"Zaraki is barbarian, raised in the northen tribes in Harrogath, near the sacred Mt Arreat. As a kid, Zaraki was often fighting against Malah's son, Bannuk and more often than not, bested him in combat multiple times. Zaraki's upbringing was as any other Barbarian: by combat training and learning about the sacred duty of protecting MT Arreat from any intruders. Zaraki, however, was different than most of Bul Khatos' children.
First of all, he couldn't be cut down, no matter what. Zaraki was known for utterly forgetting his defense and focusing in frienzied attack, cutting down his enemies and getting cut by them many more times, but to no effect. He was considered by "battle freak" even by his fellow barbarians. Some barbarian were joking about him, that Zaraki would sooner drown than bleed out to death.
Zaraki's insane strength and endurance led him to other desire: to travel in search of a worthy opponent. His sacred duty of protecting the MT Arreat prevented him from doing that. Luckily, one day the rumour was heard that Diablo, the Lord of Terror was awakened beneath the town of Tristram. The Elder Council decided that Zaraki was to investigate the matter. As soon as he arrived, the town was saved already by someone known as Aidan.
'Whatever' Zaraki thought 'But I don't wanna go back yet...' Luckily for him, Zaraki heard about dangerous creatures to the east, called "Unravellers" and he wished to face them in combat. During his break in camp on his way to the east, Zaraki was passed by a man in dark robes, accompanied by someone who looked like scared drunk. Whatever...
Soon, Zaraki arrived in the Rouge Encampment"
---Playthrought details--- - Zaraki is barbarian, who's using Berserk and (possibly) Leap Attack as the main ways of dealing damage. - Zaraki is relying on insane amount of life and resistances to survive. He would disregard "defense" attribute on armors and not use shields, since as Berserk as his main attack, his defense will be reduced to 0 anyways. That gives him opportunity to search armor pieces with bonuses to life, resistances, magic find etc. - Zaraki's weapon of choice are two-handed swords. - Zaraki has nothing against keeping some company with him.
---
Zaraki's travel part 1: The troubles of the sisters of the Sightless Eye
Zaraki arrived in the Rouge Encampment and soon learned that the way to the East was closed, as the monastery of Sisters of the Sightless Eye was overrun by the Andariel, the Lesser Evil and Maiden of Anguish. Akara, the sister's seer asked the might warrior to help with defense against creatures that were living in the near cave and were preparing to attack the encampment. But Zaraki had none of this. He ventured to the cave alone, and slaughtered all the monsters inside, only Corpsefire being somewhat notable.
'I'm done' he said to wide-eyed Akara 'What now?' he asked, bathed in the blood of his enemies. Kashya, who apparently couldn't believe the warrior's skills, said something about Blood Raven. Battle under Tristram, bla bla bla, being corrupted, bla bla bla, raising the dead, bla bla bla. Zaraki was only interesed in where she is now, as she seemed like a worthy opponent.
The Blood Raven was apparently at the Burial Grounds next to Cold Plains. That was enough for Zaraki. He traveled throught the plains, killing everything that dared to stop him. He slaughtered the entire Fallen camp, with Bishibosh as the leader and found the rare etheral short sword. It will do for now.
Arriving at the Burial Grounds, Zaraki has decided that he needed a warm up. He cleansed up crypt and mausoleum of undead and then entered the center of the the area. Blood Raven wasn't worthy opponent after all. She shot her arrows and accomplished nearly nothing by them, while the barbarian was slaughtering her minions. Then she proceeded to run away. Zaraki was not really fond of pursuing his targets, but wasn't bad at it. He cut his opponent down and got back tho the encampment. As a token of gratitude, Kashya gave off one of her archers as companion for Zaraki. He did not mind, sharing some fun of slaying monsters with a young archer.
Akara told Zaraki about Deckard Cain and the fall of the town of Tristram. Apparently, the town was destroyed after Zaraki left it and the old man known as Cain possessed a knowledge that could prove useful in dealing with demons and forces of Hell. Zaraki agreed to save the old Horadrim. But first, he bought the two-handed sword from Charsi.
At this point, Zaraki was getting impatient with telling me his story, so you have forgive me, dear readers, for lack of details. Anyway, Tristram was too far to get there in time by feet, so Zaraki had to found the Scroll of Inifuss (dealing with the creature he called "Treehead Woodfist"), show it to Akara, then find the stone circle (guarded by the Carver named Rakanishu and is minions) and touch the stones in particular order. And he did, the portal to Tristram opened.
Tristram was utterly destroyed, but luckily, Decard Cain was still alive. Zaraki rescued him, and them cut down every thing in the town, which translated to demons, Khazra swines and undead, the blacksmith Griswold among them.
Cain told Zaraki about prince Aidan apparently being possessed by Diablo, about his deal with Andariel and how the demon queen had to be defeated if the wy to the east has to be opened. Zaraki was, however, already interested in facing both Andariel and Aidan/Diablo.
Charsi asked Zaraki to find Horadric Mallus. Zaraki wouldn't mind, since he was about to besiege the monastery as the one-man army. He was distracted however, with the tower he found on Black Marsh. He found an entrance to the cellars below the tower, infected with monsters and corrupted rouges. Zaraki also encountered some ghost. Stupid undead may thing themselves safe, since they non-material or something, but there isn't a single stinkin' thing Zaraki couldn't cut. At the lowest levels of the dungeon, he met face to face with the bloody woman surrounded by her corrupted rouges minions. They didn't live for long, meaning the fight was not really that fun. But finding the runes and wast treasure surely was!
After that, Zaraki decided to take a break then train some. It's not like the goddamn hammer and the Demon Queen are getting away...
--- Sorry for not providing screenshots. I have only ones with Zaraki's stats:
Zaraki's travel part 2: The Smith and The Maiden of Anguish
After training for some time (and acquiring new two-handed sword from Gheed), Zaraki decided to charge at the monastery. It went rather well, since there was no enemy strong enough to stop him.
Zaraki decided to head for the western part of the Monastery and entered the barracks. After slaughtering many monsters and cutting down and then looting some special creatures, Zaraki finally found the place in which Mallus was held. It was guarded by some big demon. Big, and cowardy enough to attack Liaza, the rouge companion, instead of Zaraki. The barbarian wasn't fond of this fact and made short work of the cowardly demon.
Zaraki brought the Horadric hammer back to Charsi, who offered to enhance Zaraki's item. But he acquired new sword quite recently, so he didn't need that. Deckard Cain was about to say something regarding Andariel, but Zaraki dismissed the old man.
The barbarian wen through the monastery's jail (in which, he encountered a fight against two special monster at once. Made him pretty happy) to reach the Inner Cloiser.
He then massacred his way through the Catheadral and cut down the Bone Ash. After killing the skeletal mage and recieved his frost nova, Zaraki chilled out killing remaining Devilkin.
The Barbarian traveled through three Catacombs levels to finally find Andariel's lair. He entered the big chamber with bloody pool in the center of it and massacred everything inside, looting the Arctic Binding from the corpse.
Finally, the Barbarian entered the throne chamber of Maiden of Anguish. He progressed through it, killing the demoness' minons in the process. Andariel attacked and Zaraki couldn't resist and attacked the Lesser Evil despite not being done with her minions. As result, Zaraki took some notable damage, and putting him on his guard. He didn't felt such a need of focus during the fight for a long time. That was marvelous! He was even forced to step back one or two times!
Pherhaps he should stay and listen to the Cain, maybe prepare some antidotes. But oh well, Andariel was slain eventually. That was really fun for Zaraki, although the fight didn't last very long. Now, the Barbarian had better idea about demon lords' power and it excited him greatly. Finally, worthy opponents. Be on your guard, Diablo!
(sorry, the music turned out to be too loud. Watch out, headphone users. I was forced to use some music since the game sound effects weren't really synchronized for some reasons) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1WaRVyBfH8
Zaraki returned to the Rouge Encampment victorious. He was congratulated and offered drinks and party to celebrate his deeds. He stayed for now, but soon he'll travel to the east, where more challenges awaits!
Also this rune word does not require rare runes, I will be able to do it again when I find a better weapon.
This is the reason I wouldn't even think about playing without PlugY. You wouldn't even be able to afford the bag or stash space to hold onto normal items with sockets in the base game. It's really stunning just how BAD the stash space problem is in the base game. And it used be worse....
