The Seven Bands of Disgaea

Overview:

  Disgaea (AKA Hell, AKA The Underworld) is the Afterlife with which Souls who have committed unforgivable sins dictated, or made deals with Devils go to. The structure of Disgaea is both a political and physical power struggle, with several groups and sub-groups to keep everything running properly, as if one big organization.   The entirety of Disgaea is located within a tower known as Tartarus; an eight-floored structure that stands in the middle of the land of Demons that is under constant assault. Each floor represents one of the seven deadly sins respectively, with the last, and highest floor being the plane for the ruler - The Tyrant of Disgaea.   Each layer within Tartarus spans the length of infinity, with only those in charge of their respective floors, or higher rank being able to moves souls from one floor to another, as well as promoting souls to higher ranks. These layers are nigh impossible to escape from by any sort of conventional means, and even magic would find itself useless in most cases.   Regardless, this does not mean the entirety of Disgaea is inhospitable. In fact, each floor has several cities with which Devils, and creatures of the dark do dealings, as well as even getting the occasionally planar travelers. As well, each layer has it's own Capital, with which the Warden of each floor resides.   Social:   The Social structure of Disgaea is based upon class, with the Folk being considered to have standard rights akin to what a Humanoid would have in the Material Plane. Owning land, servants, and interacting with those who have been to the Material Plane, or in certain cases, go there themselves.   There are also numerous cities sprinkled around each layer, with some even having portals to other planes. These cities are popular hubs for servant trades, or other exchanges/dealings.   Political:   The Political structure in Disgaea is a game of chess, as well as wrestling. There are several ranks, and sub ranks for numerous Devils within Disgaea, however, the most common structure seen goes as follows:

Rank	Description
Servant	Souls which have just died, and are attempting to work off their freedom (in minor cases), or be promoted (in major cases.) Almost no Devils are this rank, unless punished.
Trainers	Devils/Souls which look over, and train Servants. Commonly were Servants, but were promoted after several hundred years or so. It is considered to be a disgraceful job.
Folk	Devils/Souls (Rare) that are of a somewhat unimpressive, but inoffensive rank. These are creatures which can normally move about within the restrictions of their layer. The closest thing to a 'civilian' within Disgaea.
Aristic	The Devils which work as tricksters, deal brokers, or other people which have a higher position, and often have Folk working under them. They answer to the Wardens of the layer.
Warden	The second highest rank. There can only be a single Warden per floor, and are conventionally considered the most powerful in terms of brains and brawns when interacting with anyone below their rank. A Warden is assigned by overthrowing the old one through espionage, or brute strength; but most commonly, a combination of both.
TYRANT	The Ultimate Ruler of Disgaea, and the one whom can influence the entirety of the Plane. Often unseen, the Tyrant of Disgaea is what the Wardens answer to.

Economic: The biggest economic product in Disgaea is a smooth, warm red token known as Sin. Sin forms from many different sources, or reasons. Some even think it has a mind of its own, but the most common way is having someone on the Material Plane commit a sin.   The amount of sin formed this way varies, and typically, sin cannot be seen by anyone Native to the Material Plane. However, coercing someone, tricking them, or any other way of convincing someone to do awful acts of their own volition turns a much more profitable outcome with Sin. Though, Sin is a finnicky thing, and may not form for justifiable acts of sin. A murder to protect a loved one, for example. Each is a case-by-case basis.   Souls are another form of currency, which can be turned into Sin directly when sold to be a Servant to a Warden. Sin can even be used to reduce time on ones sentence.   The exchange rate: With the currency of Heaven, the Celestia exchange rate is horrible. With 100 Sin = 1 Celestia. With Algorath's gold, 10 Sin = 1 GP.     Religious:   You're joking, right? Commonly, those in Disgae worship either the Tyrant, or the Warden of the layer to get in their good graces.   Military: With the armies of Demons constantly attempting to assault Tartarus, it only makes sense to utilize the thousands of souls gathered to train servants to be fighters. Specifically distributed for manpower in the 3rd circle (Wrath), these individuals are promised to regenerate and fight again, with each kill they earn removing 1 minute from their sentence.

