Timelines

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"We are hurtling toward our destinies, Raziel. What you feel is the pull of history rushing to meet us. This is where history and destiny collide."

- Kain

A timeline (historical timeline), in the Legacy of Kain series, was an iteration of Nosgoth's full chronological history, or time-stream. The concept of fatalism is a reality in the metaphysics of Nosgoth; with the exception of Raziel, its inhabitants did not possess free will, and their futures were predestined. Time was therefore usually immutable, but it could be altered by historical paradoxes, when a Reaver-convergence took place.

If two incarnations of the Soul Reaver met in time and space, "a temporal distortion powerful enough to derail history" could be the result. When such a paradox blocked the time continuum, forcing Nosgoth's history to reshuffle itself to accommodate the contradiction, the current timeline effectively died, and a new one was spawned. Four distinct timelines have been observed in the Legacy of Kain series, each one subtly or significantly different to the last, and each remembered by both Kain and Moebius.

Time travel model


The time travel model utilized in the Legacy of Kain fiction was conclusively developed and explored in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, and borrows from Terry Gilliam's 1995 film 12 Monkeys (which adheres to the Novikov self-consistency principle), but is slightly different: it includes a loophole. Series developers Amy Hennig, Jennifer Fernández, Richard Lemarchand and Kyle Mannerberg outlined its core principle as "you can't go back in time and change history because you didn't". Hennig's full interpretation of the concept was described in an interview:

"Is it impossible to escape preordained fate? And it's interesting to layer this quesiton into a time travel story. This is really the whole crux of the time travel concept - can you change history or not? And if so, what does it mean to change history - in terms of being responsible for the repercussions? I did some research into time travel fiction, in preparation for Soul Reaver 2. For me, the most interesting approach in time travel stories is summed up with the statement: 'you can't go back in time and change history because you didn't'. That's my favorite way of looking at it. If you do go back - then you did go back. Which means that time travel is ultimately a journey of epiphanies, where the protagonist realizes the role that he already played in history. Of course, Blood Omen established that history can in fact be changed - and we'll be respecting this precedent in Soul Reaver 2."

- Amy Hennig

Nosgoth's time continuum was extremely rigid and resilient, and did not normally allow for the introduction of paradoxes: the map of each individual's destiny was fully outlined and immutable, accommodating for time travel events and preventing contradictions. Even to characters who knew the future and were aware that "free will is an illusion", resisting history was usually an impossibility: they did not possess the intrinsic free will necessary to defy "the rules of fate and predetermined events". This theory of predestination was a fundamental, indiscriminate constant, and applied to almost all entities within the Material, Spectral and Demon Realms alike.

Altering history


The only "unbound creature" within Nosgoth was the wraith Raziel, who could make choices freely, unhindered by the predestination others were subject to. Only vague descriptions as to why he was singular in this regard were afforded: his free will was usually attributed to "his remaking into the world" at the hands of the Elder God, and his resultant liberation from the Wheel of Fate. It may also have been connected to his destiny to become the captive, soul-devouring entity within the Soul Reaver, and to later wield a future incarnation of his own soul - the Wraith Blade; the meeting and constant presence of two incarnations of the same soul-devouring entity, crucial to the timeline, in close proximity - and the very possibility that one might attempt to devour the other - may have contributed to his unique exemption. ''~As Raziel stands over the corpse of his former self, the wraith blade begins to manifest, its power gradually returning. Raziel watches in growing alarm as the wraith blade abandons its symbiotic grip on his arm, and coils itself around its twin – its former, physical self – instead.~ // Raziel: "Sensing its twin, the wraith blade uncoiled itself from me – and instead wound lovingly around its former self. I felt its grip loosen, and as the blade left me, its absence chilled me more than its presence ever had. A foreboding sense of emptiness and loss stole over me... and a terrible revelation gathered like a storm at the edge of my awareness..." // ~Thus joined, the conjoined blades turn on Raziel – with the blade still bound to his hand, Raziel is dragged helplessly as the Reaver exerts its own will. Raziel struggles, but is powerless to resist the blades as they turn inexorably toward him.~ // Raziel: "With all other foes exhausted, the conjoined blades turned themselves on me. And I realized, finally, why I had sensed nothing when Janos offered me the blade. The Reaver was never forged to be a soul-stealing weapon..." // ~The Reaver plunges toward Raziel and impales him. His eyes widen in agony, despair and recognition –~ // Raziel: "...the ravenous, soul-devouring entity trapped in the blade was – and always had been – me. This is why the blade was destroyed when Kain tried to strike me down – the Reaver could not devour its own soul. The paradox shattered the blade. So – this was my terrible destiny – to play out this purgatorial cycle for all eternity... I could not bear it – despair overwhelmed me."'' Crystal Dynamics. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. (Eidos Interactive). PlayStation 2. (October 31, 2001) Transcript.

