In Diablo 4, one of the early quests that players encounter is the Diablo IV Items Rite of Passage, which serves as an introduction to the expansive world of Sanctuary. One of the most intriguing moments in this quest occurs when players are presented with a mystical object known as the Holy Cedar Tablet. This tablet, found at a shrine near Kyovashad, asks players to inscribe one of five options on its surface. Each inscription carries a different emotional charge—fear, anger, pride, greed, or a nonsensical scribble—but does this choice impact the gameplay, the narrative, or the player's journey in any meaningful way? Let's dive into this seemingly innocuous decision and explore whether or not it plays a significant role in the larger context of Diablo 4.



The Rite of Passage and the Holy Cedar Tablet

The Rite of Passage is an important quest early in Diablo 4 that serves both as an introduction to the game’s core mechanics and as a gateway to the bustling city of Kyovashad. Players, as they embark on their journey, are required to complete this ritual in order to gain access to the city and begin their adventure. At its core, the Rite of Passage is a ceremonial ritual designed to mark the transition into this chaotic world, as players make choices that will influence their interactions with the world around them.



In the midst of this ritual, players are asked to inscribe one of several options onto the Holy Cedar Tablet. The options are designed to evoke strong emotions and seem to carry deep philosophical or moral implications. The inscriptions available are:



Inscribe Fear into the Wood

Inscribe Anger into the Wood

Inscribe Pride into the Wood

Inscribe Greed into the Wood

Inscribe Nothing but Scribbles into the Wood

These choices are given to players with little context, encouraging them to reflect on their character's motivations or worldview. Given the often dark and moral decisions that permeate the Diablo franchise, these inscriptions may feel as though they will have consequences later on, or influence how the character interacts with the world.



Do the Choices Really Matter in the Gameplay or Storyline?

At present, the Holy Cedar Tablet choice has no tangible or lasting impact on the storyline or gameplay progression in Diablo 4. Regardless of what inscription is selected, the outcome remains consistent. Here’s what happens no matter which inscription you choose:



You will gain access to Kyovashad, one of the central cities in Diablo 4.

You will receive a reward of 300 Gold and 880 XP for completing the task.

These rewards are a minor but appreciated gesture for completing a mandatory quest early in the game, offering players a modest boost in resources. However, they are not substantial enough to alter the course of the story or significantly influence your character’s abilities or progression.



After completing the Rite of Passage, you continue with the main storyline of Diablo 4, with no deviation based on the choice made at the Holy Cedar Tablet. The quest itself is part of a scripted series of events that introduces players to the world of Sanctuary, and the decision does not branch into any alternate questlines or open new paths.



The Illusion of Choice: Flavor vs. Gameplay Impact

In the context of Diablo 4, it is important to understand that certain choices, particularly those made early in the game, are often more about flavor than they are about altering the gameplay or branching the narrative. The Holy Cedar Tablet’s inscription options are an example of this. They present players with a role-playing decision, but do not carry over to affect major storylines or events in the game. It’s a moment of role-playing where the player can imagine their character’s inner turmoil or guiding principle, but it doesn’t significantly influence how they interact with the game world.



This is a common design philosophy in action RPGs, where early decisions are designed to immerse players into the world without locking them into major gameplay consequences. It’s likely that the Holy Cedar Tablet is intended to make players reflect on their character’s motivations or simply serve as a way to begin building a connection to the game world. After all, Diablo 4 is an action-packed game with a heavy emphasis on combat and exploration, and such early decisions are often less important than later choices that are tied to key moments in the storyline.



Could the Holy Cedar Tablet Choice Have Future Consequences?

While the choice made during the Rite of Passage currently does not seem to affect the larger narrative or gameplay, there is always the possibility that future updates or expansions could change the role of this early decision. In many RPGs, seemingly insignificant early decisions sometimes gain importance later in the game as the storyline develops. It’s possible that Diablo 4’s development team may choose to revisit this quest in a future patch or expansion, giving it additional weight or consequences.



Players familiar with the Diablo franchise know that Blizzard has often incorporated player choices that come into play in later stages of the game. For instance, minor decisions in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 sometimes impact how NPCs interact with the player, the quests available, or even how the story unfolds. However, as of the current build of Diablo 4, the Holy Cedar Tablet choice remains largely insignificant in terms of its long-term impact on the player’s journey.



What Are the Implications of This Design Choice?

It’s important to consider why the Rite of Passage and the Holy Cedar Tablet are designed in this way. One possible explanation is that the Diablo 4 developers wanted to focus on introducing players to the core mechanics and the story, rather than diverting attention to side-quests or decision points early on. By providing a simple, non-consequential choice, they allow players to get a feel for the world and the type of moral choices they might face later in the game without overwhelming them with complexity right from the start.



Additionally, Diablo 4’s world is heavily steeped in lore and storytelling, and many players may prefer that major plot decisions come later in the game when the stakes are higher, and they have a more developed connection to the characters, factions, and world. The Holy Cedar Tablet decision likely serves as an introduction to the type of choices that players will face in a more meaningful way as they progress through the game.



Conclusion: A Flavorful but Meaningless Decision, for Now

The Holy Cedar Tablet choice in the Rite of Passage quest is an early decision in Diablo 4 that, at least in its current form, has little to no meaningful impact on the storyline or gameplay. The inscription you choose does not branch the narrative, unlock new content, or alter how you interact with the game world. Instead, it offers a minor role-playing opportunity, giving players a chance to reflect on their character’s personality or motivations without drastically affecting their journey.



As of now, the Holy Cedar Tablet serves more as flavor than a game-changing decision. While it may feel significant in the moment, it is unlikely to influence your overall experience with Diablo 4. However, given the franchise’s history with incorporating player decisions into its larger narrative, it’s always possible that future updates or expansions could alter the significance of this choice. For now, players can enjoy the story and gameplay without worrying about any lasting consequences from the Rite of Passage. Stay tuned forcheap Diablo IV Gold any potential future developments in Diablo 4 that could breathe new life into this early decision.