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"Willendorf, proud defender of the Realm, with its Warrior Elite and mighty ruler King Ottmar. The Lion Throne had once held my allegiance. But Willendorf’s days of glory had passed; it was the last bastion against an unruly future."
―Kain — Listen (file info)[src]

Willendorf was a human city and settlement in that appeared in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. Based in Southeast Nosgoth, it was one of the most important settlements in the time of the Blood Omen era and was home to the Lion Throne - the royalty of Willendorf - represented by King Ottmar

Profile[]

Willendorf was located in Southeast Nosgoth to the South of Avernus and it comprised of a walled city and castle surrounded by the Lake of Serenity, which acted as a moat of sorts. To the east of the City, was the town, where peasants lived. Willendorf was the Kingdom of King Ottmar and was known for being peaceful and prosperous, in part thanks to its Provincial Mines to the east of the town which brought material benefits to the kingdom.

Kain travelled to Willendorf when testing the pillar of time, after being advised by Ariel (and earlier Moebius, in the guise of "the Oracle") that Willendorf's army was the only one that could defeat the Legions of the Nemesis . Kain however was unable to gain entry to Willendorf City as only those of noble blood were allowed to enter the City itself. (Kain's Disguise Form only made him look like a human peasant). Kain had to upgrade his disguise form and in the nearby Provincial Mines, he was able to find the Beguile form, which allowed him to regain his previous air of nobility and enter Willendorf.

Main article: Provincial Mines
Main article: Beguile
Main article: Willendorf City

Inside the City, he found the King in mourning for his daughter, whose soul had been stolen by Elzevir the Dollmaker in a dollmaking contest. Kain set off to find the Dollmaker and when he returned with the Doll containing the Princess' soul, Ottmar's sorcerers were able to restore her. As a reward, Ottmar offered Kain half his kingdom, but Kain declined in exchange for using his army against the Legions of the Nemesis - to which Ottmar agreed. In the Battle of the Last Stand, the Army of Last Hope was defeated and Willendorf presumably conquered, and its peaceful serenity destroyed.

Design and Layout[]

Willendorf is one of the largest settlements in Nosgoth as such it can be broken down into several smaller sections or regions:

The Eastern Trail and Southern Region[]

BO1-Map0001-Sect78-RegionSouthOfEastWillendorf

The Region South of East Willendorf

The Eastern trail led down from the area of the Spirit Wrack Dungeon to the outskirts of Willendorf and a trail that ran southwards to the East of the main Willendorf settlement. A fork in the trail led up to the northeast and a cave which contained the Provincial Mines. The trail continued southward into an area with several bonuses, initially passing a blood fountain cave and a fork leading to a secret before heading to another map tile. The Southern map tile led through a series of jagged cliffs and jumps and through an areas with several bonus caves to a small unnamed lake.

The Provincial Mines[]

BO1-Map0040-Sect24-Willendorf-ProvincialMines

The Provincial mines

Main article: Provincial Mines

The source of much of Willendorf's wealth, the Provinical Mines could be reached from a cave outside the settlement on the eastern trail and linked to a cave on the cliffs within the limits of the outer settlement. The mines consisted of a series of underground passages with minecarts, tracks and related items that ran led to a blood fountain for the Beguile form - apparently the grave site of one of Ottmar's ancestors - before leading out into the settlement.

Willendorf Town[]

BO1-Map0001-Sect67-WillendorfWest

The East section of Willendorf Town

The outer township was based on a high cliff overlooking the eastern trail and was itself hemmed in by cliffs which protected the approach to the city proper. 28 buildings could be seen in the outer settlement - most constructed from timber and stone - although only four were accessible. One house was set aside from the rest behind the cliffs on the banks of the Lake of Serenity. A bridge nearby led across the Lake to the island containing the walled Willendorf Citadel.

The Lake of Serenity[]

BO1-Map0001-Sect66-WillendorfCity

The Lake of Serenity surrounding Willendorf Citadel

Main article: Lake of Serenity

The Lake of Serenity was a large lake in south western Nosgoth. The main citadel of Willendorf City was situated on an island in the center of the lake, but other bonuses could be found around the outside of the lake, including a bonus island in the south, a secret house on the southern banks behind Willendorf town and a pair of secrets - including a bonus cave -on the northern bank.