On the rare occasions where two incarnations of Raziel's soul met, in either the forms of the Soul Reaver or the Wraith Blade, a Reaver-convergence was the result: "reality itself" would tangibly warp and bend slightly, creating a sense of vertigo, or displacement. At such points, there was a window of opportunity in which it was possible to create a paradox, potentially sufficient enough to derail history and rewrite the timeline. Kain analogized these junctures to the flipping of a two-sided coin: "suppose you throw a coin enough times... suppose one day, it lands on its edge".

Only relatively slight diversions could be triggered; most major events remained constant in Nosgoth between each timeline. If a paradox blocked the time continuum, history would always follow "the path of least resistance while admitting only the slightest alterations". Defying the force of history was always a dangerous gamble - "if events [could not] be reshuffled to accommodate the change", the irritants responsible for the contradiction would simply be expelled from the time-stream. Such a fatal paradox did not overtly happen in the Legacy of Kain series, but the concept served as a looming danger which Kain and Raziel were forced to acknowledge and remain wary of.

Parallel timelines


Parallel or "forked" versions of history did not exist in Nosgoth - only the current iteration of history was considered "real". If a historical paradox occured and a timeline was derailed, the derailed timeline was considered to be "dead", and could never be revisited. Timelines did not split or actively co-exist, and a new one could only be spawned if the current one was subject to a paradox and derailed.

Previous variations of history which were dead, however, are still considered part of Legacy of Kain's continuity; certain individuals retained full memories of previous timelines. As evinced throughout Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, Kain remembered all four timelines observed in the Legacy of Kain series, likely because he was present at the point of the three paradoxes observed. When a paradox occurred, all of his old memories and experiences up to that point remained intact in his mind, but were also "shuffled aside by the newer memories that reflect the altered course of history". Kain was aware of four variations of his own past as of Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

Raziel, who was similarly present and conscious at two of the paradoxes, was also aware of the alterations which concerned him. Moebius (and, presumably, other Time Guardians) inherently knew if, and exactly how, history had reshuffled itself, even when he was not present during a paradox; the only entity whose actions he could not account for was Raziel. However, all other individuals within Nosgoth who were not present at the heart of the paradoxes - including even the Elder God - appeared to be ignorant of the changes in the time-stream, and never demonstrated the same knowledge of alterations to their destinies.

Observed timelines
Nosgoth's history was altered three times throughout the Legacy of Kain games. As such, four timelines have been observed in the series, two or more being explored in both Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2. They are not formally named in official sources, and can only be identified by the order in which they came to exist.


 * The first timeline: Most of Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain takes place in the first timeline. Towards the end of the story, at the very instant where Kain kills William in the stronghold of William the Just, the first paradox occurs, killing this timeline and spawning a new one.
 * The second timeline: The concluding events of Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, the entirety of the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver comic and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, and the early stages of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 take place in the second timeline. During Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, when Raziel defies history by refusing to kill Kain in the Sarafan Stronghold, this timeline is derailed by the second paradox and dies, making way for a third.
 * The third timeline: The latter events of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 are portrayed through the third timeline. When Kain saves Raziel from entering the Reaver in the Sarafan Stronghold, he triggers the third paradox, spawning another new version of history.
 * The fourth timeline: The conclusion of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, as well as the entirety of Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2, the Legacy of Kain: Defiance comic and Legacy of Kain: Defiance, occur in the fourth timeline. This version of history has not observably been subject to a paradox, and remains the current "living" timeline of the Legacy of Kain series.

Before Nosgoth's recorded history

 * The raising of the Pillars: The nine Pillars of Nosgoth are erected, and are intrinsically tied to the spiritual and physical health of all Nosgoth.


