Xiansai
From Diablo Wiki
The Island of Xiansai is found to the North-eastern side of Tur Dulra.
Nothing is known regarding the island except its location in the map of Sanctuary but there is rampant speculation regarding its distinctly Asian name.
[edit] Wizard
The new Diablo III class, the Wizard is mentioned to be from the island nation in its lore entry. Though only the female Wizard can be confirmed to be from Xiansai, the male version has a distinctly Middle-eastern look, suggesting that he may be from the deserts of Aranoch.
When the game is released, it may be revealed why Xiansai was so prominently featured in the Sanctuary world map, from any quests as well as from the Wizard's backstory.
[edit] Asian Civilization
CAUTION: The following section contains content that has not been confirmed. At this point, it is pure speculation.
The name Xiansai seems to come from the nomenclature system of Chinese cities. This has led to speculation that Xiansai is home to an as yet unexplored Asian-themed civilization. There are many possible references to such a civilization to exist mostly in the Diablo series' many different unique items.
But a very obvious reference is the distinctly east Asian face of the female Wizard in the Diablo III concept art who is said to be from Xiansai in her lore entry.
In Diablo I, Splint Mail looked distinctly like the armor worn by Japanese Samurai warriors. In fact, the mere existence of Splint Mail suggests an Asian influence in the items of the Sanctuary, since it was never used by the Medieval Armies of Europe or for that matter, anywhere except Asia. There was also the Great Sword that looked like a katana, the swords of the samurais and the War Staff that looks like a naginata, a weapon similar to the glaive, used in Medieval Japan.
In Diablo II, there were many more items, mostly uniques, that depicted Asia. The Splint Mail made a return along with most of the various Assassin-only weapons, the Katars. The most obvious reference is seen in the unique items. The items like the Buriza-Do Kyanon and the General's Tan Do Li Ga have a clear Asian reference. Another less obvious reference is seen in Act V, from Qual-Kehk's gossip. He mentions Larzuk's, in his opinion, insane idea to fill huge pipes with some powder and fill them with metal balls and fire them at the demons. This obviously refers to cannons and their working. Since gunpowder was invented in China, it can be said that it is an indirect reference to a possibly Asian civilization in Sanctuary. Moreover, it is said that Larzuk heard it from travelers, which may be from Xiansai.
Xiansai is clearly a Chinese city's name, in Chinese characters it could be written as "仙塞". In English, it simply means 'Base of God' or 'God's base'.
| Locations in the Diablo Universe | ||
|---|---|---|
| Other Planes | High Heavens • Burning Hells | |
| Regions in Sanctuary | Aranoch • Entsteig • Kehjistan • Khanduras • Mount Arreat • Scosglen • Westmarch • Xiansai | |
| Notable Towns in Sanctuary | Caldeum • Kurast • Lut Gholein • New Tristram • Ureh | |
