Rimmland Hells

Beneath the Rimmlands is an extensive cave system they call the hells. The caves attract all anima of the surrounding lands like the Lightbringer moon. All anima go to hell in the Rimmlands, however should one leave the hellmouths to the surface it emerges with a tangible body.
== History ==
Not much is known about the hells of rimmland before its conquest by the Dwarven Guran Empire, but there was some communication between the surface and the underworld as attested by the trade relation with magical practitioners.
The Rimmland hell was famously conquered by the Guran Empire, a dwarven empire, which remains a Guran territory of the empire to this day. 
=== The Guran dwarves dominion of hell ===
Main article: The Guran invasion of the Rimmland hells
The dwarven grand army invaded hell after fighting off a coalition of devils, kobolds and other factions vying for control of the Gura mountain range. The guran dwarves of the time were under the leadership of warrior king Lion Newtown, who won a great number of military victories which ended with the conquest of hell and the dwarves establishing a dominion that remains to this day.
The grand army of the dwarves was based on the formidable success of king Newtown in combating the gura mountain coalition using their specialized warfare tactics meant for underground and tunnel combat. Mine gas, collapsing tunnels and blocking passages with corpses were some of the most gruesome tactics employed by the dwarves. In open warfare, usage of flintlock weapons and artillery was common. One particular tactic was the bousculade, where artillery would strike seemingly innocuous areas of land in the hopes of collapsing the tunnels and caves underneath.
The dwarves are now in charge of hell, and thus get to decide who gets to return to the surface of the rimmlands after death. The dwarves stopped their invasion efforts after hell however, as the hellmouths, the gates to hell are too numerous and too far reaching to ever be truly effectively controlled by the Gura, and it is thought that the administrative pressures of controlling hell and its anima will eventually lead to the collapse of the Guran empire.
Ever since the conquest of hell, the Guran dwarves have a functionally endless army and an inextinguishable supply of sulfur and resources for their industry and gunpowder weapons. They seem completely uninterested in the role as torturers of hell, simply restraining any anima they don't want returning to the surface.
=== Mozdorov-Aqevacs disaster and the modern era ===
The surface of the rimmlands are sparsely inhabited by minor kingdoms and tribes that are in no way threatening to the Rimmland hells. As a result the Dwarves have no interest in the surface, but are wary of demonic incursions. 
==== Mozdorov-Aqevacs ====
The Dwarves at one point carved a tunnel to the Gura mountains, but it collapsed after only a few years, exposing the project to the open air and they never recovered from its expenditure. The event will mark the end of the golden age of the Gurans because of the enormous loss of life and costs. 
Following the disaster most of the members of the court and citizenry went back to the mountains. The Guran empire was never as prosper again, while it maintained the rimmland hells as a profitable slave mining colony, it was never fully developed, and local industries soon faltered.
While the hells remain a dwarven colony, the demons are now the majority of the population, and criminal activity has risen exponentially. The posting is considered a punishment for all dwarves present.
==== Military presence ====
The Dwarves maintain surface bases to prevent other races attempting to collapse their settlements underground. This will later be scrapped due to its expense.
==== Hellmouths ====
The Dwarves guard their hellmouths, and tensions are rising for those that exit into other countries. Eventually the dwarves lost control of more and more hellmouths, some collapsed, some were invaded by other races. 
==Ethnological distribution==
Prior to the dwarves' campaign, Hell was predominantly inhabited by a diverse array of infernal species, with demons of various ranks and classifications dominating the realm. The infernal hierarchy maintained a strict order, with powerful demon lords ruling over their respective domains from within strongholds.
However, following the conquest, the ethnological distribution of Hell underwent a significant transformation. The dwarves, driven by their own ambitions and objectives, toppled the established infernal order and imposed their own rule. This resulted in a reshuffling of power dynamics and a reconfiguration of the infernal society.
The dwarven conquest led to the displacement and subjugation of many demons who previously held positions of authority. The demon lords, once reigning supreme, were either overthrown or forced to submit to the new dwarven rule. The dwarves, known for their strict organization and hierarchical structures, implemented their own system of governance, which favored their own kind and marginalized the demons into a slave race toiling in the realms mines and industries.
