Darkness
From Destinypedia, the Destiny wiki
The Darkness[1] is the powerful,[2] ancient enemy of the Traveler,[1] tracking it through the cosmos.[3] Once, the Darkness ruled the universe, and the Hive believe that the Light must be consumed for it to reclaim its domination.[4]
Centuries ago, the Darkness swept through the Solar System, devastating human civilization in an event called the Collapse.[1] There is evidence that its coming was detected beforehand.[5] Only due to the Traveler's intervention did humanity survive.[1] Seven centuries later,[6] the Darkness was set to return.[7] The Fallen, Vex, Hive, and Cabal are linked to this force.[8] Hive Wizards call upon the Darkness for their powers.[9]
Analysis
See Grimoire: Darkness for more information.
While there is little direct information on the Darkness, some indirect sources such as the Grimoire cards provide some insight into it's nature.
The first ghost fragment card refers to the discovery of the darkness outside the solar system, or more specifically, an unusual but very short event in deep space. It is a "Skyshock Alert", an ISR report from an AI, possibly a Warmind (the initials RSPN suggest Rasputin). Though the event detected lasted only 0.3 seconds, it was so intense that it shook and scattered space itself (evidenced by the gravity waves and scattered neutrinos). The AI was able to derive some information, but was unable to understand its mechanism or fully simulate the event; however, it was clearly a complex structure acting with clear purpose. It concludes that the event not only defies all known laws of physics to the point of acausality, it is also directed, angry, and almost certain to reach the solar system in a short amount of time. The Skyshock alert is upgraded to OCP:EXTINCTION, then activates a number of defense protocols (named Volupsa, Yuga, and Carrhae White), secure something called Isis, and hardens existing solar defenses.[10]
Trivia
- The Darkness bears resemblance to the Armies of the Dark and its leader in Bungie's Myth series—a resurgent dark force that is the antithesis to the (forces of) Light.
- The Darkness being flagged as Acausal indicates that it has no cause-effect relationship, but may be acting on an effect-then-cause relationship, or that its being directed by future inputs.
- Volupsa is a poem in the Poetic Edda that covers the Ragnarok.
- Yuga refers to the Hindu concept of the cyclic life and death of the universe. Each cycle has four seasons (including a Golden Age and a Dark Age) and lasts about 4.1-8.2 million years.
- Isis is the ancient Egyptian goddess of nature and magic, and representation of the royal throne. She is married to Osiris, whom she resurrected, and is the protector of the dead.
- The Battle of Carrhae was an ancient battle in which Rome suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Parthians, resulting in the Roman army's near-complete annihilation.
List of appearances
- Destiny (First mentioned)
References
- ^ a b c d Gameinformer: A Player's Journey
- ^ Bungie Destiny Story
- ^ The Guardian: how the makers of Halo plan to change the future of shooters
- ^ Bungie (2014-6-12), Destiny: Alpha PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, Grimoire: The Hive
- ^ Bungie (2014-6-12), Destiny: Alpha PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, Grimoire: Ghost Fragment: Darkness
- ^ IGN: Bungie's Destiny Story Details, Concept Art Leaked
- ^ YouTube - Destiny: Official E3 Gameplay Experience Trailer
- ^ Gameinformer: A Player's Journey
- ^ Game Informer January 2014, page 55
- ^ Youtube: Destiny - Secrets of The COLLAPSE!
