Underworld

The **Underworld**, also known as the **Realm of Death**, is the primary destination for the souls of the deceased which arrive shortly after a mortal's death. Nearly infinite in size, the Underworld is split into dozens-to-hundreds of regions that each belongs to different religions and factions. While many religions claim the souls of their followers or those within their territory, there are others whose souls are not claim, turning them into lost souls.

## History

Knowing that the interaction between the living and dead would stray into the opposite direction than what they desired, the gods created the Underworld to act as an afterlife. As more and more religions and pantheons were formed, each were given a region of the expansive wasteland to do as they pleased, providing a place to form their own afterlives.

However, the number of divergent methods and beliefs have led to several flaws within their afterlife systems, resulting in failures that ranges from souls being lost elsewhere to being stranded in the Underworld, but in-between the territories rather than their destination.

## Overview

The Underworld is naturally a land with an endless landmass of flowing rivers of lava, poisonous water lakes, and blighted forests. The realm has grey smoke and ash filled skies and a natural cycle of day and night, much like Erdyn, which has some effect on the local plantlife. As it is the afterlife, time between Erdyn and the Underworld was largely the same, but those who are being punished experience a substantial difference that makes it appear that more time has passed.

The realm is split into different realms that play host to a variety of different afterlives or alternate dimensions that may have been created. As the realm is nearly limitless, the distance between these locations are filled with barren wastes that is home to chaotic monstrosities.

## Locations

### Turaim Tribunal

The Turaim Tribunal is a special location within the Underworld that has been designed to temporarily house the souls of those who had no particular afterlife. These souls were to be judged for their actions in life and punishment would be dealt should those they may have victimized wish it so. Those who left no victims in their wake are given three options: 1) reincarnation, 2) any afterlife of their choice, or 3) oblivion.

### Gargaana

Those who worshipped the Kavan Gods were sent to the plane of Gargaana which served as a resting place of sorts. Once they arrive, they are placed within an illusion that is created by their own minds. They are made to experience every deed you had committed, good or ill, towards another until you reach the end of your life once again. Those who had done more good are reincarnated into a new human life, whereas those who did more evil are turned into the weakest and ugliest of animals to be preyed upon.

Within the religion, death is seen as inevitable.

### Pavahara

Pavahara of the Ankarat Gods is a realm of peaceful shadows that surrounds its residents and traps them within a deep sleep. The dead are given a rest so they may return to their lives so they can accomplish all they wanted to in life, allowing them to eventually reincarnate with a light heart. Those who have committed great sins, however, are punished severely by the realm's ruler.

Pavahara is separated into several regions for commoners, criminals, poets, warriors, etc, each are ruled over by separate lords. Certain important gods will have their own small areas to place their own worshippers.

### Eravos

Ruled over by the Arukvai, Eravos is the afterlife for both the Arunta and Eriadel pantheons. It is also one of the largest of all afterlives in territory and population. Residences are either given paradise for their good deeds in life and tormented for their sins. Every action grants a follower positive or negative "points", which are paid back during their stay at Eravos. Once one have paid their dues, they are sent back to reincarnate.

### Kattirai

Within Kattirai, the afterlife of the Alivuin Gods, the souls of the dead undergo a form of purification to cleanse them of all the good and bad they had done in their life, cleansed by the neutral daimons. As per their compact, Taiyn Avis receives the evil accumulated by humans, whereas Karai Enyula and her faction would take the good of humans. Once one has been cleansed, they are given the option of reincarnation or to remain with their gods. While the servants of Karai is given paradise, those who serve Taiyn are turned into dark spirits.

## Inhabitants

The denizens of the Underworld is largely composed of dead souls that are segregated into miniaturized realms within the dimension itself. There are those, however, that dwell beyond the control of the gods and roam the land as lost souls that have since become feral creatures by that point. Once in a while, living creatures survive entering the Underworld, which often leads to them becoming mutated into monstrosities that would cause death and destruction should they escape.

More unique beasts brought to the Underworld by the gods also exist such as wardens, assistants, and "native" races.