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War against the Witness: Difference between revisions
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===The Black Fleet's Return=== | ===The Black Fleet's Return=== | ||
The arrival of the Black Fleet, detected by [[Rasputin]] in Seraph Bunkers beforehand, began with Io and the sudden deactivation of Rasputin. The first contact was made in the Cradle by the young wolf, assisted by [[Eris Morn]]. The Tree of Silver Wings was discovered in the center of the cradle being assaulted by [[Savathun]]'s taken. After the taken were pushed back, the seed of silver wings was taken by the guardian and Pyramid Scales appeared on Io. | |||
Eventually, past weeks of thwarting Savathun's interference with the Darkness' messages and contact with Pyramid Scales, another Pyramid arrived on Titan, followed by banks being set up there for more contact. With more time passing, Io, Titan, Mars, and Mercury all had Pyramids. | |||
Soon, following the interference being cleared, the Vanguard ordered an evacuation from all planets with Pyramids present on them. Several individuals chose to ignore this, mainly [[Asher Mir]], [[Sloane]], and [[Brother Vance]]. The Vanguards advice proved to be well founded as the Traveler started to heal. After it had finished, the Pyramids, through unknown means, caused Titan, Io, Mars and Mercury to vanish, leaving only gravitational anomalies behind. | |||
===Formation of the Coalition=== | ===Formation of the Coalition=== | ||
The Coalition begins to form after signing an armistice with Empress Caiatl, integrating the House of Light into the Last City, and assisting the Awoken in rescuing the [[Techeun]]s from the forces of Xivu Arath. It would start with a joint operation between the Vanguard and the Imperial Cabal, upon learning that [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen]], has gained the powers of the Light from [[The Traveler]] and uses her [[Lucent Brood]] to steal Light from the Guardians. Although [[Uldren Sov|Crow]]'s inexperience almost placed the fledgling Coalition in danger, it remained strong thanks to the bravery of [[Saladin Forge]] and would continue to grow over time, when Empress Caiatl tasks the Guardian to shut down [[Psion]]ic propaganda instigated by [[Yirix]] and spread by [[Qabix, Insurgent]]. Empress Caiatl discovers the future where Neomuna is under assault, [[Emperor Calus]]'s flagship, the [[Leviathan (ship)|Leviathan]] returns, [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness|Eramis]] is freed from her Stasis prison, and the Traveler is infected with Darkness from her Psions. She declares that the Coalition must remain united in order to stay vigilant, especially as the Witness begins to reveal itself and declares war with the forces of the Sol System and the Traveler itself. They would also work with Mara Sov to gain information about the [[Collapse]] from Savathûn's worm and stop the [[Scorn]] from taking over [[The Sunken Pyramid]] following the death of the First Disciple, [[Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness|Rhulk]]. | |||
===Operation Elbrus=== | ===Operation Elbrus=== | ||
{{ | {{Quote|Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.|Empress Caiatl quoting Sun Tzu.}} | ||
After learning of the incident on [[Mars]] in which [[The Guardian]] would massacre her people while attempting to discover its return as well as the introduction of the [[Lucent Brood|Lucent Hive]], she would arrange a meeting with [[Saladin Forge]], [[Zavala]], [[Uldren Sov|Crow]], and the same Guardian responsible in the Tower Hangar. As the argument continues, Zavala defuses the situation and asks for Caiatl's help in stopping the Lucent Hive on Earth. She agrees and in return, she supplies Light-suppressing tech in the form of a [[Synaptic Spear]]. | |||
[[File:Destiny-Season-of-the-risen-Caiatl.jpg|thumb|290px|Caiatl being informed of the Lucent Brood threat.]] | |||
The Guardian receives the Synaptic Spear from [[Ikora Rey]] after learning more information about the Lucent Hive. Caiatl then briefs them of a plan to extract the different Lucent Hive lieutenants and bring them to the Psisorium in the [[H.E.L.M.]] to discover intel on the Lucent Hive's plans. She explains that in order to extract the Lucent Hive lieutenant, the Guardian would use her [[Psion]]s to enter the [[Mindscape]] to connect the Guardian's Light to the Lucent Hive lieutenant's Light, and then use the Synaptic Spear to sever the latter's connection through the phantasms of [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]]. The Psions would then lock down the lieutenant for extraction. | |||
