Ignis Fatuus

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"The Ignis Fatuus lights the path to Hell, nobleman. Your path."

- Moebius

The ignis fatuus (plural: ignes fatui) was a form of mystical light present in the Termogent Forest and the swamp areas. Lighting paths throughout the marshy realms, the fatui appeared as skull-adorned braziers wreathed in supernatural green flames. First introduced in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, they reappear in Soul Reaver 2, and can be briefly seen in the exterior of Vorador's Mansion when Raziel infiltrates it in Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

Role
Ignis Fatuus first appeared in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, where they were used as a form of guidance for the young Kain to find Vorador's Mansion in the Blood Omen era. First mentioned in Find the Oracle, Moebius claimed that the ignes fatui lit the path to Hell (apparently referring to Vorador's home) when counseling Kain under the guise of the Oracle of Nosgoth.

Following this advice, Kain travelled into the Termogent Forest in the Vorador's Mansion chapter and found a trail of them winding through the swamp terrain and spiralling in towards Vorador's Mansion. Following the trail, Kain was guided to the home of the legendary vampire.

The Ignis Fatuus returned in Soul Reaver 2, although they were notably less functional and more decorative, used purely to provide lighting to the darkened swamp terrain and did not lead anywhere in particular. First appearing in Through the Swamp as Raziel explored the Pre-Blood Omen era, they were featured in the swamp area, which bordered the Termogent Forest and shared the same swampy terrain (as well as an appearance by Vorador). The Igniis Fatuus could be observed in the same area in the Post-Blood Omen era as Raziel travelled through time in A Fateful Meeting and again in Nosgoth's early history in On to the Past and Blade of Vengeance.

Ignis Fatuus were last seen briefly in Legacy of Kain: Defiance as Raziel travelled to Vorador's Mansion in the Blood Omen era in Find Vorador. Here the braziers could be briefly observed as Raziel came thorough the trail from the Termogent Forest but were not seen afterward unless Raziel backtracked.

Background

 * Ignis Fatuus is a real world phenomena, known also as Will-o'-wisp and Jack-o'-lantern, where glowing lights are seen over marshy land, caused by ignited swamp gas and often attributed in folklore and mythology to mischievous spirits attempting to lead travelers astray. The same folklore root is shared by the Blood Omen enemy class the Will-o-wisps.

Appearances

 * Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
 * Soul Reaver 2
 * Legacy of Kain: Defiance