"Destiny 2" is a vast and intricate universe created by Bungie, with a deep lore that spans millennia, galaxies, and numerous characters. Here's an overview of the key elements of its lore:
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The Universe and The Traveler
•The Traveler: At the heart of Destiny's lore is The Traveler, a mysterious, white, spherical entity that brings light, life, and advanced technology to civilizations. It arrived in our Solar System long ago, transforming humanity into a Golden Age.
•The Collapse: This prosperity was short-lived when The Darkness, an opposing force to The Traveler, invaded. The Traveler, in its last act to protect humanity, expelled a wave of Light, pushing back The Darkness but at the cost of being severely damaged and entering a dormant state. This event is known as "The Collapse."
Guardians and The Last City
•Guardians: Humans, Awoken (a race born from The Traveler's influence), and Exos (robotic beings) who were resurrected by Ghosts, small sentient machines created by The Traveler, became Guardians. These Guardians are tasked with defending humanity and seeking answers about The Traveler and The Darkness.
•The Last City: Earth's remaining humans live under The Traveler in a city protected by a massive shield. This city is humanity's last stronghold, with the Tower serving as a base for Guardians.
Key Factions and Conflicts
The Vanguard:
•The main leadership of the Guardians, consisting of three leaders from each race:
•Zavala (Human) - Titan Vanguard.
•Ikora Rey (Human) - Warlock Vanguard.
•Cayde-6 (Exo, deceased in the storyline) - Hunter Vanguard, later replaced by Crow.
The Darkness:
An ancient force opposing The Traveler, with various manifestations:
•The Hive: An ancient race worshiping the Worm Gods, seeking to prove their philosophy of survival through strength.
•The Taken: Corrupted beings controlled by the Hive god Oryx, who was eventually defeated but whose influence lingers.
•The Vex: A collective of time-traveling, mechanical minds aiming to convert everything into their own pattern.
•The Fallen (Eliksni): Once a race blessed by The Traveler, now scavengers seeking to reclaim its favor.
•The Cabal: A militaristic empire, with factions like the Red Legion leading direct assaults against The Last City.
•The Scorn: Mutated Fallen turned into undead by the power of the Darkness.
The Light and Darkness Saga:
This overarching narrative explores the balance between Light and Darkness, with key events like:
•Red War: The Cabal's attempt to capture The Traveler, leading to its temporary escape from Earth.
•Forsaken: The death of Cayde-6, leading to a hunt for his killers in the Reef, introducing Uldren Sov (later Crow) and The Scorn.
•Shadowkeep: The return to the Moon, revealing more about The Darkness and the Nightmares.
•Beyond Light: The introduction of Stasis, a Darkness-based power, symbolizing a shift in the Guardians' relationship with Light and Darkness.
•The Witch Queen: Deep dive into the Hive with Savathûn's schemes, revealing her manipulation of events and her quest for the Light.
•Lightfall: The continuation of the saga, with the introduction of The Witness, a new major antagonist, and the city of Neomuna on Neptune.
Lore Delivery
•Grimoire Cards (Destiny 1)/Lore Books (Destiny 2): Much of Destiny's lore is not told through gameplay but through collectibles, which players can gather for in-depth stories about characters, events, and the universe.
•Seasonal Content: With each season, new lore is added, expanding on existing stories or introducing new ones, often through quests, cutscenes, or seasonal activities.
•Characters: From Rasputin, an AI with control over Earth's defenses, to Mara Sov, the enigmatic queen of the Awoken, each character adds layers to the lore with personal narratives, motivations, and secrets.
Development Innovations
•Destiny Content Vault (DCV): Introduced to manage the game's growing size, the DCV allows Bungie to cycle out older content, reducing the game's footprint while periodically reintroducing or "unvaulting" it with updates, new activities, or story elements. This system was a novel approach to content management in live-service games, aiming to keep the game fresh without the need for a new sequel.
•AI and Machine Learning: Destiny 2 uses AI for more dynamic enemy behavior, where NPCs can adapt to player tactics in real-time. Machine learning also personalizes the player's experience by analyzing player behavior to adjust difficulty, suggest content, or tailor the game's challenges.
Destiny 2's lore is a tapestry of cosmic battles, personal journeys, and philosophical questions about existence, power, and the nature of life in the face of cosmic threats. It's a story that evolves with each expansion, weaving together the fates of countless beings across the stars.
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