The Nine Hells

As the name implies, the Nine Hells is split into 9 layered levels, each one varying greatly in appearance and function, shaped by the malevolent whims of its rulers. Avernus, the first circle, is a desolate, rocky terrain. It is sparse, with only twisted vegetation and rivers of magma slicing through the rocky outcrops. As the top layer of Hell and the place where any astral travellers first arrive, it is also the site of the majority of battles waged on the planes, which is presumably the reason behind the charred landscape. Its only notable landmark is the Bronze Citadel, a large city from which Avernus' ruler (Zariel) rules from, dispatching some of the hundreds of thousands of devil troops housed there. Zariel's rule has been a turbulent one, being betrayed and subsequently overthrown by the pit fiend Bel. However, with the help of Asmodeus himself, Zariel managed to retain her position on the throne and has ruled fairly successfully ever since.     Dis, the second circle, is named after its ruler, Dispater. Dis is a flat plane containing mainly stagnant, black rivers and a lightning-streaked green sky. At the centre of the circle is the Iron City, where the foul rivers culminate in a wide moat. The iron of the city is red-hot to the touch, and has been said to emanate a filthy black smoke. The only road to the city is one paved with skulls. Unlike some of the lower planes, Dis is filled with all manners of devils and abominations that fill its twisted streets. Dispater, the ruler of the layer, is known for his stoic, emotionless ways- even when committing atrocities. His paranoia is known throughout the Hells, and he spends the majority of his time tucked away in his Iron Tower, using his extensive spy network to root out any potential traitors.     The third circle is known as Minauros. Those unfortunate enough to visit this layer tell tales of an endless, vile bog drenched in rain and covered by decaying corpses and rotting marsh. Mammon, the Lord of the Third, is known as a greedy betrayer, with a fondness for luring mortals in with promises of riches. These riches, however, come at a cost; those enslaved by him work endlessly to keep his city from being devoured by the bog it is built upon. He was cursed by Asmodeus after an attempted betrayal and assassination of his consort Glasya, Asmodeus' daughter.     Phlegethos is the fourth circle of Hell. It is a burning hellscape, filled with burning fissures and jets of flames that lash out at non-residents of the plane. The air is hot and thick with a dense, choking smoke. Phlegethos is home to the judicial system of the Nine Hells, dealing judgement to rogue devils on the behalf of Asmodeus. It was ruled by Belial successfully for thousands of years, leading Asmodeus to give Belial the opportunity to lead the devils in the Great War and claim as many souls as possible. However, his defeat by mere mortals led to Belial falling out of favour, and he was forced to step down and hand control over to his daughter, Fierna. Fierna spends the majority of the time drinking and partaking in sexual deviance so allowed her father to maintain control, ruling in name only.     The fifth circle, Stygia, is, by all accounts, the geographical opposite Phlegethos, existing as a vast, frozen ocean cleaved only by the river Styx. The sky is in a state of permanent twilight, and small settlements exist on the great ice floes. It is ruled over by Levistus, however he does so telepathically from within an icy tomb, in which he was imprisoned after he murdered Asmodeus’ consort Bensozia. Stories often depict him as incredibly humanoid, his fiendish nature betrayed only by his soulless, void-like eyes.     Malbolge, the sixth circle, is by far the most disgusting to mortals. Its previous ruler, the Hag Countess, was punished by Asmodeus after inciting other devils to rebellion. He caused her body to swell and expand until it ruptured, spreading a layer of her rotting flesh across the plane. From the decaying meat sprung poisonous pools and noxious clouds of stinking vapour. The Hag Countess was then supplanted by Glasya, the daughter of Asmodeus, who created her palace inside the Hag Countess’ enlarged skull.     The seventh circle, Maladomini, is an endless labyrinth of abandoned citadels, quarries, fortresses and homes built atop an equally complex underground dungeon. Baalzebub, its ruler, exists in an endless strive for perfection, which leads to him ordering souls to continually construct and abandon more and more structures to add to his realm. Malagard, the largest constructed settlement, is rumoured to have more than a million rooms.     Cania the eighth circle, makes Stygia seems practically warm. Constant snow and hail rains down upon solid mountains of ice, and unusually fast-moving glaciers pose a threat to any unprotected creatures on the layer. Amongst the ice are scattered libraries and laboratories, though the biggest structure is the iron fortress of Mephistopheles, who conducts research and experiments into the arcane from its luxurious heated interior.     Nessus, the ninth and final circle, is owned by Asmodeus himself. It is the culmination of each of the upper layers, with regions as cold as Cania and Phlegethos, as pungent as Malbolge and as fiery as Phlegethos. In its centre is the fortress in which Asmodeus resides and rules, stretching from warrens deep beneath the ground to soaring spires that scrape the bottom of the eighth circle.