The Enigmatic Allure: Why Would a Ghost Choose Savathûn?
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The question of why a Ghost, a being inherently connected to the Light, would choose Savathûn, the Witch Queen, a master of deception and a Hive god steeped in the Darkness, is one of the most perplexing mysteries in the Destiny universe. The simple answer? Savathûn didn’t just wait for Ghosts to choose her. She orchestrated events, exploited vulnerabilities, and twisted the very nature of Light and Darkness to create the Lucent Brood, her Hive Guardians. This wasn’t a matter of free will as much as manipulation on a cosmic scale.
The Seeds of Betrayal: How Savathûn Gained the Light
Savathûn’s journey to gaining the Light is a complex tapestry woven with deception, cunning, and an insatiable desire for freedom. Here’s how she managed the impossible:
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Exploiting Guardian-less Ghosts: Savathûn, through intermediaries like Immaru, targeted Ghosts who had lost their Guardians or never found one. These Ghosts, yearning for purpose and connection, were vulnerable to Savathûn’s carefully crafted lies. She convinced them that the Hive, not humanity, were the true inheritors of the Light, promising them a worthy purpose and an end to their aimless wandering. Fynch, a Lucent Brood Ghost who defected, is a prime example of this manipulation.
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The Power of Deception: Savathûn is a master manipulator, and her ability to deceive extended even to the Ghosts. She presented a compelling narrative, twisting the Traveler’s intentions and highlighting humanity’s perceived flaws. Some Ghosts, disillusioned with humanity’s actions, found her arguments persuasive.
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Necromancy and Resurrection: While the exact mechanics are debated, Savathûn likely employed necromantic techniques learned from Nokris to influence the resurrection process. Theories suggest she might have used fragments of Sagira, Osiris’s Ghost, to corrupt the Light and create Hive Ghosts, though this remains largely speculation. What’s certain is that she tampered with the fundamental laws governing the Light and resurrection.
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The Traveler’s Vulnerability: Savathûn’s ultimate goal was to protect the Traveler from the Witness, but to do that, she believed she needed to understand and control the Light. By becoming a Guardian, she gained unparalleled insight into the Traveler’s power and vulnerabilities, knowledge she intended to use to safeguard it, albeit through her own, often morally questionable, methods.
The Lucent Brood: A Perversion of Light
The creation of the Lucent Brood is a testament to Savathûn’s audacity and power. These Hive Guardians wield the Light, possess Ghosts, and are capable of resurrection, mirroring the abilities of human Guardians. However, their allegiance lies with Savathûn, making them a formidable threat.
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Fynch’s Defection: Fynch is a key figure in understanding the Lucent Brood. His defection proves that not all Hive Ghosts are blindly loyal to Savathûn. He recognized her deception and chose to aid the Guardians, offering invaluable insights into the inner workings of the Lucent Brood.
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Immaru’s Loyalty: In stark contrast to Fynch, Immaru remains steadfastly loyal to Savathûn, even after her death and resurrection by the Traveler. His unwavering devotion highlights the depth of Savathûn’s influence and control over her Hive Ghosts. Immaru’s anger towards Guardians who kill his fellow Hive-allied Ghosts proves his allegiance to the Lucent Brood.
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The Philosophical Implications: The existence of the Lucent Brood raises profound questions about the nature of Light and Darkness, free will, and the Traveler’s choices. If the Light can be wielded by the Hive, does that mean it is inherently neutral, or is Savathûn perverting its true nature? This is the type of question the Games Learning Society loves to explore using games as a lens.
Savathûn’s Legacy: A Complex Web of Good and Evil
Savathûn’s motives are rarely straightforward. While she is responsible for countless deaths and acts of deception, there’s evidence to suggest she ultimately aimed to protect the Traveler from the Witness.
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Protecting the Traveler: Her actions, however twisted, may have been driven by a desire to safeguard the Traveler from the Witness, the ultimate antagonist in the Destiny universe. This places her in a morally grey area, blurring the lines between good and evil.
