- Lorath Nahr(src)
Lorath Nahr is a member of the newly-reformed Horadrim.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
- Lorath Nahr(src)
Lorath was born in Westmarch[2], and grew up listening to the legendary tales of the Horadrim. He was fascinated by the stories, and always dreamed to join the order.[3] Lorath's father, Borad Nahr, was a soldier who worked as a blacksmith in Westmarch, and Borad objected to Lorath's desire of joining the Horadrim and wished for him to become a blacksmith instead.[4]
Storm of Light[]
Reaper of Souls[]
Tyrael and Lorath (see right) face down Malthael
Lorath was present when the Horadrim attempted to seal the Black Soulstone under Tyrael's direction in the Tomb of Rakkis. When Malthael appeared to steal the soulstone and killed Lorath's comrades, Tyrael ordered him to flee and find the Nephalem who had defeated Diablo previously, which he obeyed as the former angel held off the Angel of Death long enough for Lorath to escape.[5]
Lorath outside Westmarch
Lorath encountered Malthael's Reaper forces as they laid waste to Westmarch. Unlike many of its denizens, he survived the encounters with the creatures, and documented both their behavior and perceived origin.[6] Eventually he found the Nephalem on the outskirts of Westmarch. His attempt to take them to Tyrael was rejected however as they wished to save who they could, instead agreeing to meet within the city.[7]
Lorath reunites with the Nephalem and Tyrael
Lorath reunited with the Nephalem inside Westmarch, along with Tyrael and General Torion. Tyrael explained that with Diablo having been defeated, Malthael saw it as the perfect time to end the Eternal Conflict, which in this case, meant eradicating humanity, per their demonic heritage. Lorath was aghast, claiming that humanity had nothing to do with that war.[7]
He assisted Tyrael in aiding Westmarch's people in the Survivor's Enclave while the Nephalem dealt with the Reapers. After Urzael's defeat he accompanied the Nephalem on their hunt for Adria to ensure they did not kill the witch before learning Malthael's location from her.
After the Nephalem killed Adria, Lorath was able to glean Malthael's location from Adria's scrying, discovering that he was in Pandemonium. Lorath remained behind to help the survivors in Westmarch as the Nephalem and Tyrael departed to face Malthael directly.[8]
Kanai's Cube[]
- From the journal of Lorath Nahr(src)
At some point, Lorath looked at Kanai's Cube. He discovered something within the artifact that caused him to reflect that everything he thought he knew about human history was now, at best, uncertain.[9]
The Hermit[]
Lorath remained a member of the Horadrim, even as the order's numbers dwindled. As one of the last members, Lorath compiled a tome of Sanctuary's most powerful relics and the stories behind them. It was his hope that his volume would preserve his knowledge for all time, and pass it down to those who will inherit the fight against the Prime Evils.[4]
Lorath was around to witness the return of the Cathedral of Light. Like many others, he heard its priests speak of "the Father," an angel. Unlike many others, Lorath knew this to be true, that the angel in question was Inarius.[10] However, Lorath had little love for the Cathedral, given its fanaticism.[4]
Lorath, now a hermit
Even after decades, Lorath was still scarred by events that transpired in Westmarch; the grizzly slaughter he witnessed, caused by Malthael and his Reapers, nearly destroyed his mind. Lorath renounced the Horadrim and sold his amulet, and took refuge to the mountains and began living as a hermit in the Fractured Peaks,[2] weighed down by his experiences.[11] Having lost his faith in humanity, he chose solitude and ale over futile efforts to bring goodness back into the world.[2]
While in the Fractured Peaks, Lorath entered the city of Kyovashad a number of times. However, he always refused to take part in the cleansing ritual that would, under normal circumstances, be compulsory to enter the city.[10] He suspected that the Cathedral had appropriated an element of local culture into the ceremony, twisting it to reinforce subservience to the Cathedral. Hence, his refusal, for there was nothing holy about it in his mind. He entered the Cathedral of Light at least once, and found it disconcerting. In part because of the reverence the faithful showed Inarius, in part because of the omission of Lilith, despite her being the co-creator of humanity. While he wasn't about to suggest that Lilith should be worshipped, he felt it robbed the Cathedral of credibility; how could it have a claim to truth, when it ignored a full half of humanity's origins?[4]
