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The Turelim are a clan of vampires first encountered in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and revisited at an earlier stage of evolutionary development in cancelled title Nosgoth. They are the descendants of the lieutenant Turel.

The primary territory of the Turelim was not seen in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and was ultimately cut from the final game although a version of the the Turelim territory did appear in Nosgoth. The Turelim in Soul Reaver are instead primarily encountered in the Sunlight Glyph Altar area, the Oracle's Cave and the Chronoplast, and one notable individual - the Tomb Guardian - is found inside the Tomb of the Sarafan.

As with all the clans seen in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the Turelim are split into two distinct active types: the older, stronger and more evolved adult Turelim, and the younger, weaker and less evolved fledgling Turelim. No members of the clan are encountered in their inactive pupating state. For their return in Nosgoth a less devolved 'Tyrant' variant class was among the initially available classes.

Profile[]

The Turelim vampires were progeny of Turel, who personally raised his clan during the Soul Reaver era, over the century following the Raising of the lieutenants at the Tomb of the Sarafan.[Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][1] Alongside the Dumahim, Melchahim, Rahabim, Razielim and Zephonim, it was one of the "six legions of vampires" involved in "the destruction of the major human Kingdoms"; pillaging Nosgoth, they had thoroughly domesticated humans within a hundred years, despite the efforts of the Vampire hunters.[1][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)] Turel's clan dominated an area in territory east of the Lake of the Dead and south-west of the Oracle's Cave. In the millennium after the raising of the lieutenants and establishment of Kain's empire, the "lesser vampires" provided "amusement and spice to an increasingly uninspired court"; and presumably the Turelim clan were involved in these internal struggles. The Council would help and foil plots between the clans, betting upon the outcome as the factions warred.[1][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14]

SR1-Enemy-TurelimImpale-Adult

Raziel impales an Adult Turelim

After Raziel returned as a wraith centuries later, he would encounter the devolved Turelim as enemies. They were the most powerful existing vampires in the land of Nosgoth during the course of the game (with Turel apparently replacing Raziel as Kain's second-in-command), appearing the most muscular and physically strongest vampires in Nosgoth. Their most striking feature was their enlarged ears which made their hearing more sensitive, though this was only effectively demonstrated against the patriarch of the clan, Turel, who was susceptible to sound. They all have large claws and retain their humanoid trousers but sport a bare chest with a collar.[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14][Defiance][Defiance/10]

In close combat, they were the most dangerous foes, with quick and powerful strikes, fast movement and prepared dodges, hard to stun, and short stunning times. Turelim could be particularly devastating if allowed to team up on Raziel. When not in battle, they can be observed roaming about their business, or just guarding specific locations.[Soul Reaver strategy guide (Prima)][Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14]

Nosgoth (icon)Apocrypha[]

Main article: Tyrants

In the mid-Soul Reaver era After Raziel's execution and Kain's abandonment of his empire, the Turelim vampires were one of the clans that took part in the Vampire civil war as the empire fragmented. Later the Tyrant class Turelim would participate in the subsequent War for Nosgoth against the resurgent human threat, becoming feared as the most muscular, powerful and strongest of the clans.[NOS][2]

Traits[]

Like their fellow vampires, the Turelim clan carried the blood curse, Blood-thirst, immortality and sterility inflicted on their ancient vampire ancestors by the Hylden, during the Vampire-Hylden war, and developed the yellow or amber irises and tridactyl claws and feet characteristic of their race.[Defiance/4][Defiance/6][3] They were created from reanimated human corpses, restored to unlife with the infusion of souls, and "gain[ed] their advantage from the powers of the underworld".[1][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][4]

