During the early days of Lineage, many players dreamed of finding the Divine Emperor’s Executioner Sword while exploring Lastavard Dungeon. Lastavard holds a special place in the hearts of many players even today, and you can still visit it in 〈Lineage M〉 and 〈Lineage W〉.
Lastavard was a new empire where dark elves who had left the forest coexisted for a long time. However, Lastavard is now nothing but a dungeon where dark elf shadows roam underground. What events led to Lastavard's downfall in the past? Let's delve into the history of Lastavard in 〈Lineage〉, 〈Lineage M〉, and 〈Lineage W〉.
▶ A Story of Lastavard
“If we could turn back time, we never would have left the Elven Forest.
But changing fate is not beyond us.
Comrades, let us set forth from the cave.
The time has come for us to lay down our lives for our tribe.”
At the cave’s entrance, the Red Knights of Depardieu were waiting for Vladika. Vladika and the Assassins, as well as the Red Knights set out for Fort Dyad.
PC 〈Lineage〉, Fort Dyad area map and Fort Dyad Walls
Lastavard, Empire of the Dark Elves
Long ago, Vladika and many an elves fell into corruption in their pursuit of power. They lost their gift of immortality and became dark elves. Leaving the forest behind, they settled at the Great Cavern of the Ancient Giants' Ruins. The place had been neglected for a long time, but the abundance of resources like Black Mithril and the Oum tribe, who resided there and were easily put to work, made it an ideal location to establish a new nation. The dark elves named this place Lastavard.
After the establishment of the Council of Elders, Baran was crowned as the first king. Although Baran was a dark elf of exceptional character, he lacked the necessary skills to become a great king. Consequently, two political factions emerged in the country, unable to unite under a single banner. One of these factions was led by the High Priest Haylas, while the other was led by the High Priest Vigas. As time passed, the rift between the two factions grew increasingly significant and became irreparable after 100 years.
“It is darkness that we ought to serve. Not light.”
The Council of Elders of Lastavard urged the dark elves to worship Gran Kain instead of Einhasad, eliminating anyone who opposed their decree. However, Vladika defied their orders and raised the first flag of rebellion.
“Hatred has eaten away at our being and has impoverished what is left of us. Did our forefathers teach us to wander hopelessly in the dark and slaughter one another? It is our duty to contemplate what is right and coexist with this world.”
However, the Council considered Vladika's radical beliefs a threat to their established ideology and planned to eliminate him like they did with others. With the aid of his old friend Slaiv, Vladika escaped his home with a small fraction of the assassin army under his command.
“This is the last thing I will be able to do for you.”
With this battle marking the end, Slaiv bid his friend Vladika farewell as he returned to Lastavard without looking back. Meanwhile, Vladika sought refuge in the Silent Cave, an abandoned dwarven shelter.
(Left) Vladika, (Right) Slaiv
Dantes Ascends to the Throne
As the dark elves became mortal, they began to die, causing fear to spread throughout Lastavard. In an effort to ease these fears, the Council of Elders decided to crown a new king. During the holy ceremony, Dantes was unexpectedly chosen as the new king.
“Impossible!” cried Haylas and Vigas, both of whom believed they were more deserving of the title. As this decision shocked and angered them, they began causing a scene, denying the decision in unison. Helbain, who had been observing in silence, ordered his troops to take care of the two.
After ascending to the position of Grand Priest, Dantes wasted no time in declaring himself the Divine Emperor and preparing for war. It was then that Helbain, approaching Dantes, whispered into his ear with a suggestion.
“Divine Emperor chosen by Gran Kain, you must accept the power of the demon clan. That is the only way we may all be equal in strength.”
Having already received the demon clan's powers from Ken Rauhel, Helbain had utilized this newfound strength to easily subjugate Giran Castle during his first expedition. To prove the extent of his power, he created the living Fort Dyad before the Council and Dantes. Upon witnessing this, Dantes was convinced to undergo the ceremony that would grant him the powers of the demon clan.
Battle of Lastavard
A message from Vladika's old friend Slaiv was the reason he decided to leave the cave.
