What can you do as a free member?

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and unlock all our premium features and tools to enhance your gaming experience.

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and save articles to your watchlist and get notified when they're updated with new information.

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and save your favorite games for quick access later, synced across all your devices.

Member benefits illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you'll receive instant notifications when someone replies to your posts.

Comment rating feature illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you can make use of convenient features in the comments section, such as rating and sorting comments.

Premium archive feature illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you can access Premium articles that are exclusively available to members.

Site Interface

Guest
Free Member
Article Watchlist
Game Bookmarks
Cross-device Sync
Light/Dark Theme Toggle
User Profiles
Direct Feedback
Comment Rating

Game Tools

Guest
Free Member
Interactive Map Access
Interactive Map Pins
Interactive Map Comments
Interactive Map Pins Cross-Device
Check List
Event Choice Checker
Deck Builder Cross-Device
Message Board Notification
Message Board Cross-Device
Build Planner
Stat Calculator
Diagnostic Tool
Weapon/Armor Wishlist

Want more information?Learn more

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (D4)

Who is Rathma?

Add to Watchlist

★ NEW: Season 10 Guide | Season 10 Release Date
┗ Seasonal Content: Chaos Rifts | New Uniques
┗ Seasonal Mechanic: List of Chaos Perks & Chaos Armor
★ Season 10 Best Builds & Best Chaos Perks
★ Check out our Vessel of Hatred expansion guide

Diablo 4 - Who is Rathma

Rathma is known as the son of Inarius and Lilith in Diablo 4 (D4). Read on to learn more about Rathma the First Necromancer, and his role in the opening story sequences of game!

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for the First Act of the Diablo 4 main story.

Who is Rathma?

Son of Inarius and Lilith

Diablo 4 - Lilith and Inarius

In Diablo lore, Rathma is known as the son of the angel Inarius, and the demon Lilith (the two creators of Sanctuary). He is one of the first beings to walk Sanctuary as part of the first Nephalem born in the world of mortals. Rathma's status as the son of both Inarius and Lilith is explored in Diablo 4, with him making an appearance during the game's first Act.

Originally Mistaken to be Elias in the Diablo IV Announce Cinematic Trailer

Diablo 4 - Elias

Initially, fans mistook Elias for Rathma when the official Announce Cinematic Trailer was released by Blizzard. However, the Open Beta confirmed that it was Elias who appeared in the trailer and that it wasn't Rathma summoning Lilith back to Sanctuary.

The First Necromancer of Sanctuary

Diablo 4 - Maltorius

During the Level 25 Necromancer specialization quest, Call of the Underworld, the spirit of a Necromancer named Maltorius will share that Rathma was the first Necromancer in Sanctuary. The spirit mentions that Rathma was aware of the importance of life, death, and the balance between the two concepts.

Rathma's Role in Diablo 4

Keeper of the Key to the Burning Hells

Diablo 4 - Inarius and Rathma

Once you enter Rathma's sanctuary underneath the Fractured Peaks, you will see visions of himself and Inarius arguing about a key that opens the gate to Hell. In these visions, Rathma will share that he saw a prophecy where the key would be taken from him in the future. He refused to hand it over to Inarius, stating that his father would get it only if he was destined to be the possessor.

Corpse is Discovered by Lilith After Crossing the Black Lake

Diablo 4 - Death of Rathma


I don't know if you would have chosen to stand beside me in this new world, Rathma, but I would have saved your place just the same. And now, all that you might have been has been stolen from me.

Later on, while viewing a memory of Lilith inside Rathma's sanctuary, the character will witness Lilith discovering her son's corpse for the first time. From the staff embedded into Rathma's torso, Lilith will produce the key to Hell while proclaiming that her son's sacrifice was not in vain.

Diablo 4 Related News

Diablo 4 - News and Events

Latest News and Events

All News Categories

All News Categories
Patch Notes and Updates Livestreams and Dev Blogs List of Events

Latest News and Events

Author

    Please participate in our site
    improvement survey
    12/2025
    Would you assist in
    improving Game8's site?
    ×
    This survey will take about 1 minute.
    Your answers will help us to improve our website.
    We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.
    The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.
    Begin Survey

    All rights reserved

    Guide Index