Diablo

Lore & Background

The universe consists of three realms: the High Heavens, the Burning Hells, and the human world of Sanctuary. Angels and demons have warred since creation, but rebel angels and demons tired of the conflict created Sanctuary, birthing children known as Nephalem. Humanity descends from these Nephalem, sharing heritage with both sides, making them a focal point for influence. Diablo functions as one of the seven Great Evils in the Burning Hells. According to lore provided by Blizzard Entertainment, he eventually becomes the Prime Evil after absorbing the six other Great Evils, including his two brothers: Baal, the Lord of Destruction, and Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred. Two key characters who oppose him are Deckard Cain, an elderly scholar and last descendant of the original Horadrim, and Tyrael, a member of the Angiris Council sympathetic to humanity.

In Their Own Story

In the first game, the plot centers on a player character undertaking quests to free Tristram from Hell-spawned evil. The fighting takes place beneath the town in a maze leading into the depths of Hell. The player descends through twelve levels of dungeons, with the final four located in Hell itself, where they battle Diablo. At the end of this game, a warrior tried to contain Diablo's soul within himself but failed. By the beginning of Diablo II, the Lord of Terror had taken control of the warrior's body and begun freeing his brothers, Mephisto and Baal. The player explores Sanctuary through four acts, facing different devils at each act's end, culminating in a confrontation with Diablo. Due to these events, some humans begin awakening their Nephalem heritage, allowing them to challenge the Evils.

Reader's Guide

Diablo is set primarily in Tristram, the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Khanduras on Sanctuary. The actual fighting occurs beneath this town in dungeons and catacombs leading to Hell. In Diablo II, players choose from five distinct characters (seven with expansion) to pursue the Evils. Each class has a specific reason to oppose them: Amazons foresee a final battle for freedom; Barbarians expect to decide the world's fate; Necromancers ally with Light to restore balance; Paladins seek justice against Mephisto; and Sorceresses fight magic corruption. The expansion Lord of Destruction allows players to destroy Baal, adding new acts and classes like Druids and Assassins. In Diablo III, set 20 years later, the Nephalem challenge the final Evils after Diablo manipulates events to become the Prime Evil. Set 50 years after Diablo III, Diablo IV features Lilith returning to reshape Sanctuary while a Wanderer travels to stop her.

Did You Know?

• The franchise is set in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary, created by rebel angels and demons tired of their war.
• As of April 8, 2020, the series has sold nearly 100 million copies worldwide.
• Diablo eventually becomes the Prime Evil after absorbing his two brothers, Baal and Mephisto, along with four other Great Evils.
• The Hellfire expansion for Diablo I was developed by Synergistic Software and published by Sierra, not Blizzard Entertainment directly.
• Deckard Cain serves as the core narrator of lore in the first three Diablo games as the last descendant of the original Horadrim.