Belial

Biography

As with all of the Great Evils, Belial was spawned from one of the seven heads of the great dragon Tathamet. He lorded over the Realm of Lies in Hell,^[3] and was mentored by Mephisto.^[4]

Belial led his forces during the Eternal Conflict, but never led an army directly, instead operating from the shadows.^[4]

The Dark Exile

The Lesser Evils came to be discontent with the Prime Evils' focus on humanity after the events of the Sin War, furious that the Great Conflict had been apparently abandoned.^[3] In the midst of this period, Belial and Azmodan saw a chance to overthrow the Prime Evils and take control of Hell for themselves.^[5] Belial manipulated Azmodan into making war against the Prime Evils.^[6]

The two Evils made pacts with their brethren, assuring them that humanity would not stand in their way in the course of the Great Conflict.^[5] Andariel and Duriel had their doubts at first, afraid that they would fall in the coming conflict. Belial however, kept them in the fold.^[7] The civil war that followed was bloody, but it concluded with the Prime Evils being banished to the mortal realm.^[5]

One account^[3] states that as the fires of battle died down, Belial and Azmodan began to argue over which of them held higher authority. The pact they had made dissolved and the two took up arms against each other, polarizing the factions of Hell along with them.^[5] Others say, however, that there was no falling out, and that the two began conspiring to subjugate all life to their will.^[3] In truth, Belial and Azmodan did wage war, claiming entire realms as their own.^[8] By the Darkening of Tristram, Azmodan had held the advantage in the Hells' civil war for a while.^[9]

Around this point in time, word reached Xazax of Diablo's awakening and the possible return of the Prime Evils to Hell. If they did so, Xazax knew Belial, his master, would fall, and consequently, he himself as well. He convinced Belial to authorize a plan to aid the mortals Augustus Malevolyn and Galeona in retrieving the armor of Bartuc. Belial agreed, even sacrificing his own minions in Malevolyn's attack on Lut Gholein, as a new Bartuc in his service could give him an edge against Azmodan, and would be a useful servant in the event of the Prime Evils' return to Hell. Unfortunately for Belial, Xazax failed in his task.^[9] Fortunately for the Lord of Lies, however, only Diablo made it into Hell, and the Lord of Terror was cast down by a group of mortal heroes before he could take back control of Hell.^[3]

The Order

After the destruction of the Worldstone, Sanctuary was left open to demonic invasion. Deckard Cain came to believe that Belial and Azmodan were preparing for such an invasion. In truth, by 1272, Belial was already working his machinations on Sanctuary. He vested his time and effort into Garreth Rau. An orphan with a spark of nephalem legacy in his blood, Rau was twisted by the Lord of Lies, becoming a powerful dark mage in servitude to Hell. Belial manipulated Rau into believing that he was the descendant of Tal Rasha (a lie, as Tal Rasha had no children), and that during the Dark Exile, Jered Cain had used demonic magic to trick Tal Rasha and forced the soulstone upon him, in an effort to spare his own life. Garreth Rau's personality and memories were overwritten with the persona of the Dark One, an insidious and jealous mage. The Dark One founded the second order of Horadrim, though twisted by Belial's deceit. Belial planned to use Rau and his followers to build an army on Sanctuary, and after conquering the mortal realm, use it to launch an invasion against Heaven itself.^[10]

Belial ordered Rau to find Leah; a ward of Deckard Cain. He reminded Rau of the 'treachery' of Jered Cain, and claimed that his descendant, Deckard, carried demonic blood in his veins. He ordered Rau to lure Leah to the Black Tower, and take revenge on Cain.^[10]

Cain made it to Gea Kul, and talking through Egil, Belial mocked him. He tormented Cain with memories of his wife and son, claiming that their souls were being tortured in Hell. That all of Cain's life was a lie. Cain was bombarded by Belial's lies, experiencing great mental anguish, but the Monk Mikulov killed Belial's host, breaking the demon's connection.^[10]

Leah was abducted by Rau's servants and brought into the Dark Tower. Such was her latent magical ability, Rau and Belial planned to use her 'lifespark' to not only awaken an undead army from Al Cut, but summon Belial into the mortal realm.^[10]

Belial's plan was foiled by Cain and his allies. Despite possessing overwhelming power, the Dark One succumbed to Cain's resourcefulness. In the final confrontation, Belial began to manifest himself from Rau's body, but when he saw Leah, he was caught offguard, recognising Diablo within her, commenting "I know that face..." Charges that Cain had set earlier went off and causing the Black Tower to collapse. Beholding Rau, Cain could see that he was fighting for control. With a single, strangled cry, Rau threw himself out of the window, into the sea.^[10]

