Theft of the Black Soulstone
An angel's betrayal sparks a war for humanity's survival against divine judgment.
The Theft of the Black Soulstone marks a pivotal betrayal within the High Heavens that reshaped the fate of Sanctuary. Following the destruction of the Prime Evils in the main campaign, Archangel Tyrael secured their souls within a reforged artifact to prevent their return. However, Malthael, the former Archangel of Wisdom turned Angel of Death, infiltrated Westmarch to seize this power for his own crusade against humanity.
- Perpetrator
- Malthael (Archangel of Death)
- Guardian
- Tyrael (Archangel of Justice)
- Location
- Cathedral of Light, Westmarch
- Artifact
- Black Soulstone
- Contents
- Souls of the Prime Evils
- Consequence
- Start of Reaper of Souls Campaign
- Status
- Recovered by the Nephalem
Lore & Background
The Stone was forged to contain the essence of Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal after their physical forms were shattered. Tyrael believed this would ensure they could never rise again. Malthael viewed the awakening Nephalem as an existential threat greater than Hell itself. He sought the stone not to destroy it, but to harness its ancient power to purge all Nephalem from existence. This act shifted the cosmic balance, turning a Heaven-Hell war into a Heaven-Sanctuary conflict. It revealed that the High Heavens were willing to sacrifice humanity to maintain order. The theft forced Tyrael and the Nephalem to fight not only demons but also their former protectors.
In Their Own Story
The silence of Westmarch was broken only by the hum of divine energy. Tyrael stood before the pedestal, unaware that his old friend watched from the shadows. Malthael descended not with fire, but with cold resolve. There was no battle for honor, only a swift, silent taking as the stone vanished into the Angel of Death's grasp, leaving Tyrael alone in the dark.
Reader's Guide
Following the defeat of Diablo and his brothers, Archangel Tyrael created a new Black Soulstone to imprison their souls permanently. He stored it within the Cathedral of Light in Westmarch for safekeeping. Malthael, observing the rise of powerful Nephalem, concluded that humanity must be purged to save creation from corruption. In a shocking betrayal, he stole the stone from Tyrael's sanctuary before the Archangel could react. This theft ignited the conflict known as Reaper of Souls. Malthael used the Stone’s power to become the Deathbringer, hunting down Nephalem across Sanctuary with relentless fury. The hero, aided by Tyrael and allies like the Crusader, pursued him through the ruins of Westmarch and into the depths of the Void Realm. Ultimately, the stone was recovered during a final confrontation atop the Spire of Light. The event redefined the relationship between Heaven and Sanctuary permanently. It proved that angels were not infallible guardians but could become tyrants driven by fear for their own creation. The recovery of the Stone allowed Tyrael to restore balance, ensuring the Prime Evils remained sealed while humanity survived another divine judgment against them.
Did You Know?
- Malthael was once known as the Archangel of Wisdom before becoming Death.
- The stone contained the souls of Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal simultaneously.
- Tyrael created this specific stone after destroying the original during the previous conflict.
- This theft is the direct catalyst for the Reaper of Souls expansion storyline.