Egregore



Egregore is a strange fungus-like life form that is commonly associated with the Darkness. It has been encountered in various locations like the Derelict, the Cabal Carrier Glykon Volatus and the Leviathan.

Overview
Egregore resembles Earth fungi in many respects, but while Earth fungi feed on dead or decomposing matter, egregore is drawn to the unique psychological phenomena associated with the deaths of sentient beings. The fungus is capable of infecting sentient beings through the use of skull-penetrating tendrils, which enable the egregore to suspend the victim's mind in a state of near-brain death, allowing it to feed on the drawn-out death process of the victim.

Egregore spores are linked to a mycelial network that connects them across the void of space and even alternate dimensions. These spores can apparently "open one's mind" to the Darkness, and permit affected individuals to pass through energy barriers generated by the fungus.

Egregore appears to use the Crown of Sorrow as a passageway to infest spaces. Usage of the Crown upon the H.E.L.M has caused egregore to infect and spread throughout and past the quarantine zone the Crown is placed within. This is similar to how the Crown sprang spores of egregore upon the Glykon, after it had been used to commit multiple communions with the anomaly. It is currently unknown how Drifter came to be in possession of his ownership of egregore, though he claims it was on a icy planet with no name and no importance.

Egregore appears to form a network of connections between Darkness-related entities, such as the Pyramids and the Ziggurat, and connects them to a central point that communicates with those like Rhulk and Calus, which appears to be the Witness. Eris Morn and the Drifter discover this through experimentation by burning egregore stalks near Pyramid technology, which opens up visions of the network that egregore forms between entities across space.

Calus' own current possession of egregore appears to stem from his visitation of a planet "far off" from Earth, where it grows in great forests across its surface. He claims the Leviathan infestation is still connected to that same planet's own forestry. Crow speculates Eris may find this information interesting, but is nervous at the idea of intelligent fungus able to communicate across the void of space.

History
According to Calus, he first discovered egregore on a distant world, where it grew in great "forests".

The infestation of egregore aboard the Drifter's Derelict appears to stem from the Haul, a mysterious globular object given to him by the Nine; however, the Drifter himself claims that he found the egregore on a distant icy world, and similarly states that he found the Haul in a place "cold enough to snuff out your Light".

Presage
As a result of Calus' attempts to commune with the Witness, the carrier Glykon Volatus became overrun with egregore.

Season of Defiance
The Warlock Druis encountered egregore within the Ascendant Realm while attempting to rescue civilian prisoners from a Shadow Legion outpost.

Trivia

 * Egregore refers to a concept in Occultism wherein an expressly believed thought manifests amongst a group of like-minded thinkers. The definition of this has changed over time, from manifesting an actual physical being that assists the group, in the form of a guardian angel or other being, to just the ability for the thought to grow in strength within the group, becoming evermore influential in the groups actions. Therefore, egregore is parasitic in its relationship to its host group. This can be said to be represented in Destiny, as egregore has so far appeared to grow within regions of lifeforms with a strong like-minded thought process and purpose; Loyalists and their dedication to Calus, Scorn and their dedication to finding meaning to their existence. Drifter's ownership of some egregore may indicate his singular strength of will to survive, with the egregore feeding on this.
 * Egregore is linked to the common theme of memory from other Darkness-based creations, such as the Nightmares and Taken.

List of appearances

 * Destiny 2
 * Forsaken
 * Season of the Drifter
 * Season of the Chosen
 * Season of the Haunted
 * Season of Defiance