Medievaldragon: Hi, Richard. Not long ago, you wrote Diablo: The Moon of the Spider with Zayl the Necromancer. Those who already read or will read Diablo: Moon of the Spider may wish to know if Diablo: The Sin War ties directly with the events of your previous book.
Knaak: Sin war takes plae long before, but its events lead to all that is Diablo.
Medievaldragon: Which character from Moon of the Spider will make an appearancec in Diablo: The Sin War, Book One: Birthright?
Knaak: As there are demons involved, we will see our friend Astrogha, although long before his own ambitions. He is not the threat, but a part of it
Medievaldragon: Who are the main characters of Diablo: The Sin War, and what could you tell us about each of them?
Knaak: Uldyssian is the central character, a farmer who lost most of his family. he is the pawn chosen to begin a terrible shift in Sanctuary. Mendeln is his brother, with his own path to come,. which fans will recognize.
There is also Achilios the hunter and Serenthia, both of whom will prove significant
Medievaldragon: Why did Blizzard, and by saying so, Chris Metzen and/or you decide to release a trilogy based on the Sin War -- an event of the far past -- at this point? And why not start at the Great Conflict which is a previous event in the Diablo history?
Knaak: This is the pivotal event for humans. It is how they become drawn into the conflict between the two sides. It is a human story, with human actions causing events. It is the basis for all that goes on after.
Medievaldragon: Will Diablo: The Sin War, book One: Birthright show hints of the origin of Sanctuary and men? If so, will we find out more through book two and three?
Knaak: We will see hints of its origins as the story unfolds throughout all three books.
Medievaldragon: According to the book, the existence of Sanctuary was kept hidden from the High Heavens. However, the Worldstone is a physical link between Heaven and Sanctuary. This will trail off some fans point-blank. So, I am forced to ask ... Will the creation of the Worldstone appear in any of the three books of the Trilogy? Or is the Worldstone built far after The Sin War event?
Knaak: the creation will not be shown, as that, according to Blizzard's material, took place at the beginning of Sanctuary, but we will see it. We would have to. We will find out more about it, especially in the second volume
Medievaldragon: It caught my attention that Birthright seems to reveal the origin of the first classes. Of the first, I am still not sure if to call Uldyssian a Barbarian, of his brother it is more obvious as the plot progresses. Are there more Diablo Classes emerging through the Trilogy?
Knaak: I would not call Uldyssian a Barbarian, no. He is something far removed from it. Yes, of Mendeln, people will see a more recognizable character. The Diablo classes develop more after this trilogy, but you will see some hints, I believe.
Anthares: Good evening Mr. Knaak. I want to personally thank you for writing such great novels about the universe of Warcraft, especially Day of the Dragon. Your unique style is what I particularly like, to the point that I actually devour your novels. Again, I'm sending you one big THANK YOU!
Knaak: Thank you. I appreciate it. The Blizzard worlds are wonderful to be involved with.
Medievaldragon: What is the mysterious rock that Mendeln and Achilios find? If you can't say at this point, will it be revealed in more depth at book two?
Knaak: The rock has to do with Mendeln's path and those secrets will be revealed more in the sequel, yes
Medievaldragon: Hope I am not spoiling much at this point, however I really have to ask. Blizzard introduced a new Pandemonium Event monster named Lilith (Act V) in Diablo II Patch 1.11. You can read about her at: http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-lilith.shtml
Knaak: She is, I believe, although she will look a little different by the game's point. Her part in the trilogy is major
Medievaldragon: Is she the same Lilith mentioned in Birthright? What could you tell us about her through the development of the trilogy? It is interesting to see this character become the catalyst of the Sin War.
Knaak: definitely an interesting character
Medievaldragon: How much of the book is creation of yours, and how involved is Chris Metzen behind the canon storyline of Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy? Do you think the ramifications of this book impact in the storyline of Diablo 3 the game?
Knaak: This is a pure collaboration between myself and Chris/Blizzard. All that is written is passed by him and the others there. This will be canon and has adjusted earlier info. The ramifications here will be used for any future project...and I ain't writing for a dead game.
