Diablo 4 Lore | What Happened to The Crusader? The Grim Fate of Diablo 3's Nephalem

Summary

In this lore-based video, the fate of the Diablo 3 Crusader is explored, focusing on the canonical character, Johanna. The Crusaders, founded by a cleric named Aan to combat corruption within the Zakarum faith, are shown to be on a long quest. Johanna, initially chasing Diablo, is presumed dead in Diablo 4. Her armor is eventually found by a new initiate named Toyis, who takes on Johanna's legacy. This video delves into the history of the Crusader order and Johanna's tragic end, while also exploring the future of the order in Diablo 4.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Crusader order in Diablo 3 was formed by a cleric named Aon, who believed in purging corruption within the faith.
• 😀 Unlike Paladins, Crusaders followed the final voyage of Akarat's pilgrimage to clear corruption from the Zakarum church.
• 😀 The Crusaders were tasked with finding Akarat's tomb and a solution to the church's corruption, though Aon did not know about Mesto's involvement in the corruption.
• 😀 In Diablo 3, the canonical Crusader character is a female named Johanna, not the male Crusader character often associated with the game.
• 😀 Crusaders have a tradition of passing their armor and name to an initiate upon their death or retirement, continuing their legacy.
• 😀 In Diablo 4, players discover Johanna’s fate: she is deceased, and her armor is passed down to a new initiate named Toyis.
• 😀 Toyis, in Diablo 4, searches for her master's armor and is determined to uncover the fate of Johanna, who is believed to be dead.
• 😀 Johanna's armor is found at the entrance of Mogan's Folly, though Johanna’s corpse is missing her armor, indicating she may have passed on her legacy.
• 😀 The Crusaders in Diablo 4 are facing low morale, and they are unwilling to help Toyis find Johanna's armor due to past losses in battle.
• 😀 The lore suggests that Johanna from Diablo 3 is likely retired or deceased, as the Crusader order’s members have vastly varying lifespans, sometimes living for decades.
• 😀 Toyis becomes the new Johanna after donning her master's armor, taking on the role and legacy of the Crusader order.

Q & A

Who founded the Crusader order in Diablo 3 and why?

The Crusader order was founded by a mid-level cleric named Aan, who believed there was corruption within the Zakarum faith, especially in the higher leadership. He sought out light-bearing warriors to form a new order to cleanse the corruption.

How did the Crusaders' mission begin and what was their goal?

The Crusaders' mission began with the final pilgrimage of Akarat, which led them to the east of the Zakarum capital of Caldeum, into the swamp lands of Hozar. Their goal was to uncover a way to eliminate the corruption within the church, with some even seeking Akarat’s tomb.

How does Johanna, the Crusader, relate to the story in Diablo 3?

Johanna is the canonical Crusader player character in Diablo 3. She pivots from her original mission in the swamp lands to pursue the falling star in the west, ultimately chasing down Diablo in the quest to fight against corruption.

What is the significance of the Crusader’s armor and its passing between generations?

In the Crusader order, each Crusader is assigned an initiate. When a Crusader retires or passes away, their armor and name are passed down to the initiate, symbolizing the continuity of the order's legacy and purpose.

What happens to Johanna in Diablo 4, and how does her fate affect the Crusader order?

In Diablo 4, Johanna's fate is grim. Her armor is found by a new initiate named Toyis at an old Crusader fort called Mogan's Folly, but Johanna herself is dead. This event symbolizes the decline of the Crusader order, which is struggling with low morale after numerous battles and losses.

Who is Toyis, and what is her role in the Crusader narrative of Diablo 4?

Toyis is a new initiate who searches for her master’s armor and the location of her presumed-dead master, Johanna. She ultimately finds Johanna’s armor, dons it, and becomes the new representative of the Crusader order, continuing its legacy.

Why is the Crusader order’s morale low in Diablo 4?

The Crusader order's morale is low due to the high number of battles they've fought and the many losses they've suffered. This has caused the order to become demoralized and unwilling to volunteer for important missions.

What does the discovery of Johanna’s body tell us about her fate?

The discovery of Johanna’s body stripped of her armor suggests that she has either passed away or retired, having passed on her armor and name to her initiate. Her body’s appearance also indicates she might not be the same Johanna from Diablo 3, further implying her death or retirement.

How does the passing of Johanna’s armor to Toyis affect the future of the Crusader order?

By passing on Johanna's armor to Toyis, the Crusader order's legacy continues, even in the face of defeat. Toyis takes on the mantle of Johanna, representing the persistence of the order despite its struggles and low morale.

What are the primary motivations of the Crusaders in Diablo 4?

The Crusaders in Diablo 4 are still focused on uncovering Akarat's tomb and finding a way to purge the corruption within the Zakarum church. However, due to their diminishing numbers and low morale, they are no longer as effective or eager to take on this mission.