[[Image:Fallen-shaman-art.jpg|thumb|200px|Fallen Shaman]]

'''Fallen Ones''' return in [[Diablo III]], in a familiar form. Though they remain small, cowardly, impish little demons, they have been upgraded in appearance and tactics. Their strength is also bolstered by more powerful chieftan units, and the [[Fallen Shaman|Shaman]] and [[Fallen Overseer|Overseer]] types can whip the common Fallen into a murderous assault force.

==Diablo 3 Fallen Development==

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The development and design of the Fallen is covered in the first 3:30 of this video of the Monster and Art Design panel from [[BlizzCon 2009]].

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[[Image:Mon-fallen-shaman-bashiok.gif|right|thumb|100px|[[Bashiok]]'s avatar.]]

Prior to the official announcement of the return of the Fallen, their return was hinted at by the forum icon of [[Diablo III]] Community Manager [[Bashiok]], which featured an early animated render of the Fallen Shaman. There were also some hints to be found in the [[Writings_of_Abd_al-Hazir:_Entry_no._0017|the 17th entry]] of the [[Writings of Abd al-Hazir]].

The fallen are true [[demon]]ic warriors with a formerly proud past. The historian and loremaster [[Abd al-Hazir]] has done [[Writings_of_Abd_al-Hazir:_Entry_no._0010|extensive research]] about them. The reason so much research must be made is because during the [[Mage Clan Wars]], many horrible things were done by the [[Vizjerei]] clan, and they tried to whitewash many of these in their literature. One example is the [[Khazra]], who were not at all demonic.

Abd al-Hazir has spent enough time with ancient lore tomes to be more or less certain the story about the Fallen Ones described in ''[[Demonicus de Zoltun Kulle]]'' at least is true, with one difference: They served as [[Azmodan]]'s hands, performing acts that he would not, could not involve himself in. They were once exalted demons of the [[Burning Hells]], and are now called Fallen Ones, or classified as "Nanus Improbus". However, they were never lieutenants of [[Baal]], like the [[Vizjerei]] Chief Librarian [[Vischar Orous]] claimed.

The first time the [[Lesser Evils]] tried to overthrow the [[Prime Evils|Prime]], the ancestors of today's Fallen failed in their attempt and received [[Diablo]]'s full wrath, twisted into small, ridiculous imps in contrast to their previously powerful forms. Azmodan did not return their former glory as he felt it was their fault he filed.

Despite that their failure helped Azmodan gain the information needed to later overthrow the Prime Evils into the [[Dark Exile]], he still did not change his mind about the Fallen.

When unleashed upon our realm by their master, Azmodan, these impish terrors display a tendency to swarm like flesh-hungry locusts, and they have been known to tear apart a sleeping village in minutes. Small of stature and simian in appearance, these creatures possess surprising strength and unnatural agility. Other than feasting on human flesh, the only act that gives these unspeakable horrors pleasure is breeding; hence the tendency to encounter them in large packs.

However, due to their small size, cowardice appears to be one of the chief features of this species. They quickly retreat when one of their brethren falls in battle.

Fallen ones display no obvious tendency towards greater organization beyond their predisposition to swarm. This is fortunate for humanity, for they are so numerous that if they were to band together in large numbers, they might easily overwhelm a small city.

[[Image:Fallen-battle.jpg|center|thumb|800px|Fallen battle portrait.]]

Some 20 years ago, these beasts were originally sighted near civilized lands, wrecking havoc around the country side. This was also the first time the [[Fallen Shaman]] were seen with the [[Fallen Imp|imps]], supporting them with magical spells as well as resurrecting them from the dead. Carvers and Dark Ones, tougher cousins of the Fallen were also seen, indicating the [[Prime Evils]] had a strong connection with the mortal plane, for those wise enough to realize that.

In Abd's research he has found proof of many more breeds of Fallen than previously thought existed, including [[Fallen Imp|Imps]], [[Fallen Shaman|Shamen]], [[Fallen Hound|Hounds]], [[Fallen Lunatic|Lunatics]], [[Fallen Overseer|Overseers]] and at least two more types.

This implies the creatures enjoy ''some'' sort of clan culture, as they know enough to name and worship individuals among the blood-thirsty swarm.

==Previous Appearances==