Hell
Hell is an outer plane that, according to Caelsimilan belief, embodies the concepts of evil order, retribution, punishment, and judgement. Its primary inhabitants include devils, archdevils, and shades - the souls of the wicked dead awaiting punishment. Its regions are ruled over by the Lords of Hell.
Transport from the Material Plane and to Hell (and vice-versa) is restricted and closely monitored. Typically, a mortal soul can only enter or exit Hell in the presence of a psychopomp. Portals within Hell lead in and out of other planar dimensions, making averting these rules technically possible, but they are heavily guarded to prevent misuse.
Transport from the Material Plane and to Hell (and vice-versa) is restricted and closely monitored. Typically, a mortal soul can only enter or exit Hell in the presence of a psychopomp. Portals within Hell lead in and out of other planar dimensions, making averting these rules technically possible, but they are heavily guarded to prevent misuse.
Geography
Hell is made up of nine regions (also called lairs or circles) that each serve a unique purpose and is governed by a Lord of Hell.
The first region, Avernus, is a barren, sprawling volcanic desert. Its cracked landscape hosts rocky, jagged terrain and rivers of lava, as well as hot-spring-like formations that shoot sudden pillars of slag high into the thick, ashy air. An unnatural red glow bathes the region in perpetual day, and at its apparent center stands a range of several supervolcanoes which are nearly always on the verge of eruption.
Shades entering Hell always arrive first in Avernus, where they are always judged and often hunted; fiendish servants of Dukes and Lords of Hell hunting down prey to gain status and respect among Hell's legions.
The Infernal City, also known as Dis, makes up Hell's second layer. This twisted region is not just one city, but many, and the regions is notable for its thick, smog-like air and the twisted bits of metal that pierce its skies. Dis trains devils and molds mortal souls into soldiers, which are then supplied throughout the rest of Hell's regions to fight among the ranks of the devilish army.
Erebus, or the sewers of Dis, are a maze of putrid, underground tunnels where damned souls that aren't torn to pieces to be reshaped into currency are tasked with counting and storing Hell's wealth in hidden vaults. Periodically, their memories are stricken bare to ensure they don't recall the knowledge or pass it along to another being aiming to break in and steal away with the valuables.
Phlegethon strips souls of weaknesses such as mercy, rebellion, and self-preservation, so they may be reshaped into devils. Weapons are created here among the countless forges and factories running through its labyrinthine streets, and its greatest forge consists of a gargantuan, boiling pit of blood.
Stygia, the fifth layer of Hell, consists of murky, toxic bogs and dense, dangerous jungles, as well as the crumbling and overgrown remnants of long-forgotten civilizations, nonexistent empires, and the cultures they contained. It is here where the Library of Forbidden Knowledge stands, its secrets a temptation for passers-by, as well as the Chamber of Oaths. Stygia is Hell's repository of information and record-keeping, along with its artistic hub.
The sixth circle, called Malebolge, is a boundless forest where which ash rains down from the skies like snow. Malebolge itself is dark, shrouded in an eternal night. However, the glow of flames light up the terrain throughout - the campfires of sadistic bands of devilish hunters and their terrified, fleeing victims. While areas of respite exist within Malebolge, it is always to ensure victims let their guards down, for this circle is the embodiment of illusion and false rewards.
Cocytus, Hell's seventh circle, is an immeasurable sea where only towering icebergs and jagged, broken pieces of rock break up the bleak landscape. Massive leviathans dwell in its frigid waters in wait for a new victim to feast upon. Sometimes, agonized wailing can be heard in the wind - likely the cries of a lost, lonely soul drifting endlessly.
Caina is Hell's second to last layer. A deep, blackened expanse pierced by thin spires and hanging cages, the only way out is by falling down into the seemingly infinite darkness, where it's final circle, Nessus, resides.
Nessus is where Asmodeus's grand, wicked palace now sits desolate and abandoned, among a bleak, cold plain littered with chasms and dark caverns. Massive, broken statues of fallen devils are scattered amongst the landscape, shattered reminders of the price of hubris. Faas's domain is rumored to be somewhere within its plunging chasms, though its exact location is unknown.
