"While many Barbarians remained in the Dreadlands, small groups from the Oxen, Crane and Bear tribes instead chose to search the land for a new home." - A History of the Children of Bul-Kathos

"Weapons wielded by the fiercest warriors often catch the eye of the Ancient spirits. If the wielder is worthy, the spirits may bless the steel with their strength." - Gerti, Oxen Tribe Forgemaster

"Rise clansmen and reclaim our trampled honor! Ancients' blood runs through us all! We are storms - earth breaking, maelstrom wielding. The fire of the gods burn still! They are with us!" - Ealda

"The change that overtook my brother in battle was terrifying. His eyes turned hard like diamonds, and the way he moved... it was like he was dancing to music only he could hear." - Captain Dervin

"We've been fighting these flesh-eaters for so long, been soaked in so much blood, that after a while it's difficult to tell what side you're truly on." - Daelyr, Crane Tribe warrior

"The brutish construction of these gloves belies the strength they bestow. Gohr was clearly no craftsman, but it would be foolish to ignore the triumph of his work." - Barrett's Book of Implements

The demon prince Ikonoth slew hundreds of the Heavenly Host with this infernal hammer before falling to none other than the Archangel Imperius himself.

The malformed snake creatures that live in the swamps are not content with simply killing their prey. They seem to take a malicious pleasure from inflicting as much suffering as possible before death.

Harrogath, the final bastion of resistance against Baal's assault on Mt. Arreat was destroyed along with the Worldstone. The survivors never forgave the betrayal that led to the loss of their home.

"Without him the wine is less sweet, the hearth less warm, and our blades less keen. Our blood brother is gone, but Bul-Kathos willing, we will meet again one day." - Sorrowsong for Ramaladni

"Anger brings strength but clouds the mind. You must learn to focus your fury, direct it with purpose. Keep our sacred duty at the forefront of your mind, always." -Talic, to Madawc

"The hunger, it starts so small, like a tickle in the back of your mind. You believe the lie that you still have control until you're so far gone you can't even recognize yourself." - Varyana

As he fought with side by side with Raekor to liberate the labor camp, Joritz claimed this dented helm from a fallen foe. As his legend grew, its unique shape became synonymous with his great deeds.

"When hitting it once doesn't kill it, hit it twice." - Bear Tribe Proverb

"When I was born, I breathed in the wind and the storm and they gave me life. When I die, I will breath out, and return that gift to the skies." - Journal excerpt

"As the hateful mob beat on his door, he gripped the pulsing shard tightly and screamed for calm. When he opened his eyes, all that greeted him was silence and the blood-smeared ruins of his cottage."

When Arreat was sundered, the world quaked. The Druid Aglainn journeyed far to chronicle the aftermath. Grief-stricken by the great mountain king's fall, he rent the earth anew.

"This weapon is a reminder of the unbridled savagery of our druidic ancestors, the wisdom of which I see more clearly with every day that passes." - Moreg, Druidic Scholar

"She has existed in Scosglen since before Fiacla-Géar walked the land. Her purpose is a mystery to us all. However, approach her with deference; she may grant you her counsel." - Airidah, to Donan

"By fang, claw, spear, or sword - send the bastards back to the flames from which they crawled! Soak the peat with their blood! For Fiacla-Géar! For Scosglen!" - Nafain, during the Days of Ash

When the Days of Ash began, the great druid Nafain reminded his disciples that nothing, not even the loss of their humanity, was too great a sacrifice to protect Túr Dúlra from Astaroth's flames.

"He was not a victim of the curse - he sought it out. As his skin split and his bones cracked, his laughter never ceased." - Tale of the Mad Nobleman

"The storm's rage is my own, brother. I call, and the skies roar in reply." - Vasily, to Bul-Kathos

"Listen, child, to the music of the storm. It has its own rhythm. Its own melody. Hear how beautifully it sings, and perhaps one day you will be able to join in its harmony." - Airidah

"The storm caller returns, day after day, demanding to meet the Tree. He beats his chest and demonstrates his powers, refusing to believe that he will never be chosen." - Excerpt from Gulyas' Diary

"Roots from the Great Oak growing at the seaward statue of Vasily will, on rare occasions, be found twisted back upon themselves, suffused with ferocious magic." - Barrett's Book of Implements

The nights preceding the full moon are sometimes far more dangerous than the event itself. The frenzy has begun to rise, yet the night is just dark enough to obscure a hunter from their prey's sight.

