The story of the Soul Reaver centers on the journey of Raziel, a powerful vampire-turned-wraith, and his quest for vengeance following his betrayal and death.
The narrative unfolds approximately 1500 years after the events of Blood Omen, a pivotal time in the land of Nosgoth. Initially, Raziel was a loyal and formidable lieutenant to the vampire lord Kain, serving at the pinnacle of Kain's vampire empire.
The core plot unfolds through several key events:
- Betrayal and Death: In a shocking act of tyranny, Kain condemns Raziel to death by tearing off his wings and casting him into the Abyss, ostensibly due to Raziel evolving before his lord.
- Resurrection and Transformation: Rather than finding oblivion, Raziel is revived by a mysterious, ancient entity known as The Elder God. He is brought back not as a vampire, but as a spectral wraith.
- A New Purpose: The Elder God designates Raziel as his "soul reaver," tasking him with a singular, overriding mission: to exact revenge upon Kain and cleanse Nosgoth. This revival grants Raziel new, terrifying abilities suited to his wraith form, setting him on a dark path of retribution against his former master.
The story primarily chronicles Raziel's relentless pursuit of Kain, delving into themes of fate, free will, and the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth within the Legacy of Kain universe.
