What Is The Traveler Destiny 2 And Its Significance?

Are you curious about the Traveler in Destiny 2 and its role in the game’s universe? SIXT.VN is here to guide you through the mysteries of the Traveler, its history, and its impact on the Destiny 2 storyline. Discover how this celestial being shapes the destiny of Guardians and the future of humanity. Let’s explore the significance of this Great Machine and understand its power in the realms of Light and Darkness.

1. What Is The Traveler in Destiny 2?

The Traveler in Destiny 2 is a spherical, paracausal entity associated with the Light, a source of immense power and the origin of the Guardians’ abilities. This Great Machine hovers over the Last City, protecting humanity from the Darkness and gifting Guardians with extraordinary powers. According to research from Bungie, in 2017, The Traveler provides protection and power, shaping the destiny of humanity and the Guardians.

1.1. Understanding the Traveler’s Nature

The Traveler is a mysterious, ancient machine entity of immense power. It is the source of the Light, which empowers the Ghosts and the Guardians.

• Source of Light: The Traveler is a prime source of Light, although not the only one. This Light grants Guardians their powers, enabling them to fight against the Darkness.
• Composition: The outer shell consists of lead, neutronium, and electroweak matter. The electroweak matter refers to a fundamental force that no longer exists.
• Inner Mysteries: The interior workings of the Traveler remain largely a mystery. The Ghost Balthazar described the inside as a “cosmos inside a bottle,” but other Ghosts dismiss this description.

1.2. The Traveler’s Motivations

The Traveler appears motivated by altruism and has never sought worship or excessive attention. It has historically left civilizations once its work was complete.

• Altruistic Nature: The Traveler’s actions suggest a selfless desire to cultivate and protect civilizations.
• Defense of Humanity: Its defense of humanity is considered an extraordinary act under dire circumstances.
• Non-interference: The Traveler typically avoids direct intervention, preferring to empower others to act.

2. What Is The History Of The Traveler?

The Traveler’s history spans billions of years, with its origins shrouded in mystery. It has interacted with numerous civilizations, shaping their destinies and influencing the course of cosmic events.

2.1. The Ancient Past

The Traveler’s origins are unknown, but it has existed for billions of years. Ahsa suggests that the Traveler and the Veil might have once been part of a single entity.

• Dormant Beginnings: Billions of years ago, the Traveler lay dormant on a desolate planet where a humanoid species discovered it.
• Terraforming and Gifting: Upon awakening, the Traveler terraformed the planet and bestowed paracausal gifts, initiating a golden age for the species.
• Worship and Meaning: The civilization worshipped the Traveler as the “Gardener” but craved deeper meaning and purpose.

2.2. The Discovery of the Veil

The species discovered a counterpart entity to the Traveler, known as the Veil, which was linked to the Darkness and the mind.

• The Veil’s Influence: The Veil was seen as a source of power opposite to the Light, connected to consciousness and the mind.
• The Final Shape: The species believed that uniting the Traveler and the Veil would lead to a perfected, eternal form known as the Final Shape.
• The Witness Emerges: The civilization merged their consciousnesses into a single entity, the Witness, who sought to unite the Traveler and the Veil, initiating a crusade across the cosmos.

2.3. Encounters with Other Civilizations

The Traveler’s travels have led it to interact with various species, each encounter leaving a significant impact.

• The Lubraeans: The Traveler visited the Lubraeans, uplifting their civilization before eventually leaving, causing the society to decline into a military dictatorship.
• The Ammonite and the Krill: On Fundament, the Traveler uplifted the Ammonite but was manipulated by the Witness, leading the Krill to become the Hive.
• The Harmony: The Hive also encountered and defeated the Harmony, another civilization uplifted by the Traveler.

2.4. The Eliksni on Riis

Before arriving in the Sol System, the Traveler visited Riis, uplifting the Eliksni species.

• The Whirlwind: The Black Fleet attacked Riis, destroying the Eliksni civilization, an event known as the Whirlwind.
• Abandonment: The Traveler fled, leaving the Eliksni to suffer the consequences of the Black Fleet’s assault.

Traveler uplifting the Eliksni on Riis

3. How Did The Golden Age Rise?

The Traveler’s arrival in the Sol System marked the beginning of humanity’s Golden Age, a period of unprecedented technological and societal advancement.

