Children of Bul-Kathos

The Children of Bul-Kathos, better known as Barbarians and sometimes referred to as "Northmen" or the "Broken People," are a collection of tribes who once lived on Mount Arreat and protected the Worldstone.

The Vigil
The Barbarian tribes' origins lie in a time before recorded history. It is written in the Scéal Fada that it was Bul-Kathos and Fiacla-Géar who agreed that in order to safeguard the Worldstone, their people would have to devote the entirety of their lives to the task. Their ideas on how to best approach the task differed however, and while Géar took his followers to Scosglen, Bul-Kathos gathered the Barbarian tribes of the Northern Steppes. Tasked with defending the Worldstone, Barbarian culture was built around its defense. To better protect their lands, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle constantly moving around the Northern Steppes and possessing few permanent settlements.

The Samuren Empire and Worrusk
Note that the following events are not necessarily in chronological order.

Worrusk
Originally the Barbarians roamed the entire western continent of Sanctuary. During a period of inter-tribal warfare, the Barbarian Worusk was able to unite them and for a brief time, the Barbarians were united under a single king. The Barbarian kingdom stretched as far to the jungles of the south. Under his reign, the Council of Elders was formed in Harrogath. Even after his death, the Council remained as a governing body.

The Samuren Empire
At some point the Barbarian tribes (or at least the Oxen Tribe came into conflict with the Samuren Empire, which was bent on conquering the north. The Samurenians interred captured Barbarians in labor camps. The Barbarians ultimately prevailed, as Raekor led them to victory, sacking the empire's capital.

The Coming of Rakkis
During the mid-tenth century, a crusade was launched from the East to bring the Zakarum faith to the lands of the West. Battling against the Sons of Rakkis, the Barbarians lost control of much of the West. However, Rakkis's forces could never conquer the Northern Steppes.

Vigil Continued
The Children of Bul-Kathos kept themselves isolated from the rest of Sanctuary, and while they would permit some trade with the outside world, this would only occur at the border of their territory. All intrusions into the territory surrounding Mount Arreat were forbidden, and warriors from the northern tribes were quick to thwart any incursions from foes. Because of their savagery in battle, the people of the Western Kingdoms frequently called them "barbarians," and regarded them as bloodthirsty invaders. Regardless, the Barbarians stood ready, as the Prophecies of the Final Day declared that a time would come when Hell would surge forward, seeking to undo the works of the Ancients in a final conflict.

Uileloscadh Mór
"Baal comes... and destruction follows him like a storm."

&mdash; Caldra's final words When news of Diablos re-emergence at Tristram spread, a small number of Barbarian warriors began roving the lands outside the Steppes, prepared for war and seeking information regarding the recent activities of the Prime Evils. One of their number made contact with a group of other heroes, and the Horadric scholar Deckard Cain. The group tracked Diablo from Khanduras to Aranoch, the jungles of Kurast, and even the fires of Hell itself. Diablo and Mephisto were defeated, but Baal, the final Prime Evil, remained unaccounted for. The Lord of Destruction headed north, building an army as he did so, intent on corrupting the Worldstone. The Prophecies of the Final Day had been fulfilled. Uileloschadh Mór had begun.

By all accounts, the Barbarians fought ferociously, living up to their reputation as Sanctuary's hardiest warriors. Yet it was not enough. At Daken-Shar, the Barbarian defenders were eradicated almost to the last man. Sescheron, their capital, was sacked. Eventually, all that stood between Baal and the Arreat Summit was Harrogath and its defenders. In desperation, the town's elders sacrificed themselves as part of a warding spell to create a protective barrier around the settlement. Only Nihlathak survived.

Baal's forces lay siege, and Barbarian defenders suffered for it. The heroes who had slain Baal's brothers arrived however, and did all they could to break the siege. However, their efforts were overshadowed by Nihlathak's actions, who had bartered the Relic of the Ancients to Baal in exchange for Harrogath being spared. With the relic, Baal could scale Mount Arreat unopposed by its guardians.