At some point, while in Kyovashad, he sold his polearm and Horadric amulet to Ozren.[12]
In his later years, Lorath began to suffer a recurring nightmare. It always started with a journey to a distant land, where he found a city in flames, the streets choked with corpses. He witnessed brother turning against brother, followed by executions, until his time came. Then, he would wake in terror, fearful in the knowledge that there was no-one left in Sanctuary with the ability to stand against Hell.[13]
Book of Lorath[]
- Lorath greets the scholar(src)
Lorath Nahr
One night, after he'd completed his tome, a scholar came to his cabin, seeking a weapon against the darkness rising in Sanctuary. Lorath, having long since given into despair, nevertheless provided the scholar with the only thing he could—knowledge. On the first night, he told them of the origin of Creation, of the formation of Heaven and Hell, of the Great Evils and Angiris Council. With the fire dying, he told the scholar to come back tomorrow (if they were still alive), and prayed that their dreams would not be as dark as his.[2]
The scholar returned and brought ale with them, much to Lorath's satisfaction. This night, he told them of the Eternal Conflict, of the story of Inarius and Lilith, of their theft of the Worldstone and creation of Sanctuary, to the birth of the nephalem and their degradation into humanity. The story ended, and Lorath told the scholar to remember that the Eternal Conflict raged within the hearts of Men. That no mortal was immune to sin, and that even the most righteous could fall.[2]
The Great Enmity[]
- Lorath(src)
Dusk on the Mountain[]
- Lorath's reflections(src)
Lorath and the Wanderer
Fifty years after the fall of Westmarch, Lorath remained in his mountain abode. One evening, after returning from a hunt, he found a trespasser rifling through his belongings. Instead of being angry, he invited them to dinner. The Wanderer told him a harrowing tale; that they had been fed the blood of Lilith by villagers who'd rescued them from a storm, and that it caused them to start having visions of Lilith.[14] One of these visions involved a memoery of what had transpired at the Nevesk chapel, where the Wanderer had beheld not only Lilith, but a pale man who served her.[12] At Lorath's suggestion, the Wanderer agreed to use their link with Lilith to their advantage, and Lorath told them to rest before they set off for Kyovashad.[14]
The journey was a grim one, for they had to deal with Fallen; Lorath was dismayed to encounter them so close to Kyovashad, and commented that Lilith's evil was spreading. Later, at Father's Cross, he told the Wanderer that the statue in question was that of the angel Inarius. He further explained that as soon as Inarius discovered Lilith walked Sanctuary, the whole world would be drawn into their feud, unless they could prevent it.[10]
Lorath and the Wanderer at the gatehouse
The pair arrived at Kyovashad's gatehouse, where yet again, Lorath refused to do the cleansing ritual. Lorath was allowed to enter, but the Wanderer was forced to take part in the ritual. Lorath told them he'd meet them inside.[10] He headed to Oskar in order to purchase a horse; he was still inspecting it when the Wanderer arrived. Lorath explained that he was heading for the Dry Steppes in search for the pale man the Wanderer had seen in their vision. Lorath asked the Wanderer to go see Ozren to pick up a belonging he sold to him some time ago. The Wanderer obliged, and found out it was Lorath's polearm, and had to pay for it. Afterward, he continued negotiating with Oskar for a horse. While Lorath was unimpressed with the steed, Oskar told him that given what little gold he was offering, he should count himself lucky.[12]
Lorath departs Kyovashad
The Wanderer returned with Lorath's polearm, as well as the amulet he had sold to Ozren. Lorath explained that the amulet was a symbol of the Horadrim, and that he himself was a member. He suggested that the Wanderer should visit the scholar Donan in Scosglen, given his knowledge of demons, but told them not to forget about the members of the Cathedral of Light, who could be useful allies. Thus, he departed for the Dry Steppes. At the time, Lorath believed he a had a chance to protect humanity from Lilith, and their connection to the Daughter of Hatred gave him hope.[12]
The Making of Monsters[]
I was attacked, obviously. By vast quantities of alcohol, wielded by my own treacherous hand. There may also have been a brawl with a goat over this...patch of mud. I like to think I triumphed."
