Seven Hells

Symbol of the Seven Hells

The **Seven Hells** are the halfspace of the Afterlife inhabited by evil deceased souls and ruled by the Dark Prince and the Lady Unassailable.

## History

### Rule of Satan

Aeredein resigned her regnal powers around 62 BY BDZ and appointed the Authorities as her heavenly successors but did not appoint a successor in the Seven Hells. Until 31 BY BDZ, the overall order and structure of the Seven Hells remained largely unchanged. At his point in time the first ever Archdevil, Satan, was born.

However, he chose to live in the Material Plains and lived like any other Devil. After amassing tremandous power for millions of years, Satan became aware of Aeredein's existence and fell in love with the Mother of Death. The Archdevil travelled to the edges of the Constellations and attempted to enter the Uncharted Regions but without souls to harvest in this lifeless place, even Satan was unable to reach Aeredein. Hence, Satan

### Reign of Lucifer

    Until 723 MY BDZ, the overall order and structure of the Seven Hells remained largely unchanged. However, at this point in time the Devil Lucifer came to power by overthrowing Lord Korrodus of Nether's End and usurping his throne. Lucifer was referred to as a charismatic ruler as well as a keen and ingenious strategist; conversely, he was also notorious for his apathy and soullessness. Lucifer's strategic and tactical prowess allowed him to pit the Lords Infernal of the other Hells against each other. In their weakened state, Lucifer struck all the Hells simultaneously and successfully conquered them, despite his forces being outnumbered five to one.

Lucifer then crowned himself "Supreme Master of the Seven Hells" and reigned for almost 700 million years. At the peak of his power, Lucifer became aware that Aeredein's existence was true and not mere a myth. However, he destroyed almost all remaining records of her and created himself "Father of all the Hells".

The fact that Lucifer had not only control over all the deceased souls of the mortals but also of the Primordials, made the oppressive deities unease. The Primordials thus brokered a deal with the Supreme Master, giving him influence that transcends even the plain of the Afterlife in return for reassuring the reincarnation of all Primordial souls. However, Lucifer--after eons--betrayed the Primordials, because he missed having "real challenges".

### Interregnum

Over millions of years, the Primordials attempted to depose Lucifer in countless different military campaigns but failed, until the Primordial High General Melodius conceived a daring plan; one million Primordials shall commit suicide. The plan's objective was to instantaneously transfer a massive army of Primordials into the Seven Hells. The Primordials of this army were selected carefully, so they would most likely not end up in Nether's End. With this plan, Melodius wanted to launch a swift assault on Lucifer and defeat him before he could respond properly. Melodius wanted to avoid Nether's End, because Lucifer had the power to immediately erase any soul in his Hell as its Lord. However, Lucifer's authority over the other Hells was indirect, as he had to instruct the local Lords Infernal to erase select souls on his behalf and could not do so himself.

Hence, Melodius' surprise attack was a success; he killed Lucifer, usurped the throne of Nether's End and ultimately erased the Devil's soul from existence. However, Melodius was unable to assert control over the remaining six Hells. Melodius was the only Primordial in cosmological history to reign as a Lord Infernal. Despite him being unable to claim supremacy over all the Hells, he was universally considered the first and most powerful of the seven Lords.

### The New Regime

In 4 MY ADZ, the Dark Prince (with his name then-unknown) suicided and naturally landed in Nether's End as the current Minister of the Infinite Dark. The Prince travelled to the Hell's Raging Flames and used his dark powers to transform every atom of the Flames, one by one, black. After almost 300.000 years he finally succeeded in subjugating the Flames and becoming Nether's End new Lord Infernal. Using his combined hellish and dark powers, the Prince erased Melodius and went off to successfully conquer the remaining six Hells, becoming the new Supreme Master of the Seven Hells. He shared his regnal authority with his love, the Lady Unassailable. They joinly instituted a new set of standards and rules for the Seven Hells, which were practically an extension of the Current Order; the Lords Infernal were no longer allowed to erase souls without the assent of the Supreme Masters, reincarnations were limited, the souls of Nether's End completely lost their chance of reincarnation and a "Torment Cap" for all souls was introduced.

## Devils

Devils are either deceased souls that have been reincarnated by their Lord Infernal or the offspring of existing Devils. Souls may be reincarnated, if their Lord sees considerable potential in them to cause pain, damage and destruction, but most importantly to kill beings that would most likely end up in their Hell, so the Lord can expand their sphere of influence. An Archdevil is a substantially more powerful variant of the common Devil; Archdevils are created exclusively through the procreation of powerful, existing devils and cannot be produced through reincarnation.

## Raging Flames

At the centre of each hell lies a Raging Flame, also known as an Inferno, that is said to be the material manifestation of the hell's heart. The flame is controlled by the Lord Infernal of that Hell. It is used by the lords to reincarnate deceased souls as devils.

## Cosmography

### Manuelian Hell

The Manuelian Hell is the hell associated with pain and torment. It is a nightmarish landscape characterised by an endless expanse of fiery desolation. The sky is perpetually shrouded in an eerie crimson haze, casting an ominous and foreboding ambiance throughout the hellish realm. The ground consists of jagged, blackened rocks and treacherous terrain, making any form of movement agonising for the damned souls who dwell here.

Archdevil Manuelus (also known as the "Harbinger of Pain"), Lord Infernal of the Manuelian Hell, is a towering, hellish figure, with eyes that burn with an insatiable hunger for power. He derives sadistic pleasure from tormenting the damned souls who reside there. Manuelus is the Lord Infernal that reincarnated the most souls as devils since the inception of the New Regime.

Manuelus is known to twist and contort the souls of this hell into grotesque forms, reflecting the malevolence of their past actions.