"The scrolls describe a river of tar that separated the living from the land of the dead. Any unfortunate soul who tried to cross would be dragged down into oblivion." - Notes of Scholar Kamien

"The infamous Necromancer Gaza-Thul's mastery over blood magic was indisputable. Many suspect that upon his death, his skin was used to fashion this eldritch armor." - Barrett's Book of Implements

A naturally occurring curiosity, the blood moon persists as a sign of woe for the most superstitious Zakarum faithful. Children born under it are often considered cursed and cast out, lest it spread.

"My companion swung her odd weapon in a wide arc, and our pursuer stopped short. The look of horror on his face as his body fell to pieces will haunt me forever." - The Ebon Pages, Canto II, Verse XI

In the blood dancer's grasp, a victim lies, A vessel dried 'neath darkened skies. Their life extinguished, veins burst and drained, In Cruor's embrace, forever enchained.

"Rathma is endless. He was the first Ancient, and will remain at the end. He is the master of the Great Cycle of Being. When Death comes for him, why should he fear it?" - Vauntus, Acolyte of Rathma

Once a sanctum for Rathma's studies, the Temple of the Deathspeaker became a proving grounds for potential leaders of his priesthood. Its halls are filled with the corpses of those who failed.

This talisman was the life's work of Deathspeaker Jurdann. Following his premature demise, Jurdann's successor wore the amulet in tribute as they trialed against the Temple of the Deathspeaker.

"The massive door to my family's crypt, which had taken a dozen men to close, was thrown open. Had I known the horrors to come I never would have set foot inside!" -The Ebon Pages, Canto I, Verse VII

"Can you not hear it? That endless scream from the cold earth beneath your feet!? They are down there, trapped, blind with rage! Waiting to drag us down into the sod!" - Ravings of Madman Gustav

Initially an unpopular choice to replace Mendeln as Deathspeaker, Daros quickly proved his worth with the creation of this masterpiece.

"The Cathedral of Light's earliest attempts at crafting their penitent armor was to infuse the plate with painful blood magic, before such acts were deemed heretical." - Barrett's Book of Implements

The signet of Mendeln ul-Diomed, the founder of the Priests of Rathma and the first Necromancer, was lost for over 3,000 years. The immense power over death held within, however, has not diminished.

The mere proximity of a practitioner of such dark arts can rouse the dead and disturb those souls who have earned their rest.

When Caldeum's gates closed, Asheara led her Iron Wolves out of the city knowing full well they would never return. Instead they roamed Kehjistan pledging their blades to any who were in need.

"Genai grew proud and fond of boasting of her hunting prowess. She claimed she was fast enough to catch even the spirit Leraye, who cursed her for such an insult." - Fable of Genai's Twenty Trials

"I've never seen such ruthless butchery. He deserves to be be shipped off to die in the swamps with the rest of the godless murderers." - Witness to the murder of Sergeant Walcot

"He is banished from the Guild, his name stricken from the Book. His punishment is to never have been." - Excerpt from a burned parchment

"Scholars have been unable to decipher the runes carved into this bow, however all agree they are related to its uncanny ability to bend arrows towards their targets." - Barrett's Book of Implements

"And so, when the sun dipped behind the hills each night, he knew that Ashen Jack would soon be near. Watching, and waiting." - Greenslade's Tales, Chapter 2: "Each Long Night"

Dark wisps creep hungrily across these gloves, like an assassin's blade seeking a life to steal on a moonless night.

"The element of surprise is the starting point. In this moment, be sure to finish it." - Kashya

"This'll blow your hair back." - Lyndon

"Rumor has it he lost them in a game of Skull & Anchor, but the boss is a devil with the dice. I think he wanted to give the poor sod something to keep him warm without wounding his pride." - Elstir

"Genai took up her bow and aimed at the sun itself. The light burned her eyes, but her arrow flew true. Wounded, the sun hid, and brought forth the first night. - Fable of the Great Sky-Hunt

"There have been numerous world-shaping conflicts throughout history. This bow has been found on the battlefield of every one, and always in the hands of the victors." - Barrett's Book of Implements

"Let the great gates of Caldeum be sealed. Let its proud walls stand fiercely defended. The rest of Kehjistan may suffer this plague, but my city, and my people, will not." - Proclamation of Hakan II

The ring shifts and spins on your finger as the forces within desperately attempt to escape.

"Her lover's spirit faded and in her sorrow she wept frozen tears. Where they fell, roses of the purest ice would blossom each winter." - Greenslade's Tales, Chapter 7: "The Myth of Irina Coldheart"

The only thing more potent than Esadora's magic was her endless hatred of humanity. As she lay dying, the pale amulet around her neck drank in both.

"While scholars have proven these boots were not created by Esu herself, it is noteworthy that they have been passed down since the formation of the Mage Clans." - Barrett's Book of Implements

The burn may heal, but the pain is eternal.