Layers:

There are nine layers which make up Disgaea; one for each of the Seven Deadly Sins, with the least severe being at the bottom, and the most being at the top.  

0. Soul Training (The Sticks)

  The only layer where being a Warden here is considered a mark of pure and utter shame. The Warden here is in charge of promoting Trainers, and training Souls into Servants before being reallocated to their proper layer. Often, the job is one that comes with disgust and mockery.   Realm: Cobblestone Castle stays above an infinite sea of magma as the only sources of land, with the sky being a deep reddish brown, absorbing light like a void. All around appears to be empty, save for the aforementioned structure. Even if one were to escape the confines of it, they would find themselves merely looping back around to it. There is no escape, and even jumping into the magma will simply add time to your punishment, as the warden waits for your regeneration.  

1. Lust (Listia)

  The first layer of Disgaea is lust, which is comprised of souls who have succumbed to worldly temptations of the flesh. The biomes of lust are most commonly comprised of a pink mist which burns the individual's flesh, and lungs on contact. As well, many will find themselves here suffering from an illusion of living their old lives in tragedy. Falling so deeply in love with their old spouses, only to have them cheat in front of them, and the like. Others will find their bodies succumbing to age, withering away slowly before being reformed again, just to repeat the process.   Realm: A series of blackened, charred, floating islands which decorate the purple sky. Each island is held in place by large obsidian chains, which are locked in place hundreds of feet below. The base of Listia is comprised of a sea of fog which reflects the purple light of the six moons, giving it a sultry, pink coloration. Impossible to be seen within the burning mist, one may find themselves living a thousand lifetimes in mere moments if they find themselves within. Occasionally, large hunks of flesh will rain from the sky, only to be discovered to be unborn children from the sexual unity of Demon and Humanoid.   Tops of mountains peer out from the mist, seeming to give areas of reprise, only to find that these spires are created from sharpened rock, which slices the flesh better than any blade could. The air smells of sweetened fruits, made to increase the libido of all within whom approach from outer realms; making subjugation much simpler through deals of relief.   Cities within Listia focus on creating, and training succubi, and incubi. On top of that, they are known to have extensive brothels and love inns to meet anyone's standard, for exuberant prices, or heavily biased deals in the favor of the Devils.  

2. Greed (Gresul)

  The second layer, Gresul, is primarily filled with burning coins along the ground. Melted gold which melds the individual to it, becoming one with the heated metal for eternity. As well, anyone put here is stalked by a construct formed of all the gold they unfairly gained in their past lives. The more money that had been obsessed over, the larger the construct will be, and the more determined it will find itself becoming to mangle its previous owner. Additionally, the metals here are worth a staggering amount, but are said to be cursed to bring bad luck to anyone who takes them out of the layer.   Realm: Shimmering gold is blindingly bright as the light of six suns reflects against them; creating a wave of heat along the ground in the hundreds of degrees. The scent of iron wafts through the air at nauseum, but whether it is due to the money, or the blood, is impossible to say. Faces of all kinds are melted into the nature of the area, which scream in constant agony, begging to be released.   Forests of diamond shimmer like glass in swaths; glimmering with trunks of precious metals just waiting to be plucked. Fallen castles litter the land, with melted hoards spilling forth to create moats of pure money. Oceans of blue gems have congealed together in a paste-like substance, which occasionally crashes as a tsunami; sucking those away in a torturous rending of bone and flesh from the heat, and thickness of the substance.   Cities here are the most popular for trade in material goods from other planes. Harvester Devils commonly work here as tellers, traders, brokers, and other salesmen for goods and services. For this reason, numerous Aristics choose to reside here.  