Also this rune word does not require rare runes, I will be able to do it again when I find a better weapon.
This is the reason I wouldn't even think about playing without PlugY. You wouldn't even be able to afford the bag or stash space to hold onto normal items with sockets in the base game. It's really stunning just how BAD the stash space problem is in the base game. And it used be worse....
Am I the only living person that likes space problems because I find them that they add more challenge to the game? T^T
Also this rune word does not require rare runes, I will be able to do it again when I find a better weapon.
This is the reason I wouldn't even think about playing without PlugY. You wouldn't even be able to afford the bag or stash space to hold onto normal items with sockets in the base game. It's really stunning just how BAD the stash space problem is in the base game. And it used be worse....
Am I the only living person that likes space problems because I find them that they add more challenge to the game? T^T
That's all well and good in most instances. I generally agree with you. But not in a game that's very nature encourages loot hording. And the stash space in Diablo 2 is criminally bad. So much so that people resort to putting a couple items in the Cube just for a couple extra squares. It's bad enough that the backpack space is so poor, but to have a stash that can barely hold 10 items is just absurd. Moreso now, but also then. Having to create mule characters in multi-player is just tedious and antiquated. Moreover, Diablo 2 online (unless you organize something with friends) is STILL to this day a bottomless cesspool of bots and spammers. I don't know who the hell in the world actually buys duped D2 items anymore, but there must be a market for it, or they wouldn't still be doing it. Anyway, PlugY alleviates it all. Ladder-only items and Runewords activated, an endless personal and stored stash, and the option to reset the map every log-in.
Zaraki arrived in the city of Lut Gholein, the so called "Jewel of the East". Jerhyn, the city's ruler greeted him and started saying various things. Something about monster, dark wanderer and more stuff like that. Apparently, the Dark Wanderer was passing through town, and it was good lead for Zaraki.
Zaraki decided to have some wine, so he arrived in the inn. Atma, the inn's onwer asked the barbarian to kill monster that lives in the sewers. The monster apparently killed many, included Atma's son and husband. Before starting his hunt, Zaraki acquired a better sword and hired Hazade as a companion. Ten, the barbarian entered the severs from the Docks.
Zaraki and his new companion progressed swiftly. Soon, he found the unique monster, who looked like a greater mummy:
The creature could raise the undead to fight once again, but other than that he was not much of a threat. The monster was cut down by dissappointed Zaraki. Among the treasure the barbarian has found there was a strange scroll. He decided to give it to Cain.
Apparently, the scroll was saying about the Horadric Cube, The Horadric Staff and the Tomb of Tal Rasha. And Jerhyn said that the Dark Wanderer, probably being Diablo himself seeks that tomb, most likely to free Baal, his brother. Somethng has to be done about it. Zaraki moved out to the desert, and on Dry Hill he found The Halls of the Dead
On 3rd level of the dungeon he found the Horadric Cube, guarded by some pathetic, and now dead, Lacuni.
The Cube was crucial for restoring Horadric Staff, which can open the passage to the Tomb of Tal Rasha (Zaraki briefly wondered how Diablo was to free his brother, if he does not posses the staff). Luckily, the Cube can also be used in other ways. Such as upgrading runes, gems and potions:
The Staff of Kings, being one of the Horadric Staff's components, is supposed to be hidden under Far Oasis. Zaraki got there in no time, cutting down various bugs and maggots. Zaraki also proven to be able to do impossible, since he was able to cut down even large swarms of insects. The barbarian found the maggot's lair, and in the lowest point of it, he found a big-arse worm: Coldworm the Burrower. But it died very easily, as it was unable to defend itself, and it's offspring was not much of a threat. The Staff of Kings was now Zaraki's
The Amulet of the Viper was supposed to be held in the Claw Viper Temple. To get to the Valley of Snakes, in which temple was, Zaraki travelled through the Lost City. Then, solar eclipse happened. Zaraki, however, never even pretended to be interested in it and just continued his travel. Soon, he arrived at the temple.
Claw vipers were really enjoyable opponents. They could use a strong and fast charge attack and were not shy about using it. They were somewhat dangerous and it made spilling they blood even more enjoyable for Zaraki. At the lower level of the temple, the barbarian encountered Fangskin, alongside his minions. Seeing strong opponent, Zaraki was so overjoyed, he practically leaped to met him!
Fangskin was critically wounded by Leap attack, and it didn't survive for long after that. 'What the hell...' Zaraki thought, getting his attention to it's minions. In the middle of the slaughter, Zaraki destroyed an altar by accident and the solar eclipse ended. Just like that. 'What the hell...?" Zaraki once more. Whatever, now he had the Amulet of the Viper and the Horadric Staf was restored anew!
After restoring the staff and listening to Cain's blabbering, Zaraki was forced to listen to Jerhyn and Drognan too. Something about Arcane Sanctuary, Horazon, harem girls, clue to find Tal Rasha tomb, harem girls, monsters, harem girls, monsters killing harem girls....
What?! Monsters killing harem girls?! Unforgivable! Zaraki arrived in the Jerhyn's Palace and cleansed it of any evil filth he could find. Oh, and he found a portal to Arcane Sanctuary. What a coincidence! Time to search for clues regarding Tomb of Tal Rasha, then.
In the eastern corner of the sanctuary, Zaraki encountered some mage, who was casting some ice spells and fireballs. Zaraki leaped towards him and ended his miserable life in one hit. Puny mage!
Zaraki then read (yes, he can in fact read!) Horazon's journal. So, the Tomb of Tal Rasha was hidden among other, fake tombs and has it's own symbol. Good to know. And there is even portal to the Canyon of the Magi. How convenient.
Before entering the true Tal Rasha's tomb, Zaraki decided to practice some and cleanse other tombs too. Diablo can't do anything without the Horadric Staff anyway, right?
Zaraki has been training recently and, as usual is very confident in his abilties. The time has come to invade the real Tal Rasha's Tomb!
The Tomb was swarmed with the burning dead, wraiths, gorbellies and.... the unraveller. Zaraki was dissapointed with them, unless he was facing 3 or 4 of them at once. Only an idiot would let himself be killed by them! He traveled... all this way... for this?
Whatever, maybe he'll find Tal Rasha, Baal or Diablo to fight against. Who know. He surely found an chamber with orifice in the center of it. The place to finally use the Horadric Staff!
What Zaraki found inside next chamber was giant bug-like looking demon! Sounds like fun!
Zaraki leaped towards his enemy with slasher smile on his face and attacked with his sword. The barbarian roared few times, and then the real combat began. The demon insulted Zaraki by mostly focusing on taking down his companion first. Does that abomination implies Zaraki isn't worthy opponent? Or maybe it knows that it cannot defeat Zaraki anyways? Well, this didn't end well for both mercenary and creature itself.
Zaraki was walking through the corridor now. He had more problems with Andariel, seriously. He reached the final chamber, and saw someone he did not expected. An angelic figure was standing before large stone. The figure introduced itself as Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice. He tried to stop Diablo from freeing Baal, but was unable to.
"Wait, what? Diablo didn't posses Horadric Staff!" the barbarian shouted. The chamber was locked for good before Zaraki arrived. How it is possible, goddamnit? What else? Maybe the creature he just fought wasn't some stupid demon but Demon Lord? One of the Lesser Evils, perhaps? That doesn't make goddamn sense! Like Demon Lord would let himself be sealed in the chamber for all eternity, guarding one stinkin angel! It sounds like a bad story written by some ape!
Whatever. Diablo an Baal are after freeing Mephisto, the last of the Prime Evils. Even if perspective of facing such foes excited Zaraki, he knew there is more and more at stake. Zaraki returned to Lut Gholein, changed his armor for the new one and talked to Jerhyn to enable him travel to Kurast on the east. That's where Mephisto, according to Deckard Cain, was imprisoned years ago.
What a progress, @lefreut. Thanks to you I've googled about PlugY and now am very tempted to install it. I, like @CrevsDaak , have always thought that the inventory management is a natural part of D2, but indeed I wouldn't be able to keep all those set items without the mod. Also, new rune words...
