The Fall From Grace: Why Was Inarius Banished?
Inarius, once a revered Archangel of the High Heavens, faced a catastrophic fall from grace culminating in his banishment. He was exiled primarily for his act of rebellion against the Eternal Conflict, the ceaseless war between Heaven and Hell, and for his subsequent creation of Sanctuary and the Nephalem with Lilith, daughter of Mephisto. This defiance of the established order, combined with his eventual manipulation and control over Sanctuary, sealed his fate and led to his ultimate punishment by the Angiris Council. His story is a complex tapestry of ambition, disillusionment, and tragic consequences.
The Genesis of Rebellion: Weariness and Dissatisfaction
Inarius, weary of the unending slaughter of the Eternal Conflict, grew disillusioned with the seemingly pointless struggle. This sentiment resonated with other angels and demons who shared his weariness. It was during this period of discontent that he encountered Lilith, a powerful demon who also sought an escape from the war. Together, they hatched a plan to create a sanctuary, a world free from the influence of both Heaven and Hell.
The Creation of Sanctuary and the Nephalem: An Act of Sacrilege
Their collaboration resulted in the creation of Sanctuary, a hidden realm forged from the Worldstone, a powerful artifact capable of altering reality. To populate this new world, Inarius and Lilith brought together rogue angels and demons, who then intermingled to produce offspring: the Nephalem, beings of immense power who possessed the potential to surpass both angels and demons. This act of creation was considered a direct violation of the natural order and a blatant challenge to the authority of both Heaven and Hell. Inarius’s role in this sacrilegious act was the first major step towards his eventual banishment.
The Erosion of Utopia: Lilith’s Slaughter and Inarius’s Weakness
While Sanctuary was intended as a haven, it soon became plagued by conflict. The Nephalem, possessing immense power, became a threat to both their angelic and demonic progenitors. Lilith, fearing the extinction of her children, unleashed a wave of violence, slaughtering angels and demons alike. Inarius, bound by his oath not to harm her physically, couldn’t stop her rampage directly. He instead banished her into the Void. This act, while seemingly intended to restore order, further highlighted his inability to control the situation and cemented his status as a renegade in the eyes of the High Heavens.
The Manipulation of Faith: Inarius’s Descent into Tyranny
After Lilith’s banishment, Inarius assumed a position of authority in Sanctuary, manipulating the humans (descendants of the Nephalem) into worshiping him as a deity. He used his angelic powers to control their beliefs and ensure his dominance. He began to rewrite the Worldstone, diminishing the Nephalem’s powers over generations in order to cement his control. This abuse of power and his desire for absolute control further tarnished his image and provided additional justification for his banishment. He was now not only a rebel but a tyrant.
Judgement and Exile: The Angiris Council’s Verdict
Eventually, the High Heavens discovered Sanctuary and Inarius’s actions. The Angiris Council, composed of Archangels Imperius, Auriel, Itherael, Malthael, and Tyrael, convened to determine his fate. While some members may have harbored sympathy or understanding, the overwhelming consensus was that his actions were a grave transgression against the natural order. He was judged guilty of heresy and sentenced to eternal torment in the Burning Hells. Though Tyrael was on the council, the decision wasn’t his alone, demonstrating the collective condemnation of Inarius’ actions.
The Price of Rebellion: Torture and Eternal Suffering
Inarius was stripped of his angelic grace and cast into the Burning Hells, where he was subjected to unimaginable torture at the hands of Mephisto, Lilith’s father. He was chained and his wings slowly torn off, a symbolic representation of his fall from grace and the ultimate price of his rebellion. This fate highlights the severity with which the High Heavens viewed his betrayal and served as a warning to any other angels who might consider defying their authority.
FAQs: Unraveling the Complexities of Inarius’s Fall
1. Was Inarius acting alone in creating Sanctuary?
No, he collaborated with Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, to create Sanctuary. They shared a common desire to escape the Eternal Conflict. However, Inarius ultimately took control and manipulated the world for his own purposes.
2. What was the significance of the Worldstone in the creation of Sanctuary?
The Worldstone was a powerful artifact used to hide Sanctuary from both Heaven and Hell. It also allowed Inarius to manipulate the power of the Nephalem, diminishing their abilities over time.
3. Did Inarius and Lilith have any children?
Yes, they had a child named Rathma, originally Linarian. Rathma became a powerful necromancer and played a significant role in the history of Sanctuary.
4. Why did Lilith kill so many angels and demons in Sanctuary?
Lilith feared the extinction of the Nephalem, her children. She saw the angels and demons as a threat to their existence and unleashed a wave of violence to protect them.
5. Could Inarius have stopped Lilith’s rampage?
Inarius claimed he was unable to harm Lilith directly due to a promise. Instead, he banished her to the Void, effectively removing her from Sanctuary.
6. Was Inarius stronger than Tyrael?
Before the creation of Sanctuary, Inarius was a powerful angel, but he was generally considered weaker than the members of the Angiris Council, including Tyrael and Imperius. The provided text confirms this.
7. How did the High Heavens discover Sanctuary?
Eventually, the existence of Sanctuary was revealed to the High Heavens. The exact means of discovery is not explicitly detailed but would certainly involve angels tasked with watching for disturbances.
8. What was the role of the Angiris Council in Inarius’s banishment?
The Angiris Council, the governing body of the High Heavens, judged Inarius for his crimes and sentenced him to eternal torment in the Burning Hells.
9. What happened to Inarius after his banishment?
After his banishment, Inarius was subjected to eternal torture in the Burning Hells. He was chained and his wings were slowly torn off by Mephisto.
10. Is Inarius considered a villain in the Diablo universe?
Yes, Inarius is generally considered a villain. While his initial motives may have been understandable, his actions in Sanctuary, including manipulating and controlling the humans, ultimately paint him as an antagonist. The text also states he is the secondary antagonist in Diablo IV.
11. Did Tyrael agree with Inarius’s banishment?
While the text does not explicitly state Tyrael’s personal feelings, the decision was made by the Angiris Council as a whole, suggesting a collective agreement.
12. Was there any chance of Inarius being redeemed?
Throughout his story, Inarius showed little remorse for his actions. His primary focus remained on control and power.
13. What are the implications of Inarius’s story for the Diablo universe?
Inarius’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion, the corrupting influence of power, and the consequences of defying the natural order. It explores the complexities of morality and the blurred lines between good and evil in the Diablo universe.
14. Is Inarius actually dead? Can he be revived?
According to the provided text, angels reform more slowly than demons. Inarius can likely respawn in Heaven eventually with a new personality, but he’s still likely to face imprisonment again.
15. How does Inarius’s story relate to the broader themes of the Diablo franchise?
Inarius’s story encapsulates many of the key themes of the Diablo franchise, including the eternal conflict between good and evil, the struggle for power, and the corruption that can arise from even the noblest of intentions. It highlights the complexities of morality and the blurred lines between light and darkness.
Learning more about the background of these characters and the world of Diablo can be a fun way to experience a different kind of narrative. The Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, promotes research and best practices in game-based learning, showcasing how games can lead to valuable educational experiences. Games, like Diablo, help us explore intricate plots and character development in a new and dynamic way.