SR1-Enemy-TurelimProjectile-Fledgling

A Fledgling Turelim firing a Telekinetic force projectile

As a result of Nupraptor's corruption - which was passed on to all of Kain's descendants - the Turelim clan devolved and pupated as the centuries passed,[5] "becoming less human and more... divine".[Soul Reaver/1] With Turel the second lieutenant raised he inherited the strongest portion of Kain's soul after Raziel, and his descendants were among the most powerful vampires in Nosgoth, particularly noted as the "physically strongest" of the clans even before the downfall of the Razielim[6] and were described definitively as "the most powerful vampires in Nosgoth" after.[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)]

Even in early stages of development Turelim vampires possessed "latent telekinetic powers" which they used to "augment their already impressive physiques, making them capable of truly inhuman feats of speed and strength.".[2] Later in their evolution they developed the ability to fire Telekinetic force projectiles which made them exclusive among Kain’s sons to inherit the gift of manipulating objects from a distance. Visually, the Turelim seem to create their telekinetic projectiles by opening their mouth and lowering their hands in a vertical posture - in contrast to the telekinetic abilities later seen in use by Raziel and Kain which were fired from the hand. The Tomb Guardian, a revived adult Turelim also had in his possession an artifact that granted non gifted individuals the power to do the same. The projectile itself is a set of concentric circles surrounded by a colorless orb of space compression with a light blending phenomena. This made the Turelim one of only two clans capable of ranged attacks, along with the water-firing Rahabim.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14]

Membership and forces[]

Clan Leader Turel was only seen in the opening videos of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver[Soul Reaver/1] and he and his clan territory were ultimately cut from the final game[7][8] - though Turel would later appear in Legacy of Kain: Defiance[Defiance][Defiance/10]. The most senior representative of the clan seen in Soul Reaver was the Revived vampire, The Tomb Guardian, who was tasked with protecting the Tomb of the Sarafan[Soul Reaver/9] and whose dialogue was adapted from the dialogue planned for Turel.[7]

Besides these characters, two major variants of Turelim vampire were seen in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - Fledglings and Adults. A few Turelim vampires could also be discovered in a revived state.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver strategy guide (Prima)] For Nosgoth, set much earlier in the Time-stream, a different less devolved variant of Turelim called the Tyrants were seen, though an Evolved Turelim skin was available which evoked their devolved forms from Soul Reaver.[NOS][2][9][10]

Fledgling Turelim[]

Main article: Fledgling Turelim

Fledgling Turelim were the younger, less evolved members of Turel's clan, and the lesser Turelim enemies in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver in contrast to Adult Turelim. As with other clans, Turelim fledglings were devastated by the touch of Sunlight and even the weak rays of Nosgoth’s daylight in the Soul Reaver era, which is filtered by dense smoke. The young Turelim also have darker skin, with more prominent muscles.[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14]

Adult Turelim[]

Main article: Adult Turelim

Adult Turelim were the older, more evolved members of Turel's clan, and a greater threat compared to the fledgling Turelim. As adults, these Turelim could walk through areas of Nosgoth’s smoke filtered daylight without danger of being burned by the weak sunlight. The eyes of the adults glowed with a red color and they had smoother and lighter skin.[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)][Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight]{{Ref|Soul Reaver/15}

Tyrants[]

Main article: Tyrants

Tyrants were the class of Turelim encountered in the mid-Soul Reaver era War for Nosgoth centuries before their encounters in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. They were the largest and most powerful of the Vampires of the time and were a dangerous threat to the Humans. An 'Evolved Turelim skin bridged the gap between the Nosgoth and Soul Reaver classes. [NOS][2][9][10]

Pupation[]

The Pupating methods of the Turelim were not observed in game, however lead artist Daniel Cabuco confirmed that the original designs for Turel's Clan Territory would have featured the Turelim vampires in "Eggs like Zephon, which you would have to crawl by not to activate."[11]

Territory[]

Main article: Crucible
Main article: Sunlight Glyph Altar

The Turel's Clan Territory was not visited during the course of the game, but was originally planned to appear as the penultimate playable locale in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. The level was removed along with several elements of the original story-line at some point in development, due to timing and budgetary issues, but it is widely accepted that it was to originally be reachable nearby the entrance to the Oracle's Cave in the retail version with the also cut Shift At Will spell.[7][8][12]

