Babylon

Lore & Background

During Lara's expedition, Babylon is revealed to be more than just a pile of stones; it is a trap designed by the Order of Saint Dumas to protect their dark agenda. The city contains intricate mechanisms and deadly traps intended to keep the unworthy from reaching the inner sanctum where the Scion resides. As Lara delves deeper into the catacombs, she uncovers murals and inscriptions that detail the rise and fall of those who sought the artifact's power, serving as a grim warning to any who would follow in their footsteps.

In Their Own Story

The heat radiating from the sandstone walls was oppressive, yet Lara moved with practiced silence through the crumbling corridor. Dust motes danced in the shafts of light piercing the darkness above, illuminating the faded frescoes of forgotten kings. She paused at a sealed archway, her breath catching as she realized the mechanism beneath her feet had already been triggered by an unseen enemy. With a heavy sigh, she adjusted her grip on her climbing axe, knowing that beyond this threshold lay not just gold and glory, but the very end of history itself.

Reader's Guide

The geography of Babylon in this adventure is split between the sun-drenched surface ruins and the claustrophobic underground catacombs. The upper levels feature crumbling ziggurats and open courtyards where players must navigate environmental hazards like collapsing floors and aggressive wildlife. Historical significance is embedded in every wall, with murals depicting the Order's rituals providing clues to puzzle solutions. Players will encounter complex machinery involving gears and water channels that must be manipulated to reveal hidden paths or lower barriers blocking progress. Environmental hazards are plentiful, ranging from unstable structures prone to collapse to toxic gas pockets in deeper tunnels. Specific puzzles often require using climbing axes to break through weak walls or swinging across chasms while avoiding traps designed to crush intruders.

Did You Know?

• The city's layout is heavily influenced by real-world Mesopotamian architecture, featuring iconic ziggurats and massive gateways.
• Babylon serves as the primary setting for a major turning point in Lara's development from an amateur explorer to a seasoned survivor.
• The Order of Saint Dumas has maintained a secret presence within the city's ruins for centuries, guarding their dark secrets.
• Many of the traps found in the catacombs are based on historical engineering techniques used by ancient civilizations.