The Days of Ash were a conflict waged in Scosglen during the Great Enmity. They ultimately ended with the sealing of Astaroth inside a soulstone.
Course of the War[]
"The time of Astaroth's reign in Scosglen. Countless suffered. The lucky ones died quickly. The Heroes saw an end to it, and we survivors well remember the cost."
- The Wanderer and Torben(src)
When the Days of Ash began, Astaroth attacked the Druid college of Túr Dúlra. Many Druids rose up to defend their home.[1] Nafain reminded his disciples that nothing, not even the loss of their humanity, was too great a sacrifice to protect Túr Dúlra from Astaroth's flames.[2] Despite the Druids' defiance, the college fell, and Astaroth trapped the souls of the dead Druids in eternal torment within the ruins of the college. Before departing the demon left Baelgemoth in charge of the tormented souls.[1]
The heroes of the Days of Ash
Eventually Nafain, a fellow Druid named Airidah and a Horadrim named Donan grouped together to fight Astaroth. In their desperation, Donan hired the Blackweald Company.[3] Just prior to what would be the final battle, Astaroth herded mortals into a cage of fire and prepared to devour them one by one. The fires were snuffed out by Airidah's wind before she summoned thunder to strike the demon. Nafain came next, and in bear form, attacked the demon. Donan came last, supposedly plunging his hand into Astaroth's chest and crushing Astaroth's heart, defeating him.[4]
Legacy[]
While Astaroth had been defeated, he had not been slain. In truth, his spirit was contained in a soulstone[5] by Donan, who retreated to the edge of the wilderness near Kyovashad, where he, Airidah and Nafain sealed it within an underground cave.[6], and built Eldhaime Keep above its hiding place.[5] The scorched land where Astaroth fell became known as "the Scar", his fires still burning underneath the stone years later.[7]
The Days of Ash left Scosglen devastated. Donan invited the Cathedral of Light into Scosglen to protect and rebuild the land, which led to Knights Penitent being garrisoned in the land. This was a highly controversial decision, and some Druids believed that Donan had given their land over to this alien faith. Donan later maintained that he had no choice in the matter.[8]
In-game[]
The Days of Ash is referenced in Diablo IV, mainly through NPC gossips in Scosglen, scattered items that can be inspected, and the side quest chain beginning with "Claws at the Throat."
Gossips[]
- Braennain: The Ash fell like rain, and Astaroth's mad laughter boomed like thunder! Folks tried to run, but the demon sniffed them out. He herded them into a cage of fire, and as he prepared to eat them one by one... A fierce wind blew out the flames! There, in the smoke, stood the three heroes. Even Astaroth trembled at the sight. First came Airidah, calling down a storm upon the demon's head with music from her talharpa. Then came Nafain, growling like a beast, slashing at Astaroth with fang and claw. And last came Donan. He plunged his hand into the demon's fiery chest and crushed the fiend's heart in his palm! Astaroth let loose a cry that shook the forest to its roots. So ended the Days of Ash!