“My friend... All I wanted was to protect Lastavard. But Helbain’s greed grew out of control, and Dantes became blinded with ambition.”
At the same time, Vladika received a message from the Red Knights, who sought his strength. He ordered his Assassins to head to Fort Dyad with a message.
“There is something I must see. Go. I shall soon join you.”
The dark elves' home, Lastavard, held the Great Ancient Cavern, where a relic of the Ancient Giants blocked further passage. Unknown to many, the location was the Demonic Temple, opposite the Ancient Giants' Grave, where the Army of Corruption waited for the day they would be summoned forth. Although Vladika was unaware that it was a Demonic Temple, he suspected that something was amiss about it, and headed there immediately.
Demonic Temple Corridor Statue In-game Image
Vladika faced numerous monsters and traps on his way through the Demonic Temple before reaching Corruption. Corruption, who had been watching over Lastavard for centuries, was convinced that the time had come to act. Seeing the greed displayed by Dantes and Helbain, Corruption fathomed a plan with the most loyal followers.
“Countless sacrifices will be needed to summon him.”
“What’s been prepared for the past 100 years will be more than enough. Tonight, Dantes and Lastavard will become tribute.”
Upon hearing this, Vladika hurried to Fort Dyad to join the Red Knights and Assassins who were already mobilizing their forces to break through the living Fort Dyad. When Vladika arrived, they had just barely defeated the Beast King Varanka and Phantom Queen Laya.
But was he too late? Dantes had already begun the incantation of an unknown magic, and his body was emanating dark blue powers. Vladika realized that he needed to reach Dantes' Den quickly, where the ritual was taking place. To do so, he would have to face and defeat Helbain and Slaiv, the best assassin in Lastavard. But the Red Knights were struggling to hold their own against the dark elves who had been bestowed with the powers of the demon clan.
Slaiv, determined to protect Lastavard, gave everything he had. Even though he knew that Dantes was on the wrong path, he could not oppose him as he was the king of Lastavard. Thus, he was forced to fight anyone who tried to stop the ritual, even if it meant fighting his dear friend. As the two engaged in their destined duel, the dark elves of Lastavard who had made a pact with the demon clan began to fall one by one. Slaiv's soul began to leave his body, and Vladika held him before he could collapse.
“Vladika... forgive me. All I wanted was to protect Lastavard...”
At death's door, Slaiv shed a tear as he looked into Vladika's eyes.
The Emergence of Giltas and the Fall of Lastavard
Dantes was deceived by the demon clan, and many dark elves were sacrificed through the ritual. Nonetheless, the Red Knights persevered and managed to halt the ritual, preventing Dantes from fully controlling Giltas’ magic and summoning him completely. As a result, Giltas was only able to emerge halfway through the seal.
The once-great Lastavard was destroyed, and the souls of the sacrificed dark elves were left wandering the ruins, unable to find peace. This is the tragic tale of how the underground empire of Lastavard fell into ruin.
150 Years Later
Despite the devastation, Vladika and the remaining dark elves stayed in the Silent Cave to atone for the sins of their ancestors and to await the day when they could rebuild Lastavard. However, the shadows of the sacrificed dark elves continued to roam the streets, consumed by anger and desire. Before they could rebuild Lastavard, they needed to defeat these shadows. Though they had lost their immortality, the dark elves lived much longer than humans and continued to fight against the shadows for 150 years. As time passed, the survivors of the Battle of Lastavard began to depart from this world, leaving behind stories of past tragedies and the lurking evil within. The next generation, who were born and raised within the confines of the Silent Cave, dreamt of one day rebuilding the ancient city and venturing out under the blue sky.
Awakened Shadows of the Past and Betrayal of Kin
Countless aeons passed, enough time for the dark elves living within the Silent Cave to forget the warmth of sunlight and the countless stars that once lit up the night sky. However, outsiders began to intrude on the Great Cavern, seeking the power of death and stealing artifacts from the ruins of the once-great underground empire. In the process, many dark elves were sacrificed, and those colluding with the intruders began massacring their own kind, leaving only a few remaining. With limited resources and time, the dark elves had to choose between rebuilding Lastavard or weeding out the traitors. They ultimately decided to venture out into the world once again, to inform their old allegiances of the looming threat and fight off the sins of their forefathers and their own kind.