With the plan now set in motion and the coalition between her Cabal and the Vanguard forged, the Guardian would track down the first Lucent Hive lieutenant in the [[European Dead Zone|EDZ]]: a [[Lightbearer Acolyte]] named [[Mor'ak, Lightstealer]], who is responsible for stealing the Light from missing [[Guardian]]s patrolling there. Determining that more intel is needed, the Guardian would locate the second Lucent Hive lieutenant within the [[Cosmodrome]]: a [[Lightbearer Knight]] named [[Uul'nath, Lightcleanser]], who would repurpose the stolen Light for a purification ritual and distribute [[Lucent Beacon]]s throughout the battlegrounds that spawn [[Lighthoarder]]s. When enough intel is gathered from both of them, Caiatl begins deploying her forces to the [[Scarlet Keep]] on [[Moon|Luna]], with the Guardian following soon after. They discover an invasion force led by the third and final Lucent Hive lieutenant: a [[Lightbearer Wizard]] named [[Korosek, Thronebringer]]. The Guardian puts an end to the invasion force. | |||
While the Guardian was deployed on Luna, Crow attempts to shut down the Psisorium out of concern that the experiments on the Lucent Hive were unethical, but he inadvertently kills the [[Psisorium Optus|Psion]] running it. The Guardian and Saladin discover the destruction upon the Guardian returning from Luna. Saladin would inform Caiatl of Crow's actions there and they, along with Zavala, would meet back in the Tower Hangar to discuss Crow's life debt per Cabal tradition of a life for a life. Saladin repays the life debt on Crow's behalf by becoming a member on her [[War Council]]. Caiatl would name him "Bracus Forge" and they both depart from the Tower, although she would allow him permission to continue to run the Iron Banner in the Tower albeit with some new ideas of her own. Three days after this meeting, Caiatl gives Saladin a promotion to "Valus Forge" after he defeats another member of her War Council: Valus [[Guhrn Or'ohk]]. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Duel with the First Disciple=== | ===Duel with the First Disciple=== | ||
{{ | {{Quote|The Witness sees you. Grants you opportunity. And you squander it!|Rhulk's taunt to the Guardians.}} <ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cbpEj1MkWk "The Witness Sees You"]''</ref> | ||
After Savathûn's death at the hands of [[The Guardian]], the Scorn began to invade her fortress ''en masse'' and threatened to destroy the Wellspring, the main source of Light distribution across the throne world and of the curse which had kept Rhulk trapped.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[The Wellspring]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfixEake1QQ First Defense]''</ref> Instead the Guardians would repeatedly quash their attempts and keep the Wellspring secured from both Scorn and Lucent Hive parties. [[Fynch]] would also inform to [[Ikora Rey]] and the [[Vanguard]] of the curse surrounding the Sunken Pyramid, albeit unaware of the disciple inside it kept from escaping.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[The Wellspring]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE2QCYmKWSI "A Pretty Hefty Light Curse On It"]''</ref> | |||
Eventually, [[The Guardian]] would lead a [[raid]] fireteam to investigate the sunken Pyramid. [[Mara Sov]] would warn them of the threat posed by Rhulk only to be cut of by his own whispers greeting the Light bearers and inviting them to enter; cryptically warning them to either "drown in the [[Darkness|Deep]]" or "rise from it".<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwmyC-ixHqQ "A Dark Entity, Unknown In Power"]''</ref> | |||
The Guardians would first approach [[Vow_of_the_Disciple#Acquisition|Acquisition]], a vast repository of artifacts from Rhulk's past conquests, including a rib he took from the Leviathan of Fundament. The Disciple would then explain that the Witness would see the Light fall and glimpsed of the potential Guardians would possess freed of its chains.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-c2uX0E0zk "The Witness... Sees Light Fall"]''</ref> Despite opposition by both Scorn and [[Taken]] forces, the Guardians journeyed deeper into the Pyramid. They then looked upon the Upended in the distance, which Rhulk described as a "triumvirate" of the three core tenets of the Witness: opportunity, preservation, and salvation.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTLuH1Tt_ic "Opportunity. Preservation. Salvation."]''</ref> | |||
After the Guardians killed [[The Caretaker]], Rhulk remarked that those "defiant" of the Witness’ campaign would be subjugated in service of the Final Shape, which he described as an "ailing, endless, void".<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_rkt8YXbaI "In Service of an Ailing, Endless Void."]''</ref> As they approached the Upended, Rhulk further compliments the Guardians as resilient yet credulous. In blindly killing scores of Scorn and Taken, however, the fireteam had aided Rhulk by powering the Upended with their bloodshed. With the machine reaching full power, Rhulk was prepared to seal the throne world permanently off from the Light, leaving both the Guardians and the Lucent Hive to suffer. As a final rebuke, the disciple told the Guardians they were not fit to serve the Witness nor its goals, instead deserving to drown in Darkness.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HsNx_IwT8U "This World Will Be Sealed From the Light"]''</ref> | |||