As a consequence, the ethnological landscape of Hell witnessed a notable shift. The dwarven presence became more dominant, with dwarves assuming positions of power and authority previously held by demons. The once diverse infernal society became more homogenized under the dwarven rule, with demons facing subjugation and slavery in the Guran empire's economy.
==Social, economic, and commercial environment==
The dwarves embarked upon the audacious conquest of Hell driven by a complex interplay of social, economic, and commercial factors. Before the war, the dwarven society faced socio-economic challenges, seeking to expand their influence and secure vital resources. The conquest of Hell presented an opportunity to address these concerns and reshape their world.
From a social perspective, the dwarven population yearned for a sense of unity and purpose they had not felt since the war against the mountain coalition. The conquest of Hell provided a rallying point, uniting the dwarven clans under a common cause. It fostered a sense of national identity, bolstering their collective morale and forging stronger bonds among their people.
Economically, the dwarves sought to exploit the vast resources and strategic locations present in Hell to replace those lost during the coalition wars most notably the rich seams of sulfur, coal and phosphorus found in the hells. The infernal realm held untapped reserves of precious minerals and rare elements, crucial for their industrial and technological advancements. By gaining control over these resources, the dwarves aimed to strengthen their economic prowess and establish themselves as a dominant force in trade and commerce.
Furthermore, the commercial aspects of the conquest were pivotal. Hell, with its intricate network of trade routes and access to diverse markets, presented immense opportunities for the dwarven merchants. By establishing a foothold in Hell, the dwarves could expand their trade networks, gain access to exotic goods, and dominate lucrative markets. This would fuel economic growth, create employment opportunities, and elevate the dwarven economy to new heights.
The influx of resources from Hell's depths bolstered the empire's industrial capabilities, leading to advancements in technology, infrastructure, and craftsmanship, which in turn led to a golden age of trade with their neighbors who were unsure of the dwarves territorial ambitions but too poor to refuse the opportunities such a powerful partner brought them.
Post-war, the conquest of Hell solidified the dwarves' position as a regional power. The wealth and resources acquired during the campaign fueled economic growth, leading to the expansion of industries and the emergence of new trade routes. The dwarven merchants capitalized on this newfound prosperity, establishing lucrative trade partnerships and securing their dominance in regional commerce.
== Economy ==
Currently the Guran empire exploits the Rimmland Hells for strategic resources the Gura mountain no longer produces, and are superstitious of or are uninterested in local trades. 
=== Trade goods ===
The dwarves exploit various resource nodes found in hell which they trade extensively with neighboring countries. 
=== Raw materials ===
Due to the dwarves' knowledge of mining and extraction industries, the dwarves quickly restructured the existing infrastructures in order to only produce resources they were interested in. These were focused on chemical and industrial applications.
==== Sulfur ====
A highly reactive element known for its distinctive smell and combustible properties. Sulfur is abundant in Hell, which the dwarves use for gunpowder production.
==== Coal ====
A carbon-rich substance formed from the remains of organic matter. In the depths of Hell, coal serves as a fuel source, perpetuating the omnipresent fires of the underworld. Harnessing the abundant coal reserves found in Hell, the infernal realm could generate energy through coal-fired power plants. This energy could be utilized for various purposes, mostly industrial processes.
==== Phosphorus ====
An element that exhibits luminescent properties when exposed to oxygen. In Hell, phosphorus is abundant and can be found in various forms, illuminating most of the realm. The dwarves use phosphorus for cave blinding ammunition.
==== Mercury ====
A liquid metal known for its unique properties, such as high density and low melting point. In Hell, mercury exists in its elemental form in pools and small lakes.
==== Hydrochloric Acid ====
A highly corrosive acid composed of hydrogen and chlorine. Used by the dwarves in industrial applications.
==== Guano ====
The dwarves converted the bat farms of hell used for food for guano production to make potassium nitrate.
