When Destiny 2’s Forsaken expansion launched last year, it introduced an intriguing new NPC known as The Drifter. More recently, The Drifter has become the star of his very own content season, the Season of the Drifter. Unsurprisingly, Bungie is using The Drifter’s namesake season to reveal more about who he is and what his motivations are.
Destiny 2 Drifter Lore Video
In a recently posted developer insights video, several Bungie developers discussed what makes The Drifter so unique. Sure, many players know him as the guy behind Gambit and Gambit Prime, but that’s just the start. It turns out The Drifter has a long and sordid history which began back during the Destiny universe’s Dark Age.
The Drifter has also become closely tied with another big Destiny wildcard: The Nine. Unlike the player-controlled Guardians, The Drifter isn’t a Warlock, Titan, or Hunter. His status as a Dark Age Lightbearer has made him a target of interest for The Nine. The connection between The Drifter and The Nine has been slowly parsed out over the course of the season. Specifically, players who undertook the recent allegiance quest and Invitations of the Nine have learned more about both entities.
It turns out the Emissary of the Nine used to be a Guardian herself. In her Guardian life, the emissary was known as Orin, and she has specific history with The Drifter as well. Again, Bungie has been careful not to reveal too much, but whatever’s going on, The Drifter is heavily involved. The below video also touches on The Drifter’s ship, The Derelict, and the mysterious Haul it’s dragging behind it.
More revelations will likely come to light as the Season of the Drifter continues, and even beyond. Bungie has hinted that the current season won’t be the end of The Drifter’s story, merely a significant chapter. Whatever the future holds for Destiny 2’s ongoing narrative, you can bet The Drifter will be pulling some strings.