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"Knowledge of the future grants power over the present. For this reason, Itherael, the archangel of Fate, is a vital member of the Council. He alone possesses the ability to decipher the threads of destiny woven in the celestial Scroll of Fate. His boundless sight grants him perspective others cannot fully comprehend."

- Selathiel, writing on Itherael(src)

Itherael, Archangel of Fate, is an angel of the High Heavens and lorekeeper of the Angiris Council. Wielding Talus'ar, the Scroll of Fate,[1] he is clad in grey and appears neither male nor female,[2] though is often referred to as a male in conversation.[3][1]

Biography

"Itherael, the Archangel of Fate, who comprehends the tangled web of fate and time - though the future of humanity remains obscure to him, unseeable, because we are not of the natural order of creation."

Origins

As with all angels, Itherael was born from the Crystal Arch. He was among the archangels, and among the five who best represented the five virtues of Anu (in his case, fate). Alongside Malthael, Tyrael, Auriel, and Imperius, Itherael formed the Angiris Council to lead angelkind.[4]

The Great Conflict

ItheraelWrath2

Itherael during the Great Conflict

As angels were of Anu and Heaven, so too were demons of Hell and Tathamet. And as such, the result was the Great Conflict. Throughout the endless war, Itherael maintained a steadfast dedication to victory. However, he never shared his views on the ultimate fate of the war with his fellow archangel Imperius,[1] but it was recorded that the war would end with Hell's victory.[3]

In one battle against the forces of Hell, Itherael was present when the Council succeeded in capturing Diablo after slaying many demons they faced. Though Auriel and Tyrael advised taking the Lord of Terror hostage, a hot-headed Imperius ignored them and slew the Prime Evil outright, allowing him to return later. Itherael remained silent the entire time.[5]

The Sin War

"They are the get of angels and demons, with the taint and promise inherent...Left to grow, they might become more monstrous than anything rising from the Burning Hells."
"And so they must be destroyed!"
"But they also have the greatest potential to serve the Light...A potential that could surpass our own roles...And so I vote that they be given their chance."

- Itherael and Imperius discussing humanity's fate(src)

Itherael Sketch

Archangel of Fate

The Great Conflict ground to a halt with the disappearance of the Worldstone. It was later discovered that it had been stolen by renegade angels and demons who had used it to create the world of Sanctuary. It was also discovered that some of these angels and demons had interbred, giving rise to the nephalem and in turn, humanity. At the end of the Sin War, the Angiris Council was left with a choice, as to whether Sanctuary and its inhabitants could be allowed to exist.

Itherael cast his vote for humanity, knowing that they could eclipse either angels or demons, depending on the path it took. His vote was shared by Auriel and Tyrael, while Imperius voted for humanity's end, and Malthael abstained. As such, Sanctuary was spared, and humanity allowed to start over.[2] Where their end might be, Itherael did not know, for their fate was unwritten.[3]

Fate Fulfilled

"I am Itherael, Archangel of Fate. It is my duty to record what is, and what will be within the Scroll of Fate. But you, nephalem — you are not in the Scroll, your fate is unwritten."

- Itherael greets The Nephalem(src)

Itherael-D3

Itherael

3000 years after the events of the Sin War,[2] the Great Conflict reached its end, as Itherael knew it would. Diablo, having absorbed the essences of the Great Evils into himself to become a singular Prime Evil, led an invasion of Heaven. The tides of war were in Hell's favor, with Imperius wounded and Auriel captured. However, the arrival of a group of The Nephalem turned the tide in Heaven's favor. Itherael helped them save Auriel.