Belial was enraged at his loss, but he received pleasing news, that of the imminent birth of a boy (within the next five years) who would become emperor of Caldeum. He planned to use the child as a means to take over Kehjistan.^[10]

Theater Macabre

Belial influenced the playwright Marlowe to write a stage play depicting the accounts of the Dark Exile. Marlowe realized he was being influenced and tried to burn the manuscript. However, it was stolen by his rival, Samuel Drest. Drest finished the play, which served Belial well—his story would live forever in the hearts of men. Drest was regarded as a mad playwright and got hanged. According to Malchus, this would serve Belial just as well, as it would increase interest in the stage play.^[11]

The End of Days

By the End of Days, Belial and Azmodan ruled half of Hell each, though both had set their sights on Sanctuary. By this stage, while not necessarily enemies, they were still "more rivals than allies."^[2] The two demons nonetheless came to share the same goal of subjugating humanity into their fold.^[12]

Taking Caldeum

At some point, Belial either possessed or impersonated Emperor Hakan II of Caldeum. Exactly when this occurred is unclear, though Caldeum's decline began as soon as Hakan took the throne,^[13] and an unnatural drought gripped the region in the years leading up to 1285.^[14] In this year, the Imperial Guard were formed.^[15] Belial's Deceiver demons either replaced the Guardsmen, or formed the bulk of them from the outset.^[16] The Coven also served him, possibly providing slaves.^[17]

Hakan withdraw the support of Caldeum from the wastes and leave those who live there to their own devices. Caravans became vulnerable to attack, and refugees streamed towards Caldeum, beating against the gates. With the Borderlands devoid of protection, this allowed the Coven and Belial's demons to roam the Borderlands unchallenged.^[18] Hakan II, becoming increasingly paranoid, ordered all of his staff to leave the city, lest they be thrown off the walls.^[19] Through his host, Belial now controlled Caldeum.^[20]

Liar's End

In Khanduras, the Coven attempted to retrieve the shards of El'druin, which had fallen from the Heavens alongside Tyrael. However, Maghda failed to retrieve it, thwarted by the actions of The Nephalem.^[21] Belial was displeased with her failure, and 'suggested' that she and the Coven set a trap at the Khasim Outpost. It failed, and Belial once again made his displeasure known. However, his spies had managed to apprehend Leah; a companion of The Nephalem.^[22] In truth, Maghda's failures were somewhat academic, as he had sent her into the desert to lure The Nephalem away from Caldeum.^[23]

The Nephalem was granted an audience with Hakan. As Hakan, Belial stated that he had been informed that The Nephalem was behind the massacre at Alcarnus, and revealed that the Imperial Guard had captured their 'spy,' Leah. He left the Guard to deal with The Nephalem as he left, stating that he detested violence.^[24] He later contacted The Nephalem via a projection, claiming that he (Hakan) was being controlled by the Imperial Guard, but would find Belial and deliver him unto The Nephalem. By this point, Belial was aware of the existence of the Black Soulstone. Belial feared its power, as he knew that the original soulstones had been used to imprison the Prime Evils, and that he could be similarly trapped.^[4]

Through the projection, Belial once again contacted The Nephalem in Caldeum's aqueducts, instructing them how to make their way through them. However, by this point, The Nephalem was skeptical of "Hakan's" ability to find Belial, and Leah later sensed that Belial had been in the aqueducts before them.^[25]

Still using his projection, Belial appeared to the Nephalem for a third and final time when they entered the Archives of Zoltun Kulle. He told them that he had found Belial's identity, and would lead them to him. He told them that Belial had noticed their actions and was growing nervous, but in the meantime, The Nephalem was to focus on the Black Soulstone.^[26]

After the Nephalem retrieved the Black Soulstone, Belial became desperate, raining meteors down upon Caldeum and forcing an evacuation of the city.^[27] When the assault ended, The Nephalem confronted Emperor Hakan II where they revealed that they knew he was Belial. The demon lord commended them for their cleverness, but told them that Azmodan knew of the Black Soulstone's existence, and that even if they defeated him, Azmodan would exterminate humanity. He then proceeded with a threefold attack, first with his minions, then personally fighting and finally transforming into an illusion of a giant, monstrous version of himself. Despite his vicious attack, he was slain and imprisoned within the Black Soulstone, ending his reign of tyranny over Kehjistan.^[28]

