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Kain previously considered himself incapable of creating new vampires.{{Ref|Blood Omen 2/3}} However, he discovered an unconventional means of siring offspring as his powers steadily accumulated.<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR1Backstory"/><ref name="SR2Backstory"/><ref name="WarpFAQ">{{Icon|SEF}} [http://forums.eu.square-enix.com/showthread.php?t=18103 Warp's answers from Amy] at the Square Enix Forums (by blincoln)</ref><ref name="DCab-Necromancy-2">{{Icon-DCab}} [http://www.dcabdesign.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2028#p2028 The Vampires Of LOK] at DCabDesign (by majinkura), post #18 (by Daniel Cabuco)</ref> With this ability in tow, he decided to indulge in a well-calculated ''"blasphemous, private joke"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/9}}<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR2Backstory"/>
 
Kain previously considered himself incapable of creating new vampires.{{Ref|Blood Omen 2/3}} However, he discovered an unconventional means of siring offspring as his powers steadily accumulated.<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR1Backstory"/><ref name="SR2Backstory"/><ref name="WarpFAQ">{{Icon|SEF}} [http://forums.eu.square-enix.com/showthread.php?t=18103 Warp's answers from Amy] at the Square Enix Forums (by blincoln)</ref><ref name="DCab-Necromancy-2">{{Icon-DCab}} [http://www.dcabdesign.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2028#p2028 The Vampires Of LOK] at DCabDesign (by majinkura), post #18 (by Daniel Cabuco)</ref> With this ability in tow, he decided to indulge in a well-calculated ''"blasphemous, private joke"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/9}}<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR2Backstory"/>
   
Galvanized by his ''"contempt for mankind"'', ''"Kain raided the ancient tomb of the [[Sarafan]], a fanatical order of warrior-priests once sworn to eradicate the vampires plaguing Nosgoth"''.<ref name="SR2Backstory"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver comic}} Within, he found the corpses of six commanders who led the brotherhood in [[Nosgoth's early history]], all ''"well-entombed"'' and hence ''"spared the corruption of the grave"''.<ref name="PreTimeline"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/1}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/7}} By breathing a small portion of his [[souls|soul]] into a corpse, he could draw that creature's original soul back into its body, revivifying it as a fledgling vampire.<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR1Backstory"/><ref name="WarpFAQ"/>
+
Galvanized by his ''"contempt for mankind"'', ''"Kain raided the ancient tomb of the [[Sarafan]], a fanatical order of warrior-priests once sworn to eradicate the vampires plaguing Nosgoth"''.<ref name="SR2Backstory"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver comic}} Within, he found the corpses of six commanders who led the brotherhood in [[Nosgoth's early history]], all ''"well-entombed"'' and hence ''"spared the corruption of the grave"''.<ref name="PreTimeline"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/1}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/9}} By breathing a small portion of his [[souls|soul]] into a corpse, he could draw that creature's original soul back into its body, revivifying it as a fledgling vampire.<ref name="PreTimeline"/><ref name="SR1Backstory"/><ref name="WarpFAQ"/>
   
''"Dipping into the [[Underworld (disambiguation)|underworld]], Kain snared six souls and thus birthed his lieutenants"'' – he resurrected the six commanders, [[Raziel]], [[Turel]], [[Dumah]], [[Rahab]], [[Zephon]], and [[Melchiah]], in respective succession, ''"going from crypt to crypt"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/9}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/9}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/1}}<ref name="DC-Dumah">{{Icon|DC}} [http://www.dark-chronicle.co.uk/az/dumah.php Dumah] at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)</ref><ref name="DC-Rahab">{{Icon|DC}} [http://www.dark-chronicle.co.uk/az/rahab.php Rahab] at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)</ref>{{Ref|Soul Reaver/4}} The martyrs arose, transformed but alive once more, as ''"his favored sons"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/7}}
+
''"Dipping into the [[Underworld (disambiguation)|underworld]], Kain snared six souls and thus birthed his lieutenants"'' – he resurrected the six commanders, [[Raziel]], [[Turel]], [[Dumah]], [[Rahab]], [[Zephon]], and [[Melchiah]], in respective succession, ''"going from crypt to crypt"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver 2/9}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/9}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/1}}<ref name="DC-Dumah">{{Icon|DC}} [http://www.dark-chronicle.co.uk/az/dumah.php Dumah] at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)</ref><ref name="DC-Rahab">{{Icon|DC}} [http://www.dark-chronicle.co.uk/az/rahab.php Rahab] at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)</ref>{{Ref|Soul Reaver/4}} The martyrs arose, transformed but alive once more, as ''"his favored sons"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/9}}
   
 
===Obsession with Nosgoth's Domination===
 
===Obsession with Nosgoth's Domination===
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[[File:SR1-Tomb-Morlock-031.PNG|thumb|right|Raziel unearths his past life in the Sarafan Tomb.]]
 