 * The summoning of the Guardians: The first Pillar Guardians are assembled, forming the Circle of Nine. The nine original Guardians swear to protect, represent and serve their individual Pillars. When a Guardian dies, the Pillars cull a successor, destined from birth to fulfill their role.


 * During this era, Moebius, the Guardian of Time, Mortanius, the Guardian of Death, and Vorador, the future patriarch of the vampires, are presumably born.

Nosgoth's early history

 * At indeterminate points before or at the start of this era, the human Guardians of Balance, Conflict (Malek), Dimension, Energy, the Mind, Nature and States, who will actively serve during Vorador's later attack on the Circle of Nine, are born.


 * At an indeterminate point before or during this era, an unknown seer predicts the future rise of the Legions of the Nemesis.


 * At an indeterminate point before or during this era, a small cult devoted to a mysterious god - connected to tales of human possession - begins operating.


 * Nosgoth's vampire population increases, incurring the attention of the Circle.


 * Headquartered at the Sarafan Stronghold, the Circle of Nine forms and sponsors the monastic Sarafan brotherhood to counter the vampire menace. Malek serves as its leader and general.


 * (~30-40 years before ~0) The human Raziel is born.
 * (During the same approximate timeframe) The humans Dumah, Melchiah, Rahab, Turel and Zephon are born.


 * Dumah, Melchiah, Rahab, Raziel, Turel and Zephon join the Sarafan brotherhood, and are trained to be devoutly loyal to the Circle of Nine.
 * The six become the commanding warrior inquisitors of the brotherhood.


 * The vampire purge: The Sarafan wage war on Nosgoth's vampires. Malek leads the brotherhood to many victories, killing thousands of the vampire race. Several of Vorador's friends, lovers and vampire children are slain, but he and Janos Audron elude their attacks.


 * Janos Audron is murdered by the Sarafan. His heart, the Heart of Darkness, is ripped from his chest and later pronounced a relic.


 * Icon-BO1.png (~0) The slaughter of the Circle: Vorador fights back against the human Circle for their sponsorship of the Sarafan, infiltrating the Sarafan Stronghold and killing the Balance, Dimension, Energy, Mind, Nature and States Guardians. He battles, defeats and humiliates their protector, Malek.
 * Six new Guardians are born (variously Anarcrothe, Ariel, Azimuth, Bane, DeJoule and Nupraptor, or unseen predecessors to them).
 * Dumah, Melchiah, Rahab, Raziel, Turel and Zephon die in combat.


 * Icon-BO1.png In Avernus Cathedral, Mortanius punishes Malek for his failure, fusing Malek's soul to a suit of magical armor. Malek is condemned to serve as the unliving Ward of the Circle.


 * The corpses of the six martyred Sarafan warrior inquisitors are interred in the Tomb of the Sarafan.


 * The ongoing vampire purges force Vorador into hiding. He becomes lost to Nosgoth, ensconsing himself in his mansion in the Termogent Forest.


 * (Long before ~450) The Sarafan brotherhood disbands, and their crusade ceases.

Pre-Blood Omen era

 * (Years before ~0) William the Just is born. At a young age, he inherits rulership of the kingdom which will become known as the Land of the Nemesis.


 * Icon-BO1.png Moebius attempts to rally the villagers loyal to William, and secures an audience with the king.


 * (~0) Icon-BO1.png ← Using his time-streaming device, Kain escapes from the Battle of the Last Stand in the Blood Omen era, emerging here, nearly 50 years in the past.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain travels to the Land of the Nemesis, intending to kill William before he can become the Nemesis and ravage Nosgoth.
 * Icon-BO1.png In the stronghold of William the Just, Kain watches as Moebius provides William with the Soul Reaver and other weapons, and warns William of a vampire sent to slay him.
 * Icon-BO1.png The  first paradox : Kain attempts to slay William in battle. Both combatants are armed with incarnations of the Soul Reaver, triggering a history-distorting Reaver-convergence.
 * This timeline is derailed and dies, spawning the altered second timeline. →
 * Kain fails to slay William, and history proceeds as normal. Kain's fate is uncertain.


