The Unfolding Cosmic Drama: Why the Witness Seeks the Traveler
The Witness relentlessly pursues the Traveler because it believes the Traveler is a catalyst for chaos and meaningless existence within the universe. The Witness’s ultimate goal is to achieve the Final Shape, a state of perfect, unchanging order where all suffering and conflict are eradicated. It views the Traveler’s influence, its propagation of life, growth, and free will, as an impediment to reaching this Final Shape. For the Witness, the Traveler represents the antithesis of its vision for a perfected universe, a universe devoid of unpredictability and driven by its own predetermined purpose. This pursuit isn’t simply about power; it’s about imposing a specific, unwavering order onto a cosmos it perceives as inherently flawed.
Unraveling the Witness’s Motivations
The Witness’s obsession with the Traveler stems from a profound philosophical difference and a specific historical context. Having witnessed untold cycles of creation and destruction, the Witness concluded that the natural state of the universe is one of constant suffering and pointless repetition. It believes the Traveler’s influence, the Light it bestows and the complex civilizations it fosters, only prolongs this cycle. The Final Shape, in the Witness’s eyes, is not an act of malice, but a necessary intervention to end this suffering.
The Witness sees the Traveler’s penchant for empowering different species as a dangerous experiment that always ultimately fails, leading only to more conflict and eventual annihilation. The Witness, therefore, seeks to control the Traveler’s power, specifically by merging it with the Veil, another paracausal artifact, to reshape reality according to its own rigid, predetermined vision. This control would effectively silence the Traveler’s influence and allow the Witness to mold the universe into its desired Final Shape.
Understanding the Final Shape
The concept of the Final Shape is crucial to understanding the Witness’s motivations. It’s not simply about domination or destruction; it’s about imposing a singular, unchanging order on the universe. The Witness believes that only in this state of perfect stasis can suffering and conflict be eliminated. This vision is fundamentally opposed to the Traveler’s philosophy of growth, change, and free will, which the Witness sees as the root cause of the universe’s inherent chaos. The Witness intends to use the combined power of the Traveler and the Veil to rewrite the rules of reality, erasing everything that doesn’t conform to its idea of perfect order.
The Historical Context: A Betrayal?
The origins of the Witness are shrouded in mystery, but lore suggests a connection to a species that was once blessed by the Traveler with a Golden Age. This species, after achieving immense technological advancement, became obsessed with the concept of the Final Shape and the elimination of suffering. However, their methods were so extreme that they ultimately turned against the Traveler, believing it to be the source of the very chaos they sought to eradicate. This historical context paints a picture of the Witness not simply as a power-hungry tyrant, but as a figure driven by a deeply held philosophical belief, born from a perceived betrayal by the Traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Traveler the Gardener?
Yes, based on lore, the Traveler and the Gardener are indeed the same entity. The Witness’s people referred to the Traveler as the Gardener after it granted them a Golden Age. This confirms the Traveler’s role as a benevolent force associated with growth and creation.
2. What is the Pale Heart of the Traveler?
The Pale Heart is a metaphorical and literal representation of the Traveler’s inner self. It’s a space within the Traveler that reflects its essence and its connection to the universe. It’s also related to the Black Heart created by the Vex, showcasing the Vex’s attempt to replicate the Traveler’s power.
3. What is the Witness’s ultimate goal in Destiny 2?
The Witness’s primary objective is to achieve the Final Shape. This entails creating a universe of absolute order and stasis, where conflict and suffering are eliminated. It aims to use the Traveler’s power to reshape reality according to its vision.
4. Is the Traveler evil?
The Traveler isn’t inherently evil. It’s better understood as a cosmic force of growth and expansion. Its actions appear “good” in contrast to the Darkness, which represents a cosmic force of pruning and survival of the fittest, which might appear “evil.”
5. Why did the Traveler choose the Hive?
The Traveler once conceded its powers to the Hive through Ghosts, possibly to help the species survive and prove that all life, not just one species, can thrive. This action reflects the Traveler’s commitment to fostering life and growth.
6. Is the Traveler a God?
The Traveler is often considered a god-like figure due to its immense power and influence. However, it’s more accurately described as a paracausal entity of immense power. It possesses abilities beyond human comprehension and has the capacity to reshape reality.
7. Is the Traveler the Light itself?
The Traveler is intrinsically linked to the Light. It is a conduit and a source of this energy. The Light can be considered a fundamental force of the universe, representing consciousness, free will, and the potential for life.
8. Is the Darkness stronger than the Traveler?
While their powers are mirrored in the lore, it’s suggested the Darkness might be stronger, given the Traveler’s tendency to flee in the face of it. The relationship between Light and Dark is complex, with neither force being definitively “stronger” than the other in every situation.
9. Why does the Witness want the Final Shape?
The Witness believes the Final Shape is necessary to eliminate suffering and create a perfect, unchanging universe. It sees this state as the only way to end the cycle of creation and destruction.
10. Why did the Witness want the Veil?
The Witness seeks the Veil to control and wield its paracausal power, which is believed to be linked to the Traveler. Some theories suggest the Veil acts as a barrier between Light and Darkness, which could allow the Witness to manipulate both forces.
11. Why did the Traveler sacrifice itself?
The Traveler sacrificed itself to defend humanity and other races from the Darkness. This act of selflessness enabled them to wield the Light and fight back against the encroaching darkness.
12. Why did the Traveler abandon the Fallen?
The Traveler may have left the Fallen because it realized it hadn’t found a sufficient countermeasure against the Darkness. Staying with the Fallen would have resulted in its own destruction and the loss of all life.
13. What species is the Traveler?
The Traveler is a metaphysical being representing an unknown humanoid species with an unpronounceable name.
14. Why Doesn’t Traveler Need a Vision?
The Traveler does not need a Vision. Their chest glows when they have accumulated enough elemental energy. Vision holders accumulate elemental energy, that energy goes into their Vision. When the Traveler accumulates elemental energy, that energy goes into the Traveler’s chest.
15. Is the traveler gone after lightfall?
No. The traveler is not gone but the connection is weakened.
Conclusion: A Cosmic Conflict with Far-Reaching Implications
The conflict between the Witness and the Traveler is a fundamental struggle between order and chaos, control and freedom. Understanding the motivations of both entities is crucial to comprehending the narrative of Destiny 2. The outcome of this conflict will determine the fate of the universe and shape the very nature of reality. Exploring these narratives and their impact can be deepened through resources like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), which studies the educational and social impacts of video games.