PART 2: THE FALLEN GOLDEN AGE This theory would also explain their ruthless nature and selflessness. Dregs and sworded Fallen charge forward with no hesitation. Captains kill their underlings at the slightest disobedience. Perhaps their desensitization towards death stems from their gifted immortality. Being the outcasts and disgraced of the Fallen ranks, Dregs charge forward because they no longer fear death, they have nothing to lose aside from physical pain. Likewise, the Fallen grow physically larger and stronger with their doses of Ether, so it stands to reason that the Archons and Kells we see were also Dregs at one point. It's very possible that Ether is not plentiful, and needs to be reserved to Fallen that have proven themselves, as apposed to the Dregs who have not proven that they are worthy of anything other than the bare minimum form of existence. As Fallen show acts of valor or heroism in battle, their Ether supply increases, granting them greater strength and size. Upon death however, they are reborn as lowly dregs once again. It's ironic that, while the Hive are literal beings of death and decay, it is The Fallen who seem to be the dead ones, as they appear to be but shells, kept marching towards their goals indefinitely through the Servitors. Truly the only threat to the Fallen is the death of their Servitors, as they seem incapable of producing new ones, similarly to how humanity seems to be unable of creating new ghosts. It is for this reason that even the mighty Kells are below a Prime Servitor, who is protected and safeguarded by the Archon Priests, beings given by far the most Ether in proportion to other Fallen, so that they may safeguard both the will of and survival of the servitors. Naturally, these leads into the question of how the Servitors were created, and what gives them their supposed ability to restore life into what was once dead. While this branches off into pure conjecture, I believe that this power was gifted or taught to them by none other thanThe Traveler. The Traveler has displayed it's ability to revive the dead with Ghosts, who will resurrect guardians to fight for humanity. It stands to reason that The Fallen in their golden age were able to reverse engineer this technology. Giving further evidence to this idea is the similarities between Fallen technology and the Traveler in design. It's no secret that whether it be data pods, Servitors, or even their vehicles, Fallen architecture appears spherical in nature, as if it was influenced by the travelers design.The popular forum theories suggest that The Fallen are those which The Traveler abandoned, as they now appear to seek it wherever it wanders to. Whether it be Ether having a bright light-filled glow, or it's association with spirituality and inherent light, Ether's association with light is very plain and transparent, lending evidence to the idea that they once used the light we are now gifted by The Traveler, before they eventually turned to the Darkness. My final ideas in this theory of tinfoil hat proportions ends with how Fallen society ended in the first place. Abiding by the other theories presented, it would stand to reason that The Fallen were decimated by the departure of The Traveler, and society simply fell into disarray. However, there is another, and more intimidating thought process to be considered. Perhaps Fallen society did not crumble as we had assumed. Perhaps it merely expanded, seeking the traveler wherever it journeyed out to. Saint-14's theory on the nature of The Darkness states that it was not a sentient being, but instead force(s) of incredible, yet tangible power. Perhaps the collapse was a war, a colossal war, but a tangible one, between the Fallen's empire and an unknown external force. It's possible that they may have fought the Cabal, the Hive, or perhaps some other race that is unknown to us. While their theoretical foe remains illusive, the results do not. My theory goes that this massive armada of invading Fallen, was bested at the hands of either The Traveler, or some unknown foe. The fleet was left cut off from access to the main empire, potentially thousands of lightyears away from even the slightest extent of reinforcements. With no home to return to, the survivors of the fleet collapsed into the Houses we know today. While their Servitors grant them eternal life, it came at a great cost. Their civilization and order as they knew it were gone, the fleet left to shamble around the solar system aimlessly, helpless at the hands of whatever had bested them. The fear lies in what The Fallen have been trying to do since then. Be it the House of Winter or mysterious House of Kings, The Fallen seem to be fixated with both communications and interstellar travel. While the House of Devils cling to the rocket yards of old Russia, the Kings seek to commandeer the lost arrays of the Cosmodrome. It's very possible that they are trying to once again make contact with their empire, no doubt to announce their survival and demand reinforcements to come harboring their salvation. Does this main empire still exist? Is it possible for The Fallen to contact it once again? Regardless of the answers, it's in the best interests of humanity to ensure that this communication never gets established. My next major post will be discussing mainly allusions to Greek society, and the function of Archons in Fallen leadership. However, I will happily reply to critiques and questions.