- The Wanderer and Lorath(src)
Lorath arrived at Ked Bardu in the Dry Steppes. The day he arrived, he wrote to the abbot at Orbei Monastery, seeking insight on Lilith, while also trying to find out what he could about the pale man the Wanderer had seen in their vision. Teckrin acted as his intermediary. No word came from Orbei, but days after his arrival, he learnt that the pale man was Elias, his old apprentice, and that he was the one responsible for summoning Lilith into Sanctuary. In the town's inn, Lorath drunk himself into a stupor, before staggering out and wrestling with a goat over a patch of mud for him to collapse upon.[15]
The Wanderer finds Lorath
It was in this state that the Wanderer found Lorath, who told the adventurer what he had learnt about Elias. They had to track him down, then kill him. He sent the Wanderer to Teckrin, who came back, reporting that there was still no word from Orbei, but that there'd been a sighting of a pale man in Abahru Canyon. Lorath was still uneasy about the lack of word from Orbei, but resolved to investigate the canyons. He gave the Wanderer the choice of meeting him there or investigating the monastery.[15]
Abahru Rift[]
"Could Elias have summoned these demons?"
"Easily. And assuming he did, he may still be here. Stay close to me."
- Lorath and the Wanderer(src)
The Wanderer meets Lorath at the site of the massacre
Lorath hoped to find a witness who saw Elias, but upon arriving at the canyon, instead found a camp of dead merchants. As he explained to the Wanderer (who'd just arrived), the demons had not been summoned at the site of the massacre, and Elias could very well be the summoner. They descended into the canyon proper, which was filled with demons. They closed a Hell Rift, but Lorath was perturbed—the demons were weak, whereas a Mage of Elias's ability could have easily summoned much more powerful ones. They entered a strange house at the canyon's end, and realized that the summoner was a man named Genbar. Entering a nearby cave, they found Genbar, clearly mad, and enthralled to serve Lilith. Lorath tried to get what information they could, but seeing through the deception, Genbar attacked them.[16]
Lorath and the Wanderer discuss their next moves
Genbar's demons were easily dispatched, but Elias, contacting them from afar, gave them a 'gift' of a much more powerful demon, Mahmon. Still, both Genbar and Mahmon were slain. Lorath noted that Genbar had stated "the Master has all he needs," which meant that Elias and his followers were about to do something drastic. However, Elias had made an error in sending Mahmon, as it required constant human sacrifices. If he cut Mahmon open, he could ascertain where it had come from, based on the nature of its victims. He told the Wanderer to return to Ked Bardu, where he would bring Mahmon for examination.[16]
City of Blood[]
A Gathering Storm[]
Secrets Bartered, Fates Sold[]
Dance of the Makers[]
From the Wound Spilled[]
Legacy of the Horadrim[]
- Lorath's writings(src)
Lorath Nahr
After the Cathedral of Light seized the Vault of the Horadrim, Lorath felt it was urgent to write a book as a record in which he would recount the history of Sanctuary and the Horadrim, and create a catalogue of the many relics that could be found throughout the world. Lorath wrote not only for the sake of those who would need the knowledge to stop the next resurgence of evil, but mostly in hopes he would be able to give the book to Neyrelle. Elias' betrayal meant that not even the Horadric ciphers and codes would sufficiently safeguard the book, and so Lorath embarked on a journey across Sanctuary to gather relics which he would use to make protection wards for his book. The ritual would include designs found in Zoltun Kulle's Arma Haereticorum, a tome containing extraordinary concepts and abilities for creating legendary armor, and relics representing the five elements: earth, fire, air, water, and time.[4]
The journey began in Scosglen, where Lorath had buried Donan next to his wife and son. The relic Lorath sought from Scosglen was a leaf from the great oak tree, Glór-an-Fháidha, which was granted to him by a druid chieftain. The leaf was to be an expression of what can grow from Sanctuary's water and earth. This would be combined with an imperfect amethyst ring which Lorath enjoyed gazing upon in order to form the base for the protection spell, with the amethyst an expression of what could be made in the fires and pressure in Sanctuary's foundation.[4]