@O_Bruce Thanks for those videos. Zaraki seems very brave! I would have teleported to the city once or twice if I played instead of you against Andariel and Duriel in those circumstances, but you didn't and it was so fun! Thumbs up!
Joneleth reached Tristram and freed Cain. He built up clay golem and golem mastery skills, with some dim vision. Had one close call because of my inexperience with the consoles. (How you swap between skills? I remember pressing the function keys, but it doesn't do it to me for some reason.)
The boss fights were somewhat dissapointing so far, i managed to give only a glimpse on the Countess for example, and the battle was over.
@JuliusBorisov Be aware that PlugY does not work with 1.14. The rune words are not new, they are from the ladder. I don't understand why they are not activated by default for offline players.
PlugY works with up to 1.13c. If you want to use it (and I highly recommend you do) then do a clean install and don't even touch the Battlenet button, and download that patch. A Google search will suffice. This is assuming you have a hard copy from the Battlechest. If not, believe it or not it is STILL always on the shelf at every Wal-Mart I've ever been in for $20. I have a feeling it's still a decent seller.
Let me introduce you to Nefertlal Yatta-ihhuitl Mictlantecuhtli
a soul-eating high priest hailing from one of the Bakuli Jungle's elusive cannibal tribes
Some notes about the Souleater:
Hardcore
Players are always set to 8
Vampiric appearance results in much slower casting and hit recovery rate
May not use any Shape Shifting skills
May only summon Ravens (primary skill)
May not use Molten Boulder, Arctic Blast, Twister, Volcano and Tornado but may place points in these skills in order to access other elemental skills and pursue synergies
Incurs a permanent 50 point penalty to all resistances
Feast of the Ravenous One (passive ability): the Souleater ritually flays the corpses of enemies killed with his weapons or offensive magics, severing their souls from the Spirit World. Beyond salvation, these unfortunate exiles must briefly serve as raven-wraiths before being irreversibly consumed. Raven-wraiths deal 2-4 damage but are easily destroyed if hit by monsters. Moreover, they are unable to transition from one area to another.
3 squares of inventory space are permanently taken by a Crude Grand Charm which makes all of this cheerful nonsense possible
Additional penalties and/or abilities may be received after completing each difficulty level
ACT 1, Chapter I, verses 1 to whatever is the number of the last verse here
I'm not surprised to see your kind here, said Warriv in a failed attempt to conceal his fear of the ghastly figure which invaded his comfort zone. There was something really disturbing about the stranger. Was it the gnarly, skeleton-like body hinting at inhumanly prolonged starvation? Or maybe the fact that it menacingly hovered in the air without any apparent support? Yatta-ihhuitl was not particularly inclined to indulge the caravan master, though.
He was hungry.
He floated out of the Rogue encampment. Blood hit the Blood Moor quickly. A small pack of the fallen was easy prey even for a weakened Souleater. Soon, tens of flayed corpses lay strewn across the land. The witch-doctor danced wildly amongst them, muttering profane incantations, and the frightful cawing of cursed raven-wraiths was unleashed.
A rare ceremonial dagger revealed itself among the gore. Yatta-ihhuitl knew how to put such tools to use.
He continued unravelling and consuming souls until there was no more sustenance in the Blood Moor. It was not long before he felt strong enough to regurgitate raven spirits at will. Still starving, he found his way into a cave, wherein foul beasts to feast upon were plentiful and more varied.
Yatta-ihhuitl's hunger slowly waned as he consumed the cave's many inhabitants. With satiety came strange lightshafts, which puzzled his newly nourished consciousness. Unsure about the origins of this mystical anomaly, he teleported back to the Sisterhood's encampment, so as to consult the High Priestess Akara and benefit from her knowledge of local phenomenons.
Though she was initially somewhat terrified of him, she explained the cave was a 'Den of Evil' and that he cleansed it, inadvertently causing some eldritch cliché magics to replace the cave's brothel-like red light with a whitish emanation of sterility. Having broken the ice, they talked at length and found there were many things they could learn from each other. Much to the benefit of Yatta-ihhuitl's spirit manipulation skills, Akara shared some insights into Andariel's soul-corrupting curse. The witch-doctor was eager to know more of it but, alas and alack, his hunger could not be stayed any longer. He promptly decided to venture into the wilderness once again in search of a specimen which he could dissect and investigate on his own. As he was about to leave through the portal, Kashya hesitantly provided him with some useful clues.
Yatta-ihhuitl was really interested in meeting this Blood Raven and stumbled upon the Monastery graveyard even sooner than he anticipated. It was an unwelcoming place, teeming with hungry dead. But the Souleater was hungrier still and the burial grounds' stonework was soon painted red.
The one the Sisterhood called a Blood Raven was there, watching. Not really much of a raven, it turned out. Or much of a fight. Though there was a lot of running, cawing and floating around.
I've decided to continue without installing PlugY, supporting the "it was meant to be played this way, with this small inventory space" point of view, for the nearest future at least.
The adventure of Xzar
After coming back to Travincal, Xzar again found himself in front of the High Counsel and again had to defeat them. Soon one of them dropped an unusual mask. Xzar then opened two nearby containers... Another set item and a Ral rune were found inside:
It turned out to be Cathan's Visage and Arcanna's Head:
But the main item here was the rune. Thanks to the Horadric Cube Xzar created an Ort rune, and had spare Tal and Ral runes left. The time came to go shopping in the search of a 3-socketed shield. Lut Gholein, as always, provided the shield Xzar wanted. Now, with "Ancients' Pledge" equipped, Xzar had nearly perfect resistances:
After that Xzar wasn't afraid of facing Mephisto. With nearly maximum resistances, Xzar didn't need to retreat and/or teleport to Kurast Docks. The battle required as much as 2 (two!) healing potions.
As always, Xzar let Klaudia to inflict a finishing blow to the demon. The reward was finding Giverb's Ward among the loot:
It was interesting that while I had planned a "daggermancer", Xzar didn't generally use any dagger till the start of the Act IV, in fact. Dim Vision with 7 points put into it and Decrepify with only 1 point spent there were enough to successfully go through the Acts I-III. Now with 75/75/63/73 resistances Xzar was more or less safe for upcoming battles in the Act IV. His points spent on Poison Dagger will help as soon as Xzar reaches the 30th level and gets Poison Nova (due to synergies).
Zaraki's travel part 5: The jungles of Kehjistan and the city of Kurast
Zaraki arrived at the Kurast Docks, alongside his companion and Deckard Cain old man. While they were on the ship, the Cain was telling Zaraki some bullcr*p about Khalim, his relics and - if Mephisto was free and the former Zakarum Council corrupt - that said relics were apparently needed to reach Mephisto's prison. It was utterly boring and made no sense to Zaraki - just like the tomb of Tal Rasha. All that sounded like a really bad tale told by a drunk.
Once in Kurast, Zaraki never wasted any time - the barbarian didn't even talked to the docks residents very much. He immediately went out in the jungle, and soon encountered no one else than the Dark Wanderer:
He disapperead soon, spawning some lesser and pathetic demonspawn. Oh well. Zaraki slayed them, just like every fetish or tree-men that dared to stood in his way. Meanwhile, one of the less-weak monsters dropped a mysterious jade statuette. On his stroll, the bored Barbarian noticed a spider cavern and entered it, hoping that the fight against gaint spiders will prove to be more interesting. He was wrong. But the Barbarian found a large chest, and... well preserved eye inside of it. The might warrior facepalmed. This must be the eye of Khalim, apparently. And apparently Zaraki would need it. So he snatched it. He also found a full helm, but weaker to one that Zaraki already possesed.
The barbarian used the scroll of town portal to go back to the Kurast Docks again. He showed the eye to Cain, and he ordered Zaraki to place it in his Horadric Cube. Ok
The barbarian also asked Deckard about the statuette. The old man said Meshif would be interested in it. And Meshif traded it for golden bird. What to do with the damn bird? Zaraki asked Cain about it, and he said something about sage named Ku Y'leh, his ashes being held in the Golden Bird and that Alkor the alchemist would be interested in it.
And he sure was. He made a potion from Ku Y'leh ashes and gave it to Zaraki, claiming that the potion will enhance Zaraki's vital forces. It tasted like piss, though.
