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{{for|other uses of Balance|Balance (Disambiguation)}}
 
{{for|other uses of Balance|Balance (Disambiguation)}}
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{{Quote|The Balance is the even distribution of Light and Dark. Its essence is most significant to Sanctuary, but it goes beyond, to all of creation. A world where Dark rules will burn itself up. A world where Light commands will eventually stagnate. If either gained enough control of Sanctuary so that the other could not match it, then that would be the end of all things...|[[Trag'Oul]]|Scales of the Serpent}}
   
The '''Balance''', a.k.a. "Great Cycle of Being", is a precarious state that the [[Priests of Rathma]] seek to preserve. It is closely linked to the [[Great Conflict]] and its influence on the mortal plane, also known as the [[Sin War (event)|Sin War]].
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The '''Balance''', a.k.a. "Great Cycle of Being", is a precarious state that the [[Priests of Rathma]] seek to preserve.
   
==Concept==
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==Lore==
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{{Quote|But should we not ever strive for good over evil?"<br/>"Light and Dark are not necessary good and evil, son of Diomedes. Yes, good must outshine evil, but if the knowledge of evil is erased utterly, even good may turn on itself...|[[Mendeln]] and Trag'Oul|Scales of the Serpent}}
The Balance is the even distribution of Light and Dark. Should either gain control, the world would cease to be. Though its essence is most essential to [[Sanctuary]], it goes beyond to all of creation. 'Light' and 'Dark' allegedly do not necessarily coincide with the concepts 'Good' of 'Evil', though Light seems to be much closer to Good and Darkness much closer to Evil. According to the mysterious but immensely knowledgeable [[Trag'Oul]], Good must always outshine Evil, but never should Evil be completely eradicated, lest Good eventually turn on itself.{{fact}}
 
<br />
 
   
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===Interpretations===
[[Crusader]]s believe that [[human]]s are the only truly balanced beings in Creation, as per their [[nephalem]] heritage and the mingling of [[angel]]s and [[demon]]s that produced their forebears.<ref name = "TwitterCrusader">2014-03-10, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/13183883/ CRUSADER LORE AND HISTORY Q&A]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2014-06-30</ref>
 
   
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====The Priests of Rathma====
The Balance was disturbed by [[Malthael]]'s reusurrection of the dead ''en masse''.<ref>2013-08-25, [http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/gamescom-2013-interview-josh-mosqueira-talks-about-diablo-iii-reaper-of-souls-return-of-pandemonium-fortress-necromancers GamesCom 2013 interview – Josh Mosqueira talks about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, Return of Pandemonium Fortress & Necromancers]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2013-09-06</ref>
 
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{{Quote|We, the Priests of Rathma, have been charged to maintain the Balance. But it seems many do not understand what it is. Think of the Balance as a net. An unknowable safety net that keeps your soft, pink insignificance from being consumed by oblivion. My charge is to maintain that net.|[[Xul]]|Heroes of the Storm}}
   
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According to [[Trag'Oul]], good must always outshine evil, but not entirely erase it, lest good turn on itself.<ref name = "SotS">''[[Scales of the Serpent]]''</ref>
==Quotes==
 
:''Taramis moved to the next ellipse. "From that point, Kabraxis seeks out those people with greater fears. Sickness in your family? Come to the church to be healed. Your father is becoming senile? Come to the church, and have clarity returned to him."''
 
:''"Kabraxis can do these things?"''
 
:''"Yes," Taramis said. "And more. Demons have many powers. In their own way, they offer salvation to those who serve them. You've heard of the gifts Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto have given their own champions in the past. Enchanted armor, mystical weapons, great power to raise armies of dead. The Prime Evils rule through fear and destruction, always aiming for subjugation."''
 
:''"Kabraxis has no interest in that?"''
 
:''"Of course he does," Taramis said. "He's a demon, after all. Even archangels want those who worship them to fear them just a little bit. Otherwise, why would they choose such fearsome forms and act the way they do?"''
 
:''Darrick considered the question and supposed it was true. Still, all this talk of demons was foreign to him, something he didn't even want to invest in. Yet he felt he had no choice.''
 
:''"Archangels for the Light threaten man with being tortured by demons for the rest of his eternal life, and they promise dire vengeance for any who worship and aid the demons." Taramis shook his head. "Archangels are warriors, just as demons are."''
 
:''"But they have a more generous view of how man is supposed to fit into this world with them."''
 
:''"That," the sage said, "depends on your belief, doesn't it?"''
 
:''Darrick sat quietly.''
 
:'''''"There are some who believe this world should be cleansed of demons and angels, that there should be no Light or Darkness, and men should find their own way in life."'''''
 
:''"What do you believe?" Darrick asked.''
 
:''"I believe in the [[Light]]," Taramis replied. "That's why I hunt demons and expose them for what they are. I've killed eight lesser demons in the last twenty years. Not all of them are the likes of the Prime Evils."''
 
