Act I (Diablo III)

The story begins...

The first Act of Diablo III brings players back to Tristram and its vicinity, where an unknown object fell from the skies and struck the Tristram Cathedral. After discovering the nature of the "Fallen Star" and stopping the threats it caused, attention turns to cultist activity and the schemes of their leader, Maghda. There are numerous references and overlaps with locations and events of previous games, particularly surrounding the fall of King Leoric; later, the beginnings of the Nephalem theme are introduced.

Major characters include Deckard Cain, Leah, Tyrael, and the player's entourage, Kormac, Lyndon and Haedrig. Act I's bosses are the Skeleton King, Queen Araneae, and The Butcher, and its central town is New Tristram.

Quests

The story begins centered around Leah, the daughter of Adria and adopted niece of Deckard Cain, and the defense of the town of New Tristram. The earliest tasks include putting to rest the undead led by the Skeleton King, as well as the Khazra, and rescuing Deckard Cain and a mysterious man who fell from the sky. The man's sword is broken and scattered; during their retrieval Maghda introduces herself along with her Coven. She eventually kills Cain and kidnaps the fallen stranger, turning the story into a mission of pursuit and revenge. Along the way, hints of The Nephalem's true power begin to emerge, their first Artisan and Followers are recruited, and the Town Portal ability is unlocked. The Act ends with the fallen man revealed to be Tyrael, fallen from heaven. The heroes vow to pursue Maghda into the east, to avenge Cain's death as well as that of countless townsfolk by stopping her plan to assist the Lesser Evils Belial and Azmodan.

Individual quests, key locations and major events:

The Fallen Star - A Star has fallen in New Tristram. Protect the town from the vile dead that have risen since it fell. (New Tristram)

• Leah is introduced.

The Legacy of Cain - Deckard Cain was lost in the cathedral when it was struck by the falling star. Discover his fate. (Old Tristram)

• Deckard Cain is rescued.

A Shattered Crown - The crown of the mad King Leoric has been lost to the ages. Find it so that you may destroy the Skeleton King. (The Weeping Hollow)

• Haedrig Eamon is introduced and recruited as an Artisan.
• The Town Portal ability is unlocked.

Reign of the Black King - Put an end to the Skeleton King to free New Tristram from his army of the dead. (Cathedral)

• Kormac is introduced and recruited as a Follower.
• Boss: The Skeleton King
• "The Stranger" is found, who is actually Tyrael without his memory or angelic powers.

Sword of the Stranger - The man who fell from the sky remembers only a shattered sword of power. Find the pieces of the sword to restore his mind. (Fields of Misery, Khazra Den)

• Maghda is introduced.

The Broken Blade - Find a way to retrieve the second piece of the Stranger's sword from the ancient ruins known as the Drowned Temple.

• Lyndon is introduced and recruited as a Follower.
• The Nephalem are first mentioned by Alaric the Ancient.

The Doom in Wortham - Retrieve the third and final piece of the Stranger's sword from Wortham before the Coven lays claim to it.

• Deckard Cain is killed.

Trailing the Coven - The Coven has killed Deckard Cain and taken the angel who fell from the sky. Hunt them down and make them pay for their actions. (Caverns of Araneae, Leoric's Manor)

• Boss: Queen Araneae

The Imprisoned Angel - Save the angel from mad King Leoric's torture chambers and reunite him with his sword, no matter the cost. (Halls of Agony)

• Boss: The Butcher
• Tyrael is rescued with his true identity revealed.

Return to New Tristram - The fallen angel is Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice. Meet him in New Tristram to set out for the great city of Caldeum.

Zones and Waypoints

Act I takes place in Khanduras in the areas surrounding New Tristram (the Act's major town), the ruins of Old Tristram, and the outlying town of Wortham. This includes two major dungeons, those under the Tristram Cathedral, and the Halls of Agony under Leoric's Manor.

New Tristram

The main quest hub of the zone. The Overlook Road leads to to New Tristram, where Captain Rumford introduces the story.

• Overlook Road
• New Tristram
  • The Slaughtered Calf Inn
  • Cain's House
  • Cellar of the Damned

Old Tristram

Old Tristram Road leads to Old Tristram, the ruins of Tristram, and eventually to Tristram Cathedral, where Deckard Cain can be recued. Inside the Cathedral, the Tyrael's fall from the High Heavens has left a gaping hole through all the levels, shining with an unnatural blue glow. On the last level the Skeleton King (Diablo III) can be found in his throne room, as well as "The Stranger".

• Old Tristram Road
  • Musty Cellar
  • Dank Cellar
  • The Old Ruins (Waypoint)
  • Adria's Hut
  • The Hidden Cellar
• Cathedral
• Cathedral Level 1
• Leoric's Passage
• Cathedral Garden (Waypoint)
• Cathedral Level 2
• Cathedral Level 3 (Waypoint)
• Cathedral Level 4
• The Royal Crypts (Waypoint)
• Crypt of the Skeleton King
• Desolate Chamber (Waypoint)

The Fields of Misery

The second broad area of Act I, north of town, where the player finds the broken crown and two of the three pieces of "The Stranger's" sword, as well as Ancient Nephalem ruins.

• The Weeping Hollow
  • Den of the Fallen Level 1
  • Den of the Fallen Level 2
• Cemetery of the Forsaken (Waypoint)
  • Defiled Crypt West
  • Defiled Crypt South
  • Defiled Crypt East
  • Chancellor's Tomb
• Fields of Misery (Waypoint)
  • Scavenger's Den Level 1
  • Scavenger's Den Level 2
  • Decaying Crypt Level 1
  • Decaying Crypt Level 2
  • Forsaken Grounds
  • Tinker's Hovel
  • Khazra Den
• The Old Mill
• Drowned Temple (Waypoint)
• The Festering Woods (Waypoint)

The Highlands

A boat can be taken to the small town of Wortham, north of which the Highlands lead to the area around Leoric's Manor. The area is dominated by Khazra as well as other wild monsters. The zones in order are:

• Wortham
  • Wortham Chapel Cellar (Waypoint)
• Wortham Bluffs
• Caverns of Araneae
• Chamber of Queen Araneae
• Highlands Crossing (Waypoint)
• Southern Highlands
• Northern Highlands (Waypoint)
• Leoric's Hunting Grounds
• Leoric's Manor Courtyard
• Leoric's Manor (Waypoint)

The Halls of Agony

The Halls of Agony can be found under Leoric's Manor. This is where the Coven has imprisoned Tyrael. The final boss of Act I is the horrific, murdering demon The Butcher which must be defeated to free him.

• Halls of Agony Level 1
• Halls of Agony Level 2 (Waypoint)
• Highlands Passage
• The Cursed Hold
• Halls of Agony Level 3 (Waypoint)
• Chamber of Suffering
• Cells of the Condemned

Pre-release

During promotion before the release of Diablo III, the official website stated that the "Fallen Star" was a 'harbinger of doom' that would awaken ancient evils, calling for heroes of Sanctuary to defend their world. Only some parts of Act I were revealed. The demo allowed play of the quests up to the first boss, the Skeleton King.

Diablo III Acts

Act I • Act II • Act III • Act IV • Act V