Forum:Avatar (Renovated)

The Avatars are a multispecies and multifarious force consisting of all six species – Eliksni, Hive, Vex, Cabal, Human, and Awoken – thus far encountered by the Guardians, Lightbearers, and Lightbound Fallen and Cabal allies of The Last City and the Solar System.

Led by the dyad leadership of Kirito and Asuna, they are a legion of potent enemies who serve the Darkness and the dark forces of The Black Fleet, extremely infamous not only for being notorious time criminals and masterminds responsible for various atrocious acts against the defenders and protectors of humanity, but also for corrupting Mallory Bertha via her newfound powers and bringing on the Witness's plan for the end of the City Age and the destruction of The Last City with the Second Collapse in order to achieve the Final Shape.

Empowered by the powers of the Darkness, they have led countless sieges against the forces of the Light and its allies, seeking to claim complete control over the Solar System and usher in a dark new future by recreating the entire universe in the Darkness's image.

They are the main antagonists of the Paradox expansion.

Organization
The name given to entities wholly corrupted by the Pyramids in service to the Darkness is simply the "Shadowkeeper," a powerful herald blessed by The Witness with dark forms of power and sorcery of the highest ranks. There is no distinction between willing servitude and outright enslavement. Members of all six species present in the solar system are among their ranks—Human, Awoken, Eliksni, Cabal, Hive, and Vex. Their physical appearance is that of a rippling shadow, more humanoid and opaque than the Taken armies commanded by Oryx, with emerald green eyes of golden fire. They command powers and abilities that are the antithetical opposite of the Light — Stasis, Strand, Entropy, and Fracture.

According to remnants of Rasputin's analyses from the First Collapse, there is growing evidence that these beings are wholly artificial, drawn out of the collective psyche of entire racial minds. Examples include the Black Swordsman, otherwise known as Kirito, apparently created wholesale out of an artificial program that had formerly been under Rasputin's prerogative, which in turn had been based upon a character from a centuries-old entertainment series. This means that they are specially constructed, tailor made even, for each invasion of a targeted species. They supplement the Nightmares that soften up resistance to the Pyramids until the main Fleet arrives.

The most notable of these servants is simply The Guardian, hero of the Last City and killer of their many and varied foes. It is unknown how The Guardian finally fell to the Darkness' service but it is believed exposure to Stasis is what hastened their fall, much in the same manner as what happened to Rezyl Azzir. What is known for certain is that, during the war against the Black Fleet, the Guardian slowly and surely grew more erratic, disappearing for weeks on end in pursuit of the City's enemies—and finally, one day after a very lengthily departure, returned at the head of an army by the side of the Black Swordsman and the White Angel, and overran Earth's defenses. They personally slew millions of Guardians and civilians where before they had once staunchly defended.

Shadowkeeper Pantheon

 * Kirito, the Black Swordsman – Shadow Emperor and Leader of the Avatars
 * Asuna, the White Angel – Shadow Empress

Shadowkeeper Descendants

 * Tatsuyi Kirigaya, the Shadow Prince – Scion of the Shadowkeepers and Son of Kirito and Asuna

List of appearances

 * Destiny 2:
 * Paradox
 * Season of the Black Swordsman
 * Shadows' Legacy Update