The first region, Avernus, is a barren, sprawling volcanic desert. Its cracked landscape hosts rocky, jagged terrain and rivers of lava, as well as hot-spring-like formations that shoot sudden pillars of slag high into the thick, ashy air. An unnatural red glow bathes the region in perpetual day, and at its apparent center stands a range of several supervolcanoes which are nearly always on the verge of eruption.
Shades entering Hell always arrive first in Avernus, where they are always judged and often hunted; fiendish servants of Dukes and Lords of Hell hunting down prey to gain status and respect among Hell's legions.
The Infernal City, also known as Dis, makes up Hell's second layer. This twisted region is not just one city, but many, and the regions is notable for its thick, smog-like air and the twisted bits of metal that pierce its skies. Dis trains devils and molds mortal souls into soldiers, which are then supplied throughout the rest of Hell's regions to fight among the ranks of the devilish army.
Erebus, or the sewers of Dis, are a maze of putrid, underground tunnels where damned souls that aren't torn to pieces to be reshaped into currency are tasked with counting and storing Hell's wealth in hidden vaults. Periodically, their memories are stricken bare to ensure they don't recall the knowledge or pass it along to another being aiming to break in and steal away with the valuables.
Phlegethon strips souls of weaknesses such as mercy, rebellion, and self-preservation, so they may be reshaped into devils. Weapons are created here among the countless forges and factories running through its labyrinthine streets, and its greatest forge consists of a gargantuan, boiling pit of blood.
Stygia, the fifth layer of Hell, consists of murky, toxic bogs and dense, dangerous jungles, as well as the crumbling and overgrown remnants of long-forgotten civilizations, nonexistent empires, and the cultures they contained. It is here where the Library of Forbidden Knowledge stands, its secrets a temptation for passers-by, as well as the Chamber of Oaths. Stygia is Hell's repository of information and record-keeping, along with its artistic hub.
The sixth circle, called Malebolge, is a boundless forest where which ash rains down from the skies like snow. Malebolge itself is dark, shrouded in an eternal night. However, the glow of flames light up the terrain throughout - the campfires of sadistic bands of devilish hunters and their terrified, fleeing victims. While areas of respite exist within Malebolge, it is always to ensure victims let their guards down, for this circle is the embodiment of illusion and false rewards.
Cocytus, Hell's seventh circle, is an immeasurable sea where only towering icebergs and jagged, broken pieces of rock break up the bleak landscape. Massive leviathans dwell in its frigid waters in wait for a new victim to feast upon. Sometimes, agonized wailing can be heard in the wind - likely the cries of a lost, lonely soul drifting endlessly.
Caina is Hell's second to last layer. A deep, blackened expanse pierced by thin spires and hanging cages, the only way out is by falling down into the seemingly infinite darkness, where it's final circle, Nessus, resides.
Nessus is where Asmodeus's grand, wicked palace now sits desolate and abandoned, among a bleak, cold plain littered with chasms and dark caverns. Massive, broken statues of fallen devils are scattered amongst the landscape, shattered reminders of the price of hubris. Faas's domain is rumored to be somewhere within its plunging chasms, though its exact location is unknown.
History
Once governed in a terse alliance between Asmodeus and the deity Faas, following the former's defeat at the hands of Industria, Elathera, Kina and allies, two of the Queens of the Night have replaced their defeated lord. Now, each of Hell's leaders claim ultimate authority to three of its nine regions:
Eiseth lays claim to Avernus, Phegathon, and Cocytus.
Ardad Lilli lays claim to Dis, Stygia, and Caina.
Faas calls Erebus, Maleboge, and Nessus his domain, as well as holding grand authority over Hell as a whole.
Eiseth lays claim to Avernus, Phegathon, and Cocytus.
Ardad Lilli lays claim to Dis, Stygia, and Caina.
Faas calls Erebus, Maleboge, and Nessus his domain, as well as holding grand authority over Hell as a whole.
Planar Traits
Alignment Lawful EvilScope Immeasurable
Gravity Normal
Time Normal
Structure Metamorphic
Essence Quintessence
Alternative Name(s)
The Pit, Purgatory
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