Chronicles are a large-scale update to Lineage II done every half of a year, they are free expansions to the game that every subscriber must download in the form of a patch. As the "Chronicle" number advances, a new story develops. There are major game alterations each time with the current "Chronicle update", and the game balance was greatly changed in every case so far. Each chronicle also adds a great deal of content to the game, including new skills, quests, areas and items, some chronicles also increase the level cap.
"The Prelude"
Lineage II went live in North America on April 27, 2004. All open beta players were required to purchase a copy of Lineage II to obtain a CD key to activate their previously used account. The purchase included the payment for the first month of gameplay. Prelude was the first time a monthly fee of $15 was being charged.
There was no change in game mechanics between open beta and prelude.
Chronicle 1 : Harbringers of War
Chronicle 1 was released in July 2004, officially adding siege warfare to the game. Taking a castle allowed the owners to tax the city/town that the castle controlled, allowing them to tax up to 15%. Chronicle 1 added the castle town of Aden and new areas around it with higher level mobs. The dungeon of Dragon Valley Cave, also known as Antharas lair was also added in this chronicle, it was considered the most challenging and largest dungeon in the game for high level characters.
Chronicle 2 : Age of Splendor
In Chronicle 1, when a clan successfully won, there was not much gained from the siege other than reputation and pride. After Chronicle 2 was released in December 2004, a manor system was added. New parts of the map were added as well, such as the water city of Heine, Devastated Castle, Tower of Insolence, the castle of Innadril, the Aden Coliseum, Alligator Island, Field of Whispers, Field of Silence, and others.
Chronicle 3 : Rise of Darkness
With Chronicle 3, released May 2005, comes a new twist to the L2 universe called the Seven Signs. The idea behind this twist is to pit two factions (Dusk & Dawn) against one another in a competition for Seals, this competition is voluntary but to not join will hinder your progress later in the game (once you're a high level player). Seals are items dropped by mobs that when turned in, will give you Ancient Adena. Ancient Adena is another level of the Economy in L2 and will allow you to purchase items you wouldn't normally have access to from normal channels.
The addition of the Seven Signs competition brings with it a large number of dungeons across Aden called Catacombs and Necropoli that only participants in the competition can access. For one week you compete and get as many seals that you can for your side and turn most of them in. If your side wins after the week you will be given exclusive access to the Catacombs/Necropoli and the losing side will be locked out. During this period you can also exchange your seals for Ancient Adena. There is also a part called the Festival for which you and a party of at least 5 people enter a room and kill monsters (also called mobs) until a time limit is up. This part of the Seven Signs also contributes to your score in the Seals competition. The writer has yet to get involved in this part of the competition.
Other notable changes are that castle owners now have access to a Wyvern (Dragon) that they can fly around Aden. Wyverns also have a fire breath skill. It should also be noted that they are very expensive to spawn and keep alive while in use. A Grade armor/weapons have also been added as well as a subclass system that allows you to add another class to your character after level 75.
Chronicle 4 : Scions of Destiny
Scions of Destiny was released on February 8, 2006. It features expanded content in the form of new territories, enemies, summons, equipment, and a system designed to reward diligent, high level players that are victorious in a tournament in which they contend with other players in single combat. It includes more information about everything that will be added after the update. It is also updated with information about the updates on the Korean beta. This expansion was released by NCSoft's North American counterpart on their Public Test Server on the 8th of January, 2006.
Chronicle 5 : Oath of Blood
The Chronicle 5 expansion was released September 6, 2006. Clans received a makeover. The player level cap was raised to 80. New siegeable castles were added into the towns of Rune and Schuttgart. The Demonic Sword Zariche was added. Visit the Official Website for a full list of changes in this expansion.
Clan reputation can now be earned through Clan Academy, Clan Warfare, Clan Hall Battles and Clan Quests. Clan Reputation can be used to increase the rank of the clan to unlock clan skills and items. Clans of rank 5 and higher can create academies for the purpose of training and developing clan members. Members that complete their second class transfers through the academy receive commemorative items and increases the clan's reputation. Clan members of level 5 and higher can obtain a clan title (title is functionless). Clans can now have a maximum of 140 players, compared to the previous 40 players; accordingly, alliances can now only have 3 clans, instead of the previous limit of 12.
Roughly 50 skills were added for levels 55+ and the function of certain skills were refined.
An extensive new crafting system was also introduced based on Life Crystals farmed from raid bosses, which can be traded to NPCs for items.