Willendorf City[]

BO1-Map0041-Sect00-WillendorfCity-Exterior

Willendorf City

Main article: Willendorf City

The heart of Willendorf was the walled citadel of Willendorf City, situated on an island in the center of the Lake of Serenity and accessible from a bridge linking the city to the rest of Willendorf town. 21 linked buildings could be seen in the city, but this could represent as many as 32 individual houses - although only 12 of the buildings were accessible. Most were constructed of the same timber and stone construction as Willendorf town. The city represented the main center of commerce for Willendorf with several business surrounded by walls which linked to Willendorf Castle. Only those of noble lineage were permitted to enter the inner section of the city

Willendorf Castle and Royal Chambers[]

BO1-Map0041-Sect12-WillendorfCastle-RoyalChamber

The royal chambers inside Willendorf castle

At the rear of the walled citadel of Willendorf was the royal chambers of the Willendorf castle. The was something of a private area compared to the rest of the citadel, consisting of a wide garden area and the royal audience chambers where King Ottmar and The princess of Willenrdorf could be found. The corridors were decorated with banners and regalia, as well as a notable red carpet and polished flooring. The area was heavily populated by Willendorf guards and also housed the entrance to the Wiilendorf-Stahlberg tunnel.

The Willendorf-Stahlberg Tunnel[]

BO1-Map0058-Sect13-WillendorfStahlbergTunnel

The Willendorf-Stahlberg tunnel

A tunnel which led underground from Willendorf castle to the outskirts of Stahlberg. The passages were heavily populated by Willendorf guards and numerous traps

Businesses and Landmarks[]

Willendorf has numerous landmarks and interesting features in the town and surrounding areas:

The Outer Trail and Surrounding Area[]

  • The Provincial Mines sub dungeon containing a Blood fountain that gives access to the Beguile form can be found to the east of the town. The mines link cave to the east on the the outer trail to the cave in the north east of the town area - which is perched on the cliffs above the outer trail.
  • Several bonuses can be found in the area to the south of the Provincial Mines entrance:
    • Two Blood fountains can be found nearby. The fountain for the third strength upgrade is found in a cave just below the fork leading to the Provincial Mines. Continuing further south to the next map tile has the third magic upgrade fountain in a cave to the east.
    • A bat beacon can be found in the southern tile by following the trail all the way to the south and taking the eastern fork at the bottom.
    • The spirit forge for Slow Time can be found in the southern tile by following the trail all the way to the south and taking the western fork at the bottom and entering the moon door
    • Four secrets can be found in the area:
      • The first secret is found in a boulder blocked trail leading eastward from just south of the strength upgrade cave. The trail leads to some powerups hidden behind the treeline.
      • Another secret can be found in the treeline below the magic upgrade cave in the southern tile.
      • A third secert can be found in a bonus cave just south of the fork leading off the trail to the magic upgrade cave.
      • The final secret is gained by entering the Slow Time Spirit Forge.

Willendorf Town[]

  • The Provincial Mines exit can be found in the cave in the north east. This links through a series underground mine passages to the eastern cave on the outer trail.
  • Two Businesses can be found in the Willendorf town area: The Butcher Mad Cow Meats can be found in the north of the western section and the armorer Grumble's Anvil found in the south of the western section.
  • Two more accessible homes can be found. One in the north and one in the south of the eastern section
  • Another accessible home can be found behind the northern cliffs in the western section, on the southern banks of the Lake of Serenity. The teleporter in the back of the house counts as a secret and leads to the backdoor to the Slow Time Spirit Forge.
  • Crossing the Lake of Serenity northward from the cliff house can allow access to a pair of Secrets on the northern bank of the lake which are usually accessed from the Avernus-Willendorf Trail. One is in a cave known as 'Gypsy' Cave. The other is in the nearby boulder-blocked trail leading northward.
  • Crossing the Lake of Serenity southward from the entrance to Willendorf Citadel leads to another Secret on an island containing several powerups.