With the Guardians having reached the Upended, Rhulk emerged from a sarcophagus to personally greet them. Stating that he had no use in them anymore, the Disciple commenced a climactic battle with his interlopers by dropping his [[Lubrae's Ruin|glaive]] and unleashing a massive resonant barrier of Darkness to push them back.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-CIVBDKevk "All That Awaits You Now is the Gift of Death"]''</ref> The fireteam retaliated in turn by exploiting the resonance from his attacks to push back the barrier, all while Rhulk taunts the fireteam as they fight Scorn and Taken reinforcements. With the barrier having pushed inward and reached the disciple, Rhulk disables it before inviting the Guardians to the inner sanctum of the Upended. There Rhulk would challenge his opponents in person, to which he toys with the fireteam and even kick them to death on occasion. His composure was only short-lived as they found and then took advantage of four chinks in Rhulk's impervious defense, enraging the disciple as he became vulnerable to their attacks. In his final moments, Rhulk cried out to the Witness for forgiveness as his body was warped by his own out-of-control powers, transforming him into what appeared to be a petrified, lifeless tree with gnarled vein-like roots of Darkness growing from it.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftOWxGbDj98 "Witness... Forgive Me!"]''</ref> | |||
===[[Vox Obscura]]=== | ===[[Vox Obscura]]=== | ||
Following the events of [[The Lucent War|Operation Elbrus]], Caiatl discovers that a sect of [[Psion]]s are using Psionic propaganda to force her Psions to defect to the forces of [[The Witness]]. She asks the Guardian to return to Mars, this time near the city of [[Freehold]] to stop the Psions responsible. The Guardian deploys to the abandoned Cabal bunker near Freehold with Caiatl and Zavala monitoring their activity and [[Amanda Holliday]] providing support for the assault on the bunker. The Guardian discover that [[Qabix, Insurgent|Qabix]] was the Psion Flayer spreading Psionic propaganda, and Caiatl orders them to eliminate the Psion Flayer. They all learn that [[Yirix]] and her conclave has allied with her father [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] and to a certain extent the Witness. They would learn more of the Psionic propaganda on subsequent incursions, including the history of the Psions prior to Cabal enslavement, the supposed resurrection of [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness|Eramis]], the [[Traveler]]'s Light tainted with Darkness, and the return of [[The Leviathan]]. Caiatl declares that the existing alliances in [[The Last City]] must grow stronger if the possible futures are to be prevented from coming to pass and to fight against the forces of the Witness. | |||
===[[Severing of the Nightmares|Calus's Acension into a Disciple]]=== | ===[[Severing of the Nightmares|Calus's Acension into a Disciple]]=== | ||
The Leviathan returns in the Sol System, but derelict, heavily infested with [[Egregore]], and in [[Moon|Luna]]'s orbit. They receive intelligence from [[Eris Morn]] that Emperor Calus has begun communing with [[The Lunar Pyramid]] and unleashed the [[Nightmare]]s once intended as the Lunar Pyramid's security mechanism. She and the Guardian work together in order to sever Calus's connection to the Lunar Pyramid. They begin with Crow, who is facing up against the [[Nightmare of Uldren]]. They were successful when Crow turns his Nightmare into a Memory and learns from the Memory to not ignore his past as Uldren Sov. Then they turn to Zavala, who is facing up against the [[Nightmare of Safiyah]], his former wife. He turns his Nightmare into a Memory when he lets go his grief for [[Safiyah]] and [[Hakim]]. Finally, they turn to Caiatl, who is facing up against the [[Nightmare of Dominus Ghaul]]. Unfortunately, since she doesn't have the protection against the Nightmares, she is vulnerable to its influence. After Eris gives her the protection needed, she is able to turn her Nightmare into a Memory and finally realizes she is more worthy than her idol in leading the Cabal Empire. The Guardian, Eris, Crow, Caiatl, and Zavala all begin to strike, but Calus anticipates their arrival and has his forces ambush them. The Guardian makes their way to the [[Chantry of the Darkest Hour]] within the Lunar Pyramid and together with Empress Caiatl, faces a projection of the Herald of the Witness. Although they were able to to banish his influence from the Lunar Pyramid, they were too late in stopping Calus from becoming a Disciple of the Witness. | |||
