Dark Cultist

Dark Cultists are humans who worship the Prime Evils in the Triune religion/cult and gain powers and abilities from their dark masters. Cultists are Human type monsters.

Subtypes

Act I

• Dark Cultist
• Dark Ritualist
• Dark Zealot
• Deranged Cultist
• Enraged Zealot

Act II

• Crazed Cultist
• Dark Zealot
• Deranged Cultist

In Alphabetical Order

Crazed Cultist

• Appears in Act II - Road to Alcarnus, Abandoned Cellar, Deserted Cellar, Alcarnus, Stinging Winds, Sandy Cellar and Hidden Conclave
• Melee physical attack

Dark Cultist

Dark Cultist

• Appears in Act I - Cathedral (3), Highlands Cave, Leoric's Manor, Leoric's Hunting Grounds, The Lyceum, Watch Tower, Halls of Agony, Highlands Passage and Khazra Den
• Melee physical attack

Dark Ritualist

• Appears in Act I - Cells of the Condemned
• Melee physical attack

Dark Zealot

Dark Zealot

• Appears in Act I - Wortham
• Appears in Act II - Hadi's Claim Mine
• Melee physical attack

Deranged Cultist

• Appears in Act I - Highlands Passage
• Appears in Act II - Road to Alcarnus, Alcarnus, Alcarnus Cellar, Sandy Cellar, Lair of the Witch, Hidden Conclave and Sundered Canyon
• Melee physical attack

Enraged Zealot

• Appears in Act I - Khazra Den
• Melee physical attack

Named

Superunique versions of Dark Cultist have a chance of spawning in the following areas:

Act I

• Brakan - Highlands Cave, Leoric's Hunting Grounds
• Cultist Grand Inquisitor - Halls of Agony, level 1
• Percepeus - Leoric's Hunting Grounds. Target of the bounty Kill Percepeus
• Sarella the Vile - Leoric's Manor Courtyard, Leoric's Hunting Grounds
• Theodyn Deathsinger - Leoric's Hunting Grounds. Target of the bounty Kill Theodyn Deathsinger

Background

Little is known about these worshippers of demonic powers. Abd al-Hazir came across them on his travels in the Western Kingdoms, and he made an entry on his meeting with the cultists in his 42nd entry of the Writings of Abd al-Hazir, and which mysteriously also became his last.

He describes in detail the early stages of the ritual to make a human into a Dark Vessel, where "Teeth of Diablo" are nailed into the back of a willing cultist. Here is an excerpt:

That was when I first saw them, the dark cultists, arrayed in a circle. Their torches lit the macabre proceedings in a pallid light that danced over their garish rune-covered robes. I had heard tales of these hooded cultists and their depraved rituals, and I must admit to some curiosity upon seeing them. As their chanting droned on, I thought to make my escape lest they see me, but my attention was riveted by a pale, vacant-eyed supplicant being led forward. I do not know if he was of limited mental capacity, lost in religious mania, or simply drugged, but he was definitely not sound of mind as he knelt in the center of the thrumming circle.

A Cultist, from the Monk cinematic.

The chanting stilled as the leader, face shadowed by a heavily gilded hood, stepped forward and began to intone a ritual in some indecipherable tongue. A large, thickly muscled and leather-masked cultist draped a black, eyeless hood over the victim's head before pulling a foot-long spike from his sash. My mind searched for any possible use for this cursed nail when I noticed the immense stygian hammer grasped in his other hand. With one swift motion, he raised it above his head and drove the spike into the supplicant's back with fierce intensity. I almost screamed... but the victim made no sound.

As another spike was readied, I knew I could watch no more. I trembled with the thought of those nails being driven into me should I be caught. I averted my gaze as I heard the revolting squish of another spike sunk into willing flesh. My eyes fell on the robe of the lead cultist. The intricate runes woven into his robe undulated and swirled in sickening movement. As I watched, horrified, I could feel my sanity crumbling away. I began to back away from the wicked tableau, forcing myself to move slowly while my mind screamed for me to flee with abandon. When I could contain myself no longer, I broke into a full run, not caring what sound I made. I ran until I collapsed. And then, as soon as I was able, I staggered to my feet and ran some more.

Lore

A dark coven has formed in Tristram and I fear that their superstitious violence may damn the whole region. I discovered very little during my eavesdropping--except that the word "Jumper" was repeated several times in their chants. Oh well, now I journey to the safety of my home, where I may put these worries behind me.

Abd al-Hazir

• A Summoner's Journal (required for Taking Notes achievement)

Gallery

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  Dark Zealot in Wortham

• 

  Enraged Zealot

• 

  Concept Art

• 

  Cultist in the game

• 

  From the Monk cinematic.

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  Summoning Dark Demons.

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  Summoning Dark Demons.