With the first relics secured, Lorath continued his travels towards the Fractured Peaks, where he successfully fended off an attack by wargs. Lorath returned to his cabin near Kyovashad, and after checking on his secret stash of ale he discovered Neyrelle had been there before him and had left a letter in a bottle. Neyrelle urged Lorath not to blame himself for what happened with Elias, and told Lorath that she would be leaving more letters for him just in case their journeys crossed paths. Lorath replaced her letter with one of his own in case Neyrelle returned to the cabin.[4]
Lorath's journey continued south into the swamps of Hawezar, where he was anxious due to the proximity of the Tree of Whispers. He wanted to check on Taissa, but dared not due to her connection to the Tree. Lorath traveled to the Snake Altar in the Writhing Mire where he spent days searching the nearby jungle to locate the next relic, a Scale of Rathma's Serpent. This would represent balance and harmony for the ritual.[4]
Lorath continued west to Caldeum where he used Horadric records to locate an arrow called the Breath of Philios. He then headed south to Kurast, where he intended to hire a ship. When Lorath arrived he found the city in chaos, with people murdering one another in the streets. After helping restore the city to order, Lorath learned that Neyrelle had been there before him, and though she stayed less than a day she had brought Mephisto's hatred in her wake. Lorath went to hire a newly arrived ship and found that it was the very same one Neyrelle had departed on. Neyrelle had left him a letter in which she admitted that coming to Kurast, Mephisto's former domain, had been foolish as Mephisto had become incited and harder to resist, and she was continuing onward to find a way to silence Mephisto and keep her sanity.[4]
Lorath paid an extremely large amount of gold to the ship's captain to get him to go on a detour to the capital of the Skovos Isles. Lorath was hoping to offer the Breath of Philios as a gift to the Askari in exchange for information on a delegation of Horadrim which Tyrael had sent to Skovos years ago and had not been heard from since. As they neared the capital, the ship was waylaid by several Askari ships which ran them aground and began interrogating them. The Askari did not respond well when Lorath told them he was Horadrim, and before he could bring up the gift or ask any questions they ordered the ship to leave their waters.[4]
The ship sailed onwards to Lut Gholein, where Lorath sought out the next relic, Radament's Hourglass. Lorath located the Hourglass in a tomb outside of Lut Gholein. This artifact was capable of slowing time for the user, which made it a key part of the ritual as the protection must last outside of time. With the relic secured, Lorath joined a caravan heading westwards into Khanduras, with the goal of returning to his homeland, Westmarch.[4]
Even after fifty years the devastation caused by Malthael and his Reapers remained evident in Westmarch, with quiet streets, somber markets, and vacant, boarded up houses and buildings left to rot. Lorath was relieved that Neyrelle had not graced Westmarch with her presence. Lorath found his father's smithy was abandoned like so many other buildings in Westmarch, and within it he retrieved his father's kiteshield. Lorath had hoped to find Charsi and have her use the Horadric Malus to reforge the shield, but he could not locate her.[4]
Using knowledge from the Ritual Tome which Elias had created from Rathma's writings, Lorath was able to speak with the spirit of his father, who agreed to teach Lorath how to use the forge. Lorath spent days learning the trade of a blacksmith, until he was prepared to reforge the shield using the Arma Haereticorum. The water and earth of the leaf was merged with the fire of the amethyst ring, to which was added the air of the Breath of Philios, and the element of time for Radament's Hourglass. These elements were bound together in balance and harmony using the Scale of Rathma's Serpent. A final relic, Meshif's pipe, was added to incorporate courage and goodness. Lorath dubbed the magical shield the Shield of Nahr and bid his father one final farewell before continuing his journey. In a letter left for Neyrelle, Lorath thanked her for introducing him to the Ritual Tome as it let him get closure.[4]
