Elemental Fonts

Elemental Fonts were scattered across Nosgoth in Soul Reaver 2. Initially dormant, these basins were linked to the four Reaver forges in that game. Whenever Raziel activated a Reaver Forge in Soul Reaver 2, the many fonts attuned to that forge's element would awaken. The fonts allowed Raziel to re-imbue the wraith-blade by bathing it in the energy stream they expelled. Once imbued, the wraith-blade would retain its elemental affinity until Raziel entered the Spectral Realm.

The fonts were often guarded by Shades, who would steal the energy and hold on to it. Raziel had to defeat them before he could use the font. The fonts also had different markings, helping Raziel to distinguish one elemental type from another.

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS

Raziel did not use Elemental Fonts in Defiance; they didn't exist. There was originally an intention explain their disappearance in-game. It would have been implied that the Elder God had destroyed them post-Soul Reaver 2, presumably to rob Raziel of his elemental Reavers at the source.¹ Luckily, the loss didn't cause Raziel any long-term difficulties. The Reaver upgrades he gained in Defiance were more permanent than their Soul Reaver 2 predecessors; he could switch between their elemental affinities at will. No fonts were needed.