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Lorath has set off in pursuit of sorts. His primary objective (and plan for some time) is to compile a record of Sanctuary’s most powerful relics and the stories behind them to pass on to Neyrelle to aid her in the challenges she will face. The Cathedral of Light, under Prava's orders, have seized the Horadric Vault so The Book of Lorath could end up being the only documentation she will ever have access to. | Lorath has set off in pursuit of sorts. His primary objective (and plan for some time) is to compile a record of Sanctuary’s most powerful relics and the stories behind them to pass on to Neyrelle to aid her in the challenges she will face. The Cathedral of Light, under Prava's orders, have seized the Horadric Vault so The Book of Lorath could end up being the only documentation she will ever have access to. | ||
In order to protect such valuable wisdom Lorath hunts down certain relics and transfers their powers to special glyphs he creates that he places at the beginning and end of the tome thereby protecting all text in between. He explains | In order to protect such valuable wisdom Lorath hunts down certain relics and transfers their powers to special glyphs he creates that he places at the beginning and end of the tome thereby protecting all text in between. He explains in the book why he chose this way. | ||
<blockquote>I know the spell I crafted is unconventional. I know there were and are more traditional wards available. I don't want to keep doing what has already been done. That can only achieve the results we have already obtained. Wards and Soulstones will inevitably break. Vaults will be opened. Libraries will be burned or seized. Codes will be deciphered. | <blockquote>I know the spell I crafted is unconventional. I know there were and are more traditional wards available. I don't want to keep doing what has already been done. That can only achieve the results we have already obtained. Wards and Soulstones will inevitably break. Vaults will be opened. Libraries will be burned or seized. Codes will be deciphered. | ||
To those with demonic or dark intent, its contents will be incomprehensible, impenetrable, inviolable. That means if you are reading this, you have been judged worthy by the magic I have put in place.</blockquote> | To those with demonic or dark intent, its contents will be incomprehensible, impenetrable, inviolable. That means if you are reading this, you have been judged worthy by the magic I have put in place.</blockquote> | ||
The Wanderer's journey will focus on the search for Neyrelle to discover her fate and that of the Soulstone. However, all previous Soulstones have ended up corrupting their guardian so this does not bode well for Neyrelle or all who come into contact with her. | The Wanderer's journey will focus on the search for Neyrelle to discover her fate and that of the Soulstone. However, all previous Soulstones have ended up corrupting their guardian so this does not bode well for Neyrelle or all who come into contact with her. | ||
Revision as of 00:12, 12 December 2023
Vessel of Hatred is the first Expansion Pack for Diablo 4 and is due to be released late in 2024. It was announced at Blizzcon on 3rd October 2023.
At this point, confirmed information is thin on the ground however what Blizzard has announced corroborates datamined information.[1] That doesn't mean that all that has been ripped from the game files will appear in VoH.
Arriving at the End of Diablo 4
At the end of Diablo 4, the Wanderer (you) and the young scholar Neyrelle, arrive at the Cathedral of Hatred to capture Lilith in the Soulstone that Donan, a member of the Horadrim, has created. However, Neyrelle, believing Mephisto to be the greater threat, captures his essence instead. Before Lilith arrives she leaves the Cathedral through a red portal and at some point returns to the Horadric Vault (Map) in the Mistral Woods where she pens a goodbye letter to Lorath (the last remaining Horadrim) explaining her departure and intention to take care of the Mephisto problem herself. Meanwhile, the Wanderer has vanquished Lilith reducing her to ash, presumably never to be seen again.
However, this is Diablo so that is not an absolute given.
In the epilogue, Neyrelle travels west across The Fractured Peaks and deserts of Kehjistan to a port where she boards a boat and sets sail across the Twin Seas to the western continent of Sanctuary, Mephisto Soulstone in hand and shadowed by the bloodied wolf.
Donan, a member of the Horadrim, creates a Soulstone to capture Lilith.
Neyrelle captures Mephisto's essence in the newly created Soulstone in the Cathedral of Hatred.
Neyrelle captures Mephisto's essence in the newly created Soulstone in the Cathedral of Hatred
A Red Portal leads Neyrelle out of the Cathedral of Hatred.
Neyrelle with the Soulstone containing Mephisto sails across the Twin Seas shadowed by the Bloodied Wolf.
Neyrelle takes a ship across the Twin Seas.
Where Vessel of Hatred Picks up the Story
Location
Blizzard has confirmed that our journey in Vessel of Hatred will take us to the southern coast of the western isles, south of Gea Kul (Map) and Zarbinzet (Map). We will begin the adventure at River Gate, previously closed off from the rest of Sanctuary for the past several decades, as well as from Lilith’s influence. However, Kurast and its docks, last visited in Diablo 2, will serve as the central hub. Travincal and its subterranean areas will also play their part.
Kurast Docks as they appeared in Diablo 2
Travincal in Kurast as seen in Diablo 2 Resurrected
Fetish swarm the Sorceress in the Great Marsh in the Torajan Jungles as seen in Diablo 2 Resurrected.
Fighting a Swamp Dweller in the Great Marsh in Torajan Jungles as seen in Diablo 2 Resurrected
Sewers below Kurast as seen in Diablo 2 Resurrected.
