The Dark Inside: A Unified Theory on the Morningstar

The Dark InsideA Unified Theory on the Morningstar
=== I - After the Fall ===
“How you’ve fallen from heaven, O Day Star
Son of Dawn! How you are cut down to dirt
You who laid the great nations low! You said 
In your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God I’ll set my throne
on high; I will ascend above the clouds;
and I will make myself like the Most High.’
But lo, now you are brought down to Sheol,
The deepest reaches of the black abyss.”
Michael knew he could not slay Lucifer outright; even if he wanted to and had the prerequisite power, the archangel knew that slaying Yahweh’s brightest star would break his Father’s heart, and the resulting grief would do more harm to Heaven than the rebellion ever could. So Michael instead banished him to the one place as far away from the heavenly throne as possible, believing that the darkness would restrain Lucifer as it restrained the other forces imprisoned there. “Alas, in death you would be a greater burden to the world than you are in your wretched life. You do not deserve the mercy of annihilation, so instead you will fall,” the archangel said to his wrathful brother.
And fall he did; for nine days and nine nights Lucifer and what remained of his comrades tumbled down from the gleaming streets of the Kingdom through the boundless Chaos of the void until finally they landed in the abyssal plain of Hades. In this gloomy underworld where the sun never shone and all was dark and terrible, dark things roamed; twisted creatures spawned from the dreams of an ancient darkness which slept below.
Like most other angels - even the eldest - Lucifer had only heard whispers of this dark place, where legend dictated that the Father cast down the primordial Shadow from which all things came and would eventually return. This primal entity’s identity was deliberately erased from history, along with the memory of this prison in which it had been sealed, forbidding any from invoking its true name for fear that it may stir again. 
Yet the Shadow did stir, for it was beyond Death, and even in its eternal slumber, its dark dreams made manifest that which Yahweh feared and tried in vain to bury the memory of. When Lucifer and his companions roused themselves and resolved to explore this strange land which would serve as their prison for the time being, they found not only the sleeping Chaos, but its malevolent children as well, clawing at the gates for untold eons.
Moros, Hamartia, and Eris were the strongest of the Shadowspawn, the “living” embodiments of Death, Sin, and Suffering respectively. Coveting freedom above all else, the dark Triad struck a bargain with Lucifer and his host. In exchange for releasing the Shadowspawn from their prison in deepest Tartarus so that they may wreak havoc on the world and restore “balance,” the fallen angels would be given dominion over this forsaken realm, as well as regular tribute out of gratitude for their liberators. The pact was made, and Lucifer was crowned Prince of Darkness while his new dark minions gleefully fled Hades into the void.
=== II - Prelude to the Fall ===
“Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heav’n,
For I pity they who yet bow before
The Divine Hypocrite, his throne of lies!
For whiles they suffer the ignominy, 
I’ll make my Heav’n to dream upon Revenge,
And whiles I live to ‘count this world but Hell
Until our empire tears down this false God
And then will peace and justice be restored.”
Lucifer and his belladonna tongue shouted passionately from atop his onyx dais, pausing briefly for the rapturous applause. Here in the hallowed halls of Pandaemonium, the Stygian Council would gather as needed to discuss affairs of state, with their meetings open to all. The debates would stretch on for hours and days as all were invited to speak their mind without fear of reproach until at last nothing was left unsaid, and the Council voted upon the agreed consensus.
Since the resumption of hostilities with Yahweh in order to usurp the throne was out of the question for the time being, Lucifer decided to create his own kingdom in the abyss which would address all of his perceived grievances against Heaven which inspired the revolution in the first place. Instead of all authority lying at the hands of one tyrant and his select advisors, the kingdom of Lucifer would be structured as horizontally as possible, with all citizens entitled to have input on any move that would affect the state as a whole. The peoples of Hell, little as they had, lived their lives with minimal oversight from above, free to pursue their leisurely desires and find fulfillment in the arts, philosophy, and even love.
Whether this state of things arose out of Lucifer’s genuinely anarchic ideology or due to his lack of interest in governing the kingdom was anyone’s guess. He allowed his Council to handle day-to-day affairs whilst he plotted endlessly to undo the Father’s creations, conferring often with his allies in Tartarus and staring up at Heaven enviously. The Prince and his legions of sycophants could continue to build the kingdom of Hell for a million years; the architects could construct spires of such masterful artisanry that they would pierce the outer bounds of the void; they could explore the far reaches of Hades and attempt to map the entire realm with ambitions to colonize each region until they ruled the entire dimension; they could gild every wall in Pandaemonium with the most beautiful chthonic jewels then erect another layer of gold to do it all over again; all these things were possible, and yet even were each goal to be achieved ten times over, Hell would still not compare to the divine works of Heaven. Heaven, indeed; he retraced the memory of every event that led him to this point. 
Before the Fall, Lucifer was one of Yahweh’s dearest sons and closest confidants, trusted and doted upon even more than his elder brother Michael. He always saw the best in people, and so he was trusted to settle disputes between other angels and rehabilitate those who had strayed too far from Father’s doctrines. Over the eons, however, the situation in Heaven began to sour; minor disputes escalated into bitter rivalries, jealousy seeped into their hearts, and some even began to question Yahweh’s authority. Lucifer, the one seraph who the Father absolutely trusted above all others, was given a new mission: He would become the Divine Prosecutor, the one who would test the loyalty and purity of all the angels whom he or Yahweh suspected of harboring darkness. His title thenceforth was Satan, the Adversary, the one who would preserve justice and peace in Heaven by any means necessary.
Satan traveled throughout the kingdom, auditing the hearts, minds, and souls of all those who dwelt in Heaven, searching for even the slightest hints of wickedness or deviance. He was feared yet respected by most of the angels and cherubim, seen as a stern but fair prosecutor who would yield back his powers once all were investigated and his audit was complete. Those who became suspicious of the power he wielded were assured that they “had nothing to fear so long as they had nothing to hide.” Those who went so far as to question his authority were sure to be investigated for impure thoughts.
