High Council of Zakarum

For the High Council of Zakarum as they were post-corruption, see Fell Council.

"The leaders of the Zakarum have been irrevocably turned to serve Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred. Once faithful and generous leaders of their people, the ruling members of the High Council have been twisted in form and spirit and now take their followers down a darker path. Ruling from the shadows and speaking only through ensorcelled priests, these corrupted holy men abuse their positions and misguide the faithful into attacking those who follow the Light. Their betrayal to their people does not go ‘unrewarded’ by Mephisto, however, as they have been granted abilities far beyond those of their mortal followers."

- Group description^(src)

High Council of Zakarum
Race	Humans (formerly) Demons
Leader	Que-Hegan Mephisto (post-corruption)
Affiliation	Zakarum Mephisto
Headquarters	Travincal, Kehjistan
Type	Guardian council
Membership	6
Standing	Defunct
Appearances	Diablo II

The High Council of Zakarum was a body within the Zakarum faith.

Lore

The High Council originally served as the leaders of the Zakarum faith, though were apparently still beneath the Que-Hegan in authority.

History

"You have done well, my friend. Your courage and valor are an inspiration to us all. But now, the time has come to face the ones repsonsible for the evil that has stifled our land. You must destroy the High Council of Zakarum! Long ago, these elders were charged with the stewardship of Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, who was imprisoned in the Guardian Tower . Through the generations, these pious men slowly fell more and more under the sway of Mephisto's malevolent power and the Council became a mockery of their former glory. It is Mephisto's Hatred that has corrupted Zakarum and turned its devout followers into paranoid fanatics. That is why you must travel to the temple city of Travincal and slay the Council. Once they are gone, Mephisto's hold over this land and its people will be broken!"

- Ormus^(src)

The High Council was formed after the Horadrim delivered the soulstone containing Mephisto's essence to the Zakarum. The High Council was charged with overseeing Mephisto's containment. Over time however, Mephisto was able to corrupt the Council from within. This process took generations, and each generation of the High Council was more under Mephisto's sway than the one preceeding it.

The Council reached its nadir in the 13th century. Once faithful and generous leaders of their people, the ruling members of the High Council were twisted in form and spirit, and guided their followers down a darker path. Ruling from the shadows and speaking only through ensorcelled priests, these corrupted holy men abused their positions and misguide the faithful into attacking those who followed the Light. Their betrayal did not go unrewarded by Mephisto, who transformed them into demons, granting them abilities far beyond their mortal followers. As demons, the Council members were zealous, and served their new master without question. However, the Council was defeated by a group of heroes in 1264, as they fought their way through Travincal.

This was not the end of the Council however. Now demons, they were able to reform in Hell, and became the new Fell Council.

In-game

Diablo II

The High Council appears as monsters in Act III of Diablo II, and must be slain to complete the "Blackened Temple" quest. It consists of five Council Members. When the High Council has been destroyed, Zakarum Zealots will no longer attack but instead flee when a player approaches.

Council Members reappear in Act V, appearing as undead minions. Players encounter another pack of Council Members led by Bartuc the Bloody. However, these do not appear to be members of the High Council proper, given the distance between locations and context.

High Council of Zakarum

Que-Hegan Sankekur (Mephisto)
Bremm Sparkfist • Ismail Vilehand • Geleb Flamefinger • Maffer Dragonhand • Toorc Icefist • Wyand Voidbringer

Diablo IV

Members of the High Council reappear in Diablo IV, now part of the Fell Council.

Members

• Bremm Sparkfist
• Geleb Flamefinger
• Ismail Vilehand
• Maffer Dragonhand
• Toorc Icefist
• Wyand Voidbringer