Lore Diablo, the complete story

Lore Diablo, the history of the license

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The summary story of all the previous Diablo 4 games! To understand the world of Diablo, Sanctuary, Lilith and Nephalems!

Lore Diablo full story for 10 subscribers! 00:00

Diablo Lore, the full story to celebrate 10 subscribers! 00:00

Editor's note: this article is a summary of Diablo's lore, if you want more details you can consult the Book of Cain and the Book of Tyrael. If you are new to Diablo or are missing parts of the story, this article will be perfect for you. You will also find at the end a summary of the summary!

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Diablo, Sanctuary and the Nephalems

Diablo is set in a world where war rages between Hell and Heaven, the Eternal Conflict. An angel Inarius and a demon Lilith grew tired of this war and wished to create a haven of peace with some of their minions, the Sanctuary. It was created by the World Stone, a stone coveted by both camps and allowing you to create whatever you want, a kind of divine power. In Sanctuary, the objective was to be out of reach of the Eternal Conflict between Hell and Heaven, which of course was not achieved.

When Sanctuary was created, the Nephalems were born, resulting from the love between an angel and a demon. Their descendants are the humans, now inhabiting Sanctuary. Each human has a demon and angel part, guiding their choices. This creation will have a direct impact on the balance of power and the Eternal Conflict. Note that the first Nephalems were the most powerful, then from generation to generation, they lost their power and became mortal humans. Editor's note: these are the precise definitions of the books of Tyrael and Cain. Even if in Diablo 3 the characters played are called "Nephalem", it is most likely an abuse of language. For example Li-Ming (sorcerer) or Valla (demon hunter) from Diablo 3 are described in the book as humans with extraordinary abilities.

Diablo 4 Sanctuary MapSanctuary map

Diablo Angels and Demons Family TreeThe genealogy of angels and demons

The Purge (date unknown)

Following the creation of Sanctuary and the appearance of the Nephalems, their excessive power quickly worried the angels and demons and evoked the fact of exterminating them. At this time, Inarius was also for exterminating "his children". Lilith took fright and quite simply killed all the angels and demons of Sanctuary, those who had fled from Hell and Heaven, except Inarius and the Nephalems. Following these acts, Inarius decided to banish Lilith and use the World Stone to diminish the powers of the Nephalems over time. An unknown amount of time passed, thus transforming the Nephalems into mortal humans.

-1809 The war of sin

In -1880 was created the Triune religion in order to enslave humanity. Seemingly a benevolent religion, in fact under the cheek of Baal, Diablo and Mephisto (hence the name Triune). Inarius spotted their scheme and created in -1809 the cult of the Cathedral of Light in order to counter. The war of sin began, not with arms but to convert the most faithful. In this war, a human changed the game. His name was Uldyssian and he discovered his Nephalem power while protecting a woman, Lylia, from a priest in the Cathedral of Light. In addition, he realized that he was able to awaken the power of the Nephalems among his companions, called Edyrem. As they prove to humans that they don't need one of the two churches and become more and more powerful. Lylia was actually Lilith, who wished to drive away Inarius and Baal's followers, Mephisto and Diablo. Once her nature was revealed, she disappeared. Uldyssian discovered the nature of the Triune and destroyed all of its churches and armies. Uldyssian also learned of the existence of the Stone World and used it to increase the power of the Edyrem and then confront Inarius and his church. Tyrael intervened with hundreds of angels and the armies of hell did the same. Uldyssian used his power to push them back, realizing his limitless power and impact on Sanctuary in the process. He absorbed all of the energy used to drive angels and demons into him, destroying him and resetting the World Stone and its influence on the Edyrem.

