The storyline of Lineage II's early Chronicles is far deeper than many players realize. Long before the Seven Signs event officially appeared in the game, NCSoft had already begun laying the foundations for one of the most important conflicts in the world of Aden: the struggle for control over the Seven Seals.
By examining trailers, quest texts, server descriptions, and forgotten lore, a larger picture emerges—one involving secret societies, ancient prophecies, political conspiracies, and the awakening of powers that had remained sealed for centuries.
The Beginning of the Seven Seals Story
The origins of the Seven Signs storyline can be traced back to a cinematic first shown at E3 in May 2004. The trailer depicts the gladiator Cain Van Halter attempting to stop Lilith Cardia, a Saint of the Abyss, from removing one of Shilen's seals.
Although the exact location shown in the cinematic never appeared in-game, clues suggest it was an ancient sanctuary connected to Shilen and the War of the Gods. Reliefs within the temple appear to depict Shilen herself, while descriptions of nearby locations reference sites where the goddess was imprisoned.
Lilith Cardia is portrayed as an exceptionally gifted Dark Elf, recognized as one of the youngest sages devoted to Shilen. Raised under the guidance of Dark Elf leaders after losing her parents, she is described as having a mysterious connection to the goddess. This explains why Cain refers to her as "Shilen's daughter" during the trailer.
Despite Cain's efforts, Lilith succeeds in removing the first seal, setting into motion the chain of events that would eventually lead to Shilen's awakening.
The Influence of the Book of Revelation
Plans for the Seven Signs event existed long before its release. References to sealed knowledge and sacred writings can be found even during the earliest versions of the game.
The concept itself appears heavily inspired by the Book of Revelation and its famous Seven Seals. Ancient texts found throughout Aden describe seven methods capable of breaking Shilen's seals, suggesting that the storyline was envisioned from the very beginning rather than being added later.
This hidden knowledge becomes the catalyst for a worldwide struggle between various factions seeking power.
The Stolen Revelations of Kaiasha
One of the central mysteries involves the Revelations of Kaiasha, an ancient collection of writings connected to Shilen.
According to various sources, a magician named Friar steals these revelations and becomes the target of multiple factions. The Dark Elf knight Shilen pursues him, while agents of influential organizations attempt to recover the texts for their own purposes.
The importance of the revelations cannot be overstated. They reportedly contain knowledge about Shilen, her power, and possibly the secrets behind the Seven Seals themselves.
These documents become one of the key elements driving the conflict that follows.
Secret Societies and Political Conspiracies
As the search for ancient knowledge intensifies, powerful figures throughout Aden begin acting behind the scenes.
Among them are Franz Abel, Gustav Athebaldt, Hardin, and several influential nobles. Each group appears to have its own agenda, yet all are ultimately interested in gaining access to forbidden knowledge hidden within the Tower of Insolence.
What initially appears to be a collection of unrelated events gradually reveals itself as a coordinated struggle involving secret organizations that would later become known as the Lords of Dawn and the Revolutionaries of Dusk.
The battle for the seals was never merely religious—it was also political.
The Awakening of Baium
Another major piece of the puzzle centers on Baium, the ancient emperor imprisoned within the Tower of Insolence.
A Dark Elf named Aria seeks a way to free her beloved and ventures into the tower in search of answers. During her journey, she awakens Baium, an event previously referenced by NPC dialogue long before it became widely known among players.
Following Baium's awakening, powerful individuals and organizations immediately begin searching for relics capable of granting access to the tower.
The reason becomes increasingly clear: Baium's blood holds tremendous significance.
Why Everyone Wanted Baium's Blood
Epic quest dialogue suggests that control over the seals may have required a bloodline connected to Emperor Baium.
Ancient documents describe how Emperor Shunaiman originally controlled the seals, and some evidence suggests that Baium inherited that power through his lineage.
If true, this would explain why so many factions were willing to risk everything to enter the Tower of Insolence.
The goal was never simply to defeat Baium.
The true objective was obtaining the power necessary to manipulate the Seven Seals themselves.
The Rise of Dawn and Dusk
Historical texts state that ancient documents discovered within the Tower of Insolence revealed the secrets of the seals.
Those who uncovered this knowledge eventually formed two opposing factions:
The Lords of Dawn
The Revolutionaries of Dusk
Although many details remain uncertain, evidence suggests that both groups gained access to the tower's secrets through separate channels.
This marked the beginning of the conflict that would later define the Seven Signs event and shape the future of Aden.
The Role of Shilen's Seal
One of the greatest unanswered questions concerns how Shilen's first seal was actually broken.
Several clues point toward a combination of knowledge from the Revelations of Kaiasha and power gathered through seal stones found within catacombs.
The appearance of Shilen's Eye during the Seven Signs storyline further supports this theory, as lore descriptions indicate that control over the seals required the collection and unification of these sacred stones.
While definitive answers remain elusive, the available evidence suggests that the struggle for the Seven Seals began long before players ever participated in the event.
Conclusion
The first three Chronicles of Lineage II reveal a surprisingly complex narrative involving secret organizations, ancient prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden power.
Far from being an isolated game event, the Seven Signs storyline appears to have been woven into the world's lore from the earliest stages of development. The awakening of Baium, the theft of the Revelations of Kaiasha, and the rise of the Lords of Dawn and Revolutionaries of Dusk were all pieces of a much larger puzzle.
Even today, many mysteries remain unresolved, making the Seven Seals one of the most fascinating and debated storylines in Lineage II history.
