Storyline

Book II

Khanduras became a center of commerce.

Years after the death of the Horadrim, a great and prosperous society grew in the lands of the West. The surroundings of Khanduras were soon inhabited and Khanduras became a center of commerce.

During this time, a new religion of light known as Zakarum began to spread. A great lord Leoric came to Khanduras and, in the name of Zakarum, declared himself as king. He was deeply religious and brought with him knights and priests. Leoric and his trusted advisor, the Arch Bishop Lazarus make their way to the city of Tristram. Leoric appropriated the ruined Monastery as his seat of power. In the beginning the people of Khanduras were not pleased with being placed under the rule of a foreign king but Leoric ruled with justice and might. The people eventually grew to love him.

Diablo, entrapped in the soulstone, sensed that freedom was near. With Leoric and the arch bishop in the monastery, he could take control of them. Diablo entered into the arch Bishop Lazarus' nightmares and lured him into the dark, subterranean labyrinth. Lazarus lost control of his body to Diablo. Diablo made Lazarus run to the soulstone and utter words long forgotten in the realm of mortals. Then he shattered the soulstone releasing Diablo into this world. Because he was greatly weakened from his long sleep, he needed a vessel to travel in the world of man. He looked towards the town of Tristram for the strongest. He found King Leoric.

Diablo senses that freedom is close at hand.

Leoric ordered executions to whomever questioned his actions.

The king secretly fought hard to regain control from Diablo. But eventually the priests of Zakarum recognized the evil that possessed their King. King Leoric became increasingly deranged and ordered immediate executions to whomever opposed him. He also sent his knights to other towns to bully their townspeople into submission. The people now hated Leoric and began to call him Black King.

Lachdanan, Captain of the Knights of the Order of light tried to discern the nature of Leoric's withering spirit. but every time he tried something, arch bishop Lazarus would get in his way. Lazarus charged Lachdanan with treason but the townspeople would not have it. They knew Lachdanan was honorable and just. Now they start wondering about their king.

King Leoric was getting worst and worst. He would ignore the warnings of his advisors. He ordered his army to engage in wars. Lazarus made sure that Lachdanan would be in charge, hoping that he gets killed. he also sent most of the "troublesome" advisors to fight as well.

Albrecht's body change to this hideous form.

Without the advisors and Lachdanan, Diablo can now assume total control over the King's soul. But Leoric continues to fight Diablo, even in his weakened state. Diablo knew that he could never take complete control over Leoric, so he release him. Diablo searched elsewhere for another vessel. He found Albrecht, Leoric's son. He easily took control over the young boy. Diablo showed Albrecht the demons and evils that Diablo knew. now, Albrecht's fear unleashed the demons into the catacombs. The body of Albrecht, fully possessed by Diablo, began to morph into and hideous being. horns sprouted from his head. Diablo, laying dormant, will wait till he regains all his powers, then he will free Baal and Mephisto to reunite the prime evils.

The war Lachdanan was sent to fight ended horribly. Their forces were almost all beaten. Lachdanan gathered the remaining troops and fled to Tristram. They found that the town was in shambles. King Leoric was in rage to find his son missing. he swears that the village people had kidnapped him. it was all a conspiracy against him. since Lazarus disappeared, the king had no one the consult so he executed many for high treason. Lachdanan returned. The king thought he was part of the conspiracy and order the rest of his guards to attack. Lachdanan realizing that the king was beyond help, took up arms and defended himself. He defeat the king, after realizing the the king was beyond hope.

Lachdanan returns to find the town in shambles.

The townspeople fear attacks from the evils of the monastery.

With their king dead, Prince Albrecht missing and the defenders of Khandurus were no more, the people of Tristram realized what has happened. But their troubles are only beginning. Strange eerie lights appeared in the monastery and creatures were seen venturing in the shadows of the church. Many fled Tristram, fearing the evil that may attack at anytime.

Lazarus returned and assured the townspeople that everything will be all right. He then told the townspeople that Albrecht was still in the catacombs. The townspeople became a mob and went into the catacombs in search of Albrecht. The ones who survived the surprise that awaited them returned with terrible wounds which even the healer could not heal.

Lazarus come back to lead the townspeople to certain deaths.

Diablo is still at large in the pits of hell waiting for his powers to come back. The time of his victory is approaching, who dares to stop him...