-210 Mage Clan War

Following the war of sin, a long era of peace and prosperity took place. Three clans of mages, the Vizjerei, Ennead and Ammuit reigned supreme, with the most powerful Vizjerei. The mages had a formal prohibition, the summoning of demons, in order to prevent Heaven and Hell from taking care of human affairs again. In -210, the Ammuit and Ennead had confirmation that the Vizjerei had again resorted to this summoning ritual and sent assassins to kill key members of the Vizjerei, giving rise of course to reprisals. The conflict escalated and the Ammuit and Ennead succeeded in eliminating most of the Vizjerei. Cornered, the Vizjerei resorted to summoning demons, which quickly decimated the forces of Ennead and Ammuit. With victory approaching, the Vizjerei council wanted to relieve Commander Bartuc, who was convinced that the demons were the masters of humans and used his invocations against his people. The confrontation between the Vizjerei and Bartuc ended in the death of Bartuc, by the hand of his brother Horazon. The mages were completely denigrated by the people went into hiding, Horazon creating the Arcane Sanctuary for his personal hideout.

964 to 1025 then 1025 to 1262, before Diablo 1

Long before your arrival and during the Eternal Conflict, the three primordial demons Diablo, Baal and Mephisto were banished into Sanctuary, being able to give themselves to their heart's content to terrorize the human world. This banishment, called the Dark Exile, is the result of a losing war within Hell itself against their demon brethren Azmodan and Belial. They were very upset that the three primordial demons hid the existence of Sanctuary from them and figured that sending them there would make an ideal distraction to leave the gates of Heaven undefended.

To protect Sanctuary, Tyrael, angel of justice forms the order of Horadrims, a powerful group of mages (with for example Tal Rasha or Jered Cain) whose mission is to defeat these three demons. For this purpose, Tyrael gave them three soul stones to lock up each of these demons.

Diablo was defeated and locked in a fortress, which later became Tristram. Mephisto was locked up under Kurast and Baal under the deserts of Lut Gholein, in the body of Tal Rasha. Baal's Soul Stone shattered during the fight, Tal Rasha was forced to imprison Baal within his body in order to contain the demon.

Before DiabloThe events preceding the Diablo series

Two centuries passed, the threat weakening, the order of the Horadrim weakened and the fortress protecting Diablo disappeared to make way for the village of Tristram.

1263 - Diablo 1

Archbishop Lazarus was one of the guardians of Mephisto's Soul Stone. He unfortunately fell under the influence of this one and convinced Leoric, in the name of the Zakarum church to make Tristram his capital, in order to awaken Diablo. Diablo began his hold on Leoric, but failed to fully take control of him, being too weak at the time. This did not go unnoticed as Guard Leader Lachdanan and King Aidan's son began to question each other. So, to drive them away, Lazarus persuaded the king to raise an army to attack Westmarch, claiming an offensive on their part. Being now quiet on his side, Lazarus took the opportunity to kidnap King Albrecht's son to serve as Diablo's host. Upon returning from his disastrous battles and learning of his son's kidnapping, the king sent the peasants and the rest of his army to attempt to retrieve his son. Diablo used the subjects as the basis of his army and perverted all the knights, except Lachdanan who succeeded in killing King Leoric and was damned by him. Editor's note You can also meet this NPC in the first levels of Hell in Diablo 1.

It is at this moment that you arrive, in order to purge the evil and prevent Diablo from joining forces to free his brothers. You manage to fight your way to Diablo and kill him. By removing his soul stone, you see his demon form disappear to make way for the remains of King Albrecht's son. In order to contain Diablo's evil residing in his Soul Stone, you decide to embed it in your head, thinking that you will be strong enough. The character will be called the Dark Wonderer, Vagabond Sombre or Rodeur Noir depending on the translations.

The characters embodied in Diablo are the following:

  • Warrior - Aidan, the son of Leoric and who embeds the Soul Stone in his forehead
  • Rogue - Moreina, better known as Blood Raven, which you find in the graveyard of act 1 on Diablo 2
  • Mage - Jazreth the Summoner, who you find in the Arcane Sanctuary in Act 2 of Diablo 2

An aside on the unofficial Hellfire expansion, where a mage releases a powerful demon just before sealing it in the crypt. This lore is not integrated into the Diablo series.

