Oh, this is easy! This universe doesn’t actually have rules, so they make them up and make them “work properly” as they go along! Therefore, everything you’re witnessing is complete garbage!

[quote]1: can Fikrul infuse more than just Eliksni corpses with Dark Ether? If it's a substance similar to blood that he can control, could it also reanimate other species?[/quote] The pure Dark Ether running through Fikrul’s veins (or Eliksni equivalent) isn’t actually what reanimates them. If normal Eliksni, living or dead ingest Dark Ether, they die outright and don’t become Scorn. The stuff we see in regular Scorn has been diluted with regular Ether to actually allow it to bond with the host body. So if this dilution is required, the likelihood of raising effective Scorn from other races is highly unlikely. The only species besides Eliksni/Scorn we’ve seen have Ether were the hybrid Hive offspring of the Mindbender on the Tangled Shore, a combination so disastrous it turned the Worms into volatile explosives. If there were to be another species that could sustain itself off of Ether, or at least successfully ingest it without adverse side-effects, it could be possible. [quote]2: there are a few instances of Scorn who are, or at least seem to be, fully autonomous; Are all Scorn capable of independent thought, or is this trait only possible when Fikrul grants it to them?[/quote] It seems to depend entirely on the environment. The Scorn have the ability to learn, after all during Lost when under the command of Xivu Arath they started to develop fighting pits and seemingly adapting a Hive like philosophy. Fikrul, at least prior to this Episode, appeared to be encouraging some sort of individuality within his Scorn, such as the Knights he sent to Earth to investigate the Scorn that Hefnd had raised. [url=https://youtu.be/BefmGFlUArc?si=UpoCb6VQP74ATEsP]Warlord’s Ruin | Dispel 3 - Bone 2[/url] [quote]The Crow: Fikrul’s followers have always been different… capable of learning. Maybe he saw that potential here.[/quote] However, as we see in this dungeon, this individuality they might develop is fragile. The five Knights Fikrul sent to Earth were broken and then controlled by Hefnd. They can develop that independency, but it can be quickly stripped away on a whim once someone capable of taking their leash decides to. This “free will” is also made with the caveat that they’re blank slates once turned into Scorn, essentially indoctrinated to follow Fikrul as their father. The Echo doesn’t allow Fikrul to control them, it’s simply facilitating the transformation.

So, this is theory and conjecture... grains of salt. This episode is about answering those questions. The last message in Vesper's Host (both the message & the lore from the class item it unlocked) revealed 2 things from which my theory informs... The White Captain Indoctrination using language like "flower" and "limb". When the Elikisni discovered Vesper Station, essentially to loot it... they were corrupted. All that is fact. Now theory: They were the precursor for the Scorn... whatever tech was used to corrupt the original Eliksni was also used by Uldren to create the Scorn... we know for a single purpose or curse placed upon Fikrul. Not yet 100% confirmed, but I believe that purpose was to exterminate the House of Wolves. Fikrul cannot die until that happens. That's his boon and curse, because it was his house... he came from the HoW. That's why when Cayde killed him the 1st time, he popped back up. When we killed him the second time, he popped back up. Here's my big prediction... the last surviving member of the House of Wolves is... [spoiler]Eido... and her real father is the Archon Priest Fikrul or Skolas... my money is on Skolas.[/spoiler] The White Captain's will is that of the Gardener's. The initial corruption of the Elikisni on Vesper station, as well as the creation and purpose for the Scorn. So, your questions: [i]"1: can Fikrul infuse more than just Eliksni corpses with Dark Ether? If it's a substance similar to blood that he can control, could it also reanimate other species"?[/i] Fikrul will use any powers he has to achieve his purpose, to become or anoint the Kell of Kells, per the prophecy, by eliminating the House of Wolves. Btw, I think our way out comes by way a loophole... [spoiler]If Eido kills Fikrul...[/spoiler] Ever watch "Highlander"? "There can be ONLY ONE"! 😁 [i]"2: there are a few instances of Scorn who are, or at least seem to be, fully autonomous; Are all Scorn capable of independent thought, or is this trait only possible when Fikrul grants it to them"?[/i] They're all bound by the Scorn's and Fikrul's curse... regardless of individual scorn autonomy. They must follow Fikrul... and submit to his purpose.