Dark Chronicle (term)

The Dark Chronicle, also known as the Dark Diary, is a plot summary available in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Soul Reaver 2 and Legacy of Kain: Defiance which recaps the major scenes of each game through transcript or cutscene.

Role
The Dark Chronicle was a summary of the important plot of each entry in the series, appearing in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Soul Reaver 2 and Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

The feature first appeared in Blood Omen as the "Dark Diary" which could be selected from the main menu or the in game pause menu. The Dark Diary divided the plot into sixteen of the most significant cutscenes of the game. Once the feature was selected, a slideshow of still images of the currently completed chapters would be displayed - each one representing a cutscene which would play upon selection of the appropriate image.

No plot summary feature was available in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, however Soul Reaver 2, would return to the feature, now titled as the "Dark Chronicle". This divided the Soul Reaver 2 story into twenty-one chapters summarizing the plot of the game. The Dark Chronicle was accessible either through the main menu, pause menu or the Bonus materials section and contains a list of unlocked chapters, each of which would display a transcript for each one. New chapters were unlocked through gameplay progress.

The feature was absent from Blood Omen 2 but returned again in Legacy of Kain: Defiance. This time, the plot was divided into forty-one of the significant chapters of the game. The Dark Chronicle could be selected from the main menu or the pause menu and listed these chapters with each providing a link to the appropriate cutscene. Again chapters would be unlocked through game progression and coulkd be viewed at any time after the completion of that part of the game.

Dark Diary: The Failure of the Circle
In Nosgoth's early history several member of the Circle of Nine are planning the movements of the Sarafan in their gathering room when they are interrupted by the appearance of the vampire Vorador who proceeds to slaughter the group. The circle's protector Malek, arrives too late to save them and is defeated by Vorador.

Some centuries later in the Pre-Blood Omen era, Balance Guardian Ariel is murdered by an unseen assassin. The Pillars of Nosgoth begin to crack and corrode as a result.

Dark Diary: Kain in the Abyss
In the Blood Omen era, the nobleman Kain awakens from his death in underworld still impaled upon the sword of his assassin and chained above a fiery pit. The Death Guardian Mortanius appears, removes the sword and releases him, symbolically offering Kain the sword as a token of revenge. Kain takes the sword - accepting the offer - and is transformed into a vampire.

Dark Diary: Ghost of the Pillars
Kain arrives at the Pillars of Nosgoth and meets the specter of the former Balance Guardian, Ariel. Ariel explains the how her death at the hands of a traitor drove her lover - Mind Guardian Nupraptor - insane and caused the Corruption of the Pillars. Cryptically offering Kain "peace" from his curse she sends him on a quest to restore the pillars.

Dark Diary: The Oracle
Having failed to defeat Malek, Kain meets with the mysterious Oracle within the Oracle's Cave to find how to defeat him. The Oracle initially gives Kain only riddles regarding King Ottmar of Willendorf before he relents and tells Kain of Vorador's victory over Malek and its consequences several centuries earlier. The Oracle directs Kain to the Termogent Forest, where Vorador's Mansion awaits and tells him to follow the Ignis Fatuus to find it.

Dark Diary: The Vampire Vorador
Kain meets the vampire Vorador in his mansion who offers Kain a different perspective - his vampirism is not a curse but a gift and they were 'dark gods' to the mortals. Vorador recounts his Slaughter of the Circle and his defeat of Malek, warning Kain not to meddle in human affairs. Finally Vorador offers Kain a ring to summon him when needed.

Dark Diary: The Great Duel
Kain confronts Pillar Guardians Bane, DeJoule and Anarcrothe at Dark Eden, but Anarcrothe summons Malek and flees. In retaliation, Kain summons Vorador and the two old adversaries resume the battle from centuries before. Kain gives chase to the escaping Band and Dejoule, while Vordaor finishes Malek.

Dark Diary: The Court of the Last Hope
Kain travels to Willendorf Castle, seeking to enlist the help of Ottmar and his Army of the Last Hope in defeating the Legions of the Nemesis that threaten Nosgoth. He finds Ottmar deep in mourning for his daughter whose soul has been stolen by Elzevir the Dollmaker. Kain decides to hunt for the dollmaker to win favor with Ottmar.

Dark Diary: The Last Stand
Having restored the Princess of Willendorf, Kain, Ottmar and his Army of the Last Hope stand ready to meet the advancing Legions of the Nemesis at the Battle of the Last Stand. Ottmar gives a rousing speech to his troops as they prepare to defend Nosgoth from the advancing horde.