Now, forgive me dear readers, but Zaraki was gotten impatient with me again, so I'll speed up this part a little. The barbarian traveled to the Fetish Jungle, recovered the sacred blade - the Gidbinn and then found the entrance to the Flyer Dungeon, where the other Khalim's relic was supposed to be. And it was there.
Zaraki contiuned his travel and finally he has reached the Kurast gates, guarded by the Stormtree, a notable opponent. But it was no match for Zaraki and his bloodlust. The barbarian found a waypoint in the Lower Kurast and used it to get back to Docks. He then brought back the Gidbinn to Ormus with an exchange for a rare magical and - suprise - useful ring. Then Zaraki showed Khalim's brain to Cain, and the old man once more ordered it to be put into the Cube. Whatever, it makes little sense anyway. Not that Zaraki had any sanity to begin with. Ah, an Alkor wanted the barbarian to recover book wrritten by Lam Esen, containing knowledge about the Prime Evils. Zarki didn't mean doing it, as long as there was throats to slice. The book was to be hidden in one of the temples at Kurast Baazar.
Zaraki traveled to the Baazar and one of the Zealots dropped a unique armor.
It provided protection from being frozen, but not much else. Zaraki decided to keep using his old armor.
He found the Black Book Alkor wanted in one of the temples, guarded by the Battlemaid Sarina, her minions and mini boss pack consisting of spell-casting vampires. That was actually a tought battle that made Zaraki even fall back for a bit. Zaraki loved challenge, but he also wanted to be alive, since only then he could experience some challenging battles. As such, the barbarian was ready to show more finesse in the fight if it called for it. Anyways, in the end the black book was his.
After fetching the book to Alkor, Cain mentioned that Khalim's heart is probably hidden in the sewers under city of Kurast. Wonderful. Why does Zaraki have to find these things again? Needles to say, the Barbarian went down the sewers under Kurast Baazar. The sewers were apparently large, but luckily the barbarian managed to find their lower levels - and Khalim's heart pretty quickly. Now, for the Travincal, where Khalim's Flail was supposed to be!
Zaraki literally leaped to the Upper Kurast. Bridges are for the weak.
He then slaughtered his way to the Travincal
Corrupted Zakarum fighters and priests could not stand a chance against might of the barbarian from the Harrogath. Zaraki arrived at the biggest temple...
... and found corrupted Zakarum council members ourside and inside of it. Their bodies were deformed in a really strange way. Zaraki attacked, and they responed with summoning fire hydras, that began casting flames on the barbarian. Zaraki didn't mind them heating things up.
Zaraki had to use some potions, but his life was not really in danger. One of the Council Members he killed outside dropped Khalim's Flail and Zaraki put it into Horadric Cube and decided to merge the items, just for fun. And what's worse, it worked. How preserved organs managed to strengthen the flail, he had no idea... And no time to think about it, as other Council members were waiting to be killed. And they were.
Back in the Docks, Deckard Cain said that if Zakarum Members were corrupted in this way, it must meant that Mephisto was already free and corrupted them by forcing them to impale shards of his soulstone into their bodies. That explains the corruption. Also, the old Horadrim told Zaraki to destroy the Orb that was sealing the entrence to the dungeon below the temple, when Mephisto most likely lies. And to use Khalim's Flail to do it - it was fortunate that Zaraki actually collected the goddamn organs in the first place.
Zaraki used flail on the mysterious Orb in the temple. And both the Orb and the Flail shattered. The way to the Lord of Hatred was open. The Durance of Hate was full of undead, the fetishes being the most annoying of them, but other than that Zaraki's opponent weren't really notable. He found his way to lowest levels of the dungeon and engaged Bremm Sparkfist in the battle. His lightning discharges were really powerful, and Zaraki, out of respect, decided to remember his, now dead, opponent's name. The remaining Council members weren't as notable, however.
Zaraki used rejuvanation potions during this fight, but that was mainly because he didn't have any health potions left. The demon's spells were notable, but with his thin body, his endurance was not. Zaraki soon ended the battle in his favor.
Mephisto dropped a strange, blue stone. Old Cain stated it was the demon's soulstone, and it needs to destroyed. And it could only be done in the Hellforge - otherwise Mephisto' spirit would linger in the Sanctuary, instead in the Burning Hells. Zaraki was standing before the portal that was supposed to take him to place where no mortal even returned from. Diablo probably returned to hell....
But wait, what about Baal? Wouldn't it be better idea to search for Baal now? If the Lord of Destrucion is still in the Sanctuary, there is no telling what kind of danger he could brought upon the world. It was more logical to chase after him, since Diablo went back to Hell where he should be! Even if Diablo was to prepare an army to invade the Sanctuary, he still had to deal with Azmodan and Belial, since according to Cain, the are rulers of the Hell now, and they won't give up on that so easily. It would be a civil war between demons. The pursuit could wait! Yes, that's it!
,,,, ,,,,
NAH. Let's play along with Cain, shall we?
---
Welcome, @God . Have a good time around here. Your playthought seems interesting at the moment.
After that Xzar wasn't afraid of facing Mephisto. With nearly maximum resistances, Xzar didn't need to retreat and/or teleport to Kurast Docks. The battle required as much as 2 (two!) healing potions.
Instead to Hell, Zaraki arrived in the Pandemonium Fortress with Deckard Cain. According to the old man, Pandemonium was the middle of a creation, a place between heaven and hell. Fair enough. Zaraki was greeted by Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice, who immediately asked for a favour. If, by any chance, the barbarian on his way to the Hellforge would pass through Plains of Despair and met Izual - former angel, now fallen and cursed into body of a demon - would he agree to end the angel's suffering? Zaraki said yes, since it would be by bloodshed.
Now, Zaraki was going down to the Outer Steppes of hell....
Wait a moment. Shouldn't the freaking fortress be "in the middle of the creation" and not lead directly to the hell? That makes no god damn sense! And the so-called "hell" never looked like a hell in the first place...
Whatever. Demons found on the Outer Steppes were not much of a threat. Soon, Zaraki entered the Plains of Despair. He found the Fallen Angel surprisingly fast. Now, Zaraki was told to end Izual's suffering, but on the other hand, the barbarian thought it would be better for now to try to talk to the creature. Unfortunately, Izual was not interested in talking. Neither was Zaraki, really. The barbarian remembered the precious lesson he learned from his mother and tried to apply it immediately to response to the angel's actions: "If violence doesn't resolve all your problems, you probably aren't using enough of it".
The Izual was slain, and according to what his spirit said, he was long beyond redemption, as he helped the Prime Evils to corrupt the soulstones - and mortals through them. Before resuming his quest to the Hellforge, Zaraki informed Tyrael of everything.
The Barbarian found the entrance to the River or Flame in the City of the Damned. Now, that's how the hell should have looked like!
Finding the Hellforge was much easier than he anticipated. After entering the River of Flames, it was just on the first turn to the left. Seriously. Regardless, the Hellforge was defended by Stranglers, Pit Lords, and more importantly - overlord demon Hephasto the Armorer. Hephasto had much more guts than the Smith, since he attacked Zaraki directly. The demon was not much of a threat, however. Soon, Zaraki placed Mephisto's soulstone on the anvil and used Hephasto's Hellforge Hammer to smash the stone. Cain was pleased by the news of it.
Now, the time has come to hunt down Diablo himself.
The Lord of Terror is most likely in his own Chaos Sanctuary and is probably guarded by powerful demon minions. That, however, didn't matter a bit for Zaraki. On his way to Diablo's domain (one of many, in fact. Why, however, Diablo was in Chaos Sanctuary instead in the Realm of Terror, was beyond Zaraki's comprehersion) he encountered Hadriel, an angel who told the barbarian about five seals that had to be unlocked to lure out Lord of Terror. Thanks Hadriel, but what are you doing in the middle of the hell by yourself, again?
Regardless, the Chaos Sanctuary is finally there. The place was guarded by Venom Lords, Storm Casters, Doom and Oblivon Knights, the latter being powerful combination very fun to fight against. One special Ovlivion Knight dropped a good sword for Zaraki:
The barbarian unlocked the seals and killed every monster that appeared to stop him. Now, the last seal and Diablo himself was all that is left.
After breaking the last seal, Zaraki rushed to the center of the sanctuary where, Diablo was about to appear. The Lord of Terror taunted the barbarian and then battle has began.