 * (~0-40) Moebius continues to conspire with William, resulting in the creation of the prophecied fanatical and ruthless Legions of the Nemesis. William becomes known as the Nemesis, an unstoppable tyrant destined to bring about the end of civilization. Over time, many cities fall to the Legions on their gradual march from the north.


 * Mortanius is possessed by the Dark Entity.


 * Icon-BO1.png (~20) Possessing Mortanius's body, the Dark Entity murders Ariel. Kain, her successor as Guardian of Balance, is born to an aristocratic family. Ariel's specter begins to haunt the Pillars of Nosgoth.
 * Icon-BO1.png The corruption of the Pillars: Nupraptor, Ariel's lover, finds her corpse and realises that Mortanius was responsible for her death. Overwhelmed with grief and suspicions of treachery, Nupraptor plunges into madness, unleashing a psychic onslaught directed at the entire Circle of Nine. Throughout all Nosgoth, the minds of the sensitive and intellectual are blasted by waves of hatred. The Circle is permanently left mentally corrupted, and the Pillars physically crack and corrode.


 * The insane and deranged Guardians unleash their powers against Nosgoth, with malicious intent. Anarcrothe, Bane and DeJoule create the Dark Eden. Nupraptor practices self-mutilation, sewing his own eyes and lips shut, and terrorizes pilgrims who journey to his retreat near Vasserbünde.


 * King Ottmar of Willendorf holds a contest to celebrate his daughter's birthday, offering a royal favor to the creator of the finest doll in the realm. Among hundreds of submissions, Elzevir the Dollmaker's entry is proclaimed the winner. Elzevir takes a lock of the Princess' hair in payment.
 * Elzevir traps the Princess' soul in a burlap and silk doll. The Princess becomes lifeless, plunging Ottmar into despair.


 * Coorhagen, Kain's home city, is struck by the plague.


 * (~50) Kain departs Coorhagen, embarking on a journey across Nosgoth.
 * Mortanius recruits a band of assassins to murder Kain.
 * Icon-BO1.png At night, Kain attempts to seek shelter at a tavern in Ziegsturhl, but is denied entry. Forced to the road, he is slain by the hired assassins.
 * Kain's body is interred in his mausoleum in the Cemetery.

Blood Omen era

 * (During, or shortly before, ~0) Azimuth begins summoning and unleashing demons on Avernus, setting the city on fire. Trade from Avernus to Vasserbünde ceases.


 * Icon-BO1.png (~0) Mortanius offers Kain the opportunity to avenge himself in the Underworld. Kain hastily accepts, and is reborn as a vampire.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain awakes in his mausoleum, and kills his assassins near Ziegsturhl. Informed by Mortanius that the true culprits still live, and seeking a cure to his vampirism, he meets the specter of Ariel at the Pillars of Nosgoth, who instructs him to destroy the corrupt Circle of Nine and restore the Pillars.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain travels through Nachtholm and Vasserbünde, and infiltrates Nupraptor's Retreat. He beheads Nupraptor and returns the head to the Pillars. The Pillar of the Mind is restored.
 * Icon-BO1.png Passing through the plague-ridden Coorhagen, Kain travels to northern Nosgoth and flies to Malek's Bastion. He attempts to destroy Malek, but fails. Kain travels to the Oracle's Cave in search of a means to defeat Malek.
 * Icon-BO1.pngIcon-BO1.pngIcon-BO1.png Moebius, posing as the Oracle of Nosgoth, advises Kain to seek Vorador in the Termogent Forest. Kain meets Vorador, who gives Kain his Signet Ring. Kain travels to Dark Eden and kills Bane and DeJoule, while Vorador destroys Malek.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain returns Bane's Antler Headdress, DeJoule's Insulating Cloak and Malek's Helmet to the Pillars. The Pillars of Conflict, Energy and Nature are restored.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain journies south through Avernus. In Avernus Cathedral, he discovers the Soul Reaver, and claims it for his own. With the Reaver, he slays Azimuth, and obtains the time-streaming device she stole from Moebius.
 * Icon-BO1.png Kain returns Azimuth's Eye to the Pillars. The Pillar of Dimension is restored. Ariel advises Kain to combat the Legions of the Nemesis.
 * Icon-BO1.png In Willendorf's Provincial Mines, Kain drinks the blood of one of King Ottmar's noble forefathers, gaining the Beguile ability. Using this, he infiltrates Willendorf Castle and meets King Ottmar, who offers his kingdom to whomever can restore his daughter to life. Kain hunts down and kills Elzevir, and returns the Princess' soul to Ottmar. Ottmar and Kain join forces against the Nemesis.