TurelTerritory

Prerelease imagery of Raziel in the removed Turel's Clan Territory, nearby the Smokestack

The Turelim territory was to be towards the north-east and was believed to have been the industrial heartland of Soul Reaver era Nosgoth, with many furnaces and what appear to be rivers of magma. The Territory also contained the the Smokestack seen briefly in the opening video to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and it was this smokestack that belched smoke into the sky for Kain’s empire, and made most adult vampires capable of walking out into the weak filtered daylight. After defeating Turel in the territory and gaining the Amplified Force Projectile (virtually the same ability attained upon Turel's demise in Legacy of Kain: Defiance), Raziel would have used an updraft from the top of the smokestack to glide to Kain's Mountain Retreat.[7][8][13][14]

As their homeland is not shown in Soul Reaver, they can instead be encountered in the Chronoplast and Oracle's Caves, in the tunnel system between the Tomb of the Sarafan and the Drowned Abbey - and one right under the Tomb of the Sarafan itself. Other than these places, they own the single most elaborate place in Nosgoth to house a structure not related to the main plot, the Lighthouse area and the related Sunlight Glyph Altar.[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9][Soul Reaver/Sunlight][Soul Reaver/14] Elaborating on designs apparently featuring Turelim in the Drowned Abbey, Daniel Cabuco confirmed that the territory had been Turelim territory when it was taken from the humans but the Rahabim had flooded the area to take it from them in a "turf war".[15]

Nosgoth-Location-Crucible-Shots-023-Outside Map

The Turelim territory outside the Crucible in Nosgoth

Turel's clan territory was briefly mentioned in the background story for the Turelim Tyrants of Nosgoth - explaining that in the early Soul Reaver era, shortly after the fall of the Major human kingdoms, the territory was chosen as the location to build the first Smokestacks - huge volcanic furnaces designed to blot out Sunlight.[2][16] Further updates fleshed out the area slightly more for the Turelim territory 'Crucible' map, revealing it as part of the Northern 'Tartarus' mountain range that was the heart of the Turelim territory which contained "countless forges and workshops, gladiatorial training grounds and arenas, slave pens and birthing catacombs" - these along with the smokestacks made the an impressive albeit daunting target for human attacks.[16][17]

Behind the scenes[]

Manuals for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver gave further details about the Turelim clan:

The most powerful vampires in Nosgoth, most of this clan have retreated into Nosgoth's hinterlands, and many independent rogues and bands linger in the area.
―The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver manual[Soul Reaver manual (US)]
The most powerful vampires in Nosgoth are the Turelim. These huge beasts are extremely fast and strong, with highly sensitive hearing. Turel has replaced Raziel as Kain's second in command.
―The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver manual[Soul Reaver manual (UK)]

In alpha versions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver some Turelim vampires cannot be picked up, effectively making them immune to the basic execution moves.

Turelim vampires are also shown pupating in Turel's clan territory requiring Raziel to sneak by them to avoid them opening - with the scene previously described by Daniel Cabuco. In the area in question it is possible to destroy part of the ceiling with projectiles to flood the area with Sunlight

Character[]

Artist Daniel Cabuco noted that in Kain's empire prior to Raziel's execution and their devolution, the Turelim had taken roles described as:

"Warrior experts with Seige, Engineers, Distance attacks, and weaponless combat (Physically strongest)"
―Daniel Cabuco[18]

and it was further elaborated that:

"Turelhim (sic) would would be learning how to hone their Telekenesis on poor captured souls."
―Daniel Cabuco[6][18]

It was also noted that the clans were not numerically even and this would create conflict between the clans towards the end of the empire:

"Melchaihim(sic) would outnumber Turelheim(sic) 3 to 1, but as far as abilities go, that would make them even. Towards the end of the empire, humans and their blood would be used as trade and currency since the supply was rapidly dwindling. Fights would ensue over supply (Turelim would kill off Melchiahim(sic) because their number was thinning the human cattle too quickly)."
―Daniel Cabuco[6]

Other official sources note them as "dutiful" and "arrogant", seeing "ruling oppressively through force and fear [as] perfectly natural and they take pride in doing so".[2] They were also seen as "shackled by notions of honour [and] glory".[19] Some sources specifically note that Turelim vampires were (or saw themselves as) the "servants of Kain".[Soul Reaver/9][20].

