Riven

Lore & Background

Riven's story in this era centers on her return as a spirit following her death in the "Last Wish" raid. During Season of the Wish, she entered into a deal with the Vanguard. Her specific role was to grant a fifteenth and final wish. This unique request was not for personal gain but to allow the character Crow to enter the Traveler. By fulfilling this condition, Riven enabled the Guardians to pave the way toward confronting The Witness in The Final Shape. This narrative arc connected the conclusion of Lightfall's campaign to the arrival of the next expansion, utilizing her spirit as a key mechanism to advance the overarching plot against the Darkness.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Season of the Wish culminated in a direct interaction between the Vanguard and Riven's spirit. After the events of Lightfall where The Witness created a portal on the Traveler's surface, the Guardians needed a method to reach it. They turned to Riven, who had been slain during the "Last Wish" raid in the Forsaken expansion. Through this seasonal storyline, she agreed to grant a fifteenth and final wish. This specific act allowed Crow to enter the Traveler, serving as the necessary precursor for the final confrontation with The Witness. This sequence of events marked the end of Season of the Wish in November 2023 and set the stage for Into the Light and The Final Shape.

Reader's Guide

Players encountering Riven's spirit during Season of the Wish must understand her role as a narrative catalyst rather than a combat boss in this specific context. Her presence is tied to the questline that allows Crow to enter the Traveler. This storyline was available throughout Season of the Wish, which lasted until November 2023. To progress toward The Final Shape, guardians needed to complete the season's objectives involving Riven's wish. Unlike her physical manifestation in the "Last Wish" raid where she fought Guardians, here she acts as an ally through a bargain, granting the final wish required to access the Traveler and confront The Witness.

Did You Know?

• Riven was slain during the "Last Wish" raid in the Forsaken expansion before returning as a spirit.
• She granted the fifteenth and final wish to allow Crow to enter the Traveler.
• This specific story arc took place during Season of the Wish, which ran until November 2023.
• Riven's action was essential for paving the way to confront The Witness in The Final Shape.
• The spirit of Riven bridged the events of Lightfall directly to the next expansion.