I searched around and didn't see much if anything pertaining to this, so just thought in the lull of news we could all giddily speculate a bit on some of the D3 plot RE: Caldeum and its young, new leader.
Referencing the entry on Caldeum on the D3 site:
"This veneer began to shred when Emperor Hakan became ill. His influence started to wane, and the mood in Caldeum changed with his health. As he got worse, so did our once fair city.
When he died and his ineffectual child heir took the throne, Caldeum began to circle the abyss. Our list of ills seems never-ending: the state of our downtrodden and the slums they are forced to live in, our incompetent leadership, the reemergence of the intolerant Zakarum, and their quarrels with our mage class...I could go on for pages."
The plot element of the fallen 'good' leader, replaced with a bad / weaker leader (particularly a young son) isn't new, and it seems likely to me that there's going to be -something- going on in Act II in regards to what really happened to Hakan I.
Referencing the D3 site RE: 'The Borderlands':
"But Hakan II, our young and inexperienced sovereign, has seen fit to withdraw the support of Caldeum from the wastes and leave those who live there to their own devices. Now, no caravan is safe, and refugees from the Borderlands beat against the gates of Caldeum in an endless wave of displaced humanity, desperate for the salvation our city once provided. I have spoken with many of these poor folk at length, and the tales they share would give even the most stalwart adventurer pause. Though their stories of a secret cult intent on raising a demonic army are obviously embellished due to their lack of knowledge pertaining to such things, their hysteria and suffering have convinced me that something terrible indeed stalks the Borderlands."
The plot seems to thicken here a bit. Looking like something more sinister is afoot than the unfortunate passing of a wise leader, replaced by his inexperienced son--no reasoning for the withdrawal of Caldeum's support and protection in the Borderlands is provided in the entry, nor does it seem like Abd al-Hazir has any idea what this would have happened, as his lamentations show. Coupled with the apparent (and, given the Monk's reveal and all we know of what's befallen Alcarnus, clear) implication that the cultists & their dark cohorts are mustering something out in the now lawless outlying areas, we are left to wonder about two important things:
1) Is Hakan II truly just inexperiened, or is he being influenced (or has perhaps even been replaced) by darker forces, Diablo himself?
2) If the latter is our answer, then what has his withdrawal of Caldeum's eyes / swords in Borderlands aiding? What exactly is being mustered out in the dark sands? And who is commanding these dark forces, and to what end?
Great point! I should note when I posit 'Diablo' as the tainting force, I sort of use him as a catch-all for the 'evil' that's going on; the Lord of Lies would certainly seem a prime suspect if this is indeed what's afoot (and, let's face it, something is -always- afoot!)
The answer is literally staring us in the face! Looking back at the concept art from the lore panel, compare the art of Prince Hakan and Belial....
Belial(pay special attention to the front view of his head)
Prince Hakan
Notice how their silhouettes are similar, and particularly notice that the face coloration on Hakan matches the way Belial's face is laid out. To say nothing of the matching headgear.
Oh come on now. Everyone in Caldeum that's rich dresses crazy like that. If he was a demon it'd be a little obvious, not ruling it out but just going by looks I'd accuse all the nobility of Caldeum to be demons.
Oh come on now. Everyone in Caldeum that's rich dresses crazy like that. If he was a demon it'd be a little obvious, not ruling it out but just going by looks I'd accuse all the nobility of Caldeum to be demons.
But maybe they ARE!!!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
But seriously though. He's got claws for hands and the same design profile as Belial. That don't happen by accident, I'd wager. And remember what they said at the panel. Caldean kingship isn't inherited. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they said astrologers or mystics or some such were consulted to find the heir, kinda like the Dalai Lama IRL. Seems like just the M.O. for the "Lord of Lies" to pose as an ineffective ruler/nice kid while secretly plotting the downfall of a nation. And remember, Belial's buddies the snake demons actually CAN masquerade as humans...so you may not be as far off as I think...might be time to check those "new royal guards" for scales....
Those aren't claws they're creepy rings with claws on the tip.
They also said at the Lore panel the Iron Wolves had recently been shut out so I would think it was whoever was doing that since they were protecting the kid.
