Checkpoints

Checkpoints were a gameplay mechanic featured in Blood Omen 2 and Defiance, where they allowed Raziel or Kain's progress upto that point to be saved. If the protagonist was then killed, their progress would be resumed from the last activated checkpoint. Loading a game would also start it from the last activated checkpoint.

in Blood Omen 2, Kain first encountered a Checkpoint in his training in Chapter 1:The Slums (though they are given no verbal description and only in-game text tells players to "walk over the checkpoint to mark your progress"X). Thereafter checkpoints are seen regularly throughout the rest of the game. The checkpoints appear as a set of red 'sparkles' which form into a large red circular 'ancient symbol'X (resembling a blood splatter) when Kain stepped over them.

Checkpoints returned in Defiance where their appearance changed to represent the two protagonists (a red colored Kain symbol inside a circle for Kain, and a blue colored Raziel symbol inside a circle for Raziel) these checkpoints lacked 'sparkles' and simply appeared as Raziel or Kain stepped over them.