### Martinian Hell

The Martinian Hell is inhabited primarily by the souls of those who succumbed to greed, corruption, and avarice during their mortal lives. These souls are subjected to eternal torment, their insatiable desires driving them to commit increasingly depraved acts. They exist in a perpetual state of moral decay and spiritual degradation, ensnared within the clutches of their own unquenchable greed.

Archdevil Martinius (also known as the “Harbinger of Corruption”), Lord Infernal of the Martinian Hell, is a sinister and imposing figure, with a covetous glint in his eyes and a countenance that exudes corruption.

Orbiting the Martinian Inferno, the Malevolent Maelstrom, is a massive swirling vortex of dark, viscous material. This ominous whirlpool serves as the source of suffering, as souls entrapped within it are subjected to an unending cycle of greed-driven torment. The Malevolent Maelstrom continually consumes and regenerates the damned, amplifying their insatiable desires and perpetuating their anguish.

The Martinian Hell presents a bleak and desolate landscape. The sky overhead is perpetually shrouded in a sickly greenish-black haze, casting a malevolent and oppressive atmosphere throughout the realm. The ground is composed of treacherous, shifting sands and labyrinthine mazes of jagged rocks, symbolising the moral quagmire that is greed and corruption.

### Stefanson's Hell

Stefanson's Hell is primarily inhabited by souls who succumbed to despair and hopelessness during their mortal lives. These souls are condemned to exist in a perpetual state of desolation, with their own sense of hope extinguished. They are ensnared within an unending cycle of despair, forever unable to escape the torment.

Stefanson's Hell presents a bleak and desolate landscape perpetually shrouded in a haunting twilight. The terrain is marked by treacherous, shifting sands and desolate, barren landscapes, symbolizing the profound despair and hopelessness that pervade the realm.

It is ruled by Archdevil Stefanson (also known as “Harbinger of Despair”).

### Starstruck Hell

Starstruck Hell is primarily inhabited by souls who reveled in cruelty and sadism during their mortal lives. These souls are condemned to exist in a perpetual state of torment, subjected to the cruelest forms of suffering they once inflicted upon others. They are ensnared within an unending cycle of pain, forever unable to escape the anguish.

Starstruck Hell presents a nightmarish landscape, forever cloaked in a sinister twilight. The terrain comprises treacherous, shifting landscapes and jagged rocks, reflecting the harsh and unforgiving nature of cruelty and sadism.

It is ruled by Archdevil Starstruck, also known as “Starstruck the Sadist”.

### Novian Hell

Novian Hell is primarily inhabited by souls who thrived on lies and deception during their mortal lives. These souls now exist in a perpetual state of falsehood, their own deceitful acts haunting them and fueling their suffering. They are trapped within their own web of lies, unable to escape the cycle of deception.

The Archdevil Nova (also known as “Harbinger of Deceit”), Lord Infernal of the Novian Hell, is a cunning figure, with eyes that shimmer with the malevolent thrill of deception. She derives perverse satisfaction from manipulating and ensnaring the souls of the damned within her web of lies.

The Novian Hell presents an eerie and foreboding landscape characterised by a perpetually overcast sky, casting an unsettling atmosphere throughout the realm. The ground is a labyrinthine expanse of shadowy, shifting terrain, symbolising the deceptive nature of lies and manipulation.

### Jürgenson's Hell

Jürgenson's Hell is primarily inhabited by souls who committed acts of betrayal and disloyalty during their mortal lives. These souls are condemned to exist in a perpetual state of distrust and betrayal, with their own treacherous actions haunting them incessantly. They are ensnared within a never-ending cycle of betrayal, forever unable to escape the torment.

Jürgenson's Hell presents an eerie and foreboding landscape, forever shrouded in a twilight-like gloom. The terrain comprises treacherous, shifting sands and deceptive mirages, symbolizing the unstable and untrustworthy nature of betrayal and disloyalty.

It is ruled by Archdevil Jürgenson, also known as “Jürgenson the Betrayer”.

### Nether's End

Nether's End is the lowest of the Seven Hells and the one inhabited by the most vicious and evil of all dead souls as well as the greatest criminals in cosmological history. It is mostly pitch black, its weather is dominated by thunderous clouds, while its landscape is a depression of nearly infinite, mundane mountains.

The earliest known ruler of the hell was the Archdevil Korrodus, the immediate predecessor of Lucifer. During Lucifer's reign, Nether's End served as his stronghold. After his fall, the Primordial Melodius ruled the hell until he was in turn overthrown by the Dark Prince who turned Nether's End Raging Flames black by using his powers as Minister of the Infinite Dark. Although the Dark Prince, was in effect the ruler of Nether's End following Melodius' death he never claimed the title "Lord Infernal" but instead appointed the Archdevil Akaja to supersede Melodus.

The Dark Prince destroyed the "Keep of Melodius" and erected his own fort known as the "Citadel at Nether's End".

## Governance

### Supreme Masters

The Dark Prince and the Lady Unassailable are the Supreme Masters of the Seven Hells, they joinly reign over all deceased evil souls, devils and Lords Infernal. The two Supreme Masters superseded Lucifer himself who reigned many millions of years ago.

### Lords Infernal

The Lords Infernal are the absolute rulers of their hells. They alone have the power to reincarnate souls as devils or erase them from existence; although these are feats beyond the powers of the two Supreme Masters, they can command the Lords to reincarnate or erase souls on their behalf. Almost all Lords Infernal in history have been Archdevils.

The Council of the Infernal is the governing body of the Seven Hells, it administers the day-to-day affairs.

## Gallery

The "Citadel at Nether's End" of the Dark Prince.Former Castle of Nether's End, the "Keep of Melodius".One of the Gates to Nether's End.The Chamberlain of Nether's End.
## Trivia

The Cosmography section was primarily written with the help of GPT 3.5.