   
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The Priests of Rathma have spent many years studying the Balance.<ref name = "D3A5"/> They believe that all Creation exists in a delicate balance between [[Light]] and [[Darkness]]. Should either side gain control, [[Sanctuary]] would fall into ruin.<ref>2016-02-26, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC7AdjaAE2o Xul Spotlight - Heroes of the Storm]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-03-04</ref> Their beliefs state that falling to Light and Darkness are equally as horrific a fate for mankind. Falling to the Darkness would result in the world being ruled by Hell. Falling to the Light would lead humanity to stagnation and a loss of conscience.<ref name = "MotS"/> By maintaining the Balance, the priests believe that they ensure that neither [[angel]]s or [[demon]]s will gain too much sway over humanity.<ref>''[[Book of Tyrael]]''</ref> They do not see their actions as being good or evil, simply obedience in service to the Balance.<ref name = "Release">2017-06-20, [https://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/20845159/rise-of-the-necromancer-pack-arrives-june-27-6-20-2017 Rise of the Necromancer Pack Arrives June 27!]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-06-21</ref>
<blockquote>''"I am concerned because of the magic that was used to open the gateway," Kabraxis said. "When demons come from the Burning Hells, so, too, come the seeds of their potential downfall. It is a balance that is kept between the [[Light]] and the Darkness. But by the same hand, no champion of the [[Light]] may burst forth without a weakness that can be exploited. It's up to the champion which propensity - strength or weakness - wins out. And it is up to the demon whether he stands against the power that would banish him from this plane again."''</blockquote>
 
   
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The priests hold sacred the delicate balance of life and death and are able to [[necromancy|twist the line]] that borders the two. They see death merely as a natural part of life and do not seek to deny its arrival.<ref>[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/classes/necromancerhistory.shtml Necromancer History], ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2016-03-04</ref> To the priests, the actions one takes in life are as important as those that occur after death.<ref>''[[Legacy of Blood]]''</ref> They hold [[Trag'Oul]] as the fulcrum of the Balance.<ref>[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/necromancer-poison.shtml Necromancer Poison Skills], ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2016-03-04</ref> They believe that when one dies, their [[soul]] passes into the next plane of existence, where they will fulfill another role for the Balance.<ref>''[[Legacy of Blood]]''</ref>
<blockquote>''"Because the [[Light]] and the Darkness balance each other," Taramis said. "Any time power is passed into this world from the [[Light]] or the Darkness, a balance must be made. Demons come into this world, and a means of defeating them is also created. If the [[Light]] tries to upset the balance by introducing an object of power that can be used against the Darkness, the powers of Darkness intercede to make the balance whole again. Ultimately, the true threat to the balance, whether the [[Light]] or the Darkness has the greater power in our world, is left up to us. The people. Just as when the Prime Evils appeared in this world during the time that came to be known as the Dark Exile, the Angel Tyrael gathered the magi, warriors, and scholars in the East and formed the Brotherhood of the Horadrim. Those people would never have come together with such power if the demons had not been loosed in our world. If Tyrael had tried to do this before the Prime Evils had arrived here, Darkness would have found a means to strike a balance."''</blockquote>
 
   
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The Necromancers believe that numbers influence the Balance, and that certain numbers will shift it in one way or another. They believe that even the slightest imbalance in the Cycle can lead to catastrophe.<ref name = "MotS">''[[Moon of the Spider (novel)|Moon of the Spider]]''</ref>
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====Other Beliefs====
 
