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''This article pertains to the three original soulstones. You may instead be looking for info on the [[Black Soulstone]].''
 
 
[[File:Diablo-soulstone.JPG|thumb|The soulstone used to contain [[Diablo]]]]
 
[[File:Diablo-soulstone.JPG|thumb|The soulstone used to contain [[Diablo]]]]
The '''soulstones''' were a trio of gems used to contain the essence of the [[Prime Evils]]. While they were successful in this regard, they were eventually corrupted by the same entities they had once imprisoned.
+
The '''Soulstones''' were a trio of gems originally created to contain the essence of the [[Prime Evils]]. While they were successful in this regard, they were eventually corrupted by the same entities they had once imprisoned, making the Evils even stronger. They are considered separate from the [[Black Soulstone]].
   
 
==History==
 
==History==
   
 
===Creation===
 
===Creation===
[[File:Soulstone-baal-cine.jpg|thumb|Baal's soulstone]]
+
[[File:Mephisto Soulstone.jpg|thumb|A sketch of Mephisto's soulstone]]
The soulstones were created by the [[archangel]] [[Tyrael]] in order to contain the spirits of the three Prime Evils when they were [[Dark Exile|exiled]] into [[Sanctuary]]. Three soulstones were fashioned, each of them a shard of the [[Worldstone]]. Their colors were blue (sapphire), yellow (amber), and red (ruby/blood-hued), and would be used to bind [[Mephisto]], [[Baal]], and [[Diablo]] respectively. The task of using these stones to bind the Prime Evils was entrusted to the [[Horadrim]], and of their number, it was [[Zoltun Kulle]] who bore them. Because the soulstones' were attuned to the [[demon]]s' essence, the Horadrim were able to track each evil down.
+
The soulstones were created by the [[archangel]] [[Tyrael]] in order to contain the spirits of the three Prime Evils when they were [[Dark Exile|exiled]] into [[Sanctuary]]. Three soulstones were fashioned, each of them a shard of the [[Worldstone]]. Their colors were sapphire, amber, and crimson; they would be used to bind [[Mephisto]], [[Baal]], and [[Diablo]] respectively. The task of using these stones to bind the Prime Evils was entrusted to the [[Horadrim]], and of their number, it was [[Zoltun Kulle]] who bore them (who would eventually go on to create [[Black Soulstone|a darker yet similar weapon]] of his own). Because the soulstones were inexplicably attuned to the [[demon]]s' essence, the Horadrim were able to track each evil down.
   
Mephisto was the first evil to be captured, and his soulstone was entrusted to the [[Zakarum]], who buried his soulstone under the [[Temple of Light]]. Baal was second, though his intended soulstone was shattered in the effort to capture him. The Horadric [[mage]] [[Tal Rasha]] however, volunteered himself as a surrogate soulstone. Plunging the largest shard into his chest, he was [[Tomb of Tal Rasha|entombed]] beneath the sands of [[Aranoch]], fated to wrestle with Baal's spirit for eternity. Finally, in [[Khanduras]], Diablo was defeated and imprisoned, his soulstone hidden in a cave network above which a [[Tristram Cathedral|cathedral]] was erected.<ref name = "BoC">''[[Book of Cain]]''</ref>
+
Mephisto was the first evil to be captured, and his soulstone was entrusted to the [[Zakarum]], who buried his soulstone under the [[Temple of Light]]. Baal was second, though his intended soulstone was shattered in the effort to capture him.<ref name = "BoC"/> This left the Horadrim in a precarious position, as there was not enough time to reformulate the soulstone.<ref>2013-12-08, [http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2013-diablo-iii-lore-qa-panel-transcript/5 BlizzCon 2013 – Diablo III Lore and Story Q&A Panel Transcript]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2014-04-21</ref> The Horadric [[mage]] [[Tal Rasha]] however, volunteered himself as a surrogate soulstone. Plunging the largest shard into his chest, he was [[Tomb of Tal Rasha|entombed]] beneath the sands of [[Aranoch]], fated to wrestle with Baal's spirit for eternity. Finally, in [[Khanduras]], Diablo was defeated and imprisoned, his soulstone hidden in a cave network above which a [[Tristram Cathedral|cathedral]] was erected.<ref name = "BoC">''[[Book of Cain]]''</ref>
   
