The Nine Hells

The lower plane of the Nine Hells is home to the majority of lawful evil fiends, known commonly as devils. They abide by a strict hierarchy, and use the captured souls of mortals as a way to obtain power. When a mortal soul is plucked from the Fugue Plane and sent to the Hells they begin in Limbo, the first layer. It is in that circle where King Minos, Judge of Hell, will assign what will become of the soul. He will determine which layer of the nine they should be sent to based on the actions they took in their mortal life. Each layer represents a different evil, with each being ruled by its own respective archdevil. Travel between layers is done via the River Styx, which comes in different forms depending on the layer it is in.

The following is a list of the nine layers of the Hells:

• Limbo: The largest layer of the Hells, Limbo is where all mortals begin their journey down the layers of the Nine. When a passed on soul reaches the Fugue Plane, it can only be taken to Limbo if the soul is of a lawful neutral, true neutral, chaotic neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil alignment or has accepted a deal with an interloping devil. Like the archangel Azriel in Purgatory, King Minos judges these souls before placing them within their deserved layer. The exception being souls that are contract-bound.

• Neutral aligned souls are typically not deserving of the anguish that lies below the Limbo layer. Because of this, Minos has gracefully crafted the first layer of the Hells to be that of which a neutral soul deserves. This ends up coming in the form of a land that is very reminiscent of the Prime Material Plane. With that being said, this mercy can always be taken away by Minos if the soul breaks its neutral alignment. Unfortunately, there is no way for the king to promote a soul to the Heavens if their alignment changes for the better.

• The entirety of Limbo looks as if it has a muted color filter on it. The only things that stand out and have color are the creatures within. Dead mortals who reside in this plane are called Limbolites, and are considered undead instead of fiends.

• The reason behind Limbo’s appearance is that when Lucifer fell, all of what Limbo once looked like was completely burned away. The closer one gets to the center of the layer, the less “natural” things look. Minos has done immense work to reshape the layer into a more suitable living environment for deceased souls.

• The River Styx does not deal damage to creatures, but instead causes fear in those who touch it. They typically see the worst version of themselves being sentenced to the Hells.

• Gluttony: The first actually cruel layer of the Hells. A sentence to the second layer of the Nine is more than just simple overindulgence in food and drink, but instead the lack of empathy for the famished. Nobles that feast on delicacies and priceless wine while those below them starve sign themselves to this layer. Hoarding medicine from the sick, keeping food from the starving, abusing others due to the allure of substances. All worthy of an afterlife in the layer of Gluttony. This layer is ruled by the archdevil Beelzebub and hosts many lemures and nupperibos.

• This layer is a huge physical change from the previous beauty of Limbo. Lakes of vile alcohol, forests of rotting fauna, and not a single trace of edible food or drink. The air is constantly thick with a putrid smell, with the sky being a disgusting shade of dark green-yellow. (terrain inspiration from Caelid)

• The River Styx here is a yellow oozing hot creek of bile that deals acid damage to those who come into contact with it. (Acid damage)

• Lust: Lust is where souls who have lived lives of harmful desire go after being judged. To end up in lust requires much more than just a frivolous lifestyle, but in fact a destructive, dangerous, and abusive habit. A sentence to Lust means that the soul knowingly and willingly destroyed their own life as well as the lives of others via reckless  behavior and abuse. This may come in the form of irresponsible and unforgivable sexual behavior, overwhelming envy, or other obsessive desires that resulted in the harm of the self and others. This layer is ruled by the archdevil Asmodeus and is home to many succubi, incubi and cambions. A soul struggling with addiction will never find themselves here, but those who embrace the harm are seen as deserving.

• In the center of the Lust layer, there is a large well that leads directly to the ninth layer of the Hells. The well can only be opened by Asmodeus himself. Those who have forced themselves on another sexually and succeeded in doing so are hung over the well for an entire year before being dropped into the deepest pit the Hells has to offer.

• As for the physical appearance, Lust is back to being closer to the material plane, with a well established civilization and society. However, the layer is filled with devils from other layers trying to tempt souls into entering a contract. Mortals in the Lust layer are seen as the easiest to coerce by devils.

• The River Styx here is a deep purple fluid that causes all those who touch it to become intensely uncomfortable, both physically and mentally. This intense sensation can lead to madness and self mutilation. (Psychic damage)

• Greed: The fourth layer of the Hells is home to souls who have spent their lives amassing and obsessing over wealth among all else. Of course, simply being wealthy does not mean the layer of Greed is warranted, but actively harming others to amass more wealth will buy one a ticket. The more lives that are impacted (and possibly taken) due to one’s greed increases the chances of being placed into this layer. This layer is ruled by the archdevil Mammon and is home to most of the Hells’ barbed devils and imps.

• This layer is filled with expensive and luxurious novelties, showing off the obsession that its citizens have with all things materialistic. The sky is a solid gold, as are the streets and many other features. However, gold does not have any true price in the Hells, as souls are what is truly worthy. Soul coins are produced in this layer. Any gold removed from this layer must be blessed with a Remove Curse spell for every square foot, or else it will erupt into hellfire upon reaching a different plane of existence.