 * Icon-BO1.png The Battle of the Last Stand: Led by Ottmar and Kain, the Army of the Last Hope meets the Legions of the Nemesis in battle. The Legions are victorious, decimating the Army of Hope, killing Ottmar and cornering Kain. Kain retreats by activating the time-streaming device, and is propelled 50 years backward in time to the pre-Blood Omen era.  →

(No later events in this timeline are covered in the series.)

Before Nosgoth's recorded history

 * At an indeterminate point in this era, an ancient, primitive cult commences its worship of the Elder God, building a statue representative of the god beneath the Swamp.


 * The vampire-Hylden war: The ancient vampires battle an inhuman enemy race in an apocalyptic war for domination of Nosgoth.


 * The raising of the Pillars: The ancient vampires erect the nine Pillars of Nosgoth to banish their enemies. The Pillars are intrinsically tied to the spiritual and physical health of all Nosgoth. The ancient vampires construct the Subterranean Pillars Chamber.


 * The ancient vampires are somehow afflicted with a predatory blood-thirst.


 * The summoning of the Guardians: The first Pillar Guardians are assembled, forming the Circle of Nine. The nine original Guardians swear to protect, represent and serve their individual Pillars. When a Guardian dies, the Pillars cull a successor, destined from birth to fulfill their role.


 * Janos Audron significantly grows in renown, and ultimately becomes known as "the greatest vampire to have ever existed".


 * The forging of the Reaver: The Reaver is forged.


 * Vorador is born.


 * Vorador is sired by Janos Audron, and becomes a vampire.


 * ("Thousands of years" before the pre-Blood Omen era) Presumably, the Dark and Light Forges are constructed by the ancient vampires. They are sealed and forbidden to all but the prophesied bearer of the Reaver.


 * The ancient vampires' civilization crumbles. Their bloodline trickles away, until Janos Audron is left the sole surviving member of his original race.

Post-Blood Omen era

 * (~0) The collapse of the Pillars: Embracing his vampirism, Kain refuses the sacrifice and rejoices, establishing a throne at the ruined Pillar of Balance.


 * (~500) The raising of the lieutenants: Kain infiltrates the Tomb of the Sarafan, raising the six Sarafan warrior inquisitors to act as his vampire lieutenants.

Soul Reaver era

 * (~0) The raising of the lieutenants: Kain infiltrates the Tomb of the Sarafan, raising the six Sarafan warrior inquisitors to act as his Vampire Lieutenants. Raziel, Turel, Dumah, Rahab, Zephon and Melchiah are reborn respectively.


 * A new Vampire race is born as the Lieutenants sire the Dumahim, Melchahim, Rahabim, Razielim, Turelim and Zephonim clans. Kain's empire is founded.
 * The Vampires begin to destroy Nosgoth's major human kingdoms. Vampire hunters rise to counter their menace.


 * (~100) By now, the Vampires consider humanity thoroughly domesticated.


 * The Sanctuary of the Clans is constructed as a shrine around the Pillars of Nosgoth by slaves. The Smokestack is also built.


 * Raziel surpasses Kain in stages of pupation, growing bat-like wings.


 * (~1000) While feeding on a female, Raziel realizes his captive is not human. She reveals herself to be a Construct of the Elder Gods, and tells Raziel of his destiny to be destroyed in the Abyss and reborn to exact revenge on Kain. Raziel slaughters the Construct and burns her remains.
 * Kain and the Council meet at the Sanctuary of the Clans. Raziel reveals his wings, which are ripped from his body by Kain.
 * Raziel's execution: The Council bears Raziel to the Lake of the Dead, where, on Kain's orders, Dumah and Turel to cast their brother into the Abyss. Turel assumes Raziel's position as the Empire's second-in-command.

Before Nosgoth's recorded history

 * At an indeterminate point in this era, an ancient, primitive cult commences its worship of the Elder God, building a statue representative of the god beneath the Swamp.