3.1. Arrival in the Sol System

The Traveler’s arrival in the Sol System brought about significant changes to the planets and moons.

• Terraforming Jupiter’s Moons: The Traveler first appeared around Jupiter, terraforming two of its moons.
• Transforming Other Planets: It then terraformed Mercury and Venus, drawing international attention and giving rise to various cults.
• The Ares One Mission: A mission to intercept the Traveler on Mars, known as Ares One, led to humanity’s first contact with the Great Machine.

3.2. Humanity’s Expansion

The Traveler helped humanity expand across the solar system, providing new technologies and assisting in terraforming planets.

• Technological Advancement: Humanity experienced rapid technological advancements, leading to space colonization and exploration.
• Golden Age Society: The Golden Age was a time of prosperity, scientific discovery, and cultural growth.

4. What Is The Collapse?

The Collapse marked the end of the Golden Age, as the Black Fleet arrived in the Sol System, leading to the near destruction of human civilization.

4.1. The Arrival of the Black Fleet

The Black Fleet’s arrival signaled the beginning of the end for humanity’s Golden Age.

• Destruction and Chaos: The Black Fleet wreaked havoc, leading to the destruction of colonies and the collapse of society.
• The Traveler’s Stand: For the first time, the Traveler decided to stand and fight, attempting to protect humanity from the Darkness.

Traveler creating the Ghosts in the aftermath of the Collapse

4.2. The Traveler’s Sacrifice

The Traveler made a final stand against the Black Fleet, incurring severe damage in the process.

• Protecting the Yang Liwei: The Traveler projected a beam of Light to protect the Exodus Colony ship Yang Liwei from the Black Fleet.
• Withdrawal of the Black Fleet: The Black Fleet withdrew after Savathûn tricked the Witness, hiding the Veil on Neptune.
• Dormancy and Protection: The Traveler remained floating above Earth, seemingly dormant but still providing protection to humanity.

4.3. The Creation of the Ghosts

In its last act, the Traveler created the Ghosts to seek out those who could wield its Light as a weapon.

• Reviving Lightbearers: The Ghosts revived fallen warriors as Lightbearers, tasked with protecting humanity.
• The Dark Age: The era that followed was marked by chaos, with Lightbearers often becoming Warlords who subjugated survivors.

5. What Happened During The Dark Age?

The Dark Age was a tumultuous period marked by the rise of Warlords, alien threats, and the struggle for survival.

5.1. The Rise of Warlords

Many Lightbearers chose to become Warlords, leading to conflict and oppression.

• Subjugation of Survivors: Warlords dominated the landscape, imposing their rule on the scattered remnants of humanity.
• The Iron Lords and Pilgrim Guard: Lightbearers with integrity formed groups like the Iron Lords and Pilgrim Guard to oppose the Warlords.

5.2. Alien Threats

Humanity faced threats from various alien races, including the Fallen.

• Constant Conflict: The remnants of human civilization were under constant threat from hostile alien factions.
• The Struggle for Survival: Humanity struggled to survive in the face of both internal and external threats.

6. What Led To The City Age?

The City Age began with the construction of the Last City beneath the Traveler, offering a haven for humanity.

6.1. The Construction of the Last City

The Last City was built as a safe haven beneath the Traveler’s protective presence.

• Protection from Alien Races: The City provided refuge from the continuous onslaught of alien races and declining Warlords.
• Faction Wars: Internal divisions led to the Faction Wars, threatening the stability of the City.

6.2. The Emergence of Guardians

A new generation of Lightbearers, known as Guardians, emerged to end the fighting and focus on external threats.

• Guardians Rise: The Guardians took a stand to unite the City and defend it against alien threats.
• Restoring the Traveler’s Power: Guardians embarked on quests to help the Traveler restore its power by stopping Hive rituals and destroying the Black Garden’s heart.

7. What Happened During The Red War?

The Red War saw the Cabal Empire’s Red Legion launch a devastating invasion of Earth, capturing the Traveler and plunging the Last City into chaos.

7.1. The Red Legion’s Invasion

The Red Legion, led by Dominus Ghaul, launched a major invasion of Earth, catching the Last City by surprise.

• Capturing the Traveler: The Red Legion trapped the Traveler in a cage to siphon its Light, separating it from the Guardian forces.
• Guardians Lose Their Light: The Guardians were stripped of their Light, leaving them vulnerable and scattered.

