Diablo Storyline, Getting Ready For D3?

[Awperator]

Was wondering how i could re-learn all the information about the story in Diablo 1 and 2 without having to play them all over again. I never played Diablo 1 but i played #2 for years but never really grasped the story, it was always just being rushed or leveling up and not paying attention that there was a story there.

But i really always wanted to know what was going on and i never thought i could because i never played Diablo 1.

So my question is that is there a way i can learn about the story line and all the characters in it without having to play both games all the way through?

Thanks.

[Grawner]

i would like that as well :)
really busy doing other things atm, therefore it would be nice.

[Awperator]

I noticed that Diablo3.com has Cain's Journal and Wiki was of some help, i really would like to know also about all the characters in it and the classes u can choose their back stories if they have any.

Any help would be appreciated thank you.

[Tanith]

The Arreat Summit has a lot of background from the Diablo story, from both games. And also, there's the old standby, Wikipedia. ;)

If you're interested in the backstory behind the series as a whole, I'd recommend Richard A. Knaak's "Sin War" series, which I strongly suspect is going to come into play in the D3 storyline.

Tanith :coffee:

[sicilian]

Well, this is by no means complete, but here are the basics from Diablo 1 (Spoilers, if such a thing exists for a game 12+ years old):

You're in the village of Tristram, which has recently been troubled with demonic attacks soon after the King's son goes missing. The demons (fallen basically), seem to be coming from the old cathedral on the edge of town, so a group of townspeople try to venture inside to stop the attacks. They are rallied and led by the Archbishop Lazurus, claiming that the young prince is actually being held by these demons.

But it was a trap. Once inside, the townsfolk were ambushed by a ferocious demon called The Butcher, and Lazurus disappeared into the depths of the catacombs. Only a few people survived the foolish venture, and even they were left scarred and broken.

That's where you come in. You are a former inhabitant of the village who has returned to find it nearly a ghost town. Most people fled the accursed village, leaving only Ogden the Innkeeper, Pepin the Healer, Griswold the Blacksmith (noticing any convenience yet ;) ), Deckard Cain, Farnham the Drunk, Adria the Witch, Wirt the Scoundrel Boy, and Gillian (Jillian?) the Barmaid.

From there you venture into the cathedral yourself. The story is fairly sparse for most of the journey, some little side quests and such but nothing big. Each floor is another "level", and there are 16 floors in all, split into four sections: The Dungeon, The Catacombs, The Caves, and Hell. In the last floor of each section, you'll find a tome, like the one in D2 that tells you about the Forgotten Tower, and they describe the origin of Diablo.

Long ago, the three Prime Evils of the Burning Hells were overthrown by the lesser evils (specifically Diablo 1 named Asmodan the Lord of Sin and Belial the Lord of Lies, but I believe Andariel and Duriel are considered amongst them as well). They were banished to the mortal realm and wreaked havoc across mankind for years.

The Horadrim, a group of mages (Deckard Cain being the last of their line), eventually defeated the Three and captured their spirits in the Soulstones. These were spread apart and buried deep in the Earth. In the end you discover that the Soulstones were not perfect (and in Diablo 2 that they were a sham all along), and that Diablo was able to influence the world around him slowly from his buried Soulstone.

He corrupted Lazurus, convincing him to kidnap the King's son and bring him to the Soulstone. Once the stone was embedded in the prince's head, he was slowly corrupted himself and eventually became the physical form of the Lord of Terror.

When you finally defeat Lazurus and Diablo. Your character decides that the only way to prevent the corruption of the Soulstone from striking again is to embed the stone in your own head. You think you're strong enough to resist the possession, and that eventually you'll find a more permanent salvation.

That's the origin of the Dark Wanderer in Diablo 2 so... obviously you failed :)

There were three classes in Diablo 1, The Warrior, The Rogue, and The Sorcerer. Each one had a role in Diablo 2.

The Warrior is the character they chose for the Wanderer, so in the end he was the one who defeated Diablo.

The Rogue goes on to become Blood Raven in the second quest of Act I.

The Sorcerer goes on to become the Summoner in Horazon's Arcane Sanctuary in Act II.

The classes in Diablo 2 don't seem to have a specific back story, but with the re-emergence of the Barbarian in Diablo 3 (and the fact that Blizzard says this is the same guy from Diablo 2), I imagine we'll see each class play SOME role in the new game, much like they did with those from Diablo 1.

Phew... hope this helps! :D

[Haccubus]

That was agreat read, thanks!

[Awperator]

Yes thank you very much for that read if i could get that for Diablo 2 as well that would be amazin

[mince pies]

Watch the cinematics

[Grawner]

thanks a lot, danc' a lot, lanc'a'lot :D

[Awperator]

Watch the cinematics

Is there a way i can watch them without playing the game?

I've seen videos of other games with cinematics and gameplay mixed in to let you know the full story, if only i could find one for D1 and D2

[factotum]

As far as I know all the D2 cinematics are on Youtube--just do a search.

[Feramors]

The rogue "turned into" Bloodraven?

and the mage into the summoner? Are you sure about that? I don't think so...

[Flux]

The rogue "turned into" Bloodraven?

and the mage into the summoner? Are you sure about that? I don't think so...

This is confirmed. The npc dialogues in the game give it away, too. You know, those words on the screen that no one reads?

Kashya giving the blood raven quest (http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Kashya#Mission_Assignment):
My Rogue scouts have just reported an abomination in the Monastery graveyard! Apparently, Andariel is not content to take only our living. Blood Raven, one of our finest captains in the battle against Diablo at Tristram, was also one of the first to be corrupted by Andariel. Now, you'll find her in the Monastery graveyard raising our dead as zombies! We cannot abide this defilement! If you are truly our ally, you will help us destroy her.

Death has done nothing to weaken Blood Raven's combat skills. If anything, she's more deadly than ever.

cain after the summoner quest (http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Cain#Quest_Tips_4).
The appearance of the mage you describe sounds like one I met back in Tristram. Many Vizjerei came to fight against Diablo, the Lord of Terror. Perhaps, this is one of them. You know, fate seems to have frowned upon all of the heroes who confronted that terrible Evil. Take care or the same may happen to you.

[Flux]

Also, we'll be getting a good summary of the story and plot up in the wiki in the weeks to come.

And check the d3 lore/story forum, there are a lot of posts that go far deeper into the lore than this one.

[sicilian]

Also, we'll be getting a good summary of the story and plot up in the wiki in the weeks to come.

And check the d3 lore/story forum, there are a lot of posts that go far deeper into the lore than this one.

That's good to hear :)

Like I said, my description was over-simplified... there's a lot more behind Diablo 1 that has been discovered since that game was made. I was just bored so figured I'd write it out :)

[Grawner]

Also, we'll be getting a good summary of the story and plot up in the wiki in the weeks to come.

And check the d3 lore/story forum, there are a lot of posts that go far deeper into the lore than this one.

oh, that sounds wonderful :)

[Grawner]

just read Cains Journal, and there's a lot of information.. check it out, it's on DIII's website :)