I really like this thread and the theory brought up in the first post and fleshed out through the entire thread.
However another idea struck me while reading through the thread. Though the symbol on his chest looks like an upturned sword, it surely also resembles a cross; the two being very similar. Could it be possible this is actually the "Archangel Yaerius", whoever he was or may have been? This angel explodes in a burst of light and all we know about Yaerius, is that he taught the Zakarum to devote themselves to the Light. Also, the Paladins in Diablo 2 (which are Zakarum as far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong) do have crosses in their symbolism which lead me to believe the cross has some meaning in the Zakarum religion and it might have well come from Yaerius one way or another. This angel having a cross of light on his chest makes me wonder if it might be him.
The problem is we really don't know anything about Yaerius and he hasn't been mentioned a lot. So it's hard to draw any conclusions, so it's just an idea I had to throw into the discussion.
That's possible. Yaerius might want to come and use his followers to take over Sanctuary. And ur mostly right, the Paladin of D2 was part of a group of Zakarum Paladins who broke away during the Zakarum Inquisitions, because they felt the inquisitions were wrong.
Let's look at all of this from a another point of view!
Angels are symbols of good. Not just in the real world, but also in Diablo universe. That includes understanding, morale etc. I doubt that Imperius would act on his own, or rebel against the council. It would be more realistic if he accepts the final decision of the council. Now, I know that he is a big shot in the council, but he still has to respect their decisions, right. Why should he be ill tempered?
i think you r right about Imperius not acting against the council, not only because angels are symbols of good, but because in the Diablo universe angels represent the forces of Order. however, angels can manipulate the facts to justify their actions, when necessary, as we saw with Inarius, and even Tyrael's actions in the Sin War novels.
And then, of course, there's the possibility that he is not attacking us at all, and is coming to warn us and aid us in the struggle against some demonic force (unlikely, i know, but still possible).
Thanks Archanum, that post was very enlightening! I had never actually seen that concept art before.
For some reason, i feel like those pictures should be going in reverse order.... like hes crashing, coming out of his coccoon of light and fire, and then reveling in his success. Or maybe hes just stretching... either way.
Yeah I noticed Imperius's wings seem to be more feather like.
At second glance, it could be a shoulderguard, but i dont really think so.... its funny how he has wings of feather and magic, whereas all other angels that we've seen (Hadriel and Tyrael) have wings of pure magiclal essence.
Well, I take it that the sun is just as important in Sanctuary as in ancient "terran" myth, and the cross is a descendant of ancient sun symbols. The early christians used the cross as an established symbol because of familiarity, not because Jesus actually died on a cross (which he most likely didn't, contrary to popular belief).
That is a very interesting theory. There are a few other symbols in Diablo 2 that could relate to the sun as well, like some of the symbols for Tal Rasha's tomb.
As for the sword/cross/thing on the angel's chest, its not really important. Maybe Knaak didn't want to call it a cross, so he said it was an upturned sword. Either way, if you look at the drawing in the original post, it shows another angel shielding his eyes, who might possibly be Tyrael.
EDIT: Did anyone notice the feathered wing on the back of the angel who is possibly Imperius?
I believe the use of crosses in Diablo to just be asthetic. They use upside down crucifixes because the gaming audience can relate those with "scariness." They use normal crosses to convey "holiness" because that is what your mind thinks when you see a cross..."hey that character has a cross on his shield...he must be a "holy" knight!"
Granted that i have not played entirely through the first diablo, i dont remember any upside down crucifixes. Where are they?
I think that the difference between an upturned sword and a cross at this point is a moot point. Sure, it LOOKS like a cross, but as many people here have pointed out, crosses have no particular meaning in Sanctuary, so IMO it makes sense for it to be an upturned sword.
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That's possible. Yaerius might want to come and use his followers to take over Sanctuary. And ur mostly right, the Paladin of D2 was part of a group of Zakarum Paladins who broke away during the Zakarum Inquisitions, because they felt the inquisitions were wrong.
i think you r right about Imperius not acting against the council, not only because angels are symbols of good, but because in the Diablo universe angels represent the forces of Order. however, angels can manipulate the facts to justify their actions, when necessary, as we saw with Inarius, and even Tyrael's actions in the Sin War novels.
And then, of course, there's the possibility that he is not attacking us at all, and is coming to warn us and aid us in the struggle against some demonic force (unlikely, i know, but still possible).
u have a point there... but i still doubt the artist would change the color.
Possibly, but i personally think its another angel/Imperius. Unless Tyrael's wings can change color.
For some reason, i feel like those pictures should be going in reverse order.... like hes crashing, coming out of his coccoon of light and fire, and then reveling in his success. Or maybe hes just stretching... either way.
At second glance, it could be a shoulderguard, but i dont really think so.... its funny how he has wings of feather and magic, whereas all other angels that we've seen (Hadriel and Tyrael) have wings of pure magiclal essence.
That is a very interesting theory. There are a few other symbols in Diablo 2 that could relate to the sun as well, like some of the symbols for Tal Rasha's tomb.
As for the sword/cross/thing on the angel's chest, its not really important. Maybe Knaak didn't want to call it a cross, so he said it was an upturned sword. Either way, if you look at the drawing in the original post, it shows another angel shielding his eyes, who might possibly be Tyrael.
EDIT: Did anyone notice the feathered wing on the back of the angel who is possibly Imperius?
Granted that i have not played entirely through the first diablo, i dont remember any upside down crucifixes. Where are they?
I think that the difference between an upturned sword and a cross at this point is a moot point. Sure, it LOOKS like a cross, but as many people here have pointed out, crosses have no particular meaning in Sanctuary, so IMO it makes sense for it to be an upturned sword.