 * The vampire-Hylden war: The ancient vampires battle an inhuman enemy race in an apocalyptic war for domination of Nosgoth.


 * The raising of the Pillars: The ancient vampires erect the nine Pillars of Nosgoth to banish their enemies. The Pillars are intrinsically tied to the spiritual and physical health of all Nosgoth.  The ancient vampires construct the Subterranean Pillars Chamber.


 * The enemy race afflicts the ancient vampires with the blood curse.


 * The summoning of the Guardians: The first Pillar Guardians are assembled, forming the Circle of Nine. The nine original Guardians swear to protect, represent and serve their individual Pillars. When a Guardian dies, the Pillars cull a successor, destined from birth to fulfill their role.


 * Janos Audron significantly grows in renown. In future eras, he will become known as "the greatest vampire to have ever existed".


 * The forging of the Reaver: The Reaver is forged.  Janos Audron is summoned to act as an honorary tenth Guardian - the keeper of the Reaver blade.


 * Vorador is born.


 * Vorador is sired by Janos Audron, and becomes a vampire.


 * ("Thousands of years" before the pre-Blood Omen era) Presumably, the Air, Dark and Light Forges are constructed by the ancient vampires. They are sealed and forbidden to all but the prophesied bearer of the Reaver.   The aeries which will become Janos Audron's Retreat are also presumably constructed.


 * The ancient vampires' civilization crumbles. Their bloodline trickles away, until Janos Audron is left the sole surviving member of his original race. The original members of the Circle of Nine die out. The humans of Nosgoth prosper, and eventually seize guardianship of the Pillars from the vampires.


 * (Over further thousands of years subsequent to the ancient vampires' near-extinction) Over the millennia, Janos Audron continues to guard the Reaver alone, awaiting the arrival of the prophesied vampire messiah.

Post-Blood Omen era

 * (~0) The collapse of the Pillars: Embracing his vampirism, Kain refuses the sacrifice and rejoices, establishing a throne at the ruined Pillar of Balance.


 * Demons become more commonplace in the Material Realm. Mutants begin to evolve in the swamp.


 * The Sarafan Stronghold is assaulted by demons. Moebius's mercenary army evolves into the demon hunters.


 * (~100) Raziel emerges from the pre-Blood Omen era, arriving in the Sarafan Stronghold. He discovers a statue commemorating Moebius, holding aloft the severed head of Vorador.
 * After discovering Moebius' statue, Raziel encounters an illusion posing as the spirit of Moebius, intended to influence him into destroying Kain.
 * Raziel encounters Ariel at the Pillars of Nosgoth, who laments Kain's decision and her own fate.
 * The elder Kain of the pre-Blood Omen era, spared by Raziel in this timeline, emerges in the past and pursues Raziel.
 * After speaking with Ariel, Raziel encounters the elder Kain outside the ruined aerie, who discusses the nature of paradoxes and the malevolent forces subverting their destinies before departing.
 * Raziel obtains the Air Reaver from the Air Forge, adjacent to the ruined aerie of Janos Audron's Retreat.
 * Using the time-streaming chamber in the swamp, Raziel time-travels back to Nosgoth's early history.


 * (~500) The raising of the lieutenants: Kain infiltrates the Tomb of the Sarafan, raising the six Sarafan warrior inquisitors to act as his vampire lieutenants.

Before Nosgoth's recorded history

 * At an indeterminate point in this era, an ancient, primitive cult commences its worship of the Elder God, building a statue representative of the god beneath the Swamp.


 * At an indeterminate point in this era, the Hylden give the primitive, cave-dwelling humans of Nosgoth "all that they [have]" (presumably, advancements in cultural and intellectual sophistication).


 * The ancient vampires, considered god-like and dominant over Nosgoth, ascribe to the doctrine of the Elder God, devoutly worshiping the Wheel of Fate.
 * The Hylden oppose the Elder God, and refuse to submit to the Wheel.


 * (Duration of ~1000 years) The vampire-Hylden war: The ancient vampires declare war upon the Hylden in their god's name, battling their foes in an apocalyptic conflict for domination of Nosgoth.
 * During or before the war, the Vampire Citadel is constructed.
 * Under the direction of the Builder, the Hylden construct the Device to house the Mass, intending to channel the Mass' mental energy through Nosgoth's cities and eradicate all non-Hylden life. Before the weapon and its essential conduits can be completed, the Builder is incarcerated in the Eternal Prison.
 * The Hylden record the events which precipitated the war on murals in what will become the Avernus Catacombs. The prophecies regarding the Scion of Balance, the vampire champion and the Hylden champion are presumably formulated.