[[File:SR1-Tomb-Morlock-031.PNG|thumb|right|Raziel unearths his past life in the Sarafan Tomb.]]
   
Those revived earlier proved to be stronger: Raziel enjoyed favor as the ''"first-born"'', whereas Melchiah ''"was made last, and therefore received the poorest portion of Kain's gift"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/1}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/4}} All six had been ''"too long dead to remember much of their human lives; they [were] ignorant of their Sarafan roots"'', and of Kain's premediated irony.<ref name="PreTimeline"/> The Tomb itself, and the evidence within, became ''"impenetrably sealed"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/7}}
+
Those revived earlier proved to be stronger: Raziel enjoyed favor as the ''"first-born"'', whereas Melchiah ''"was made last, and therefore received the poorest portion of Kain's gift"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/1}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver/4}} All six had been ''"too long dead to remember much of their human lives; they [were] ignorant of their Sarafan roots"'', and of Kain's premediated irony.<ref name="PreTimeline"/> The Tomb itself, and the evidence within, became ''"impenetrably sealed"''.{{Ref|Soul Reaver/9}}
   
 
As Kain's young empire grew, each of the former commanders – now the vampire lieutenants of what would become known as the [[Council]] – proceeded to recruit legions of their own and ''"pillage"'' the land.<ref name="SR1Backstory"/> By ''""turning" the corpses of their human victims to do their bidding"'', they raised the [[Razielim]], [[Turelim]], [[Dumahim]], [[Rahabim]], [[Zephonim]], and [[Melchahim]] clans, all answerable to Kain.<ref name="PreTimeline"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver manual (US)}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver}}
 
As Kain's young empire grew, each of the former commanders – now the vampire lieutenants of what would become known as the [[Council]] – proceeded to recruit legions of their own and ''"pillage"'' the land.<ref name="SR1Backstory"/> By ''""turning" the corpses of their human victims to do their bidding"'', they raised the [[Razielim]], [[Turelim]], [[Dumahim]], [[Rahabim]], [[Zephonim]], and [[Melchahim]] clans, all answerable to Kain.<ref name="PreTimeline"/>{{Ref|Soul Reaver manual (US)}}{{Ref|Soul Reaver}}

Revision as of 15:05, 29 March 2020

SR1-Texture-Necropolis-MelchiahMural

The vampire lieutenant Melchiah as depicted in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

The raising of the lieutenants was an event first mentioned in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. It marked the close of Nosgoth's era following Blood Omen, and the advent of the events of Soul Reaver. Five centuries after the collapse of the Pillars, the last vampire and Guardian of the Pillar of BalanceKain – decided to recruit a cadre with which to conquer the human-dominated land.

Plundering the Tomb of the Sarafan, Kain found the corpses of the Sarafan commanders, and resurrected them as his vampire sons. The six fledgling lieutenants, oblivious of their human pasts, assisted him in destroying the major human kingdoms, raising clans of their own. The end result was Kain's empire, which continued to dominate Nosgoth for many centuries.

Profile

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The Twilight of Purgatory

"I found the Tomb of Sarafan, Kain.
How could you profane a priest by turning him into a vampire?"
―Raziel[src]

Five centuries after his original quest in the events of Blood Omen, Kain – "appreciating the irony of his decision" to damn the world – "set his capital in the ruins of the Pillars of Nosgoth and began his conquest of the world", with the Pillar of Balance serving as the base of his throne.[1][Soul Reaver 2/9][2][3][4] The land was still dominated by mortals, and Kain remained the last surviving vampire.[1][3][4][Blood Omen/11][Soul Reaver 2/2][Defiance comic] Thus, allies would be necessary to overthrow the "corrupt human world" and restore the "natural order".[Defiance comic][5]

Kain previously considered himself incapable of creating new vampires.[Blood Omen 2/3] However, he discovered an unconventional means of siring offspring as his powers steadily accumulated.[2][3][4][6][7] With this ability in tow, he decided to indulge in a well-calculated "blasphemous, private joke".[Soul Reaver 2/9][2][4]

Galvanized by his "contempt for mankind", "Kain raided the ancient tomb of the Sarafan, a fanatical order of warrior-priests once sworn to eradicate the vampires plaguing Nosgoth".[4][Soul Reaver comic] Within, he found the corpses of six commanders who led the brotherhood in Nosgoth's early history, all "well-entombed" and hence "spared the corruption of the grave".[2][Soul Reaver 2/1][Soul Reaver/9] By breathing a small portion of his soul into a corpse, he could draw that creature's original soul back into its body, revivifying it as a fledgling vampire.[2][3][6]

"Dipping into the underworld, Kain snared six souls and thus birthed his lieutenants" – he resurrected the six commanders, Raziel, Turel, Dumah, Rahab, Zephon, and Melchiah, in respective succession, "going from crypt to crypt".[Soul Reaver 2/9][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/1][8][9][Soul Reaver/4] The martyrs arose, transformed but alive once more, as "his favored sons".[Soul Reaver/9]

Obsession with Nosgoth's Domination

"How could I not?
One must keep his friends close, Raziel – and his enemies even closer."
―Kain[src]
SR1-Tomb-Morlock-031

Raziel unearths his past life in the Sarafan Tomb.

Those revived earlier proved to be stronger: Raziel enjoyed favor as the "first-born", whereas Melchiah "was made last, and therefore received the poorest portion of Kain's gift".[Soul Reaver/1][Soul Reaver/4] All six had been "too long dead to remember much of their human lives; they [were] ignorant of their Sarafan roots", and of Kain's premediated irony.[2] The Tomb itself, and the evidence within, became "impenetrably sealed".[Soul Reaver/9]

As Kain's young empire grew, each of the former commanders – now the vampire lieutenants of what would become known as the Council – proceeded to recruit legions of their own and "pillage" the land.[3] By ""turning" the corpses of their human victims to do their bidding", they raised the Razielim, Turelim, Dumahim, Rahabim, Zephonim, and Melchahim clans, all answerable to Kain.[2][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver]

United, the new vampire race engaged in war to subjugate Nosgoth's major human kingdoms and vampire hunters. It proved "inevitable" that the kingdoms fell, and, "within a hundred years, humanity had been thoroughly domesticated".[3][Soul Reaver comic] The vampire hunters subsisted: "there remained some feral humans scattered across the hinterlands, clinging to their hopeless holy war to rid Nosgoth of 'the vampire scourge'. They were tolerated. They made existence for the fledglings more challenging".[3][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver] Kain's lieutenants continued to build the empire over the ensuing centuries, thoroughly unaware they had become "the very thing they so despised" as humans.

Following his execution and resurrection, Raziel eventually discovered the "dirty secret". Bent on revenge against Kain and the vampires, he slaughtered Melchiah and Zephon, then proceeded to the Tomb of the Sarafan, whose "mysteries lay exposed".

Their Hopeless Holy War

"The Sarafan were saviors, defending Nosgoth from the corruption that we represent.
My eyes are opened, Kain – I find no nobility in the unlife you rudely forced on my unwilling corpse!"
―Raziel[src]
SR2-DC-Vengeance-011

Slaying each of the Sarafan commanders, Raziel fulfills his cyclic destiny.

Later in his quest, Raziel traveled back in time to Nosgoth's early history, seeking the ancient vampire, Janos Audron. After Janos was killed by the Sarafan commanders, Raziel – in a vengeful effort to recover Janos's Heart – pursued them to the Sarafan Stronghold, and killed all six with the Reaver during the simultaneous slaughter of the Circle, including his former self. He realized "how he himself slaughtered the Sarafan lieutenants, and was his own murderer, and how he thus became the catalyst not only of Kain's future empire, but of his own dark destiny".

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Attributes

Continuity

Timeline 4

The raising in the Soul Reaver 2 official timeline.

KainSymbol

Kain's symbol, representative of the empire.

4520377822

Concept art of a Soul Reaver-era vampire hunter.

The raising of the lieutenants was first explored in the second timeline, and it endured into the third and fourth timelines. It is uncertain whether or not it occurred in the first timeline. Its events were not significantly altered, if even altered at all, by the second or third paradoxes.

The raising itself occurred "roughly" 500 years after the collapse of the Pillars. In the fourth timeline, this equated to a point "roughly a century" after the death of the Hylden Lord. The subsequent war between the vampires and the major human kingdoms lasted 100 years, and ended with the vampires' victory circa 600 years after the Pillars' collapse.

Belligerents

Participants

Theaters

Development

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Notes

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 File:Wiki-Icon-DC.png Soul Reaver 2: Historical Timeline at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 File:Wiki-Icon-NR.png GLoK Interviews with Amy Hennig at Nosgothic Realm (by Raziel Fan), post #5 (by RazielFan)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 File:Wiki-Icon-DC.png Soul Reaver: Background Story at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 File:Wiki-Icon-DC.png Soul Reaver 2: Background Story at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)
  5. Template:Icon-DCab About Kain's Empire at DCabDesign (by Cradlis), post #2 (by Daniel Cabuco)
  6. 6.0 6.1 File:Wiki-Icon-SEF.png Warp's answers from Amy at the Square Enix Forums (by blincoln)
  7. Template:Icon-DCab The Vampires Of LOK at DCabDesign (by majinkura), post #18 (by Daniel Cabuco)
  8. File:Wiki-Icon-DC.png Dumah at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)
  9. File:Wiki-Icon-DC.png Rahab at Dark Chronicle (by Marie Tryhorn)

Browse

Preceded by:
The death of the Hylden Lord
Nosgoth's historical events
The raising of the lieutenants
Era following Blood Omen
Followed by:
The holy war