Legacy of Kain The Dead Shall Rise / Ascendance - Plot Reworkings
Oasis Nadrama, 31/03/2026
(Please take not that these differences are no sure indication that the graphic novel is decanonized. The list of differences may also not be exhaustive.)
[SPOILERS below for the graphic novel The Dead Shall Rise and the video game Ascendance]
IN GENERAL
The order of the events has been restructured for better dramaturgy. The graphic novel started with Elaleth meeting Lieutenant Raziel, the game starts with Elaleth drifting in time.
This list will NOT explain the details of the reshuffling, rather grouping elements by themes for better clarity.
Lieutenant Raziel is more confident before Elaleth, and both behave more reasonably in conversations.
The conversations in Ascendance are better written and straight-to-the-point, and benefit from better vocabulary.
Notably, though, some of the dialogue, as well as the core concepts, are kept exactly the same. ' ENTIRELY REMOVED PARTS
The introduction scene with the Lieutenant massacring humans and then talking about Empire politics.
The long dialogue between Elder Kain and Lieutenant Raziel where they discuss Elaleth in the armory has been removed.
Various scenes in Kain's Empire, Lieutenant Raziel brooding, etc.
Thornlach kids no longer express mundane knowledge of the Demon Realm, of the ancient war, etc.
Kid Raziel has no premonition of Wraith Raziel.
The romantic conversation between Elaleth and Mathias in flashback has been removed.
In Ascendance, Human Raziel is NOT shown sparing Elaleth after the Thornlach attack (which better fits with his later surprise that she is alive as a vampire).
No Mathias burial, no initial promise of revenge.
No exile from Thornlach or visions of Elaleth wandering through the lands (sometimes apparently in the sun?!) or hunting animals for blood (naked for some reason?!).
The initial encounter between Elaleth and Ky'Set'Syk, the exposition of Ky's past, their bargain.
Elaleth's confrontation with Moebius, Moebius cursing her to drift through time.
Sarafans massacring vampires.
No gift shop before the Sarafan Tomb.
Elaleth no longer proposes Lieutenant Raziel to retcon his career choices when she "gets her paradox".
No long debates about pacts, paradoxes, consequences and Hylden magic. ' ALTERED PARTS
Elaleth now visits Lieutenant Raziel when he's alone (more strategic, and it removes the absurdity of the brothers submissively leaving them alone).
Elaleth no longer completely kicks Lieutenant Raziel's ass, and does not humiliate him.
The childhood flashback in Thornlach is now only a few dialogueless flashback pictures.
Similarly, Kain's attack on Thornlach has been extremely compressed, only shown in a short, stylized, dialogueless flashback.
Elaleth no longer captures Sarafans for interrogation, but still asks them for pointers
Ky'Set'Syk now advises Elaleth to better maneuver with Evolving Kain during their dialogue at the Pillars.
Ariel now appears in the same scene to start a quiz show.
The walk through the Tomb is a lot longer, Evolving Kain takes the time to mock the Sarafan philosophy carved in the walls.
The Lieutenants now attack Lieutenant Raziel after his wings are ripped off, and he defeats them all before Kain intervenes.
The Reaver goes through Elaleth's head in a GRUESOME way.