 * The raising of the Pillars: The ancient vampires banish the Hylden race to the Demon Realm, and erect the nine Pillars of Nosgoth to secure this Binding. The Pillars are intrinsically tied to the spiritual and physical health of all Nosgoth.  The ancient vampires construct the Subterranean Pillars Chamber.
 * The summoning of the Guardians: The first Pillar Guardians are assembled at the Vampire Citadel, forming the Circle of Nine. The nine original Guardians swear to protect, represent and serve their individual Pillars. When a Guardian dies, the Pillars cull a successor, destined from birth to fulfill their role.
 * Defeated, the Hylden unleash a final retaliation against the ancient vampires, afflicting them with the blood curse. Sterile and immortal, the ancient vampires are divorced from their god and the Wheel of Fate, and are plunged into despair. Many are driven to madness, and resort to suicide.


 * Janos Audron significantly grows in renown. In future eras, he will become known as "the greatest vampire to have ever existed".


 * Vorador is born.


 * The forging of the Reaver: At the behest of Janos Audron, Vorador forges the Reaver blade.  Janos Audron is summoned to act as an honorary tenth Guardian - the keeper of the Reaver blade.
 * Vorador is sired as a vampire by Janos Audron, and becomes the first human in Nosgoth to whom the blood curse is passed. The curse is subsequently passed to more humans, in an attempt to prolong the vampires' bloodline and secure the Binding.


 * ("Thousands of years" before the pre-Blood Omen era) Presumably, the Air, Dark and Light Forges are constructed by the ancient vampires. They are sealed and forbidden to all but the prophesied bearer of the Reaver.   The aeries which will become Janos Audron's Retreat are also presumably constructed.


 * Over time, the ancient vampires begin to die out. As the members of the Circle of Nine perish, they are entombed in the Vampire Citadel. The Pillars begin to summon human Guardians. The ancient vampires begin to routinely abduct and adopt the human Guardians, turning them into vampires as they come of age.
 * Moebius and Mortanius are born. They are abducted by the vampires, and schooled in the prophecies of the Scion of Balance and the champions.
 * In the Vampire Citadel, the Elder God speaks to Moebius for the first time. Moebius begins his secret worship of the Elder, and obtains his staff.
 * The human Guardians' revolt: Through Moebius, the Elder God orchestrates a rebellion among the young human Guardians in defiance of their vampire masters. Moebius and Mortanius lead the revolt. Victorious, the Guardians of the human race claim full ownership of the Pillars.


 * The seminal events of vampire history are recorded in murals throughout the Vampire Citadel.


 * The ancient vampires' civilization crumbles. Their bloodline trickles away, until Janos Audron is left the sole surviving member of his original race. Humanity prospers as the vampires dwindle.


 * (Over further thousands of years subsequent to the ancient vampires' near-extinction) Over the millennia, Janos Audron continues to guard the Reaver alone, awaiting the arrival of the prophesied vampire messiah.

Post-Blood Omen era

 * (~0) The collapse of the Pillars: Kain refuses the sacrifice, establishing a throne at the ruined Pillar of Balance.
 * Janos Audron, possessed by the Hylden Lord, destroys Raziel at the Vampire Citadel and departs to opens the Hylden Gate. Raziel materializes within the Spirit Forge, trapped in the Spectral Realm.
 * The Elder God resurrects Moebius.
 * The elder Kain of the Blood Omen era awakens in the Demon Realm, and battles the native Demons to escape.
 * The Fall of the Spirit Forge: Kain slays Moebius in the Vampire Citadel's Spirit Forge, whose soul is then finally consumed by Raziel in the Spectral Realm. Using Moebius's corpse, Raziel enters the Material Realm and tricks Kain into impaling him on the Reaver blade. Raziel enters the Reaver and uses the Wraith Blade to heal Kain's soul of Nupraptor's corruption, ending the cycle of his destiny. Now cognizant of the Elder God, Kain battles it. The Elder God topples the Spirit Forge in an attempt to destroy Kain, but fails.
 * The Hylden Lord enters the Material Realm. Janos is imprisoned in the Device.