Medievaldragon: This is my last question to give fans an opportunity to ask you questions. However, something I know many will be pleased with. Will we see Rathma, Angel Tyrael or Angel Izual show up later through the Trilogy?
Deathshade|EU: So... Diablo 3? Knaak: I am not writing for a dead world...but a world with dead. nuff said
G-WiZ-: wow i just came in from lunch and i was reading the 3rd Diablo series book (about the City of Ureh).. great stuff.. just want to say thanks for writing these. my imagination blooms from this literature. Go Zayl! Knaak: Zayl has been fun and has a big following. Blzzard has some ideas for him already...
Larz: will there be an Diablo 3? Knaak: Hmmm...
AcidReign: How do you come up with character names in your books? Most of them are quite unique, and thinking them up must be tough. Knaak: It involves discussion and a study of ancient names or other names already used in the games. Always a tough part of the story creation, believe me
Rathi: Any ifnormation on Diablo3? Have you been asked to write a further story? can we expect anything? Knaak: What happens in the Sin War is significant, as I mentioned, toward the future. I know that Blizzard is very eager to make Diablo fans happy.
I read some of Birthright yesterday and this is an interesting thing to note.
The Temple of the Triune has missionaries that help teach the way of the Three guiding spirits, Bala, Dialon, and Mefis.
Bala - Spirit of Creation
Dialon - Spirit of Determination
Mefis - Spirit of Love
Now what does each of those spirit's names sound like?
Baal - Lord of Destruction
Diablo - Lord of Terror
Mephisto - Lord of Hatred
Convieniently, the Prime Evil's are the exact opposite of the spirits. I'll read some more, and report more findings.
awsome! thats cool about the spirits and the prime evils! nvr noticed that! also i was wondering where you had seen the show with the Q and A? was it on the internet or TV or what?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
World of Warcraft - Finnegin- Level 80 Enhancement Shaman
the news sounds promissing. of course we all know there's going to be a D3 anyways.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
----------------------- "What man, anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery or been harder pressed?" -Beowulf
Medievaldragon: Hi, Richard. Not long ago, you wrote Diablo: The Moon of the Spider with Zayl the Necromancer. Those who already read or will read Diablo: Moon of the Spider may wish to know if Diablo: The Sin War ties directly with the events of your previous book.
Knaak: Sin war takes plae long before, but its events lead to all that is Diablo.
Medievaldragon: Which character from Moon of the Spider will make an appearancec in Diablo: The Sin War, Book One: Birthright?
Knaak: As there are demons involved, we will see our friend Astrogha, although long before his own ambitions. He is not the threat, but a part of it
Medievaldragon: Who are the main characters of Diablo: The Sin War, and what could you tell us about each of them?
Knaak: Uldyssian is the central character, a farmer who lost most of his family. he is the pawn chosen to begin a terrible shift in Sanctuary. Mendeln is his brother, with his own path to come,. which fans will recognize.
There is also Achilios the hunter and Serenthia, both of whom will prove significant
Medievaldragon: Why did Blizzard, and by saying so, Chris Metzen and/or you decide to release a trilogy based on the Sin War -- an event of the far past -- at this point? And why not start at the Great Conflict which is a previous event in the Diablo history?
Knaak: This is the pivotal event for humans. It is how they become drawn into the conflict between the two sides. It is a human story, with human actions causing events. It is the basis for all that goes on after.
Medievaldragon: Will Diablo: The Sin War, book One: Birthright show hints of the origin of Sanctuary and men? If so, will we find out more through book two and three?
Knaak: We will see hints of its origins as the story unfolds throughout all three books.
Medievaldragon: According to the book, the existence of Sanctuary was kept hidden from the High Heavens. However, the Worldstone is a physical link between Heaven and Sanctuary. This will trail off some fans point-blank. So, I am forced to ask ... Will the creation of the Worldstone appear in any of the three books of the Trilogy? Or is the Worldstone built far after The Sin War event?