{{Quote|Because the Light and the Darkness balance each other. Any time power is passed into this world from the Light or the Darkness, a balance must be made. Demons come into this world, and a means of defeating them is also created. If the Light tries to upset the balance by introducing an object of power that can be used against the Darkness, the powers of Darkness intercede to make the balance whole again. Ultimately, the true threat to the balance, whether the Light or the Darkness has the greater power in our world, is left up to us. The people. Just as when the Prime Evils appeared in this world during the time that came to be known as the Dark Exile, the Angel [[Tyrael]] gathered the magi, warriors, and scholars in the East and formed the Brotherhood of the [[Horadrim]]. Those people would never have come together with such power if the demons had not been loosed in our world. If Tyrael had tried to do this before the Prime Evils had arrived here, Darkness would have found a means to strike a balance.|[[Taramis]]|The Black Road}}
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[[Crusader]]s believe that [[human]]s are the only truly balanced beings in Creation, as per their [[nephalem]] heritage and the mingling of [[angel]]s and [[demon]]s that produced their forebears.<ref name = "TwitterCrusader">2014-03-10, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/13183883/ CRUSADER LORE AND HISTORY Q&A]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2014-06-30</ref>
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  +
[[Kabraxis]] believed in a balance between Light and Darkness. He claimed that by entering Sanctuary, demons sow the seeds of their own downfall, which allows the Balance to be maintained. Likewise, all those who follow the Light have a weakness which may be exploited. [[Taramis]] similarly believed that Light and Darkness balance each other, and that the greatest threat to the Balance is humanity itself.<ref name = "TBR">''[[The Black Road]]''</ref>
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Some believe that the world should be cleansed of both demons and angels, that Light and Darkness should be erradicated, and humanity be left free to find its own path.<ref name = "TBR"/>
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[[Malthael]] was aware of the Balance, but saw no virtue in the concept. To him, worth only existed in the Light.<ref name = "D3A5">''[[Diablo III]]'', ''[[Act V (Diablo III)|Act V]]''</ref>
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===History===
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{{Quote|Be ready to cross long distances and difficult terrain. The Balance is seldom disturbed in a series of convenient locations.|Deathspeaker [[Mykan]]|Pestilence Battle Boots}}
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Trag'Oul was the first being to understand the Balance.<ref>''[[Diablo III]]'', ''[[Trag'Oul's Guise]]''</ref>
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Rathma spent his early years studying the cycle of life and death, and imparted his discoveries to those willing to find him.<ref name = "BoC"/> Among the first generation of humanity, he discovered a fundamental truth; that the forces of Light and Darkness would clash eternally, and that both were a threat to the world.<ref>[https://us.battle.net/d3/en/rise-of-the-necromancer/ Rise of the Necromancer], ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed on 2017-06-30</ref>
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Trag'Oul imparted the concept of the Balance to Mendeln during the Sin War.<ref name = "SotS"/> The Priests of Rathma strove to uphold the Balance, and always feared the day when the Balance would be lost.<ref name = "NecroRise">2016-11-04, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt1bLufR-VA&t=4s Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer Pack Reveal – BlizzCon 2016]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-11-07</ref> After the destruction of the [[Worldstone]], the priests received portents foretelling a looming disaster. The masters of the order spent years trying to decipher them.<ref name = "D3A5"/>
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During the [[End of Days]], the Balance was threatened, prompting the Priests of Rathma to dispatch an [[Necromancer (Diablo III)|acolyte]] to help restore it.<ref>2017-03-14, [https://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/20597129/necromancer-update-the-meleemancer-3-14-2017 Necromancer Update: The Meleemancer]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-03-16</ref> The acolyte declared that the Balance had been lost, that the fears of the Priests had come true.<ref name = "NecroRise"/>
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The Balance was again disturbed by [[Malthael]]'s resurrection of the dead ''en masse''.<ref>2013-08-25, [http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/gamescom-2013-interview-josh-mosqueira-talks-about-diablo-iii-reaper-of-souls-return-of-pandemonium-fortress-necromancers GamesCom 2013 interview – Josh Mosqueira talks about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, Return of Pandemonium Fortress & Necromancers]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2013-09-06</ref> As it was, the coming of the [[Reapers]] was the portent the priests had received, and the Necromancers lost many of their number to Malthael's forces. However, [[the Nephalem]] was able to defeat Malthael by gaining the powers of death, becoming closer to the Cycle than any Necromancer before him/her.<ref name = "D3A5"/>
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 06:12, 30 June 2017

For other uses of Balance, see Balance (Disambiguation).
"The Balance is the even distribution of Light and Dark. Its essence is most significant to Sanctuary, but it goes beyond, to all of creation. A world where Dark rules will burn itself up. A world where Light commands will eventually stagnate. If either gained enough control of Sanctuary so that the other could not match it, then that would be the end of all things..."

The Balance, a.k.a. "Great Cycle of Being", is a precarious state that the Priests of Rathma seek to preserve.

Lore

"But should we not ever strive for good over evil?"
"Light and Dark are not necessary good and evil, son of Diomedes. Yes, good must outshine evil, but if the knowledge of evil is erased utterly, even good may turn on itself..."

- Mendeln and Trag'Oul(src)

Interpretations

The Priests of Rathma

"We, the Priests of Rathma, have been charged to maintain the Balance. But it seems many do not understand what it is. Think of the Balance as a net. An unknowable safety net that keeps your soft, pink insignificance from being consumed by oblivion. My charge is to maintain that net."