Lorath wanted the strength of a Child of Bul-Kathos to be behind his shield, a strength which drew from Sanctuary itself, and so he traveled north through the Sharval Wilds and into the Dreadlands. The relic he sought, an amulet named Raekor's Resolve, was exactly where his research indicated, and Lorath was saddened at the state of the Barbarians that such a relic was left unprotected. The final stop of his journey was to be in Xiansai, but first Lorath wanted to head towards Ivgorodd as Neyrelle had said that she might head there to see if the Monks of Ivgorod could help her with their mental training.[4]
When Lorath arrived at Ivgorod he met with a master monk, who, with a voice trembling with fear, confirmed that Neyrelle had indeed been at the monastery, but she had left a few days prior. The monk described Neyrelle as an agent of pure chaos and hatred, though an unwilling one. The monks had been so terrified of her that only a few were willing to go near her and they had forced her to stay far outside the monastery walls in a guest hut. Here Neyrelle had left another letter for Lorath. She wrote that she had a vision of Lorath crossing the Dreadlands and decided to leave in order to protect him, as she had already lost so much and she wouldn't be able to handle it if anything happened to Lorath because of her. Neyrelle said that the teachings of the monks had been helping her ignore the voices and visions and that she was doing better than she had been, but she was worried about staying too long in one place and felt it was best if she traveled alone, though she wasn't sure where she would be headed.[4]
Lorath was torn. He was afraid he was losing Neyrelle, if she wasn't already lost, and no one knew which way she had traveled. Lorath spent two days trying to decide whether to search for Neyrelle or to finish the ritual for his book. He ultimately chose to continue towards Xiansai, after deciding that he must finish the book as he meant for Neyrelle to have it and he had faith in her.[4]
The voyage to Xiansai was uneventful. While sitting on a terrace in a coastal town, Lorath finished writing a letter to Neyrelle, though he was not sure where he would leave it other than in the book. Lorath ended the letter with a vow that as soon as he was finished in Xiansai he would be coming to help Neyrelle no matter where she was, and that if helping her was the last thing he did then his head would go to the Tree of Whispers bearing a smile.[4]
The final relic was located by Lorath's contact on Xiansai. It was called Rin's Conduit and Lorath believed it was originally a tool for healing as it allowed the voluntary transfer of essence. Lorath used the Conduit to transfer the magical essences of the Shield of Nahr and Raekor's Resolve into glyphs, which he then placed at the front and back of his book to serve as the strongest protection wards he was capable of creating. The wards would prevent anyone with demonic or dark intent from reading the book. Lorath ended the book with a message to Neyrelle. He told her that if she was capable of reading his book then she had done something unheard of in the history of Sanctuary: she would have carried a soulstone containing a Prime Evil without succumbing to his influence.[4]
Vessel of Hatred[]
Still working with the Wanderer, Lorath continued searching for Neyrelle's whereabouts.[17]
Age of Hatred[]
(Unsourced)
In-game[]
Diablo III[]
Nahr's dialogue portrait in Diablo III
Lorath appears in Act V of Diablo III. He functions as an NPC, temporary follower and starts The Fall of Westmarch quest. He also narrates many of the game's journal entries alongside Abd al-Hazir, Deckard Cain and Tyrael. In Adventure Mode, he stays in town along with Tyrael, and sometimes can be overheard having conversations with him, mostly regarding Orek, Kadala (to whom Lorath shows a particular interest) and Tyrael's difficulties with adaptation to mortal life.
Development[]
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This page contains obsolete content This article contains information that is no longer relevant to gameplay. |
Conceptually, Lorath began as a background character, as per the developers wanting Tyrael to save someone in the intro cinematic for Reaper of Souls. As soon as he was told to find the player character however, Lorath was given more story importance.[18]
During the expansion's development, he sold equipment in exchange for Blood Shards. He used to sell Greater Horadric Caches as well.[19]
Diablo IV[]
Lorath appears in Diablo IV. He is the primary companion of the player in the story, serving as narrator, and effectively fills the role of the late Deckard Cain.[20] He voices the narrative and is a major role in the game, being somewhat of a mentor to The Wanderer.