At some point during the battle, Itherael helped Eirena translate a document that had been given to her by an angel within the Silver City. They confirmed that the writings came from an angel who called himself The Prophet, but they did not know if the fallen angel was the Prophet himself. Itherael knew nothing of the writings prior to this point.[6]

ItherealThrone

Itherael in the Crystal Arch

The Nephalem went on to defeat Diablo, saving the Heavens. Itherael arrived alongside Auriel in the aftermath of The Nephalem's victory.[7] Afterwards, Itherael watched on as a recently banished and now-mortal Tyrael retook his place in the Angiris Council, now embodying wisdom.[8]

Fate Unclear

Imperius in Reaper of Souls Intro

The Council discuss the fate of the Black Soulstone

Itherael was present a short time later when Imperius and the other council members discovered the Black Soulstone from the Heavens.[9] When deciding over its fate, Ithereal was inconclusive as to whether the stone should be destroyed by Imperius' demand or whether it should be sealed in a chamber of light and sound by Auriel's suggestion.[10] Itherael remained silent through most of the debates, before asking Tyrael what should be done. After all, Tyrael had taken Malthael's place as the Aspect of Wisdom. Tyrael remained silent, and Imperius repeated his suggestion that they destroy the stone at the Hellforge. Itharael objected; the stone was forged by human hands, and the Scroll of Fate did not say what might result from such an attempt. Tyrael suggested hiding it on Sanctuary, but the other members objected.

Tyrael ended up departing Heaven before returning with a group of Horadrim, successfully stealing the stone from Heaven. Itherael accompanied Auriel as the pair confronted Imperius, who was in the midst of berating his erstwire brother. Auriel called for an emergency vote on Tyrael's fate, as to whether he be put on trial for his actions, or be allowed to remain as the Aspect of Wisdom and act as an ambassador between angels and Man. She voted for the latter, Imperius the former. After a long silence, Itherael declared that Tyrael was no longer an archangel, but as he had acted with good intentions, would remain a member of the Angiris Council. Tyrael's fate was unknown to him. But he wished him well.[11]

The Realms of Fate

After Malthael's defeat by the Nephalem, the High Heavens were still recovering from Diablo's assault. During this time, Itherael discovered that tomes within the Library of Fate were changing Heaven itself, transforming into small pockets reflecting the past, present, and potential futures. Though none could make sense of why this has occurred, it still posed a threat to Sanctuary. Tyrael bid the Nephalem to investigate.[12]

In-game

Diablo III

Itherael appears as an NPC in Act IV of Diablo III. He initiates The Light of Hope quest.

Quotes

See Itherael/Dialogue

Diablo Chess

Itherael-chess

Itherael's chess piece

Itherael appears in Diablo Chess. He represents Heaven's bishop piece.

Personality and Traits

"How can you look into the future?"
"I see the myriad streams of possibility, all intertwining and weaving into one another. I can hear them echoing forward into eternity."
"But you cannot choose the paths?"
"I am not called to be a champion as you are. My role is simply to observe."

- The Nephalem and Itherael(src)

Itherael Portrait

Itherael's visage

Itherael has the unique ability to read the esoteric and arcane writings of fate. By all accounts, his prophecies are not always dark, and he holds a balanced view of all things. It is also written that Itherael is capable of predicting the actions of his enemies, and even slow time itself.[1] It is important to note that he cannot see the future outright though, but rather has the ability to see various possibilities played out as the result of actions in the present. He cannot apply this ability to human actions though, for humans are not part of the natural order of things—a source of frustration for him.[13]

Itherael is not particularly vocal and rarely speaks[13] and has been described as inscrutable or aloof, at least in part due to his adversarial relationship with Imperius. It has also been observed that of all of Heaven's archangels, Itherael is closest to Auriel.[1]

Itherael's corresponding domain in Heaven is the Library of Fate. It is here that angel ascetics peer into crystals reputed to be shards of the Crystal Arch, recording their visions for Itherael to interpret.[1]

Itherael is also capable of doing battle with his enemy directly. He is capable of wielding a sword and has demonstrated the ability to teleport.[5]

Trivia

WikiLogoSmall
This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.
Itherael Model