Both Nihlathak and Baal met their end at the hands of the heroes, but Baal had already corrupted the Worldstone. To save humanity, the archangel Tyrael was forced to destroy it. Through his actions, humanity was spared damnation, and Baal's army destroyed, but the cost to the Barbarian tribes was horrific. The resulting explosion leveled Mount Arreat and devastated the surrounding area. Toxic clouds of ash and arcane dust fell over the Steppes, the damage so horrific that it became known as the Dreadlands.

The Aftermath
"What truly happened here? Where are those majestic warriors of old?"

- Abd al-Hazir, after seeing the Dreadlands

In the years following Arreat's destruction, the peoples of Sanctuary began to understand the long and noble history the Barbarian culture once possessed, and became acknowledged. But with the destruction of the Worldstone and devastation of their homeland, many Barbarians lost faith. Some became aimless, haunted by their past, traveling from place to place without honor or direction. Some Barbarians left Arreat and struck out to battle evil, in atonement for their failed stewardship. Other tribes fell into regression, becoming akin to unreasoning beasts and, in some cases, even cannibals. Some, however, still honor the harsh snows of Arreat's summit and prowl the outskirts of its crater, maintaining enclaves in isolated fortifications. They recall being handed axes and spears at an age when city children were clinging to their toys... and they burn with shame at the failure of their people. These Barbarians strive to find a new purpose for themselves in a changed world, and they will crush any who stand in their way.

A number of scattered Barbarian clans remained on the Frozen Tundra, but they were scattered and isolated. They battled against the remnants of Baal's army, but they could either stand united or die divided. It was feared that if these tribes fell, the Army of Destruction would again be able to threaten Sanctuary.

Among the Barbarians who left their homeland, one of them took note of the evil that had taken root in Sanctuary. He saw an opportunity to give the Barbarians hope, a reason to fight, and a reason to live.

Culture
"The tribes in the north know the depths of Sanctuary's darkness all too well. Their purpose, handed down from their great ancestor, Bul-Kathos, was to protect the secrets of Mount Arreat, the mountain that has cast a shadow over their culture for its entire existence. Their warriors are trained in hand-to-hand warfare from a young age and revel in the chance to test their might against worthy foes, forging their reputations in the blood of their vanquished enemies."

Barbarians eschew the use of magic and technology, as they believe the use of such devices will only weaken their resolve. Barbarians have frequently expressed disdain for magic, and those who wield it. Renowned for their combat prowess and arrogant demenour, Barbarians appear to be perpetually girt for battle. Through harsh conditioning, Barbarians excel in physical combat and can perform tremendous feats of strength. Their physical strength is further strengthened by the primal energies of the land, which they have learned to harness. Never shying from a brawl, mighty ground stomps, leaping attacks and crushing blows leave enemies dead in their tracks, and survivors cowering in fear. Barbarians revel in the chance to test their might against worthy foes, forging their reputations in the blood of their vanquished enemies.

Prior to the deeds of Raekor, Barbarian women, while still highly regarded as warriors, were still seen by their male peers as being inferior to men on the field of battle. Raekor's deeds, with her being the first female to gain the coveted title of warmaster, changed this perception. However, even by 1263, Barbarian warriors were primarily male.

During their vigil, Barbarian trials began at childhood; skinning ferocious beasts, climbing windswept cliffs and carrying weapons heavy enough to make a southern soldier weep. They are trained in hand-to-hand combat from a young age. As a result, their combat and survival skills are unparalleled throughout Sanctuary. Exposed to the elements of their homeland, Barbarian skin has been toughened to match the resilience of leather, and can withstand attacks that would slay lesser mortals. Because of the scarcity of food in their homeland, Barbarians are able to consume species of plants that would kill normal men. Likewise, Barbarians regularly scavenged the bodies of their falls, due to the scarcity of materials in their homeland.

Barbarians appear to have a numbering system that is represented by runes.

Barbarians practice marriage, the events being known for their rowdiness.

Religion
"When it snows, wear your thickest loincloth."