In the segments where Lorath joins the player's party temporarily during certain campaign quests, he'll fight using his polearm, and will also cast Horadric magic, such as homing magic missiles that will slow enemies, as well seals on the ground that will explode when monsters walk over it.
Personality and Traits[]
As a Horadrim, Lorath served faithfully and with conviction. He was adept in martial weapons from his time serving in the Rakkisguard. He is also said to have some talent in magic, though to what extent is unknown.[3] He was a capable fighter, having fought the Reapers several times during their invasion of Westmarch. He later recorded the encounters detailing the creatures he faced.[8]
However, Lorath's experiences with the Reapers scarred him, and over the decades, fell into depression and grog. He came to believe that evil could never be eradicated, that humans were weak, and that those who did nothing in the face of such malevolence were cowards. Which, by his own criteria, included himself.[2] By the time he met the Wanderer, he was a completely different man from the one he'd been fifty years ago.[11] In Ked Bardu, Lorath did not show proper respect to the dead until he was given a much needed humbling. Donan, being one of the few who could call Lorath a friend, stated that Lorath lacked consideration when it came to sharing his plans and that forging strong bonds were not one his strong suits. Despite this, Lorath remained a steadfast ally to The Wanderer in their quest to combat Lilith, becoming something close to a mentor figure to both them and Neyrelle, albeit a cynical and grouchy one.
Lorath detested the Cathedral of Light, finding its blind adoration of Inarius naive, and its practices too fanatical.[4] Lorath, likewise, held a deep anger for his former student, Elias, for delving into demonic works in his mission to save Sanctuary that ultimately led to countless innocents suffering. However, this anger was born from disappointment in himself, having failed Elias as a teacher, being unable to properly guide him down a proper path.
Trivia[]
- In Storm of Light, Lorath is stated to have blonde hair and blue eyes. His in-game portrait however, depicts brown hair and brown eyes.
- In The Sanctuary Tarot Deck and Guidebook, Lorath represents The Hermit card.
- As of Diablo IV, Lorath has a jagged scar on his left ear. How he recieved it is not yet known.
- Lorath is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal in Diablo III and Ralph Ineson in Diablo IV.
References[]
- ↑ Diablo IV, Mortar and Pestle
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Book of Lorath
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Storm of Light
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 Book of Lorath
- ↑ 2013-08-21, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Opening Cinematic. YouTube, accessed on 2014-01-01
- ↑ 2013-11-04, REAPER OF SOULS™ FIRST LOOK: WESTMARCH BESTIARY. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2014-01-01
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Diablo III, Act V, The Fall of Westmarch
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Diablo III, Act V
- ↑ 2023-02-17, SEASON 28 RITES OF SANCTUARY PREVIEW. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2023-02-18
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Diablo IV, Prologue, Rite of Passage
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 2023-05-16, Diablo IV | Inside the Game: A New Saga. YouTube, accessed on 2023-06-07
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Diablo IV, Prologue, Missing Pieces
- ↑ 2019-11-02, Diablo IV Official Gameplay Trailer. YouTube, accessed on 2023-06-07
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Diablo IV, Prologue, In Search of Answers
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Diablo IV, Act III, The Spreading Darkness
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Diablo IV, Act III, Whittling Sanity
- ↑ 2024-09-18, Diablo IV | Vessel of Hatred | The Next Chapter. YouTube, accessed on 2024-09-18
- ↑ 2014-05-19, More Info From The Anniversary Dev Stream. Diablo Fans.com, accessed on 2014-05-20
- ↑ 2013-11-22, Blizzplanet | Diablo III: Reaper of Souls F&F Beta – Adventure Mode Gameplay as Crusader (Video). Blizzplanet, accessed on 2014-01-01
- ↑ 2023-03-14, DIABLO: BOOK OF LORATH PREVIEW. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2023-03-16