Lore Book

A Lore Book in Deckard Cain's house.

Lore Books are in-game items that deliver background lore and/or story information. Lore books can be found in the world, and are triggered automatically by first encountering a new type of monster. All lore books are presented as the writings of an individual, often Deckard Cain or Abd al-Hazir. Other books are histories of an area, journals by NPCs, orders from Boss monsters, legends of the High Heavens, and many others.

All lore books can be listened to while the action continues, and can also be read in text form by accessing the in-game Journal.

Mechanics

Lore books are found in most areas of the game and describe that area, or add flavor text about it. First encounters with most types of monsters trigger a lore book as well, which can be listened to by clicking the icon on the lower right of the screen.

In-world lore books are only found if a particular character has not before "read" that particular book. Many areas of the game have multiple books, which are labeled with the number after the title, such as "The Fall of the Barbarians: Part One," a five book series found in the Keep in Act 3.

Deckard Cain's Journal being played in full audio.

Vasadan clarified the mechanics of lore books while grouped during the Diablo III beta [1]:

If you have lore already, it's going to disappear if you click on it. That way you do not get experience points for picking it up, but other people in your party still get the lore if they do not have it.

Achievements

Achievements are awarded for reading all the Lore books in a particular area, and/or for listening to all of the NPC conversations. These can often overlap; there are many installments to read in Leah's Journal through Acts 1-3, and these journal entries flesh out the ongoing story and supplement the actual conversations with Leah and the other NPCs.

There are many, many dozens of Lore Books found throughout the game, ranging from always there to quite rare. A partial listing follows:

Act I

A History of New Tristram - Available during the quest The Fallen Star, located in the Slaughtered Calf Inn right by the entrance. Static spawn.

Mira's Letter to Haedrig - Available by Haedrig Eamon's blacksmithing shop once the quest A Shattered Crown is completed. It is on the ground inside of a box by the anvil. Static spawn.

Leoric's Journal, Part 1 - Available from pedestals in the Royal Crypts. May require multiple runs of the quest Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Leoric's Journal, Part 2 - Available from pedestals in the Royal Crypts. May require multiple runs of the quest Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 1 - Available in the Tristram Cathedral dungeon, levels 1-4. They are on pedestals. May require multiple runs of Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 2 - Available in the Tristram Cathedral dungeon, levels 1-4. They are on pedestals. May require multiple runs of Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 3 - Available in the Tristram Cathedral dungeon, levels 1-4. They are on pedestals. May require multiple runs of Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 4 - Available in the Tristram Cathedral dungeon, levels 1-4. They are on pedestals. May require multiple runs of Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Lachdanan's Scroll, Part 5 - Available in the Tristram Cathedral dungeon, levels 1-4. They are on pedestals. May require multiple runs of Reign of the Black King. Semi-static spawn.

Leah's Journal, Part 1 - Available during the quest The Fallen Star, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn.

Leah's Journal, Part 2 - Available during the quest The Legacy of Cain, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Must be picked up before entering the Cathedral. Static spawn.

Leah's Journal, Part 3 - Available during the quest A Shattered Crown, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn.

Leah's Journal, Part 4 - Available during the quest Sword of the Stranger, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn

Leah's Journal, Part 5 - Available during the quest The Broken Blade, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn

Leah's Journal, Part 6 - Available during the quest The Doom in Wortham, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn

Leah's Journal, Part 7 - Available during the quest Trailing the Coven, from Leah's room in the Slaughtered Calf Inn, on a desk near the entrance. Static spawn

Traveler's Journal - Multiple locations along Old Tristram Road, most often near the tree in the north or the house in the north. May require combat. Dynamic spawn.

Warriv's Journal - Available during The Fallen Star in Old Tristram Road. Warriv's corpse will spawn in a demolished caravan off the road. Rare dynamic spawn.

Cain's Old Journal, Part 1 - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Cain's Old Journal, Part 2 - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Despina's Journal - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Gillian's Diary, Part 1 - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Gillian's Diary, Part 2 - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Lost Journal - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Old Diary - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Old Tristram Journal - Located in an "Old Keepsake Box" in either the Old Tristram Road or Old Tristram. Requires multiple playthroughs. Dynamic spawn.

Adria's Journal - Automatically obtained during The Legacy of Cain by Leah upon mid-quest completion below Adria's Hut. Static spawn.

The Hanging Tree - Available in the Weeping Hollow after the player completes the "Hanging Tree" adventure. Dynamic spawn.

Gravedigger's Log - Located in the Cemetery of the Forsaken from the gravedigger's bones. Static spawn.

Scoundrel's Journal - Located in a Stolen Sack just before Sasha's farm in the Fields of Misery. Static Spawn.

Adenah's Jottings - Located in the Fields of Misery inside the House of Curios.

Wandering Tinker's Diary - Located outside the Tinker's Hovel in the Fields of Misery. Dynamic Spawn.

Farmer's Journal - Located outside the Tinker's Hovel in the Fields of Misery. Dynamic Spawn.

The Last Stand of the Ancients - Available after killing the boss of the Last Stand of the Ancients event.

Kingsport Bill - Can be obtained by completing a conversation with Lyndon the Scoundrel.

Command from the Cultist Grand Inquisitor - Located in the Halls of Agony level 2. Spawn unknown.

Queen Asylla's Journal - Located in the Cursed Hold Right as you enter in the first room on the left. Static Spawn.

Notes of Urik, The Seer Part 1 Located in the Fields of Misery inside the Caves of the Moonclan Level 1 Right as you enter. (Satchel) Static Spawn.

Notes of Urik, The Seer Part 2 Located in the Fields of Misery inside the Caves of the Moonclan Level 2 You have to travel a bit inside. (Satchel) Static Spawn.

Notes of Urik, The Seer Part 3 Located in the Fields of Misery inside the Caves of the Moonclan Level 2 Unknown spawn location. (Satchel) Static Spawn.

Act II

Coming Soon.

Act III