- 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]
Storm of Light[]
Reaper of Souls[]
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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9]
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.[9]
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?[9]
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)
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)
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]
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. He explained the Wanderer that he was headed for the Dry Steppes to search for the pale man the Wanderer had seen in their vision. He told the Wanderer to go see Ozren to pick up something of his (his polearm) he sold to him some time ago. The Wanderer obliged, though was surprised they had to pay for his weapon. Afterward, continued negotiating with Oskar. While Lorath was unimpressed with the steed, Oskar told him that given what little gold he was offering, he should count himself lucky.[12]
The Wanderer returned with Lorath's polearm, as well as the amulet he had sold Ozren. Lorath explained that the amulet was a symbol of the Horadrim, and that he himself was a member. He suggested that the Wanderer see Donan in Scosglen, given his knowledge of demons, but told them not to forget about the Cathedral, 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]
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)
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]
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[]
In-game[]
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[]
This page contains obsolete content This article contains information that is no longer relevant to gameplay, but is kept here for informational purposes. |
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.[17]
During the expansion's development, he sold equipment in exchange for Blood Shards. He used to sell Greater Horadric Caches as well.[18]
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.[19] 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.[7]
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.
Lorath detested the Cathedral of Light, finding its blind adoration of Inarius naive, and its practices too fanatical.[9]
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.
- In Diablo IV, Lorath is said to thematically represent "everything wrong with the Horadrim".[20]
- 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Diablo III, Act V, The Fall of Westmarch
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Diablo III, Act V
- ↑ 2023-02-17, SEASON 28 RITES OF SANCTUARY PREVIEW. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2023-02-18
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Book of Lorath
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 2023-06-01, DIABLO IV REVIEW – A SUPERB RETURN TO FORM. Press Start, accessed on 2023-06-14