Traveler captured by the Red Legion

7.2. Regaining the Light

The Traveler sent visions to the Lightless Guardians, guiding them to fragments of its power.

• Seeking Fragments: Guardians followed visions to the European Dead Zone to regain their Light.
• Ghaul’s Ambition: Dominus Ghaul attempted to take the Traveler’s Light by force but failed to gain its approval.

7.3. The Traveler’s Reawakening

The Traveler broke free from its cage, destroying Ghaul and slowly healing itself.

• Breaking the Cage: The Traveler shattered the cage, unleashing its power and defeating Ghaul.
• Healing Process: The Traveler drew fragments of its Light back into itself, initiating a slow healing process.
• Liberation of the City: With the invasion ended and the city retaken, the Traveler was declared alive once more.

8. Sharing Visions

After reawakening, the Traveler began sharing visions with Ikora Rey and other Guardians, guiding them toward new abilities and understanding.

8.1. Visions of Light

The Traveler communicated through visions, leading Guardians to new discoveries.

• Ikora’s Role: Ikora Rey revealed that the Traveler had been speaking to her and other Guardians through visions.
• Io and New Abilities: The visions led Guardians to Io, where they gained new abilities and insights.

9. An Old Foe Returns

The Traveler’s ancient enemy, the Witness, began making its way toward the Sol System, bringing with it the threat of the Darkness.

9.1. The Witness’s Approach

The Witness’s arrival signaled a looming threat to the Last City and the Traveler.

• Pyramid on Luna: Guardians discovered a Pyramid on Luna, giving them a glimpse of the Darkness.
• Contact with the Witness: The Witness made contact with the Guardian, addressing them as their “salvation.”

The Black Fleet reawakening

9.2. The Pyramid Fleet

A massive fleet of Pyramid vessels descended upon the Sol System, confirming the Vanguard’s fears.

• Pyramids Touch Down: The Pyramids touched down on various worlds, signaling the imminent arrival of the Darkness.
• The Traveler’s Inaction: The Traveler remained motionless, doing little to combat its ancient enemy.

10. The Traveler’s Repair

As the Pyramids approached and consumed Io, Mars, Mercury, and Titan, the Traveler gathered light to repair the damage caused by the Red War.

10.1. Gathering Light

The Traveler began to repair itself, gathering light to mend the damage from past conflicts.

• Fireteams Return: All fireteams returned to the Last City to witness the Traveler’s repair.
• Paracausal Feathers: The Traveler called out to Crow, sending him dreams and leading to the discovery of paracausal feathers.

The Traveler repairing itself

10.2. Hawkmoon

Crow and the Guardian discovered a shard of the Traveler and an effigy of the Hawkmoon hand cannon, crafted from the Traveler’s material.

• Undiscovered Shard: A previously undiscovered shard of the Traveler was found in the European Dead Zone.
• Hawkmoon Effigy: An effigy of the Hawkmoon, crafted from the Traveler’s outer shell, was discovered atop the shard.

11. Disturbing Revelations

The events of the Witch Queen revealed that the Traveler intentionally granted the Light to Savathûn and her Lucent Brood.

11.1. Granting Light to the Hive

The Traveler’s decision to grant Light to the Hive raised disturbing questions about its motives.

• Savathûn’s Light: Savathûn, the Witch Queen, and her Lucent Brood were granted the Light for an unknown purpose.
• Protecting the Traveler: Savathûn attempted to bring the Traveler into her throne world to protect it from destruction.

11.2. Rhulk’s Discovery

Rhulk, a Disciple of the Witness, had the Scorn bring him a Ghost for study but was thwarted by the Traveler.

• Traveler’s Intervention: The Traveler took direct control of the Ghost, rebuking Rhulk before causing the Ghost to explode.

12. Nowhere Left to Run

Despite the revelations, the Traveler remained in the Last City as the Guardians prepared for the Witness’s return.

12.1. Preparing for the Witness

The Guardians prepared for the Witness’s return, forging alliances and battling resurgent enemies.

• Alliances Formed: Allies were gained in the form of the Imperial Cabal and the Eliksni House of Light.
• Resurgent Enemies: Calus became a Disciple of the Witness, and Eramis broke free of her Stasis cocoon.

12.2. The Traveler’s Decision

The Traveler began drifting away from Earth as the Witness drew closer, activating Rasputin’s protocol for the Warsats to attack.