Cain stated that Diablo's most powerful weapon was the fear, and his own inabillity to feel it. He freaking lied. The most powerful weapon Diablo really possessed was his Red Lightning breath. By just taking a look, Zaraki knew he can't let himself get directly hit by it, or that would meant his own death. Unfortunately, the barbarian's companion noticed that too late. Diablo wasn't playing around and was using his most devastating attack quite often. But, in the long run, Zaraki triumfed, and even remembered to finish the demon off with his swap weapons - the rare gladius sword he found after slaying Mephisto, and the lucky dagger named "Gull". The lord of terror was slain!
Zaraki returned to Tyrael with the great news. Unfortunately, the Archangel of Justice had no great news on his own. It appears that Baal, the Lord of Destruction, in fact stayed in the Sanctuary and was after the sacred Worldsone, hidden inside of mount Arreat. In Zaraki's homeland, so to speak. The Barbarian felt terrified at the news. He have to save his homeland!
----- Zaraki's unbuffed stats:
----- @JuliusBorisov D3 was to have 2 expansions, so I would say the news is about second D3 expansion. And I strongly hope it's not some World of Diablo BS or anything along those lines.
@O_Bruce you got pretty close to death there. You should always try to get high lightning and fire resistance against Diablo's red chain lightning
Diablo's Lightning Breath does half lighting/half physical damage. So only lightning resistance could do me some good. Even if I had 75% lightning resistance, the actual damage reduction from the attack would be 37,5%.
After using buffs, Zaraki had about 700 hit points, and yet that attack still was very dangerous. It might look like I was close to death, but at worst I still had like ~150 hit points. And My fingers ready at Full Rejuvenation potions hotkey. I actually managed to win without using any full rejuvenation potions.
Comments
EDIT: Wait, Chains of Honour wouldn't be a waste, it kicks ass. What I was always making was Honour.
"Zaraki is barbarian, raised in the northen tribes in Harrogath, near the sacred Mt Arreat. As a kid, Zaraki was often fighting against Malah's son, Bannuk and more often than not, bested him in combat multiple times. Zaraki's upbringing was as any other Barbarian: by combat training and learning about the sacred duty of protecting MT Arreat from any intruders. Zaraki, however, was different than most of Bul Khatos' children.
First of all, he couldn't be cut down, no matter what. Zaraki was known for utterly forgetting his defense and focusing in frienzied attack, cutting down his enemies and getting cut by them many more times, but to no effect. He was considered by "battle freak" even by his fellow barbarians. Some barbarian were joking about him, that Zaraki would sooner drown than bleed out to death.
Zaraki's insane strength and endurance led him to other desire: to travel in search of a worthy opponent. His sacred duty of protecting the MT Arreat prevented him from doing that. Luckily, one day the rumour was heard that Diablo, the Lord of Terror was awakened beneath the town of Tristram. The Elder Council decided that Zaraki was to investigate the matter. As soon as he arrived, the town was saved already by someone known as Aidan.
'Whatever' Zaraki thought 'But I don't wanna go back yet...' Luckily for him, Zaraki heard about dangerous creatures to the east, called "Unravellers" and he wished to face them in combat. During his break in camp on his way to the east, Zaraki was passed by a man in dark robes, accompanied by someone who looked like scared drunk. Whatever...
Soon, Zaraki arrived in the Rouge Encampment"
---Playthrought details---
- Zaraki is barbarian, who's using Berserk and (possibly) Leap Attack as the main ways of dealing damage.
- Zaraki is relying on insane amount of life and resistances to survive. He would disregard "defense" attribute on armors and not use shields, since as Berserk as his main attack, his defense will be reduced to 0 anyways. That gives him opportunity to search armor pieces with bonuses to life, resistances, magic find etc.
- Zaraki's weapon of choice are two-handed swords.
- Zaraki has nothing against keeping some company with him.
---
Zaraki's travel part 1:
The troubles of the sisters of the Sightless Eye
Zaraki arrived in the Rouge Encampment and soon learned that the way to the East was closed, as the monastery of Sisters of the Sightless Eye was overrun by the Andariel, the Lesser Evil and Maiden of Anguish. Akara, the sister's seer asked the might warrior to help with defense against creatures that were living in the near cave and were preparing to attack the encampment. But Zaraki had none of this. He ventured to the cave alone, and slaughtered all the monsters inside, only Corpsefire being somewhat notable.
'I'm done' he said to wide-eyed Akara 'What now?' he asked, bathed in the blood of his enemies. Kashya, who apparently couldn't believe the warrior's skills, said something about Blood Raven. Battle under Tristram, bla bla bla, being corrupted, bla bla bla, raising the dead, bla bla bla. Zaraki was only interesed in where she is now, as she seemed like a worthy opponent.
The Blood Raven was apparently at the Burial Grounds next to Cold Plains. That was enough for Zaraki. He traveled throught the plains, killing everything that dared to stop him. He slaughtered the entire Fallen camp, with Bishibosh as the leader and found the rare etheral short sword. It will do for now.
Arriving at the Burial Grounds, Zaraki has decided that he needed a warm up. He cleansed up crypt and mausoleum of undead and then entered the center of the the area. Blood Raven wasn't worthy opponent after all. She shot her arrows and accomplished nearly nothing by them, while the barbarian was slaughtering her minions. Then she proceeded to run away. Zaraki was not really fond of pursuing his targets, but wasn't bad at it. He cut his opponent down and got back tho the encampment. As a token of gratitude, Kashya gave off one of her archers as companion for Zaraki. He did not mind, sharing some fun of slaying monsters with a young archer.
Akara told Zaraki about Deckard Cain and the fall of the town of Tristram. Apparently, the town was destroyed after Zaraki left it and the old man known as Cain possessed a knowledge that could prove useful in dealing with demons and forces of Hell. Zaraki agreed to save the old Horadrim. But first, he bought the two-handed sword from Charsi.
At this point, Zaraki was getting impatient with telling me his story, so you have forgive me, dear readers, for lack of details. Anyway, Tristram was too far to get there in time by feet, so Zaraki had to found the Scroll of Inifuss (dealing with the creature he called "Treehead Woodfist"), show it to Akara, then find the stone circle (guarded by the Carver named Rakanishu and is minions) and touch the stones in particular order. And he did, the portal to Tristram opened.
Tristram was utterly destroyed, but luckily, Decard Cain was still alive. Zaraki rescued him, and them cut down every thing in the town, which translated to demons, Khazra swines and undead, the blacksmith Griswold among them.
Cain told Zaraki about prince Aidan apparently being possessed by Diablo, about his deal with Andariel and how the demon queen had to be defeated if the wy to the east has to be opened. Zaraki was, however, already interested in facing both Andariel and Aidan/Diablo.
Charsi asked Zaraki to find Horadric Mallus. Zaraki wouldn't mind, since he was about to besiege the monastery as the one-man army. He was distracted however, with the tower he found on Black Marsh. He found an entrance to the cellars below the tower, infected with monsters and corrupted rouges. Zaraki also encountered some ghost. Stupid undead may thing themselves safe, since they non-material or something, but there isn't a single stinkin' thing Zaraki couldn't cut. At the lowest levels of the dungeon, he met face to face with the bloody woman surrounded by her corrupted rouges minions. They didn't live for long, meaning the fight was not really that fun. But finding the runes and wast treasure surely was!
After that, Zaraki decided to take a break then train some. It's not like the goddamn hammer and the Demon Queen are getting away...
---
Sorry for not providing screenshots. I have only ones with Zaraki's stats:
The Smith and The Maiden of Anguish
After training for some time (and acquiring new two-handed sword from Gheed), Zaraki decided to charge at the monastery. It went rather well, since there was no enemy strong enough to stop him.
Zaraki decided to head for the western part of the Monastery and entered the barracks. After slaughtering many monsters and cutting down and then looting some special creatures, Zaraki finally found the place in which Mallus was held. It was guarded by some big demon. Big, and cowardy enough to attack Liaza, the rouge companion, instead of Zaraki. The barbarian wasn't fond of this fact and made short work of the cowardly demon.
Zaraki brought the Horadric hammer back to Charsi, who offered to enhance Zaraki's item. But he acquired new sword quite recently, so he didn't need that. Deckard Cain was about to say something regarding Andariel, but Zaraki dismissed the old man.
