The Aden National Cemetery is one of the most iconic locations in Lineage II, yet much of its history and original design remained hidden for years. Through analysis of game files, early concepts, and forgotten lore, several fascinating secrets about this legendary area have finally come to light.
The Royal Cemetery of Aden
Since the days of the Elmoreden Empire, the National Cemetery has served as the burial ground of royalty. Among those laid to rest here are King Raul, the great unifier of Aden, and his son Travis.
For many years the cemetery remained protected under the Kingdom of Aden. However, after the fortress to the north was abandoned and the kingdom became occupied with war against Elmore, security around the graveyard collapsed. Soldiers were sent to the front lines, monsters spread throughout the area, and grave robbers began targeting the tombs.
Following the war, Aden planned to reclaim and secure the cemetery, but a lack of funds forced the project to be abandoned.
Early Development Plans
Pre-release developer materials reveal that two separate cemetery zones were originally planned:
The National Cemetery of Aden (Level 45–55 monsters)
A dedicated War Cemetery for soldiers who died in battle (Level 50–55 monsters)
Although the final game combined these ideas into a single location, the cemetery was still divided into western, eastern, northern, and southern sections without any in-game explanation.
Raul’s Tomb: A Secret Hidden in Plain Sight
One of the most surprising discoveries concerns the large eastern gateway connecting the cemetery to the Seal of Shilen area.
While players passed through this structure countless times, game files identify it as “Raul’s Tomb.” This means the monumental building is not merely an entrance but the actual resting place of King Raul himself.
Despite its importance, this fact was never explained or mentioned anywhere in the game.
The Mystery of the Angel Statues
The famous angel statues found within the cemetery were never originally designed for this location.
Their internal file names refer to them as “Giran Stone Poses” and “Giran Stone Altar,” suggesting they were intended for use somewhere in Giran before being relocated.
Evidence of this rushed relocation can still be seen today. The altar contains a patterned floor section that ended up buried underground when it was placed in the cemetery.
The Forgotten Statue of King Raul
Before the angel altar became the centerpiece of the cemetery, the most prominent structure was a massive stone monument visible across the area.
Most players assumed it was simply a decorative pillar. However, game files reveal that it was actually named “Statue of Raul.”
This raised an obvious question: where is the statue?
The answer was found in early concept artwork. Originally, the monument was supposed to feature a statue of King Raul standing atop the column in royal robes. The pillar itself made it into the game, but the statue was likely cut during development to speed up production and was never restored.
As a result, one of the cemetery’s most important visual references to Aden’s greatest king was left unfinished.
Why the Taik Orcs Occupy the Cemetery
The cemetery is also home to the Taik Orcs, a tribe known for its strict clan-based society and fierce loyalty.
According to the lore, these orcs use the cemetery as a forward operating base in preparation for an assault on Aden Castle. Their leader, Pontiff Taik Arak, commands a relatively small force and attempts to maintain control while competing with the many monsters already inhabiting the region.
The Taik Orcs became infamous for grave robbing. Ambitious young warriors would raid tombs to earn honor and recognition, while leaders such as Supply Leader Orcs gained prestige through successful thefts.
One particularly notorious figure was Kim the Grave Robber, who plundered graves to supply Arak’s forces after constant battles with cemetery monsters depleted their resources.
The Ghost Knight Kabed
Another important figure connected to the cemetery is the Ghost Knight Kabed.
A heroic knight who died during the wars between Aden and Elmore, Kabed originally rested peacefully within the cemetery. However, when demons and monsters overran the area, his spirit awakened.
Now driven by eternal anger, Kabed attacks not only the creatures responsible for disturbing his rest but anyone who enters the cemetery.
The Missing Magpie Brothers
One of the most intriguing pieces of cut content involves the Magpie Brothers, a guild of dwarf treasure hunters and relic collectors.
Originally respected archaeologists, they eventually became infamous after looting the tombs of ancient Dwarven Kings in Schuttgart and selling sacred relics to the highest bidder. For these crimes, they were expelled from the Dwarven Kingdom and relocated to Aden.
Their obsession with valuable and shiny objects earned them the nickname "Magpie Brothers."
The group plays an important role in the storyline surrounding Ser Gustav Athebald. Under his orders, they secretly collect drake eggs from Dragon Valley. While Gustav claims the eggs will be used to build an army against Antharas, his true objective is far more political: removing his nephew Amadeo Cadmus and seizing control of the kingdom.
The Magpie Brothers are willing participants, motivated entirely by profit.
Interestingly, several lore references indicate they were intended to appear physically within the National Cemetery. Guards were even trained specifically to capture members of the guild. Despite these references, the dwarves themselves never made it into the final version of the game.
A Location Filled with Lost History
The Aden National Cemetery contains far more lore than most players ever realized. Hidden references to King Raul, unfinished monuments, relocated architectural assets, forgotten NPC factions, and abandoned storylines all reveal a location that was originally intended to be far richer and more detailed.
Although many of the developers’ original plans were never fully implemented, careful analysis of game files and early concepts continues to uncover new pieces of Lineage II’s forgotten history. The National Cemetery remains one of the best examples of how much hidden lore still lies beneath the surface of the game world.
