Avernus

**Avernus** is the first layer of the Nine Hells, and the arrival point for most visitors to the Hells.

## Geographic Description

Avernus is a dark, cavernous area filled with geysers of sulfur and brimstone, with small patches of fire scattered throughout the realm. The natural sulfur turns the fire from orange to blue. The sky, rarely seen from the smoke in the sky, has been described as pitch black and starless. This plane was once filled with devils of all kinds, driven to extinction in this plane due to the toxic hues, leaving only the stone devils, gargoyles, and Bastard Children alive.

## Places of Importance

The capital city of **Gehennom**, ruled by Archduchess Zariel, is a fortress-city dozens of square miles in extent and ringed by several heavily defended walls. The entire city is made of igneous rock, extracted and cooled from the blue lava of Styx.

The **Pillar of Skulls** is a hideous landmark of trophy-skulls held together by hardened liquid obsidian of those killed in a forgotten war, removed from all recounts of history. The skulls bear visage to Bastard Children, but no one knows their true origin. The pillar is nearly a mile in height.

The **River of Styx** is a seemingly endless river of blue lava, known across many realms as a place of beauty in this desolate landscape.

## Architecture

Due to its cavernous nature, much of the common homes outside the city of Gehennom are carved into caves, with simple, semi-circular rooms. These homes are only populated by Bastard Children.

## General Inhabitants

**Stone Devils** are nearly indestructible devils, titularly named because of their rock-like appearance. Not possessing eyes, they rely on their senses of hearing and smell, as well as feeling the vibrations of others around them through the ground. As natural predators, stone devils typically hunt Bastard Children who stray too far from home, or stone gargoyles they war with on occasion. Stone devils live on the outskirts of civilizations, similar to their gargoyle kin. Upon death, stone devils crumble into rock.

**Stone Gargoyles** are similar in nature to stone devils, possessing the same senses and appearance. Namely, stone gargoyles possess wings, and attract prey mostly by acting as inanimate statues blended into rock. Stone gargoyles delight in the pain they inflict onto others, and have a reputation for their cruelty amidst their society. Stone gargoyles and devils will often hunt one another, relishing the pain they deliver to one another.

The **Bastard Children** are a humanoid race bearing strange resemblance to the humans of Endymia. Unlike humanity, however, they do not require food, air, or water, making them immune to most of the effects humans are, outside age and the capacity to feel pain. They are a more intelligent race than the other devils aside them, forming communities and villages outside the city, known as the Nomads. Most of them reside in Gehennom as workers or subjects for Zariel to rule over.

## Inhabitants of Note

Archdutchess **Zariel** was once a fallen angel swayed by Asmodeus, and given a position of power in Avernus. She is a strict but just ruler, concerned with the well-being of her citizens more than the output of their work. However, her loyalty lies with Asmodeus, and she has often had to make sacrifices for him that have forsaken her people.

The philosopher **Socrates** is a tall man of immeasurable calmness and wisdom, who often offers advice and stories to races of all kinds, and has occasionally provided guidance to Zariel herself. Socrates resides on the other side of the River Styx, deemed unreachable by most without means of flight. Socrates often sits by the river of lava, and talks to those on the other side. Due to their similar appearance, Socrates has been rumored to be one of the Bastard Children, or perhaps their progenitor, but no rumors have ever been recovered as true.

The Fallen God Tiamat is also imprisoned in Avernus within a hidden demiplane.

## Trivia

* The reason the Nine Hells are different than their respective 5e canon appearances are because Ben felt dissatisfied that several of the layers felt so similar.
* During the drafting process of Avernus' homebrew revision, Ben was inspired by the scientific fact that fire is turned blue by sulfur, which causes blinding properties when exposed to for long periods of time.