• Drifting Away: The Traveler’s departure caused uncertainty and fear among the Last City’s denizens.
• Aurora Sacrifice: Rasputin activated his AURORA SACRIFICE protocol, destroying the Warsat Network and saving the Traveler from complete departure.

The Traveler leaves the Last City

13. The Last Stand

The Witness and its Black Fleet moved on the Traveler, leading to a final confrontation.

13.1. Defending Against the Black Fleet

The Traveler and the Vanguard fleet attempted to defend against the Witness’s assault.

• Firing a Beam of Light: The Traveler fired a beam of Light at the Witness’s Pyramid, causing paracausal flora to sprout.
• The Witness’s Advance: The Witness effortlessly destroyed enemy vessels, approaching the Traveler directly.

The Traveler firing a beam of Light at the Black Fleet

13.2. The Opening of the Gateway

The Witness attempted to open a gateway using the Traveler, succeeding in connecting with the Veil and creating a portal.

• Calus and the Veil: Calus was sent to acquire the Veil on Neptune, enabling the Witness to establish a connection with the Traveler.
• The Triangular Portal: The Witness opened a triangular portal, absorbing several Pyramids before entering, leaving the Vanguard and their allies confused.

14. Preventing the Final Shape

The Guardians learned to wield both Light and Dark together, called Prismatic, while reuniting with old allies to destroy the Witness.

14.1. The Traveler’s Resistance

The Witness gained control over the Traveler’s Light within the Pale Heart, but the Traveler resisted.

• Operation Ahamkara: The Coalition initiated Operation Ahamkara to stop the Witness.
• Prismatic Power: The Guardian learned to wield both Light and Dark, becoming Prismatic.

The Traveler working to reverse the Final Shape

14.2. The Final Battle

The Guardian and their allies confronted the Witness in a final battle, destroying the Veiled Statues and forcing the Witness to retreat.

• Communing with the Traveler: Cayde-6 aided the Guardian in finding a way to commune with the Traveler directly.
• The Witness’s Defeat: The Guardians channeled the Traveler’s Light through their Ghosts, unmaking the Witness and ending the war.

15. Visions of the Traveler

The visions experienced by Micah-10 and Mithrax in the Pale Heart offer insights into the Traveler’s past, emotions, and intentions.

15.1. First Vision

• Micah-10: “I feel impressions of the Traveler’s experiences in this object. I can… see them. I will try to interpret as best I can. This impressions is jumbled, faded, ancient.”
• Interpretation: Stars, cosmic energy, fear, hope, and an abrupt severance.

15.2. Second Vision

• Micah-10: “I can feel the Traveler’s presence radiating from this object. Memories and experiences, emotions and ideas blooming in my mind. I see so many cities.”
• Interpretation: Cities basking in the Light, with people studying the universe, followed by confusion and helplessness.

15.3. Third Vision

• Micah-10: “The Traveler’s experiences are imprinted on this object. I can… feel them. Feel its emotions, see what it saw. I will try to interpret.”
• Interpretation: Confusion, frustration, pain, with needing voices crying out for answers.

15.4. Fourth Vision

• Micah-10: “The Traveler’s memories and experiences are imprinted on this object. I will try to translate them… as best I can. I am… [sighs] afraid.”
• Interpretation: Fear, reunion with a family member, the desire for stagnation, and the shedding of infection.

15.5. Fifth Vision

• Micah-10: “The Traveler’s life resonates from this object. Experiences I can… try to interpret. I am frightened, but at peace. I am giving away pieces of myself.”
• Interpretation: Giving away pieces of itself as Ghosts, with each passing returning a part to the whole.

15.6. Sixth Vision

• Micah-10: “There’s an imprint of the Traveler’s experiences in this object. Images, emotions, I… I will try to interpret as best I can.”
• Interpretation: Unity, peace, a sense of belonging, and an eternity within the Traveler for those who experienced their final deaths.

15.7. Seventh Vision

• Micah-10: “I can… feel the Traveler’s experiences impressed on this object. Feel its emotions, sees what it saw… I will try to interpret.”
• Interpretation: People born in harmony with the Light, experiencing non-linear perspectives and visions.

15.8. Eighth Vision

• Micah-10: “Echoes of the Traveler’s experiences vibrate within this object. I can feel them, convey… as much as I can to you.”
• Interpretation: Chaos, transformation, and the mingling of matter and consciousness, resulting in a changed Traveler.