 
===Corruption===
 
===Corruption===
''"Tyrael was a fool to have trusted me! You see, it was I who told Diablo and his brothers about the Soulstones and how to corrupt them. It was I who helped the Prime Evils mastermind their exile to your world. The plan we set in motion so long ago cannot be stopped by any mortal agency. [[Burning Hells|Hell]] itself is poised to spill forth into your world like a tidal wave of blood and nightmares. You and all your kind...are doomed"''.<br />Izual reveals his plan<ref name = "D2A4"/>
+
{{Quote|Tyrael was a fool to have trusted me! You see, it was I who told Diablo and his brothers about the Soulstones and how to corrupt them. It was I who helped the Prime Evils mastermind their exile to your world. The plan we set in motion so long ago cannot be stopped by any mortal agency. [[Burning Hells|Hell]] itself is poised to spill forth into your world like a tidal wave of blood and nightmares. You and all your kind...are doomed.|Izual reveals his plan|Act IV (Diablo II)}}
 
[[File:D1Soulstone.jpg|thumb|Aidan holding Diablo's soulstone]]
 
 
What even the [[High Heavens]] did not know was that the soulstones were the centerpiece of a diabolical plan by the Prime Evils in order to make way for the invasion of [[Sanctuary]]. The Prime Evils were told by [[Izual]] that they could use the power of the Soulstones to tap into the power of the Worldstone while they were in Sanctuary. According to their plan, they orchestrated their own exile into Sanctuary and used their powers to corrupt the very soulstones that held their essence.<ref name = "D2A4">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Harrowing]]''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/>
 
What even the [[High Heavens]] did not know was that the soulstones were the centerpiece of a diabolical plan by the Prime Evils in order to make way for the invasion of [[Sanctuary]]. The Prime Evils were told by [[Izual]] that they could use the power of the Soulstones to tap into the power of the Worldstone while they were in Sanctuary. According to their plan, they orchestrated their own exile into Sanctuary and used their powers to corrupt the very soulstones that held their essence.<ref name = "D2A4">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Harrowing]]''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/>
   
 
The first one to take control of his soulstone was [[Mephisto]]. He spread his influence across the higher ranks of the Zakarum priesthood and corrupted the surrounding lands of [[Kurast]]. The second to awaken was Diablo, courtesy of [[Archbishop Lazarus]], who shattered his soulstone and allowed Diablo to take [[Leoric|mortal]] [[Albrecht|hosts]].<ref name = "BoC"/><ref name = "D1M">''[[Diablo (game)|Diablo]] Manual</ref> Diablo was ultimately defeated, but his shattered soulstone could no longer hold his spirit. Like Tal Rasha before him, [[Aidan]] plunged the soulstone into his flesh, hoping to contain Diablo's essence.<ref name = "D1E">''[[Diablo (game)|Diablo]]'', end cutscene''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/> It was an attempt that ultimately failed and soon, Diablo, in the guise of the Dark Wanderer, was headed east to reunite with his brothers.<ref name = "BoC"/>
[[File:D1Soulstone.jpg|thumb|Aidan holding Diablo's soulstone]]
 