Design[]

Several early designs are known to exist for vampire clans in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, although the design for the Turelim appear to have remained largely the same throughout development. One notable early clan design - appearing as much more human-like with stretched arms and a spiked nose - is seen in many of the same locations that eventually became associated with the Turelim. These designs are generally thought to be placeholders or test models however, with the vampires associated with those locations known to have been reshuffled prior to release.[21]

Initial designs for Nosgoth represented fledglings of the period, but more evolved adult skins were available for higher level players. For their redesign and adult appearance Daniel Cabuco noted:

"Devolving into a more feral state, fat and sinew give way to raw muscular power. The Tyrants of Turel begin the growth of their trademark ears and thick graying skin wrapping tightly around their massive shoulders."
―Daniel Cabuco[22]

and further elaborated:

"For the Turelim, the trademark ears and jaws are enlarged, showing an in-between state of the Tyrants. Their massive barrel chested bodies are starting to emaciate in the abdomen, now devoid of fat. The arm wraps, a trademark of their power, are bolted into the rhino-like skin they have developed. Leathers, brass and coppers now comprise their materials (so stained with dried blood that they have started to turn brown). The silhouette now pushes towards what fans will recognize as a Soul Reaver Turelim."
―Daniel Cabuco[22]

Notes[]

  • During the development of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the Turelim vampires were referred to as Morlocks and Turel as "Morlock Boss", apparently referencing the subterranean Morlock antagonists in H. G. Wells novel The Time Machine.[7][23] This codename is later mentioned in Prima's Official Strategy Guide to Legacy of Kain: Defiance, which notes the clan in reference to Turel, calling them "Morlocks", referencing the codename used for Turel and his clan during the development of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and noting that the Turelim became "bat-like in appearance bearing large ears with incredible powers of hearing at the price of faltering vision". [Defiance strategy guide].[11][23] Arguably because of Turel's absence from Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the Tomb Guardian (presumably the most senior representative of the clan seen in that title) is also sometimes known as "Morlock" by fans.[7][20][24] The name of the clan derives directly from clan patriarch Turel who was also previously known as either "Hema" or "Ruman" (both fallen angels associated with "rage" and "death" respectively). The name "Turel" itself is Hebrew for "Rock of God".[23]
  • The US and UK manuals describe the Turelim as "the most powerful vampires in Nosgoth".[Soul Reaver manual (US)][Soul Reaver manual (UK)] The US manual adds that "most of this clan have retreated into Nosgoth's hinterlands, but many independent rogues and bands linger in the area", perhaps suggesting that the Turelim encountered by Raziel were not necessarily on clan business.[Soul Reaver manual (US)] The UK manual states that the Turelim are "huge beasts" who "are extremely fast and strong, with highly sensitive hearing".[Soul Reaver manual (UK)] Prima's strategy guide for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver describes the Turelim vampires as "servants of Kain [who] are deadly in close quarters". The Defiance Prima guide also mentions the Tuerlim in reference to Turel (calling his clan "the Morlocks"), where it is noted that "Like all the vampire lieutenants, as the centuries passed Turel began to mutate and shift from his human form. Turel and his brood the Morlocks became bat-like in appearance bearing large ears with incredible powers of hearing at the price of faltering vision."[Defiance strategy guide]
  • Turelim vampires are particularly associated with areas containing industrial and other machinery, such as the Oracle's Cave/Chronoplast,[Soul Reaver/14] Sunlight Glyph Altar[Soul Reaver/Sunlight] and the cut Turel's Clan Territory which was suspected to be the industrial heartland of Nosgoth.[7][8] These placings hint at a certain degree of mechanical capability among the Turelim,[20] supported by descriptions of them as "engineers".[18]
  • In alpha and beta versions, the Sunlight Glyph Altar is inhabited by the Dumahim. They were replaced by the Turelim in the retail version. This was likely due to the lower number of Turelim after the removal of their territory.[25]
  • The Turelim Tomb Guardian was the only vampire character to be titled or have lines in Soul Reaver besides the members of the Council (Kain, Raziel and the other lieutenants).[Soul Reaver][Soul Reaver/9]

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Icon Dark Chronicle Soul Reaver: Background Story at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni )
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Nosgoth (icon)'Tyrants – Disputed Heirs to the Throne' at the Nosgoth official blog (by George Kelion) (preserved at Tales of Nosgoth/Nosgothic Realm)
  3. Icon Dark Chronicle The Blood Curse (The Dark Gift) at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni )
  4. SEF Warp's answers from Amy at the Square Enix Forums (by blincoln)
  5. Icon The Lost Worlds Question and Answer with Jen, Richard, and Kyle at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Icon DCabDesign About Kain's Empire at DCabDesign (by Cradlis), post#2 by (Daniel Cabuco).
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Icon The Lost Worlds Turel at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln)
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Icon The Lost Worlds The Turelim Clan Territory at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln)]
  9. 9.0 9.1 Nosgoth (icon) Evolved Skins – Community Q&A with Daniel Cabuco at Nosgoth official website (by Daniel Cabuco/George Kelion)
  10. 10.0 10.1 Nosgoth (icon) Vampire Clan 'Evolved' Skins – The Tyrant of Clan Turelim at Nosgoth official website (by George Kelion)
  11. 11.0 11.1 Icon DCabDesign Soul Reaver questions at DCabDesign (by Raina Audron), post #2/#4 (by Daniel Cabuco)
  12. File:Icon Youtube.pngTurel's lair entrance at YouTube (by Raina Audron)
  13. Icon The Lost Worlds The KainDemo Video at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln)
  14. Icon The Lost Worlds Video Demo - 1999-03-16 at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln)
  15. Icon DCabDesign The Clan Leaders at DCabDesign (by Onatu), post #6 (by Daniel Cabuco)
  16. 16.0 16.1 Nosgoth (icon)'First look at Nosgoth's next map - The Crucible' at the Nosgoth official blog (by Cat Karskens) (preserved at Tales of Nosgoth/Nosgothic Realm)
  17. Nosgoth (icon)'The Crucible - Burnt offerings' at the Nosgoth official blog (by Cat Karskens) (preserved at Tales of Nosgoth/Nosgothic Realm)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Icon DCabDesign Vampire Clans at DCabDesign (by Majinkura), post#2 by (Daniel Cabuco).
  19. Nosgoth (icon)'Reavers – Harsh Masters of Human Cattle' at the Nosgoth official blog (by George Kelion) (preserved at Tales of Nosgoth/Nosgothic Realm)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Icon Dark Chronicle The Turelim at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni ).
  21. Icon The Lost Worlds Early Vampires at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln).
  22. 22.0 22.1 Nosgoth (icon) Vampire Clan 'Evolved' Skins – The Tyrant of Clan Turelim at the Nosgoth official blog (by George Kelion/Daniel Cabuco)
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Icon The Lost Worlds Character Names at The Lost Worlds (by Ben Lincoln). Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Name" defined multiple times with different content
  24. Icon Dark Chronicle The Tomb Guardian (Morlock) at Dark Chronicle (by Ardeth Silvereni ).
  25. Icon The Lost Worlds Beta Comparison - Graphics at The Lost Worlds (by Raina Audron).

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