*This story is based on the world-building of 〈Lineage〉, 〈Lineage Remastered〉, 〈Lineage M〉, and 〈Lineage W〉, and some of the content may differ from the actual games.
▶ Lastavard Dungeon Now
Lastavard in 〈Lineage W〉
Lastavard in 〈Lineage W〉 has been affected by the rift in the Ivory Tower of Oren, leading to dark powers infiltrating the minds of some dark elves. As a result, these dark elves have massacred their own kind and now wander aimlessly in the Lastavard Dungeon, driven by a thirst for blood.
Amidst this chaos, Death Shadow Creepus, a loyal follower of Helbain, can be found roaming the Central Square with a scythe in hand, still following his master’s orders to gather death.
〈Lineage W〉’s Central Square
Assassin King Slaiv, who was revived as Helbain’s puppet against his wishes, now guards the Underground Arena, where dark elves used to prove their skills.
〈Lineage W〉’s Devil Lord Altar
Phantom Queen Laya, who had fallen during Giltas' summoning ritual but was revived by the power of Helbain, can be found at the Dark Arts Laboratory, and Beast King Varanka thirsts for the blood of the living at the Assaulter Training Ground.
〈Lineage W〉’s Dark Arts Laboratory
〈Lineage W〉’s Assaulter Training Ground
(From left) Death Shadow Creepus, Assassin King Slaiv, Dark King Helbain, Phantom Queen Laya, Beast King Varanka
Lastavard in 〈Lineage M〉
In September 2018, Lineage M updated the World Dungeon Lastavard, which used to consist of Fort Dyad, Great Cavern, Lastavard Dungeon, and Dark Elf Sanctuary. However, due to Lastavard's crumbling state, the monarchs had to move their dwellings, resulting in major changes to many areas. Currently, Lastavard is made up of various locations such as the Silent Cave, Central Square, Underground Arena, Underground Control Room, Assassin King's Den, Beast Taming Chamber, Beast Training Grounds, Beast King's Den, Black Magic Training Grounds, Black Magic Study, Phantom Queen's Den, Devil Lord Mercenary Quarters, Devil Lord Altar, and the Dark King's Den.
In 〈Lineage M〉, players have the opportunity to encounter various characters, including The 8 Justices (Kayna, Viatis, Andias, Barometh, Idea, Tiameth, Lamiath, Varod), The 4 Leaders (Assassin Squad Leader Kyte, Beast Tamer Leader Dark Fencer, Archmage Karmiel, and Unholy Captain Creepus), The 4 Captains (Royal Guard Captain Shyblitte, Mercenary Captain Mephisto, Captain of the Bodyguard Julius, and Priest Captain Sinclaire), and the 4 Monarchs.
(From left) Varanka, Slaiv, Laya, Helbain, Kayna, Viatis, Andias, Barometh, Idea, Tiameth, Lamiath, and Varod
One of the updates to Lineage M was the addition of the “Giltas Raid” in July 2020. Giltas, who desires to conquer the Aden continent, gained power by absorbing the souls of those who challenged him. When he gathered enough magical energy, he summoned and revived the 4 Monarchs. However, as of 2023, the Master Dungeon “Giltas Raid” is unavailable to play, and players can only see the appearance of True Giltas in the Polymorph Encyclopedia.
True Giltas summoned in full in 〈Lineage M〉
The 4 Monarchs awakened by True Giltas summoned in full in 〈Lineage M〉. (From left) Varanka, Slaiv, Laya, Helbain
Lastavard in 〈Lineage Remastered〉
When Lastavard was first introduced in Lineage Remastered season 2, it was introduced as part of the dark elf story. However, as the episodes were updated and the stories related to Giltas and Lastavard came to an end, Lastavard, Demonic Temple, Fort Dyad Village, and other related locations were eventually removed.