Dark Stalker Dark Wanderer Diablo 1The Dark Stalker with Diablo's Soul Stone, closing the first installment

1264 - Diablo 2 story and Lord of Destruction

The story begins with Marius, an NPC who has taken refuge in a rogues' monastery. The monastery was however overrun by Diablo's monsters, the Dark Stalker leaving destruction behind. Marius had to flee again and hid in a tavern. This tavern was also ravaged by Diablo's henchmen, and Marius, the only survivor with the Dark Stalker, began to follow him. Their journey leads them to the tomb of Tal Rasha so that the Dark Stalker rescues his brother Baal. Tyrael stepped in and began his fight against Diablo. Meanwhile, the crazed spirit of Tal Rasha demanded that Marius remove the Soul Stone from his body, which he did, freeing Baal from his prison. Before losing the fight, Tyrael sent Marius to destroy Baal's Soul Stone in the Hell Forge.

On your side, you start your journey at the camp of the rogues, refuge of the survivors expelled from the monastery. So you need to free the monastery and then make sure Diablo's brothers are still locked up. Once the monastery is free with the death of Andarielle, you go to Lut Gholein in the direction of the tomb of Tal Rasha where Baal must be locked up. You kill Duriel but arrive too late and learn of his escape from Tyrael, chained after the battle. You continue your way to Kurast, to find Mephisto there.

Meanwhile, Marius continued on his way to the temple of Kurast. Arriving at the temple, he witnessed the Dark Stalker's transformation into Diablo and the creation of the Underworld Portal by Baal, Mephisto, and Diablo. Carried away by a mixture of fear and madness, he could not cross the portal and left for Westmarch where he was locked up in a sanatorium.

You eventually arrive at the temple and find that Diablo and Baal have already fled. You kill Mephisto and go through the Infernal Portal leading to the fortress of Pandemonium, while leaving the world of Sanctuary. This fortress being in the heart of the Eternal Conflict and having changed hands several times between Hell and Paradise. There you kill Diablo and destroy Mephisto and Diablo's soul stones, preventing them from coming back to life again. Editor's note: Diablo's five seal mechanics are purely mechanical and have no associated lore.

Right after that begins Lord of Destruction, where Baal disguised as Tyrael reunites with Marius. Marius was racked with remorse, for failing to destroy Baal's Soul Stone while helping Diablo. Baal would grant him "pardon" if he gave him the stone, which he did. In possession of the stone, Baal killed him then burned the asylum before leaving.

Tyrael sends you to Harrogath, stronghold of the barbarians who have sworn to protect the mountain sheltering the Stone World. As a reminder giving the power of creation to whoever possesses it. Baal sends his army to attack the city, while he advances towards the Stone World. He won't need to face the Ancients, protecting the entrance as he possesses the Relic of the Ancients, the barbarians' holiest totem, given by Nihlathak in exchange for his life. Editor's note: this is why players must face these elders and not Baal. You manage to kill Baal but he has already corrupted the Stone World and Tyrael must destroy it, assuming giving his life in the act.

Tyrael's sword destroying the Stone WorldTyrael's sword destroying the Stone World, closing the second oops

1270 - Diablo Immortal story

Diablo Immortal takes place a few years after Diablo 2, where the fragments of the Stone World end up in Sanctuary. Skarn, one of Diablo's main lieutenants, wants to recover a fragment in order to remove the angel part of humans so that they only have the demonic side left. You intervene to kill him, the humans keeping a part of angel and demon.

Diablo Immortal boss SkarnDiablo Immortal boss Skarn

1285 - Diablo 3 story and Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls

A few years later, a meteorite falls from the sky revealing a man on the crash. He has lost his memory and wishes to find his sword, which you will do. Meanwhile, Cain is attacked by Maghda, a powerful sorcerer. Cain's niece, Leah, fends off the attack with uncontrolled powers. During this time, you manage to get your hands on the sword, which is broken and which Cain repairs with his last breath and then dies, following the attack by Maghda. You give the sword to the stranger from the meteorite, it is about Tyrael who has come to protect Sanctuary of Belial and Azmodan, unlike his angel peers who refuse to help.