The first one to take control of his soulstone was [[Mephisto]]. He spread his influence across the higher ranks of the Zakarum priesthood and corrupted the surrounding lands of [[Kurast]]. The second to awaken was Diablo, courtesy of [[Archbishop Lazarus]], who shattered his soulstone and allowed Diablo to take [[Leoric|mortal]] [[Albrecht|hosts]].<ref name = "BoC"/><ref name = "D1M">''[[Diablo (game)|Diablo]] Manual</ref> Diablo was ultimately defeated, but his shattered soulstone could no longer hold his spirit. Like Tal Rahsa before him, [[Aidan]] plunged the soulstone into his flesh, hoping to contain Diablo's essence.<ref name = "D1E">''[[Diablo (game)|Diablo]]'', end cutscene''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/> It was an attempt that ultimately failed and soon, Diablo, in the guise of the Dark Wanderer, was headed east to reunite with his brothers.<ref name = "BoC"/>
 
   
  +
[[File:Soulstone-baal-cine.jpg|thumb|left|The fragment of Baal's soulstone]]
Baal was freed from his prison and Tal Rasha served as his host, though his soulstone fragment was taken from him by [[Marius]], an individual who had traveled with the Wanderer.<ref name = "D2A3I">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Infernal Gate]] Intro Cinematic''</ref> Regardless, Mephisto was soon freed also, who took his [[Sankekur|own host]]. Yet it was here that the Evils' plans began to awry&mdash;a group of adventurers who had pursued the Wanderer from Khanduras confronted Mephisto in the depths of the Temple of Light. The Prime Evil was defeated and his soulstone taken.<ref name = "D3A3">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Infernal Gate]]''</ref>
+
Baal was freed from his prison and Tal Rasha served as his host, though his soulstone fragment was taken from him by [[Marius]], an individual who had traveled with the Wanderer.<ref name = "D2A3I">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Infernal Gate]] Intro Cinematic''</ref> Regardless, Mephisto was soon freed also, who took his [[Sankekur|own host]]. Yet it was here that the Evils' plans began to awry&mdash;a group of adventurers who had pursued the Wanderer from Khanduras confronted Mephisto in the depths of the Temple of Light. Even with the soulstone, Mephisto had yet to recover his true strength, therefore the Prime Evil was defeated and his soulstone taken.<ref name = "D3A3">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Infernal Gate]]''</ref>
   
 
===Soulstones' End===
 
===Soulstones' End===
 
[[File:Mephisto-soulstone-destroyed.jpg|thumb|The destruction of Mephisto's soulstone]]
 
[[File:Mephisto-soulstone-destroyed.jpg|thumb|The destruction of Mephisto's soulstone]]
Access to Hell had provided the heroes with the opportunity to end the threat of the Prime Evils once and for all. Within the [[Hellforge]] was the [[Anvil of Destruction]], and it was said that anything broken upon the anvil would be forever negated. Were the soulstones to be destroyed upon it, the Evils they contained would be themselves obliterated, and their souls cast into the [[Black Abyss]].<ref name = "D3A4">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Harrowing]]''</ref> In this regard, the heroes were successful, as the soulstones of Mephisto and a recently defeated Diablo were destroyed. Baal and his soulstone remained at large however. And tracking down Marius, Baal retrieved his stone (now named the Shard of Destruction),<ref name = "BoC"/> intent on using it to corrupt the Worldstone.<ref name = "D2E">''[[Diablo II]] Ending Cinematic''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/>
+
Access to Hell had provided the heroes with the opportunity to end the threat of the Prime Evils once and for all. Within the [[Hellforge]] was the [[Anvil of Annihilation]], and it was said that anything broken upon the anvil would be forever negated. Were the soulstones to be destroyed upon it, the Evils they contained would be themselves obliterated, and their souls cast into the [[Black Abyss]].<ref name = "D3A4">''[[Diablo II]]'', ''[[The Harrowing]]''</ref>
  +
  +
In this regard, the heroes were successful, as the soulstones of [[Mephisto's Soulstone|Mephisto]] and a recently defeated Diablo were destroyed using the [[Hellforge Hammer]]. Baal and his soulstone remained at large however. And tracking down Marius, Baal retrieved his stone (now named the Shard of Destruction),<ref name = "BoC"/> intent on using it to corrupt the Worldstone.<ref name = "D2E">''[[Diablo II]] Ending Cinematic''</ref><ref name = "BoC"/>
   