 * Demons become more commonplace in the Material Realm. Mutants begin to evolve in the swamp.


 * The Sarafan Stronghold is assaulted by demons. Moebius's mercenary army evolves into the demon hunters.


 * (~100) Raziel emerges from the pre-Blood Omen era, arriving in the Sarafan Stronghold. He discovers a statue commemorating Moebius, holding aloft the severed head of Vorador.
 * After discovering Moebius' statue, Raziel encounters an illusion posing as the spirit of Moebius, intended to influence him into destroying Kain.
 * Raziel encounters Ariel at the Pillars of Nosgoth, who laments Kain's decision and her own fate.
 * The elder Kain of the pre-Blood Omen era, spared by Raziel in this timeline, emerges in the past and pursues Raziel.
 * After speaking with Ariel, Raziel encounters the elder Kain outside the ruined aerie, who discusses the nature of paradoxes and the malevolent forces subverting their destinies before departing.
 * Raziel obtains the Air Reaver from the Air Forge, adjacent to the ruined aerie of Janos Audron's Retreat.
 * Using the time-streaming chamber in the swamp, Raziel time-travels back to Nosgoth's early history.


 * Vorador's resurrection: Vorador is resurrected by an unknown party.


 * ("Decades" prior to ~200) The War for Nosgoth: Vorador and the younger Kain create the Vampire Army, bent on conquering Nosgoth. The Hylden Lord forms the Sarafan order in response, seizing the city of Meridian.


 * Faustus, Magnus, Marcus and Sebastian are sired by Vorador or his direct descendants.


 * (~200) The Battle of Meridian: The Vampire Army is routed at Meridian. The Hylden Lord defeats Kain, throwing him off a cliff, claiming the Soul Reaver and leaving him for dead.


 * Faustus, Marcus and Sebastian join the Sarafan Order.


 * Vorador forms the Cabal. Kain's body is found by the Cabal and taken to Meridian.


 * (~400) Kain awakens in the Slums of Meridian.
 * Kain kills Faustus and meets with Vorador. In the Upper City, Kain kills Marcus and rescues Umah.
 * Kain infiltrates the Industrial Quarter and obtains the Nexus Stone, killing Sebastian.
 * After meeting with the Seer, Kain journeys to the Eternal Prison and slays the Builder and Magnus. Using the Builder's blood, Kain destroys the Mass. Janos Audron is freed from the Device.
 * The Destruction of the Hylden Gate: Kain kills Umah and infiltrates the Hylden City. Kain and Janos battle the Hylden Lord. Janos is cast into the Demon Realm. Kain destroys the Hylden Gate and kills the Hylden Lord.


 * (~500) The raising of the lieutenants: Kain infiltrates the Tomb of the Sarafan, raising the six Sarafan warrior inquisitors to act as his vampire lieutenants.

Continuity between the timelines
From the games alone, it is not possible to determine the full extent of the changes incurred by each paradox (and, hence, the exact nature of the differences between each timeline). However, some facts can be established with certainty:


 * The raising and corruption of the Pillars, the summoning of the Guardians, the forging of the Reaver and the slaughter of the Circle occured in all four timelines.
 * The Battle of the Last Stand and the Legions of the Nemesis were only present in the first timeline. When the Nemesis was prematurely killed by Kain in the first paradox, these elements were removed from history and ceased to exist.
 * Moebius's mercenary army, its renewed vampire purge, and the execution of Vorador (which left Kain the only remaining vampire in Nosgoth) was a product of the first paradox. These elements did not exist in the first timeline.
 * The events of Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2 (and Legacy of Kain: Defiance) were "made possible" by Janos Audron's resurrection in the fourth timeline at Raziel's hands. This did not occur in previous timelines, and therefore these events could not have unfolded in the same way.
 * The events of the Soul Reaver era were not changed or affected in the third or fourth timelines. Even after paradoxes, they still unfolded as depicted in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

The following table attempts to outline which of Nosgoth's major events remained constant between the timelines. "No evidence" suggests that there is no information to determine whether an event occurred or not in a timeline.

Appearances

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