Petra Venj is one of the most mysterious and complex characters in the Destiny universe. As the Queen’s Wrath, she acts as both a quest vendor and bounty provider for Guardians in the Reef. Despite her importance, many gamers may not know the full extent of Petra’s backstory and significance to future events. This in-depth guide will explore Petra’s origins, responsibilities, relationships, and potential future in Destiny 2.
Key Takeaways:
- Petra Venj is an Awoken warrior who serves Queen Mara Sov as the Queen’s Wrath
- She was exiled to the Last City after accidentally killing Guardians but later returned to the Reef
- Petra helped Guardians capture Skolas and end the House of Wolves rebellion
- She became a crucial ally in avenging Cayde-6 and stopping the Scorned Barons
- Petra now oversees operations in the Dreaming City against Savathûn’s forces
- Her complex relationship with Uldren Sov adds emotional depth to her character
Petra Venj’s Backstory
Petra Venj was born on Amethyst, one of the many Awoken habitats located in the Reef. From a young age, she trained to become a Techeun under the ancient order that served Queen Mara Sov. However, Petra struggled with her studies compared to her sister Pinar Venj and eventually quit. She instead became a Corsair, a special forces soldier that carried out stealth operations and reconnaissance for the Awoken military.
During the Reef Wars against the Fallen House of Wolves, Petra’s family was killed when the Silent Fang attacked and destroyed her home settlement. Fueled by vengeance, Petra devoted herself to fighting the Wolves. She served with distinction under Commander Abra Zire and helped achieve major victories against the Fallen.
However, Petra’s boldness eventually led to disaster. During a strike against the Wolves commander Beltrik, Petra called in an airstrike that accidentally killed several Guardians as well. This strained the reef’s relations with the Last City, and as punishment, Queen Mara Sov demoted Petra to serve as her Emissary to the Guardians.
Petra as the Queen’s Emissary
As part of her duties as the Queen’s Emissary, Petra was stationed in the Tower for several years. She coordinated Queen Mara Sov’s will and facilitated interactions between the Reefborn Awoken and the Guardians of the Last City.
Petra desperately wanted to return to the Reef and serve her queen more directly. She pleaded with Mara in messages to allow her to come back.
Eventually, Queen Mara seemingly answered those pleas after Skolas, Kell of the House of Wolves, escaped imprisonment and led a Fallen rebellion against the Awoken.
Hunting the Wolves
With the House of Wolves in open revolt, Queen Mara Sov promoted Petra to Queen’s Wrath and dispatched her to the Vestian Outpost near the Reef. She was tasked with coordinating Guardian counterattacks against the Wolves.
Teaming up with Variks, a Fallen Vandal loyal to the Awoken queen, Petra directed Guardians to eliminate Wolves commanders and quell their uprising planet by planet. Her inside knowledge of the Reef and the Fallen proved invaluable in devising strategies to counter the Wolves’ movements.
After a lengthy campaign, Petra and the Guardians finally cornered Skolas in the Vault of Glass on Venus. Following his capture, Petra proudly presented Skolas to Mara Sov to stand trial.
Building Trust
During the Wolves’ rebellion, Petra built strong working relationships with both Variks and the Guardians. Her partnership with Variks was particularly notable, as it overcame the traditional enmity between their species. Both came to respect and rely on each other’s capabilities and knowledge.
Likewise, Petra’s gratitude for the Guardian’s aid during the rebellion marked the start of an enduring alliance. By working together to end the Wolves’ threat, Petra’s trust in the Guardians was restored following the tragic accidents of the Reef Wars.
The Taken War
Petra’s service was soon tested by the arrival of Oryx, the Taken King. She returned to the Reef to help lead the armada against Oryx’s Dreadnaught but could only watch helplessly as the Awoken fleet was decimated. In the aftermath, both Queen Mara Sov and Prince Uldren Sov were presumed dead.
As the highest-ranking survivor, Petra was granted the title of Queen’s Regent-Commander and became the acting ruler of the Reef. She subsequently worked closely with Variks and the Guardians to eradicate Taken and remaining Wolves across the system. Her leadership helped provide stability to the scattered Awoken people following the devastating losses at Saturn.
The Hunt for the Scorned Barons
After years of relative peace, Petra discovered a prison riot occurring at the Reef’s Prison of Elders. She called upon Cayde-6, the Hunter Vanguard, for help, only to watch her friend murdered at the hands of the escaped Uldren Sov.
Consumed by rage and guilt, Petra devoted herself to hunting down Uldren and his followers, the Scorned Barons, who had escaped from the prison. She journeyed to the Tangled Shore and enlisted the aid of the Spider and his Fallen crew.