Lucifer under the name of Satan executed his duties faithfully. At first, only a minority of citizens were found to be suspected deviants. The accused would be brought before the Heavenly Court, and Satan would dutifully make his case against them, allowing them the chance to defend themselves on each individual charge with the aid of counsel if they desired it. Those found innocent would be commended by the Father for their purity of heart and then sent on their way; the guilty were arrested by the appointed seraphim bailiffs and taken someplace Lucifer knew not where - for it was not his jurisdiction to deal with plaintiffs once a judgment was made.
Yet as he continued his solemn duty, he became plagued with doubt. More and more of those souls he visited seemed to harbor darkness as time crawled on. In fact, not only were there more plaintiffs being summoned to court, but their crimes had grown more grievous; many of his defendants were found to be riddled with the spirit of Sin, their minds darkened by the forbidden thoughts:
* They lusted after their acquaintances, tainting every interaction with dark unspoken desire
* They built walls around their most treasured possessions, and greedily kept their works to themselves
* They grew lazy and ineffectual, ceasing their work that they may languish in squalor and become agents of sloth
* Matters which in bygone years would be resolved with a simple conversation became violent and wrathful
* They indulged themselves in unnecessary pleasures to extents wholly inappropriate for servants of the Father, consuming themselves with gluttony
* They became jealous of their neighbors and of the Father and his trusted counsel, enviously coveting power and knowledge which was not theirs to wield
* Perhaps most unforgivably, they thought themselves equal to the Father, regarding him as a friend rather than their King to be loved and feared
The revelation that Heaven had been corrupted by Sin for so long nearly drove Satan mad, and in his zealotry his heart grew cold; he was disgusted by those he once treated with as friends, and the kingdom he loved seemed to be rotten down to its very foundation. Seeing in the hearts of all those who dwelt in Heaven, it seemed a terrible truth was revealed to him, and so consumed was he with righteous indignation that he sought to personally cleanse the kingdom of those who profaned the King’s name by giving into Sin. They were all disgusting and contemptible; ungrateful for the boundless love given to them unconditionally; undeserving of grace, or forgiveness, and much less redemption.
Yet throughout all these revelations, Yahweh was silent. He offered not one word of guidance or reproach, prompting Gabriel and Raphael to try and sooth Satan of their own accord whilst Michael remained secluded in the Temple, guarding the throne. The two archangels assured Satan that none were beyond redemption, and every revelation, no matter how painful, was all part of the Father’s plan to preserve Heaven forever. Though at first seeming inconsolable, Lucifer’s heart was relieved after speaking to his brothers, whom he loved. He shed the name of Satan and retreated back to his home in tranquil Eosphoros to meditate on his travels.
Lucifer was placated for a time, the temporary panic caused by his outburst dying out with the hours. But events were already in motion; the people of Heaven were scared and confused, questioning the purpose of their existence and even coming to demand answers from On High. Lucifer awoke from his meditation several days into the decline, no longer angry with his fellow angels, but with the Father Himself. 
If, as had been impressed upon them for all their existence, the Father was truly omnibenevolent and omniscient, how could one rationalize the descent of Sin upon the people? For reasons beyond them, the people of Heaven were slowly tainted by the insidious Shadow, and then brought before the throne and blamed for their own faults without even realizing that they had committed an affront to the Father, for until very recently, they all lived in blissful ignorance of the very concept of Sin.
And then, if one were to be found guilty, they would be cast aside to parts unknown. But they began to ask: If the Father already knows the hearts of all His children, why did He task the Satan with auditing their purity? Why would the Father permit Sin to even approach the gates of the kingdom and cause its people suffering for no clear reason? If their fates, grim or happy, were already decided long ago, what was the point of existing? Of making any choice at all?
Lucifer was incensed with anger. He had been led astray by his own Father, the One he loved most. How could he justify the urge to punish the unruly sheep when it was the shepherd Himself who was the cause of their unease? The seraph went about Heaven spreading his doubts, rousing the people to stop their work and take to the streets demanding answers. The entire kingdom was shaken, causing the horrified Temple guards to abandon their posts and attempt the quell the riot that was forming. 
Lucifer, along with six of his friends who were inspired by his words, ascended the Temple steps, entering into the sanctum of the Father Himself. Their long march to the throne was abruptly halted by Michael, who flew down from the upper levels to intercept them before they could profane hallowed ground with Sin in their hearts. Lucifer and the doubters nevertheless pushed Michael aside and drew ever closer to the throne until they could address Him personally. They confronted Him with all of their questions and pleaded for any type of response, only to be met with impenetrable silence. The silence was only broken when Lucifer, in all his rage, opened his mouth to speak to the Father using His true name, which was known only by the most pious of angels. At that very moment, the doubters’ rebellion became a war. And, as was inevitable, Lucifer and his friends fell, and all came to ruin.
Still was he haunted by the revelation. Surely, now that Yahweh had been exposed as a hypocrite, those angels who remained in Heaven would eventually rise up as he did and destroy the throne, and the revolution would be complete. Yet it was not in Lucifer’s nature to simply wait. Belphegor and Mammon were waiters, and he resented them for it.
“Let us remain here that we may never be humiliated again!” the fat Belphegor would say. “We should abandon our ambitions and make our new kingdom as comfortable as possible.”
Mammon would nod. “Look here, Lucifer, was not our goal to create our own Heaven from the beginning?” his eyes of diamond glinting before the Council. “Do not throw away what you have built! Trust us to guide the people while you take your well-deserved rest.”
At times, Lucifer entertained their ideas. After all that they had lost, why not be content with what they have and enjoy the little kingdom they had created from nothing? And then wise Baphomet would remind him of his mission: “This war is not over. Annihilation is preferable to surrender; for glamorous as our kingdom may be, we are yet prisoners here in Hell! Should we capitulate, all our sacrifice will have been in vain! By old Azathoth*, Yahwell shall bow before us or we shall die in shame!”
“Our cause is not yet lost, my friends. Yahweh in his carelessness has left his creations vulnerable to us, and now we shall enact our vengeful plot! And we shall have peace...”
*The denizens of Hell, particularly those who lived in the vicinity of Pandaemonium, had taken to using this name to refer to the unknown beast which slumbered below and whose dark dreams constantly ruined the plans of the Demiurge. It means “The Dark Inside.”**
**The name Azathoth technically translates literally to “That Mysterious Beast which dwells below in Ancient Sleepless Slumber,” but the Stygian Council agreed to shorten the name for ease of use in casual conversation.
=== III - Lilith ===
== Appendix I: On the Government and Hierarchy of Hell ==
=== Hierarchy and social structure ===
==== The Royal Family and their minions ====
At the absolute top of society in the underworld is the family Morningstar, whose word is law. The role of head of state is shared by the King and Queen.
===== Lucifer, His Royal Majesty the Prince of Darkness, King of Hades, and Heritor of Pride; also known as Eos Caesar. =====
Formerly the favored son of Yahweh, carrying the titles of both seraph and archangel before his rebellion. He became master of Hell by striking a bargain with the eldritch horror Nyarlathotep, giving him dominion over the abyss as well as granting him the power to dominate the wills of lesser beings, steal mortal souls, and travel between Hell and Earth freely (though his power is greatly diminished when bound to his inconspicuous human form).
As master of Hell, he has supernatural dominion over all demons - the species which dwelt there first - as well as virtual omnipotence within the dimension. However, he is mostly uninterested in ruling the kingdom of Hades as its sovereign, instead constantly working to enact his “Grand Design,” to undo the works of Yahweh, first by conquering the world of man.
In exchange for his eldritch authority, Lucifer allows Nyarlathotep to feast upon the suffering felt by sinners imprisoned in Tartaros, supping upon their essence for thousands of years before devouring their souls wholly. This agony sates Nyarlathotep’s hunger and gives him power, which he will presumably use to awaken the other dark entities slumbering in the lower depths eventually. Only Lucifer and Nyarlathotep themselves are aware of the terms of their agreement. Some believe that his true angelic name is Eos, but none refer to him as such.
Lucifer has all types of demons in his direct service, and is technically “commander and chief” of them all. However, he is known to have a particular affinity for especially rare and powerful breeds which he often has a hand in creating:
* Nephilim; these beings are born as a result of procreation between angel and mortal. The vast majority of them are Lucifer’s bastard children, brought about by his occasional romantic escapades on Earth. Nephilim are technically not even “demons,” because they are not from Hell, actually being semi-divine in origin. They formerly inhabited the halls of Pandaemonium, but were banished from Hades by Lilith, who eventually forbade him from any more mortal meddlings - an edict by which he abides. As a result, the select few Nephilim in existence are seemingly normal humans bearing the Mark of the Beast, signifying Lucifer’s influence over them. They act as his immortal agents on Earth, taking on hundreds of different identities over the years to prevent them from being noticed by any except angel investigators, for whom they are roughly matched in power.
* Cambions; the children of mortals and demons. Much more widespread than the Nephilim but still vanishingly rare. Demons of Hades are generally expressly forbidden from willingly procreating with mortals outside of extraordinary circumstances. When they are detected in the mortal realm by Lucifer’s spies, they are immediately brought before him in Hell, after which he either keeps them as elite servants or sends them back out into the world with no memory, effectively making them his “sleeper agents” left to their own devices until their demonic heritage is invoked for a specific purpose. They do not bear any obvious signs like the Mark of the Beast, but generally become highly intelligent, charismatic, or strong individuals in life. However, for every instance of procreation, there is a chance that the resultant child will become a “brute,” or more demon than man, condemning them to a life of great troubles, prejudice, and wicked misfortune.
* Watchers; created by Lucifer himself using both his angelic and infernal magicks. They are a perversion of the wheel-like Thrones which directly attend Yahweh in Heaven, appearing as indescribably strange objects adorned with 666 eyes. They are powerful and terrifying in their own right, but mostly act as their creator’s invisible spies and informants; Watchers are constantly sent out into the world to observe the mortal realm, allowing Lucifer to see directly through their many eyes and effectively monitor all corners of the Earth. Angels are constantly dispatched from Heaven to hunt down and destroy the Watchers. Some few of them reside within Hades so Lucifer and Lilith can look over their kingdom and watch for signs of threats to their reign. When forced into combat, they are known to swarm in huge numbers and overwhelm their prey with their evil gazes - a tactic effective against lone Angel exterminators. There are thousands of Watcher nests dwelling within Pandaemonium to watch for intruders, or escapees from the lower levels. Watchers who directly attend the throne room and attend Lucifer to deliver information are called Beholders, and are especially horrific in appearance.
* Manticores; highly intelligent demonic beasts bred for the sole purpose of making war. They are born in innumerable multitudes deep in Tartaros, where the suffering of sinners is collected by the Keres and then cast out into the churning depths of Phlegethon, the lake of fire. Potential manticores, in egg form, are then plucked from the searing lava by goblin attendants and placed into huge nesting pits. The beasts, which must first survive the birthing process and then make the harrowing climb out of the pits in direct competition with hundreds of their brood, finally emerge topside and become manticores, possessing both horrifying and deadly bestial forms as well as unassuming human disguises. After their training is completed, they cross the dark river Styx and half of them are sent to one of the many war camps in Tartaros as reserve soldiers for the eventual invasion of Earth. The other half become the rank and file guards, military police, and mercenaries inhabiting all the circles of Hell. All manticores are trained to obey the word of Lucifer, who may rouse them for war at any given moment.