- Xul(src)

According to Trag'Oul, good must always outshine evil, but not entirely erase it, lest good turn on itself.[1]

The Priests of Rathma have spent many years studying the Balance.[2] They believe that all Creation exists in a delicate balance between Light and Darkness. Should either side gain control, Sanctuary would fall into ruin.[3] Their beliefs state that falling to Light and Darkness are equally as horrific a fate for mankind. Falling to the Darkness would result in the world being ruled by Hell. Falling to the Light would lead humanity to stagnation and a loss of conscience.[4] By maintaining the Balance, the priests believe that they ensure that neither angels or demons will gain too much sway over humanity.[5] They do not see their actions as being good or evil, simply obedience in service to the Balance.[6]

The priests hold sacred the delicate balance of life and death and are able to twist the line that borders the two. They see death merely as a natural part of life and do not seek to deny its arrival.[7] To the priests, the actions one takes in life are as important as those that occur after death.[8] They hold Trag'Oul as the fulcrum of the Balance.[9] They believe that when one dies, their soul passes into the next plane of existence, where they will fulfill another role for the Balance.[10]

The Necromancers believe that numbers influence the Balance, and that certain numbers will shift it in one way or another. They believe that even the slightest imbalance in the Cycle can lead to catastrophe.[4]

Other Beliefs

"Because the Light and the Darkness balance each other. Any time power is passed into this world from the Light or the Darkness, a balance must be made. Demons come into this world, and a means of defeating them is also created. If the Light tries to upset the balance by introducing an object of power that can be used against the Darkness, the powers of Darkness intercede to make the balance whole again. Ultimately, the true threat to the balance, whether the Light or the Darkness has the greater power in our world, is left up to us. The people. Just as when the Prime Evils appeared in this world during the time that came to be known as the Dark Exile, the Angel Tyrael gathered the magi, warriors, and scholars in the East and formed the Brotherhood of the Horadrim. Those people would never have come together with such power if the demons had not been loosed in our world. If Tyrael had tried to do this before the Prime Evils had arrived here, Darkness would have found a means to strike a balance."

- Taramis(src)

Crusaders believe that humans are the only truly balanced beings in Creation, as per their nephalem heritage and the mingling of angels and demons that produced their forebears.[11]

Kabraxis believed in a balance between Light and Darkness. He claimed that by entering Sanctuary, demons sow the seeds of their own downfall, which allows the Balance to be maintained. Likewise, all those who follow the Light have a weakness which may be exploited. Taramis similarly believed that Light and Darkness balance each other, and that the greatest threat to the Balance is humanity itself.[12]

Some believe that the world should be cleansed of both demons and angels, that Light and Darkness should be erradicated, and humanity be left free to find its own path.[12]

Malthael was aware of the Balance, but saw no virtue in the concept. To him, worth only existed in the Light.[2]

History

"Be ready to cross long distances and difficult terrain. The Balance is seldom disturbed in a series of convenient locations."

- Deathspeaker Mykan(src)

Trag'Oul was the first being to understand the Balance.[13]

Rathma spent his early years studying the cycle of life and death, and imparted his discoveries to those willing to find him.[14] Among the first generation of humanity, he discovered a fundamental truth; that the forces of Light and Darkness would clash eternally, and that both were a threat to the world.[15]

Trag'Oul imparted the concept of the Balance to Mendeln during the Sin War.[1] The Priests of Rathma strove to uphold the Balance, and always feared the day when the Balance would be lost.[16] After the destruction of the Worldstone, the priests received portents foretelling a looming disaster. The masters of the order spent years trying to decipher them.[2]

During the End of Days, the Balance was threatened, prompting the Priests of Rathma to dispatch an acolyte to help restore it.[17] The acolyte declared that the Balance had been lost, that the fears of the Priests had come true.[16]

The Balance was again disturbed by Malthael's resurrection of the dead en masse.[18] As it was, the coming of the Reapers was the portent the priests had received, and the Necromancers lost many of their number to Malthael's forces. However, the Nephalem was able to defeat Malthael by gaining the powers of death, becoming closer to the Cycle than any Necromancer before him/her.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Scales of the Serpent
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Diablo III, Act V
  3. 2016-02-26, Xul Spotlight - Heroes of the Storm. YouTube, accessed on 2016-03-04
  4. 4.0 4.1 Moon of the Spider
  5. Book of Tyrael
  6. 2017-06-20, Rise of the Necromancer Pack Arrives June 27!. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-06-21
  7. Necromancer History, The Arreat Summit. Accessed on 2016-03-04
  8. Legacy of Blood
  9. Necromancer Poison Skills, The Arreat Summit. Accessed on 2016-03-04
  10. Legacy of Blood
  11. 2014-03-10, CRUSADER LORE AND HISTORY Q&A. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2014-06-30
  12. 12.0 12.1 The Black Road
  13. Diablo III, Trag'Oul's Guise
  14. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BoC
  15. Rise of the Necromancer, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2017-06-30
  16. 16.0 16.1 2016-11-04, Diablo III: Rise of the Necromancer Pack Reveal – BlizzCon 2016. YouTube, accessed on 2016-11-07
  17. 2017-03-14, Necromancer Update: The Meleemancer. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-03-16
  18. 2013-08-25, GamesCom 2013 interview – Josh Mosqueira talks about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, Return of Pandemonium Fortress & Necromancers. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2013-09-06