The barbarian wen through the monastery's jail (in which, he encountered a fight against two special monster at once. Made him pretty happy) to reach the Inner Cloiser.
He then massacred his way through the Catheadral and cut down the Bone Ash. After killing the skeletal mage and recieved his frost nova, Zaraki chilled out killing remaining Devilkin.
The Barbarian traveled through three Catacombs levels to finally find Andariel's lair. He entered the big chamber with bloody pool in the center of it and massacred everything inside, looting the Arctic Binding from the corpse.
Finally, the Barbarian entered the throne chamber of Maiden of Anguish. He progressed through it, killing the demoness' minons in the process. Andariel attacked and Zaraki couldn't resist and attacked the Lesser Evil despite not being done with her minions. As result, Zaraki took some notable damage, and putting him on his guard. He didn't felt such a need of focus during the fight for a long time. That was marvelous! He was even forced to step back one or two times!
Pherhaps he should stay and listen to the Cain, maybe prepare some antidotes. But oh well, Andariel was slain eventually. That was really fun for Zaraki, although the fight didn't last very long. Now, the Barbarian had better idea about demon lords' power and it excited him greatly. Finally, worthy opponents. Be on your guard, Diablo!
(sorry, the music turned out to be too loud. Watch out, headphone users. I was forced to use some music since the game sound effects weren't really synchronized for some reasons)
Zaraki returned to the Rouge Encampment victorious. He was congratulated and offered drinks and party to celebrate his deeds. He stayed for now, but soon he'll travel to the east, where more challenges awaits!
---
Zaraki's inventory and stats:
Search for Tal Rasha tomb
Zaraki arrived in the city of Lut Gholein, the so called "Jewel of the East". Jerhyn, the city's ruler greeted him and started saying various things. Something about monster, dark wanderer and more stuff like that. Apparently, the Dark Wanderer was passing through town, and it was good lead for Zaraki.
Zaraki decided to have some wine, so he arrived in the inn. Atma, the inn's onwer asked the barbarian to kill monster that lives in the sewers. The monster apparently killed many, included Atma's son and husband. Before starting his hunt, Zaraki acquired a better sword and hired Hazade as a companion. Ten, the barbarian entered the severs from the Docks.
Zaraki and his new companion progressed swiftly. Soon, he found the unique monster, who looked like a greater mummy:
The creature could raise the undead to fight once again, but other than that he was not much of a threat. The monster was cut down by dissappointed Zaraki. Among the treasure the barbarian has found there was a strange scroll. He decided to give it to Cain.
Apparently, the scroll was saying about the Horadric Cube, The Horadric Staff and the Tomb of Tal Rasha. And Jerhyn said that the Dark Wanderer, probably being Diablo himself seeks that tomb, most likely to free Baal, his brother. Somethng has to be done about it. Zaraki moved out to the desert, and on Dry Hill he found The Halls of the Dead
On 3rd level of the dungeon he found the Horadric Cube, guarded by some pathetic, and now dead, Lacuni.
The Cube was crucial for restoring Horadric Staff, which can open the passage to the Tomb of Tal Rasha (Zaraki briefly wondered how Diablo was to free his brother, if he does not posses the staff). Luckily, the Cube can also be used in other ways. Such as upgrading runes, gems and potions:
The Staff of Kings, being one of the Horadric Staff's components, is supposed to be hidden under Far Oasis. Zaraki got there in no time, cutting down various bugs and maggots. Zaraki also proven to be able to do impossible, since he was able to cut down even large swarms of insects. The barbarian found the maggot's lair, and in the lowest point of it, he found a big-arse worm: Coldworm the Burrower. But it died very easily, as it was unable to defend itself, and it's offspring was not much of a threat. The Staff of Kings was now Zaraki's
The Amulet of the Viper was supposed to be held in the Claw Viper Temple. To get to the Valley of Snakes, in which temple was, Zaraki travelled through the Lost City. Then, solar eclipse happened. Zaraki, however, never even pretended to be interested in it and just continued his travel. Soon, he arrived at the temple.
Claw vipers were really enjoyable opponents. They could use a strong and fast charge attack and were not shy about using it. They were somewhat dangerous and it made spilling they blood even more enjoyable for Zaraki. At the lower level of the temple, the barbarian encountered Fangskin, alongside his minions. Seeing strong opponent, Zaraki was so overjoyed, he practically leaped to met him!
Fangskin was critically wounded by Leap attack, and it didn't survive for long after that. 'What the hell...' Zaraki thought, getting his attention to it's minions. In the middle of the slaughter, Zaraki destroyed an altar by accident and the solar eclipse ended. Just like that. 'What the hell...?" Zaraki once more. Whatever, now he had the Amulet of the Viper and the Horadric Staf was restored anew!
After restoring the staff and listening to Cain's blabbering, Zaraki was forced to listen to Jerhyn and Drognan too. Something about Arcane Sanctuary, Horazon, harem girls, clue to find Tal Rasha tomb, harem girls, monsters, harem girls, monsters killing harem girls....
What?! Monsters killing harem girls?! Unforgivable! Zaraki arrived in the Jerhyn's Palace and cleansed it of any evil filth he could find. Oh, and he found a portal to Arcane Sanctuary. What a coincidence! Time to search for clues regarding Tomb of Tal Rasha, then.
In the eastern corner of the sanctuary, Zaraki encountered some mage, who was casting some ice spells and fireballs. Zaraki leaped towards him and ended his miserable life in one hit. Puny mage!
Zaraki then read (yes, he can in fact read!) Horazon's journal. So, the Tomb of Tal Rasha was hidden among other, fake tombs and has it's own symbol. Good to know. And there is even portal to the Canyon of the Magi. How convenient.
Before entering the true Tal Rasha's tomb, Zaraki decided to practice some and cleanse other tombs too. Diablo can't do anything without the Horadric Staff anyway, right?
---
Zaraki's stats:
The puny Lord of Pain
Zaraki has been training recently and, as usual is very confident in his abilties. The time has come to invade the real Tal Rasha's Tomb!
The Tomb was swarmed with the burning dead, wraiths, gorbellies and.... the unraveller. Zaraki was dissapointed with them, unless he was facing 3 or 4 of them at once. Only an idiot would let himself be killed by them! He traveled... all this way... for this?
Whatever, maybe he'll find Tal Rasha, Baal or Diablo to fight against. Who know. He surely found an chamber with orifice in the center of it. The place to finally use the Horadric Staff!
What Zaraki found inside next chamber was giant bug-like looking demon! Sounds like fun!
Zaraki leaped towards his enemy with slasher smile on his face and attacked with his sword. The barbarian roared few times, and then the real combat began. The demon insulted Zaraki by mostly focusing on taking down his companion first. Does that abomination implies Zaraki isn't worthy opponent? Or maybe it knows that it cannot defeat Zaraki anyways? Well, this didn't end well for both mercenary and creature itself.
Zaraki was walking through the corridor now. He had more problems with Andariel, seriously. He reached the final chamber, and saw someone he did not expected. An angelic figure was standing before large stone. The figure introduced itself as Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice. He tried to stop Diablo from freeing Baal, but was unable to.
"Wait, what? Diablo didn't posses Horadric Staff!" the barbarian shouted. The chamber was locked for good before Zaraki arrived. How it is possible, goddamnit? What else? Maybe the creature he just fought wasn't some stupid demon but Demon Lord? One of the Lesser Evils, perhaps? That doesn't make goddamn sense! Like Demon Lord would let himself be sealed in the chamber for all eternity, guarding one stinkin angel! It sounds like a bad story written by some ape!
Whatever. Diablo an Baal are after freeing Mephisto, the last of the Prime Evils. Even if perspective of facing such foes excited Zaraki, he knew there is more and more at stake. Zaraki returned to Lut Gholein, changed his armor for the new one and talked to Jerhyn to enable him travel to Kurast on the east. That's where Mephisto, according to Deckard Cain, was imprisoned years ago.
Soon, Zaraki will arrive in Kurast.
---
Zaraki's unbuffed stats:
Thanks
@O_Bruce Thanks for those videos. Zaraki seems very brave! I would have teleported to the city once or twice if I played instead of you against Andariel and Duriel in those circumstances, but you didn't and it was so fun! Thumbs up!