===[[Search for Nezarec's Relics|The Reliquary Hunt]]=== | ===[[Search for Nezarec's Relics|The Reliquary Hunt]]=== | ||
The next to join the Coalition would be the House of Light. Upon learning that Eramis has rallied the old crews of pirates, Ketchkillers, and Skiffblades, the Guardian assembles a crew to hunt the Pirate Lords scattered throughout the [[Themis Cluster]]. They, along with the [[Drifter]], [[The Spider]], [[Eido]], and Mithrax team up to prevent Eramis from acquiring the relics containing body parts of another Disciple of the Witness, [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain|Nezarec]]. They do so and help improve the Eliksni Quarter so Mithrax can use the relics to bring [[Osiris]] out of coma. | |||
===[[Battle of the War Gods|Rasputin vs. the Wrathborn]]=== | ===[[Battle of the War Gods|Rasputin vs. the Wrathborn]]=== | ||
The forces of the Coalition would rally together as the threat of the Witness and its Disciples loom in the Solar System. After assisting the Bray family and Osiris in bringing [[Rasputin]] back online, Mara Sov informs the leaders of the Coalition that the usage of the [[Warsat]]s would allow Xivu Arath's forces to invade Earth. In response, Rasputin is forced to sacrifice himself to not only destroy all of the Warsats but also prevent Eramis from successfully completing ABHORRENT IMPERATIVE and allowing Xivu Arath a foothold to commence her invasion on Earth. The Traveler departs from Earth to confront the [[Black Fleet]]. In its absence, the Vanguard declares that the Guardians, the Awoken, the House of Light, and the Imperial Cabal will unite to stop the Witness and its Disciples together. Evidence of this union can be seen in the [[Tower (Destiny 2)|Tower]]'s skies as the ships from each member of the Coalition occupy it, including Awoken [[Ceres Galliot|Galliot]]s, Eliksni [[Ketch]]es controlled by the House of Light, and [[Cabal Carrier]]s under Empress Caiatl's command. | |||
===[[Invasion of Neptune|Siege of Neomuna]]=== | ===[[Invasion of Neptune|Siege of Neomuna]]=== | ||
The Witness and its forces finally arrive at Earth's orbit to confront the Traveler. The forces of the Coalition respond to defend it, but the defense fails as the pilots go down in the fight and the Witness soon learns the location of [[The Veil]]. The Guardian and Osiris follow the [[Shadow Legion]] fleet heading for [[Neptune]]. Upon landing on Neptune, the Coalition begins an alliance with the people of Neomuna by assisting the Cloud Striders in the fight against the Shadow Legion led by the newly-risen Disciple of the Witness, Emperor Calus. Mara informs the Guardian that she is responding to the Vanguard's aid and they are fighting a two-front war with the Shadow Legion, with one front on Neptune, and the other front on Earth. With the information in mind, the Guardian works to prevent Calus and the Witness from establishing a link with the Veil alongside Osiris, Nimbus, Rohan, and Caiatl. Rohan is forced to sacrifice himself to destroy the [[Radial Mast]] and prevent it from establishing a link with the Veil, leaving Nimbus as the sole Cloud Strider to defend Neomuna. They would work to make their final assault on Calus by having Caiatl rally the [[Cabal]] to fight alongside the Guardian, Nimbus reactivate the remaining [[CloudArk]] defenses throughout Neomuna, and Osiris assist the Guardian in their mastery of Strand. Once the mastery of Strand is complete, the Guardian eventually confronts Calus at the [[Veil Containment]] site underneath the Veil. They defeat him, but the victory is short-lived as the Witness possesses Ghost to establish a link with the Veil and open the portal using its energy so it can subsequently begin the [[Final Shape]]. Despite the setback, the Guardian work to assist Nimbus in tracking down Rohan's notes leading into the [[Black Garden]], repair Cloud Strider monuments damaged by the Vex, and end Nezarec's influence on the people by confronting him inside the [[Essence|terraformed Pyramid]] once inhabited by the Witness. [[Soteria]] informs the Guardian that an [[Ahsa|enemy of the Witness]] is hiding somewhere on Titan and urges them to not waste time. | |||
===[[Invasion of Earth]]=== | ===[[Invasion of Earth]]=== | ||