 
With soulstone in hand, Baal led his forces against the [[Children of Bul-Kathos|Barbarians]]. As Baal wrought havoc in his march north, so too did the shard's destructive essence increase.<ref name = "BoC"/> Eventually, Baal gained access to the [[Worldstone Chamber]]. The same heroes who had defeated his brothers eventually fought and defeated him, but not before he had fused his shard into the Worldstone, corrupting it with the destructive energies the shard had accumulated. Tyrael, realizing that humankind would be irrevocably corrupted if the Worldstone was left to spread the corruption, was forced to destroy it.<ref name = "LoD">''[[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction]]''</ref> The Worldstone and the last soulstone were destroyed, and Baal's spirit presumably sent to join his brothers.<ref name = "BoC"/>
 
With soulstone in hand, Baal led his forces against the [[Children of Bul-Kathos|Barbarians]]. As Baal wrought havoc in his march north, so too did the shard's destructive essence increase.<ref name = "BoC"/> Eventually, Baal gained access to the [[Worldstone Chamber]]. The same heroes who had defeated his brothers eventually fought and defeated him, but not before he had fused his shard into the Worldstone, corrupting it with the destructive energies the shard had accumulated. Tyrael, realizing that humankind would be irrevocably corrupted if the Worldstone was left to spread the corruption, was forced to destroy it.<ref name = "LoD">''[[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction]]''</ref> The Worldstone and the last soulstone were destroyed, and Baal's spirit presumably sent to join his brothers.<ref name = "BoC"/>
  +
  +
Over [[Timeline#1285|twenty years later]], a fragment of what looked like the red soulstone was found beneath the [[Tristram Cathedral]].<ref>''[[Diablo III]]'', ''[[Red Soul Shard]]''</ref>
   
 
==In-game==
 
==In-game==
  +
  +
===Diablo II===
 
{|style="border:1px solid #bbb; width: 120px; text-align:center" align="right"
 
{|style="border:1px solid #bbb; width: 120px; text-align:center" align="right"
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[File:MephistosSoulstone.gif]]<br />Mephisto's soulstone, as it appeared in-game.
 
|[[File:MephistosSoulstone.gif]]<br />Mephisto's soulstone, as it appeared in-game.
  +
|}
  +
  +
{|style="border:1px solid #bbb; width: 120px; text-align:center" align="right"
  +
|-
  +
|[[File:DiablosSoulstone.jpg]]<br />Diablo's soulstone, an unused quest item.
 
|}
 
|}
 
The soulstones are usually seen in cinematics of the games in which they appear. In [[Diablo (game)|Diablo]] and [[Diablo II]], Diablo's soulstone is seen directly in the Lord of Terror's head. Interestingly, the soulstone is only seen in the Dark Wanderer's head in the closing cinematic of Diablo- in the Diablo II cinematics, the soulstone is not seen until the Wanderer undergoes his final transformation. Although Aidan's head can clearly be seen at several points throughout the game, the soulstone is not visible in any of them.
 
The soulstones are usually seen in cinematics of the games in which they appear. In [[Diablo (game)|Diablo]] and [[Diablo II]], Diablo's soulstone is seen directly in the Lord of Terror's head. Interestingly, the soulstone is only seen in the Dark Wanderer's head in the closing cinematic of Diablo- in the Diablo II cinematics, the soulstone is not seen until the Wanderer undergoes his final transformation. Although Aidan's head can clearly be seen at several points throughout the game, the soulstone is not visible in any of them.
   
  +
Diablo's soulstone is a quest item found in the game files, but it's not used in the actual game.
Mephisto's soulstone is a quest item dropped by Mephisto, which the player needs for [[The Hellforge]] quest in [[The Harrowing|Act IV]]. If the player forgets to pick it up, [[Deckard Cain]] will give it to the player if he/she enters Act IV without it. Upon destroying the soulstone, the player gets a [[Runes|rune]] (if the [[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction|expansion]] is installed) and some flawless or perfect [[gems]].
 
