Understanding The Lore Behind The First Berserker: Khazan
If you’re anything like me, you’ll likely be quite excited for March 27th, when The First Berserker: Khazan launches. When I played the closed technical test, I was uncertainly intrigued by the set up and background. A revered soldier exiled but escaping in a blood lust and quest for vengeance? Hard not to be enthralled, really. Though I must confess, I knew little at all of the background lore that sits beneath The First Berserker: Khazan’s current story.
With that in mind, what better time to address that gap in our collective knowledge, than with both a brief explanation of the Dungeons & Fighters universe Khazan’s tale belongs to, and a handy timeline of events that have led up to the kicking off point of the story. Gives us just enough time to brush up on our history ahead of the tough-as-nails title hitting our screens.
DnF Universe
Let’s start off with the basics. The Dungeons and Fighter franchise has been around for about 20 years, with the first entry releasing in 2005 (believe it or not, I was still in primary school then…). Since then, it’s gone on to spawn multiple titles, often with a focus on 2D side-scrolling or variations thereof. In the West, the original was titled Dungeons Fighter Online. It was followed by Dungeon Fighter Live: Fall of Hendon Myre, Dungeon & Fighter: Spirit, Dungeon & Fighter Mobile and then DNF Duel.
As such, what started out as a sprite-based 2D action side-scroller became something more, embraced by other media as well as just video games. The universe, lore and storytelling all expanded, creating a pretty vast amount of world building. Consequently, there are a couple of things that are probably most important to know ahead of The First Berserker: Khazan:
- Exploring the Origin of a ‘Berserker’ and How DNF Develops a Character – “Berserker” is a staple archetype within DNF derived from ancient Nordic to describe the appearance of Vikings, who looked like “bear skin.” It has since changed meaning to represent “brave” or “frenzied” warriors leading to the early conception of classes within DNF. This class is described as a combination of those with high-tempo motion and damaging skills that ultimately create the primitive and powerful warrior loved by players globally known as the “Neo: Berserker.”
- The Hero of Pell Los and The First Berserker, Khazan – As a symbol of the Berserker class, “Khazan syndrome” is a curse originated by Khazan, where succumbed slayers are reborn as Berserkers whose immense power and attacks are triggered by anger. Khazan’s rage stemmed from when the emperor tricked, exiled and murdered him along with his close friend Ozma.
- Rousing Hardcore Action Meets Khazan’s Compelling Journey – Khazan’s gripping narrative and DNF fan popularity encouraged Neople and Nexon to create a title that tells his story and the larger origin universe. Although Khazan is based in the DNF Universe, new storylines will be introduced throughout the game, allowing players to explore beyond DNF.
Enter The First Berserker: Khazan
For those of you wondering, no, you don’t need to have an expansive, encyclopedia level of knowledge about the DnF franchise ahead of The First Berserker: Khazan. Even from the snippet I’ve played so far in the technical test, it was relatively easy to pick up the current thread and follow it without any previous history. The developers have been keen to ensure it’s both approachable for newcomers, while still fitting within the established lore for fans:
While Khazan is based on a specific narrative within the DNF Universe, we’ve made efforts to ensure that players who are not well-versed in this expansive world can still enjoy the game. The story is designed as a standalone narrative focusing on Khazan’s personal life and his journey for revenge, allowing players to immerse themselves in the experience without prior knowledge of the original lore. However, one key difference from the original story is that, in Dungeon & Fighter, Khazan is exiled and ultimately meets his end, whereas in The First Berserker: Khazan, the entire storyline is reconstructed so that Khazan dramatically survives the expulsion process.
Neople/Nexon
So, who is this Khazan fellow? What are his motivations? Why is he called something as ominous as The First Berserker?! He’s a mysterious man, though his ability to carve up his enemies is anything but. Handy with any manner of blade, let’s have a look at his history and find out more about how he’s ended up in this rather violent predicament.
Based on the lore of Dungeon Fighter Online, where Khazan first appears, he is a legendary hero of the Pell Los Empire who lived 800 years ago. At present days, he is known as the God of Destruction and as the origin of the disastrous curse called the Khazan Syndrome. It is said he went to battle without his armor on, swinging an axe in one hand and a sword in the other. He also had throwing axes strapped to his waist, to throw them at enemies whenever he could.
A great warrior, he once reached the position of Great General of the Pelos, but later was accused of treason and arrested alongside his good friend, Ozma.
Neople/Nexon
His family was wiped out, and he lost the tendons in both arms before being sent into exile beyond the Stru Mountains. Later his friend, Ozma, became the God of Chaos and made him the God of Destruction, but although he did not participate in his plan to destroy the world, his rage carried on taking form as the first berserker. The rage spread across the continent as Khazan Syndrome, which makes individuals get engulfed in uncontrollable rage and turn into the destructive Berserker class.
I think it would be fair to say that Khazan is a bit of a badass, and not one you want to find yourself on the opposing side of. Makes a lot more sense as to why he’s pretty cheesed off at the beginning of the game, having escaped captivity, and is fully ready to deal out some serious hurt to those who have wronged him. Interestingly, the fate of Ozma is left uncertain, so perhaps this will form part of the full game’s narrative? We’ll have to wait and see.
Timeline of Events
If things are still feeling a bit unclear, here’s a handy timeline of events that helps to structure the previous goings on and nefarious machinations of the universe. There’s a fair amount to unpack, but the gist of it can be condensed fairly well.
- Arad Year 152
Khazan and Ozma defeated Berserk Dragon Hismar who terrorized the Pell Los Empire and instantly became heroes. Everyone sang praises for them. Their emperor, however, was not pleased. They became more famous day by day, and that irritated their emperor, who thought the world was centered around him. In the end, the jealous emperor accused them of false charges and destroyed their lives. - Arad Year 157
First, he accused Khazan of treason. Khazan ran away with his followers to avoid persecution. The emperor ordered his friend, Ozma, to subjugate him.
Ozma went after his friend as he was ordered. They exchanged words one last time and were about to fight when an Imperial army showed up and arrested both of them. They were dragged into the empire’s underground prison and suffered torture. There, Khazan was told that his entire family was killed, and Ozma was told that his lover, Reese, became the emperor’s concubine.
They realized all this was a setup by the emperor, who was jealous and afraid of them. Before they could try anything, Khazan had tendons removed from both of his arms and was sent into exile beyond the Stru Mountains. Ozma had his eyes removed and was thrown into the East Sea. Just like that, the two important warriors of Arad disappeared into history. - Arad Year 158
As Ozma traded his soul to be the God of Chaos to take revenge on the world, he also turned his dying friend to be the God of Destruction to take part in his revenge. However, Khazan and Ozma did not meet eye to eye.
That’s a lot of scheming, trading of souls and transforming into powerful beings. But, at least we’re all up-to-date and ready to take on the world (from the sounds of it, almost literally), when The First Berserker: Khazan lands at the end of the month. Oh, and did I mention this is a multiverse take on the established lore? Certainly is:
The First Berserker Khazan is a multiverse story. The story gets a similar arc until Khaza gets expelled from the empire. However, in this world, the expulsion doesn’t go as it is planned. The path was interrupted by a sudden avalanche, letting Khazan escape the process. On the brink of death, he meets the mysterious presence of Blade Phantom and comes back to conscience.
Neople/Nexon
Khazan has certainly drawn the lucky or rather unlucky straw, depending on your perspective…
Ready for Action
Well, there you have it. The full low down detailing the background of the DnF series, Khazan himself and the devious world in which he inhabits. The First Berserker is up against the odds if he’s to fulfill his journey of revenge, while the conflict brewing between himself and old friend Ozma are engrossing to say the least. A lot of pre-history for sure, but as I mentioned before, the game itself does a good job of being a standalone tale, so don’t get too caught up in needing to know every in-and-out if it’s overwhelming.
The main takeaway is that Khazan is none too pleased with the decisions that led to him being expelled and exiled, and I’m sure he’ll have something to say with his axe and sword when The First Berserker: Khazan launches March 27th for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.
Source: Press Release and assets.
The First Berserker: Khazan will be available March 27th on PC (preview platform), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.
Developer: Neople
Publisher: Nexon
For more Features click here.
If you enjoyed this article or any more of our content, please consider our Patreon.
Make sure to follow Finger Guns on our social channels –Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, Spotify or Apple Podcasts – to keep up to date on our news, reviews and features.