Arachnid Lair below Spider Forest in Torajan Jungles as seen in Diablo 2 Resurrected. Flame Spider and Poison Spinners attack the Sorceress and her Mercenary.
The geography of the land is quite varied, from the thick flora and fauna of the Torajan Jungles (think Flayer Jungle in Diablo 2) to the barren expanse of the Teganze Plateau. It is also home to the Field of Giants as well as the dark, dank depths of the Kurast Sewers.
Beyond that, to the western portion of this region, there has been no mention so we do not know if Vessel of Hatred is confined to just the eastern portion.
One area that appears in Diablo 4 but in nametag only is The Lost City of Ureh. This place has never appeared in a Diablo game, however, it was intended to be a location in Diablo 3 and made a fleeting appearance in that game's announcement video. [2] It has only appeared in the Diablo novel The Kingdom of Shadow (Buy US - UK). It hasn't featured in Diablo 4 but we have been within spitting distance of it and in fact, the steps to it are merely blocked. For now. It may well not feature in Vessel of Hatred but it's opening up at some point.
Class
Blizzard deliberated whether to reintroduce a classic class from the past or to offer something new. Ultimately they decided to go with something completely new to the game series but they haven't provided any specifics.
The information datamined [1] from the game files mentions a Spiritborn, a class said to be deeply rooted in the elements of nature and the spiritual realm. Tapping into two resources: Vigor and Alliegance to fuel physical vitality and endurance and, through their spirit connection to nature, call upon spirits of nature to aid them.
Given that in Vessel of Hatred we will be venturing into the Teganze jungles where Torajan, (home of Witch Doctor), is located you could be forgiven for putting money on that being the new class however the one piece of concrete information we have from Blizzard on the next class is:
This new class will not be a Witch Doctor.
So put a pin in that, for now.
Vessel of Hatred Story with Possible Spoilers
Neyrelle's letter to Lorath makes it quite clear she expects to do this journey alone.
I spent a lot of time learning this code, so I hope you remember how to read it, Lorath. Because you are the last Horadrim now.
My mother would have wanted me to stay with you. She believed the Horadrim had all the answers. I don't know if she'd recognise this person I'm becoming. It's hard for me to think about her right now. But then I remember you and Donan. You weren't "all-knowing Horadrim." You were bitter. You were uncertain. But you were always true friends. That's what I hold onto because there is so much further to go. Your imperfection gave me hope. And we will need it to face what comes next. To face him...and his brothers.
I don't know how much time I have, but there has to be a better answer. And I have to find it. Alone. I know you want to go with me but people have already died because I was not careful enough. I can't risk you too.
If I've misjudged, the world is going to need you to survive and clean up the mistakes I leave behind.
I know you don't want to hear this, but you don't get to quit. Not again.
Wish me well, Lorath. Because if everything works out as I hope...we will never see each other again." ~ Neyrelle
Neyrelle is following in the footsteps of a Prophet of Light and is looking for answers about what to do with Mephisto’s Soulstone as his spirit pushes against her every step of the way.
Whilst Blizzard hasn't elaborated more than this in regards to Vessel of Hatred the compendium released in June of 2023, Diablo: The Book of Lorath picks up the story after Neyrelle sets off across the Twin Seas.
Neyrelle is certain that Lorath will follow her and so leaves letters in places she expects he may visit.
Before I left, you hinted that you might be taking a journey of your own. In your typical stubborn way, you remained maddeningly cryptic about it. So I am going to leave letters like this along my way just in case your road brings you to any of the same places. ~ Neyrelle
Lorath has set off in pursuit of sorts. His primary objective (and plan for some time) is to compile a record of Sanctuary’s most powerful relics and the stories behind them to pass on to Neyrelle to aid her in the challenges she will face. The Cathedral of Light, under Prava's orders, have seized the Horadric Vault so The Book of Lorath could end up being the only documentation she will ever have access to.
In order to protect such valuable wisdom Lorath hunts down certain relics and transfers their powers to special glyphs he creates that he places at the beginning and end of the tome thereby protecting all text in between. He explains in the book why he chose this way.
I know the spell I crafted is unconventional. I know there were and are more traditional wards available. I don't want to keep doing what has already been done. That can only achieve the results we have already obtained. Wards and Soulstones will inevitably break. Vaults will be opened. Libraries will be burned or seized. Codes will be deciphered. To those with demonic or dark intent, its contents will be incomprehensible, impenetrable, inviolable. That means if you are reading this, you have been judged worthy by the magic I have put in place.
The Wanderer's journey will focus on the search for Neyrelle to discover her fate and that of the Soulstone. However, all previous Soulstones have ended up corrupting their guardian so this does not bode well for Neyrelle or all who come into contact with her.
Gallery
Kurast. For scale note the character on the left side of the octagon.
Kurast Docks. Nestled under the giant trilithon sits a community of stilt houses.
Giant roots act as a crossing for the tiny character you can see standing half way across.
A temple courtyard in Kurast.
Menacing Mephisto
Neyrelle holding the Sapphire Soulstone which contains the essence of Mephisto.
A boat meanders down a river in the Torajan Jungles.
Temple in Travincal in the Torajan Jungles. For scale note the character at the top of the stairs.
Structures in Travincal lay in ruins. For scale note the character in the foreground stood on.