   
 
[[Mephisto's Soulstone|Mephisto's soulstone]] is a quest item dropped by Mephisto, which the player needs for [[The Hellforge]] quest in [[The Harrowing|Act IV]]. If the player forgets to pick it up, [[Deckard Cain]] will give it to the player if he/she enters Act IV without it. Upon destroying the soulstone, the player gets a [[Runes|rune]] (if the [[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction|expansion]] is installed) and some flawless or perfect [[gems]].
After his transformation, [[Baal]] is seen wearing the Soulstone on his neck. He has a habit of stroking it when thinking, and touching it when about to cast spells. Interestingly, his yellow stone is depicted as red during the final battle (it retains its original color at the siege of [[Sescheron]]).
 
  +
 
After his transformation, [[Baal]] is seen wearing the Soulstone on his neck. He has a habit of stroking it when thinking, and touching it when about to cast spells. Interestingly, his yellow stone is depicted as red during the final battle, but it retains its original color at the siege of [[Sescheron]].
  +
  +
===Diablo III===
  +
The [[Red Soul Shard]] can be obtained in the [[Anniversary Dungeon]] of ''[[Diablo III]]''.
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
 
{{trivia}}
 
{{trivia}}
  +
[[File:TrailerSoulstone.jpg|thumb|Diablo's soulstone as it appeared in the trailer]]
 
  +
*In ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackthorne Blackthorne]'' (a Blizzard legacy game), a "lightstone" and "darkstone" feature within the game. The darkstone demonstrates similar corruptive properties to the soulstones.
  +
 
*In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', the warlock class possess a spell called "soulstone resurrection", which allows the player to store a buff that will automatically resurrect a player if he/she dies. This is possibly a ''Diablo'' reference.
 
*In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', the warlock class possess a spell called "soulstone resurrection", which allows the player to store a buff that will automatically resurrect a player if he/she dies. This is possibly a ''Diablo'' reference.
   
  +
*Diablo's soulstone appears as a spray in ''Overwatch''.
*A trailer for ''Diablo II'' showed the Dark Wanderer cradling and ultimately forsaking Diablo's soulstone.<ref>2009-11-11, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7ILn-xCAxE Diablo II Trailer - There is something dark within me now]</ref> This stands in contrast to how it was embedded within him in both ''Diablo'' and its sequel.
 
  +
  +
*A trailer for Diablo II showed the Dark Wanderer cradling Diablo's soulstone. This stands in contrast to how it was embedded within him in both Diablo I and its sequel. At the end, a thinner shard of it is seen left behind on the road.<ref>2009-10-08, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxnWjyvmpnI Diablo 2 Cinematic Trailer - E3 1998]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-12-05</ref>
  +
  +
*According to [[Joe Shely]], it is the evil of Diablo's soulstone that ties the franchise together.<ref name = "Anniversary">2017-01-04, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/20402162 Developer Insights: 20 years of Diablo]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2017-01-23</ref>
  +
  +
===Images===
  +
<gallery>
  +
E3trailer1998forD2biggerSoulstone.jpg|The bigger chunk the Wanderer holds
 
TrailerSoulstone.jpg|A thin shard of Diablo's soulstone left on the road behind the Wanderer's carriage
  +
</gallery>
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 50: Line 77:
 
[[de:Seelenstein]]
 
[[de:Seelenstein]]
 
[[Category:Quest Items]]
 
[[Category:Quest Items]]
[[Category:Lore]]
 
 
[[Category:Articles with trivia]]
 
[[Category:Articles with trivia]]
 
[[Category:Artifacts]]

Revision as of 02:42, 24 November 2019

Diablo-soulstone

The soulstone used to contain Diablo

The Soulstones were a trio of gems originally created to contain the essence of the Prime Evils. While they were successful in this regard, they were eventually corrupted by the same entities they had once imprisoned, making the Evils even stronger. They are considered separate from the Black Soulstone.