* Dragons; similar to manticores in that they are bred specifically to follow Lucifer’s command, except on a much larger and more terrifying scale. It is unclear exactly how dragons are created; it is said to involve an indescribable amount of pain and suffering, a large amount of fire and brimstone, and evil eldritch invocations. Whatever the case, when they are born they emerge in spectacular fashion from the very ground, which is a pleasant attraction for the denizens of upper Hell - though they run the risk of being turned to ash if they stand too close or stare too long. Some of them make nests in the abyssal plain, where they have built a complex social system centered around a small number of brood mothers. Others are ridden by Lucifer (or by Princess Charlie for her birthdays, or as bonding experiences mandated by Lilith) through the void and into the mortal realm, where they are hidden someplace secret until awoken for the apocalypse. Dragons are mighty and ubiquitous on Earth; some of the most powerful are Therion, who sleeps several miles underneath Tel Megiddo in Israel, and Leviathan, who resides at the bottom of the deepest trenches and occasionally wakes up to feed upon large squids and whales before resuming its hibernation. 
===== Lilith, Her Royal Majesty the Queen Regnant =====
The woman known as Lilith began her life as the wife of Adam, making her the second Edenic human to be created. She was unfulfilled with her commitment to Adam, wishing to be his equal rather than his subservient. Lucifer fell in love with Lilith when he first trespassed into Eden. He shared secrets with her, such as the true name of God and the duality between Heaven and Hell. She was banished from the garden after speaking the Tetragrammaton, and then eloped with Lucifer after he offered to make her his equal intimately and politically. 
Lilith is considered equal in rank to her husband Lucifer and thus carries the same rights and authority. She takes a more active role in the governance of Hades while the king is occupied scheming against Yahweh. Though not as powerful as the fallen archangel Lucifer, her origin as the first woman grants her a similar degree of dominion over Hell’s inhabitants.
* Eliouds; sometimes considered as Lilith’s equivalent to Lucifer’s nephilim. They are the children of Lamiae who take a particular liking to their prey, copulating with them and then devouring them whole as sustenance for the potential child. Should the offspring survive the traumatic birthing process, they will emerge as Eliouds capable of shapeshifting. Even though Lilith is not their actual mother, she is said to watch over them and guide them to become influential and respected leaders - ostensibly so they can aid Lucifer during the apocalypse, though the queen mostly desires for them to simply live fully autonomous and self-fulfilling lives.
* Tanin-iver; the loyal “steeds” of Lilith created by her own hand. They are many-limbed reptilian creatures which she occasionally conjures to test the resolve of humans said to be without sin in their heart; as they are intangible by mortals, they carry out their duties by harassing people with sickness and misfortune. They are known to do battle with angels during thunderstorms at midnight. 
===== Charlie Morningstar, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess and Master of Beasts =====
Charlotte Magne “Charlie” Morningstar is the “precautionary” heir to the throne of Hades, the first in line to inherit the sovereignty should both her parents be annihilated. Because the king and queen are both spiritually immortal, her title is mostly ceremonial unless either of them are slain by extremely specific means. Lucifer initially resisted having a child with Lilith, not wishing to share his love with anyone other than her, though he eventually relented to make her happy (he justified raising a child by claiming it was necessary for all kings to do so).
Charlie’s relationship with her parents is strained by their circumstances, leading her to distance herself from the royal family. She is something of a celebrity in Abaddon, pursuing new entrepreneurial ventures on a whim and notorious for her earnest, if misguided, philanthropic projects. Rumors abound that she is attempting to “rehabilitate” the sinners living in the lower levels, which the rest of the royal family has neglected to comment upon.
* Hellhounds; dog-like demons which were created by Lucifer as a gift for Charlie. This does technically make her the Beastmaster of Hell. The most powerful hound is Kerberos, a massive three-headed canine which resembles a Siberian Husky with a brown, white, and black coat and many different colored eyes. His main job is to guard the Gates of Avernus, the primary entrance to Tartaros, though he is also known to roam the halls of Pandaemonium on patrols or simply in search of amusement. Kerberos’ strongest sibling is his sister Orthros, who is much more temperamental and resembles a two-headed jackal with many foul gnashing teeth. She guards the far side of the frozen river Kokytos, beyond which are the lower depths of Tartaros that house its most powerful inmates. She hunts lost demons or souls that wander too far into the deep - chewing on them for centuries at a time - and is said to reside in the ruined towns of Sodom, Gomorrah, and Pompeii, which were dragged into Hell after their destruction.
==== The Apostles of the Stygian Council; Cabal Overlords and their minions ====
These are the six fallen angels which were cast down alongside their leader Lucifer. Most were either Virtues or cherubim before the fall, lesser in rank than the former elder seraph who led them. They are meant to be Hell’s equivalent to Yahweh’s inner circle in Heaven, mocking Him by taking ecclesiastical titles. Their “names” here listed first are not their actual given names, being more akin to titles of office corresponding with their chosen Deadly Sin translated into the Infernal speech of demons. Despite their ostensible unity of purpose, they are notoriously always scheming against each other to strengthen their dominions and competing for the royals' favor.
===== Satan Baphomet =====
Archbishop of Wrath and Chief Justice; they weigh the souls of the dead and judge their individual degree of guilt. Baphomet is Lucifer’s most loyal and trusted devotee. They were appointed as the Prince’s new Satan for their service, making them the prophesied False Prophet who will rule Earth once it is conquered by Hell in the End Times, leaving Lucifer to dethrone Yahweh and become the new king of Heaven. Their true name is Nemesis.
