Since the Beginning of Time the forces of Order and Chaos have been engaged in an eternal struggle to decide the fate of all Creation. That struggle has now come to the Mortal Realm... And neither Man, Demon, nor Angel will be left unscathed.

Diablo, Lord of Terror, and youngest of the Three Prime Evils, awoke from his long sleep beneath the dark earth. Setting in motion a grand scheme to free his exiled brothers, Mephisto and Baal, Diablo took control of the small western kingdom of Khanduras. Working from deep within the ancient catacombs beneath the town of Tristram, Diablo gripped the entire populace in a blanket of fear and paranoia.

Ultimately, as even Khanduras' good King Leoric fell under Diablo's wicked power, a lone hero arose to challenge the darkness that had engulfed the land. After plumbing the hellish depths of the labyrinth under Tristram, the nameless hero finally confronted the Lord of Terror himself. Knowing full well that Diablo's spirit could never be truly destroyed, the hero made the noblest sacrifice of all-- casting his soul and his very sanity aside, the hero took the spirit of Diablo into himself, hoping that his own strength of will could contain the demon within. The hero could never have known that his selfless act would not only ensure Diablo's victory, but would irrevocably damn his soul for all time.

Amazon -- This powerful woman warrior belongs to nomadic bands who roam the plains near the South Sea. The wandering of these groups often brings them into conflict with other peoples, so the Amazon is accustomed to fighting to defend her own. This lifestyle has made her fiercely independent and able to weather severe hardship and travel. While her skill with the bow rivals that of the Rogues, the Amazon is also adept in the use of spears and other throwing weapons, as well as in hand to hand combat. The Amazon is much sought after as amercenary, in which type of service she will be loyal as long as her own ends are also served.

Necromancer -- From the steamy recesses of the southern swamps comes a figure cloaked in mystery. The Necromancer, as his name implies, is an unseemly form of sorcerer whose spells deal with the raising of the dead and the summoning and control of various creatures for his purposes. Though his goals are often aligned with those of the forces of Light, some do not think that these ends can justify his foul means. Long hours of study in dank mausolea have made his skin pale and corpselike, his figure, skeletal. Most people shun him for his peculiar looks and ways, but none doubt the power of the Necromancer, for it is the stuff of nightmares.

Paladin -- The Knights of Westmarch who felled the armies of mighty Leoric are pure at heart and follow closely the teachings of Zakarum, the Religion of the Light. A battle-ready warrior for whom faith is a shield, he fights for what he believesto be right. Furthermore, his steadfastness gives him powers to bring blessings to his friends, and wreak cruel justice upon his foes. There are those who call the Paladin an overwrought zealot, but others recognize in him the strength and goodness of the Light.

Sorceress -- One of the rebellious women who have wrested the secrets of magic use from the male dominated Mage-Clans of the East, the Sorceress is an expert in mystical creation ex nihilo. Though somewhat lacking in the skills of hand-to-hand combat, she compensates for this with fierce combative magics for both offense and defense. Solitary and reclusive, the Sorceress acts based on motives and ethics inscrutable to most, sometimes seeming capricious and even spiteful. In reality, she understands the struggle between Order and Chaos all too clearly, as well as her role as a warrior in this battle.

Barbarian -- The Barbarian is a member of any of several tribes on the fringes of civilization, and he refuses the influence of those he sees as soft and weak. Ceaseless clan warfare and the constant struggle to survive in the hostile wilderness are reflected in the Barbarian's sturdy and powerful frame. Though perhaps lacking the sophistication of city folk, the Barbarian has an acute awareness of his surroundings. Because of his shamanistic belief in the animal powers with whom he identifies, the Barbarian is sometimes associated with stories of lycanthropy. In fact, he believes he can call upon the totemic animal spirits to infuse him with supernormal strengths and abilities, but these only work to improve his already superb battle-tactics.

Akara, Rogue Priestess: The spiritual leader of the Sisters of the Sightless Eye, Akara deals in all matters magical and mystical. "The Eye sees through the mists of time to a great glory ahead."

Charsi, Rogue Blacksmith: Charsi uses her skill at fashioning weapons of war to aid in the fight against evil and terror. "Just as thearcher needs bow and arrow, or the draftsman pen and paper, so Charsi needs hammer and anvil."

Gheed, Caravan Trader: A man who values money above all else, Gheed stocks many useful items (all of which are for sale) in his wagon. "A little gem, a bright bauble is all I ask in exchange for the weapons you desire."

Kashya, Rogue Captain: The fiery military leader of the Sisters of the Sightless Eye, Kashya's commands are obeyed without question. "Do not return until you have bathed in the blood of our enemies or drowned in your own!"

Warriv, Caravan Leader: His caravan unable to progress eastward, Warriv's business of trafficking travelers across the desert has come to a standstill. "May I remind you that the wagons can only go East via the Citadel?"

Rogue Mercenary: Like all Sisters of the Sightless Eye, these mercenaries are trained warriors, with skills as sharp as their arrows. "Our discipline allows our minds to find the false heart of a man, just asour arrows find a beating one."