Dark Diary: Nuremburg
Having been sent back to the Pre-Blood Omen era, Kain reads the mind of a man-at-arms and witnesses a speech made by Time Guardian Moebius attempting to stir the hatred of the citizens of the Land of the Nemesis. Kain discovers the involvement of Moebius in the ascension of King William the Just - who would one day lead the Legions of the Nemesis.

Dark Diary: A Vampire's End
Having killed William with the Soul Reaver to prevent the rise of the Legions of the Nemesis and returned to the Blood Omen era, Kain discovers that the whole affair has been a trap orchestrated by Moebius who has used the grief of the citizens of Nosgoth to build a mercenary army to hunt down and destroy the Vampires. Kain witnesses the execution of Vorador before Moebius identifies him as the last vampire and sets the crowd upon him.

Dark Diary: The Last of the Few
Having recognised Moebius as 'the Oracle' and fought off the crowd, Kains defeats Moebius and confronts the dying Time Guardian, making him admit to going back in time and admit to altering the past to turn William into 'the Nemesis'. Moebius promises Kain's death and Kain responds by beheading him.

Dark Diary: Full Circle
Summoned by Mortanius, Kain returns to the Pillars of Nosgoth to witness a confrontation between the Death Guardian and States Guardian Anarcrothe. Kain observes silently from behind the pillars as the two debate their roles and duties. Anacrothe issues and ultimatum the Mortanius must "stand with us or die" and a battle ensues with Mortanius easily victorious. Kain emerges at the end of the battle and Mortanius welcomes his oncoming fate, advising Kain that one more will need to be killed after and beckoning Kain to finish him.

Dark Diary: The Pillar of Death
Having killed the final guardian, Mortanius, Kain is now confronted by the Dark Entity who had possessed Mortanius and used his body to murder Ariel. The Dark Entity promises that the fall of the pillars is only the "first act" of his plans. Enraged, Kain battles the Dark Entity.

Dark Diary: Damned if you do
Having defeated the Dark Entity, Kain stands alone and Ariel appears, all of the pillars save for the Pillar of Balance have been restored and Kain finally realizes that he is the Balance Guardian, born to replace Ariel and corrupted from birth - only with his death can the Pillars of Nosgoth be restored. Ariel offers Kain the final choice - to heal or damn the world.

Dark Diary: Kain Kong
Canon Ending: Kain chooses to self preservation and damns the pillars and Nosgoth itself. Sitting in the debris after the Collapse of the Pillars, Kain reflects that Vorador was correct - they are dark gods who must "thin the herd"

Dark Diary: Happy Happy Joy Joy
Non-Canon Ending: Kain chooses self sacrifice and Nosgoth is retored. Ariel reflects on Kain's contributions.

Prologue
Having defeated his borthers (save Turel) Raziel confronts Kain in the Chronoplast beneath the Oracle's Cave. They debate Kain's beliefs on Fate and Free will and the morality of Kain's resurrection of Sarafan saints to serve him in his empire. After a brief scuffle, Kain escapes through a time portal and Raziel follows, being met by Moebius on the other side.

Dark Chronicle: Arrival
Raziel arrives in the Pre-Blood Omen era in a Time-streaming chamber within the Sarafan Stronghold and is met by Time Guardian Moebius. Well aware of Moebius's reputation for deceit, Raziel brandishes the Wraith Blade and finds it is disabled by Moebius's Staff. Moebius meanwhile reveals that they were familiar when Raziel was one of the Sarafan, during his human life. In the nearby Circle's gathering-room Moebius explains Vorador's Slaughter of the Circle and speaks of the crusade his mercenary army leads against the vampires of Nosgoth. Moebius finally reveals that Kain awaits him at the Pillars and encourages Raziel to seek his revenge.

Dark Chronicle: The Reaver Convergence
In the Sanctuary of the Sarafan Stronghold, Raziel comes upon the tomb of King William the Just, whom a younger Kain traveled back in time to assassinate during his quest to destroy the Circle of Nine. On the sarcophagus, Raziel finds the Soul Reaver blade, broken in the battle between William and Kain, and senses an indescribable sense of distortion. As he examines the Reaver, its future self – the Wraith Blade – suddenly begins to leech away Raziel's soul energy to restore the corporeal sword. Raziel catches watching on without his staff and threatens him with the conjoined blades. Desperate, Moebius lets slip that he, like Raziel, is an agent of the Elder God – this revelation is enough to stay Raziel's hand, and he departs in disgust, leaving the physical Reaver behind.

