Darkness

The Darkness, also known as the Deep or the Black Edge, is a paracausal force and the fundamental opposing force to the Light in the Destiny universe. It is one of the two primordial forces that shape reality, associated with concepts of memory, simplicity, and the philosophy of the Sword Logic.

Overview

The Darkness is a paracausal force that exists outside the normal laws of physics and causality. It represents the principle of simplicity through elimination - the idea that existence should be winnowed down to its strongest, most enduring form. Unlike the Light, which promotes complexity and cooperation, the Darkness advocates for competition and survival of the fittest.

The Darkness is closely associated with the Veil, an ancient paracausal entity, and has been the driving force behind many of humanity's greatest calamities, including the Collapse. It is wielded by various hostile forces, most notably the Witness and the Hive, who worship it as the Deep.

Philosophy

The Darkness operates on a philosophy known as the Final Shape - the belief that the universe should be reduced to a single, perfect, eternal form through conflict and elimination of the weak. This philosophy is expressed through:

• The Sword Logic: A system of metaphysical laws that grants power through killing and conquest
• Simplicity through reduction: The belief that complexity is weakness and that true strength comes from eliminating all that is unnecessary
• Survival of the fittest: Only that which can defend its existence deserves to exist

Powers and Abilities

The Darkness grants various abilities to those who wield it:

Darkness Subclasses

• Stasis: The first Darkness subclass available to Guardians, introduced in Beyond Light. It allows users to manipulate cosmic ice and control the battlefield through freezing and shattering enemies
• Strand: The second Darkness subclass, introduced in Lightfall. It enables manipulation of psychic threads that connect all living beings
• Deepsight: A form of clairvoyance that allows users to perceive hidden truths and memories

Other Darkness Powers

• Taking: The ability to steal beings from reality and remake them as Taken, enslaved to the will of the taker
• Resonance: Destructive waves of Darkness energy used by the Pyramids
• Memory manipulation: The Darkness specializes in accessing and manipulating memories
• Reality manipulation: As a paracausal force, the Darkness can bend or break the laws of physics

Servants and Wielders

Various entities serve or wield the Darkness:

• The Witness: The primary antagonist who commands the Black Fleet
• The Hive: Worship the Darkness as the Deep and follow the Sword Logic
• The Taken: Beings corrupted and enslaved by Darkness powers
• Disciples of the Witness: Powerful beings who serve the Witness directly
• Guardians: Following the events of Beyond Light, Guardians can wield Darkness powers

The Collapse

The Darkness was responsible for the Collapse, the cataclysmic event that nearly destroyed humanity during the Golden Age. When the Darkness arrived in the Sol system pursuing the Traveler, it brought widespread destruction, reducing humanity from a spacefaring civilization to scattered survivors hiding in the Last City.

Pyramids and the Black Fleet

The Darkness manifests physically through the Pyramids, also known as the Black Fleet. These massive vessels serve as both weapons and communication devices for the Darkness, capable of:

• Suppressing Light abilities
• Communicating with potential wielders
• Devastating entire worlds with Resonance attacks
• Creating Nightmares from traumatic memories

Relationship with the Light

The Darkness and Light exist in eternal opposition, representing competing philosophies about the nature of existence:

• The Light promotes cooperation, complexity, and protection of life
• The Darkness advocates competition, simplicity, and survival through strength
• Both forces are paracausal and grant immense power to their wielders
• The conflict between them has shaped the destiny of countless civilizations

Guardian Use of Darkness

Following the arrival of the Pyramids on Europa, Guardians gained the ability to wield Darkness powers:

• Initially granted through Splinters of Darkness
• Later drawn from within through communion with Ziggurats
• Raises philosophical questions about using the enemy's power for protection
• Creates tension with traditional Light-based Guardian doctrine

Cultural Impact

The Darkness has profoundly influenced various cultures:

• The Hive: Built their entire civilization around worshipping the Deep
• The Fallen: Fear it as the force that destroyed their homeworld
• The Cabal: Attempted to fight it but were overwhelmed
• Humanity: Views it with fear and suspicion, though some seek to understand it

Quotes

• "The Light lives in all places, in all things. You can block it, even try to trap it, but the Light will find its way." - The Speaker
• "The Darkness is not a force of evil. It is a force of nature." - Eris Morn
• "We are not your friend. We are not your enemy. We are your... salvation." - The Darkness

Trivia

• The Darkness was first mentioned in Destiny 1 but didn't become directly accessible to players until Beyond Light
• The philosophy of the Darkness is explored extensively in the Books of Sorrow
• Despite being called "Darkness," it is not inherently evil but rather follows a different philosophy than the Light

References

• Destiny 2: Beyond Light
• Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
• Destiny 2: Lightfall
• The Books of Sorrow
• Unveiling Lore Book
• Various in-game lore entries and dialogue