The Dark and Disturbing Exorcism Quests of Diablo 4

As expected from a game centered on annihilating hordes of demons, Diablo 4 is no stranger to disturbing content. As players delve deeper into Lilith's corruption of Sanctuary, it becomes apparent that the game is even darker than its predecessors, both in terms of its art style and narrative. The side quests scattered throughout the game's map offer some of the best examples of its ominous nature, particularly the chain of exorcism side quests located in Kyovashad.

Diablo 4's side quests provide players with a more profound insight into the world's lore and illustrate the extent of Lilith's wrongdoing, such as the Unyielding Flesh side quest, which depicts the temptation of the inhabitants of Sanctuary, and the Bound by Blood side quest, which showcases greed. However, when it comes to the game's most unsettling content, demonic possession takes center stage. In Kyovashad, there is a series of side quests that pit players against demon-possessed residents, casting them as exorcists who must perform exorcism rituals throughout the city to rid its inhabitants of the demonic afflictions that plague them.

Diablo 4 Includes Some of its Darkest and Most Heartbreaking Stories in Kyovashad's Exorcism Saga

In the Malady of the Soul side quest, players can assist Sister Octavia from the Cathedral of Light in exorcising demons from possessed townsfolk to save their souls. The quest begins with Sister Octavia recruiting the player's help in exorcising a demon from a young boy in the basement of a Kyovashad residence. As the player assists in the ritual by slaying the demons that come forth, the quest takes a dark turn in the Depths of Despair quest. This time, players help a woman whose husband has been possessed by a demon, but the man flees into the sewers of Kyovashad and ultimately wounds Sister Octavia in the struggle.

The final part of the quest chain, Faith in Blood, takes a somber turn as it becomes apparent that Sister Octavia has been possessed by a demon following the previous exorcism. Only the player has the ability to perform the exorcism and save her. Despite facing some opposition, the player collects the necessary materials and begins the exorcism, ultimately defeating the demon and saving Sister Octavia. As a reward, players receive Sister Octavia's Prayer Book, a rare item in Diablo 4, and the gratitude of Sister Octavia herself.

Although this quest line has a happy ending, it is filled with intense and distressing imagery that showcases the struggles of everyday residents of Sanctuary. The young boy struggling with demonic possession and the man attempting to flee from his wife to avoid hurting her are powerful and heartbreaking stories that ground the game's more fantastical elements in relatable human experiences. These side quests reveal far more about the struggles of the average resident of Sanctuary than the main quest, making them impactful and unsettling.

Diablo 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.