Creation of the Black Soulstone
Created by the Horadrim using Zoltun Kulle's recipe to contain all seven Great Evils at once, destined to become a weapon of ultimate destruction.
The Black Soulstone is a legendary artifact of immense magical power within the world of Sanctuary, created by the Horadrim using Zoltun Kulle's recipe. Unlike earlier soulstones that trapped individual demons, this gem was designed to contain all seven Great Evils simultaneously—Diablo, Mephisto, Baal, Andariel, Duriel, Azmodan, and Belial. Its existence became central to the conflict between Heaven and Hell during the Third Conflict.
- Creator
- Horadrim (under guidance of Tyrael, Archangel of Justice), later claimed by Malthael
- Affiliation
- High Heavens (Initially), Malthael (Later)
Lore & Background
The Horadrim forged this stone using Zoltun Kulle's recipe, originally designed to trap all seven Great Evils—the Prime Evils Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal, as well as the Lesser Evils Andariel, Duriel, Azmodan, and Belial—simultaneously. Malthael, originally the Archangel of Wisdom who later became the Aspect of Death after the events of Reaper of Souls, sought to reclaim the artifact to purge humanity, believing the stone's creation was flawed. The Black Soulstone eventually fell into the hands of mortals, corrupting Leah and serving as the vessel for Diablo's essence until her death, before being shattered by the Nephalem.
In Their Own Story
The temple was silent, save for the hum of celestial magic that filled Tyrael's wings. He held the fragments in his gauntlet, each shard pulsing with a faint, malevolent heartbeat. With a heavy sigh, he brought them together, channeling the light of the High Heavens into the center. The shards screamed as they fused, bleeding dark smoke that stained his white armor black. It was done. A prison for seven kings of Hell, forged by an angel who feared the cost of peace.
Reader's Guide
After the Prime Evils were defeated in the Second Conflict, Tyrael decided their souls could not be left separate. He traveled to a hidden vault and utilized his archangelic power to fuse the existing soulstones into one singular gem. The artifact turned black as it absorbed the combined essence of Diablo, Baal, Mephisto, and the others. Tyrael hid the stone in Sanctuary, believing it safer there than in the Heavens or Hell. Centuries later, Malthael sought the stone to gain power over life and death during the Third Conflict. The stone was eventually shattered by the Nephalem hero, releasing the evils once more but breaking the vessel.
Did You Know?
- The Black Soulstone is unique because it was designed from the start to hold all seven Great Evils simultaneously—three Prime Evils and four Lesser Evils.
- The stone was forged by the Horadrim using Zoltun Kulle's recipe, not from a fragment of the Worldstone.
- Leah, a key mortal character, became the vessel and host for Diablo through the stone's corruption until her death.
- Malthael was originally the Archangel of Wisdom and only became the Aspect of Death after the events of Reaper of Souls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Black Soulstone?
It is a legendary gem forged by the Horadrim capable of trapping all seven Great Evils simultaneously. This unique property distinguished it from earlier artifacts that could only hold a single demon.
Who created the Black Soulstone?
The Horadrim order crafted the artifact using ancient knowledge recovered by Zoltun Kulle under Archangel Tyrael's supervision. Their goal was to create a weapon capable of ending the Eternal Conflict permanently.
Why was the Black Soulstone designed differently than other soulstones?
Previous soulstones were limited to containing one entity, whereas this stone required immense power to bind multiple Great Evils at once. This design made it essential for the strategy employed during the Third Conflict.
Which factions sought control of the Black Soulstone?
While originally aligned with the High Heavens, the artifact was later claimed by Malthael after his fall from grace. Its possession shifted between factions seeking ultimate dominance over Sanctuary and Hell.
What role did Zoltun Kulle play in its creation?
Zoltun Kulle provided the specific recipe required to forge a gem strong enough to hold such concentrated evil. Without his contributions, the Horadrim would not have been able to construct this unique containment vessel.