The Drifter used to be a Shadow of Yor (a.k.a, a Dredgen) but then stopped working with them. Probably the last time the Emissary of the Nine saw Drifter was when he was a Shadow of Yor, that’s why he says “It’s Drifter now” After the Emissary referred to him as Dredgen.

What was the Drifters Dredgen name?

The Drifter (character)Other name(s):Todd Dredgen Hope Eli Germaine Wu Ming Rogue Lightbearer VIP #1315 Rat (Eris Morn) (Saint-14) Peasant (Emperor Calus)Homeworld:EarthSpecies:HumanGender:Male

Is the drifter a guardian?

The Drifter is very old. He was reawakened by the Traveler in a mysterious time of great suffering known as the Dark Age, long before Guardians like the player were revived. He isn’t a Hunter, Titan, or Warlock. He’s a Lightbearer — a soul revived by the Traveler — from a different time.