Zayl the Necromancer is in The Kingdom of Shadow, so these are events that happen somewhere between Diablo II and Lord of Destruction (maybe). I haven't read all the book yet to find any clues as to the timeline.
Diablo 3 happens 20 years after the worldstone is shattered by Tyrael. Maybe we get to visit the ruins of Ureh in Diablo 3. I won't say I am infallible, but I like to follow and stick to my hunches. I had a hunch Blizzard would announce Diablo 3 as a hack'n slash RPG at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitationals, instead of a MMO.
This time around, although Knaak won't say a word when I ask him, I do have a hunch based on what he said back on October 2006. Knaak: "Zayl has been fun and has a big following. Blzzard has some ideas for him already..."
Awesome. Zayle is certainly one of my favorites aswell. It would be nice to see him pop up as an npc, maybe even get to interact with him in a fight or something
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
I just recently found out about these books, and the archive - I now for sure am going to buy it as soon as I am done with the current books I am reading. Thanks for the post.
I've never been able to purchase the books, as I have no credit card(to order them), but I happened across the archive the other day, and didn't even hesitate to buy it.
You can create a paypal account if you have a bank account. It would be a matter of searching for a bookstore that accepts paypal payment.
To me it sounds like our way to ascend to Heaven in order to help the Archangels with the Hell invasion is probably heading to Ureh. In short, our main transport to Heaven's gates. My opinion.
Update: I updated the first post. Seems they aren't in Heaven after remaking the spell when the shadow engulfed the ruins. Gregus Mazi betrayed Ureh. The ethereal city floats in limbo. I will keep reading.
Update: Seems Gregus Mazi didn't betray them. The tale has fractured into many deceiving events that keep you wild guessing, contradicting your own suspiscions and driving you to insanity as a lector. Mazi seems to have been a victim with good intentions. However, one word escaped his lips: Diablo.
There's a lot of interesting theories going on around here.
This may be unrelated, but I remember during the WWI that they said something about the Race from which the Rogues originated and I thought it was related to this city for some reason I can't remember.
Diablo III - World Lore and Environment Art Panel
Caldeum
Leonard Boyarsky - Lead World Designer of Diablo III began the discussion panel for the
Diablo III World Lore and Environment Art Panel. Skovos and Caldeum are some of the zones to
be explored in Diablo III. Skovos is an ancient city where the rogues come from.
- Richer History and Deeper characters: NPCs will say where they come from to make it feel
like you are playing in a living world to reflect their culture and philosophies. Caldeum
population have a eastern kind of look.
EDIT: I just check the map and Skovos is actually one of the Amazon Island, is it possible that the Rogues actually came from the Amazon?
There is no artwork in the books. This Kingdom of Shadow is an entertaining yet contradicting tale that can make one go nuts trying to figure out what's going on.
EDIT: I just check the map and Skovos is actually one of the Amazon Island, is it possible that the Rogues actually came from the Amazon?
Can't wait to go the Amazon Island
Actually, I think that was just a typo. Whoever wrote that likely meant to write 'Amazons'.
I assumed this was Harrogath because in the same scene we see a crumbled statue. Looked like one of the Ancients to me in their dormant state.
If it was Harrogath, it would be destroyed a hell of a lot more than that, and it would be covered in snow. Did you see that stormy dark crater in the trailer? It looks like the destroyed Mt Arreat to me, and Harrogath was on Mt Arreat. Pretty sure its long gone now lol. Poor Barbarians.
Ahhh, I understand you now. Thanks. But yeah, obviously its highly debatable. I suppose it just depends on the location of Harrogath. I always thought that Harrogoath was on Mt Arreat, at the base of it, in which case it would have been destroyed. But that there could perhaps be Sescheron, the Barbarian Capital, a little way south from Harrogath (the first Act V cinematic trailer is actually in Scesheron).
I actually forgot about that artwork. And lol, either those guards have been standing there a very long time, or it didn't take long at all for the mountain to sink into the earth.
Kinda lost with all that mumbo jumbo. I will add a bit though. Those who still have the Diablo II handbook may remember the map below. Compare it with the Diablo 3 website map. Mt. Arreat and where the Barbarians lived went boom. It is now split into three big chunks of land and a few minor isles.
