The Doom Slayer's Origin Story Explained

The Doom Slayer’s Origin Story

Across the Umbral Plains, one stands before them. He was the one Hell feared most. When many of his own had fallen, he burdened himself with the role of mankind’s savior, forever trapped in a cycle of torment and bloodshed. No matter how long he fought, no matter how many he had slain, the demons allowed him no rest. For decades, the songs of Hell would be made of the screams and pain from those he had slain. And those that tasted the bite of his sword named him...the Doom Slayer.

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the Origin Story of the Doom Slayer.

Hard to believe the Slayer has been around for nearly thirty years! “DOOM” has seen a wealth of success ever since its debut in 1993. Whether it was in a pseudo-3D environment or boasting the power of its engine, “DOOM” resonates with many for its frenetic gameplay, creepy atmosphere, and occasional ridiculousness. However, it wouldn’t be “DOOM” without our beloved Doomguy! ...Er, Marine? ...Slayer? Yeah, these names and backstories seem a little scattered, but there is a cohesive storyline for our rampaging soldier. Allow us to bring you up to speed between 1993’s “DOOM” and the 2016 reboot.

Surprisingly, our hero, known at this point as “the Marine”, held somewhat humble beginnings, being a marine who was discharged on account of refusing to follow orders. As punishment, he was demoted and transferred to a UAC base on Mars. Sometime after is when the demons invaded, forcing the Marine to fight his way through Phobos, Deimos, and eventually, Hell itself. When the carnage was over, he returned home to his loving wife, child, and adorable bunny, Daisy. Well, that would have been the end for the Marine had this story gone for a happy ending.

Upon his return, the Marine found his family had been slain by the demons during their invasion of Earth. Consumed by rage, the Marine would once again take on the forces of Hell, laying waste to every Imp, Archvile, and Titan that stood in his path. Even after he had defeated the Icon of Sin, the torment was not yet over.

Yet again, the UAC would find itself under attack by Hell’s army. However, this onslaught was not led by the Cyberdemon nor the Icon of Sin. This time, it was a being known only as “the Mother of All Demons”, a powerful creature no one dared to challenge...except for the Marine. With endless fury (and bullets), the Marine vanquished the Mother of All Demons and would incite revenge within her sister, the Resurrector. Sadly, even the defeat of the Resurrector would not bring an end to the Marine’s nightmare.

Defeating the Resurrector only caused the Marine to be teleported to a mysterious world, the one known as Argent D’Nur. His mind torn by rage and insanity, the Marine would wander this ancient land until he was captured by a human-like species known as the Argenta and taken to the Sentinel Prime. Despite the condition of his corrupted psyche, the Sentinel would witness his combat prowess in their city’s battle arena. His performance would attract the attention of a faction of warriors known as the Night Sentinels, led by King Novik. The Marine was quickly recruited into their army, and they trained him to, more or less, control his rage and vengeance. A small invasion from Hell would display the Marine’s progress, causing him to be noticed by King Novik himself. And so, the Marine became an official member of the Night Sentinels.

Of course, Novik was not the only one to become aware of the Marine’s potential. Hell also saw this and immediately recognized the Marine as a threat to their conquest. This was a problem that needed to be dealt with quickly. Without hesitation, they planned and launched a monstrous assault upon the city of Teras Nabad. One being knew the Marine would not survive this attack, even with his already exceptional abilities. The Maykr known as Seraphim would approach the Marine and bestow an incredible boost in speed and power on him. With this power and an ancient weapon known as “the Crucible”, the Marine was able to assist the Night Sentinels in bringing down a massive cluster of Hell’s army, including the monstrous Dreadnought Titan. It was this battle that would cause him to forever be known as “the Doom Slayer”.

One by one, the demons fell. Fight after fight, their numbers ever diminishing. Not even the mighty Titan could withstand the smite of the Slayer. It seemed as though Hell would be wiped out of the universe. Many would rejoice upon hearing these victories. Alas, a third faction sought to turn the tide of the war. As the Sentinels succeeded in every battle against Hell, Seraphim’s people - the Maykrs - were plotting to give Hell the advantage.

Being a race boasting extensive lifespans, high intellect, and supernatural abilities, the Maykrs wield a great amount of power to affect life outside their realm. However, after their entity known as “the Father'' had left them, the Maykrs realized the crisis they were in. When a Maykr reaches the end of their life, they begin to suffer severe mental and physical degradation. With the Father, they are able to meet their end on their own terms and go through the process of resurrection. With the Father gone, the Maykrs were forced to find another alternative, one that involved absorbing the souls of other lifeforms and energy.

Hell knew of the Maykrs’ dilemma and would offer them a limitless supply of Argent energy should they assist them in their conquest. Desperate to save their civilization, the Maykrs betrayed the Sentinels and brought with them the Blood Priests. Together, the two newly allied factions would devise a plan to rid themselves of the Slayer. Though this plan would result in several casualties in Hell’s army, it would allow the demons to close in on Argent D’Nur and drive out the Sentinels. The Blood Priests would lure the Slayer to one of their temples, Kadingir Sanctum, and demolish their own grounds, allowing them to trap and seal the Slayer inside a sarcophagus. It is here the Slayer would remain dormant, forever buried within the throat of Kadingir Sanctum.

Unbeknownst to anyone, one Maykr refused to follow his brethren down the path of treachery. Seraphim would travel to Earth, disguised as a man named Samuel Hayden. Under this identity, he would become one of the smartest people on the planet, eventually leading UAC’s efforts in solving Earth’s energy crisis. With the UAC’s resources, Hayden was able to discover Argent energy and introduce it to the humans. During the first expedition on Mars (more specifically, Kadingir Sanctum), Hayden and his comrades would retrieve a number of relics, though at the expense of some UAC staff.

Among them was the Slayer - still imprisoned, awaiting the day where he may rip and tear until it is done.

If you want to know the rest of the story, this is where the 2016 reboot begins!