Hellism

## Overview

Hellism is a unique belief system followed by many Yannis. Unlike traditional religions that feature deities, paradises, or heavens, Hellism focuses on the concept of thousands of different hells that reflect the varying levels of badness a person can exhibit in their lifetime. The religion's central text, known as the Hellscript, details the various levels of hells and the reasons why a person might end up in each. The central belief is that a hell awaits all people, and one's only hope is being sent to one of the lesser hells.

## Hellism in Yannis Culture

At first glance, Hellism may seem like a bleak and depressing belief system to outsiders. However, many Yannis who adhere to Hellism appear content and well-adjusted, often making light of the hells and joking about them. When asked about their beliefs, Yannis followers of Hellism will typically express a desire to end up in one of the least severe hells, which they believe are not much worse than mortal life. While many Yannis have converted to Created or abandoned religion altogether, Hellism remains a popular belief system among the Yannis people.

## Sin Types

In Hellism, it is understood that many Yannis will have committed overlapping sins throughout their lives. However, the most prominent sins—those that pervade the essence of their being—are used to determine their "sin type." It can be hard for outsiders to grasp the nuance of this belief, but for Yannis who grew up with this religion, it's a very natural way to look at people. Their sin type is the basis for which hell grouping an individual will be placed in upon their death.

## Five Groupings of Hells and Their Associated Imps

The hells in Hellism are divided into five distinct groupings, which are based on the severity of the punishments and the types of misdeeds associated with each hell. Each grouping has its own class of imp, unique in name and appearance, that assists in administering the punishments. These groupings are as follows:

1. Petty Hells - Imps: Nuisance Imps. Nuisance Imps are small, impish creatures with mischievous grins and a knack for causing minor annoyances. These are the least severe hells, reserved for those with sin types involving minor transgressions or petty behavior. Inhabitants of these hells experience mild inconveniences and annoyances, such as constant untied shoelaces or perpetually noisy neighbors.
2. Egotistical Hells - Imps: Humbling Imps. Humbling Imps have a regal appearance, often adorned with a mocking crown, and are skilled in the art of humbling their subjects. In these hells, individuals with sin types of excessive pride, selfishness, or arrogance are subjected to punishments designed to humble them. These punishments might include being forced to serve others, being rendered invisible, or being constantly belittled by the other inhabitants.
3. Malevolent Hells - Imps: Retribution Imps. Retribution Imps are imposing, muscular beings with a stern and unforgiving demeanor. For those with sin types involving intentionally causing harm to others, the Malevolent Hells provide a range of punishments fitting the severity of their actions. Punishments in these hells include physical pain, isolation, and forced introspection about the harm they've caused.
4. Deceptive Hells - Imps: Trickster Imps. Trickster Imps are shapeshifting entities with a cunning and sly appearance, always ready to deceive their subjects. These hells are designated for those with sin types of deceit, manipulation, or betrayal. Punishments in the Deceptive Hells often involve individuals being deceived and manipulated themselves, forcing them to experience the consequences of their actions firsthand.
5. Cataclysmic Hells - Imps: Horror Imps. Horror Imps are terrifying creatures with a grotesque and monstrous appearance, befitting the hells they inhabit. Reserved for those with sin types of extreme violence, cruelty, or acts that have caused widespread suffering, the Cataclysmic Hells are the most severe and terrifying of all the Hellism groupings. The punishments in these hells are both physically and psychologically torturous, designed to make the inhabitants confront the full weight of their actions. Examples of such punishments include enduring the pain they've inflicted on others and reliving the fear and suffering experienced by their victims.

Despite the seemingly dark nature of Hellism, the Yannis people who follow this belief system have found ways to embrace it, often finding humor in the prospect of their afterlife. This unique approach to religion has helped to shape the Yannis people's culture, as evidenced by their artistic expressions, such as Exaggerated Expressionist films, which often include elements of Hellism. Some film critics argue without the history of Hellism, Yannis film would be a shadow of what it is in the modern day.