#if anything. it's setup for them being a big threat post-TFS

[thefirstknife]

Speaking of weird things in the season already, I'm back with the obsession with names of things in the seasonal activity.

So in Riven's Lair, you get randomly assigned "missions" that change with each run. I believe there's five of them as I've played a lot of Riven's Lair so far and only got these five to rotate. Maybe there will be more in weeks to come!

Anyway, if you look in the top left corner when you start the activity, it will tell you the name of the mission you're on. The names that I've seen so far are:

Polysemy

Apophasis

Synchysis

Enthymeme

Tautology

Long post under:

These aren't random words! They're all related to language and rhetoric, which makes sense with the Ahamkara theme as Ahamkara are very dependent on the way language is used around them.

Polysemy is when words or symbols are capable of having multiple meanings. Apophasis is when you speak about something by denying it or mentioning it by saying it's not required to be mentioned (def check examples on wikipedia if this is confusing). Synchysis is also a way of speaking in a way that deliberately messes up the order of words to confuse or surprise the person you're speaking to. Enthymeme is a type of an argument where you construct a sentence which tells some sort of a fact by omitting the way you came to that conclusion because the fact should be obvious on its own (again, check wiki for examples, it will be easier to understand). And tautology has a meaning in both language and logic; in language, a tautology is a statement that repeats something, adding redundant information and in logic, a tautology is a logical formula in which a sentence is constructed in a way that every interpretation of the sentence is true.

I doubt these words were chosen randomly and there might be more or perhaps more will cycle in during weeks to come. But even with just this, there's a pattern. I'm not sure which meaning of tautology is being used here; possibly the language one because it fits the rest, but the logic interpretation could also be possible.

The first week's mission was also specifically Polysemy:

I assume next weeks we'll probably do other specific ones in some order, which would also mean there should be at least 2 more. I'm wondering if there's some sort of a reason why these specific words were chosen. Obviously they all relate to forms of speaking and language which is the primary way that Ahamkara use to affect reality; speaking in specific terminology and using particular phrases and language forms is important to them and when speaking to them.

But given the involvement of the Vex, it also reminded me of the lore book Aspect in which every chapter is named after grammatical, linguistic and logic terms. Aspect is also specifically related to the Black Garden and Sol Divisive. Not only that, but Aspect deals with, among other things, the fate of the Ishtar scientists and their copies in the Vex Network, and primarily uses Chioma as their main viewpoint, and the whole situation with Neomuna and Veil Logs has returned my interest in this lore book.

I feel like it isn't a coincidence that we've spent essentially the entire year reacquainting ourselves with Chioma and Maya and Ishtar as a whole only to bring back Sol Divisive and the Black Garden back in the final season in this way. As the Veil Logs told us, one of Maya's copies interfered with one of the logs, sending signals, and Chioma, at the end of her life, contacted the Vex presumably to be consumed by the network so she could possibly reunite with one of the copies of Maya in there.

This brought me also to the mysterious signal from Scatter Signal lore tab in which Osiris tracks down some sort of a signal that seems to be talking about the Vex, but spoken in a strange way. So I began thinking that this signal might be coming from Chioma, consumed by the Vex, from the Vex Network, reaching out to the man who's been studying her, living in Neomuna and researching the Veil for months. Specifically, the final Veil Log mentioned a few similar words and phrases being repeated. Specifically, when Osiris mentions that Chioma was researching "the entaglement of Light and Dark" and when Nimbus and Osiris discuss "parallel connections and parallel energy fields;" then in the Scatter Signal message there's mention of how, presumably, the Vex are trying to "move from parallel to entanglement." The Veil Log also talks about how the Witness can communicate through our Ghosts and how that connection might be going both ways; Scatter Signal also mentions "bridging communion with a Voice."

Copies of Chioma and the other scientists (with the help of Praedyth) once tried to use the Black Garden to send a message out of the Vex Network, detailed in Aspect. We don't know if they succeeded (at least in our current timeline). The Black Garden has been a big focus in Lightfall almost out of nowhere in such an immensely world-changing way (with the explanation of the Black Heart), and it will still be important this season with the exotic mission. It's a very pleasing loop of the story; everything started with the Black Garden in D1 and everything just before TFS might end with it. I'm also incredibly intrigued by the fact that the returning weapons from Undying (a season about the Sol Divisive and the Black Garden) have returned with a new perk called nano-munitions: very Neomuna-sounding name. Perhaps certain Ishtar scientists are influencing the Vex or extending a helping hand to us.