Dark Chronicle: The Heart of Darkness
In another chapel in the Sanctuary, Raziel finds a mural of the infamous vampire, Janos Audron – whose heart was ripped from his body by the Sarafan, centuries ago. The so-called Heart of Darkness, it is reputed, can resurrect vampires.

Dark Chronicle: The Corruption of the Pillars
Raziel confronts Kain at the Pillars of Nosgoth, however instead of the expected battle, Kain begins to reveal a greater quest, picking apart Raziel's vengeful motivation by revealing that he had actively encouraged Raziel's outrage to draw him into following and countering by unexpectedly agreeing that the health and restoration of the Pillars were of paramount importance. Explaining the stories of his youth, Kain begins to persuade Raziel that his quest was fixed and there is a another option to escape out of his dilemma at the pillars that is hidden in Raziel's presence. Most shockingly of all, Kain hinted that the Pillars actually belonged to the vampire race before teleporting away.

Dark Chronicle: The Elder God
In the Subterranean Ruins Raziel found a chamber beneath the pillars where the pillars descended below ground level, which was undoubtedly constructed along with the Pillars. On the walls were several murals depicting an ancient war between two unknown species, the raising of the pillars by the blue winged race, an apparent curse causing blood-thirst inflicted on them and the forging of the Soul Reaver as a prophetic weapon. As Raziel studied the room he discovered the Elder God in the water beneath the pillars platform, wrapped around the Pillars. With the earlier revelation that Moebius was a servant of the Elder God, Raziel was far more suspicious of his former benefactor and much less polite.The Elder denounced the murals as "lies" and chastised Raziel for letting Kain "slip through [his] grasp". Parting on a distinctly sour note, The Elder encouraged Raziel to remember his rage and let it guide him.

Dark Chronicle: The Vampire Vorador
Outside the Dark Forge Raziel encounters Vorador. Curious about Raziel, Vorador quizzed him on his appearance and his actions in this era, perhaps hinting at prophetic roles associated with the corruption of the Pillars, but soon realized that Raziel was ignorant of any such destiny. Resigning himself, Vorador lamented how his unheeded advice had led to the creation of Moebius's mercenary army which now had the vampires nearly eliminated. Deriding the the ancient murals as "fairy tales", Vorador revealed that the ancient race had dwindled until only one - Vorador's creator Janos Audron - remained, apparently awaiting the arrival of Raziel and the completion of the ancient prophecies, but he had been murdered by the Sarafan five centuries earlier and they had also stolen the Reaver. Reflecting that they were all "out of luck", Vorador teleported away.

Dark Chronicle: The Elder's Warning
Returning to the Subterranean Pillars Chamber, Raziel once again encounters the Elder God and they debate the truth of the ancient winged race with the Elder God disapproving his choices and deriding the murals as lies. Raziel begins doubting the Elder and the Elder threatens Raziel

Dark Chronicle: History and Destiny Collide
Raziel returns to the Sanctuary of the Sarafan Stronghold and encounters Kain in the chapel of William. Here Kain explains the nature of the Time-stream in Nosgoth using his encounter with William to illustrate how the paradox of the presence of two Soul Reaver blades can alter history. Revealing that this Raziel kills him here with the conjoined blades, Kain presents Raziel with the Reaver blade and encourages him to exert his Free will over the pull of history and the Wraith Blade. With much effort, Raziel succeeds in diverting the blade, igniting a paradox and creating a new timeline in which Kain survives.

Dark Chronicle: Time Streaming
Raziel returns to the Time-streaming chambers in the Sarafan Stronghold intending to return to Nosgoth's early history and meet Janos Audron. Apparently catching Moebius off guard with the timeline change, Raziel threatens him into sending him through the device, but Moebius has other ideas.

Dark Chronicle: Moebius's Martyred Spirit
After emerging from the Time-streaming chambers in the devastated Post-Blood Omen era, Raziel encounters the apparent specter of Moebius. Moebius pleads with Raziel that the deceit was necessary to demonstrate the wasteland cause by [Kain]]'s decision at the pillars, but Raziel recognizes the flaws in Moebius's arguments and conjectures that he's actually worried about Kain's plans.

Dark Chronicle: Ariel's Lament
Raziel meets the specter of Ariel at the collapsed Pillars of Nosgoth in the Post-Blood Omen era, and finds her lamenting her fate. Ariel's wrath is directed at Kain for his refusal to sacrifice himself, keeping her imprisoned here. Raziel finds himself defending Kain's actions, pointing out that Kain's decision was rigged and would have brought down the pillars either way. After exhausting all lines of questioning Raziel left Ariel with a final promise that she was merely at the threshold of her purgatory.

Dark Chronicle: Raziel Defies The Elder
Raziel again meets with the Elder God when passing through the Subterranean Pillars Chamber and discovers it bloated and grown large in this era with its tentacles wrapped around the shattered pillars themselves. The Elder chastises Raziel for his failure to kill Kain and condemned him for the fate of Nosgoth. Raziel meanwhile returned to his earlier distrust of the entity, suggesting that he was merely a hungry parasite and the two parted ways.

Dark Chronicle: The Ruined Aerie
Raziel discovers the façade of the retreat of Janos Audron, but finds the structure has collapsed into ruin. As he surveys the scene, Kain appears and the two discuss Moebius's deception with Raziel openly admitting that he no longer believed that Kain's death would make any difference. Kain encouraged Raziel to make his way into the past to meet Janos but warned Raziel of the dark forces gathering against them and the possibility of pushing the Time-stream too far and creating a fatal paradox that would expel them from history.

Dark Chronicle: The Tenth Guardian
After returning to Nosgoth's early history, Raziel returns to Janos Audron's Retreat and finally meets the ancient vampire Janos Audron. Janos recognises Raziel as a prophetic figure and explains some of the events and of vampire history to him, attempting to give him the Reaver the prophesied weapon of the vampire champion and the 'key' to the pillars 'lock', but Raziel is repulsed by the blade. At that moment the Sarafan inquisitors burst in and Janos teleported Raziel away to the nearby Fire forge to protect him.

Dark Chronicle: The Death of Janos Audron
Raziel returns to Janos Audron's chambers just in time to witness the Sarafan inquisitors extract the Heart of Darkness. Raziel is shocked to discover the group consists of his brothers and his former human self and he has just watched his former self murder Janos. The Sarafan retreat, taking the Reaver with them and Raziel vows to avenge Janos's death, recover the blade and recover the heart to restore Janos.

Dark Chronicle: The Final Transgression
Raziel returns to the Elder God in the Subterranean Pillars Chamber for the final time. Here the Elder simply greets him with "ominous finality", while Raziel expresses his doubt that the Elder had anything to do with his revival as a wraith before the two parted ways.

Dark Chronicle: Cornered in the Stronghold
Fighting his way through the Sarafan Stronghold, Raziel finds the Reaver in a side-chamber. Moebius and Malek appear to confront Raziel, with Moebius's Staff disabling the Wraith Blade and leaving the Reaver as his only choice of weapon. As the sounds of Vorador's Slaughter of the Circle can he heard, Malek is persuaded by Moebius that Raziel is the greater threat. As Raziel picks up the Reaver Moebius and Malek retreat and lock the door.

Dark Chronicle: Vengeance
Raziel continues through the Sarafan Stronghold and is confronted by the elite Sarafan inquisitors - his former brothers in life and unlife. Made virtually invincible by his possesion of the Reaver blade, Raziel kills them all in turn, thus providing the corpses for Kain to raise as his 'sons' centuries later. Raziel takes particular pleasure in the death of Turel who will avoid his vengeance in the future.

Dark Chronicle: Renunciation
As he seeks out the Heart of Darkness Raziel makes his way to the Chapter House of the Sarafan Stronghold where he faces his sternest test - a confrontation with the Sarafan inquisitor Raziel - his former human self.

Dark Chronicle: Full Circle
Raziel kills his former human self and as the effects of Moebius's Staff fade the Wraith Blade manifests and the conjoined blades turn on Raziel, prompting the terrible revelation that Raziel is and always had been the soul devouring spirit within the Reaver - and he was destined to be consumed by the blade here. At the last minute, Kain arrives and using some precise timing to ensure there are two Soul Reavers present, he is able to spare Raziel from his fate changing history and ignite a new timeline. But as new memories bloom into Kain's mind, it becomes clear that all is not well and he desperately tries to warn Raziel that the "Hylden" have set a trap for them and Janos Audron must remain dead - but his warning is lost as Raziel slips into the Spectral Realm.