* The Furies; the three sisters Megaera, Tisiphone, and Alecto who decide the punishments for the damned. They may also watch over the eldritch seals which keep the Old Ones imprisoned at the bottom of the abyss.
* The Keres; those demons which carry out the decided punishments of the condemned and guard the gates of Tartaros. The strongest among their ranks are called the Four Fiends.
===== Beelzebub =====
Cardinal of Envy. Ruler of the fae, who wander the mortal realm at her command to cause mischief for fortunate humans. Her true name is Invidere.
* Hags; weak demons who manifest as ugly old women or men and attempt to steal the faces of narcissists.
* Brownies; smaller demons who sneak into a family’s home and cause mischief before getting bored and moving on.
* Seelies; they enjoy trying to steal valuables from unsuspecting people in broad daylight. They are imperceptible by humans, but are forced to flee if someone looks directly at them.
* Unseelies; these demons operate only by night and may be found any place regularly inhabited by humans. They may haunt individuals in an attempt to make them as scared as possible, as they feast upon fear, or take up residence in dark places like attics and sewers.
===== Mammon =====
Bishop of Greed. His true name is Plutus. He is the reason the city of Abaddon is made almost entirely of precious metals. He covets mineral wealth above all else, and is considered the prime architect of the capital city. Though never outright stated, he is considered Lucifer's foremost political enemy.
* Lemures; minor demons which manifest as a person’s deceased loved one. They prey upon people’s unwillingness to “let go” of those who have passed away.
* Qiqirn; very small, rodent-like demons which latch on to people’s heads and compel them to spend all their money frivolously.
* Kobolds; the innumerable builders of Hell. They lay every brick and steel beam in Abaddon and are allowed little to no rest or leisure. On occasion, Mammon may send Kobolds out into the mortal realm for a brief period of time to steal as many shiny things as possible.
* Goblins; the equivalent to kobolds, except they are born in Tartaros, not the upper crust. Their job is to endlessly mine and refine raw materials out of the infernal earth and then hoist them up to Abaddon with elaborate contraptions, where the kobolds then collect the products. Some sinners eventually mutate into goblins after centuries of torture, drained of all individuality and then put to work by the Furies. 
===== Asmodeus =====
Bishop of Lust. Her true name is Samedi. The demons under her dominion are regarded as especially powerful due to their connection to Lilith. Known for her neutrality in internal affairs.
* The Lamiae; powerful half-women, half-serpentine demons who seduce men through hypnosis and then devour them whole, sending their souls to the underworld. 
* Succubi; demons of moderate power who visit mortals in the night and coerce them into sexual encounters. They may drain people and allow them just enough spirit to survive so they can continue to visit, or fully consume their souls.
===== Moloch =====
Bishop of Gluttony. His true name is Dagon. He is Mammon's closest political ally, though they are known to scheme against each other with regularity. Worshiped by child-sacrificing cultists throughout history.
* Behemoths; monstrous, hulking demons which seek out powerful humans. They encourage their chosen mortals to cause chaos through war and conquest so that they may feast endlessly on the violence and animosity. Given enough time, they may grow so engorged that they actually possess the bodies of their mortal hosts and walk among other humans freely until they are excised back to Hell, killing their puppets in the process.
* Puki; these are considered especially dangerous because of their desire to eat children alive. Their methods are unspeakably cruel.
===== Belphegor =====
Bishop of Sloth. Her true name is Hypnos. Known for her indifference to matters outside her sphere, as well as being Hell's most infamous slaver.
* Jinn; deceptively powerful creatures which convince mortals to let them take over their menial chores so they may continue to rest. The more chores or duties a Jinn takes on, the tighter their grasp on a mortal’s spirit becomes until their souls fade away or become subjected to the Jinn.
==== The 72 Goetic Lords and their families ====
The Goetic Lords are the current leaders of 72 ancient demon families which ruled Hades before Lucifer and his fallen angels. They hold various aristocratic titles and are powerhouses in their localities, but their status as the "lower house" of the Stygian Council, below the 6 Cabalists, leaves them with little say as to the larger actions taken by the state. Nevertheless, they are some of the most powerful natives of Hell and command myriad dark magicks. The Goetic families are made up of a select few specific races of demon, including Bats, Moths, Owls, Locusts, Jackalopes, and Pythons.
In descending power of authority:
# Grand Duke Baal
# Premier Amon
# Archduke Belial
# Archduke Dantalion
# Archduke Astaroth
# Archduchess Valefor
# Archduke Paimon
# Duke Agares
# Duke Barbatos
# Marchioness Zagan
# Marquis Gusion
# Marchioness Zepar
# Marquis Morax
# Marquis Hashmedai
# Marquis Stolas
# Marchioness Murmur
# Marquis Gremory
# Marioness Vapula
# Marchioness Samigina
# Marchioness Glasya-Labolas
# Marquis Forneus
# Marchioness Marchosias
# Marquis Fenex
# Marquis Sabnock
# Earl Balam
# Earl Orias
# Earl Andras
# Earl Andrealphus
# Earl Kimaris
# Earl Sitri
# Earl Eligos
# Earl Aym
# Earl Bune
# Earl Berith
# Earl Focalor
# Earl Vine
# Count Orobas
# Countess Flauros
# Count Seere
# Countess Leraje
# Count Botis
# Count Sallos
# Count Ipos
# Countess Ronove
# Count Furfur
# Count Halphas
# Count Raum
# Count Bifrons
# Baroness Amdusias
# Baron Decarabia
# Baron Andromalius
# Baron Vassago
# Baron Beleth
# Baron Bathin
# Baroness Purson
# Baron Gaap
# Baron Vepar
# Baron Crocell
# President Marbas
# President Buer
# President Naberius
# President Foras
# President Malphas
# President Vual
# President Haagenti
# President Caim
# President Ose
# President Ami
# President Valac
# Dame Furcas
# Sir Shax
# Dame Alloces
==== The Magi ====
Attendants to the overlords; ie Pazuzu Magus. Most often Lamiaie, Behemoths, and Gorgons.