Knaak: the creation will not be shown, as that, according to Blizzard's material, took place at the beginning of Sanctuary, but we will see it. We would have to. We will find out more about it, especially in the second volume
Medievaldragon: It caught my attention that Birthright seems to reveal the origin of the first classes. Of the first, I am still not sure if to call Uldyssian a Barbarian, of his brother it is more obvious as the plot progresses. Are there more Diablo Classes emerging through the Trilogy?
Knaak: I would not call Uldyssian a Barbarian, no. He is something far removed from it. Yes, of Mendeln, people will see a more recognizable character. The Diablo classes develop more after this trilogy, but you will see some hints, I believe.
Anthares: Good evening Mr. Knaak. I want to personally thank you for writing such great novels about the universe of Warcraft, especially Day of the Dragon. Your unique style is what I particularly like, to the point that I actually devour your novels. Again, I'm sending you one big THANK YOU!
Knaak: Thank you. I appreciate it. The Blizzard worlds are wonderful to be involved with.
Medievaldragon: What is the mysterious rock that Mendeln and Achilios find? If you can't say at this point, will it be revealed in more depth at book two?
Knaak: The rock has to do with Mendeln's path and those secrets will be revealed more in the sequel, yes
Medievaldragon: Hope I am not spoiling much at this point, however I really have to ask. Blizzard introduced a new Pandemonium Event monster named Lilith (Act V) in Diablo II Patch 1.11. You can read about her at: http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act5-lilith.shtml
Knaak: She is, I believe, although she will look a little different by the game's point. Her part in the trilogy is major
Medievaldragon: Is she the same Lilith mentioned in Birthright? What could you tell us about her through the development of the trilogy? It is interesting to see this character become the catalyst of the Sin War.
Knaak: definitely an interesting character
Medievaldragon: How much of the book is creation of yours, and how involved is Chris Metzen behind the canon storyline of Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy? Do you think the ramifications of this book impact in the storyline of Diablo 3 the game?
Knaak: This is a pure collaboration between myself and Chris/Blizzard. All that is written is passed by him and the others there. This will be canon and has adjusted earlier info. The ramifications here will be used for any future project...and I ain't writing for a dead game.
Medievaldragon: This is my last question to give fans an opportunity to ask you questions. However, something I know many will be pleased with. Will we see Rathma, Angel Tyrael or Angel Izual show up later through the Trilogy?
Knaak: Yes and more.
That ended the preshow
Deathshade|EU: So... Diablo 3?
Knaak: I am not writing for a dead world...but a world with dead. nuff said
G-WiZ-: wow i just came in from lunch and i was reading the 3rd Diablo series book (about the City of Ureh).. great stuff.. just want to say thanks for writing these. my imagination blooms from this literature. Go Zayl!
Knaak: Zayl has been fun and has a big following. Blzzard has some ideas for him already...
Larz: will there be an Diablo 3?
Knaak: Hmmm...
AcidReign: How do you come up with character names in your books? Most of them are quite unique, and thinking them up must be tough.
Knaak: It involves discussion and a study of ancient names or other names already used in the games. Always a tough part of the story creation, believe me
Rathi: Any ifnormation on Diablo3? Have you been asked to write a further story? can we expect anything?
Knaak: What happens in the Sin War is significant, as I mentioned, toward the future. I know that Blizzard is very eager to make Diablo fans happy.
The Temple of the Triune has missionaries that help teach the way of the Three guiding spirits, Bala, Dialon, and Mefis.
Bala - Spirit of Creation
Dialon - Spirit of Determination
Mefis - Spirit of Love
Now what does each of those spirit's names sound like?
Baal - Lord of Destruction
Diablo - Lord of Terror
Mephisto - Lord of Hatred
Convieniently, the Prime Evil's are the exact opposite of the spirits. I'll read some more, and report more findings.
"What man, anywhere under Heaven's high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery or been harder pressed?"
-Beowulf