Anya

"Anya, the daughter of a clan elder slain by Baal, has been groomed since birth to become the leader of her people. She has a broad education in the history, magic and healing techniques of her clan. Although she grieves for her father in her heart, she knows that she must be strong for her people in this time of need."

- Character description^(src)

Anya
Title	Anya
Gender	Female
Race	Human
Ethnicity	Barbarian
Affiliation	Barbarians
Occupation	Alchemist
Relatives	Aust (father), Elora (mother) Unnamed brother
Status	Unknown
Appearances	Diablo II: Lord of Destruction

Anya was a Barbarian of Harrogath.

Biography

The daughter of Elder Aust and his wife Elora, Any was groomed since birth to become the leader of her people. She received a broad education in the history, magic and healing techniques of her clan. As a child, the Elders told her about Mount Arreat, its power, and how the Barbarians were sworn to defend it.

She lost her mother in 1255.

Lord of Destruction

In 1265, Harrogath's seer, Caldra, was afflicted with terrifying visions. Her screams woke up the entire village. Anya reached her first and offered her comfort, before being joined by her father. After awhile, Caldra was calmed down, but had clearly gone mad. She passed away the next day, after imparting her warning that Baal was approaching Harrogath. A claim that was verified the following day, as Harrogath learnt of the approaching Army of Destruction, and Sescheron's fall.

To prevent the demons from scaling Mount Arreat, the Council of Elders planned to conduct a Druidic warding spell. However, it was highly dangerous, and Aust saw Anya one last time before he and the Elders ventured beyond Harrogath's walls. The spell worked, but it cost the lives of all of the Elders bar Nihlathak.

Anya was suspicious of this turn of events, and one night, confronted Nihlathak, the two arguing about her father's death. The next morning, she had disappeared. Nihlathak claimed innocence, and while a number of villagers had their suspicions, there was no evidence of his guilt. In truth, Nihlathak had imprisoned Anya with a freezing spell. He revealed to her that he had struck a deal with Baal to protect Harrogath. That in exchange for Baal's mercy, he would give Baal the Relic of the Ancients, which would allow Baal to ascend Mount Arreat unchallenged.

The heroes find Anya

Not long afterwards, a group of heroes arrived, who at Malah's request, found Anya in the Crystalline Passage, having been imprisoned by Nihlathak with a freezing spell. With Malah's aid, they were able to rescue her.

With Nihlathak having fled due to his treachery being revealed, Anya was now the de facto elder of Harrogath. This was not unexpected, as Anya was next in line after her father, but she felt that the burden was too great for her to do alone. Nevertheless, she resolved to do what she could. She also reflected that perhaps things would have been different if Harrogath had requested aid from neighboring kingdoms, cursing her people's pride.

Anya in Harrogath

Anya revealed to the heroes that Nihlathak had told her. As much as she would have liked to take revenge herself, she was too weakened from the ordeal to do so. She opened a portal to Nihlathak's Temple, ordering the heroes to stop Nihlathak. That as noble as his intentions were, nothing could excuse his actions. The heroes slew him, but did not find the Relic on his body. Anya realized that he must have already given it to Baal.

The heroes ascended Mount Arreat and slew Baal, but not before he had corrupted the Worldstone, necessitating its destruction. Anya mused that nothing in the prophecies had mentioned this. Perhaps this meant that all would be lost, or that they would never have to fight again. In the end, the Worldstone's destruction decimated the surrounding area, leaving Anya's fate unclear.

In-game

Anya
Anya, daughter of Aust
Appears in	Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
Significance	Medium
Service(s)	gossip, Gamble and Trade services, Quest initiation
Residence(s)	Harrogath
Starts quest(s)	Betrayal of Harrogath
Portrayed by	Rebecca Lowman

Anya is an NPC in Act V of Diablo II. Her rescue is the objective of the Prison of Ice quest and after her rescue she gives the Betrayal of Harrogath quest.

Anya offers to personalize an item of your choosing with your name once you defeat Nihlathak. Personalizing an item simply adds your name to the beginning of the item's name. This works on unique weapons. Personalization can only be used once per difficulty.

Dialogue

After rescuing her from her ice prison

• After rescue

You have proven yourself a true hero to me and my people.

These are dark times, warrior. I hope you can bring an end to Baal's reign of destruction.

Our Council of Elders is gone -- my father, Aust, among them. The one thing that keeps us from total despair is the promise of vengeance against Baal.

Greetings

• "Can I help you?"
• "Good evening."
• "Good morning."
• "Good morning, warrior."
• "Hello."
• "Hello, warrior."
• "What are your needs?"
• "Yes?"

Gossip

• Ancestors

Many outsiders believe that the fantastic stories about our ancestors, the Ancients, are but fables. However, I believe that the Ancients were more than human -- that mankind has fallen from what it once was.

• The Worldstone

When I was a child, the Elders told us stories about the mountain and its power...and how the Barbarian people are bound to it as protectors.

Baal is not just taking our land -- with every step he takes up the mountain, he takes a part of who we are as a people.

• Neighboring kingdoms

I am truly glad you are here, warrior. Perhaps things would be different now if we had asked for assistance from the neighboring kingdoms.

Our foolish, foolish pride...