Winterglass refracts light and also manipulates mana - forming complex arrays of spells and enchantments. These distinct characteristics posses great power, yet the outcomes remain unpredictable.

After Inarius returned to Sanctuary, he sought a way back to the High Heavens. His first step was to reignite the religion he had abandoned millennia before: the Cathedral of Light.

The mad artisan saw his fingers turn black from frostbite as he worked the cloth, but refused to stay the needle and thread for even a moment.

The power you have is never enough.

"Leaving even blackened bones for your kin to mourn is too good an end for you." - Josiah

"Also known as the Greatstaff of the Old Religion, this powerful relic is one of only a small handful of Skatsimi artifacts that have survived to this day." - Barrett's Book of Implements

"The elders say they saw a star falling from the sky many years ago. A sign from the heavens that the end times were nigh. A rallying cry to take up arms and protect Sanctuary!" - Crusader Hamilton

"Fool said he dug it out of the sands near Lut Gholein with a few other 'worthless trinkets'. I hid my delight at receiving such a treasure in exchange for a meager handful of coins." Rakhaan

"The rhythm of the orb, which had pulsed steadily for five centuries, quickened as its owner took his final ragged breaths. It were as if some intelligence within reveled in the sight." - Master Eos

"The angel Lycander left us a portion of her power in this spear. It is all the proof I need that she watches over us still." - Oracle Argoysni

The horrific whispers of the Maiden of Anguish flicker through your mind, pushing you ever closer to madness...

The ancient runeblade of the angel Izual, Azurewrath was miraculously spared the corruption that consumed its master.

"His name has been lost to history, but to have been exiled from a land as cursed as Hawezar, his deeds must have been truly depraved." - Scholar's Notes

Whenever this ancient sword has reappeared throughout history, it portends a time of great strife, as well as a devastating loss of life.

"Will you let fear cheat you, or will you risk everything to find understanding? After all, death is simply the coin with which we purchase life." - Zurke

"Considered a failure by their creator, it wasn't until the assassination of an "untouchable" Caldeum noble that these boots' true power was understood." - Barrett's Book of Implements

A touch so frigid it stops the heart and chills the very soul.

"The Sahptev faithful believe in a thousand and one gods. If it takes me as many lifetimes, I will find and kill them all." - Gaspar Stilbian, Veradani Outcast

"This headdress was once worn by an assassin disguised as a court mage. Her treachery was unveiled, but not before she used its magic to curse the king's entire lineage." - The Fall of House Aston

"Do not allow your passions to become obsessions. Fuel the fire that burns within you, but it is madness to allow yourself to become ash to please an uncaring universe." - Last words of Master Selig

"Every tome, every scroll, every book in this temple produces the same answer. The only being willing to stand against the Eternal Conflict, against the Prime Evils, was Lilith." - Elias

Crafted from fragments of Duriel's carapace, wearing these gloves, or being struck by them, causes an agonizing sensation akin to pushing one's hands through a thousand shards of glass.

Remorseful devotees of the Cathedral of Light must undertake a grueling pilgrimage, journeying across the frigid glacier known as the Serac Rapture. Only then may their gravest sins be forgiven.

Crafted by the cannibal Armoda, each piece of this interlocking armor has been sharpened into a knife's edge. Even a century after death, the plate remained on her corpse, unable to be removed safely.

"Yours is the power to pluck the stars from the heavens with the ease of a child gathering fruit from the bough." - Unknown

"To create such an artifact would require an impossible mastery over alchemy, transmutation and the subtle magics of the soul. By all rights, it should not exist, yet it does."

“May the Light of Father Inarius shine down upon all weary travelers of this holy land. Turn your face toward his radiance and find your strength renewed.” - Statue Inscription

"The revelation that master tailor Callas was in fact a witch only served to further fuel the desire for her uniquely enchanted legwraps." - Barrett's Book of Implements

A nightmarish amalgam of blood, bone and steel, this axe is as horrific, and as deadly, as its creator.

An unbroken lineage of unwavering strength.

"The younger apprentices think wearing heavy plate in the swamps is foolish. They fail to understand that our armor is our legacy, and without it we are nothing." - Crusader Pembroke

"Thus Tyrael, a perfect aspect of Justice, came to be. None were more vehement against the forces of hell. All demonic entities learned to shudder at Justice's might." - The Books of Jarl, Volume I

Skulking in the shadows of the Realm of Destruction, the Scarred Baron plots the downfall of the mortal who banished him here.

These greaves are imbued with the divine blessing of Yen, the Veradani goddess of restoration. They bestow the wearer a revitalizing strength that enhances their own.