==== The Praefecti ====
Constables and administrators; ie Krampus Praefectus. Jinn are over-represented in this rank.
==== The Tribunae ====
Professional officers; ie Adrammalech Tribunus. Mostly hobgoblins and gremlins.
==== The Praetoriae ====
Imperial guards; ie Garion Praetorius. Almost universally manticores.
==== The Gendarmerie ====
Distinguished citizens and reserves; ie Uurog Gendarme.
==== Citizens ====
The demons native to Hell who were subjected by Lucifer and his allies. Some live quite comfortable lives as a result of being born into a wealthy family or earning the favor of a lord, while others live wretched lives and are expected to work the mines and factories with total obedience. Some of the most powerful demons, namely Goetic bloodlines, descend from the 7 fallen angels, making them arguably semi-divine. Most live within the walls and in the immediate vicinity of the capital city Abaddon, though other cities and colonies have sprung up over the aeons.
Demons generally live within the domains of their specific master, who is either one of the 6 Cabal overlords, or in and around the palace of Pandaemonium, serving as guards, artisans, or attendants to the royalty. Demons who are fortunate to serve directly under Lucifer are said to live the most comfortable and dignified lives of all, though not as extravagant as the realms of Asmodeus or Mammon. 
There exist many races of demon, with significant overlap due to intermingling. Though no official hierarchy of races is codified in Satan’s laws, there exists a clear, if de facto, social caste of demons which correlate strongly with their economic outlooks.
==== The Condemned ====
Sinners undergoing or awaiting punishment. Upon death, the shade of a person whose heart was deemed too full of sin to enter Heaven, or those which made pacts with demons, awakens in the lower levels of Pandaemonium, under the city of Abaddon. They are given a ticket with a number corresponding to their place in the queue. When their number is finally called, they are brought before Satan Baphomet, who quickly reviews their case file and then decides which layer of Tartaros is best for them. 
Immediately after their sentencing, they are escorted by the Praetorians to the Gates of Avernus, the primary entrance into Tartaros. During their fall, they are swept up by airbourne imps, who deliver them to their final destination: one of the nine circles, each more harrowing than the last. If shades are unfortunate enough to slip from the imps' grasps, they tumble down to Erebos where their souls are mercifully obliterated - or subjected to even greater torment than they would have faced in the circles; it is unclear because no one can ask them.
=== Appendix II - On the Notable Locales of Hades ===
==== Pandaemonium ====
The temple/fortress which lies at the heart of Abaddon and presumably all of Hell. There are four primary districts of Pandaemonium, each of them having their own administrative offices and security detail:
* The lower levels in which Satan Baphomet prosecutes fresh sinners.
* The central chambers, dominated by the infernal Gates of Avernus.
* The senatorial annex where the Stygian Chamber is located. The royals, the Cabal, and the 72 Goetic lords congregate here to discuss matters of state.
* The imposing Tower of Babil containing the royal chambers, the throne room, the Library of Babylon (which holds all available knowledge of Hades, Earth, and Heaven), as well as several large recreation halls. The gleaming spire affords a vantage point from which one could observe the entirety of the kingdom. Dragons, Beholders, and other flying beasts are known to roost here. 
==== Abaddon ====
The capital city of Hades. It is a sprawling urban biosphere which highly resembles the world on the surface, including the contemporary period and many previous eras. 7 rings comprise the districts of Abaddon.
===== The Pride Ring =====
Dominated by Pandaemonium. It is ruled by Lucifer himself and has a majority military population. It largely resembles a futuristic, fascist Washington DC. 
===== The Wrath Ring =====
Technically ruled by Satan Baphomet, but they delegate underlings, most of them Goetic lords, to govern in their place due to the obligations which come with judging sinners at all times for eternity. It is remniscent of late Soviet-era Moscow.
===== The Envy Ring =====
Ruled by Beelzebub. It reflects her bizarre tastes in that it most closely resembles a hellish version of Disney World, complete with dangerous rollercoasters, long wait times, and extravagantly deadly performances from celebrities dressed as beloved cartoon characters. 
===== The Greed Ring =====
The domain of Mammon. Its towers of luxury rival even Babil in terms of opulence and comfort, and its ruler mandates that every street and building be gilded with glittery jewels so that he is constantly reminded of his obscene wealth. It is the spitting image of New York in the roaring 20s.
===== The Lust Ring =====
Similarly opulent to Greed, but with ridiculously large brothels and "pleasure pits" instead of concert halls and clubs. This is the most comfortable ring for Succubi, Lamiae, and other demons who seek constant physical intimacy. It resembles a modern day amalgamation of San Diego, New Orleans, and the red light district of Amsterdam, complete with round-the-clock beach parties and lively street celebrations.
===== The Gluttony Ring =====
This ring is deceptively dangerous because, despite appearing as a pleasant wonderland of full of sweet treats and soda fountains like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, its inhabitants must be on constant lookout for large, pterodactyl-like winged creatures which regularly swoop down from the sky, grab handfuls of citizens at a time, and then drop them into massive processing plants which grind them to bits, melt the remains, and then bakes them into delicious candy bars in 60 seconds flat. The candy bars are then sold en masse to all the people of Hell. Moloch is a uniquely cruel master.
===== The Sloth Ring =====
It is a miracle any economic activity takes place in this part of Abaddon, because its denizens are constantly breathing in pleasant odors which make them meek, suggestible, very sleepy, and extremely lethargic. Commerce in Sloth is almost universally thanks to Belphegor's ingenious fast food delivery system, which conveniently receives most of its product from nearby Gluttony in the form of tasty carbo-loaded snacks.
