- What truly happened here? Where are those majestic warriors of old?
– Abd al-Hazir after seeing the Dreadlands for the first time[1]
The Dreadlands
The Dreadlands, otherwise known as the "Badlands,"[2] "the wastes,"[3] and formerly known as the "Northern Steppes"[4] is a barren region in Sanctuary's northwest.
History
The Northern Steppes
The Northern Steppes were inhabited by the Children of Bul-Kathos, known to the people of Westmarch as the "Barbarians."[5] Theirs was primarily a nomadic and tribal culture, though they had a few permanent settlements such as Sescheron and Harrogath.[4] The Northern Steppes were a harsh environment and its denizens adapted to it as such, dedicated in their vigil of guarding the Worldstone.[6]
The Barbarians' vigil came to an end with Baal's invasion, however. Although the Lord of Destruction was eventually defeated, he had succeeded in his goal of corrupting the Worldstone. To prevent mankind from being corrupted, Tyrael was forced to destroy the powerful artifact. He succeeded,[7] but the resulting explosion tore Mount Arreat asunder, reducing the Steppes into a smoldering wasteland.[8]
The Dreadlands
With the destruction of Mount Arreat, dust and ash rained over the Steppes[9] and the Barbarians were left divided and scattered, robbed of the heart of their culture in an instant.[8] The entropy of Hell itself became part of the landscape.[10]
Over the years, the situation worsened as demonic corruption ran rampant, threatening both Man and beast.[11] To make matters worse, after the Worldstone's destruction, the Dreadlands suffered an outbreak of the Rage Plague.[12] Currently, all that is left of Barbarian civilization in the Dreadlands are the rubbles of their settlements and scattered fortifications.[13]
In the years that followed the Worldstone's destruction, a new group would arise and make the Dreadlands their home: the Demon Hunters, comprised of survivors of demon attacks and sworn to destroy the creatures of Hell. They chose the Dreadlands as their home due to both the abundance of demons giving them plenty of opportunities to hone their skills, and the need to live and train without the interference of any nation that would worry about such a group camped within its borders.[14]
Known Locations
Dreadlands geography
Landforms
- Bloody Foothills
- Cavern of Echoes
- Crystalline Passage
- Drifter Cavern
- Frozen River
- Glacial Trail
- Infernal Pit
- Kae Huron
- Mount Paolarr
- Pit of Acheron
- The Ancients' Way
Regions
Settlements
Structures
References
- ↑ Diablo III Manual
- ↑ 2012-04-29, : Sword of Justice Comic Creators Interview. Diablo Expert, accessed on 2012-05-28
- ↑ Diablo III, Cuirass of the Wastes
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fall of the Barbarians, Part 2
- ↑ Fall of the Barbarians, Part 3
- ↑ Diablo II Manual
- ↑ Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Barbarian, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2012-05-28
- ↑ 2012-04-29, Sword of Justice Comic Creators Interview. Diablo Expert, accessed on 2012-05-28
- ↑ Diablo III, Fragment of Destruction
- ↑ Book of Cain
- ↑ 2011-12-19, Blizzplanet Interviews DC Comics Diablo: Sword of Justice writer Aaron Williams and artist Joseph Lacroix. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2012-05-28
- ↑ The Art of Diablo
- ↑ The Writings of Abd al-Hazir: The Demon Hunters
Sanctuary — Aranoch • Bakuli Jungle • Bilefen • Dreadlands • Dry Steppes • Fractured Peaks • Greyhollow Island • Hawezar • Ivgorod (defunct) • Kehjistan (defunct) • Marshland • Samauren Empire (defunct) • Scosglen • Skovos Isles • Swamplands • Torajan Jungles • Uie • Western Kingdoms (Entsteig • Khanduras • Westmarch) • Wojahn • Xiansai
Related — Towns