With insider intelligence gained from her web of informants, Petra guided the Guardian through assassinating the rogue Barons one by one. Throughout this campaign of revenge, she formed a strong bond with the Guardian over their shared motivation to avenge Cayde’s death.
Their pursuit ultimately led them to the Watchtower, where Uldren had become corrupted by Riven’s influence. There, Petra executed the fatal shot that ended Uldren’s life, achieving vengeance but also losing a piece of her past and sense of purpose.
The Dreaming City Debacle
Following Uldren’s death, Petra turned her focus to the Awoken’s sacred homeland known as the Dreaming City. Unbeknownst to her, Riven had already enacted a curse to continuously corrupt and reset the Dreaming City.
Petra now diligently fights to break the curse by directing Guardians to undertake missions throughout the city. She is determined to cleanse the Dreaming City of Taken and Scorn and fulfill Mara Sov’s grand design, whatever the cost.
Despite her resolve, Petra secretly harbors guilt for all that has befallen the Awoken people under her watch. She questions if she bears some responsibility for the tragedies inflicted by both Uldren and Riven’s manipulations. Only her steadfast loyalty to Queen Mara Sov keeps her going.
Relationships Shape Petra’s Journey
Throughout her various duties and trials, Petra’s complex relationships have profoundly impacted her motivations and beliefs:
Queen Mara Sov – Petra is unwaveringly loyal to her queen. Mara’s faith in Petra’s abilities restored her sense of purpose even in exile. She would follow any order from Mara without question.
**Prince Uldren Sov **- She had a deep affection for Mara’s brother Uldren and mourned his fall into madness. Petra admired his cleverness and daring. His ultimate betrayal cut her deeply.
Variks – They developed an unlikely mutual understanding and reliance during the Wolves’ rebellion. Petra has not forgotten this friendship, even after Variks’ role in later events.
Cayde-6 – The Hunter Vanguard’s death at Uldren’s hands enraged Petra and drove her to revenge. She had great respect for Cayde as an ally and friend.
The Guardian – By avenging Cayde together, Petra forged an unbreakable bond with the Guardian. She now entrusts them with the Dreaming City’s future.
Petra Venj’s Destiny 2 Future
As one of the few remaining leaders among the scattered Awoken, Petra Venj is positioned to play a major role in future events:
- She is tirelessly fighting to end the curse on the Dreaming City and will be instrumental in unlocking its secrets.
- Petra may hold the key to finally locating where Queen Mara Sov disappeared to following the Taken War.
- If Mara does not return, there may be pressure for Petra to formally take the title of Queen and unite her people.
- Petra’s revenge against Uldren has not eliminated the Scorn threat, and she may refocus her sights on the Fanatic.
- Variks’ return to the solar system could force Petra to confront past betrayals while tempting new alliances.
- Savathûn’s long-term plotting puts Petra and the sacred Awoken city directly in the witch queen’s path of conquest.
Regardless of what the future holds, expect Petra Venj to stand resolute against any threat, driven by her sense of duty and loyalty to her lost queen. Her complex past experiences have prepared her well for the challenges to come.
FAQ
Who does Petra Venj work for?
Petra Venj is sworn to serve Queen Mara Sov of the Awoken. As Queen’s Wrath, she oversees bounties and missions to further Mara Sov’s goals against their enemies.
Is Petra Venj evil?
No, Petra Venj is not evil. She works for the greater good of the Awoken people. However, she is driven by duty and loyalty to Queen Mara Sov above all else.
What happened to Petra Venj’s eye?
Petra wears an eyepatch, but there has been no definitive lore explanation for her lost eye. Theories include a past combat injury against the Fallen or it being a birth defect.
Where is Petra Venj in Destiny 2?
In Destiny 2, Petra Venj is the vendor located in the Dreaming City destination. She can be found in various spots around the city depending on the curse cycle.
Who voices Petra Venj?
The voice actress who plays Petra Venj is April Stewart, who has portrayed a number of video game characters over her career.
Conclusion
Petra Venj’s compelling backstory and complex motivations make her one of the most intriguing characters in Destiny lore. She has repeatedly overcome setbacks and tragedies thanks to her tenacity and loyalty to the Awoken queen. Petra’s knowledge and leadership will be vital for confronting threats like Savathûn in future Destiny 2 content.
While she remains a secondary character, Petra’s relationships with other key figures are ripe for dramatic storytelling possibilities. For devoted fans of Destiny’s narrative, keeping a close eye on Petra Venj will likely provide plenty of juicy developments.