The questions that remain: how does this tie back to the Ahamkara? Why are the Vex interested in the Ahamkara? What do the Ahamkara have to do with the Black Garden? What's with all the strange language terminology that deals with double meanings and ways to confuse? Is it just regular Ahamkara shenanigans to trick us? To trick the Vex? Maybe both?

The point is, I don't think this is as simple as Riven just being sad that all the Ahamkara are dead and wanting to secure her clutch. Nothing is ever simple with the Ahamkara and nothing is ever simple with the Vex; and now we're dealing with both. And somewhere in all of this, there is also a concerning involvement of the Black Garden that connects to both of these elements. At the end of it all, there's us, who rely on this specific combination of elements to get through the portal, pursue the Witness and save the universe.

Spreading the brain worms to the rest of y'all to think about. If you spot any other mission names, feel free to share, though I think that if they happen, they might happen in the coming weeks. Also as I mentioned before, I know there's been leaks and lore tabs unlocking early on Ishtar: I've not seen any leaks or cutscenes and have not read any lore tabs that aren't explicitly visible in-game so if there's a really simple answer in that leaked material, I don't know about it and don't want to know about it so please don't spoil to me or to others!

#destiny 2 #destiny 2 spoilers #season of the wish #season of the wish spoilers #ahamkara #vex #black garden #lore vibing #long post #it took me a few runs to notice the names in riven's lair ngl. i was not paying attention to that at all #it was a few runs in when i realised there's weird words as 'missions' and then remembered polysemy being the first separate one #and whenever there's words like this they're there for a reason. they weren't picked randomly #it's so interesting to try and decipher why the writers chose those in particular #if anyone has any other ideas for them feel free to speculate! #also getting the feeling that the vex are taking a crack at paracausality #therefore their interest in the ahamkara. perhaps even taking a crack at also following through the portal #whatever they're doing it can't be good. i'm going insane #if anything. it's setup for them being a big threat post-TFS

[survivor-kuang-si]

Rites of Passage

Here, on the Rites of Passage, our final three commemorated the memory of those that fell before them. Here is what they had to say.

Ally: We never got a chance to work together, but being first boot in an org is tough. I’m not sure if you’ve played orgs before but I hope you continue to and don’t let this experience dampen that!!

David: We never really talked much but I hope you're happy that a Tanha made F3.

Zach: I did not speak a single word to you. However, you seemed chill?! Bye legend.

Ally: You were an interesting character to listen to in tribal. Sorry that your experience was cut short!

David: Girl it was so great to be able to be your friend the first week. You have an undeniable spirit and I love you bunches.

Zach: Due to the tribe differences we didn’t get to talk. You seemed fun though from the tribals, it would’ve been fun to play with you!

Ally: Is that your real name? Iconic.

David: I'm sorry that I never got a chance to meet you but I'd like to thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience.

Zach: We didn’t talk at all, but you’re probably a radical person.

Ally: I heard that you got blindsided and that’s rough. Good luck in any future orgs!!

David: I'm sorry that I never got a chance to meet you but I'd like to thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience.

Zach: I was surprised at this vote. To me you seemed like a good social player. Sad to see you go before we got the chance to play with one another.

Ally: A FALLEN QUEEN. I loved you so much and you were the first person I connected with on Aphi Sa. Your inactivity was just too much and in the end it didn’t make sense for me to vote off potential active allies for someone that wanted me to give them reminders of when stuff was due. You’re a really sweet girl and I’m glad I had the chance to play with you and I still feel bad for voting for you.

David: I'm sorry that I never got a chance to meet you but I'd like to thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience.

Zach: a FALLEN GODDESS! I’m so sorry about the vote. You just were inactive and didn’t contribute. I hope to see you in the future, queen.

