Prior to reading up on its lore before sinking my teeth into Destiny 2, you could have held me at gunpoint and I wouldn’t have been able to remember more than 5% of the original Destiny‘s story. Not that it was particularly deep, mind you; it just wasn’t very interesting, either. I simply played through it, let its plot wash over me while I went about picking up fancy new clothes from off the floor. That’s why, when I joined the New Monarchy, I didn’t put all that much thought into it. Their armor looked cooler than everyone else’s, so that was that.
But today’s Twitter Discourse™ has alerted me to the notion that, actually, the New Monarchy probably aren’t very nice people. In fact, they’re probably a bit… fascistic. Yes, I seem to have previously pledged my allegiance to a gang of Space Nazis, led by a man whose name is literally Executor but who for some reason didn’t set off my Fascist Radar sooner.
Also: Destiny 2 Faction Rally Weapons and Armor Guide: Who to Choose From Dead Orbit, Future War Cult and New Monarchy
Whereas Dead Orbit wants to get the hell away from Earth ASAP and the Future War Cult spends its time preparing for wars of all description (which, given the events of Destiny and Destiny 2, probably isn’t a bad idea), New Monarchy instead wants to “rebuild” Earth. However, their means of doing so are quite questionable, and by questionable I mean a bit fascist.
Let’s break down the Destiny 2 Faction’s goals, titled “The Seven Tenets of the New Monarchy,” for a closer look at why this is the case:
“To secure our walls from the enemies without.”
Okay, that’s a little anti-immigration (and the catch-all use of the word “enemies” is a bit of a red flag), but considering that the Destiny universe appears to be solely occupied by hostile alien races, putting up those Earth walls is understandable.
“To secure the rights and liberties of every upstanding citizen.”
Fair enough, can’t quibble with this particular point.
“To sponsor the sciences of the City, and salvage the ruins beyond, so that our Golden Age might be reborn.”
While encouraging followers to look towards a rose-tinted vision of the past is fascist 101, considering that Destiny‘s Golden Age was brought on by the Traveler, a giant floating ball that effectively gave humanity the key to immortality (along with a bunch of rad shit like your little Ghost buddy), it is understandable why people would want to return to this era.
“To support the Guardian Orders by leading the City in technological innovations.”
Improved technology? Sign me up! Maybe these guys aren’t so bad after all…
“To support the natural harmony of the City, and to actively dissuade any group or individual that might disrupt that harmony.”
Err, wait a sec, Executor — how do you plan on “dissuading” those groups, exactly? Non-violently, right..? And who decides what is or isn’t the “natural harmony” of the City?
“To hold all individuals, compacts, and alliances to the highest standards of productivity and right behavior.”
Again, who decides upon what is or isn’t the “right behavior?” Is it you, Executor? Because with a name like Executor, I don’t think that you’d be the right guy to dictate humanity’s moral compass.
“To, by vote of the Consensus, abolish the Consensus, and transfer ultimate power, in order that the rights and liberties of all citizens be secured, to a single sovereign of unimpeachable character.”
Wooooooooooooooooooah, slow down there, Seabiscuit. Ultimate power is going to who now? He’ll have unimpeachable what now?
Oh, but if you were thinking “well, they might be a little rough around the edges, but they still have cool looking armor,” Waypoint’s Austin Walker has a salient point that’ll make you feel bad when you’re wearing your new fancy helmet:
Yeah, funny thing about fascists and aesthetics. https://t.co/isRLcOxbyE
— austin walker (@austin_walker) September 26, 2017
Look, if you want to join the New Monarchy, you go ahead. It’s only a video game; none of this matters. You carry on wearing your lovely royal red and gold gauntlets, talking to your best bud Executor and prancing around the City like you own the place. But don’t come crying to me when your teammates start acting awkwardly around you in the Crucible, or when your family stops talking to you because you wouldn’t stop wearing your fascist helmet at the dinner table.
