Destiny 2: How to Complete the “Rite of Dawning” Quest

There are two short story quests in Destiny 2’s 2021 Dawning event. Today we’re talking about the Rite of Dawning, which sees us giving gifts to an unlikely recipient: Empress Caiatl of the Cabal.

This is a political exchange, to be sure. It’s not without conflict, but it fits with the theme of Beyond Light. Our enemies are not the demons we thought them to be. There are greater nightmares out in the dark.

How to Complete the Rite of Dawning Quest

The Rite of Dawning isn’t too complicated to finish and will only take you a couple of hours at most. To start the quest, speak to Eva Levante in the Tower. She’ll give you both it and The Pigeon Provides, which has you backing holiday treats for the Smallen, the community name for Eliksni hatchlings.

Rite of Dawning Step 1: Speak with Zavala

Yeah, do that.

Rite of Dawning Step 2: Search for Festive Intel

This quest step sees you heading to Firebase Hades in the EDZ. Travel to the Winding Cove and take your Sparrow along the path left of the spawn point. You’ll head to the other end of the Firebase area. You’re looking specifically for the entrance to the Cabal shipyard, the large, red metal structure behind the well-lit round space.

You’ll see a Cabal Centurion and some Legionaries around the large opening, and there will be a conspicuous quest marker to the left of the entrance. Approach it, and on the ground, you’ll find the Cabal Tradition Intel. Pick it up and progress the quest.

Rite of Dawning Step 3: Collect a Ceremonial Cup and Defeat Cabal

Stay in Firebase Hades and head to the Pathfinder’s Crash Lost Sector. It’s located near the bottom left entrance to the Firebase, and you’ll find the entrance as a cave entrance nestled amongst some large rocks.

The Lost Sector is relatively short but contains more than enough Cabal to complete the Defeat Cabal quest step. Take out the boss to acquire the Cache Code and open the final chest to get the Ceremonial Cup.

Rite of Dawning Step 4: Complete “The Arms Dealer” Strike

One of two Strikes you’ll do during this quest, you can activate The Arms Dealer from the map of the EDZ or complete it as part of a Vanguard Strikes Playlist. All you have to do here is finish the activity and open the final chest after the boss. You’ll receive the Torobatl Ceremonial Vestments automatically.

Rite of Dawning Step 5: Bake and Deliver Dark Chocolate Motes

Depending on how much Dawning grinding you’ve done, this one could take a little time.

Open Eva’s Holiday Oven 2.1 and, using three Null Taste, three units of Taken Butter, and 45 Essence of Dawning (30 if you’ve Masterworked the Oven), bake three Dark Chocolate Motes.

You get Taken Butter from killing Taken enemies of any kind, naturally. Null Taste comes from Void-damage kills of any kind. The best Butter farm is no doubt the Thrallway in the Shattered Throne Dungeon, but the Lake of Shadows Strike is free, so fun that a few times with your favorite Void weapon and subclass and you’ll have plenty of both ingredients.

If all you’re looking for is Null Taste, head into the Grasp of Avarice Dungeon or the Altar of Sorrow activity on the Moon, then kill Hive with Void damage until you’re satisfied.

Dawning Essence comes from completing any activity in the game and comes in various amounts. Overall, the best farm is completing Wrathborn Hunts ad infinitum, but running Strikes is also doable, with Vanguard playlists giving a little more than 20 per run.

Rite of Dawning Steps 6 and 7: Talk to Drifter, then Zavala

Speak to the two NPCs and acquire the items they offer.

Rite of Dawning Step 8: Complete the Proving Grounds Strike

Nothing complex here. Activate the Strike from the Nessus map in the Director (no need to use the quest marker and flag in the world proper), and complete the activity. Once done, you’ll get the penultimate step in Rite of Dawning.

Rite of Dawning Steps 9 and 10: Talk to Zavala then Eva

The final steps in the quest send you back to the Tower, where you’ll talk to Zavala and Eva. You can read the lore or spam through the screens. Either way, you’ll finish the quest and pick up the From the Ashes emblem.

Check out our other Destiny 2 guides here on GameSkinny.