Wanted to post a narration/synopsis for the Diablo IV cinematic trailer for the sake of discussion.
Feel free to share your own impressions and opinions.
There’s a lot to take in and for a Diablo reveal I felt thoroughly satisfied from what we’ve seen. The storytelling has my confidence high and I’m excited to see the direction DIV takes.
With more questions than answers I figured we could all play a part and get the ball rolling.
By Three They Come:
The beginning was eerily silent and reminiscent. A desolate town left rotting. Old creaks of wood, a forgotten church bell and the startling bang from a window blind blowing in the wind.
This was a obvious nod to the original Diablo cinematic that really hints at a franchise returning to darkness.
As we creep closer to the church you start hearing the incomprehensible babble of prayer and stark hisses. A frantic group is immediately revealed as they attempt to outrun demons on the chase.
Three degenerates and a scholar suffering from severe injuries.
One person immediately sticks out. A leader amongst the motley crew. Risking life and limb he seemed the most determined as he carried the scholar despite desperate pleas to leave him.
Courageously he organizes the men. Almost feeding into their desires only to push them closer toward their goals.
Promises of coin and locked away knowledge.
Could there be an ulterior motive?
The men defend their position and soon after secrets are revealed. Blood is the key.
Taking initiative the leader willingly sacrifices his chance for survival allowing the the others to break the ancient seal under their own will.
Scrambling into the tomb the two degenerates left standing turn their backs breaking the seal that ironically seals the fate of the leader. One gone but plenty of riches left to share.
The look left on the scholars face is most notable. Shock and despair for what lies ahead.
Now for the most chilling and by far my favorite part of the cinematic.
Left alone and thirsting for gold the two degenerates turn to the scholar with violent demands.
“What about the coin?!”
“We came here for treasure! What is this place?”
The thirst for riches quickly turn to concern. Knowing the truth the scholar attempts to explain himself. While gasping for air he is interrupted by a ominous and powerful voice.
“It’s a gate.”
Absolutely captivating. Every single moment that followed drew my attention further.
Confusion spreads among the men. Suddenly a supernatural force snatches the degenerate with the last torch available and darkness ensues.
Moments later small blood drops reveal his location. Suspended in air a mortified look of panic consumes his face as his body and arms are twisted and broken.
Then with great force his body thrusts upside down against one of three pillars.
“And blood is the key…” The ominous voice explains.
Focusing on the last degenerate the camera pans to the side and their leader is revealed lurking behind him.
The lighting and framing of this scene give the characters a life like comparison. A true testament of the supreme quality we’ve come to expect from Blizzard.
A quick swing of the axe and the leader takes a forceful blow to the face severing his jaw. Slowly he stands tall as the sound of bones move into place. He is unfazed.
It becomes apparent that their leader is the one pulling the strings. In a sudden flash the last degenerate thrusts into the second pillar. A similar fate.
Ancient seals begin to shift and demonic markings etch their way into the faces of both men while blood is pulled from their bodies.
“The eternal light protects me.”
Prayer is now a chant of desperation from the scholar. Our lone survivor. Walking slowly to the center their former leader faces him.
“From the abyss we seek thy salvation.”
“By three they come. By three thy way opens.”
“By the blood of the willing”
A ghostly transition. The leader reveals himself as a demonic priest.
“We call thee home.”
Mesmerizing. The occultist themes transcend anything Blizzard has done before and I applaud the developers for crafting intrigue so elegantly.
“Come.”
The priest exudes his power by gently pulling the scholar against his will. Still in prayer the scholar squints intensely as if in denial of the horror that awaits him.
“Open your eyes.”
Reluctantly he peers into the priest while chanting. Praying in hope that the eternal light will still protect him. The camera shifts to the priest’s eyes.
A void fills them and a reflection of the scholar lies within the abyss.
“There is no light here. You came to the darkness.”
“For knowledge.”
The camera shifts to the scholar’s eyes. They widen briefly then turn down in shame. A look of defeat. The priest is somehow ominous and solemn.
He convinces the scholar to surrender and speak the words that will complete the ritual now taking place.
In what seems like a act of defiance the scholar attempts to dignify the fate that awaits him and begins to cant the words.
“By three they come. By three thy way opens. By the blood of the willing."
"We call thee home.”
The ritual is complete and the blood from the scholar now joins the other men creating a triangle between them. A membrane of blood is formed.
In a dream like state the scholar is consumed by flashes of imagery. Presumably the knowledge that he was unknowingly seeking. Pain and fear take hold as the truth reveals itself.
“Hail the daughter of hatred. Creator of Sanctuary.”
“Hail Lilith.”
He says this with his last breathe as his pupils dilate and life leaves the eyes.
We are now witnesses of the scholars last moments alive and as the last moments of the cinematic approach Lilith transcends the barrier between worlds and is greeted by the priest.
“Blessed Mother. Save us.”
He now bows before her power and malevolence. A incredibly striking scene that ends the cinematic trailer. If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
