a b Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - The Machinist
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  34. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Corsair Down
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  39. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Strike: The Hollowed Lair
  40. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Ether Ritual
  41. ^ Bungie (2018/9/4), Destiny 2: Forsaken - Gambit
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  43. ^ Bungie (2020/11/10), Destiny 2: Season of the Hunt - Ite Description: Wild Hunt Grasps
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  49. ^ Bungie (2021/2/9), Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen - Presage
  50. ^ Bungie (2021/5/11), Destiny 2: Season of the Splicer - Override: Tangled Shore
  51. ^ Bungie (2021/8/24), Destiny 2: Season of the Lost - Astral Alignment
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  53. ^ Bungie (2021/8/24), Destiny 2: Season of the Lost - Exorcism
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