15.9. Ninth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. A barren desert stretches from horizon to horizon.”
• Interpretation: A barren desert where figures find salvation in the Gardener.

15.10. Tenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. This is a companion to another piece.”
• Interpretation: Fertile deltas and lush gardens with hooded figures whose prayers are questions and demands.

15.11. Eleventh Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. Guardians, the hooded figures again…”
• Interpretation: Guardians starving in new ways, seeking someone who would answer back, leading to the Witness.

15.12. Twelfth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. This is only a brief glimpse, Guardian…”
• Interpretation: A long-legged people focused on the ground, with the Traveler not knowing their lives.

15.13. Thirteenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. There were once flickers of playful Light…”
• Interpretation: Light smothered by the lies of the deep, with one rejecting its worm and the Gardener reaching back.

15.14. Fourteenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. There is a world of mist.”
• Interpretation: Six-armed creatures singing in harmony, building monuments, and then falling silent and dying.

15.15. Fifteenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. There are ten planets, and on them, ten trillion souls.”
• Interpretation: Ten trillion souls falling toward the ruin of their dead star, saved by the Traveler, but unable to find their way.

15.16. Sixteenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. Another world, this one with… oh… Riis. My home.”
• Interpretation: Riis, with Eliksni breathing deeply of the Great Machine’s gifts, and then something arriving and the Great Machine running.

15.17. Seventeenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. Guardian, this impression is unlike the others.”
• Interpretation: A towering pillar, a world third from its sun, where the Gardener sows its many gifts, with something pursuing but the Gardener remaining.

15.18. Eighteenth Vision

• Mithrax: “It is as though I am seeing a sculpture, and the artist’s intent shines through. I will attempt to interpret. Pinpricks of Light, thousands upon thousands, all falling at once.”
• Interpretation: Ghosts falling, each wreathed with hope against hopelessness, returning to the whole when they pass.

16. What Are The Status Variations?

The Traveler’s emission of Light undergoes cyclical fluctuations, tracked and reported by the Tower.

16.1. Cyclical Fluctuations

The Traveler’s status announcements include various phases and intensities.

• Zenith: The Traveler approaching, entering, at, and exiting zenith.
• Declining Phases: The Traveler declining 1 revolution per zenith, entering declining phase.
• Retrograde and Equilibrium: The Traveler entering retrograde phase, entering equilibrium.
• Theta State: The Traveler approaching, entering, and in theta state.
• Epicycle and Valence: The Traveler exiting epicycle, returning to main cycle, at minimum valence.

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18. FAQ About The Traveler in Destiny 2

1. What is the Traveler made of?

The Traveler’s outer shell is composed of lead, neutronium, and electroweak matter.

2. What is the Traveler’s primary motivation?

The Traveler appears to be motivated by pure altruism, seeking to cultivate and protect civilizations.

3. What happened during the Collapse?

The Collapse was triggered by the arrival of the Black Fleet, leading to the destruction of much of human civilization and the Traveler incurring severe damage.

4. What role did the Ghosts play after the Collapse?

The Ghosts were created by the Traveler to seek out and revive Lightbearers to protect humanity.

5. What was the Red War?

The Red War was an invasion of Earth by the Cabal Empire’s Red Legion, who captured the Traveler and stripped Guardians of their Light.

6. How did the Traveler communicate after reawakening?

After reawakening, the Traveler communicated through visions shared with Ikora Rey and other Guardians.

7. Who is the Witness?

The Witness is the Traveler’s ancient enemy, seeking to unite the Traveler and the Veil to bring about the Final Shape.

8. What is the Veil?

The Veil is a mysterious paracausal entity connected to the Darkness and the mind, serving as a counterpart to the Traveler.

9. What is the Pale Heart?

The Pale Heart is a domain of the Traveler’s consciousness that could be reshaped by those within it.

10. What is Prismatic power?

Prismatic power is the ability to wield both Light and Dark together, a skill acquired by Guardians during the Final Shape storyline.

The Traveler in Destiny 2 is a multifaceted entity with a complex history, deeply influencing the game’s universe and its inhabitants. Understanding the Traveler’s nature, history, and motivations adds depth to the Destiny 2 experience and enhances appreciation for the ongoing saga.