Diablo III Journals: A Nostalgic Return to Tristram

I journeyed with him for quite a ways, though I had to abandon my quest after suffering dire injury after we were ambushed by a squad of Death Knights. The poor souls who once served an oath to King Leoric himself to defend the kingdom, cursed by that bastard the Archbishop Lazarus to become the very instruments of the forces they sought to protect humanity against.

I barely made it out alive, but my retreat was covered by the two companions who journeyed with the dark hero. I never managed to catch their names, but it is my understanding that the future that fate had in store for them were no less terrible than the fate which befell the hero of Tristram.

It's been twenty years since then, and much has changed. Those who lived there have long since passed; bless their souls, many of whom were slaughtered by the demonic hordes unleashed by the hero who came to save it. Few remember those dark times, and those who do choose not to remember.

At some point in the village's recent history, traders set up shop upon the site of the village's old ruins to cater to the heroes arriving from near and far who made the journey to Tristram with the promise of adventure and the buried treasures hidden within the ruins of the old Cathedral and its catacombs, which has since been emptied of its treasures.

I however, think otherwise. I'm currently resting at the Rising Sun Inn, which looks like the only building that managed to survive in the wake of the dark hero's passing. The Inn's old proprietor, Ogden, was not so fortunate.

The sun fell several hours ago and I have nothing but the radiance of the stars and a candlelight to keep me company as I pen these words into my journal. I can hear strange noises emanating from the ruins of the old Cathedral; eerie cries that drive shivers up my spine. I can only pray that I am well equipped to deal with whatever dwells within those ruins when I make my journey into that abyss.

~ taken from the pages of Sebastian Gray's Journal.

It was over ten years ago when I made my first step into Tristram. Having played Crusader: No Remorse to death, I was itching for something new. Apart from Crusader and Ultima VII, there weren't many other isometric games out there. I bought Diablo on an impulse and the rest is history.

Tristram was my first impression of Diablo and of its world, Sanctuary. Clearly, it's left a lasting impression on not just me, but on everyone who ever played the original game. The "Tristram theme", played prior to the official announcement of Diablo III at the Blizzard Worldwide Initiative was a reminder to everyone of the world we first visited over a decade ago.

It would appear that based on this screenshot and an entry for New Tristram on the official website, we will be making a return to the hallowed ground of our gaming adolescence. Needless to say, I am very enthusiastic to set foot back into the world of Sanctuary with a return to Tristram in its new aspect. 

I end this article with the timeless piece that beckoned us into the world of Diablo: