The Sin War - Scales of the Serpent

[Vicious]

So there i was on my usual store to buy a couple of manga volumes when i glance over the novel section for no specific reason when i see the second book of the Diablo trilogy right in one of the shelves.

I totally forgot about this trilogy and the fact that Blizzplanet or any other page (us included) spoke about when this book was coming out, it was a struck of luck that i found it.


Haven´t read it yet, just letting you guys know that it´s already available.

[GodofUtopia]

I have read it, its pretty good actually. spoilers ahead, dont ready it if you dont want to get spoiled









SPOILERS:


Lilith is defeated by Uydassian, and later on banished by the Prophet.
Uydassian's brother becomes a nercomancer

[Wulfang]

Could someone that has read the book please post any important plot details revealed in this book? Like character backgrounds and more information about Sanctuary (I've heard that the Worldstone's true purpose is revealed and Rathma appears in the book).

I'm asking this because, as I've said hundreds of times, it's extremely unlikely I'll ever be able to read it.

[Vicious]

I read pretty much half the book and i must say that it has a good chunck of crunch in it, i´ll write a summary with the most important stuff after i finish it.

Chegaste a ver a Tema no Colombo? Já disse que é ai que encomendo os livros.

[Kerrah]

Chegaste a ver a Tema no Colombo? Já disse que é ai que encomendo os livros.

Puhu Englantia perkele!

Anyways, are the Diablo books as good (storywise) as Diablo 2?

[Dagren]

They are, IMO, very good.
Lorewise, that is.
Actually, I think this trilogy has more lore in it than the Diablo games combined.
Well, not that much but it is indeed worth the read.

Okay, here we go.

!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!

First, Sanctuary was secretly created by the demons and angels who were tired of the Great Conflict, but I think you already know this.

Rathma is a nephalem. He is the son of Lilith and Inarius. He is not at all in good terms with his parents, as Lilith destroyed the rebel angels and demons only to use the nephalems (and their power) for her own ends (Universe-domination being one of those).
Inarius banished her from Sanctuary for her crimes and sought to dampen the power of the nephalems.
For this, he used the Worldstone. With each generation, the nephalem became less and less powerful, until they became humans -a herd of sheep easily controllable.
Inarius has a very paranoid personality and would destroy Sanctuary and remake it to his likings should anything go wrong.
The Worldstone is also used to hide Sanctuary from the rest of the Universe.


Only the first generation of nephalem (Rathma and Bul'Kathos (he guards the entrance to mount Arreat in SotS), to name those making an appearance in the book) kept their powers.

Rathma became the disciple of Trag'Oul (he is depicted as a dragon made of stars living in a void dimension). Their goal is to keep the Balance between the Burning Hells and the High Heavens.
As you may have guessed, Rathma is the one guiding Mendeln in his initiation.

As you already know, the Burning Hells discovered Sanctuary and began collecting humans for their crusade with the Triune.

Lilith found a way back to Sanctuary and cast a spell on the Worldstone so that she could train a new generation of nephalems.
Uldyssian, the first of this new generation, led his followers against the Triune.
He destroyed Lucion and Lilith, disguised as her brother, took the head of the Triune.
Uldyssian and co continued their crusade against the Temple, secretly helped by the undead Achilios, raised by Trag'Oul.

Mendeln and his brother eventually met Rathma and Trag'Oul.
Rathma and Uldyssian went to the Worldstone to change the inner working of it; to free the power of the Nephalems (That was what Lilith's spell was all about, but Uldyssian managed to actually change the way the Worldstone works).

During the absence of the Ul-Diomeds, Lilith (who had possessed Serenthia) began to corrupt the Edyrems (Uldyssian's followers).
Uldyssian came back and managed to reclaim his followers. Lilith tried to crush the Edyrems with the forces of the Triune, but failed.
Uldyssian destroyed her (he thought he did as she faked death) and the rest of the Temple.
Inarius banished Lilith once again.

At the end of the book, we learn that Achilios is now controlled by an angel. An angel who is not Inarius.
Rathma and Trag'Oul now know that the High Heavens have discovered Sanctuary. And to them, the angels are no better than the Burning Hells.

The next target of the Edyrem is the Cathedral of Light, so I think we'll learn a lot about the High Heavens. At least, I hope :)


/ SPOILERS


Alright, I hope you can get something out of this pile of text written in pretty bad english.

I'd advise you to buy the book if you can, it's really worth reading.

[Yuber8900]

Holy crap it's Dagren!

[Wulfang]

Chegaste a ver a Tema no Colombo? Já disse que é ai que encomendo os livros.

Não tenho ido muito a Lisboa nos últimos tempos e das poucas vezes que tenho ido não pude ir ao Colombo. Mas ainda hei de lá ir, e quando for vou encomendar uma carrada de livros para não ter de lá voltar tão depressa :P

[Kenzuki]

I bet you a gold sovereign that the angel who is controlling Achilios is either Tyrael or Yaerius. Yaerius, of course is the Archangel who will appear to a young ascetic named Akarat and teach him the Tenants of would later become the religion of Zakarum or the Church of the Light. It through me for a loop in the first book because I thought the Cathedral of Light was the same as the Church from the Diablo games and other novels. Until I realized that no mention of the Angel Yaerius, Akarat, or Zakarum appears at all. So I think Zakarum must come around later than this.

Now that the Worldstone is destroyed, I guess this means that more Nephalem will start to appear.

Also, for those of you in the know. Bul-Kathos is a very important figure in Diablo Lore, as taken from this.

Steeped in mystery and tradition, these people refer to themselves as the "Children of Bul-Kathos," the great and ancient king. To better protect their lands from outside forces, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle, frequently moving within the confines of the Steppes and maintaining few permanent settlements. Isolating themselves from the world outside their territories, they eschew the use of magics and complex machinery, as they believe these things can only weaken their resolve developed over so many years.

The Children of Bul-Kathos have developed a kinship with the land and have learned to harness the primal energies within nature to enhance their own substantial physical prowess. It is because of this, together with their freedom from the trappings of the outside world, that the Western Kingdoms have historically referred to these tribes as "Barbarians," an epithet that belies the rich cultural and spiritual history these people truly possess. Although some trade with these curious bands of nomads, they do so only along the outermost borders of their lands. All intrusions into the territory surrounding Mount Arreat are forbidden, and warriors from the northern tribes are quick to thwart any incursions. Every foreign attempt at conquest has been met with fierce and decisive resistance.

Hehe go go Barbarians and Necromancers!

The book was very good I enjoyed it. I think the Diablo books are great because they flesh out the world more and so far haven't retconned anything into crap.

Also, low and behold look what the back of the book says about Knaak. Hehe guess what this means.

"Other current projects include more manga work and background story for a special gaming project."

[ScytheRexx]

So now we know what big change will come about with the Worldstones destruction, the next game will most likely have us fighting Nephalem and trying to become Nephalem ourselves. I find it interesting that the "fathers" of the necromancers and the barbarians are considered first born Nephalem, and that would explain why they had so much influence.

[Wulfang]

So now we know what big change will come about with the Worldstones destruction, the next game will most likely have us fighting Nephalem and trying to become Nephalem ourselves. I find it interesting that the "fathers" of the necromancers and the barbarians are considered first born Nephalem, and that would explain why they had so much influence.

I bet it will either be the remaining forces of Hell invading the High Heavens or the players trying to free Sanctuary from the control of both angels and demons.

Either way, I'll pass out in happiness when I see another Diablo game being announced :rolleyes:

[Kenzuki]

So now we know what big change will come about with the Worldstones destruction, the next game will most likely have us fighting Nephalem and trying to become Nephalem ourselves. I find it interesting that the "fathers" of the necromancers and the barbarians are considered first born Nephalem, and that would explain why they had so much influence.

There was also a female Nephalem mentioned by Bul-Kathos named Esu, and it just so happens that the female mage clan that the Sorceresses come from is called Zann Esu. How much you want to bet that too has a connection? It's funny because apparantly Trang'Oul is now called Trag'Oul. Meh one letter doesn't bother me.

Also Rathma and Trag'Oul mention other forces out there besides the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. They also said that it was foolish for either side to believe itself the end of all things.....Of course personally, I'de rather hang out with Tyrael than any of the demons anyday myself. Then again, Tyrael is somewhat a rebe amongst the High Heavens anyway, what with him later taking a direct part in history by helpingthe Horadrim.

[Nephalim]

Generally, this all seems like a poorly-done lead up to forcing out a contrived sequel that will amount to little more than a walking abortion.

I suspect Diablo III will be the first Blizzard game to be considered by most a failure. But it won't matter, because they'll make a gillion dollars anyway.

[Kenzuki]

Going to have to disagree with you there Neph.

[Vicious]

Now that the Worldstone is destroyed, I guess this means that more Nephalem will start to appear.

It already begun, remember Moon of the Spider?

That noble chick that started to develop powers out of freaking nowhere?

I always thought that was pretty weird and just thought that she was a natural sorceress or something but after reading Scales of the Serpent, i realized that MotS is after LoD...


I suspect Diablo III will be the first Blizzard game to be considered by most a failure.

Boy Neph, i know you wanted Diablo to stop at LoD but way to go at pulling comments out of your ass.

[Kenzuki]

Not only that but at the end of Moon of the Spider you see a certain Angel who was working behind the scenes hehe. No it's not Inarius, considering what fate awaits him hehe. Poor poor Inarius.....