Reaper of Souls

Belial's essence remained in the Black Soulstone, briefly merging with Diablo's to become a singular Prime Evil during the Lord of Terror's assault on the High Heavens.^[29] With Diablo's defeat, the essences of the Great Evils were returned to the Black Soulstone, their souls screaming for release.^[30] The artifact was destroyed by Malthael and Diablo set free,^[31] still retaining the essence of Belial and the other Evils.^[32] Eventually however, Belial's spirit was able to break free from Diablo, just as all the other Evils.^[33]

When the Black Soulstone was destroyed, shards of the artifact containing the essences of the Great Evils wound up in Sanctuary. Belial's shard was obtained by Tilnan, who wondered if the shard came from Belial's true form, or if such a thing even existed.^[34]

Great Enmity

Belial was active during the Great Enmity. He spread his lies to make Sanctuary ever more fractious.^[35]

Age of Hatred

Seeking to bend reality to his will,^[36] Belial made his bid for Sanctuary after Lilith met her end. He sent Apparition Monsters—illusory foot soldiers to sew his lies into reality.^[37]

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In-game

Diablo III

The Dregs of Lies fragment can be obtained in Diablo III. Of the Soul Shards, it represents Belial.

Diablo IV

Belial appears in Diablo IV as a boss in Season 8. He plays a role in apparition incursions.^[38] Both forms of Belial from Diablo III are featured in this event.

Other

Belial is represented in Diablo Chess. He takes the position of the rook.

Personality and Traits

Belial advocates the notion that perception is reality, and it is his sole purpose to dominate reality. He does not lie simply for the sake of lying, but rather to deceive with the intent of controlling others' perception of what is real. He relishes the moment his victim realizes they've been deceived, that moment of nakedness and betrayal.^[3] If Belial hs a weakness however, it is that he is often trapped within the intricate webs of his own machinations.^[3]

Tyrael described Belial as desiring power above all other things and that his thousand schemes are designed toward his ends.^[2]

Belial was never content with his place in Hell, and always desired more power.^[39]

Abilities

Belial is a master of artifice and intrigue.^[4] It is debatable that if Belial even has a "true form, unlike his demonic breathren.^[40]

Even from beyond Sanctuary, Belial could influence the thoughts of mortals. Able to shift their beliefs and 'truths.' Rau reflected that Belial's power was "so immense, it was like looking into the sun," feeling 'thought tendrils' extending from Hell, and weaving themselves through his mind.^[10] In battle against The Nephalem, Belial rained fire down upon Caldeum^[27] and could apparently influence (the perception of) reality itself.^[28]

Trivia

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• The minions of Belial are most active during the month of Solmoneth and Montaht.^[41]
• It is possible that Belial's combat abilities are entirely illusional: i.e. his enlarged form is not his real self, but is rather a vision, using the "your mind makes it real" principle to hurt The Nephalem. Probably, this is why all the destruction he wreaks disappears and is no longer in place once Belial dies.
• In console versions of Diablo III, the camera angle during Belial's fight, Phase 3, changes and follows the character differently, showing Belial from upfront instead of from above (arcade platformer style instead of the classic Diablo series style). This is the only place in the game that is not using isometric view of the battlefield.
• The boss battle against Zurvan in StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm is very similar to Belial in its layout. Both games were released only a year apart from each other.
• In The Sanctuary Tarot Deck and Guidebook Belial represents the King of Wands card.
• A Baa'lial goat pet can be obtained in World of Warcraft, as part of the "A Greedy Emissary" world event.

Etymology

• The word "Belial" is derived from the Hebrew word בְּלִיַּעַל, which means "wicked" and/or "worthless"^[42].
• Belial as an entity is featured in multiple texts pertaining to the Abrahamic religions, primarily Judaism and Christianity. Some texts argue that "Belial" is synonymous with "Satan", while others portray it as its own entity, usually as a demonic spirit of great power and authority. An example is a text from the 17th century known as Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, most commonly translated as "The Lesser Key of Solomon". Its first part, Ars Goetia, portrays Belial as a king among demons. Another example is the 19th century text known as The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, translated by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers from an older text. It portrays Belial as one of four Princes of Spirits, the other three being Lucifer, Leviathan and Satan.
• Parallels can be drawn between Belial and Beelzebub, which is another name for Ba'al in Christian and Jewish mythologies. His corruption physically manifests in the form of botflies, as shown by his own and Maghda's appearance and attacks, and there is an achievement titled "Lord of the Flies", which is a title for Beelzebub (and a possible pun on Belial's "Lord of Lies" title).

References