Seven Signs Questline

Engage in Lineage II's epic Seven Signs questline: choose a faction, participate in events, and unlock exclusive benefits.

The Seven Signs is arguably one of the most iconic and impactful server-wide events in Lineage II, deeply intertwined with the game's lore, economy, and endgame progression. This epic saga pits two ancient factions – the Lords of Dawn and the Revolutionaries of Dusk – against each other in a perpetual struggle for control over the Seals of Shilen. Participating in the Seven Signs is not merely a questline; it's a dynamic, cyclical event that offers unique rewards, exclusive content access, and a significant influence on the server's political and economic landscape.

Understanding and actively engaging with the Seven Signs is crucial for any serious Lineage II player, as it unlocks access to vital resources, powerful enchant scrolls, and the challenging Catacombs and Necropolises – prime hunting grounds for experience and rare drops.

Phases of the Seven Signs

The Seven Signs operates on a two-week cycle, divided into two distinct phases:

1. Quest/Seal Stone Collection Period (1 week): During this phase, players actively participate in quests, hunt monsters, and collect Seal Stones to contribute to their chosen faction. This is the primary period for earning Ancient Adena and faction points.
2. Validation/Result Period (1 week): In this phase, the collected Seal Stones are tallied, and the winning faction is determined. The victorious faction gains control over the Seals, unlocking exclusive benefits, while the losing faction faces restrictions.

Joining a Faction: The Starting Point

To participate in the Seven Signs, you must first pledge allegiance to one of the two factions. This can be done by speaking to specific NPCs located in various towns. You must be at least Level 20 to begin the Seven Signs questline.

Starting Quests & NPCs:

• Lords of Dawn: Speak to Priest Raymond in the Einhasad Temple in Gludin Village, Dion Castle Town, or Oren Castle Town.
• Revolutionaries of Dusk: Speak to Priestess Levian in the Shilen Temple in Gludin Village, Dion Castle Town, or Oren Castle Town.

Upon speaking to the respective NPC, you will be given the quest "Dignity of the Alliance" (for Dawn) or "An Ancient Contract" (for Dusk). These initial quests are straightforward, usually involving a simple dialogue chain or a short fetch quest to introduce you to the faction's ideals and objectives. Completing this quest officially enrolls you in the Seven Signs and allows you to begin collecting Seal Stones.

The Core Mechanic: Seal Stone Collection

The primary activity during the Quest/Seal Stone Collection Period is gathering Seal Stones. These are special items dropped by monsters throughout the world. There are three types of Seal Stones:

• A Seal Stone: Dropped by monsters Level 70+.
• B Seal Stone: Dropped by monsters Level 40-69.
• C Seal Stone: Dropped by monsters Level 20-39.

The higher the monster's level, the more valuable the Seal Stone it drops. You can turn in these Seal Stones to your faction's Priest (Raymond for Dawn, Levian for Dusk) to receive Ancient Adena (AA) and contribute to your faction's overall score. The amount of Ancient Adena you receive per Seal Stone varies based on the current cycle's rates and the type of stone.

Strategy for Seal Stone Collection:

• Form Parties: Hunting in a party is highly recommended, especially for higher-level Seal Stones, to maximize efficiency and safety.
• Target High-Density Areas: Focus on areas with a high concentration of monsters within your level range. Popular spots include Cruma Tower, Forsaken Plains, Forest of Mirrors, and later, the various Catacombs and Necropolises (once accessible).
• Consider Your Faction's Needs: While all Seal Stones contribute, sometimes one faction might be lagging in a specific Seal (e.g., Seal of Avarice). Contributing to the weaker Seal can be a strategic move.
• Don't Forget Quests: In addition to monster drops, there are repeatable quests offered by your faction's Priest that reward Seal Stones and Ancient Adena. These are excellent for supplementing your collection.

The Festival of Darkness

The Festival of Darkness is a unique PvPvE event that occurs during the Seal Stone Collection period. It's a critical component for gaining a significant advantage for your faction.