History

Creation

Mephisto Soulstone

A sketch of Mephisto's soulstone

The soulstones were created by the archangel Tyrael in order to contain the spirits of the three Prime Evils when they were exiled into Sanctuary. Three soulstones were fashioned, each of them a shard of the Worldstone. Their colors were sapphire, amber, and crimson; they would be used to bind Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo respectively. The task of using these stones to bind the Prime Evils was entrusted to the Horadrim, and of their number, it was Zoltun Kulle who bore them (who would eventually go on to create a darker yet similar weapon of his own). Because the soulstones were inexplicably attuned to the demons' essence, the Horadrim were able to track each evil down.

Mephisto was the first evil to be captured, and his soulstone was entrusted to the Zakarum, who buried his soulstone under the Temple of Light. Baal was second, though his intended soulstone was shattered in the effort to capture him.[1] This left the Horadrim in a precarious position, as there was not enough time to reformulate the soulstone.[2] The Horadric mage Tal Rasha however, volunteered himself as a surrogate soulstone. Plunging the largest shard into his chest, he was entombed beneath the sands of Aranoch, fated to wrestle with Baal's spirit for eternity. Finally, in Khanduras, Diablo was defeated and imprisoned, his soulstone hidden in a cave network above which a cathedral was erected.[1]

Corruption

"Tyrael was a fool to have trusted me! You see, it was I who told Diablo and his brothers about the Soulstones and how to corrupt them. It was I who helped the Prime Evils mastermind their exile to your world. The plan we set in motion so long ago cannot be stopped by any mortal agency. Hell itself is poised to spill forth into your world like a tidal wave of blood and nightmares. You and all your kind...are doomed."

- Izual reveals his plan(src)

D1Soulstone

Aidan holding Diablo's soulstone

What even the High Heavens did not know was that the soulstones were the centerpiece of a diabolical plan by the Prime Evils in order to make way for the invasion of Sanctuary. The Prime Evils were told by Izual that they could use the power of the Soulstones to tap into the power of the Worldstone while they were in Sanctuary. According to their plan, they orchestrated their own exile into Sanctuary and used their powers to corrupt the very soulstones that held their essence.[3][1]

The first one to take control of his soulstone was Mephisto. He spread his influence across the higher ranks of the Zakarum priesthood and corrupted the surrounding lands of Kurast. The second to awaken was Diablo, courtesy of Archbishop Lazarus, who shattered his soulstone and allowed Diablo to take mortal hosts.[1][4] Diablo was ultimately defeated, but his shattered soulstone could no longer hold his spirit. Like Tal Rasha before him, Aidan plunged the soulstone into his flesh, hoping to contain Diablo's essence.[5][1] It was an attempt that ultimately failed and soon, Diablo, in the guise of the Dark Wanderer, was headed east to reunite with his brothers.[1]

Soulstone-baal-cine

The fragment of Baal's soulstone

Baal was freed from his prison and Tal Rasha served as his host, though his soulstone fragment was taken from him by Marius, an individual who had traveled with the Wanderer.[6] Regardless, Mephisto was soon freed also, who took his own host. Yet it was here that the Evils' plans began to awry—a group of adventurers who had pursued the Wanderer from Khanduras confronted Mephisto in the depths of the Temple of Light. Even with the soulstone, Mephisto had yet to recover his true strength, therefore the Prime Evil was defeated and his soulstone taken.[7]

Soulstones' End

Mephisto-soulstone-destroyed

The destruction of Mephisto's soulstone

Access to Hell had provided the heroes with the opportunity to end the threat of the Prime Evils once and for all. Within the Hellforge was the Anvil of Annihilation, and it was said that anything broken upon the anvil would be forever negated. Were the soulstones to be destroyed upon it, the Evils they contained would be themselves obliterated, and their souls cast into the Black Abyss.[8]