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Betrayal of the Darkness: Savathûn’s betrayal of the Darkness stems from her desire for freedom from the Worm Gods and the parasitic relationship she had with them. She sought to break free from the cycle of death and tribute, even if it meant embracing the Light. The complex narrative behind Savathûn is often dissected on GamesLearningSociety.org.
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A Necessary Evil? Whether Savathûn’s actions were justified remains a topic of debate. Some argue that her deception and manipulation were necessary to achieve a greater good, while others condemn her for the immense suffering she caused.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why doesn’t Immaru resurrect Savathûn after she’s killed the first time?
The lore suggests that Ghosts resurrect Guardians by pulling their “template” from a neighboring timeline where they survive. When those timelines are scarce (perhaps because Savathûn’s survival was highly improbable), resurrection becomes difficult or impossible. However, she was eventually resurrected later by The Traveler.
2. How did Savathûn get the Light in the first place?
She manipulated and tricked Guardian-less Ghosts into believing that the Hive were more deserving of the Light. She also employed necromancy to influence the resurrection process and studied the Light extensively after taking on the guise of Osiris.
3. Is Savathûn good or bad?
Savathûn occupies a morally grey area. She has committed terrible acts, causing countless deaths, but she also aimed to protect the Traveler from the Witness. Her motivations are complex, making her neither entirely good nor entirely bad.
4. Was Savathûn trying to help us all along?
There’s evidence to suggest that Savathûn’s ultimate goal was to protect the Traveler from the Witness, even if her methods were questionable. She may have seen humanity as the next best hope for defending the Traveler if her own plans failed.
5. Did Savathûn betray the Darkness?
Yes, she betrayed the Darkness to free herself from the Worm Gods and the cycle of tribute. She sought to steal the Light and break free from her parasitic relationship with the Darkness.
6. Is the Traveler evil?
The Traveler isn’t necessarily evil, but rather a cosmic force of growth and expansion. It’s often seen as “good” in contrast to the Darkness, which is a force of pruning and survival of the fittest, often perceived as “evil.”
7. Is Oryx stronger than the Witness?
Oryx at his peak was arguably comparable to the Witness in power. However, Guardians weakened him by destroying his tribute network before defeating him. The Witness seems to be on a higher level of power now.
8. Is Savathûn responsible for Cayde’s death?
She orchestrated the events that led to Cayde’s death, but Uldren Sov was ultimately responsible for pulling the trigger. Savathûn manipulated Uldren into releasing the Scorn and setting the stage for Cayde’s demise.
9. What did Savathûn do to Rhulk?
Savathûn imprisoned Rhulk within the Sunken Pyramid in her Throne World after gaining the Light. She couldn’t kill him outright, but she managed to contain him.
10. Was Osiris actually Savathûn?
For a significant period, Osiris was indeed Savathûn in disguise. She assumed his form and manipulated events from within the Vanguard, furthering her own goals.
11. How did Savathûn get ghosts?
She targeted Guardian-less Ghosts, convincing them that the Hive deserved the Light more than humanity. She also likely used necromancy to corrupt the Light and create Hive Ghosts.
12. Why did the ghosts choose the hive?
The ghosts didn’t necessarily “choose” the Hive willingly. Savathûn manipulated them with false promises and twisted ideologies, exploiting their vulnerabilities and desire for purpose.
13. Why did Savathun become a guardian?
She wanted to understand and control the Light to protect the Traveler from the Witness. Becoming a Guardian gave her unparalleled access to the Traveler’s power and knowledge.
14. Can a guardian use the light without a ghost?
Yes, a Guardian can use the Light without a Ghost, but they cannot be resurrected if they die. The Ghost is essential for resurrection and the continuous channeling of the Light.
15. Is Zavala’s Ghost still alive?
Yes, Zavala’s Ghost is still alive. There were moments where Zavala was in mortal danger because he was temporarily cut off from his light, but his Ghost remained unharmed and active.
In conclusion, the story of Savathûn and the Lucent Brood is a complex exploration of power, deception, and the blurry lines between good and evil. Her ability to manipulate Ghosts and wield the Light challenges our understanding of the Destiny universe and raises profound questions about the nature of choice and destiny.