The Traveler, a colossal spherical entity of immense power, stands as a central figure in the Destiny universe. Shrouded in mystery, this paracausal being, associated with the Light, has shaped civilizations and sparked conflicts for eons. But what exactly is the Traveler, and what is its role in the ongoing battle against the Darkness?
The Traveler over the Last City
The Traveler: An Overview
The Traveler serves as the primordial source of Light within the Destiny universe, empowering Ghosts and, by extension, the Guardians. While not the universe’s only source of Light, it is the most significant, acting as a protector of humanity against the encroaching Darkness. Its physical composition is equally enigmatic, comprised of elements like lead, neutronium, and even “electroweak matter,” referencing fundamental forces theorized to be extinct since the universe’s earliest moments. The electroweak matter aspect highlights the advanced and potentially unknowable nature of this paracausal machine.
The inner workings of the Traveler are a complete enigma. While some Ghosts like Balthazar have referred to a “Womb” inside, describing an intricate realm of countless star-like souls, these remain unverified whispers. Is it a physical space, a metaphorical construct, or something else entirely? Perhaps Peach provides another facet, mentioning neither she nor Balthazar can recall their time within the Traveler. This mystery adds another layer to the questions surrounding the Traveler.
The Traveler during the Lightfall expansion.
The Traveler’s motives appear purely altruistic, focused on fostering growth and understanding without demanding worship or imposing itself unnecessarily. It seems its intervention to protect humanity during the Collapse was an exceptional act of sacrifice rather than a pre-ordained commitment. The defense of humanity highlights the caring nature of the Traveler, going to extreme lengths to protect its chosen people.
A History Spanning Millennia
The Traveler’s history stretches back billions of years, shrouded in cosmic events and interactions with countless civilizations. Ahsa hints at a connection between the Traveler and the Veil, describing them as “two halves of a whole, long divided.” Could they have once been a single entity? Did they once operate in harmony? The potential connection raises questions about the origins of both Light and Darkness.
An ancient civilization building around the Traveler.
Billions of years ago, the Traveler was discovered dormant by a humanoid species. After awakening, the Traveler terraformed their world and bestowed paracausal gifts, ushering in a golden age. This civilization, known as the Precursors, revered the Traveler as “The Gardener”. The title highlights the Traveler’s nurturing and life-giving abilities.
This golden age, however, eventually led to a desire for defined meaning and purpose. The Precursors, studying the Traveler, started perceiving the Light as a chaotic force, capable of both creation and destruction. Their search for order led them to the Veil, which they saw as the Darkness and the key to achieving a perfected “Final Shape.” Their goal was to bring the Traveler and the Veil together, empowering them to reshape reality. However, the Traveler resisted this unification and fled, prompting the Precursors to merge their consciousnesses and transform into the entity known as the Witness. The Witness’s pursuit of the Traveler marks the beginning of the events we see unfold in Destiny.
The Traveler’s influence extends to numerous other civilizations, including the Lubraeans, the Ammonite, and the Eliksni. The encounter with the Krill marked a critical turning point. The Witness intervened, manipulating Sathona and her sisters, resulting in the transformation of the Krill into the Hive, forever shaping the destiny of the Fundament system.
On Riis, the Traveler uplifted the Eliksni, only to abandon them during the cataclysmic Whirlwind. This left them vulnerable to the encroaching Darkness, and highlights a difficult aspect of the Traveler’s history.
The Golden Age and the Collapse
Before the Collapse, the Traveler’s arrival in the Sol System ushered in humanity’s Golden Age. Terraforming planets like Mars and Venus, the Traveler accelerated technological advancement and interstellar expansion. The Ares One mission marked humanity’s first direct contact with this enigmatic being.
The Traveler creating the Ghosts
The arrival of the Black Fleet marked the end of the Golden Age and the beginning of the Collapse. The Traveler, for the first time, chose to stand and fight, suffering grievous wounds in the process. In its final act, it unleashed a wave of Light, creating the Ghosts to seek out and empower the Guardians, defenders of humanity. This marked the beginning of a new era, where light bearers rose to protect humanity.
The Traveler in the Modern Era
In the wake of the Collapse, humanity built the Last City beneath the Traveler’s dormant form. The Traveler’s Light sustained them, but its silence fueled uncertainty. A series of events, including the Red War, tested the resilience of the City and the Guardians. The Red Legion trapped the Traveler in a cage, attempting to siphon its Light. However, the Traveler eventually broke free, destroying Ghaul and signaling a new phase of its existence.
Even after the Red War, the Traveler remained largely passive, hovering above the Last City. However, Ikora Rey revealed that the Traveler communicated through visions, guiding Guardians toward new abilities.
As the Black Fleet drew closer, the Traveler gathered Light to repair the damage caused by the Red War, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. The destruction of Io, Mars, Mercury, and Titan underscored the immense threat posed by the Darkness.
The Witness and the Final Shape
The Witness, driven by a desire to impose the Final Shape upon the universe, finally confronted the Traveler. Despite the best efforts of the Vanguard and their allies, the Witness succeeded in opening a gateway within the Traveler, stepping through into the Pale Heart. This event brought the Traveler’s fate into question, leaving the Guardians to grapple with the consequences.
Later events revealed disturbing truths. The Traveler intentionally granted the Light to Savathûn and her Lucent Brood, a move that raised questions about its true intentions. The Traveler’s motives remain a complex riddle.
Despite these revelations, the Guardians stood firm, preparing for the Witness’s return. Rasputin’s sacrifice saved the Traveler from destruction, but the looming threat of the Witness remained. The Traveler’s choice to remain, rather than flee, signaled its commitment to defend humanity.
The Traveler working to reverse the Final Shape
Inside the Pale Heart, the Traveler resisted the Witness’s attempts to enact the Final Shape, providing the Guardians with the power of Prismatic. This new ability allowed them to wield both Light and Darkness in unison, paving the way for the final confrontation.
Ultimately, the Guardians destroyed the Witness, ending its reign of terror. However, the battle came at a great cost, with many Ghosts sacrificing themselves to channel the Traveler’s Light.
Unanswered Questions
Even with the defeat of the Witness, many questions about the Traveler remain unanswered. What is the true nature of its connection to the Veil? What are its long-term plans for the Sol System and its inhabitants? The mysteries surrounding the Traveler continue to fuel speculation and intrigue within the Destiny community. Its motives, history, and future all contribute to its enduring mystique.
The Traveler’s journey is far from over. As new threats emerge and new challenges arise, the Guardians will continue to rely on its Light, even as they seek to understand its enigmatic nature. What Is The Traveler? The Traveler is a guardian, an ancient machine, a protector, and a source of light. The story of The Traveler is still unfolding.