In this regard, the heroes were successful, as the soulstones of Mephisto and a recently defeated Diablo were destroyed using the Hellforge Hammer. Baal and his soulstone remained at large however. And tracking down Marius, Baal retrieved his stone (now named the Shard of Destruction),[1] intent on using it to corrupt the Worldstone.[9][1]

With soulstone in hand, Baal led his forces against the Barbarians. As Baal wrought havoc in his march north, so too did the shard's destructive essence increase.[1] Eventually, Baal gained access to the Worldstone Chamber. The same heroes who had defeated his brothers eventually fought and defeated him, but not before he had fused his shard into the Worldstone, corrupting it with the destructive energies the shard had accumulated. Tyrael, realizing that humankind would be irrevocably corrupted if the Worldstone was left to spread the corruption, was forced to destroy it.[10] The Worldstone and the last soulstone were destroyed, and Baal's spirit presumably sent to join his brothers.[1]

Over twenty years later, a fragment of what looked like the red soulstone was found beneath the Tristram Cathedral.[11]

In-game

Diablo II

MephistosSoulstone
Mephisto's soulstone, as it appeared in-game.
DiablosSoulstone
Diablo's soulstone, an unused quest item.

The soulstones are usually seen in cinematics of the games in which they appear. In Diablo and Diablo II, Diablo's soulstone is seen directly in the Lord of Terror's head. Interestingly, the soulstone is only seen in the Dark Wanderer's head in the closing cinematic of Diablo- in the Diablo II cinematics, the soulstone is not seen until the Wanderer undergoes his final transformation. Although Aidan's head can clearly be seen at several points throughout the game, the soulstone is not visible in any of them.

Diablo's soulstone is a quest item found in the game files, but it's not used in the actual game.

Mephisto's soulstone is a quest item dropped by Mephisto, which the player needs for The Hellforge quest in Act IV. If the player forgets to pick it up, Deckard Cain will give it to the player if he/she enters Act IV without it. Upon destroying the soulstone, the player gets a rune (if the expansion is installed) and some flawless or perfect gems.

After his transformation, Baal is seen wearing the Soulstone on his neck. He has a habit of stroking it when thinking, and touching it when about to cast spells. Interestingly, his yellow stone is depicted as red during the final battle, but it retains its original color at the siege of Sescheron.

Diablo III

The Red Soul Shard can be obtained in the Anniversary Dungeon of Diablo III.

Trivia

WikiLogoSmall
This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.
  • In Blackthorne (a Blizzard legacy game), a "lightstone" and "darkstone" feature within the game. The darkstone demonstrates similar corruptive properties to the soulstones.
  • In World of Warcraft, the warlock class possess a spell called "soulstone resurrection", which allows the player to store a buff that will automatically resurrect a player if he/she dies. This is possibly a Diablo reference.
  • Diablo's soulstone appears as a spray in Overwatch.
  • A trailer for Diablo II showed the Dark Wanderer cradling Diablo's soulstone. This stands in contrast to how it was embedded within him in both Diablo I and its sequel. At the end, a thinner shard of it is seen left behind on the road.[12]
  • According to Joe Shely, it is the evil of Diablo's soulstone that ties the franchise together.[13]

Images

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Book of Cain
  2. 2013-12-08, BlizzCon 2013 – Diablo III Lore and Story Q&A Panel Transcript. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2014-04-21
  3. Diablo II, The Harrowing
  4. Diablo Manual
  5. Diablo, end cutscene
  6. Diablo II, The Infernal Gate Intro Cinematic
  7. Diablo II, The Infernal Gate
  8. Diablo II, The Harrowing
  9. Diablo II Ending Cinematic
  10. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
  11. Diablo III, Red Soul Shard
  12. 2009-10-08, Diablo 2 Cinematic Trailer - E3 1998. YouTube, accessed on 2016-12-05
  13. 2017-01-04, Developer Insights: 20 years of Diablo. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-01-23