Nosgoth's early history was largely characterized by the Vampire hunting crusades of the Sarafan and taking place over "centuries" prior to Blood Omen. Five Centuries before Blood Omen, an attack on the Sarafan Stronghold (by both Raziel and Vorador) cost the Sarafan much of their power, effectively leading to the end of the order and it's age. The era is mentioned and seen in cutscene 'flashbacks' in Blood Omen and is visited in Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance.
"Beyond all hope, and against all probability, it seemed that the device had unerringly delivered me to the era I sought. For these were Sarafan banners - and these vampires, apparently the victims of their crusade. The coincidence seemed too convenient to naively ascribe to Fate - but whether my opportune arrival had been orchestrated by Moebius, or some other influence, I didn’t know. If Janos Audron still lived, I would find him - but I was wary of further deception, and resolved to tread carefully."
Malek proved to be a capable leader and guardian, leading the (Nosgoth's early history) to many victories. They eradicated the Ancient vampires, leaving Janos Audron as the last living winged Vampire. The Sarafan desired to kill especially him and his "son" Vorador, who lived deep in Termogent Forest. The (Nosgoth's early history) probably didn't find Vorador's Mansion, well hidden in Forest. Another possibility is that Vorador's reputation of sado-hedonist butcher of Humans was enough to scare any vampire hunters away. In some years before -500 (taking year 0 as time of Blood Omen 1, when Pillars collapsed), Raziel with his comrades: Turel, Dumah, Rahab, Zephon and Melchiah joined the Sarafan (Nosgoth's early history). In the following years they were promoted to ranks of the elite Sarafan Warriors commanders with Raziel as their leader. They performed many dangerous missions, most famous of all was an attack on Janos Audron's Retreat. For some unknown reason Rahab wasn't involved in the attack. The deed was done by Raziel and four other Sarafan warriors. They were given Moebius's Staff to aid and protect them. After a long battle, Janos finally succumbed to his injuries and the power of the Staff. Raziel used his blade to rip theHeart of Darkness from the Ancient's chest. The commanders took the Reaver and the heart to their stronghold
Soon after the assassination, the stronghold was attacked by Wraith Raziel and the vampire Vorador. Raziel encountered Malek and Moebius in the Blood Reaver's temporary chamber. Moebius's Staff disabled Raziel's wraith blade, forcing him to use the blood reaver against any enemies he would encounter later. In the meantime, six members of the Circle of Nine were slaughtered by Vorador in retaliation for the death of Janos and the Circle's sponsorship of the vampire purge, all while screaming for Malek's help. However, Moebius kept Malek with him for too long, causing him to arrive too late to save the circle, which would also mark the end of Malek's life later.
Wraith Raziel was left alone with the Blood Reaver in his hand. He chose to pursue the Sarafan commanders, slaying all six, providing future corpses for Kain to raise later as his Vampire Lieutenants. Raziel fought his brothers, Melchiah, Zephon, Rahab, Dumah and Turel. Wraith Raziel finally came to confront his Sarafan self, killing him after long and vicious duel, thus making circle of his life complete.
This attack proved fatal to the Sarafan (Nosgoth's early history), six highly ranked Warrior Inqusitors had died, Malek the Paladin had been left disgraced and humiliated from failing to protect the circle and from being defeated in combat by Vorador, and six members of the Circle of the Nine had died. The Sarafan would never fully recover from this.
The formation of the Sarafan, and the crusade to counter the perceived "vampire menace".
The Sarafan were a monastic order of warrior-priests, whose singular cause was the eradication of the vampires "plaguing" Nosgoth. The Sarafan order was formed by the Circle of Nine (the oligarchy of sorcerers sworn to protect Nosgoth).
The Vampire Purges – thousands of vampires are exterminated at the hands of the Sarafan.
The Sarafan hunt down and destroy the various enclaves of vampires, using inquisitorial tactics. They use torture to extract information about other vampires' locations – promising their victims an easy death in return for information.
The death of Janos Audron – he is murdered, his heart torn "throbbing and bleeding" from his living body.
Vorador takes his revenge upon the Circle, for their sponsorship of the Sarafan crusade.
The necromancer Mortanius (one of the surviving Circle members, and the Guardian of Death) punishes Malek for his failure to protect the Circle, by fusing his soul into a magical suit of armor. Malek, now disembodied and immortal, is thus damned to serve and protect the Circle (and represent the Pillar of Conflict) for eternity.
The formation of the Sarafan (a monastic order of warrior-priests, charged with the eradication of the vampires) by the Circle and the crusade to counter the "vampire menace." Raziel, Malek, Turel, Dumah, Rahab, Zephon and Melchiah command the armies.
The death of Janos Audron. He is murdered, his heart torn "throbbing and bleeding" from his body.
Vorador takes his revenge upon the Circle. He infiltrates their stronghold and murders six of the sorcerers, before humiliating the Sarafan general Malek (the Pillar of Conflict) in combat.
The necromancer Mortanius (one of the surviving Circle members, and the Pillar of Death) punishes Malek for his failure to protect the Circle, by fusing his soul into a magical suit of armor.