Soul Reaver Era is the final period of Nosgoth's history explored and visited in the story. The events of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reavertake place entirely within this era.
This era, while being situated on the end of nosgoth's timeline(s) nevertheless represents a pivotal moment in Nosgoth's history, namely because of Raziel's execution and ressurection as a wraith.
Additionally, the Soul Reaver Era is the first time since Before Nosgoth's recorded history that vampires held total, or near total dominion over Nosgoth.
The era can be characterised as both a golden age of vampires, and also as a period of their dissolution. A singular vampire empire would arise across Nosgoth, only to eventually decay into ruin, alongside the land itself.
Initially, Kain and his vampire liutenants had much sucess conquering Nosgoth's major human kingdoms, thoroughly domesticating mankind in about one hundred years after the raising of the lieutenants.
Having secured themselves against any threat, leaving only one known human settlement as a challenge for fledgelings, the new vampiric rulers of Nosgoth were free to enjoy a veritable golden age for vampires. Indeed, it appeared that vampires were evolving and becoming increasingly divine due to numerous dark gifts they acquired during pupation.
However, in the long run Kain's empire was doomed to ruin as both his vampiric offspring and the land itself was subject to the continual decay, caused millenia ago byNupraptor 's mental attack upon the circle, and indirectly Nosgoth itself.
By the time Raziel emerged into the world as a wraith, the world was reduced to a wasteland wracked by cataclysms and littered with the crumbling remains of prior civilization. It is unknown what the final fate of nosgoth was or would be in the second timeline, since it was never seen nor discussed.
Progression[]
Legacy of Kain: Defiance and Blood Omen 2 as the last game chronologically, introduced significant changes in the time to the Era following Blood Omen immediately preceding the Soul Reaver Era that were hitherto not present, namely the emergence of the Hylden, Glyph Magic and most importantly, a purified Kain who is now well aware of the true enemy behind most of Nosgoth's misfortune.
Although the vast amount of temporal shifts and altered timelines shifted the path of the Post-Blood Omen era, it is known that these changes were confined to that era and did not effect the Soul Reaver Era - with behind the scenes interviews revealing that it remained as had been previously seen in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.[1][Soul Reaver 2]
Kain's empire grows. The six lieutenants recruit clans of their own, "turning" the corpses of their human victims.
Over the centuries, each of the vampires undergoes a series of evolutionary adaptations. These evolutionary "growth spurts" are preceded by a quiescent period of retreat, from which the vampire emerges transformed.
Raziel emerges from one of these evolutionary hibernations having grown wings. He returns to the Sanctuary of the Clans to present himself to Kain, and reveal his latest gift.
Kain, in an apparent act of jealousy, tears the wings from Raziel's back, and orders Raziel to be cast into the Abyss. His motives are unclear, but this is clearly more than just punishment for Raziel's "evolutionary treachery".
Raziel's body is destroyed as he falls through the endless maelstrom of the Abyss. As he drifts to the bottom of the whirlpool, he is met by the disembodied voice of a preternaturally ancient god, dwelling in the depths of the Abyss. With this Elder God as his new benefactor, Raziel is transformed into a devourer of souls – and like Kain before him, is released back into the world in order to take his vengeance.
The events of Soul Reaver follow —
Including the confrontation with Kain at the Pillars, the destruction of the Soul Reaver as it impacts Raziel's body, and the symbiotic/parasitic attachment of the wraith blade as it intertwines with Raziel.
a millennium passes
Raziel evolves, growing wings — for this transgression, Raziel is executed by being cast into the Abyss
Raziel returns to reap the vampires' apostate souls and take his revenge on his vampire brethren and his creator, Kain
Raziel confronts Kain within the ruins of the Pillars Sanctuary; Kain attacks Raziel with the Soul Reaver, his ancient sword — the blade is destroyed on impact. Now a wraith blade, the Soul Reaver intertwines with Raziel and becomes his symbiotic weapon.
Raziel pursues Kain through Moebius's ancient Chronoplast time portal, and is plunged into Nosgoth's past. Soul Reaver 2 begins...
Kain's empire grows. The six lieutenants recruit clans of their own, "turning" the corpses of their human victims to do their bidding.
Over the centuries, each of the vampires undergoes a series of evolutionary adaptations. These evolutionary "growth spurts" are preceded by a near-hibernatory period of retreat, from which the vampire emerges transformed.
Raziel emerges from one of these evolutionary hibernations having grown wings. He returns to the Sanctuary of the Clans to present himself to Kain, and reveal his latest gift...