While Lineage 2 is best known for its PvP, clan wars, and endless grinding, its world is built upon a surprisingly deep narrative. Every starting village introduces players to a unique culture, history, and conflict that shapes their role in the larger story.
This article explores the history of the Orcs, the legends surrounding their creation, the importance of the Immortal Plateau, and the events that unfold during the Orc starting quests.
The Creation of the Orcs
In the world of Elmoreden, Orcs begin their journey at the Temple of Pa'agrio, where the Eternal Flame still burns.
According to Orc legend, the god of fire Pa'agrio created the first Orc. Jealous gods extinguished his eternal flame with water, left his body to dry beneath the wind, and buried his remains beneath the earth.
With his final breath, however, the first Orc created the founders of the Seven Noble Tribes:
Atuba
Neruga
Urutu
Duda-Mara
Gandi
Ragna
Hestui
These seven tribes eventually became the ancestors of all 108 Orc tribes.
The Cave of Trials
As the Orc civilization expanded, each tribal leader chose to spend their final days inside the sacred cave where the first Orc had been created. Their spirits remained there to watch over future generations.
One of those spirits still endures—Martankus, founder of the Hestui tribe, whose soul resides within a stone monument deep inside the cave after falling during the age of Baium.
Roughly 2,000 years before the events of the game, when Orcs briefly ruled much of the continent, the cave was enlarged by Dwarven slaves. After construction was completed, the workers were buried alive and later rose as undead.
The site eventually became known as the Cave of Trials, where young Orc warriors proved themselves by battling captured beasts and prisoners while the spirits of their ancestors observed.
The Fall of the Orc Empire
The Orcs' dominance came to an end after their defeat by the alliance of Elves and Humans.
Forced to abandon their ambitions of continental conquest, they retreated to the Immortal Plateau, where they rebuilt their homeland.
At the center of Orc society stands a heavily fortified village surrounded by massive walls. Daily life revolves around military discipline, while the rulers govern from the Royal Hall beneath the towering statue of Pa'agrio.
Not every Orc accepted peace.
The noble Ragna Tribe and several lesser tribes rejected the decision to retreat, accusing the other Orcs of cowardice. They continued the war without permission, suffered defeat, and were forever branded as traitors.
A Second Attempt at Conquest
Approximately 500 years before the beginning of Lineage 2, after the Kingdom of Elmoreden collapsed, the Orcs attempted to restore their former empire.
Internal conflicts between noble and lesser tribes ultimately prevented another invasion, forcing them to remain on the Immortal Plateau while preparing for a future return to greatness.
Their society came to value:
Physical strength
Mastery of the martial art Kabart
Respect for ancestral spirits
Unity among the Orc tribes
The Rise of the Exiled Shaman Faranga
Only a few years before the player's journey begins, the Orc shaman Faranga sought to overthrow the Flame Lord Kakai.
Driven by ambition, Faranga abandoned Pa'agrio and pledged himself to Kasha, the ancient spirit of death and decay.
For this betrayal he was exiled from the Immortal Plateau.
Seeking revenge, Faranga allied himself with the banished Ragna Orcs and began using Kasha's dark powers to summon monsters and prepare an assault against his own people.
Meanwhile, Flame Lord Kakai became afflicted with a mysterious illness and began searching for worthy successors. Representatives from every Orc tribe gathered to present gifts intended to restore his health.
It is during this uncertain period that the player arrives.
The Player's Role in the Orc Starting Zone
The Orc homeland soon comes under attack from several hostile forces.
Goblin Raids
Goblins, who had lived on the plateau since the ancient wars with the Elves, launch a large assault on the Urutu burial grounds.
Afterward, the spirits of the ancestors begin appearing in the dreams of the seer Livina, demanding vengeance.
The player hunts the invaders and returns 50 Goblin heads as proof that justice has been served.
The Demon Invasion
The Atuba chief Varkis investigates mysterious demons that have invaded the plateau.
Believing they are controlled through dark magic, he orders the player to collect the Soul Stones implanted within their hearts in order to uncover whoever commands them.
The Werewolves of Maraku
The Maraku werewolves once coexisted peacefully with the Urutu tribe.
As the Urutu weakened, however, the werewolves invaded Orc territory.
Flame Lord Kakai first attempted diplomacy by sending an envoy to negotiate their withdrawal.
Instead, the werewolves beheaded his messenger.
In response, Kakai ordered their complete extermination, and the player is tasked with bringing back 40 werewolf heads, which are displayed on spears outside the village as a warning.
Faranga's Secret War
Eventually, the Orcs discover that the goblins, demons, and werewolves are all being manipulated by the exiled shaman Faranga.
He secretly sends letters to Humans, Elves, and Dark Elves in an attempt to build alliances against the Orcs.
The player intercepts these messages before the conspiracy can succeed.
Despite repeated attempts to capture him, Faranga always escapes, using swarms of bats to spy on Orc movements and warn him of approaching enemies.
The Plague of Kasha
Before the events of the game, Faranga unleashed Kasha's corruption upon the wildlife of the Immortal Plateau.
Animals became infected with deadly parasites, slowly rotting alive while falling under Kasha's influence.
The Hestui tribe suffered particularly heavily, as even their sacred grizzly bears—considered tribal totems—became infected.
Unable to cure them, the seer Tanapi concluded that the only way to stop the corruption was to put the animals out of their misery before the plague spread further.
The Prophecy of Eternal Winter
Another ominous sign appears shortly before the player's journey begins.
The great waterfall on the Immortal Plateau suddenly freezes, fulfilling part of an ancient prophecy that foretells the coming of an Eternal Winter capable of destroying all life.
According to Orc belief, when that day comes, Pa'agrio himself will descend to save the world.
Beginning the Journey
After proving loyalty to Pa'agrio and earning the respect of the Orc tribes, the player leaves the Immortal Plateau to enter the wider world of Lineage 2.
The starting quests not only introduce the Orc race but also establish the growing chaos spreading across Elmoreden—a conflict that will continue throughout the game's overarching storyline.