The Guardian returns to Earth and meets with Mara, Devrim, and Mithrax at the [[Farm]]. They follow Amanda's distress signal into the EDZ and breach the Pyramid outpost's warding with the [[Ascendant Scepter]]. They kill the [[Warden Vincu'us, Shadow Legion|warden]] in charge and rescue the prisoners captured by the Shadow Legion including Amanda. They go and rescue more prisoners in the [[Cosmodrome]] by killing the [[Zatocc, Devoted to the Witness|warden]] in charge there and overcoming its Psionic powers. Next, they infiltrate a Shadow Legion prison ship to kill the [[Bracus Kravaum, Shadow Legion|warden]] there and rescue more prisoners. Amanda and Mithrax intercept a distress signal inside the EDZ Tunnels and requests the Guardian's assistance. After defeating a [[Tormentor]] named [[Vereziia, Reverent of the Witness]], they assist in getting the prisoners out. Tragically however, Amanda is killed in the prison facility's explosion. The Coalition holds a vigil for Amanda in the Farm as Crow forms a plan to avenge Amanda. He soon does so and tells the Guardian of the plan: they would infiltrate the Shadow Legion flagship while he, Devrim, and Mithrax would assist them in eliminating the forces occupying it. After dispelling the Pyramid beacons, Crow detonates the charges set up in the hangar. The Guardian then makes their way to the engine room and use the powers sent by Mara Sov to destroy the cooling fans, then the engine. They finally scuttle the flagship and see it blow up from the sky. The forces of the Coalition celebrate their victory and honor Amanda's memory. The Coalition soon turn their attention to a Cabal warbase in the EDZ. Empress Caiatl dispatches her Psions to secure the warbase, but they are soon captured by Shadow Legion forces led by a new [[Bracus Zahn]]. The Empress, with the assistance from Devrim, tasks the Guardian with freeing her forces so her [[Ascendant Guard]]s can fight alongside them in their assault on the warbase. They follow the new Bracus Zahn to the top of the warbase and together with their Cabal allies, finally put an end to Bracus Zahn's legacy. | |||
===[[Skirmish of Titan|Titan's Return]]=== | ===[[Skirmish of Titan|Titan's Return]]=== | ||
The Coalition led by the Vanguard would be forced to follow Soteria's lead as their attempts to follow the Witness have failed with the death of [[Joxer]]. As [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] reappears in the Sol System, they discover Deputy Commander Sloane's distress signal. Zavala organizes a rescue team including himself, Saladin, Saint-14, and the Guardian. As the rescue team explore the derelict rig, Xivu Arath announces her presence on Titan by sending in Hive and Taken forces to hamper the rescue team's efforts to find Sloane. After pushing back her forces, the Drifter arrives in the Derelict to assist the rescue team. Zavala discovers the origin of the distress signal lies in the depths of [[Kraken Mare]] at 1 kilometer. The Guardian, Drifter, and Zavala reunite with Sloane. She reveals the Taken corruption inhabiting her body and introduces them to a large sea creature named Ahsa. Sloane informs them that Ahsa has vital information regarding the Witness, but in order to do so, she will need Egregore coral and technology salvaged from the New Pacific Arcology so she can form a psychic connection with Ahsa and get the message delivered to the Coalition. After enough Egregore is used to strengthen Sloane's connection with Ahsa, Ahsa is able to tell the Coalition of a huge revelation: the Witness is a gestalt of the first civilization uplifted by the Traveler made manifest through the power of Darkness they learned from the Veil. Ahsa also reveals more information about the Final Shape, a plan to reshape the universe to the Witness's desire by connecting the Veil and the Traveler together. However, the connection is lost before Ahsa is able to explain the next step that will allow the Vanguard to follow the Witness. The Coalition discovers that Xivu Arath is using her [[Scream of Xivu Arath|Wizards]] to conduct a ritual to Take Ahsa and responds to stop the ritual. The Guardian and the [[Iron War Beast]]s led by Saladin work together to stop the ritual. After escorting Ahsa to safety, she finally reveals the next step: resurrect Savathûn. Meanwhile, Osiris and Nimbus work together to gain more information about the Veil through various logs left behind by Dr. [[Chioma Esi]]. | |||
===[[Clash of the Hive Gods]]=== | ===[[Clash of the Hive Gods]]=== | ||
The '''Clash of the Hive Gods''' is an ongoing confrontation between the [[Vanguard]], the forces loyal to Xivu Arath, and the [[Lucent Brood|Lucent Hive]]. After [[Ahsa]] revealed [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]] was needed to find a way through the portal inside [[The Traveler]] created by [[The Witness]], the Vanguard hesitated, worried that Savathûn might find a way to use them and trick them again, much like she did years prior when she disguised herself as [[Osiris]]. After sometime, an agreement was made with [[Immaru]], the [[ghost]] of Savathûn, that they would aid the Vanguard in finding a way through the portal, on one condition: they deal with Savathûn’s sister Xivu Arath. To challenge Xivu Arath, Eris Morn would transform herself into the Hive God of Vengeance and have the Guardian manipulate the [[Sword Logic]] to bring her tithes. | |||
===Stopping the Final Shape=== | ===Stopping the Final Shape=== | ||