Changes

Not long after [[Leoric]] took possession of [[Khanduras]], a power long asleep awakened within the dark recesses beneath the Monastery. Sensing that freedom was within his grasp, [[Diablo]] entered the nightmares of the [[Lazarus|Arch Bishop ]] and lured him into the dark, subterranean labyrinth. In his terror, [[Lazarus]] raced throughout the abandoned hallways until he at last came to the chamber of the burning [[Soulstone]]. No longer in command of his body or spirit, he raised the stone above his head and uttered words long forgotten in the realm of mortals.

For many months King [[Leoric]] secretly fought His will destroyed, Lazarus shattered the Soulstone upon the ground. Diablo once again came into the evil presence that twisted his thoughts and emotionsworld of Man. Sensing that Although he had been possessed by some unknown evilwas released from his imprisonment within the Soulstone, the [[LeoricLord of Terror]] hid his dark secret was still greatly weakened from his Priests, hoping that somehow his own devout righteousness would be enough long sleep and required an anchor to exorcise the corruption growing inside him - world. Once he was sorely mistaken. [[Diablo]] stripped away the core of [[Leoric]]'s beinghad found a mortal form to wear, burning away all honor and virtue from he could begin to reclaim his soulvastly depleted power. [[Lazarus]] too, had fallen under The great demon weighed the sway of souls residing in the Demontown above, keeping close to [[Leoric]] at all times. [[Lazarus]] worked and chose to conceal take the plans strongest of his new Master from the [[Order of Light]], hoping them - that the demon?s power would grow, well concealed amongst the servants of [[Zakarum]]King Leoric.

For many months King Leoric secretly fought the evil presence that twisted his thoughts and emotions. Sensing that he had been possessed by some unknown evil, Leoric hid his dark secret from his [[Priest]]s, hoping that somehow his own devout righteousness would be enough to exorcise the corruption growing inside him - he was sorely mistaken. Diablo stripped away the core of Leoric's being, burning away all honor and virtue from his soul. Lazarus too, had fallen under the sway of the [[Demon]], keeping close to Leoric at all times. Lazarus worked to conceal the plans of his new Master from the [[Order of Light]], hoping that the demon's power would grow, well concealed amongst the servants of [[Zakarum]].  The priests of Zakarum and the citizenry of [[Khanduras]] recognized the disturbing change within their liege. His once proud and rugged form became distorted and deformed. King Leoric became increasingly deranged and ordered immediate executions of any who dared to question his methods or authority. Leoric began to send his Knights to other villages to bully their townspeople into submission. The people of Khanduras who had once grown to see great honor in their ruler began to call Leoric the Black King.  Driven to the brink of madness by the [[Lord of Terror]], King [[Leoric]] slowly alienated his closest friends and advisors. [[Lachdanan]], Captain of the Knights of the [[Order of Light]] and honored Champion of [[Zakarum]], tried to discern the nature of his King's deteriorating spirit. Yet at every turn the Arch-Bishop [[Lazarus]] would waylay [[Lachdanan]] and admonish him for questioning the actions of the King. As tensions grew between the two, [[Lazarus]] charged [[Lachdanan]] with treason against the Kingdom. To the Priests and Knights of [[Leoric]]'s court, the prospect of [[Lachdanan]] committing treason was ridiculous. [[Lachdanan]]'s motives were honorable and just, and soon many began question the reason of their once beloved King. [[Leoric]]'s madness was growing more obvious with each passing day. Sensing that the advisors of the court were becoming increasingly suspicious of foul treachery, [[Lazarus]] desperately sought to contain the eroding situation. The Arch-Bishop masterfully convinced the delusional [[Leoric]] that the kingdom of [[Westmarch]] was plotting against him, secretly planning to dethrone him and annex [[Khanduras]] into its own lands. [[Leoric]] flew into a rage and summoned his advisors to his side. Manipulated by the Arch-Bishop, the paranoid King declared a state of war between the kingdoms of Khanduras and Westmarch.  [[KhandurasLeoric]] ignored the warnings and admonishments of his advisors and the royal army of [[WestmarchKhanduras]]was ordered to the North to engage in a war that they did not believe in. Lachdanan was appointed by Lazarus to lead the armies of Khanduras into Westmarch. Although Lachdanan argued the against the necessity of the coming conflict, he was honor-bound to uphold the will of his King. Many of the high-priests and officials were forced to travel to the North as emissaries on errands of diplomatic urgency, as well. The desperate ploy of Lazarus had succeeded in sending many of the King's more troublesome advisors to their certain deaths . . .