Rathma: The First Necromancer in Diablo 4

Rathma, in Diablo 4, holds a crucial role within the franchise. However, there remains curiosity surrounding their identity and the origins of their position as the first Necromancer in Sanctuary.

If you have ever played a Diablo game before, it is likely that you have come across the name ‘Rathma’. This enigmatic figure has operated discreetly, dispatching his Priests of Rathma – more commonly known as Necrom

Rathma, the original Necromancer, was bestowed with the extraordinary ability to raise the deceased and taught his devoted followers how to summon undead creatures for battle. However, the enigmatic figure’s motivations for using his dark powers for good and the origins of his role as the first Necromancer remain a mystery.

Ultimately, what is the motivation behind this skilled and ageless master of death, and what has driven him to devote his existence to harnessing the dark arts in opposition to malevolent forces?

The Priests of Rathma have become the Necromancer order.

Who is Rathma in Diablo?

Rathma is a significant figure in the backstory of Diablo as one of the original Nephalem, a powerful being born from the union of angels and demons. This unique hybrid would eventually give rise to the human race.

Born to the union of the angel Inarius and the demon Lilith, he is nearly as ancient as the world of Sanctuary. Being a Nephalem, he possesses great power that rivals that of both demons and angels. Due to this threat, the forces of Heaven and Hell joined together to eliminate the Nephalem. In order to protect her children, Lilith utilized them as instruments of destruction, successfully repelling both armies. However, this caused Inarius to exile Lilith to a desolate realm before he went into hiding himself.

After being abandoned, Rathma and his siblings were forced to fend for themselves in Sanctuary. There, he discovered that he possessed his mother’s gift for dark demonic magic and could even raise the dead. As he honed his abilities, Rathma became known as the founder of necromancy and established an order for others to learn his dark art. Unlike his mother, Rathma had no desire to partake in the Eternal Conflict between Heaven and Hell. Instead, he dedicated himself to protecting Sanctuary from both sides and taught humans how to wield necromancy against demons.

When Diablo and his brothers began to pose a threat to life in Sanctuary, Rathma’s belief was that by targeting life, Diablo was also targeting death, an integral aspect of life. As a result, Rathma took on the role of a harbinger of death, actively opposing the Prime Evils during demonic invasions. This is evident in both Diablo 2, where Rathma sends a Necromancer to join the group of heroes fighting against Diablo, and in Diablo Immortal and Diablo 3, where he repeats this action.

The Bones of Rathma is his signature armor set.

Rathma in Diablo 4

Whenever the three powerful demons, Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto, threaten to destroy Sanctuary, a Priest of Rathma is always nearby, utilizing their control over death to defeat the demons and then add them to their own army of the undead.

Despite his tendency towards secrecy, Rathma opts to send his Necromancers to the front lines instead of making public appearances. However, as seen in Diablo 4, there has been a rise in religious groups in Sanctuary devoted to the adoration of his parents. In response, Rathma’s father Inarius uses this opportunity, along with Lilith’s return, to try and eliminate her and reclaim his place in Heaven.

In the Diablo series, Rathma will be drawn out into the open for the first time, as both Inarius and Lilith require the first Necromancer and will attempt to enlist the powerful Nethalem for their purposes. It is worth noting that the Priests of Rathma have played a crucial role in defeating Diablo and other dangers.

The main concern is where Rathma’s allegiance lies. Will he support his father or mother? Alternatively, will he defy them, viewing both Lilith and Inarius as dangers to Sanctuary?