While Diablo 4 sees the return of some notable characters, it also takes the opportunity to expand on less fleshed-out story arcs. First appearing in Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls, Lorath Nahr becomes a much bigger character by the time of Diablo 4.
Voiced by Ralph Ineson, Lorath serves as a replacement for the beloved Deckard Cain, guiding us during our return to Sanctuary. This explainer will showcase the backstory of Lorath Nahr, as well as describe how he comes to aid us in Diablo 4.
History of Lorath Nahr
Lorath's first outing was as a member of the Horadrim in Diablo 3's expansion; The Reaper of Souls. Accompanying Tyreal to steal the Black Soulstone, he was ordered to flee after Malthael arrived and easily slaughtered his allies.
Lorath then found the Nephalem, the destroyer of Diablo, persuading us of the threat that Malthael posed now he had the Black Soulstone, as he was able to drain the souls of all living creatures, even Angels and Demons.
Lorath aided us in defending Westmarch against Malthael's Reaper forces, as they were undergoing the process of converting the population into undead thralls. Although thousands perished, the city was eventually defended and Lorath came with us as we journeyed to find Adria, a former follower of Diablo.
Through her, Lorath was able to locate Malthael's location; the Pandemonium. One of the realms of creation, Malthael had taken control of its central fortress, forcing the Nephalem to fight their way across its many dangers.
Lorath stayed behind in Westmarch as Tyreal and the Nephalem journeyed to find Malthael. This is the last time we saw him in the game, and we know that despite the defense of Westmarch, the city was abandoned, falling to ruin. He acts as a major NPC during the Reaper of Souls story, selling Blood Shard equipment and narrating many of the game's narrative voice lines, although we did not get to learn much about his backstory.
Lorath Nahr's Role In Diablo 4
In Diablo 4, Lorath Nahr is first encountered as an old hermit, living alone in his cabin in the Fractured Peaks. Set thirty years after the fall of Westmarch, Lorath discovers us searching his house for clues as to our unpleasant experience in the village of Nevesk.
Instead of attacking us, Lorath instantly understood certain aspects of our character and invited us to tell him our story. We tell him of how we had been forced to consume the Petals of Lilith, with him speculating about our newly discovered link to her memories.
If you're going to trespass into my home, rifle through my things... then at least have the decency to join me for supper. I'm bloody hungry.
Lorath suspects that these visions can be used to our advantage, as they give us a direct insight into Lilith's malevolent plans. He tells us to accompany him to Kyovashad, the capital city of the Fractured Peaks. Despite his dismissal of the city's traditional welcoming ritual, Lorath suspects we will find answers there, especially in the Cathedral of Light. From this advice, we eventually meet the archangel Inarius, and inform him of Lilith's activities.
After only a brief stop in Kyovashad, Lorath departs to investigate reports of a 'pale man' in the Dry Steppes, hot on the trial of Elias, Lilith's chief servant. He tasks us with reporting to Donan, another member of the Horadrim in Scolsglen.
The Wanderer lost in the storm. Fed the blood of Lilith. Saved by a lone monk. Different lives and incidents drawn together... by what? Destiny?
Lorath Nahr is undoubtedly our key NPC contact for the story of Diablo 4. While the player character may not be a Nephalem as in the previous game, Lorath recognises our importance to defending Sanctuary from Lilith, and we have lacked an elder character to provide advice and guidance ever since the death of Deckard Cain.
With no overly helpful Archangel to boss us around, (Inarius is more concerned with brooding alone in his temple), Lorath Nahr acts as one of Diablo 4's central characters. It is especially interesting to learn more about his backstory, as much of his life before joining the Horadrim was left untold following Diablo 3.