Disclaimer: I do not own Diablo 2 or its expansion.

This is my first fanfiction though, and it is based on the new Necromancer character and his adventures. Other characters from other professions might come in sooner or later in time.

Prologue

The man's wiry frame was not very exceptional as he trudged across the wilderness, except that one who looked at him would comment that he was rather impoverished.

The silvery hair that graced his head made him look older than he was. Looks and hushed voices of disdain were often passed and given to him in every town he passed through as he made his way towards the Rogue Encampment.

He merely held a simple wand on his right hand, and many knew him only as a dark magician, a Necromancer, which made people avoid him like the plague. He shrugged off most of the looks with an expression of aloofness, but in truth, it hurt him inside and he felt very lonely. It was not his fault that many of his profession had brought about unspeakable horrors in this world, even allying themselves with the beast that he sought to destroy, the source of his troubles. Diablo, the Lord of Terror himself. He took it upon himself in this personal quest, to prove to the world that not all of his kind was evil murderous priests of death.

He looked up at the sudden chill in the air and frowned. Gray clouds were rolling in fast, and a small drizzle was beginning to fall. He hoped that this was a mere light rain, not a storm that was brewing. He shivered slightly as his robe became wet, and that made him look towards the distance. He was delighted as he spotted a stockade and some tents, not to mention the warm glow of flames in the encampment. He smiled to himself. He knew that he had reached his destination and quickened his pace.

A whistle of an arrow in flight was heard and he was lucky that he had stopped before the arrow was embedded on the ground in front of him. He wondered who could have tried to shoot him, and his gaze narrowed as his eyes found the source. A young Rogue archer, with lustrous brown hair tied in a ponytail lowered her bow at the sight of him. She had jade green eyes, and they twinkled with cheekiness, though the expression on her face was wary. She then smiled grimly at him and said. "Forgive me for attempting to shoot you, stranger… I have nearly mistaken you for one of those creatures that frequently try to assault our camp."

In spite of the initial annoyance that he felt, he was somewhat impressed with this Rogue's boldness and responsibility to her post. He couldn't help but ask her as she led him into the camp. "I am not the least offended, Miss Rogue… in fact, I am rather impressed. Such wariness is rather natural, don't you think? After all, even I have heard the loss of your Monastery before I arrived here. May I be so bold to know your name?"

The Rogue girl chuckled and said. "If you must know, my name is Paige. I am one of the best archers in this Encampment, though Flavie, that's my senior, is much better than I. That is why Kashya, our leader sent her to the border between the Cold Plains and the Blood Moor to fend off any monster attacks."

He nodded and said. "It is a pleasure to meet you…" They soon reached the middle of the encampment, and he was surprised to see a large chest there. He asked Paige about it and she shrugged. "I think that it used to belong to another adventurer, you may use it if you want to. I don't think he or she is coming back." She then said. "If you must excuse me, I need to return to my duties…" She then left him and then he walked over to the chest and opened it. He was not surprised to see it empty though.

He turned around after closing the chest, and he was greeted by a jovial looking man in a trader's garb of blue and grey. "Greetings' stranger, my name is Warriv and I am not really surprised to see you here."

Haimler was slightly taken aback by this warm greeting, but he soon recovered and asked.

"What makes you say that?" Warriv chuckled and said. "Well, after the chaos and troubles that Diablo leaves in his wake, it is not surprising to see many adventurers seeking to destroy him once and for all this time." He paused for a moment, a slight frown creasing his face. "Though I could not comprehend why a practicer of the dark arts such as you would go through all this trouble to slay him." He then said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "Do not mention this to the Rogues though, but I have to tell you something." A wearied look came upon his face and then he said. "I am eager to move on, mind you to Lut Gholein as soon as possible. While I am grateful that the Rogues has offered shelter, if this goes on, there will be nothing left to trade, for the Rogues has been taking supplies from my caravan."

