Lore & characters of Sanctuary
Angels, demons, nephalem and the mortals caught between them. Each entry covers who they are, their role in every game, and how the pieces connect.
Timeline
Diablo games in order
Every game in story order with release years, in-world dates and how each connects to the last.
Lesser Evil
Andariel, Maiden of Anguish
Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, is a Lesser Evil and sister of Duriel. She appears as the first boss in Diablo II and recurs through Diablo IV.
Prime Evil
Baal, Lord of Destruction
Baal, one of the three Prime Evils and the Lord of Destruction, is the final antagonist of Diablo II's expansion. He corrupts the Worldstone, is later bound in the Black Soulstone, and a prophecy says he will return.
Human
Deckard Cain, The Last Horadrim
Deckard Cain was the last of the Horadrim, a scholar who witnessed the fall of Tristram and guided heroes through every main Diablo game. His research and journals carried his memory after his death.
Prime Evil
Diablo, Lord of Terror
Diablo, the youngest Prime Evil and the series' namesake, is the Lord of Terror who has repeatedly threatened Sanctuary. His essence endures even after defeat, and a prophecy foretells his return.
Lesser Evil
Duriel, Lord of Pain
Duriel is a Lesser Evil demon and Act II boss of Diablo II who guards Tal Rasha's tomb. He returns in Diablo IV as a threat to Sanctuary.
Angel
Inarius, Father of Sanctuary
Inarius is a rogue archangel who created Sanctuary with Lilith, fathered the nephalem, and later opposed her. He died in Diablo IV, leaving a legacy of worship and conflict.
Human
Leah, The Vessel of the Prime Evil
Leah was Deckard Cain's ward and the companion of Diablo III, a half-demon scholar whose body became the vessel for Diablo's rebirth as the Prime Evil.
Demon
Lilith, Daughter of Hatred
Lilith is a demon, the daughter of Mephisto, and the creator of Sanctuary. She is the central antagonist of Diablo IV and a more complicated villain than the Prime Evils.
Prime Evil
Mephisto, Lord of Hatred
Dul'Mephistos is the Lord of Hatred and one of the three Prime Evils. He corrupts faith, manipulates heroes, and returns as the main antagonist of Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred.
Nephalem
Rathma, First of the Nephalem
Rathma, born Linarian, is the first nephalem, son of Lilith and Inarius, and the namesake of the Priests of Rathma. His prophecy drives Diablo IV.
Human
Tal Rasha, Keeper of Baal
Tal Rasha was the first leader of the Horadrim who bound the Prime Evil Baal within his own body. His tomb is central to Diablo II's second act, and his name adorns a Diablo III set.
Angel
Tyrael, Archangel of Justice
Tyrael was Heaven's Archangel of Justice before he gave up his immortality, chose humanity, and became the mortal Aspect of Wisdom. He founded the Horadrim and remains Sanctuary's defender.