Unless-- going with my previous theory -- we find that the entirety of Nephalem spirits are collected by Trag'Oul, and together they have power rivaling that of the Worldstone. This may open up an avenue for a sidequest to rescue Leah.
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Be it through hallowed grounds or lands of sorrow
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow
Is the residuum worth the cost of destruction and maiming;
Or is the shaping a culling and exercise in taming?
The road's goal is the dark Origin of Being
But be wary through what thickets it winds.
-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
But Diablo has to have a goal. I can see every side -- us, the Nephalem; Inarius; and Diablo all vying to destroy the other by means of creating a new reality in their own image.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be it through hallowed grounds or lands of sorrow
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow
Is the residuum worth the cost of destruction and maiming;
Or is the shaping a culling and exercise in taming?
The road's goal is the dark Origin of Being
But be wary through what thickets it winds.
-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
I have to wonder what the original story for Reaper of Souls was. From what I gathered from lore panels and book lore, the Worldstone was to play a role in the expansion, and Imperius had sided with Malthael. I imagine Urzael took Imperius' place in the campaign, being a fire-themed angel and all.
Now. How does one up the ante in the Diablo universe at this point? We've defeated the Lords of Hell, leaving Hell powerless. We've saved Heaven. We've saved an invasion of the planet from Malthael. Really, what else IS there? Well, saving the universe, of course! Inarius is going to be hating everyone and everything at this point. But how will he threaten reality without the Worldstone? Is there something else he can use?
Let's look at Diablo himself and his goal. He has fused the Lords of Hell within himself, but he is not yet Tathemet the Dragon reborn. The only dragon we do know of is Trag'Oul. Trag'Oul represents the Past, Present and Future of Humanity -- for all intents and purposes, its very Fate -- as well as being the Guardian of Balance itself. Now cosmic balance is upset as never been before. Maybe Diablo's actions have, all this time, been meant to lure out Trag'Oul? Would Diablo be able to possess Trag'Oul? Would Diablo have to contend with Inarius in a race against time to capture and use Trag'Oul's powers? Will perverting Trag'Oul result in the enslavement of Nephalem-kind itself?
In this final great war, I see several sides. Inarius' perverse fusion of Angels and Demons. Diablo and the dregs of Hell (although Hell has replenished itself while everyone's been busy with Malthael). Imperius leading a tattered Heaven. Isolationist refugee humans. And Nephalem, sick and tired of constant invasion, bent on conquering the other two realms. It's like this sad smorgasbord of cosmic-wide hate and revenge.
There's a surprising number of ways the story can continue.
I think the Horadrim disappearing at Skovos was a joke; they were probably too distracted by the natives.
It's implied that Inarius grew fond of humanity from the time he spent with them, coupled with the fact that they've had their Nephalem powers sapped. Who doesn't like a tiger cub over the tiger?
I can see Inarius coming back. He would be a twisted creature, a fusion of angelic and demonic essence, a living parallel to the Pandemonium Fortress. I think he would seek to undo all Creation, save for Sanctuary. He could resurface, leading a legion of demons and fallen angels from the depths. Over time, angels may defect to his cause, weakening Heaven. Finally, after releasing Lillith, he would try to harness Humanity's emerging Nephalem powers. This is the point where the Crusader's jest to Auriel in Heaven during Diablo III proves foreshadowing; representatives all across Sanctuary must decide whether to join Inarius or oppose him. A new Nephalem civil war erupts.
In the end, a new world is created, leading to the Diablo MMO!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be it through hallowed grounds or lands of sorrow
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow
Is the residuum worth the cost of destruction and maiming;
Or is the shaping a culling and exercise in taming?
The road's goal is the dark Origin of Being
But be wary through what thickets it winds.
-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
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All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
Now. How does one up the ante in the Diablo universe at this point? We've defeated the Lords of Hell, leaving Hell powerless. We've saved Heaven. We've saved an invasion of the planet from Malthael. Really, what else IS there? Well, saving the universe, of course! Inarius is going to be hating everyone and everything at this point. But how will he threaten reality without the Worldstone? Is there something else he can use?
Let's look at Diablo himself and his goal. He has fused the Lords of Hell within himself, but he is not yet Tathemet the Dragon reborn. The only dragon we do know of is Trag'Oul. Trag'Oul represents the Past, Present and Future of Humanity -- for all intents and purposes, its very Fate -- as well as being the Guardian of Balance itself. Now cosmic balance is upset as never been before. Maybe Diablo's actions have, all this time, been meant to lure out Trag'Oul? Would Diablo be able to possess Trag'Oul? Would Diablo have to contend with Inarius in a race against time to capture and use Trag'Oul's powers? Will perverting Trag'Oul result in the enslavement of Nephalem-kind itself?
In this final great war, I see several sides. Inarius' perverse fusion of Angels and Demons. Diablo and the dregs of Hell (although Hell has replenished itself while everyone's been busy with Malthael). Imperius leading a tattered Heaven. Isolationist refugee humans. And Nephalem, sick and tired of constant invasion, bent on conquering the other two realms. It's like this sad smorgasbord of cosmic-wide hate and revenge.
There's a surprising number of ways the story can continue.
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order
It's implied that Inarius grew fond of humanity from the time he spent with them, coupled with the fact that they've had their Nephalem powers sapped. Who doesn't like a tiger cub over the tiger?
I can see Inarius coming back. He would be a twisted creature, a fusion of angelic and demonic essence, a living parallel to the Pandemonium Fortress. I think he would seek to undo all Creation, save for Sanctuary. He could resurface, leading a legion of demons and fallen angels from the depths. Over time, angels may defect to his cause, weakening Heaven. Finally, after releasing Lillith, he would try to harness Humanity's emerging Nephalem powers. This is the point where the Crusader's jest to Auriel in Heaven during Diablo III proves foreshadowing; representatives all across Sanctuary must decide whether to join Inarius or oppose him. A new Nephalem civil war erupts.
In the end, a new world is created, leading to the Diablo MMO!
All in the Forger's wake is left bereft and fallow-Excerpt from the Litany of Residuum;
As Translated by He Who Brings Order