3. Wrath (Ramagia)

  The third layer is Ramagia, where Zariel accumulates hateful, murderous souls in order to create more fodder soldiers for the Blood War, and is comprised of red obsidian floors, with large magma flows raining down from on high. Once destroyed, the souls will find themselves slowly regenerating back, before being sent out once more on the front lines. As well, many will find themselves suffering for what feels like years as they culminate back together to be placed back in gear. Those who resist, are tortured hastily until they give into her demands.   Realm: Obsidian towers, thousands of feet high overlook the land with a careful eye, as millions of Devils, and their servants prepare themselves to be escorted through one of the many Blood Portals, which leads to the outskirts of Tartarus. The sky itself is cloaked in clouds, which barely let in any light from the ruby sky above. Groans and moans can be heard from those refusing to fight being used as live practice targets for the smarter individuals.   Within the grounds are piles of corpses placed into large, crimson bowls, where they are painfully regenerating on top of one another. As well, war machines of all kinds can be seen being pushed towards the aforementioned Blood Portals.   Cities here are scarce, instead being replaced with large towers which oversee the armies in preparation to be sent out, as well as the reincarnation outposts.  

4. Gluttony (Gusteran)

  The fourth layer is Gusteran, where souls that over indulge in almost everything which lust and greed do not. The layer is an infinite series of varying sized rooms, which constantly smell fantastical. Some stretch for miles at a time, while others are only a few feet. However, only the native Devils know how to navigate the floor well enough. Gluttons here will find themselves being devoured by Devils alive, as well as being forced to watch delicious meals slowly rot away from them as they stay in unending hunger.   Realm: Ruby red tiles of a strikingly intricate make marks the floor of several rooms, while others bask in carpets, or even wood. The quality, and quantity of the variations of each area is nigh infinite. Though, one constant, is the wondrous smell of meat, baked goods, and other delicacies that wafts through the air. Some rooms are so large, that the ceiling is impossible to see, while others are so small, only a mouse may go through.   The maze-like layer has many traps awaiting the unsuspecting, with the oppressive sense of never being 'outside' being a notable wear on the determination of many individuals whom wander in here with no guide.   Cities here are rumored to have the absolute finest tasting food in all of Disgaea, and tempt even those with the most pious of pallets.  

5. Envy (Neverious)

  The fifth layer is Neverious, where souls that hold intense envy of what others possess reside. Those residing here are cursed with seeing everyone else as having more than them, as well as being above them. Everyone here is given an inferiority complex, and the desire to become like the other person, incentivizing stealing, murder, and more. However, anything they do to another person, they do to themselves - destroying their own selves in the process, and repeating the cycle.   Realm:   There are few cities here, save for extremely wealthy Artistics which take advantage of the fighting souls for entertainment.  

6. Sloth (Sleedus)

  The sixth layer is Sleedus. An area of constant tiredness, but with no way to sleep, as whenever a soul attempts to, they will find a stinging migraine waking them from their slumber. As well, the area is a beautiful night time landscape, with plush, soft lands of greens. The perfect place to sleep, if only one could.   Neverious is recommended for those looking to stay within Disgaea to venture towards, as they have the best inns, and is the relatively safest floor in the entirety of Disgaea. That being said, the prices reflect this knowledge.  

7. Pride (Perdiam)

  The Seventh, and final level that souls can go to is pride. Pride is filled with shattered glass fragments all around, which reflect the individual's worst traits back to them. Once noticed, the shards will embed themselves into the individual, until they are slowly leeched of their spirit energy, and are forced to regenerate, piece by painful piece.   The Cities here are where many Aristics reside, indulging themselves with their numerous servants, and tormenting them to their own glee.    

8. Tyrant's Domain

  Very little is known about the domain of the Tyrant of Disgaea. Rumors say that the Tyrant has not left their Domain for tens of thousands of years, but the ever watchful eye can be felt throughout all of Disgaea.