The Mind

The Mind
Mythology article
The Mind symbol in Defiance.

The Mind was a sphere of metaphysical law within Nosgoth, and one of the nine magical principles harnessed and governed by the Pillars of Nosgoth. Alongside its sister principle, Dimension, it was associated with the elemental force of Air, which, in turn, was aligned with the overarching principle of Light.

The principle of the Mind concerned sentience in Nosgoth, manifest in the mental sensitivity expressed by cognizant individuals. The Mind Guardians, culled by the Pillars, possessed unparalleled affinity for telepathy and telekinesis, and were charged with reigning over the limitless power of thought, consciousness, and emotion.

Profile

The Pillars diagram linking Nosgoth's magical principles.

As a magical and metaphysical fundament, the Mind was effectively made manifest everywhere in Nosgoth, but was most prominently and saliently represented by the Pillar of the Mind, which was raised before Nosgoth's recorded history.^{[Blood Omen/9][Soul Reaver 2]} The Pillar, like its eight counterparts, was intrinsically linked to the health of Nosgoth, and was protected by the Mind Guardian, who served as a personification of the principle. At least three Mind Guardians were known to exist: the original Guardian, a martyred Guardian, and Nupraptor the Mentalist.^{[Soul Reaver 2][Blood Omen][Defiance]}

The Ancient vampires recognized the Mind as being linked to the principle of Dimension by its association with the elemental force of Air.^[Defiance/6] Air itself was aligned with the elemental force of Light.^{[Soul Reaver 2]} When Raziel encountered the specters of the original Mind and Dimension Guardians in the Vampire Citadel, he harnessed and absorbed their soul essence to obtain the Air Reaver.^[Defiance/6]

Locations representing the Mind included Nupraptor's Retreat.^{[Blood Omen]} Items representing the Mind included the Pillar token, Nupraptor's Head.^{[Blood Omen/Miscellaneous]} Abilities representing the Mind included the power to summon and offensively control orbs and skulls, telepathy, telekinesis, the attack known as Mental Simulacrum, and, most notably, the corruption of the Pillars.^{[Blood Omen/3][Defiance strategy guide][Soul Reaver 2/2]}

Behind the scenes

Like all of its peers, the representation of the Mind on the Pillar of the Mind changed between its Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain debut and Soul Reaver 2.^{[Soul Reaver 2][Blood Omen][Soul Reaver]} In its original form, the Mind was symbolized in the form of a texture resembling brain matter adorning the band near the base of the Pillar.^{[Blood Omen]} In Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the same Pillar simply featured a dark, purple texture.^{[Soul Reaver]} Soul Reaver 2, and all Legacy of Kain games since, have consistently used a distinct, abstract symbol to represent the Mind, both on the Pillar band and elsewhere.^{[Soul Reaver 2][Defiance][Blood Omen 2]} One instance of what may be an alternative symbol appears in a mural in Soul Reaver 2's Light Forge.^{[Soul Reaver 2]}

Soul Reaver 2 was planned to feature a glyph spell associated with the Mind for Raziel to wield, and Legacy of Kain: Defiance was intended to include a Mind enhancement and fragment for Kain's Balance Emblem. However, both were cut from the respective titles.

The mythological relationship between the Pillars' nine magical principles and the classical elements was first suggested by a diagram seen on the main platform in the Subterranean Pillars Chamber of Soul Reaver 2, and was confirmed in Legacy of Kain: Defiance.^{[Soul Reaver 2][Defiance]} The Complete Guide To Legacy of Kain and Legacy of Kain: Defiance: Prima's Official Strategy Guide clarified the definition of the Mind, and the roles and responsibilities of its Circle of Nine.^{[Defiance strategy guide]}

Notes

• The Mind is the only Pillar principle which should typically be referred to using the definite article wherever possible, as established in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain.^{[Blood Omen]}

Gallery

The original symbol of the Pillar of the Mind (BO1).

A possible alternative Mind symbol, among others (SR2).

The recurring symbol representing the Mind (Defiance).

The recurring symbol representing the Mind (Defiance).

See also

• Air
• Air Reaver (Defiance)
• Dimension
• Light (element)
• Mind fragment
• Mind Glyph
• Mind Guardian
• Martyred Mind Guardian
• Original Mind Guardian
• Nupraptor
• Nupraptor's Head
• Pillar of the Mind
• Pillars of Nosgoth
• Soul Reaver 2: Pillars' Platform Diagram at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni and Corpse87).
• Defiance: Raziel's Reavers at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni).
• Legacy of Kain: All Circle of Nine at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni).
• Legacy of Kain: All Pillar Symbols at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni).
• The Pillar Glyphs at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln).
• Deleted Pillar Reaver Upgrades at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln).