The lore and story of the Diablo is much more present in Diablo 3 than perhaps any other Diablo game. One large way of delivering this story is through in game lore books that you pick up that tell the backstory, further explain current events, or explains the many enemies you are going to face. Through this thread I would like offer an easy way to look through these bits of lore. Also good for anyone who is interested who does not have the game.
Note that this is a work in progress as all lore is still subject to change(some already has), and this is an incompletely collection. I will update when possible.
Bestiary
Carrion Bat
Some foul new disease has taken hold in this land and the carrion bats are near the heart of it. Since returning to Tristram, I have seen their number surge. The evil forces that linger here give them strength, and I fear that the worst is yet to come.
Deckard Cain
Carrion Nest
I was able to trace some carrion bats back to one of their nests. What I found shocked me! The nest itself is a living organism, a mature bat that has been mutated by the darkest of magics. I no longer doubt that demonic forces have corrupted these creatures.
Deckard Cain
Ghost
The tragedies in these lands have left many restless spirits in their wake... and they demand retribution. These spirits will take out their vengeance on any unsuspecting individual who may pass... for they believe the the blood of the living will yet restore the lives that were ripped away from them.
Deckard Cain
Grotesque
The grotesques may seem slow and senseless, but they hide many dangers within their hideously malformed bodies. A set of spikes lurks beneath the monsters' flesh and foul parasites nest within them. It is said that these horrors themselves are constructed by a greater evil... a darkness that I cannot even fathom.
Deckard Cain
Imp
Demon have been known to devour their own young when no other nourishment is available. Their offering, the imps, sometimes manage to flee and band together with other demonspawn. They rove in vicious packs, ready to descend upon the unwary traveler and rip his body to sherds with their tiny, needle-sharp teeth.
Deckard Cain
Quill Fiend
Dear reader, I am Abd al-Hazir: adventurer, scholar, and researcher. I share my knowledge of this incredible world and its creatures through my insightful missives--often at grave risk to myself. Why, I was recently in Khanduras, where my tents were ransacked by vicious quill fiends! I was able to beat them off with a show, but less bold man would've fared far worse.
Abd al-Hazir
Risen Dead
I will never forget the first time I saw these horrors shambling out of the misty woods. Our loved ones, buried long ago, rose from their graves and began to attack the living. However, the risen dead were only the beginning...
Deckard Cain
Scavenger
Scavengers are ugly. pathetic creatures who survives off of carrion and corpses too diseased to attract any other carnivores. I did once meet a raggedy fellow who claimed that he has trained one of the beast to bring him large rats to eat, but I'm sure that story is utter nonsense.
Abd al-Hazir
Skeleton
During last days of King Leoric's reign, even the skeletons of the ancient dead could not rest. They took up their broken armor and weapons once more--ready to cut down anything that yet drew breath. Though wasted and fragile, these creatures possess a twisted cleverness that makes them quite formidable.
Deckard Cain
Skeleton King
The Zakarum High Priests in Kurast proclaimed Leoric king of Khanduras many years ago. He ruled well until Diablo's influence drove him mad and the loyal knight Lachdanan was forced to slay him. Afterward, Diablo himself raised Leoric from the dead as the Skeleton King until the monarch's son, Aidan, vanquished him.
Deckard Cain
Treasure Goblin
Some devious little goblins have been robbing our merchants! When pursued, they simply open portals and disappear with a most aggravating chuckle. The peasantry seem to believe that the goblins serve a great demon lord know as Greed and furthermore, that their portal lead to Greed's domain! a ludicrous notion, truly.
Abd al-Hazir
Unburied
The unburied are formed from human corpses that were flung into mass graves without a proper burial. The hideous amalgamation of bodies decomposes together into one being, bound by some foul magic. For all my knowledge, I could only flee from it... and I would expect any other sensible person to do the same.
Abd al-Hazir
Wretched Mothers
I, Deckard Cain, have spent many years traveling and writing about the strange creatures in our world but the sight of the wretched mothers still haunts me. They are the remnants of Queen Asylla's slaughtered handmaidens who were twisted by foul magic. Now they feast upon cadaver and regurgitate them as newly formed risen dead.
Deckard Cain
New Tristram
Deckard Cain's Journal, Part 1
We have come at last to Tristram's old Cathedral. This where Diablo, Lord of Terror, first corrupted mankind. This is where I may finally find the answers I seek. Leah worries after my safety, but I believe information vital to defeating the last Lords of the Burning Hells can be found here.
Deckard Cain's Journal, Part 2
I wish that Leah could live a different life--a more normal life--but, alas, such is not her fate. When I pass, there is none but her to continue my work, and the future of this world hangs in the balance.
Leah's Journal, part 1
We've been under siege for six days now. Uncle Deckard is still missing. Captain Rumfor and the other are losing hope. I tell them not to lose faith... but if help doesn't arrive soon...
Leah's Jornal, Part 2
A miracle has happened! A hero, like one out of Uncle Deckard's tales, appeared and saved us! I know in my heart that my uncle still lives and I pray that the hero will bring him home safely.
Leah's jornal, Part 3
Uncle Deckard is home--rescued from the clutches of the Skeleton King! I'm so glad. But the Skeleton King? I thought he was a folktale. The idea of Mad King Leoric returning to torture this place... Hasn't Tristram suffered enough?
Mira's letter to Haedrig
My dearest Headrig
Do not feel despair, my love, you did everything you could. Our time together meant more than words can say but in the end, fate is a cruel mistress. Your strength is needed to end the horrors that best this world. My final wish is that you find your path.
Love always, Mira.
Old Tristram
[note:most of these are from the past before tristram was sack by demons, but a few are from the present. Present bits of lore are marked with an asterisks]
Adria's Journal
Aidan came to me last night. I suspected what was lurking within his troubled heart. I consoled him as best I could. Regardless, wherever he's headed, Hell will surely follow in his wake.
The shadows close in on Tristram once again. but like Aidan, I'll be gone before they fall.
Cain’s Old Journal, Part 1
I can no longer deny the true nature of the evil that rises from the depths of the cathedral. It is almost too horrible to admit the truth of it. It is the dark Lord of Terror, Diablo himself, who plagues us.
Deckard Cain
Cain’s Old Journal, Part 2
The vile staff of Lazarus was brought to me today, confirming my suspicions. There is no longer any doubt that Lazarus kidnapped Albrecht and perhpas even freed Diablo from his ancient prison. Who knows what further treachery he has planned?
Deckard Cain
Despina's Journal
Praise the powers that be! Griswold, bless his dear heart, risked everything to bring that dear boy home from the cathedral. Though he is troubled and moody now, I am certain it will pass and he will once again be the sweet Wirt we all love.
Gillian’s Diary, Part 1
Ogden and his wife have offered to let me and grandmother continue to stay with them. I think we will, now the troubles are over.
I am still tormented by horrific nightmares. I keep hoping they will fade, but they seem to be getting stronger.
Gillian’s Diary, Part 2
To think I was once afraid of Adria. She is going to take me to Caldeum with her soon. Caldeum! I never thought to see it with my own eyes…
Though it saddens me to leave Ogden and his wife, Adria assure me that she will find a cure for my nightmares.
Gillian
Lost Journal
I had heard the rumors, but thought them just fancies of bored women. Until I saw them dragging people through the streets today.
Our own citizens! Has the world gone mad?!
Traveler’s Journal*
While exploring a cave with hopes of finding hidden treasure, I came upon a most grisly sight--a heap of dead bodies. Unbelievably, as I was searching them for any items of value, they began to rise! I must tell them of this in New Tristram before it’s too late.
Old Diary
There is chaos everywhere, and word in town is that Lachdanan killed the king!
If only this is true, perhaps our days and night of living in terror are behind us now.
Old Tristram Journal
The rumors of torture and worse grow every day. What has happened to Tristram and its king? I once thought Leoric a great man, but it seems I was deceived. We all were.
He sends our meager army against Westmarch on the morrow. What will become of us?
Warriv’s Journal*
I return to Khanduras after twenty years, the burden of countless failures and tragedies heaped upon my shoulders. Am I being punished for helping that stranger hunt the Dark Wanderer? I always thought Deckard Cain half a madman, but perhaps… he was right. Perhaps he can banish the shadow hanging over my life.
Tristram Cathedral
Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 1
My name is Lachdanan, and I am cursed. Once the captain of King Leoric's army, i lived only to honor my land and my king. No man has a greater love for his king than I had for mine--even as I drove my blade through his dark and corrupted heart.
Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 2
It was lazarus--of that I am certain. He alone had the king's ear and whispered dark and evil magics into it, instilling the notion of an imminent attack by Westmarch. Afraid to speak against the archbishop, the councilors nodded their empty heads in agreement and sent us off to die.
Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 3
When we returned from our horrific defeat in Westmarch, my beloved king lost all pretense of sanity. he seethed with rage, spitting curse upon us as traitors. With great sorrow, I ran him through.
Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 4
I will forever live in anguish for my last attempt to honor my king. As we lay him to rest in his burial chamber, he manifested as a hideous skeletal demon. Gorash and my other knights were overcome at once, but I fought on.
Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 5
And now I wander, cursed by my once believed king. Evil gnaws at my bones and I cannot risk putting my beloved Tristram in danger should I fail to contain that which tears at me. I must venture down into the labyrinth to die alone.
Leoric's Journal, part 1
We have just arrived in Tristram, and I must say I'm a bit dismayed. This place is a backwater filled with serfs and an ancient broken down monastery, hardly fit for the king of Khanduras! I cannot fathom why Lazarus was so intent on this becoming our new seat of power.
Leoric's Journal, part 2
A fetid, pallid malaise has fallen over the manor we now call home. Young Albrecht seems to be enjoying himself in our new home, however, even with his brother Aidan off to become a warrior. Perhaps I am simply suffering from an imbalance of humor brought on by the recent change of clime.
unsorted
The Hanging Tree
The cold ground welcomes the foul bodies of these cruel men. They sought to prolong their lives through forbidden magic, at great and cruel cost to others. Their evil fed on itself until it consumed them all, and they found themselves at the end of a hangman’s rope.
Since this is blizzard I must wonder. When they said beta by September did they really mean November?
Okay, updated the thread. Should have all the lore books in beta now. Although there might be some new Leoric journals. I am going to check that later. Also with patch 8 blizzard added some new lore, "The Hanging tree". Connect to a random in game event(second on to be so).
on 18/12/11Quote by Infested Zombie
ive been looking for these on almost every known d3 website! thank you
Yeah, that is how I had the idea for this in the first place. Glade to know they are appreciated.
Edit:@gwoodkid Your welcome .
Since this is blizzard I must wonder. When they said beta by September did they really mean November?
.
9,121
7,297