He had expected this question to arise and he soon found himself explaining the reason for his quest. Though he was faintly amused by the caravan merchant's predicament, and even understood Warriv's concerns, he knew that there was nothing they can do about it. After listening to his tale, Warriv nodded somberly. "I see... I warn you though, it would not be easy to change people's impressions of your kind, but I am glad to see that at least one of your brethren did not stray down the murderous path. I bid you good day, young Necromancer. And one more thing, feel free to explore the camp and meet the people here, though I would advise you to avoid Gheed, he is never to be trusted in his dealings and he dislikes your kind with a passion."

Haimler nodded and then said. "Your advice is appreciated, Warriv… thank you."

He then left and continued to stroll in the camp and met the blacksmith, Charsi. She was a robust woman with flaming orange hair, and a build that reminded him of the descendants of the Barbarian Clans of Harrogath in the frozen North. She smiled as she looked up from her forging. "Hi there, I'm Charsi, the blacksmith here. It's nice to see you here; you look like you are pretty strong, and do not worry, Necromancer… I am not one to judge you, though I have heard many unpleasant tales of your kind. Nevertheless, if you need to repair your armor and weapons, or to purchase some, come to me. The selection is meager, you understand, but do drop by often, you might find something you need or want."

He nodded, bidding her a good day as he continued to explore the camp. He was soon approached by a chain mail clad woman with a red colored headdress. She exuded a commanding air and her eyes were piercing and cold as she studied him.

He soon recognized the identity of this woman and then said. "You are Kashya, I presume?"

The woman nodded and said. "Indeed, outlander. Welcome to our glorious hovel. I know that you are here you seek to destroy Diablo and cleanse the taint he has on this land, as well as to help us regain our Monastery back. But you will find me hard to impress, slaying a few beasts will not do, and you especially have to prove to me that you are not like your ilk."

She then said. "Go, our High Priestess Akara has a task for you." She soon left, and he shrugged, and he made his way to a shack, where he spotted a cauldron boiling, as well as some potions and scrolls, as well as well as some wands, staves and scepters lined neatly on the walls. An elderly woman stepped out of the hut. She was dressed in a violet robe, her body quite weak. She had a weary expression on her face, but her eyes concealed the wisdom that she has. She looked at him and then said. "Welcome stranger. I am Akara, High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye. I bid you welcome, but I am afraid that I can offer you poor shelter beneath these rickety walls. I earnestly seek your help to free our sisterhood from the corruption that has wrested our monastery from us. Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish is responsible for this, claiming it as her own and corrupting more and more of our Sisterhood to turn against us. We are all that is left, and our ranks grow thinner by the day." She then paused and said. "But enough of this… I need your help to cleanse a Den of Evil in the wilderness. Kashya's rogue scouts have reported to me that the beasts are amassing again to assault this camp. We have driven them back several times, but it is inevitable that one day, we would not be able to withstand their assault. Many of our archers have perished in battle in that cavern, and we simply cannot lose any more people."

After listening to her, Haimler replied. "It shall be done, Priestess Akara… I give you my solemn vow." For the first time, a smile graced her weary face. "Thank you, stranger... perhaps the unsavory rumors and tales surrounding your kind might not be true after all. Rest here for tonight. You may set off to begin your quest tomorrow."

Haimler nodded and then left her and walked back towards the campfire. He then saw Paige approaching him. She grinned and said. "I am impressed, it has been a while since Akara smiled that way… especially since this whole mess with Andariel and Diablo began. Even Kashya wasn't so hostile with you, which is quite unusual for her."

He nodded and thanked her. "I thank you, Miss Paige. Could you escort me to my tent, perhaps? My name is Haimler, by the way." She nodded and grinned, escorting him to a vacant tent. Before she left, she smiled at him. "Have a good rest, I will see you tomorrow." She then left, making him wonder why she was so friendly with him. But he soon shrugged it off as he entered the tent. He lay down on the pallet and then drew the blanket to cover him. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.

End of Prologue.

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