The boss fights were somewhat dissapointing so far, i managed to give only a glimpse on the Countess for example, and the battle was over.
Some of my loot:
And my level 8 character sheet:
that's stupid. Doing a solo run can be pretty shitty when you have to play on servers (I'm on wifi, theres always a bit of lag involved)
That attack rating is simply insane
Let me introduce you to Nefertlal Yatta-ihhuitl Mictlantecuhtli
a soul-eating high priest hailing from one of the Bakuli Jungle's elusive cannibal tribesSome notes about the Souleater:
Right. Where do we begin?
ACT 1, Chapter I, verses 1 to whatever is the number of the last verse here
I'm not surprised to see your kind here, said Warriv in a failed attempt to conceal his fear of the ghastly figure which invaded his comfort zone. There was something really disturbing about the stranger. Was it the gnarly, skeleton-like body hinting at inhumanly prolonged starvation? Or maybe the fact that it menacingly hovered in the air without any apparent support?Yatta-ihhuitl was not particularly inclined to indulge the caravan master, though.
He was hungry.
He floated out of the Rogue encampment. Blood hit the Blood Moor quickly. A small pack of the fallen was easy prey even for a weakened Souleater. Soon, tens of flayed corpses lay strewn across the land. The witch-doctor danced wildly amongst them, muttering profane incantations, and the frightful cawing of cursed raven-wraiths was unleashed.
A rare ceremonial dagger revealed itself among the gore. Yatta-ihhuitl knew how to put such tools to use.
He continued unravelling and consuming souls until there was no more sustenance in the Blood Moor. It was not long before he felt strong enough to regurgitate raven spirits at will. Still starving, he found his way into a cave, wherein foul beasts to feast upon were plentiful and more varied.
Yatta-ihhuitl's hunger slowly waned as he consumed the cave's many inhabitants. With satiety came strange lightshafts, which puzzled his newly nourished consciousness. Unsure about the origins of this mystical anomaly, he teleported back to the Sisterhood's encampment, so as to consult the High Priestess Akara and benefit from her knowledge of local phenomenons.
Though she was initially somewhat terrified of him, she explained the cave was a 'Den of Evil' and that he cleansed it,
inadvertently causing some eldritch cliché magics to replace the cave's brothel-like red light with a whitish emanation of sterility. Having broken the ice, they talked at length and found there were many things they could learn from each other. Much to the benefit of Yatta-ihhuitl's spirit manipulation skills, Akara shared some insights into Andariel's soul-corrupting curse. The witch-doctor was eager to know more of it but, alas and alack, his hunger could not be stayed any longer. He promptly decided to venture into the wilderness once again in search of a specimen which he could dissect and investigate on his own. As he was about to leave through the portal, Kashya hesitantly provided him with some useful clues.Yatta-ihhuitl was really interested in meeting this Blood Raven and stumbled upon the Monastery graveyard even sooner than he anticipated. It was an unwelcoming place, teeming with hungry dead. But the Souleater was hungrier still and the burial grounds' stonework was soon painted red.
The one the Sisterhood called a Blood Raven was there, watching. Not really much of a raven, it turned out. Or much of a fight. Though there was a lot of running, cawing and floating around.
To be continued...
ghoul lorddruid!I've decided to continue without installing PlugY, supporting the "it was meant to be played this way, with this small inventory space" point of view, for the nearest future at least.
The adventure of Xzar
After coming back to Travincal, Xzar again found himself in front of the High Counsel and again had to defeat them. Soon one of them dropped an unusual mask. Xzar then opened two nearby containers... Another set item and a Ral rune were found inside:
It turned out to be Cathan's Visage and Arcanna's Head:
But the main item here was the rune. Thanks to the Horadric Cube Xzar created an Ort rune, and had spare Tal and Ral runes left. The time came to go shopping in the search of a 3-socketed shield. Lut Gholein, as always, provided the shield Xzar wanted. Now, with "Ancients' Pledge" equipped, Xzar had nearly perfect resistances:
After that Xzar wasn't afraid of facing Mephisto. With nearly maximum resistances, Xzar didn't need to retreat and/or teleport to Kurast Docks. The battle required as much as 2 (two!) healing potions.
As always, Xzar let Klaudia to inflict a finishing blow to the demon. The reward was finding Giverb's Ward among the loot:
It was interesting that while I had planned a "daggermancer", Xzar didn't generally use any dagger till the start of the Act IV, in fact. Dim Vision with 7 points put into it and Decrepify with only 1 point spent there were enough to successfully go through the Acts I-III. Now with 75/75/63/73 resistances Xzar was more or less safe for upcoming battles in the Act IV. His points spent on Poison Dagger will help as soon as Xzar reaches the 30th level and gets Poison Nova (due to synergies).
While i browsed the net for the cube recipes i got my greatest revelation, since i started the game anew: gem shrines upgrades the gems you carry!
character sheet and inventory:
Edit: As you can see, i managed to socket Wirt's Leg
The jungles of Kehjistan and the city of Kurast
Zaraki arrived at the Kurast Docks, alongside his companion and Deckard Cain old man. While they were on the ship, the Cain was telling Zaraki some bullcr*p about Khalim, his relics and - if Mephisto was free and the former Zakarum Council corrupt - that said relics were apparently needed to reach Mephisto's prison. It was utterly boring and made no sense to Zaraki - just like the tomb of Tal Rasha. All that sounded like a really bad tale told by a drunk.
Once in Kurast, Zaraki never wasted any time - the barbarian didn't even talked to the docks residents very much. He immediately went out in the jungle, and soon encountered no one else than the Dark Wanderer:
He disapperead soon, spawning some lesser and pathetic demonspawn. Oh well. Zaraki slayed them, just like every fetish or tree-men that dared to stood in his way. Meanwhile, one of the less-weak monsters dropped a mysterious jade statuette. On his stroll, the bored Barbarian noticed a spider cavern and entered it, hoping that the fight against gaint spiders will prove to be more interesting. He was wrong. But the Barbarian found a large chest, and... well preserved eye inside of it. The might warrior facepalmed. This must be the eye of Khalim, apparently. And apparently Zaraki would need it. So he snatched it. He also found a full helm, but weaker to one that Zaraki already possesed.
The barbarian used the scroll of town portal to go back to the Kurast Docks again. He showed the eye to Cain, and he ordered Zaraki to place it in his Horadric Cube. Ok
The barbarian also asked Deckard about the statuette. The old man said Meshif would be interested in it. And Meshif traded it for golden bird. What to do with the damn bird? Zaraki asked Cain about it, and he said something about sage named Ku Y'leh, his ashes being held in the Golden Bird and that Alkor the alchemist would be interested in it.
And he sure was. He made a potion from Ku Y'leh ashes and gave it to Zaraki, claiming that the potion will enhance Zaraki's vital forces. It tasted like piss, though.
Now, forgive me dear readers, but Zaraki was gotten impatient with me again, so I'll speed up this part a little. The barbarian traveled to the Fetish Jungle, recovered the sacred blade - the Gidbinn and then found the entrance to the Flyer Dungeon, where the other Khalim's relic was supposed to be. And it was there.
Zaraki contiuned his travel and finally he has reached the Kurast gates, guarded by the Stormtree, a notable opponent. But it was no match for Zaraki and his bloodlust. The barbarian found a waypoint in the Lower Kurast and used it to get back to Docks. He then brought back the Gidbinn to Ormus with an exchange for a rare magical and - suprise - useful ring. Then Zaraki showed Khalim's brain to Cain, and the old man once more ordered it to be put into the Cube. Whatever, it makes little sense anyway. Not that Zaraki had any sanity to begin with. Ah, an Alkor wanted the barbarian to recover book wrritten by Lam Esen, containing knowledge about the Prime Evils. Zarki didn't mean doing it, as long as there was throats to slice. The book was to be hidden in one of the temples at Kurast Baazar.
Zaraki traveled to the Baazar and one of the Zealots dropped a unique armor.
It provided protection from being frozen, but not much else. Zaraki decided to keep using his old armor.
