The Traveler, a colossal spherical entity, is one of the most significant and mysterious elements in the Destiny universe. It is associated with the Light and has a deep, albeit often unclear, connection to the fate of humanity and the ongoing battle against the Darkness. Determining “What Is The Traveler Destiny” requires understanding its origins, its actions, and its ultimate purpose.
The Traveler looming over the Last City after the Red War, its light a beacon of hope and resilience.
The Traveler’s Nature and Purpose
The Traveler is described as a paracausal entity, meaning it operates outside the normal laws of physics. It is the source of the Light, which grants powers to the Guardians and protects the Last City. Its outer shell consists of unusual materials, including lead, neutronium, and “electroweak matter,” highlighting its advanced and almost incomprehensible nature.
The Traveler’s internal workings are equally enigmatic. The Ghost Balthazar spoke of the “Womb,” a space within the Traveler containing countless star-like souls. While the accuracy of this description has been debated, it suggests the Traveler is more than a mere machine; it possesses a profound connection to life and the universe. The Pale Heart, a domain accessible through the Traveler, is also a realm of consciousness that can be shaped by those who enter, further blurring the line between the physical and the metaphysical.
A History of Uplift and Flight
The Traveler has a long history of visiting worlds, uplifting civilizations, and then departing. It terraformed planets and bestowed paracausal gifts, leading to golden ages for various species. However, this pattern was often followed by the arrival of the Darkness, forcing the Traveler to flee.
One crucial revelation is that the Traveler and the Veil were once possibly a single entity, split long ago. This connection hints at a larger cosmic narrative and explains the Witness’s relentless pursuit of both entities. The Witness, originally part of a species uplifted by the Traveler, sought to unite the Traveler and the Veil to achieve its “Final Shape,” a predetermined and static future for the universe.
Examples of civilizations touched by the Traveler include:
- The Lubraeans: Uplifted but eventually abandoned, leading to societal decline.
- The Ammonite: Blessed until the Krill, manipulated by the Witness, became the Hive and destroyed them.
- The Eliksni (Fallen): Given a golden age on Riis before the Whirlwind, a cataclysmic event caused by the Darkness.
This history raises questions about the Traveler’s motives. Is it genuinely altruistic, or is it simply following a pattern it cannot control? Why does it repeatedly abandon civilizations to the Darkness?
Earth and the Collapse
The Traveler’s arrival in the Sol System marked a turning point for humanity. It terraformed planets, ushering in a Golden Age of technological and societal advancement. However, this era was shattered by the Collapse, the arrival of the Black Fleet led by the Witness.
For the first time, the Traveler chose to stand and fight, sacrificing itself to protect humanity. This act created the Ghosts, who in turn revived fallen warriors as Guardians, imbued with the Light. While the Traveler was crippled and rendered dormant, its actions ensured humanity’s survival, albeit in a diminished state.
The Traveler creating the Ghosts in the aftermath of the Collapse, marking the birth of the Lightbearers and the fight for humanity's future.
Reawakening and the Fight Against the Witness
In the aftermath of the Red War, where the Cabal Red Legion trapped the Traveler, it reawakened, destroying Dominus Ghaul and reclaiming its Light. However, it remained largely passive, communicating through visions and offering subtle guidance.
This changed as the Witness intensified its efforts. The Traveler gifted the Light to Savathûn, the Witch Queen, a move that sparked confusion and distrust among the Guardians. Later, it attempted to defend itself against the Black Fleet, but was ultimately outmatched. The Witness opened a portal into the Traveler, leading to the events of The Final Shape expansion.
The Traveler preparing to leave the Last City, as Warsats threaten to attack.
The Final Shape and Beyond
In The Final Shape, the Witness sought to impose its predetermined vision of the universe, the Final Shape, onto reality. The Guardians, however, were able to resist, ultimately destroying the Witness within the Pale Heart of the Traveler. This victory came at a great cost, including the loss of Ghosts and the beginning of a new, uncertain era.
While the Witness is gone, the aftermath of its defeat is still unfolding. The Traveler is emitting mysterious echoes, and the Valence, a strange aurora, is emanating from the portal within. The question of “what is the traveler destiny” remains unanswered.
The Traveler working to reverse the Final Shape, a desperate act to undo the Witness's control and restore balance.
Visions of the Traveler
Throughout the events of The Final Shape, key characters such as Micah-10 and Mithrax experienced visions related to the Traveler. These visions provided insights into the Traveler’s past, its emotions, and its interactions with other civilizations.
These visions highlight the Traveler’s:
- Ancient origins and connection to the cosmos.
- Desire to uplift and guide civilizations.
- Frustration with worship and demands.
- Fear of stagnation and control.
- Sacrifice in creating the Ghosts.
- Possible afterlife for Guardians.
The Enduring Mystery
Even after centuries of interaction, the Traveler remains an enigma. Its motives are often unclear, its actions unpredictable, and its ultimate purpose still a matter of speculation. Understanding “what is the traveler destiny” is to grapple with the central question of the Destiny universe: the nature of Light and Darkness, the meaning of choice, and the future of reality itself. The story continues, and with it, the search for answers about the Great Machine.
