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Pupating, also referred to as evolution or devolution, is a characteristic unique to the Vampires descended from Kain. All such Vampires evolve by "retreating into quiescent states from which they emerge transformed", developing new dark gifts and abilities corresponding to their individual traits, and would become stronger, faster and more resilient than before.

The pupation process in Kain's descendants was a consequence of the Corruption of the Pillars, initiated by Nupraptor, which corrupted Kain's soul at birth. When Kain reanimated the Sarafan Warrior Inquisitors to serve as his Lieutenants, their souls inherited this corruption, and their bodies began to deform and devolve over time as a result. Highly evolved Vampires were referred to as Adults, while their younger counterparts were known as Fledglings. Fortunately, Raziel, having been executed beforehand and resurrected as a wraith, was spared this fate.

Vampiric pupation and pupation grounds differed depending on the brood: Vampires of the Melchahim clan burrowed underground in the Necropolis, whereas the Zephonim and the Rahabim cocooned themselves in the Silenced Cathedral and the Drowned Abbey respectively.

Behind the scenes[]

Turelim vampires were to be shown pupating in Turel's clan territory in early versions of Soul Reaver. Daniel Cabuco described them as"Eggs like Zephon, which you would have to crawl by not to activate."[1]. The Soul Reaver alphas showed this to indeed be the case. In the area in question it is possible to destroy part of the ceiling with projectiles to flood the area with Sunlight

VAMPIRES:

The Vampires who inhabit Nosgoth evolved over the centuries before the Elder God rescued Raziel:

PUPATING:

All vampires evolve by retreating into quiescent states from which they emerge transformed. Each of Nosgoth’s vampire clans pupates in a different fashion - some burrow underground, others cocoon themselves. Raziel must keep his eyes open and tread carefully in the vampires’ pupating grounds, to avoid being ambushed.

FLEDGLINGS:

Over the course of time, vampires evolved further and further from their human origins. Younger vampires are referred to as ‘fledglings’ - not as developed as their adult counterparts, they are easier opponents. They can’t bear as many blows before being reduced to a stunned/impaired state, they cause less damage with their attacks and they are less crafty in their offensive and defensive manoeuvres. All fledglings are vulnerable to the harmful rays of sunlight, whereas their older counterparts have largely evolved beyond this vulnerability.

ADULTS:

The older the vampire, the more evolved it becomes. ‘Adult’ vampires - distinguishable from fledglings by their larger size, and red glowing eyes - are faster, cagier, more resilient, and inflict deadlier blows.
―The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver manual[Soul Reaver manual (UK)]

Apocrypha[]

The background details of cancelled spin-off Nosgoth offered a little more on the processes of pupation, mentioning that each vampire would gorge on Blood before entering a pupation state - which would sustain them during the process. After emerging they would be disorientated and ravenous, with vampire 'midwives' on hand to tend to their needs as they recovered.[2][3][4][5]

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