How to Participate:

1. Form a Party: You must be in a party of at least 5 members to enter.
2. Speak to the Festival Guide: The Festival Guide NPC is located near the entrance of each Necropolis.
3. Enter the Festival: Your party will be teleported to a special instance.
4. Defeat Monsters and Collect Dark Energy: Within the instance, you'll face waves of monsters. Defeat them to collect "Dark Energy."
5. Compete with Other Parties: Other parties (potentially from the opposing faction) might be in the same instance. The goal is to collect more Dark Energy than your rivals within the time limit.
6. Turn in Dark Energy: The party that collects the most Dark Energy and successfully turns it in to the Festival Guide within the instance will earn a substantial bonus for their faction.

Winning the Festival of Darkness can significantly swing the tide in your faction's favor, so active participation from strong parties is highly encouraged.

The Validation Period and Faction Benefits

Once the Seal Stone Collection Period ends, the Validation Period begins. During this week, the collected Seal Stones are tallied, and the winning faction for each of the three Seals is determined:

• Seal of Avarice: Controls access to the Blacksmith of Mammon and Merchant of Mammon.
• Seal of Gnosis: Controls access to the Hierophant of Mammon and the ability to teleport to various Catacombs/Necropolises.
• Seal of Strife: Determines which faction has control over the Catacombs and Necropolises for hunting.

Benefits for the Winning Faction:

The victorious faction gains exclusive access to several vital services and content for the entire Validation Period:

Benefit	Description	Winning Seal
Blacksmith of Mammon	Allows weapon/armor grade changes (e.g., C to B), unsealing A/S grade items, and exchanging items for Ancient Adena. Crucial for endgame gear progression.	Avarice
Merchant of Mammon	Sells rare items, including S-grade recipes, high-grade enchant scrolls (e.g., Blessed Scroll of Enchant Weapon/Armor), and other valuable consumables, all purchased with Ancient Adena.	Avarice
Hierophant of Mammon	Offers powerful buffs, teleportation services to all Catacombs and Necropolises, and the ability to unseal certain items.	Gnosis
Catacombs & Necropolises	Exclusive access to these high-level dungeons for hunting, experience, and item drops. The losing faction is restricted from entering.	Strife
Ancient Adena Exchange	The winning faction's Priests can exchange Ancient Adena for regular Adena at a favorable rate.	All (General Faction Win)

Consequences for the Losing Faction:

• Restricted Access: Cannot enter Catacombs or Necropolises.
• No Mammon Services: Cannot utilize the Blacksmith, Merchant, or Hierophant of Mammon.
• Unfavorable AA Exchange: If they can exchange Ancient Adena, it's at a much worse rate.

Common Pitfalls and Strategic Advice

• Faction Loyalty: Once you join a faction, you cannot switch until the next Seven Signs cycle begins. Choose wisely!
• Ancient Adena Hoarding: Ancient Adena is a critical currency. Always be collecting Seal Stones, even if you're not actively participating in the Festival.
• Mammon Location: The Blacksmith and Merchant of Mammon appear in a random town each Validation Period. Check the Seven Signs status board or ask in global chat for their current location.
• Catacomb/Necropolis Entry: Even if your faction wins the Seal of Strife, you still need to speak to your faction's Hierophant of Mammon (if Gnosis is won) or a regular Gatekeeper to teleport to the specific dungeon.
• PvP in Catacombs: Be aware that Catacombs and Necropolises can be contested zones, especially if the Seal of Strife is won by your faction but the opposing faction tries to sneak in. Expect PvP.
• Check Status Boards: Every town has a Seven Signs status board that provides real-time updates on Seal Stone contributions and the current phase.

The Seven Signs is a complex yet rewarding system that adds immense depth to Lineage II. By understanding its mechanics and actively participating, You can significantly enhance their character's progression and contribute to their server's dynamic meta-game.