Ally: I didn’t know you but I heard that you were super pissed after you were voted off and that’s understandable, especially since you got cut right before merge. That’s super disheartening and I wish you luck in the future!

David: I'm sorry that I never got a chance to meet you but I'd like to thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience.

Alexa: Similar to most, we didn’t talk due to the tribe setups. You seem fine though, and perhaps we could’ve been good friends in the game. Who knows...

Ally: King of creating a majority alliance without asking people and not including me! Your alliance leaked literally immediately to basically everyone in the game, and it was pretty iconic how quickly the vote flipped on you after that. I felt really bad because based on your face at tribal you clearly didn’t expect it, and I’m sorry that you were blindsided.

David: Wow buddy I don't even know what to say your boot was a total mess and totally set the tone for the game. Tanha Strong!!

Zach: You were one of my favourite people in the game. We literally talked hours on end with nothing but filter words and random spam. It was REALLY fun and I truly am grateful to have met you and recognize your… quirkiness <^=^> - unfortunately, your game was a little messy and you didn’t include me in that alliance so :/

Ally: Tylerrrr!!! You were one of my favourites and I really saw myself working with you but I didn’t want to make Aphi Sa think that anything was up by pushing for Brandan instead of you. Zach was supposed to be the one Brandan vote but we switched because he didn’t wanna vote Brandan and I didn’t wanna vote you. THANK YOU FOR THE LEGACY ADVANTAGE ♥ I didn’t get any votes that tribal anyway but it was super nice to have and I appreciate you willing it to me. You were in such a good spot in the game imo and you had all those freaking advantages. You were an insanely good player that went out too early. You should definitely continue to play ORGs and if you ever need recommendations I can help you out!! I hope you and Mia are both doing well. ♥♥♥

David: Tyler you know I think the world of you. You were and are an incredible friend the entire time you were here. We made a Final 2 Day 1 and I truly hope you're proud of me for making it as far as I did. Love you brother and say hi to Mia!!

Zach: If I could pick one person to be on jury, it’d be you. Not only did you shockingly have three advantages, you literally were playing a great social game, and a good strategic game. Your vote was honestly really hard and the first vote that was painful for me to experience. Overall though, you seem like a snazzy individual. Maybe in future games we can give it another shot!

Ally: We literally did not talk. At all. And that was part of the reason that I was super down to vote you out. You were the only person that I had made no connection with at all and that was definitely just as much my fault. Keep dodging those paintballs tho sis!!!

David: We didn't talk as much as I'd like but I am so happy I got to meet you. We hit it off almost immediately and I am so glad we did. I hope to talk after the game.

Zach: Although we didn’t talk that much, you seemed cool! I loved getting to know you and your kids, and the only memory I have with you that’s really still so iconic was the paintball challenge that took place in the first round. DARN MEKENNA! It was great meeting you.

Ally: Hi legend!! First of all good luck in that scary doll season tf king of returning IMMEDIATELY. I viewed you as a threat to me for all of the merge up until you being voted off. You intimidated me both on a personal and a gameplay level. You were honestly so quick to yell/fight/etc (and so am I generally) and it made me super nervous to be around you. You were also just such a strategic and social threat and that really showed at the merge tribal when you worked your ass off to get Andreas voted out. You’re a hell of a fierce player and I respect you a lot.

David: Brandan you are without question one of the most strategic players I have ever seen and truly I think if you had lasted any longer you would have beaten us all.

Zach: Truly, you were an interesting character in this game. I think you and I had our rocky differences, and unfortunately I don’t think it was in the agenda to keep this ongoing. You were a cool dude, and I am happy to have met you and perhaps we could be friends outside this game. I’m sure the Kuang Si family is rooting for you in your current game!

Ally: The first Aphi Sa to fall post-merge. I was the most excited to work with you out of everyone when the cast was posted because I’m a huge musical theatre fan and you mentioned you were in your bio, and I wish we had gotten to talk more about stuff like that during the game. Almost all of our conversations throughout the merge took place in the Aphi Sa chat instead of PMs and I wish I made more of an effort to reach out to you more. I heard about how wonderful of a person you were going in and I definitely wasn’t disappointed in that respect. I’m sorry that turning on Aphi Sa meant turning on you first and I hope there are no hard feelings. You’re absolutely a queen and I adore you as a person.

