The Initiate

The Initiate is a two-part poem written by Chris Metzen. The two parts are found in the manuals of Diablo and Diablo II respectively.

The Initiate (Part 1)

 * Which way is the right path, as I stand upon
 * this chaotic crossroad of hate...
 * How many ways are there to roam
 * on this dark and damned road of Fate...


 * "There are many ways, my son,
 * to find where the souls of Demons remain...
 * But it takes only one second of despair and of doubt
 * until at last, your soul, they will gain...
 * Inherit these lands, these things, these dreams
 * that are yours, forever, to adore...
 * For there is no life, in the depths of chaos, my son,
 * for you to explore..."

The Adept (Part 2)

 * I have walked the paths; the shadowed roads
 * that led to terror’s breast.
 * I have plumbed the depths of Hatred’s womb,
 * and scaled Destruction’s crest.


 * For every secret left unveiled, for every power learned,
 * I’d sell the remnants of my soul, regardless how it burned.
 * And still I sought a higher wisdom few could have attained.
 * ‘Though I found it, it would leave me - broken, damned and drained.


 * For now I find this power gained is more unto a curse.
 * My spirit burns with every spell and each irreverent verse.
 * Despite this strength and knowledge earned, I have paid a heavy toll,
 * Never should’ve traded power for my own immortal soul.”