He found the Black Book Alkor wanted in one of the temples, guarded by the Battlemaid Sarina, her minions and mini boss pack consisting of spell-casting vampires. That was actually a tought battle that made Zaraki even fall back for a bit. Zaraki loved challenge, but he also wanted to be alive, since only then he could experience some challenging battles. As such, the barbarian was ready to show more finesse in the fight if it called for it. Anyways, in the end the black book was his.
After fetching the book to Alkor, Cain mentioned that Khalim's heart is probably hidden in the sewers under city of Kurast. Wonderful. Why does Zaraki have to find these things again? Needles to say, the Barbarian went down the sewers under Kurast Baazar. The sewers were apparently large, but luckily the barbarian managed to find their lower levels - and Khalim's heart pretty quickly. Now, for the Travincal, where Khalim's Flail was supposed to be!
Zaraki literally leaped to the Upper Kurast. Bridges are for the weak.
He then slaughtered his way to the Travincal
Corrupted Zakarum fighters and priests could not stand a chance against might of the barbarian from the Harrogath. Zaraki arrived at the biggest temple...
... and found corrupted Zakarum council members ourside and inside of it. Their bodies were deformed in a really strange way. Zaraki attacked, and they responed with summoning fire hydras, that began casting flames on the barbarian. Zaraki didn't mind them heating things up.
Zaraki had to use some potions, but his life was not really in danger. One of the Council Members he killed outside dropped Khalim's Flail and Zaraki put it into Horadric Cube and decided to merge the items, just for fun. And what's worse, it worked. How preserved organs managed to strengthen the flail, he had no idea... And no time to think about it, as other Council members were waiting to be killed. And they were.
Back in the Docks, Deckard Cain said that if Zakarum Members were corrupted in this way, it must meant that Mephisto was already free and corrupted them by forcing them to impale shards of his soulstone into their bodies. That explains the corruption. Also, the old Horadrim told Zaraki to destroy the Orb that was sealing the entrence to the dungeon below the temple, when Mephisto most likely lies. And to use Khalim's Flail to do it - it was fortunate that Zaraki actually collected the goddamn organs in the first place.
Zaraki used flail on the mysterious Orb in the temple. And both the Orb and the Flail shattered. The way to the Lord of Hatred was open. The Durance of Hate was full of undead, the fetishes being the most annoying of them, but other than that Zaraki's opponent weren't really notable. He found his way to lowest levels of the dungeon and engaged Bremm Sparkfist in the battle. His lightning discharges were really powerful, and Zaraki, out of respect, decided to remember his, now dead, opponent's name. The remaining Council members weren't as notable, however.
Now, only Mephisto himself remained.
Zaraki used rejuvanation potions during this fight, but that was mainly because he didn't have any health potions left. The demon's spells were notable, but with his thin body, his endurance was not. Zaraki soon ended the battle in his favor.
Mephisto dropped a strange, blue stone. Old Cain stated it was the demon's soulstone, and it needs to destroyed. And it could only be done in the Hellforge - otherwise Mephisto' spirit would linger in the Sanctuary, instead in the Burning Hells. Zaraki was standing before the portal that was supposed to take him to place where no mortal even returned from. Diablo probably returned to hell....
But wait, what about Baal? Wouldn't it be better idea to search for Baal now? If the Lord of Destrucion is still in the Sanctuary, there is no telling what kind of danger he could brought upon the world. It was more logical to chase after him, since Diablo went back to Hell where he should be! Even if Diablo was to prepare an army to invade the Sanctuary, he still had to deal with Azmodan and Belial, since according to Cain, the are rulers of the Hell now, and they won't give up on that so easily. It would be a civil war between demons. The pursuit could wait! Yes, that's it!
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NAH. Let's play along with Cain, shall we?
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Welcome, @God . Have a good time around here. Your playthought seems interesting at the moment.
The Lord of Terror
Instead to Hell, Zaraki arrived in the Pandemonium Fortress with Deckard Cain. According to the old man, Pandemonium was the middle of a creation, a place between heaven and hell. Fair enough. Zaraki was greeted by Tyrael, the Archangel of Justice, who immediately asked for a favour. If, by any chance, the barbarian on his way to the Hellforge would pass through Plains of Despair and met Izual - former angel, now fallen and cursed into body of a demon - would he agree to end the angel's suffering? Zaraki said yes, since it would be by bloodshed.
Now, Zaraki was going down to the Outer Steppes of hell....
Wait a moment. Shouldn't the freaking fortress be "in the middle of the creation" and not lead directly to the hell? That makes no god damn sense! And the so-called "hell" never looked like a hell in the first place...
Whatever. Demons found on the Outer Steppes were not much of a threat. Soon, Zaraki entered the Plains of Despair. He found the Fallen Angel surprisingly fast. Now, Zaraki was told to end Izual's suffering, but on the other hand, the barbarian thought it would be better for now to try to talk to the creature. Unfortunately, Izual was not interested in talking. Neither was Zaraki, really. The barbarian remembered the precious lesson he learned from his mother and tried to apply it immediately to response to the angel's actions: "If violence doesn't resolve all your problems, you probably aren't using enough of it".
The Izual was slain, and according to what his spirit said, he was long beyond redemption, as he helped the Prime Evils to corrupt the soulstones - and mortals through them. Before resuming his quest to the Hellforge, Zaraki informed Tyrael of everything.
The Barbarian found the entrance to the River or Flame in the City of the Damned. Now, that's how the hell should have looked like!
Finding the Hellforge was much easier than he anticipated. After entering the River of Flames, it was just on the first turn to the left. Seriously. Regardless, the Hellforge was defended by Stranglers, Pit Lords, and more importantly - overlord demon Hephasto the Armorer. Hephasto had much more guts than the Smith, since he attacked Zaraki directly. The demon was not much of a threat, however. Soon, Zaraki placed Mephisto's soulstone on the anvil and used Hephasto's Hellforge Hammer to smash the stone. Cain was pleased by the news of it.
Now, the time has come to hunt down Diablo himself.
The Lord of Terror is most likely in his own Chaos Sanctuary and is probably guarded by powerful demon minions. That, however, didn't matter a bit for Zaraki. On his way to Diablo's domain (one of many, in fact. Why, however, Diablo was in Chaos Sanctuary instead in the Realm of Terror, was beyond Zaraki's comprehersion) he encountered Hadriel, an angel who told the barbarian about five seals that had to be unlocked to lure out Lord of Terror. Thanks Hadriel, but what are you doing in the middle of the hell by yourself, again?
Regardless, the Chaos Sanctuary is finally there. The place was guarded by Venom Lords, Storm Casters, Doom and Oblivon Knights, the latter being powerful combination very fun to fight against. One special Ovlivion Knight dropped a good sword for Zaraki:
The barbarian unlocked the seals and killed every monster that appeared to stop him. Now, the last seal and Diablo himself was all that is left.
After breaking the last seal, Zaraki rushed to the center of the sanctuary where, Diablo was about to appear. The Lord of Terror taunted the barbarian and then battle has began.
Cain stated that Diablo's most powerful weapon was the fear, and his own inabillity to feel it. He freaking lied. The most powerful weapon Diablo really possessed was his Red Lightning breath. By just taking a look, Zaraki knew he can't let himself get directly hit by it, or that would meant his own death. Unfortunately, the barbarian's companion noticed that too late. Diablo wasn't playing around and was using his most devastating attack quite often. But, in the long run, Zaraki triumfed, and even remembered to finish the demon off with his swap weapons - the rare gladius sword he found after slaying Mephisto, and the lucky dagger named "Gull". The lord of terror was slain!
Zaraki returned to Tyrael with the great news. Unfortunately, the Archangel of Justice had no great news on his own. It appears that Baal, the Lord of Destruction, in fact stayed in the Sanctuary and was after the sacred Worldsone, hidden inside of mount Arreat. In Zaraki's homeland, so to speak. The Barbarian felt terrified at the news. He have to save his homeland!
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Zaraki's unbuffed stats:
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@JuliusBorisov
D3 was to have 2 expansions, so I would say the news is about second D3 expansion. And I strongly hope it's not some World of Diablo BS or anything along those lines.
After using buffs, Zaraki had about 700 hit points, and yet that attack still was very dangerous. It might look like I was close to death, but at worst I still had like ~150 hit points. And My fingers ready at Full Rejuvenation potions hotkey. I actually managed to win without using any full rejuvenation potions.