If you read the official Diablo 3 site, seems the Barbarians no longer live there. Abd Al-Hazir visited Bastion's Keep and found Mt. Arreat blown, the land torn apart into islands. No sign of Barbarian race survival in the area.
"In my journey to catalogue the various denizens, civilizations, and fauna of our world, I have traveled far and wide, but never before have I been struck with such dismay as when standing upon the ramparts of the ancient fortress of Bastion's Keep. I came to see firsthand the barbarians, those near-legendary, immense, relentless, dual-wielding furies of combat dwelling upon their sacred Mount Arreat.
Instead, I stand here looking at a mountain that has been torn asunder by some extraordinary force. The sight, I must confess, is incomprehensible. Yet what I see before me cannot be denied."
If I recall, when I was at the Diablo 3 panel in Paris, I think I heard something along the fate of the Barbarian people. There are some beasts or demons in the area. I think we got hinted the Barbarian survivors were transformed or warped. Maybe they have become some kind of undead.
I too got the impression that we will fight the Barbarians as enemies in the wilderness. Not sure where exactly, but somewhere.
But the unknown city in the cinematic has a far-too-peaceful atmosphere when compared to the one with Hell's armies and the Worldstone.
And remember that its a huge city next to a river and on the side of a mountain, as well as near other mountains. Ureh is a city on the side of a massive mountain (Mt Nymyr), there are also other mountains nearby and there is a river next to it (as seen on the map).
I can't think of anywhere else that is more similar.
The mysterious city appears to be in ruins, judging by that close up of the ruined statue. Ureh is a city of ruins. There are many other ruined cities in Sanctuary, but if it wasn't ruined, it would contradict itself and I would rule it out as not being Ureh. There are several main statue types described in Ureh: angels, gargoyles and men, which are assumed to have been famous when they were alive in Ureh.
But really, the best clue we have is the whole "...shadow crawls across our world" line that is said at the same time as we see the mysterious city in the cinematic (Kingdom of Shadow).
Here are some quotes from Kingdom of Shadow:
“ ‘The Light among Lights’? The most pure of realms in all the history of the world, built upon the very slope of the towering mountain called Nymyr? Aye, captain, there it stands—and, for our needs, just in time, if my calculations hold true!”
Gasps came from behind Kentril. The other men had finally caught up, just in time to hear the sorcerer’s words. They all knew the legends of the realm called the Light among Lights by the ancients, a place fabled to be the one kingdom where the darkness of Hell had feared to intrude. They all knew of its
story, even as far away as the Western Kingdoms.
Here had been a city revered by those who followed the light. Here had stood a marvel, ruled by regal and kind lords who had guided the souls of all toward Heaven. Here had been a kingdom so pure, stories had it that it had at last risen whole above the mortal plane, its inhabitants transcending mortal limitations, rising to join the angels. “You see a sight worthy of the loss of your men, captain,” the Vizjerei whispered, extending one bony hand toward the ruins. “For now you are one of the few fortunate ever to cast your eyes upon one of the wonders of the past—fabulous, lost Ureh!”
Humbart's letter to Lord Hyram of the Zakarum:
On the seventh day, near dusk,the passage began,Master Mazi again approached the edge of the ruins. Says I to him, that this quest’s seen no good end and we should go, but he says he’s certain this time. The shadow will touch at just the right angle. It has to.
Master Mazi promised much gold to us and another offer none there’d take, however worthy any might think themselves. Fly up to Heaven . . . older now, I still wouldn’t have taken it.
The shadow came like he said, Nymyr’s hand reaching out for old Ureh. We watched, certain as before that we’d been on a fool’s quest.
Aah, what fools we were to believe that!
I recall the shadow. I recall the shimmering. How the ruins suddenly looked alive again. How the lights glowed inside! Swear I still will that I heard the voices of folk, but couldn’t see any!
“I’m coming . . .” Those were Master Mazi’s last words, but not to us, though. I remember them still, and I remember how we thought we saw the glitter of the gold that he’d told us about again and again—but not one man would enter. Not one man would follow. Master Mazi went it alone.
We camped there, hearing the voices, hearing some of them call to us, it seemed. None of us would go, though. Tomorrow, I says to the others, tomorrow when Master Mazi comes out and shows all’s well, we’ll go in and get our fill. One night, it won’t matter.
And in the morning, all we saw were ruins. No lights. No voices.
No Master Mazi.