Willendorf City[]

  • Five Businesses can be found in Willendorf city:
    • The Willendorf Armory can be found in the south east
    • The Happy Cleaver butchers can be found on the western edge
    • Annabelle's Brothel can be found in the northwestern corner
    • A second Grumble's Anvil (in addition to the one in Willendorf Town) can be found in the north west.
    • The Traveller's Pub can be found in the north east.
  • Though not counted as a true business, the Willendorf Library can be found in the west of the southern row.
  • Six other accessible homes can be entered: one in the northwestern corner, one on the eastern edge, one in the southeastern corner, one in the centre of the southern row and a pair in the center of the eastern section of the city.
  • A pair of towers in the east and west lead through some internal passages up to the rampart walk. Each side ultimately meets at a pair of connected lever bearing rooms at the north of the wall walk.
  • The main northern doorway leads on to the garden, royal chambers and the Willendorf Tunnel

Behind the scenes[]

Willendorf and its surrounding areas have have many differences in the alpha version of the game:

  • The blood fountain cave in the area south of the Provincial Mines is missing and the moon gate is missing from the Slow Time Spirit Forge.
  • The Provincial Mines have a slightly different entrance chamber but most areas within are similar with only minor deviations. The last area lacks the save altar has some additional dead end trails and has stalactites blocking the way rather than the boulders seen in retail.
  • Doors in Willendorf town are displayed as closed, but can simply be walked through to reach accessible interiors. Most interiors are similar with only minor changes. The northern cliff house lack the backdoor teleporter to the Slow Time Spirit Forge.
  • The Willendorf Citadel lacks a lot of the banners, shields and other regalia seen in the retail version.
  • City interiors show several significant changes and most buildings have changes of decorations and furniture. Some of the more significant changes include the following:
    • The building that houses the Willendorf Library in the retail version is much more modest and plainer in the alpha and appears to simply represent an ordinary house. Its interior also better matches its exterior shape.
    • The Happy Cleaver is also simplified compared to retail. In the alpha the bar is straight, whereas in the retail version its a square shape with a door to the side leading to a room full of chained prisoners - this door and room are not present in the alpha.
    • Annabelle's brothel is not identified as such in the alpha, where it's a plain room with a bar and table. Retail gives it a sign, changes the interior shape and adds another table, decorations and a bed.
    • The North East house interior changes from shape from a square shape in alpha to a T-shape in retail. The third row east house is much simpler square shape in alpha - it becomes cross-shaped and gains a bar and back room in the retail version.
    • The Willendorf Armory has many more weapons on display and a different bar in the alpha version.
    • The passages leading to the rampart walkways have altered dimensions, with the eastern one being much larger - it is effectively cut in half for the retail version.
  • The Castle garden courtyard has several changes, with a number of different path visible a wider more open courtyard, fewer restrictive walls, fewer roofed over areas and fewer fountains and decorations.
  • The Castle entrance has fewer pillars, no vista point and a number of false side doors that are removed for retail.
  • The alphas combine Ottmar's chambers with the previous passage. The alpha room is larger, contains more enemies and is treated as something of a boss area in the Developers' level select - although the ultimate implication of this is unclear.
  • The Willendorf-Stahlberg Tunnel is greatly expanded compared to retail with eleven chambers present compared to the four seen in retail. All of the room labels from retail are present - suggesting most of the rooms were cut - but the rooms that persist in both versions seem to be completely reworked with only one bearing a superficial similarity to its alpha counterpart.

Notes[]

  • Willendorf's symbol is a gold Lion Sigil on a white background (Argent, a lion rampant). It is seen throughout Blood Omen and Kain is notably wearing the armor of Willendorf when he was a mortal nobleman who had pledged allegiance with the Lion Throne and was assassinated at Ziegsturhl. It is also affected by his transformation into a vampire, becoming the black and red Iron Armor.
  • Given that Kain was to go back and change history, effectively removing the Nemesis from it, the fate of Willendorf in later timelines remains unclear; presumably, Kain must somehow go back in time, but how is far from certain. Amy Hennig has since stated that the events surrounding Willendorf, Ottmar, Elzevir and the Princess still occur but they have no significance to the rest of the story.

Gallery[]

Signage[]

Maps[]

Retail[]

Willendorf Town[]
Willendorf City[]
Willendorf Castle and Tunnel[]

Alpha[]

Willendorf Town[]
Willendorf City[]
Willendorf Castle and Tunnel[]

Interactive Maps[]


Videos[]

 	The_Road_to_Willendorf,_Spirit_Wrack_and_Provincial_Mines_-_Blood_Omen_Alpha 	 			    	Willendorf_Citadel_-_Blood_Omen_Alpha 	 			  

See also[]

References[]

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