The elves are the oldest of the playable races in Lineage 2, with a history that stretches back to the creation of the world itself. Their story is one of divine origins, ancient kingdoms, devastating wars, and a tragic division that forever changed their civilization.
The Creation of the Elves
According to ancient legends, the goddess Einhasad created the physical form of the elves, while Shilen, then the Goddess of Water, granted them life by placing the spirit of water within them. Early elven myths expand on this story, claiming the first elves were unstable beings whose bodies could not survive on their own.
To save them, Einhasad united the first elf with the World Tree. From its leaves, a new generation of elves was born, creating the ancestors of both the Light and Dark Elves. While the exact truth remains uncertain, the World Tree became the spiritual center of elven civilization and the symbol of their existence.
The World Tree and Elven Beliefs
The World Tree occupies a unique place in elven culture. It is believed to be the mother of all forests and, according to some traditions, the resting place of elven souls. The tree is also connected to the legendary Water of Life, a sacred force capable of preserving life and restoring nature.
Throughout history, guardians have dedicated their lives to protecting the World Tree and its offspring. The fruits of these trees were used to create life-extending elixirs, while chosen elders communicated directly with the tree itself and guided elven society.
The Ancient Elven Kingdom
Before the split between Light and Dark Elves, there was only one elven race. Different tribes formed a united forest kingdom, living in harmony with nature, elemental spirits, and magical creatures.
The elves developed exceptional magical abilities, mastered archery and swordsmanship, and became respected diplomats during the age of the Giants. Although peaceful by nature, they were also capable warriors who defended their forests whenever necessary.
The Fall of Shilen
Everything changed when Shilen fell from grace and became the Goddess of Death and Destruction. Most elves rejected their former patron and accepted Eva as their new goddess, even rewriting parts of their own history to replace Shilen with Eva as their creator.
Not every elf accepted this change. One influential tribe continued to worship Shilen, creating divisions that would shape the future of the race.
The Great Wars
Following the destruction of the Giants, the elves briefly became the dominant power on the continent. Their kingdom expanded, but conflicts with orcs, humans, and other races eventually brought their empire to ruin.
Powerful magic used during these wars permanently scarred the land. The once-beautiful northern forests transformed into the Sea of Spores, while other regions became poisoned wastelands. The surviving elves retreated behind magical barriers, isolating themselves from the outside world for centuries.
The Birth of the Dark Elves
Centuries later, disagreements over forbidden magic divided the remaining elven tribes. One faction sought to master dark magic and restore the elves' former dominance. Under the influence of Hardin and the ambitious leader Mitrael, they embraced powers connected to Shilen and Gran Kain.
Civil war erupted between the tribes. During the conflict, a devastating magical disaster wiped out the ruling Wood Elf tribe. In retaliation, the surviving elders placed a terrible curse upon their enemies.
The cursed elves developed gray skin and became unable to endure sunlight. They were eventually exiled to the western forests, where they founded a new civilization. From that moment onward, the two branches of the race became known as the Light Elves and the Dark Elves.
A Legacy Divided
The division was more than physical. The Light Elves devoted themselves to Einhasad, Eva, life, and harmony with nature, while the Dark Elves embraced forbidden knowledge, Shilen, and darker forms of magic.
This ideological conflict became one of the defining themes of Lineage 2's lore. Although both races share the same ancestry, thousands of years of separation transformed them into two distinct civilizations with very different beliefs, cultures, and destinies.
The story of the elves serves as one of the most important chapters in the history of Aden, explaining not only the origins of two playable races but also many of the conflicts that continue throughout the world of Lineage 2.
