Donan

"There is another Horadrim. Donan. His breadth of knowledge about demons is equal only to his hubris."

- Lorath Nahr^(src)

Donan
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Ethnicity	Barbarian
Affiliation	Horadrim
Class	Crusader (formerly) Mage
Occupation	Scholar
Relatives	Yorin (son)
Status	Deceased
Appearances	Diablo IV Book of Lorath (mentioned only)

Donan was a member of the Horadrim.

Biography

The Days of Ash

Portrait of Aridah (left), Nafain (right), and a young Donan (below)

At the conclusion to the Days of Ash, Donan was among the group of adventurers that fought and "killed" Astaroth. At the end of the battle, there were only three survivors: Donan, along with the Druids Airidah and Nafain. In truth, Astaroth was not killed but was sealed into a soulstone. To prevent a repeat of history, the three of them designed a ward that suppressed the corrupting influence of demons, which was to be placed over the hiding place of the soulstone. After that Aridah returned to her hometown, to resume her duty as the keeper of the spirits of the ancestors. Nafain and Donan travelled to the edge of the wilderness near Kyovashad, where they sealed it within an underground cave. Donan built the Eldhaime Keep above the cave, to further hide its location.

At some point, Donan sought counsel with the Crone. Airidah cautioned him to approach her with deference.

Over the years, Donan improved on the wards, and added more of his own. This turned the area around his new home to a consecrated ground. As a result, a settlement grew around the keep, turning it into an estate/small town. He became known as a hero in Scosglen.

The Knife Twists Again

"Grant... me... entrance..."

- An alluring voice whispers to donan^(src)

Donan is confronted by Lilith

By 1336, Eldhaime Keep had grown into a town. It was also under the protection of the Cathedral of Light. One day, as he was alone in his study, an alluring whisper reaches him, requesting entrance. In a trance, he follows the voice to a door (which was in truth a portal). At this other side he sees Lilith. Broken from his trance, he backs away in wary caution, with Lilith following him in. She asked him for the location of Astaroth, promising him great rewards, even offering to make him young again so he can be the hero he once was, slicing his lower lip with her right thumb in the process. Donan refused and rejected her, which caused her to disappear. Knowing that he had angered the demon, Donan fell into paranoia, increasing the guard patrol and calling his son, Yorin, to come back from his post at Brasteig to visit him. After Yorin's leave was over, Donan was reluctant to let him go.

Their argument was interrupted by the arrival of the the Wanderer, who introduced themselves as being sent by Lorath Nahr. After Yorin left for his post, Donan directed them to his mansion, where they would discuss in private. There, the wanderer informed him that they saw his confrontation with Lilith in a vision. Now intrigued, he told them about his history with Astaroth, and how he was one of the survivors that killed the demon.

Donan suggested to the Wanderer to check on the other two survivors, in case Lilith visits them next. Donan directed them to meet Yorin at Brasteig, as Airidah lived near the settlement.

Donan performs the last rites for the dead knights

Later, Lilith attacked Eldhaime Keep with a beast. Together, they tore through the defenses of the keep, sparing Donan before entering the caves beneath it. As he did the burial rites for the dead knights the Wanderer returned. He told them the events that transpired and the truth about Astaroth's fate. Together, they entered the tomb beneath the barracks. There, they found the soulstone missing, and—through a vision seen by the Wanderer, discovered that Lilith had taken it and planted it in Yorin.

Lilith's "surprise" for Donan

Donan still held hope for Yorin, as he had been taught how to resist demonic influence. Donan suggested to the Wanderer that they check the nearby town of Cerrigar which had enough innocent to burn, which would strengthen Astaroth and enable him to subdue Yorin. The duo arrived at Lower Cerrigar to find it burnt. Inside, Lilith awaited him from atop a ruined tower. When Donan asked her about Yorin, she replied that "he" had been waiting for him, and commanded "him" to come forth. A figure emerged from the smoke, revealing it to be a demon riding a beast (the same one that attacked Eldhaime). Donan broke down in grief when he noticed that the demon's attire was the half burnt remains of Yorin's armor. As he was catatonic, the Wanderer stepped forward to fight Astaroth.

Following Yorin's death after being possessed by Astaroth, Donan fell into a festering grief, unable forgive himself for letting it happen. When Lorath asked him to repair Astaroth's soulstone to use agains Lilith, Donan's confidence was clouded by his grief and he was unable to repair it.

Secrets Bartered, Fates Sold

Donan was later given a potion made by Taissa to help him deal with the grief and finally come in terms with Yorin's death. The potion required several ingredients found in marsh and swamp, including ichor from the Maggot Queen.

In-game

Donan is an NPC in Diablo IV. In the segments where Donan joins the player's party temporarily during certain campaign quests, he'll fight by casting magic, such as shooting lightning bolts, as well channel an arcane beam on his target reminiscent of Disintegrate.

Personality and Traits

Donan was a brilliant and skilled Mage, who spent over 20 years studying and the craft of soulstones. Despite their differences, Lorath held Donan in great respect and regard, and recognized his abilities.

He was also an overly protective loving father to Yorin, whose death after being possessed by Astaroth devastated the old Mage.

Trivia

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• In Diablo IV, Donan is said to represent "everything wrong with the Horadrim" (thematically).
• Donan is voiced by James Goode.
• The portrait Donan keeps in his office hints that he was a warrior in his youth.