You kill Maghda and save Adria, Leah's mother who reveals to you the existence of a black soul stone that can lock up the seven demons. You must resurrect Zoltun Kulle, an ancient Horadrim to finish crafting the stone and learn that it has already held the souls of Andariel, Duriel, Mephisto, Diablo, and Baal. You kill Belial and lock him up. Azmodan, the Last of the Seven sends his army to retrieve the Black Soul Stone. You leave to confront him and lock him in turn in the black soul stone. Adria betrays you, being on Diablo's account and takes the opportunity to kill Leah in order to resuscitate him, learning at the same time that Leah was the daughter of the Dark Stalker. Diablo becomes the sole master of the demons and leaves to attack the gates of paradise.

Diablo wishes to destroy the Crystal Ark, giving its power to the Archangels. You manage to stop him by killing Diablo and saving the skies. Tyrael becomes the Aspect of Wisdom while keeping his human form. He takes the place of Malthael, having disappeared.

In Reaper of Souls, Tyrael attempts to seal the Black Soul Stone with the help of the Horadrim. Malthael sets a trap for him, kills all the Horadrim except Lorath Nahr, and wounds Tyrael to steal the stone. Malthael wishes to use the Soul Stone to destroy all humans, deeming the threat to Heaven too great because of their demonic part. He uses the souls of primordial demons to gain power. You manage to enter his fortress and defeat him, freeing at the same time the souls absorbed by Malthael, Andariel, Azmodan, Baal, Belial, Diablo, Duriel and Mephisto. Malthael will have succeeded in decimating 90% of humanity, leaving room for famines and wars among the survivors.

The Death of Malthael Diablo 3The death of Malthael closing the third opus

1336 - Diablo 4 story

Several decades after Diablo 3, you will have to face the return of Lilith and confront her in order to prevent her hold on the inhabitants of Sanctuary, exploiting the fear and madness of humans. You will be in the company of Lorath Nahr, the only Horadrim to survive Malthael's ambush.

Lilith Diablo 4The return of Lilith starting the fourth opus

The summary in a few lines

To quickly understand the Diablo universe:

  • Hell and Heaven collide in Eternal Conflict
  • Tired of this fight, Lilith and Inarius create Sanctuary and the Nephalems, from an angel and a demon, the descendants of the Nephalems being humans. Sanctuary was created by the Stone World, allowing to give powers of divine creation to its owners
  • 964 - Within Hell, an internal war breaks out and the three primordial demons are banished to Sanctuary
  • 1025 - The order of the Horadrim with the help of the angel Tyrael managed to defeat them and encase them in soul stones
  • 1263 - Centuries later, Diablo manages to escape, your Diablo 1 hero kills him but decides to lock him in his body (with the Soul Stone) so he doesn't escape again
  • 1264 - The hero of Diablo 1 fails to contain the demon and in turn becomes Diablo in Diablo 2, who takes the opportunity to free his demon brothers. The hero of Diablo 2 slays all the demons and Tyrael destroys the Stone World which was corrupted by Baal
  • 1285 - The Diablo 1 hero's daughter serves as a sacrifice to resurrect Diablo, resulting in Diablo 3. The Diablo 3 hero kills Diablo, using a new stone, the Black Soul Stone which contains the power of all demons . Malthael, angel who betrayed paradise collects the soul stone in order to decimate 90% of humans before you kill him (Diablo 3 extension). Malthael's death frees Andariel, Azmodan, Baal, Belial, Diablo, Duriel, and Mephisto who was in the Black Soul Stone.
  • 1336 - Diablo 4 is set 50 years after this time, when the rest of humanity tries to survive famine and wars

Diablo Timeline HistoryThe Unfolding of Diablo Events

Diablo Sanctuary MapThe complete map of Diablo's Sanctuary of the opuses

Alchemists dm gaming

You will thus be unbeatable on the history of Diablo! Feel free to indicate in the comments which parts you know and which ones you have just learned! Hoping that this article and this video to celebrate the 10 000 subscribers of the YouTube channel you liked, don't hesitate to follow the channel for the next levels!

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By Alchemists, May 2023

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