Lord Hyram, I writ this down like I agreed and it goes to the Zakarum—
“The clues are in the manuscript of Humbart Wessel! For these living mortals to ascend, Juris Khan and his sorcerers had to cast a spell like no other. They had to bridge the gap between this plane and that of Heaven. In doing so, they created a place in between—in the form of this shadow Ureh that Gregus found again years later!”
Diablo it had been who had gazed most at bright Ureh from his monstrous domain, who had most been offended by its glorious existence. Order could be brought forth from the chaos created by Baal, and the hatred of Mephisto could be mastered by any man with strength, but to have no fear of fear itself—such a thing Diablo could not believe and would not stand.
“Something came out, tore him apart, and moved so quick none of us saw it much at all!”
“Was a cat!” insisted another man. His expression turned dumbfounded. “A huge, hellish cat . . .”
...a throng of pale, spectral forms with drawn faces and hollow eyes...
That's the same city! Its got the same towers on either side of it. You can't tell if its ruined though because the details aren't exactly there. But the state of the ruins depends whether its in shadow or not. In sunlight its a ruined city, but in shadow the city comes to life and everything is perfect.
How did I miss that? I really should look at the DIII website more often.
Just in case ... Risingred, first time I heard about a comparison between the Diablo 3 Cinematic and Ureh in Kingdom of Shadow was from Atrumentis, who in turn told me Daemon brought up the topic. I just checked up my Forum Private Messages. This was brought up to me on July 4th. That same day I contacted Richard A. Knaak, but he can't talk about Diablo 3: confirm or deny.
I have contacts in Pocket Books, they have tried to ship a review copy of Diablo Archive to me, but I missed the pick up. They sent the copy again and I got the Diablo Archive somewhere around July 10th. At least I posted the Diablo: Demonsbane review on July 14th -- so that gave me a few days to read it. I started reading Kingdom of Shadow right after Demonsbane to verify what Atrumentis had told me earlier by myself and to find out how viable that could be.
This is what Atrumentis sent me via PM on July 4th:
Hey, just in case you weren't already aware, I thought I would just mention to you that it seems like we will be visiting Ureh in DIII.
I have deducted this conclusion from observing the Cinematic Teaser.
The third scene shown is a huge city next to a river and on the side of a mountain, as well as near other mountains. The city also seems somewhat ruined. And while we see it, the girl says "...shadow crawls across our world".
Note that Ureh is a city on the side of a massive mountain (Mt Nymyr), there are also other mountains nearby, there is a river next to it, and the city is currently in ruins. Also, the city comes alive when the mountain's shadow crawls across it.
Judging by the remarkable similarities, this city indeed appears to be The Lost City of Ureh! We might be visiting the famous Ureh in DIII! That might also mean that we will get to see Zayl the Necromancer, Lord Juris Khan, his beautiful daughter Atanna and ghoulish monsters. Or maybe we will visit it, thinking its safe, just as Captain Kentril Dumon did?
Remember that Ureh is the featured city in The Kingdom of Shadow novel by Richard A. Knaak, and can be found on both the DII and DIII map.
‘The Light among Lights’? The most pure of realms in all the history of the world, built upon the very slope of the towering mountain called Nymyr? Aye, captain, there it stands—and, for our needs, just in time, if my calculations hold true!”
Gasps came from behind Kentril. The other men had finally caught up, just in time to hear the sorcerer’s words. They all knew the legends of the realm called the Light among Lights by the ancients, a place fabled to be the one kingdom where the darkness of Hell had feared to intrude. They all knew of its
story, even as far away as the Western Kingdoms.
Here had been a city revered by those who followed the light. Here had stood a marvel, ruled by regal and kind lords who had guided the souls of all toward Heaven. Here had been a kingdom so pure, stories had it that it had at last risen whole above the mortal plane, its inhabitants transcending mortal limitations, rising to join the angels. “You see a sight worthy of the loss of your men, captain,” the Vizjerei whispered, extending one bony hand toward the ruins. “For now you are one of the few fortunate ever to cast your eyes upon one of the wonders of the past—fabulous, lost Ureh!”
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
http://www.blizzplanet.com
Update: I updated the first post. Seems they aren't in Heaven after remaking the spell when the shadow engulfed the ruins. Gregus Mazi betrayed Ureh. The ethereal city floats in limbo. I will keep reading.
Update: Seems Gregus Mazi didn't betray them. The tale has fractured into many deceiving events that keep you wild guessing, contradicting your own suspiscions and driving you to insanity as a lector. Mazi seems to have been a victim with good intentions. However, one word escaped his lips: Diablo.
http://www.blizzplanet.com
This may be unrelated, but I remember during the WWI that they said something about the Race from which the Rogues originated and I thought it was related to this city for some reason I can't remember.
EDIT: I just check the map and Skovos is actually one of the Amazon Island, is it possible that the Rogues actually came from the Amazon?
Can't wait to go the Amazon Island
Nothing happens to you, but everything happens for you.
http://www.hangarnet.com.br/forum/index.php?showtopic=70115 D3 wallpaper contest
http://www.blizzplanet.com
Actually, I think that was just a typo. Whoever wrote that likely meant to write 'Amazons'.
If it was Harrogath, it would be destroyed a hell of a lot more than that, and it would be covered in snow. Did you see that stormy dark crater in the trailer? It looks like the destroyed Mt Arreat to me, and Harrogath was on Mt Arreat. Pretty sure its long gone now lol. Poor Barbarians.
I actually forgot about that artwork. And lol, either those guards have been standing there a very long time, or it didn't take long at all for the mountain to sink into the earth.
I guess we will find out the answer in time.
But I still stick with my theory lol.
http://www.blizzplanet.com
"In my journey to catalogue the various denizens, civilizations, and fauna of our world, I have traveled far and wide, but never before have I been struck with such dismay as when standing upon the ramparts of the ancient fortress of Bastion's Keep. I came to see firsthand the barbarians, those near-legendary, immense, relentless, dual-wielding furies of combat dwelling upon their sacred Mount Arreat.
Instead, I stand here looking at a mountain that has been torn asunder by some extraordinary force. The sight, I must confess, is incomprehensible. Yet what I see before me cannot be denied."
If I recall, when I was at the Diablo 3 panel in Paris, I think I heard something along the fate of the Barbarian people. There are some beasts or demons in the area. I think we got hinted the Barbarian survivors were transformed or warped. Maybe they have become some kind of undead.
http://www.blizzplanet.com
But the unknown city in the cinematic has a far-too-peaceful atmosphere when compared to the one with Hell's armies and the Worldstone.
And remember that its a huge city next to a river and on the side of a mountain, as well as near other mountains. Ureh is a city on the side of a massive mountain (Mt Nymyr), there are also other mountains nearby and there is a river next to it (as seen on the map).
I can't think of anywhere else that is more similar.
The mysterious city appears to be in ruins, judging by that close up of the ruined statue. Ureh is a city of ruins. There are many other ruined cities in Sanctuary, but if it wasn't ruined, it would contradict itself and I would rule it out as not being Ureh. There are several main statue types described in Ureh: angels, gargoyles and men, which are assumed to have been famous when they were alive in Ureh.
But really, the best clue we have is the whole "...shadow crawls across our world" line that is said at the same time as we see the mysterious city in the cinematic (Kingdom of Shadow).
Here are some quotes from Kingdom of Shadow:
Humbart's letter to Lord Hyram of the Zakarum:
Also does this look like a ruined city to you?
http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/_images/artwork/ss47-hires.jpg
How did I miss that? I really should look at the DIII website more often.
Has anyone ever seen the cow kings dance well i have its right here! http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2wyKQm13I
Oh and do you wanna see the new cows in d3 here they are
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TpMAqQ_pc0I
/l、
(゚、 。 7
l、 ~ヽ ------CAT IM A KITTY CAT AND I DANCE DANCE DANCE
..じしf_, )ノ AND I DANCE DANCE DANCE!!!
Come stay awhile and..its time for shedding our enemies blood not idle talk aww no one ever listens... lol
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=7903646454&sid=1
I have contacts in Pocket Books, they have tried to ship a review copy of Diablo Archive to me, but I missed the pick up. They sent the copy again and I got the Diablo Archive somewhere around July 10th. At least I posted the Diablo: Demonsbane review on July 14th -- so that gave me a few days to read it. I started reading Kingdom of Shadow right after Demonsbane to verify what Atrumentis had told me earlier by myself and to find out how viable that could be.
This is what Atrumentis sent me via PM on July 4th:
http://www.blizzplanet.com