=== Manufactured wares ===
Using hells resources the Guran empire now exports various manufactured products all around the rimmlands. The chemical compounds found in Hell, such as sulfur and hydrochloric acid, could be utilized in the production of industrial chemicals. These chemicals could find applications in manufacturing, water treatment, and other industrial processes.
==== Matches ====
Utilizing sulfur, phosphorus, and other combustible materials, Hell could produce quality matches.
==== Fertilizers ====
By incorporating sulfur and other essential nutrients, Hell's underworld could produce potent fertilizers. These fertilizers would enhance plant growth, yielding twisted and sinister-looking vegetation that thrive on the surface but also in the underworld.
==== Phosphorescent Materials ====
Extracting phosphorus from Hell's depths, scientists could develop phosphorescent materials for various practical applications. These materials could be used in weapons, but also glow-in-the-dark paints, safety signage, and other luminescent products.
==== Sulfur-based Medications ====
Leveraging the medicinal properties of sulfur, pharmaceutical companies developed sulfur based medications used for sulfur's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
=== Banned goods ===
Following the dwarven invasion, many goods and industries were banned or stopped because of the Guran empire. This caused a great deal of turmoil for the local economy which supplied many products to local practitioners and magical trades. Banning products made in Hell was a strategic move to weaken the demonic economy and sever its ties to the surface realm. By restricting access to these products, the Dwarves aimed to undermine the power and influence that the infernal realm held over the mortal world. Another factor was that Dwarves were superstitious and believed in the corrupting influence that products from Hell could have on their society. The ban was presented as a precautionary measure to protect the Dwarves from the potentially detrimental effects of these wares. It was mostly a way to maintain the purity of their own culture. Another reason for the ban on infernal products was to promote the growth of Dwarven industries and ensure economic self-sufficiency. By restricting the production and consumption of infernal goods, the Dwarves aimed to stimulate their own manufacturing sectors and foster the development of their own unique products. The following is a list of wares banned following the conquest of hell.
==== Damning Potions ====
Utilizing mercury, phosphorus, and a blend of other sinister ingredients, alchemists in Hell could craft potions with malevolent properties. These elixirs could induce madness, despair, or even eternal damnation in hell upon those unfortunate enough to consume them.
==== Cursed Artifacts ====
By harnessing the corrosive power of hydrochloric acid and infusing it with dark enchantments, Hell's craftsmen could forge cursed artifacts. These items would bring misfortune, suffering, and eternal torment to their owners.
==== Toxic Elixirs ====
Mixing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with other noxious substances found in Hell, alchemists could create poisonous elixirs. These concoctions would inflict excruciating pain, paralysis, or even death upon those unfortunate enough to encounter them.
==== Sinister Alloys ====
By manipulating the elemental properties of sulfur and mercury, malevolent metallurgists in Hell could produce alloys with extraordinary properties. These alloys could exhibit extreme durability, resistance to conventional weaponry, or even the ability to corrupt and consume the souls of those who wield them.
==== Stygian Acid ====
A corrosive and potent acid exclusive to the depths of Hell. Stygian acid is known for its use in infernal alchemy and dark enchantments.
==== Netherfire Essence ====
A volatile and mysterious substance that embodies the essence of Hell's eternal flames. This infernal energy source is highly coveted by denizens of the underworld, harnessing its power as a source flame for magic.
==== Abyssal Venom ====
A venomous compound derived from the venomous creatures that dwell in Hell's dark corners. Abyssal venom possesses potent toxins that can induce excruciating pain and suffering.
==== Pandemonium Elixir ====
A concoction brewed from a medley of rare and exotic ingredients found exclusively in Hell. This elixir possesses mind-altering properties, inducing visions, and madness in those who dare to consume it.
==== Voidstone Dust ====
Fine particles of a unique mineral known as voidstone, found in the desolate regions of Hell. Voidstone dust possesses mystical properties and is often used in dark rituals and enchantments.
Category:Rimmlands
Category:Guran Empire
Category:Demons
Category:Underworlds