This was an act intended to contain the demon, but it only resulted in Diablo asserting his will over the prince. He ventured into the cathedral's depths and slew the Lord of Terror, binding his essence within the soulstone, and joining it to his flesh. Among them was Prince Aidan, son of Leoric. Many heroes were attracted to Tristram, whether it be for the rumored riches within the cathedral or a chance to test their mettle against the monsters that plagued the town. How could anyone ever stand against a force like that?' Diablo defeated the people of Tristram before they even knew of his presence. The moment he sensed the king's fears and made them into living nightmares. It was gone the moment my master's influence slipped into the minds of Leoric and his people. Not the others who remained in town to stop the chaos. What was left of Tristram's townsfolk either left or tried to survive however they could in the demon-infested town.

The archbishop emerged from the ancient Horadric monastery, and rallied the townsfolk into finding the lost prince in the dungeon only to lure them into a confrontation with the Butcher, a powerful demon, who slew many that night, and left very few survivors. Soon after, Tristram was attacked by a horde of demons, and the once-holy cathedral became a place of dark cults and rituals. With his dying breath, Leoric cursed Lachdanan and his knights to serve him in darkness, forever. Lachdanan and his forces were at last able to overcome the darkened monarch. When King Leoric attacked Lachdanan and his knights, Lachdanan ordered them to defend themselves, and a fierce battle ensued. He confronted the king, finally understanding that there was no salvation for Leoric. When Lachdanan returned, defeated, to Tristram, he found the city devastated. His knights, led by Lachdanan, were sent (by the advice of Lazarus) into a suicidal war against the larger kingdom of Westmarch more than half of Tristram's citizens were charged with treason and murdered. Leoric was left completely insane by the disappearance of his son, and thought the townsfolk, and even his loyal knights guilty of betraying him. Rapidly possessing the prince, the Lord of Terror finally was able to fully manifest in the mortal realm once again. Diablo then left the king's body and demanded that Lazarus bring him Albrecht, Leoric's son. He tried to take control of Leoric's body, and while he managed to drive the king mad, he was never able to fully possess Leoric. In the deepest recesses, he found Diablo's soulstone.ĭiablo, having fully corrupted the soulstone, was able to influence Lazarus into shattering it. Archbishop Lazarus, Leoric's most trusted adviser and an envoy of the Zakarum, ventured deep into the cathedral, attracted by some mystic energy. He made Tristram Khanduras's capital, with his seat of power in the ancient Horadrim monastery, now a cathedral. The Darkening of Tristramįor the Diablo III event of the same name, see The Darkening of Tristram.Ī map of Tristram, both before and after its fallĪfter many years, Leoric established himself as king of Khanduras, and brought with him the Zakarum faith. This practice continued (or started) during the reign of King Leoric. Ī tree on the road to Tristram was used to hang those accused of practicing the dark arts. Over time, villages were established in the surrounding area, the denizens unaware of the terror that lurked in the labyrinth beneath. As their numbers dwindled, the monastery fell into ruin. Over the course of many generations, the Horadrim Order began to dissipate, with the three Prime Evils bound within the soulstones.

Jered then hid the soulstone in the Horadric monastery. In ancient times, Jered Cain, and his fellow Horadrim, slew Diablo during the Dark Exile, and sealed him within one of the three soulstones.

2022.09

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