• The River Styx here is a viscous silver fluid made of melted platinum. Surprisingly, the river is not hot, but is impossible to swim through. Only powerful fiends and boats are able to traverse the extremely thick liquid. Even simply touching the Styx in this layer will cause someone to be pulled in before drowning. (Force damage)

• Wrath: The center of the Nine Hells, Wrath, is where mortals end up if they have spent a life full of dangerous rage and aggression. Leaders that thrived off of fear mongering, souls that seethed with boundless unjust hatred. They and all others like them will receive a sentence to Wrath. This layer is special in that it used to be at one point the deepest layer thousands of years ago before the fall of Lucifer. Since then, the layers below were added. Wrath is ruled by the previous King of the Hells and lesser deity, Satan, and is the origin of the Hells’ law enforcement, bone devils, and the Erinyes.

• This layer features the traditional stereotypical hellish appearance. A cragged landscape with no greenery in sight. Lakes of fire and a smoky dark gray sky. The temperature is too much for any mortal soul to withstand, signifying the fiery hatred that this layer thrives off of.

• Wrath is home to the Pit of Flame, which gives birth to Pit Fiends.

• The River Styx here is a very wide cascade of magma, burning all those who even get near it. (Fire damage)

• Heresy: The final four layers of the Nine Hells were made after the fall of Lucifer, all representing a higher level of evil. Heresy is the transitional layer where a soul goes from knowingly doing wrong to being purely irredeemably evil. Heresy is where many neutral souls go after choosing to go down a path of evil. This path that heretics choose is not simply doing bad things in exchange for personal benefit. It is choosing evil for the sake of enjoyment with the purpose of spreading it further. This layer is ruled by the lesser goddess Tiamat and is the source of her abishai servants.

• At the center of this layer is the City of Dis, which prevents the majority of traffic along the River Styx.

• Heresy is similar in appearance to its previous layer, save for the City of Dis. There is no flame or heat, however. Instead the land is in a constant storm, with thunder and lightning constantly striking everywhere. This creates a very loud and chaotic atmosphere, as heretics are seen to be deserving of a chaotic environment.

• The River Styx here is made with clear water, but will electrocute any who touch it due to being constantly struck by lightning. (Lightning damage)

• Violence: The seventh circle of violence is one of the most dangerous places within the entire realm. Not just among the Hells, but among all of Helia. The souls sent here are cursed to forever fight another, regenerating their bodies slowly after agonizing battles. However, the regeneration granted is without a doubt a curse. For the flesh regenerated in each battle is actually pieces of others sent to this layer. This results in each soul being a physical amalgamation of another. Wherever a piece of their flesh is, they will feel it despite it being on another body. Meaning souls will feel the pain of every battle that each piece of their body is fighting elsewhere all at the same time. This layer is ruled by the archdevil Behemoth and hosts a large number of Merregons, bearded devils, and chain devils.

• The land is in a constant darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of a blood moon and any artificial lights.

• There are massive flood lights that cascade from the many watchtowers stationed around the wasteland that is Violence. If one is caught in this light, it is only a matter of time before dozens of devils rush to mangle any that were seen.

• The River Styx here is made from the boiling blood of the fallen, causing a noxious odor that can poison all those who inhale it. (Poison damage)

• Fraud: The penultimate layer of the Nine Hells, Fraud is reserved for some of the most evil souls the world has to offer. Corrupt rulers who used their power to extort others, cult leaders, thieves of truly good deities, liches, and the most evil liars the world had to offer will be found here. The Library of Malbolge is located here, which houses a detailed record of every deal made with devils throughout all of history. The previous location of this library before Lucifer’s fall was Greed, but was transferred after Mammon was exposed for changing the terms of deals for other devils in exchange for souls and riches. The ruler of this layer is the archdevil Leviathan and is home to ice devils and horned devils.

• Fraud is a frozen wasteland, a stark contrast to the heated layers above. The icy terrain is so cold to the point where only hellfire is able to melt it. As for the layout of the land, Fraud features many non-Euclidean properties, most notably seen in the Malbolge.

• The River Styx here is frozen over, preventing any travel into the deepest layer below. The only one capable of melting the river for long enough to travel is Leviathan with its hellfire breath. (Cold damage)

• Treachery: The deepest pit of the Hells that any soul, mortal or divine, can go. This layer is reserved for those who have committed treason in three different ways, and is split into three sub layers accordingly. Not a single soul within Treachery has a shred of good inside of them.

• Cainia: Reserved for traitors to their kindred. The most vile murderers and torturers will be found here, along with those who fell down the well in Lust. Devils that break their contract may be sentenced to this layer.

• Ptolomaea: Reserved for traitors to the innocent. Serial killers, vampires, and those who throw away lives without thought belong here.

• Judecca: Reserved for traitors to the world. Those who have committed the most heinous and unimaginably horrific crimes will be found here. This usually involves defying a deity or one of the four constants itself. Even gods that have defied their domains can be trapped here.

• At the very bottom of Treachery sits the King of the Hells himself, Lucifer. Alongside him are the other fallen angels and traitors of the highest caliber. Pit fiends and archdevils are the only devils that are able to cross into Treachery and lay eyes on the king.

• The terrain of Treachery is a long and jagged spiral that leads to the center of the Hells where Lucifer awaits. The deeper one progresses, the greater the overwhelming darkness and aura of despair gets. In this layer no good exists, and the only light that can be shed is from abundant hellfire.

• The River Styx here has completely dried up and is replaced by a black mist, preventing any travel back to the previous layer. The only way to exit Treachery is through Lucifer. (Necrotic damage)

• On the Throne of Woe sits the god of treachery and the king of the Nine Hells. In this seat, the voice of The Creator can be heard, albeit an extremely rare occurrence.