David: Honestly I hate that I didn't get to know you as well but anyone who picks the almighty Jenna Morasca is immediately a friend. You're awesome girl.

Zach: Frick. This vote was devastating, and i’m still so sorry it was executed. You are a great girl and I do think you were such a game changer and a frontrunner. Outside of game, as a person you seemed really cool and we had similar obsessions and celebrity icons! I had a blast talking to you, and i’m in another game with you so i’ll still be talking to you maybe~!

Ally: I never knew how to read you ever. Literally all of the information I had from you was from Zach because the two of you were close. You and I never really talked all that often and I never really formed a connection with you and I kind of wish we had. You seemed super cool and you were also really funny. Sorry I never said Big Mac during family feud!

David: Kai I think you're an incredible guy and honestly I think the world of you. I think you're a great player and a greater person and I can't wait to talk after the game.

Kai: KAI. WORM ON A STRING! You were a pal and I was so shocked to see you in this game but honestly I was so happy to get to play with you again, and this time on the same side. You were one of my favourite people to call with and talk, and I really did enjoy playing with you and working with you. Unfortunately this game had a different agenda, and you had to go. No hard feelings, I do love you to death and enjoyed experiencing this with you.

Ally: Your vote off HURT! I was so genuinely happy when we started working together after Charlotte was voted off, and our calls were a lot of fun. You’re a really smart person. At the beginning of the game you were inactive and I thought you were just gonna get voted off pre-merge or be an early merge boot and you definitely proved me wrong. Nothing that I said about wanting to work with you was disingenuous, you’re just such a smart player that I felt like I had to take that chance when I could and stick with David and Zach. I have a super high opinion of you and you’re someone that I really sincerely hope to keep in contact with after the season. ♥♥♥

David Bud you kicked major ass this game I am thrilled to have sparred against you but man am I glad for that double vote. Kudos.

Zach: JG! You honestly surprised me this game. You started off on a rough patch but you really pulled through in the merge portion of the game. I’m glad to have met you and developed a good relationship with you, and I truly hope that relationship continues outside the game. Thank you for everything you’ve done in this game kingie. Talk to you soon!!!

Ally: I miss your jokes. You were always such a positive presence in the tribe chat, and I loved checking Skype to see a super lame dad joke from you. Calling with you was also fun. You’re a genuinely nice person and I like you a lot. I never heard you say a mean word about anyone, you were always just super positive, and super loyal and I’m glad I had the chance to work with you and get to know you. I hope we keep in touch. ♥

David: Brother you are plain and simply amazing you have absolutely been my older brother in this game you kept me in check when I needed you to and I am so grateful for the friendship we formed. Take a beer for me and we'll have one on the outside.

Zach: You were so quirky and I really enjoyed your presence. From your jokes to our calls, you were honestly one of my favourite people to talk to and have met. In a game perspective, you and I were good allies and I really was shocked at how close we got. I know we’ll be friends outside this game and i’m excited to reunite with you. - p.s., He have class. He give sass. But most importantly, he scream at own ass.

Ally: Despite being in the game for so long together and being together since the swap, we honestly didn’t talk that much, and that’s one of the biggest regrets I have. I lied to you and mislead you a lot about votes, and I wish that I had made more of an attempt to get to know you/actually work with you. Even if your submission wouldn’t have counted in the tiebreaker, I still only won by one SECOND and that’s insane, it was so close, you put up a hell of a fight and it was nice talking to you.

David: Devon where do I begin. You were a scrapper from the beginning of the merge and it's incredible how far you made it. You did everything you could and I'm sorry you went out how you did.

Zach: You and I never really developed a strong bond, but you were an interesting person to talk to. We never worked together, like at all, but I still enjoyed your company and we had our talks. In addition, i’m sorry the tiebreaker wasn’t in your favour. You did good and i’m proud of how you played the overall good game. Catch ya on the flipside!

Final three, don’t forget to complete the Final Immunity Challenge! Your penultimate Tribal Council is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 27th, at 9:00PM EST.

#havecookies