Among all the epic bosses in Lineage 2, none are more iconic than Antaras. The mighty Earth Dragon has remained one of the game's most sought-after raid bosses for decades, inspiring countless battles between clans and becoming a central figure in the world's mythology.
But Antaras is far more than a powerful boss encounter. His story stretches back to the dawn of creation, connecting the gods, dragons, demons, and some of the most important events in the history of Aden.
The Birth of the Dragons
The origins of Antaras begin with one of the greatest tragedies in Lineage 2 lore.
Shilen, originally the Goddess of Water and Nature, was the daughter of the gods Einhasad and Gran Kain. Admired by mortals and divine beings alike, she eventually became the victim of Gran Kain's desire. When Einhasad discovered that Shilen was carrying Gran Kain's children, she was consumed by rage.
Stripped of her divine authority and banished from the heavens, Shilen fled eastward. Alone and filled with hatred toward both of her parents, she gave birth to monstrous offspring infused with her despair and curses.
Among these children were six dragons of unimaginable power:
Antaras – Dragon of Earth
Valakas – Dragon of Fire
Lindvior – Dragon of Wind
Fafurion – Dragon of Water
Aurakia – Dragon of Light
Skelth – Dragon of Darkness
Possessing the blood of Gran Kain, the dragons rivaled the gods themselves in strength.
The War Between Gods and Dragons
Seeking revenge against Einhasad and Gran Kain, Shilen gathered her children and raised an army of monsters.
The resulting conflict became one of the most devastating wars in the history of the world.
The six dragons led Shilen's armies against the gods, while angels and divine servants fought beside Einhasad and Gran Kain. For years, the skies shook with battles powerful enough to threaten the destruction of the world itself.
Eventually, the gods gained the upper hand. Severely wounded and unable to continue the fight, the dragons retreated to the mortal world while the surviving monsters scattered across the continents.
The war ended, but its consequences would shape history forever.
Antaras Arrives in Dragon Valley
After the war, the wounded Antaras landed in the mountains near present-day Giran.
Over the centuries, the region became home to drakes, wyrms, and other dragonkin creatures. Eventually, it became known as Dragon Valley.
When Emperor Shunaiman founded the Elmoreden Empire, he launched campaigns against the followers of Shilen and sought to contain the growing threat posed by monsters across the continent.
To prevent further invasions from Shilen's domains, he ordered the construction of powerful magical barriers and established the secret organization known as the Seal Keepers.
For a time, peace returned to the empire.
The Cult of Antaras
Although Antaras had survived the war, he remained hidden while recovering from his injuries.
As stories of the dragon spread, fear began to dominate nearby settlements. Desperate villagers eventually turned to sacrifices in hopes of appeasing the Earth Dragon.
Each year, young women were offered to Antaras.
Rather than accepting these sacrifices, Antaras used dark magic to transform them into terrifying beings known as the Blood Queens.
These cursed creatures became powerful servants of the dragon, ruling over undead forces throughout Dragon Valley and spreading fear among travelers.
The Guardians of Dragon Valley
As Antaras slept within his underground lair, numerous powerful beings emerged to protect him.
Black Lily
One of Antaras' most trusted servants was Black Lily, a succubus said to possess extraordinary beauty and dark power.
Legends claim she earned the favor of Antaras and received a portion of the Earth Dragon's strength, allowing her to lure adventurers toward their doom.
Rudelta the Bloody Priest
Antaras also created a powerful demonic guardian known as Rudelta.
Fueled by destructive magic and an insatiable thirst for blood, Rudelta was tasked with protecting the dragon's lair and eliminating intruders who dared disturb Antaras' sleep.
Demonic Forces of Malruk
Seeking additional protection, Antaras formed an alliance with Malruk, one of the Demon Kings of Purgatory.
In exchange for influence in the mortal world, Malruk dispatched powerful demons to Dragon Valley. Among them were some of the strongest demonic beings known to exist, including the feared Kariks.
The Expedition of the 17 Heroes
Approximately one thousand years before the events of the game, heroes from multiple races united to confront Antaras.
The expedition included:
Seven humans
Three elven sorceresses
Five dwarven masters
Two orc warriors
Accompanying them was a mysterious mage known as Desparion.
Most members of the expedition perished before reaching the dragon's lair. However, the surviving heroes succeeded in creating a powerful magical barrier capable of containing Antaras.
This barrier became one of the greatest magical achievements in Lineage 2 history.
The Secret of Desparion
Desparion played a crucial role in sealing Antaras, yet his true identity remained hidden.
Unknown to the heroes, Desparion was actually Hardin, the legendary necromancer and master of transformation magic.
Why Hardin chose to help seal Antaras remains one of the greatest mysteries in Lineage 2 lore.
Some theories suggest that his actions were connected to Malruk, demon contracts, and events that occurred long before the sealing of the dragon. However, no definitive explanation has ever been revealed.
The Eternal Watchers
After the sealing ritual, several heroes chose to remain behind as eternal guardians.
Three human heroes—Gilmore, Theodric, and Marqius—accepted immortality in order to watch over Antaras and maintain the barrier.
Others sacrificed themselves in different ways:
Elven sorceresses became living extensions of the barrier itself.
Dwarven craftsmen created magical pillars that reinforced the seal.
Future generations inherited the duty of protecting the prison.
For centuries, the Seal Keepers successfully prevented outsiders from reaching the sleeping dragon.
The Awakening of Antaras
A thousand years later, the seal began to weaken.
Approximately ten years before the events of Lineage 2, Antaras partially awakened.
Although he could not fully escape, the Earth Dragon unleashed enough power to devastate Giran and destroy nearby villages. Countless lives were lost, and the event became known as one of the greatest disasters in the region's history.
From that point forward, Antaras became known as the Scourge of Giran.
The Road to the Antaras Raid
As the Age of Chaos approached, followers of Shilen intensified their efforts to free the dragon completely.
The descendants of the original Seal Keepers realized that waiting would only make the threat worse.
Among them was Gabrielle, one of the last guardians connected to the ancient order. Understanding the danger, she began recruiting warriors capable of challenging Antaras before he could break free entirely.
These events eventually lead to one of the most famous raid encounters in Lineage 2.
Why Antaras Remains Important
Antaras is more than just an epic raid boss.
His story connects many of the central themes of Lineage 2, including:
The fall of Shilen
The War of the Gods
The origins of the dragons
Demon influence in the mortal world
The legacy of Emperor Shunaiman
The sacrifices of the 17 heroes
For nearly two decades, Antaras has remained one of the most recognizable symbols of Lineage 2, representing both the power and danger that define the world of Aden.