- A Barbarian saying

Barbarians are a spiritual people, and their faith system is/was based around Bul-Kathos (the "immortal king") and the Ancients, a trio of nephalem spirits who guarded Mount Arreat. Per the tenants of their belief system, every Barbarian in life was expected to defend Mount Arreat. With death, however, they would be free from that duty, and be able to pass beyond. For some Barbarians however, death was not enough to end their vigil, and their spirits remained tied to the mountain, still bound to defend it. Barbarians believe(d) that if they fail(ed) to uphold their duty to Arreat, or are not given a proper burial upon its slopes, they will be denied a true warrior's death, and their spirits shall roam the land without honor for all eternity.

Barbarians also maintain shamanistic beliefs in animal powers, which are represented through the use of totems. At least some Barbarians believe in animal spirits.

Weaponcraft
Barbarians are familiar with the art of weaponsmithery, a tradition which harkens back to Bul-Kathos. Barbarians are able to make use of weapons in ways that others simply don’t possess the strength for. Heavily-muscled barbarians can also dual-wield normal weapons like swords and axes, barraging foes with multiple enchantments and weapon types at once.

For a time, the sword was regarded as the pinnacle of Barbarian weaponcraft, though not long before the destruction of Mount Arreat, some Barbarian smiths perfected their axecraft to be the equal (or greater) weapon to that of the sword. Other tribes are dedicated to other types of weapons however, such as the Bear Tribe (the mace), the Snake Tribe (the spear) and the Crane Tribe (the polearm). Barbarians are also capable of using thrown weapons, but few are known for their use of the bow. Each tribe tells tales of their greatest weapons. While these tales differ, each tribe claims a certain blade as their own.

Known Tribes/Clans
As of 1285, there are estimated to be 32 Barbarian tribes. Each tribe can trace its ancestry back to Bul-Kathos, and each sang epic sagas of their history. With the destruction of Mount Arreat, entire tribes were wiped out from existence. Each clan paints its warriors in a unique manner.

Known tribes/clans include:


 * Bear Tribe
 * Bone Clan
 * Crane Tribe
 * Horde of the Ninety Savages (collection of fallen tribes, defunct)
 * Owl Tribe
 * Oxen Tribe
 * Shadow Wolf Tribe
 * Snake Tribe
 * Stag Tribe
 * Targos Clan
 * The Unclean (cannibal tribes that emerged after the Worldstone's destruction)
 * Tribe of Thunder

Diablo
Main article: Barbarian (Hellfire)

A Barbarian class first appeared in Diablo: Hellfire. However, the lore of this class was of barbarians to the far south, and is unrelated to the Barbarians of later games.

Diablo II
Main article: Barbarian (Diablo II) The Barbarian class received its first proper introduction in Diablo II, where he was a bona fide class of his own (as opposed to the one from Hellfire, who used the graphics of the warrior class), and was representative of the Children of Bul-Kathos in terms of lore. Additionally, Barbarian Warrior hirelings could be used by the player in the game's expansion.

Diablo III
Main article: Barbarian (Diablo III)

The Barbarian class returns in Diablo III. (S)he bears resemblance to the interpretation of the character from the previous game.

Diablo Immortal
Main article: Barbarian (Diablo Immortal)

The Barbarian class returns in Diablo Immortal. It is largely based on the character as portrayed in Diablo III.

Diablo IV
The Barbarian returns in Diablo IV.

Notable Barbarians
Main article: List of Barbarian characters

Historical Figures
The following Barbarians are/were renowned by their breathren, for their status and/or their deeds:


 * Bul-Kathos, the Immortal King
 * Korlic
 * Madawc
 * Pindleskin (speculated by Deckard Cain to be a former Bear Tribe chieftain)
 * Raekor (the first Barbarian warmaster)
 * Talic
 * "The Guardian"
 * Worusk, the (Second) Immortal King

Elders

 * Chief Elder Kanai
 * Elder Aust
 * Elder Ord Rekar
 * Elder Nihlathak

Other

 * Gynvir
 * Sonya

Trivia

 * In terms of culture and geography, the Barbarians bear resemblance to the historical Germanic tribes.