The altar was located within the foundations of the Silenced Cathedral and contained a large central bell as well as a distinctive mural showing the use of a gong and accompanying gong stick. Activation of the altar allowed Raziel to gain the Sound Glyph.
The altar was found in the caves beneath the Silenced Cathedral which could be accessed from a high passage in the external 'village' area of the cathedral or from insides the Cathedral itself by jumping down to the large area beneath the main pipes with the fans in the middle. Both passages led through a series of caverns and met in a clearing with a high alcove covered by a breakable window which led through to a distinctive open area - the Sound Glyph altar.
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To obtain the glyph it was necessary for Raziel to find his way to the top of the room and recover the unique 'gong stick' torch weapon and throw the item across the top of the room before Shifting to the Spectral Realm to negotiate a series of pillar jumps. Returning to the Material Realm to smash through a distinctive stained glass of a man ringing a gong, Raziel could then carry the gong stick through to the altar area where a large bell was present. Ringing the bell with the gong stick cause the bells to raise up and unleashed a soundwave which shattered the supports and pillars in the room and caused the bell to drop and crack - and then spawned the Sound Glyph.
It consists of a large room with three pillars and an alcove with a Gong Stick. On the highest level there is a tunnel blocked off by a stained glass mural, which leads to the inner chamber with a bell. Raziel has to bring the gong stick while jumping across the pillars and shattering the mural in order to proceed to the chamber. Once inside, ringing the bell causes it to crumble and releasing the hidden Sound Glyph within.
Development
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In beta versions the passages leading to the Sound glyph altar are populated with Vampire worshippers as opposed to the Zephonim seen in the retail version.
In the alpha versions the altar is in a completely different place, being located off the passage between the Sanctuary of the Clans and the Tomb of the Sarafan rather than beneath the Silenced Cathedral. The gong stick doesn’t actually work in the alphas - but an imbued Sound Reaver can activate the altar.
Inhabitants and collectibles
The Sound Glyph: "Deadly waves of sound emanate from the glyph's epicenter. The spell's frequency is deadly to vampires who are reduced to a stunned/damaged state when impacted by sound waves. Humans are unaffected."[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver]
The gong stick cannot be carried to the rest of the levels as there are bars preventing that. However, in the pc version objects turn transparent when in the "throwing" mode and it is possible to use the gong stick for combat purposes. It behaves as a torch which can burn down enemies without the need to reimbue.
The Sound Glyph: "Deadly waves of sound emanate from the glyph's epicenter. The spell's frequency is deadly to vampires who are reduced to a stunned/damaged state when impacted by sound waves. Humans are unaffected."[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver]
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
