Legacy of Kain | Raziel's Vampire Days

Fans of the Legacy of Kain series have long speculated about Raziel’s unlife during the rise of Kain’s Empire. In this video, we examine Raziel's vampire days.

This video contains spoilers for Legacy of Kain Blood Omen, Soul Reaver, Soul Reaver 2, Blood Omen 2 & Defiance which was made by Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics.

The wonderful thumbnail art is Raziel by Philiera
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Huge thanks to these amazing artists. Credited as below. Please show them your support.

The Nobleman Kain by Patrick Johnson

Vampire Raziel by Patrick Johnson

Sarafan High Inquisitor Raziel by SpectralJin

Blood Omen by Lokasnor
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Kain is deified by Infernauta
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Lt. Raziel by SpectralJin

Undead Servant by jameszapata
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Rahab by madnessdemon

Raziel the Vampire & his brethren by JLazarusEB
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Last council by madnessdemon

Dumah by SpectralJin

Dumah by madnessdemon

Raziel by Philiera
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Dumah by Philiera
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

A weakness overcome by SpectralJin

The Vampire Rahab by Patrick Johnson

Rahab by Philiera

Zephon by Philiera
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Hunger/Veiled Zephonim by SpectralJin

Zephon by SpectralJin

Melchiah by Patrick Johnson

Raziel without wings by Patrick Johnson

Vampire Raziel - Reveal of the Wings by Patrick Johnson

Elder Kain with the Soul Reaver by Patrick Johnson

Raziel snarling wings relaxed by Patrick Johnson

Kain's Lament by Patrick Johnson

Vampire Dark Ages : Ventrue Throne room by Silberius
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Vampire Queen by Jeleynai
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

Vampire lord by JimHatama
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License

Rasiel by ArchiaOryix

Elder Kain Grimace by Patrick Johnson

Vampire Raziel close on the face by Patrick Johnson

Certain Cutscenes are from the Soul Reaver HD Remaster which was created by the talented RainaAudron. Download the SR1 HD Fan Remaster here:

Certain Cinematics which depict the Vampire Raziel were created using gameplay from Elden Ring by FromSoftware

All other artwork are official promotional, comic and concept art created for the series by the team at Crystal Dynamics

Music:

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Soundtrack - composed by Kurt Harland & Jim Hedges

Soul Reaver 2 Soundtrack by Kurt Harland Jim Hedges

[strictlyfantasy]

I see a few people commenting on this video, pointing out that Kain was never really angry or jealous at Raziel for evolving before him. Yes, I agree completely and I'm fully aware of this! As a matter of fact, I've mentioned it before a few times in previous LOK videos. This is also why I used the word "supposedly" at 17:10. I just didn't think I'd have to spell it out again here, but I see now that perhaps I should have clarified that point 😂. Anyway, with this video, I wanted to convey the story as if it was from Raziel's perspective and explain why he thought Kain sentenced him to abyss. At the time, Raziel is under the impression that by entering the state of change prior to Kain, he has committed an act of transgression and blasphemy against him, when in fact Kain didn't care and knew that he had to execute Raziel in order to create a being of free will, exempt from the wheel of fate.

[DavidStowers-ok]

Raziel's monologue at the beginning of Soul Reaver (along with the most kick-ass music ever.) is THE GREATEST video game opening of all time.

[arx]

I'm convinced that the reason why Kain wasn't able to turn living humans into vampires, the way Janos and Vorador did, was because Kain himself was turned using necromancy by Mortanius.

[monkeybone]

After Defiance, I've always looked at the intro to Soul Reaver differently. His response to Raziel's evolution wasn't one of jealousy but the actions of a man who knew the time to challenge fate had arrived, and you can see in Kain's face before he tells the vampires to "cast him in" that it's not an easy thing for Kain. Was it intentional? Unlikely, I doubt they had planned the series that far (especially looking at the development of Soul Reaver) but it fits so well now that I think they must have looked back at this intro while crafting the rest of the series.

[derekhogan]

Human Raziel: irredeemable asshole

Undead Raziel: vampiric asshole

Ghoul Raziel: noble soul

He literally had to become undead twice to become a good person lol

[damienkrawczuk]

A human Raziel game would be sweet as, gosh the legacy of Kain games blew my 19 year old mind in 1999 when soul reaver came out, and I absolutely love and proudly own the original Blood omen, this series inspired my long art career doing Fantasy Art, I sincerely hope by the Elder gods we get a new Legacy of Kain game before another Decade passes us by, absolutely fantastic video! Love your deep dives into anything legacy of Kain, take care till the next one 😎

[gregorymifsud]

The music as raziel is going out to meet Kain is etched in my brain. So good.

[candletv]

I've often wondered what Raziel and his brethren were up to during the dawn of Kain's Empire.. great video!!

[ampeater]

I just can't get over how hard the intro of soul reaver is. The opening strains of ozar midrashim on top of the ten ton phrase "Kain is deified"

[caleblee]

Finally. No news on legacy of kain officially but I still get these videos on the lore. Yay.

[apkalyps]

I love the theory, that the Kain who throws Raziel into the Abyss is either the future Kain who already knows about wraith Raziel, or he is the Kain from this period of time who was advised by a timetraveling future Kain, to do this
since Kain is no stranger to timetravel, he would understand why a future version of him comes and asks to throw his first born son into the abyss, he also probably already has aspirations to cure Nosgoth, seeing how the planet is at the end of its life

[Shadyme]

I like that you dug up this priceless gem. Its always feels good to have nostalgic feelings and memories.

[vanyadolly]

I'm always amaxed at how well they fleshed out Raziel's previous personality and that of the lieutenants purely through dialogue after the fact, even when the Raziel we're introduced to after his fall is quite different.

[Hyperion-]

It would be cool to play as a vampire raziel in a prequel to soul reaver. Good video strictly fantasy.

[SleepingOni]

Man I really hope that Legacy of Kain survey that was circulating is a sign that this will be remade or remastered.

[reallyeasy]

This video also provided a rather gut-wrenching 'fridge horror' realization. When Rahab came out as semi-acquatic, then there must have been nothing but pride for him exhibited by Kain. I'm imagining not only special territories and favours but also much feasting and celebrations to congratulate Rahab and his clan. The rest of the brothers (and the clans) must have been burning with jealousy, lol.

Raziel must have expected exactly the same reception. Special territories, favours, missions, congratulations and feasts. Which makes it all the more gut-wrenching to watch that happy, proud moment turn into blood and agony.

[shanepye]

Only at first did I think that Kain had Raziel executed out of jealousy, but as the game went on, I was convinced that Kain - having an awareness of the manipulation of time and fates, realized that Raziel was the third option he was searching for to break the double jeopardy that was his life.

[scorponicdragonm.p.t.]

I thought Kain punished Raziel not because he evolved first, but because he'd become the image Kain grew to fear from the depictions in the catacombs. Kain's actions weren't a punishment as much as a means to turn the wheel of fate so to speak. Merely pushing the gas pedal.

[Alex-ucbd]

When I'll be able to get rich one day, I will do everything I can to revive the series and make it as big as god of war 🙌

[romanhardware]

I can never get enough Legacy Of Kain lore involving any character.