I just think like I stated above, the Iron Wolves from D2 were watching over the kid for a while, then they were forced out and disallowed to enter the city. The kid didn't make that order I'm sure, so who did? It seems likely whoever was behind that is Belial, wanting to get at the kid. He may be possessed later on I guess but initially I don't think so.
From a stand point that belial is the lord of lies... possessing a political leader like the boy makes sense. But I don't think he will be able too take over his body. He prolly has influence on an advisor or something
You guys are thinking way too complicated, he doesn't have to possess the kid just get rid of him/hide him and change his form. While either could be true, the former is certainly easier to do.
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Referencing the entry on Caldeum on the D3 site:
"This veneer began to shred when Emperor Hakan became ill. His influence started to wane, and the mood in Caldeum changed with his health. As he got worse, so did our once fair city.
When he died and his ineffectual child heir took the throne, Caldeum began to circle the abyss. Our list of ills seems never-ending: the state of our downtrodden and the slums they are forced to live in, our incompetent leadership, the reemergence of the intolerant Zakarum, and their quarrels with our mage class...I could go on for pages."
The plot element of the fallen 'good' leader, replaced with a bad / weaker leader (particularly a young son) isn't new, and it seems likely to me that there's going to be -something- going on in Act II in regards to what really happened to Hakan I.
Referencing the D3 site RE: 'The Borderlands':
"But Hakan II, our young and inexperienced sovereign, has seen fit to withdraw the support of Caldeum from the wastes and leave those who live there to their own devices. Now, no caravan is safe, and refugees from the Borderlands beat against the gates of Caldeum in an endless wave of displaced humanity, desperate for the salvation our city once provided. I have spoken with many of these poor folk at length, and the tales they share would give even the most stalwart adventurer pause. Though their stories of a secret cult intent on raising a demonic army are obviously embellished due to their lack of knowledge pertaining to such things, their hysteria and suffering have convinced me that something terrible indeed stalks the Borderlands."
The plot seems to thicken here a bit. Looking like something more sinister is afoot than the unfortunate passing of a wise leader, replaced by his inexperienced son--no reasoning for the withdrawal of Caldeum's support and protection in the Borderlands is provided in the entry, nor does it seem like Abd al-Hazir has any idea what this would have happened, as his lamentations show. Coupled with the apparent (and, given the Monk's reveal and all we know of what's befallen Alcarnus, clear) implication that the cultists & their dark cohorts are mustering something out in the now lawless outlying areas, we are left to wonder about two important things:
1) Is Hakan II truly just inexperiened, or is he being influenced (or has perhaps even been replaced) by darker forces, Diablo himself?
2) If the latter is our answer, then what has his withdrawal of Caldeum's eyes / swords in Borderlands aiding? What exactly is being mustered out in the dark sands? And who is commanding these dark forces, and to what end?
Belial(pay special attention to the front view of his head)
Prince Hakan
Notice how their silhouettes are similar, and particularly notice that the face coloration on Hakan matches the way Belial's face is laid out. To say nothing of the matching headgear.
But maybe they ARE!!!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
But seriously though. He's got claws for hands and the same design profile as Belial. That don't happen by accident, I'd wager. And remember what they said at the panel. Caldean kingship isn't inherited. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they said astrologers or mystics or some such were consulted to find the heir, kinda like the Dalai Lama IRL. Seems like just the M.O. for the "Lord of Lies" to pose as an ineffective ruler/nice kid while secretly plotting the downfall of a nation. And remember, Belial's buddies the snake demons actually CAN masquerade as humans...so you may not be as far off as I think...might be time to check those "new royal guards" for scales....
They also said at the Lore panel the Iron Wolves had recently been shut out so I would think it was whoever was doing that since they were protecting the kid.
He's the Lord of Lies. Don't you think he might have some ability with illusions or shapechanging?
I just think like I stated above, the Iron Wolves from D2 were watching over the kid for a while, then they were forced out and disallowed to enter the city. The kid didn't make that order I'm sure, so who did? It seems likely whoever was behind that is Belial, wanting to get at the kid. He may be possessed later on I guess but initially I don't think so.
That's what I think. An advisor or nobility of some kind.