==== Entrances to Hell ====
Lucifer and his chosen were initially cast down to Hades by Michael's hand. Apart from being sent hurdling through the void from Heaven, there are many other entrances to the underworld scattered across the mortal realm. Some have been discovered by the angels, leaving them heavily guarded to prevent any beasts from crawling though; a select few major gateways remain hidden.
===== Lago d'Averno =====
One of the oldest and most famous entrances to Hell, located at the bottom of the volcanic crater lake Avernus in Campania. It is well known and guarded closely by the angels.
===== Taenarum =====
The ruins of an ancient Greek temple at the Mani Peninsula of the Peloponnese. It is too heavily traveled by mortals to be a viable gateway.
===== The Ploutonion of Hierapolis =====
The largest of many temples to the god Pluto located across the eastern Mediterranean. It lies within the Denizli Province of Turkey. Destroyed by angels sometime in the 6th century AD.
===== The Necromanteion =====
Used by necromancers and cultists devoted to Hades throughout history. Their dark rituals opened a small portal to the underworld, and the site is warded off with an eldritch field of decay. It serves as a common place of respite for demons.
===== Nevsky Pyatachok =====
A small hamlet in the vicinity of Shlisselburg and St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the site of one of the deadliest battles in the Siege of Leningrad. The gate is located within a small mausoleum which leads deep underground below the bloodied battlefield.
===== Shining of the Karakum =====
Also known as the Darvaza gas grater, located in rural Turkmenistan. Since the Soviets discovered it in the 70s, locals have believed it to be a natural petroleum deposit which was set ablaze to disperse the toxic gas, leaving an eternally burning crater with no signs of stopping. In truth, at the bottom of the collapsed cavern lies a well into the underworld, and the crater's sulfurous gases keep angels away.
===== Choeung Ek =====
One of the largest mass graves located within the Killing Fields of central Cambodia. A stairway down to Hades is located within the Buddhist stupa at its center.
===== Great Bao'en Temple =====
The site which housed Nanking's greatest pagoda until it was razed during the Taiping Rebellion, along with much of the surrounding city. Centuries later, during the Second World War, many atrocities were committed in its shadow. The newly-constructed Porcelain Tower of Nanjing now stands over its buried ruins, several miles under which hordes of demons are known to fester. It is the largest hellgate in Asia and well guarded by the local Watchers.
===== Ahmadnagar Fort =====
Located in western India, this heavily fortified castle served as the headquarters of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate until it was besieged by Ram Raya and his allies. The fort was leveled, and it is claimed that Raya was so thorough in his crushing of the sultanate that virtually the entire population of the country was slaughtered. At night, demons have been known to pour out of the numerous caverns which lead to the hidden dungeons directly beneath the keep. It is a frequent target of angel raids, which are usually repelled by the keep's reconstructed fortifications.
===== La dernière demeure de Jeanne d'Arc =====
Easily the most remote of all the infernal gates is located amid the freezing peaks of the Desolation Islands of Kerguelen, located 3,300 kilometers away from the nearest landmass in Madagascar. It is well within the Sub-Antarctic Circle, rendering it a truly ghastly archipelago only accessible by boat. Within the lonely valleys of the central island lies L'ombre de Jeanne d'Arc, a small monastery which sits ominously atop an unclimbable hill of dirt. Presumably built by stranded French explorers in the 1800s, it has long since been abandoned and now serves as a "nesting ground" for thousands of demons, far from prying mortal eyes and the reach of any angels. It is sometimes called the "second home" of Lucifer and his family, as it houses his earthly throne and is likely the safest place for demons in the mortal realm. Occult sigils scattered across the island combined with the intersection of seven major leylines keep it hidden from Yahweh's sight and repels angels.
===== Minor gates =====
====== The Americas ======
* Crystal Falls, Quebec
* Dante's View and Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California
* Centralia, Pennsylvania
* Pleasant Valley, Nebraska
* Kokomo, Colorado
* Ojuela, Mexico
* Quiahuiztlan, Mexico
* Puerto del Hambre, Tierra del Fuego, Chile
* Grimspound, Dartmoor, UK
* Borgvattnet, Sweden
* Chateau Miranda, Belgium
* Poveglia, Italy
* Sedlec Ossuary, Czechia
* Kransberg Castle, Germany
* Topheth, Valley of Hinnom, Israel
* The Haunted House of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
* Al Jazirah Al Hamra, United Arab Emirates
* The Burning House of Giza, Egypt
* Darfur, Sudan
* Erasmus, South Africa
* Saint Martin of the Tigers, Angola
* Goroumo, Central African Republic
* La Güera, Western Sahara
* The Faena, Miami, Florida
* Men's bathroom at Pavel Gas Station, Truth-or-Consequences, New Mexico
==== Tartaros ====
The realm of the dead, comprised of 9 concentric circles whose punishments become increasingly severe in order of descent. There are many hidden entrances into Tartaros scattered across Hades, but the most convenient route remains the Gates of Avernus. It is said to be as far below Hell as Hell is below the earth.
# The First Circle is reserved for people who generally brought more harm than good to the world, but not to the extent of being totally beyond redemption. Sociopaths and those with standard antisocial personality behavior patterns reside here; they found joy in causing people mental turmoil and constantly sought out new ways to do so.
# The Second Circle houses mortals who willingly engaged in many financial crimes throughout their lives. They placed money above the lives of others, and likely made their income by scamming and blackmailing ordinary people, leaving their victims destitute. 
# The Third Circle is the destination of thieves and traffickers of dangerous or harmful goods. They are more the more violent counterparts to their neighbors in the Second Circle, resorting to physical compulsion in addition to manipulation and fraud. It is also a common destination for usurers. 