• Elder Aust

My father, Aust, was among those Elders wise enough to see that we would need outside help to deal with Baal's legions. He believed that this conflict would affect the entire world, not just our homeland. He said that Mount Arreat is as necessary to the world's survival as food and water is to our own.

I believe this to be true.

• Qual-Kehk

Qual-Kehk's confidence in his abilities once bordered on arrogance, but in the early days of the siege, he was humbled by Baal. While he saved us from immediate destruction, a third of our warriors were lost.

None felt those losses more than he. Though he may not admit it, your presence gives him hope, warrior.

• Larzuk

If Larzuk could sing or dance half as well as he smiths, he'd be married by now.

...Just look at those shoulders.

• Guidance

Now that the Elders are all dead, I don't know who will guide our people through this dark time. I was to be the next in line after my father, but this burden is too great for me to shoulder alone.

We are a people of strong blood. I shall do what I can and let fate do the rest.

• Baal's minions

Baal's minions are not to be trifled with. In their bloodlust they will sacrifice themselves to destroy you.

• Nihlathak

Nihlathak was the last of our Elders, whose charge it was to safeguard the mountain. He alone tried to guide us through the most desperate time in our history -- but he was just as helpless as the rest of us.

I cannot forgive his betrayal, but I can learn from it.

• The Ancients

Our people believe that the Ancients protecting Mount Arreat have the power to stop Baal. Unfortunately, the Lord of Destruction has shown great power to undermine our faith.

Siege on Harrogath

• After Initiate

You've proven your skill at rescuing fair maidens...but how are you at killing vicious beasts?

• Early Return

Those demons have been out there since before your arrival. Can you do nothing to stop them?

Your task is a simple one, warrior. Find Shenk and destroy him.

• Upon Completion

I was starting to wonder how long it would take you to stop those beasts.

Good job.

Rescue on Mount Arreat

• After Initiate

If those men are being treated like I was, you must find them. They won't survive much longer.

• Early Return

Well, you found me on the mountain; I'm sure you'll find them too.

• Upon Completion

I'm sure those men appreciate the freedom you gave them...as much as I do.

Prison of Ice

• After Finding her

Hero. Nihlathak did this to me!

If you've come to help me, my only hope lies with Malah.

Please...Tell her you've found me...

• Upon Rescue

Meet me in town... Hurry!

• Upon Completion

Thank you, hero, for rescuing me.

To show my personal gratitude, I give you this. I have a custom-made for you by Larzuk.

Betrayal of Harrogath

• Quest Initiation

Nihlathak told me he struck a deal with Baal to protect Harrogath. In exchange for the demon's mercy, the misguided fool plans to give Baal the Relic of the Ancients, our most holy totem!

Doing so will allow Baal to enter Mount Arreat unchallenged by the Ancients. I tried to stop Nihlathak, but he imprisoned me in that icy tomb.

Nihlathak must be stopped before he dooms the whole world. As much as I would love to strangle the life out of him, I'm afraid I haven't the strength.

You must go to his lair through this portal I've opened, kill him, and then bring back the Relic of the Ancients.

Stop Nihlathak from destroying what we have striven for eons to protect.

• After Initiate

As noble as Nihlathak's intentions are, nothing can excuse his actions.

• Early Return

Nihlathak is a traitor! If Baal gets the Relic, he shall enter the mountain and wreak havoc there!

I cannot believe that Nihlathak would give the Relic to Baal in any kind of trade. He's truly insane if he believes that he can deal with the Lord of Destruction.

• Upon Completion

You have stopped Nihlathak, but he didn't have the Relic! He must have already given it to Baal. Now, Baal will not be tested when he reaches Arreat's summit.

...Damn Nihlathak!

I do thank you for trying, though. Please, allow me to honor your courage by magically inscribing your name onto an item of your choosing.

It's the least I can do.

Rite of Passage

• After Initiate

You wouldn't have to test yourself against the Ancients if it weren't for Nihlathak's treachery. He was a fool and deserves to suffer for eternity.

• Early Return

Look. I must apologize.

I feel responsible for your current struggle. If I had only stopped Nihlathak from giving Baal the Relic, you would not have to fight those ghosts.

• Upon Completion

You stand before me a worthy hero -- and on you rests the last hope of our people.

Bear it well, warrior.

Eve of Destruction

• After Initiate

Baal has blocked Tyrael from entering the Worldstone Chamber? This truly has become a battle against Hell.

Whether or not it was the Heavens' decree, this is your fight now -- your destiny.

• Upon Completion

You have done the impossible, hero. Your defeat of the last of the three Prime Evils is a great victory for the Light.

Strange that you say that the Worldstone must be destroyed. The prophecies said nothing about that.

Perhaps all we have fought for will be lost...or perhaps we'll never need fight again!

Trade

Anya offers the following list of items:

• Armor
• Javelins
• Arrows
• Bolts
• Claws
• Shields
• Helms
• Boots
• Gloves

She also offers gambling, after Nihlathak is gone.

Personality and Traits

Anya appeared to be attracted to Larzuk, who, at the least, admired her in turn, commenting that even from a young age, Anya never stopped pursuing what she believed in. Malah described Anya as "a strong, crafty woman with a spirit like no other." Deckard Cain noted that despite her youth, Anya was capable of commanding great respect.

Development

There is an unused Ice Cage animation "IceCage_melt" which shows it was originally much bigger, before it was scrapped and replaced with the higher quality final one.