Dynasty
is an hour-long Web Video created by Destiny lore enthusiast My Name is Byf (also affectionally nicknamed by his fanbase as Lore Daddy). It serves as a sort of Recap Episode in preparation for the then-upcoming Destiny 2 expansion "The Witch Queen", detailing how the Hive came to be and their story up until the present day, with the main focus of the video being Savathûn.
Following the harrowing events of Season of the Lost, a Guardian seeking retribution against Savathûn goes to Felwinter's Peak and the Iron Table, seeking the counsel of a knowledgable Warlock. The Warlock warns the Hunter of the danger of this knowledge, as even he is unsure how much of Savathûn's story is true and the dangers of spreading such falsehoods, as the Hive God of Trickery gains power from deception. Even so, the Hunter wants to know who she is and what she is capable of, in the hopes that any information the Warlock can provide may prove useful. The Warlock relents and begins his tale, starting with the origins of the Hive.
Eyes up, Tropers. Tropes attached:
- Acceptable Breaks from Canon:
Word of God states repeatedly that while Dynasty remains as faithfully close to the canon material of Destiny as possible, the team had to make some liberties to tell the story as best they could. This is best seen with Savathûn's design as Dynasty began development prior to the reveal of Savathûn in the game proper, resembling a more regal-looking Hive Wizard. Funnily enough, not long after Byf unveiled Savathûn's design in Dynasty, Bungie unveiled the Witch Queen's appearance in canon proper. Jury's out on whether this is the case for Xivu Arath since as of the time of this writing she has yet to physically appear in Destiny 2. - Been There, Shaped History: When recounting the events of The Dark Below, the Warlock notes the Hunter was present alongside the Young Wolf when they finished off Crota for good.
- Chained by Fashion: Xivu Arath's design in Dynasty shows her wrapped in chains.
- Dark Is Evil: In comparison to her siblings, Xivu Arath looks like a more malevolent, hellish version of the Hive Knights, complete with a mouth full of sharp fangs. In case you need a reminder, she's the War God of the Hive.
- Determinator: The Hunter is fully aware of the dangers Savathûn poses, much less the deceptions surrounding her. Despite this, he states Guardians are better known for "doing" things and getting the job done than "knowing". This is why the Warlock ultimately relents and tells him of the Hive's story.
- Famed In-Story: The Young Wolf is briefly mentioned when the Warlock goes into Crota's End, as the Hunter fought alongside them in killing the Hive God-Prince.
- Funny Background Event: As the Hunter makes his way up the stairs of the Iron Temple, a Guardian shooting Gjallarhorn is seen getting knocked flat off his ass from the rocket launcher's recoil, followed by two Guardians plummeting to their deaths. Funnier still is that the rocket fired from the Gjallarhorn is seen flying downwards, missing the intended target by a wide margin.
- Recap Episode: Dynasty is more or less a recounting of the Books of Sorrows and of Savathûn's story, all done in preparation for the Witch Queen expansion. The recap itself is framed as a Warlock Guardian, implied to be part of the newer generation of Iron Lords alongside the Young Wolf, giving information to a Hunter Guardian who is about to embark on the hunt for the Hive God alongside his fireteam.
- Unreliable Narrator: A self-aware example. The Warlock states that, because of how mired the Hive God of Trickery is in deception, it's impossible to know how much of her story is true and how much of it is false, and warns the Hunter to take what he says with a grain of salt, especially since he may be unintentionally empowering Savathûn.Warlock Guardian: Ignorance was Crow's shield until he knew the truth [Savathûn] revealed to him. Not to mention, what I tell you could be wrong. [...] The stories we've heard? They could all be lies.