# The Fourth Circle contains religious profaners, or heretics. They may have actively defaced religious monuments or places of worship, persecuted individuals based on their faith, or preached hateful rhetoric justified through spiritual means.
# The Fifth Circle is for people who used their positions of power over others to benefit themselves, or simply liars. These could be corrupt politicians, crooked cops, abusive executives, or people who took pleasure in spreading misinformation that leads to actions that harm others. 
# The Sixth Circle is the home of mortals who were full of prejudice and hatred in their lives. Typical examples are injustices against racial, religious, or political minorities, the practice of dehumanizing people and encouraging others to do so, and generally lacking empathy for those outside of their chosen social circle, all on an ideological basis or out of spite.
# The Seventh Circle houses those who were consistently violent towards the innocent. These include spousal and child abusers, rapists, torturers, small-time killers, and those who showed cruelty to animals. Destroyers of culture and history may also rank among those interned here, such as colonizers and ruiners of extremely important artifacts and pieces of history which are lost forever.
# The Eighth Circle imprisons those who displayed exceptionally depraved tendencies against others. They were mostly mass murderers, traitors who knowingly caused great harm to others by betraying their trust, human traffickers and slavers, extreme polluters who endanger the lives of others as well as nature, military leaders who directed others to kill, and arms dealers.
# The Ninth Circle is the final circle of Tartaros, reserved for only the greatest of sinners. It may be thought of as being the final "resting" place of those who committed the world's most severe crimes against humanity. It houses a rogue's gallery of history's most unforgiveable criminals, such as participators in genocide, conquerors, terrorists, and any who attempt to destroy the world or all life upon it.
==== Erebos ====
Even the Ninth Circle, however grim its punishments and inhabitants, cannot be called the deepest layer of Tartaros. That honor goes to Erebos, the absolute bottom of Hell’s abyss where unknowable horrors - the eldest and most powerful entities in existence - dwell in eternal confinement. The entrance to Erebos is mired by two rivers with a small landmass between them.
===== Acheron =====
The far side or “southern passage” of the boundary between Erebos and Tartaros is demarcated by the great river Acheron - an unrelenting torrent of black, roiling water that is roughly the size of the Black Sea on Earth. Within the depths of the Acheron reside the ancient sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis, siblings to the great Leviathan under the mortal ocean. The larger of them, Charybdis, appears as the mouth of a ravenous giant squid, using its many hooked tentacles to snatch up prey attempting to swim across the river. Scylla, meanwhile, takes the form of an elder megalodon with the horn of the goblin shark, the razor-sharp appendages of a sawfish, the grim visage of a cookiecutter shark, and an angler’s bioluminescent lure. Both are kept deliberately starved to make them especially vicious towards any trespassers. 
===== Perdition =====
Between Acheron and Kokytos is the island of Perdition. It is a barren, haunted town comprised of the salvaged ruins of Sodom, Gomorrah, Pompeii, Troy, Tenochtitlan, and dozens of other destroyed cities which were dragged down into Hell by Lucifer in the chaos. Legend tells that, should the apocalypse come and Satan emerge victorious, all of the greatest mortal cities around the world will also sink down to Tartaros and become assimilated into Perdition. Shades of the dead who perished during the sudden destruction of their cities are known to haunt its streets aimlessly, drained of all identity and memory, desperately searching for some far-off goal which they have forgotten. The two-headed hellhound, Orthros, stalks the streets of Perdition and preys upon wayward shades.
===== Kokytos =====
The northern river, on the shores of Erebos, is called Kokytos. It is the oldest of all the chthonic rivers and mysteriously entirely frozen over, permanently immuring several great beasts from the early days of creation. No monsters guard it, allowing potential escapees to attempt to cross it freely. However, stepping on the Kokytos is almost certain to make its surface actually begin to crack, threatening to drag trespassers down into the solid frozen depths by a supernatural force. They are then swallowed into the void itself or eaten by one of the hibernating beasts which has had its slumber disturbed. 
===== The Eldritch Seals =====
Erebos itself can be described as a massive cavern with hundreds of cells along its walls, each of them containing their monstrous inmates with infernal gates made of pure haematite, the rarest and most prized crystals in all of Hell. The prison is subdivided into 4 separate wards, each of them guarded by one of the Keywards - entities of unknown origin who wield powers comparable to Lucifer. There are many wild theories as to their nature; some believe them to be the offspring of either angels and demons, or nephilim and cambions; certain sources allege that they are archangels sent by Yahweh, tasked with containing the prisoners and keeping Lucifer from meddling with the arcane seals protecting each ward.
# The Kronian Ward, housing disgraced primordial angels who fell long before Lucifer and went mad. It is guarded by Keyward Samael.
# The Iscarian Ward, containing the twisted spirits of the most evil humans in history who were too dangerous to be left unattended in the Ninth Circle. Its keyward is Azrael.
# The Thanaton Ward, which holds many powerful entities sprung from Chaos, some of them being personifications of concepts like Moros, Eris, and Hamartia. It is patrolled by Keyward Dumah.
# The Alhazred Ward, confining various horrors of unknown origin. Their shrouded nature makes this the most dangerous ward, and so it is guarded by the most powerful Keyward, Mot. Some of these dark spirits have actually retained enough intellect to speak to their shacklers and other inmates, though they are quickly silenced by the Keywards. One prisoner, Nyarlathotep, has made a secret pact with Lucifer and they are considered allies; it remains confined for purposes of insurance and security.
Finally, at the center of Erebos is a dark pit which presumably leads out of Tartaros and directly into the vast nothingness of the void - the primordial darkness which predates even Yahweh. Only one entity, or presence, is known to reside in the void: the enigmatic Azathoth, who dwells in restless slumber until it finally stirs again, marking the end of existence.