Artwork of Itherael

  • While Itherael is described as seemingly neither male nor female in appearance, at least to the Edyrem humans who observe him. However, the Book of Cain consistently describes him as a male, and is referred to by male pronounds (he/him) in Diablo III.[3] As such, the article has followed suit.
  • Itherael is visually unusual among angels in that his pauldrons (from which his wings emanate) float above his shoulders, instead of being attached to the rest of his armor.
  • In the final line of the Prophecy of the End of Days, it is implied that his aspect will be "shattered forever." This possibly applies to the Realms of Fate in Diablo III, but is never outright stated as such.
  • In The Sanctuary Tarot Deck and Guidebook, Itherael represents the Temperace card.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Book of Cain
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Veiled Prophet
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Diablo III, Act IV
  4. Book of Lorath
  5. 5.0 5.1 Wrath
  6. Diablo III, Act IV, Beneath the Spire
  7. Diablo III, Act IV, Prime Evil
  8. Diablo III Ending Cinematic
  9. 2013-08-21, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Opening Cinematic. YouTube, accessed on 2013-08-22
  10. Book of Tyrael
  11. Storm of Light
  12. 2017-06-22, First Look: The Shrouded Moors & Beyond. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2017-06-24
  13. 13.0 13.1 2011-10-23, Diablo 3 Lore Blizzcon 2011. YouTube, accessed on 2012-11-25
Act I
Adenah the Curio Vendor
Alaric
Arghus the Collector
Beleaguered Farmer
Brother Malachi the Healer
Bron the Barkeep
Captain Rumford
Caravan Leader
Crazed Hermit
Deckard Cain
Eran
Ghost of the Cow King
Ghostly Woman
Karyna
Kyr the Weaponsmith
Leah
Lloigor the Crazed
Mayor Holus
Mira Eamon
Nek the Brawler
Queen Asylla
Radek the Fence
Rodger the Alchemist
Sasha
Tashun the Miner
The Ferryman
Tyrael
Vendel the Armorsmith
Verrall
Virgil
Wandering Tinker
Warriv
Willa Rathe
Wounded Man
Act II
Adria
Aleran
Asheara
Brother Ghaine the Healer
Caliem
Captain Davyd
Captain Ravan
Caravan Leader
Damius
Hakan II
Iron Wolf Jarulf
Javad the Merchant
Jeran
Kadin
Kala
Kohin
Larra
Leah
Lieutenant Vachem
Lugo the Miner
Mehtan the Necromancer
Nek the Brawler
Netharaz
Rasheed
Sadeir the Innkeeper
Silmak the Fence
Squirt the Peddler
Thadar
Tilnan the Collector
Tyrael
Zaven the Alchemist
Zoltun Kulle
Act III
Adria
Andreus the Healer
Beryn
Botulph the Miner
Captain Haile
Drian
Former Mayor Holus
Garell the Quartermaster
Halmin the Alchemist
Ironsmith Maldonado
Leah
Lieutenant Clyfton
Lieutenant Lavail
Lieutenant Merityn
Litton the Fence
Markus
Marta
Messenger Martyns
Nek the Brawler
Nikola
Private Mattius
Sergeant Burroughs
Sergeant Dalen
Sergeant Pale
Tyrael
Vidar the Collector
Act IV
Andreus the Healer
Auriel
Botulph the Miner
Captain Haile
Damotrius
Garell the Quartermaster
Itherael
Litton the Fence
Nek the Brawler
Nikola
Tyrael
Act V
Brother Anselm
Brother Francis
Brycen
Captain Vonn
Clara
Derric
Diadra the Scholar
Emily
Elayne
Enkasi
General Torion
Guardian
Halbu
Halissa
Imperius
Isendra
Ivy
Jamella
Kyla
Lady Serena
Lorath Nahr
Lord Harold Snowe
Master Crusader
Master Necromancer Ordan
Mehtan the Necromancer
Nek the Brawler
Oswyn
Patriarch Anisim
Powell the Miner
Sergeant Samuels
Sophia
Tyrael
Zayl (Humbart Wessel)
Adventure Mode
Abd al-Hazir
Dane Bright
Djank Mi'em the PTR Vendor (PTR only)
Daivin the Adventurer
High Cleric
Kadala
King Kanai
Lorath Nahr
Orek
Quentin Sharpe
Skular
The Crazed Man
Tyrael
Urshi
Artisans
Covetous Shen
Haedrig Eamon
Myriam Jahzia
Zoltun Kulle (Kanai's Cube)
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