[b]Hey guys! I'm new here so I figure I'd start by posting some pretty straightforward lore on one of my favorite exotics: The Jade Rabbit![/b] Here's the grimoire: [spoiler]"What kind of harebrained scheme have you got in mind this time?" Like many weapons of the Dark Age, the Jade Rabbit was created from hastily reassembled—and often poorly understood—Golden Age technology: in this case, kinetic low-atmosphere propulsion systems in use on Luna settlements. Even the weapon's casing is cut from the plasteel bulwarks of the First Light installation. The significance of the markings: 玉兔, or “Jade Rabbit,” are unfortunately lost to history.[/spoiler] The story of the Jade Rabbit (and the emblem) goes back to the Chinese 玉兔 (Yùtù) Rover which in December of 2013 was sent to explore the moon until it encountered technical issues which prevented it from entering the hibernation state needed to outlast the -170 C temperatures of the long lunar nights. What makes this rover so interesting is that it had a personality in the form of unofficial Weibo messages (similar to twitter) which chronicled the rover's thoughts as it came to term with it's impending demise. Some of the final communications are particularly poignant: [spoiler]"Although I should’ve gone to bed this morning, my masters discovered something abnormal with my mechanical control system," "My masters stayed up all night looking for a solution, I heard their eyes are looking more like my red rabbit eyes." "Nevertheless I am aware that I might not survive this lunar night." "If this journey must come to an early end, I am not afraid. Whether or not the repairs are successful, I believe even my malfunctions will provide my masters with valuable information and experience. Even so, I know I may not make it through this lunar night." "I’ve said a lot today, yet still feel like it’s not enough," "I’ll tell everyone a secret. Actually, I’m not feeling especially sad. Just like any other hero, I’ve only encountered a little problem while on my own adventure." "Good night, planet Earth." "Good night, humanity."[/spoiler] After reading the grimoire's descriptions of "kinetic low-atmosphere propulsion systems in use on luna settlements" I think it is fairly obvious that the scout rifle was built from pieces of the Yùtù rover. While it is clear that the rover was not actually an AI, I like to think that it somehow lives on in the rifle, finally able to continue on its adventure as a hero. On another note the idea of a resurrected human and a resurrected lunar rover fighting to save the future of humanity is awesome and fits in perfectly with the continuous theme of "resurrection of the golden age to save the future" that is so prevalent in destiny. [b]Finally, a note on the folklore of the "moon rabbit."[/b] While many cultures have mythology surrounding the dark spots on the moon (i.e. Man in the moon) during the Warring States period of Chinese history before the Qin dynasty a Chinese poet wrote that there is a rabbit on the moon who grinds herbs with a mortar and pestle for the Xian (immortals.) During the Han dynasty poets would use the characters for "Jade Rabbit" or "Gold Rabbit" to symbolize the moon. I have not given much thought into how the fate of all fools perk ties in with the jade rabbit (I imagine it is just a direct copy of the Fate of All Fools rifle) but if there is a connection there please let me know. P.S. I wrote a fan fiction grimoire over on reddit for the jade rabbit if you are interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyJournals/comments/3p4vdu/new_jade_rabbit_grimoire/ [i]See you starside, guardians! -MrMach[/i] [b]Interested in more weapon lore?[/b] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/164248139/0/0]Ace of Spades[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/164993483/0/0]Fabian Strategy[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/168720150/0/0]Tlaloc and Susanoo[/url] [b]Interested in an epic lore clan?[/b] Check out The Ashen Conflux!