How Old is Oryx in Destiny? Unraveling the God-King’s Age
Pinpointing the exact age of Oryx, the Taken King, is one of the most debated topics within Destiny’s lore. Officially, Oryx’s exact age is never explicitly stated in the game or its associated materials. However, based on available lore, environmental storytelling, and community analyses, a range can be estimated. It’s highly probable that Oryx is billions of years old, potentially even predating the Sol system itself. This conclusion stems from several factors:
- Hive Origins: The Hive, including Oryx, originate from the Fundament, a gas giant that existed long before the events of Destiny. The timeline of the Fundament’s existence and the Hive’s evolution into their current forms suggests a history spanning billions of years.
- Statue Pre-Dating the Sol System: In Oryx’s ship, the Dreadnaught, there is a statue of Oryx. Ghost scans reveal that the statue is older than the Sol System. The Sol System is approximately 4.6 billion years old.
- The Worm Gods: Oryx, along with his siblings Savathûn and Xivu Arath, made a pact with the Worm Gods eons ago on the Fundament. These Worm Gods are ancient entities, implying a similar age for the Hive siblings.
- The Taken Power: Oryx’s ability to “Take” beings and bend them to his will stems from a deep connection to the Darkness, a primordial force that predates the universe as we know it. Mastering such power suggests a vast accumulation of knowledge and experience over countless millennia.
Therefore, while a precise age is elusive, all available information suggests that Oryx’s age is measured in billions of years, making him one of the oldest and most powerful beings in the Destiny universe. The exact origins of the hive are shrouded in mystery which adds to the complicated process of calculating his age.
Decoding the Timeline: More Than Just Numbers
It’s also important to consider that Oryx’s age isn’t just a number; it represents the accumulation of immense power, knowledge, and experience. This makes him a formidable adversary whose plans are centuries in the making. The Hive, with their relentless commitment to the Sword Logic, have spread death and destruction across the cosmos for eons, with Oryx leading the charge for much of that time.
The Eternal Struggle: Darkness and Time
Understanding Oryx’s potential age helps to contextualize the larger narrative of Destiny. The game is essentially a story about cosmic forces clashing, where entities like the Traveler and the Darkness have been locked in a timeless struggle. Oryx, as a being deeply entwined with the Darkness, represents a piece of this ancient conflict. Exploring this aspect of video games, like Destiny, and their ability to create compelling narratives is one of the areas explored by the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oryx
Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding Oryx, his history, and his place in the grander Destiny universe:
Who is the oldest between Oryx, Savathûn, and Xivu Arath?
Based on lore entries and community analyses, Oryx is the eldest among the three Hive siblings. Xivu Arath is the youngest. This hierarchy matters because it influences the Hive’s internal power dynamics. Oryx’s position as the Taken King was maintained through his cunning and power.
Was Oryx originally a girl?
Yes, Oryx, born Aurash, was originally female. Through the pact with the Worm Gods and his embrace of the Sword Logic, he underwent a transformation that involved taking on a new name (Auryx) and adopting male pronouns. His final transformation into Oryx, the Taken King, finalized this change.
What was Oryx’s original name?
Oryx was originally born as Aurash. This name reflects his origins as a proto-Hive on the Fundament. This detail highlights the significant changes he underwent to become the Taken King.
Did Oryx have a wife?
According to lore, Oryx had a wife named Thyshik, the Matron of Oryx. She appears to be part of his court.
Who are Oryx’s known children?
Oryx has several known children, the most prominent being Crota, Ir Halak, Ir Anûk, and Alak-Hul. Less well-known children include Mysik, Zyrak, and Urrox. These progeny serve as extensions of Oryx’s will and represent the ongoing legacy of the Hive’s conquest.
Do Oryx (the species) have horns?
Yes, both male and female Oryx have horns.
How was Oryx finally killed in Destiny?
Oryx was initially defeated in the Dreadnaught raid but survived by “Taking” himself into his Ascendant Realm. He was then permanently destroyed when Guardians invaded his Ascendant Realm and defeated him, severing his connection to the material world.
Is Oryx a God?
Yes, Oryx is considered a God-King of the Hive. He attained this status through his pact with the Worm Gods and his mastery of the Taken power.
What race is Oryx in Destiny?
Oryx is a member of the Hive race. More specifically, he is one of the three founding siblings (along with Savathûn and Xivu Arath) who transformed the proto-Hive into the powerful, death-worshipping species they are known as today.
Did Oryx take himself?
Yes, after being defeated in the initial encounter on the Dreadnaught, Oryx used his Taking ability to “take” himself into his Ascendant Realm, a pocket dimension where he held absolute power.
Does Oryx have a sister?
Yes, Oryx has two sisters, Savathûn and Xivu Arath. These three siblings form the core pantheon of Hive Gods, each representing a different aspect of the Sword Logic.
How big is the creature Oryx based on?
The African Oryx is a large antelope that can weigh up to 450 pounds.
Can Oryx be revived?
While Oryx’s essence lingers in the weapon Touch of Malice, his true self cannot be revived. His soul was destroyed within his Ascendant Realm, severing his connection to the physical world.
Was Oryx stronger than the Worm Gods?
Oryx, at his peak, was considered stronger than at least some of the Worm Gods, notably Xol. He even killed one of the Worm Gods before his transformation into the Taken King.
How did Oryx feed his worm?
Oryx fed his worm through the Tithe system. The Hive would kill to feed their worms and then tithe the rest to their superior. This continued up the chain to the three Hive Gods.