The Infernal Order
A pantheon of gods that preside over evil and chaos, fighting to gain power and using mortals to do so. The Infernal Order is illegal to worship throughout most of Sol, though some cults, communities, and even whole cultures are an exception to this. In the calamitous war that nearly ripped the fabric of reality apart, the infernals attempted to destroy creation and supplant the divines as masters of reality, being repelled by the celestials and their champions.
The infernals expect many of the same things as their celestial counterparts such as worship and devotion, though mostly without virtue and with a harsh emphasis on sacrifice and submission. They offer mortals a taste of power for their service and often deliver, albeit usually in a way that betrays the implied terms of their bargains. Mortals show their devotion to the infernals by building altars, shrines, and hidden temples to the deities where their worship is illegal and functioning temples where legal.
Valraath, the god of destruction, slaughter, and malice
Heronis, the god of pleasure, debauchery, and hedonism
Celexei, the god of black magic, summoning, and necromancy
Demithios, the god of insanity, madness, and terror
Chrynios, the god of messages and trickery
Shaegunda, the god of forbidden knowledge, fate, and dreams
Kabara, the father of vampirism
Savaris, the mother of lycanthropy
Misanthei, the goddess of despair and misfortune
Mephia, the goddess of hidden truth
Nyx, the goddess of secret murder
Anathexia, the goddess of plague, pestilence, and deviancy
Strife, the goddess of plots, conspiracy, and ambition
Daphyxo, the goddess of deception, thieves, and reversal of fortune
Worship
Particular forms of worship differ greatly between gods. However, while some gods of the Infernal Order may ask for prayer, penance, and supplication as other gods tend to, others from among their ranks may require more taxing forms of devotion to prove oneself. Average believers may not engage in worship every day or even that often. They may wear an amulet, even in secret, to represent their faith or speak a silent prayer when needed. But overall, Infernal worships, safe for Night Elves, tend to keep their worship rather quiet, not wanting to invoke the attention of their gods without good reason. Though this also depends on the particular god and their attitude towards worship. Some, such as Mephia seem utterly indifferent to worship, while others, such as Nyx and Strife may treat it as a sort of annoyance. For many Infernals, obedience is far more reliable than love.
Self Flagellation
Infernals, almost without exception, have a cruel streak and a tendency for punishment rather than forgiveness. Even those such as Nyx, who may view devotees like their children, often discipline through pain and fear. Mercy is often earned through pain as punishment for mistakes. Many cultures that worship some or all Infernals forgo this practice as barbaric, though some continue it to this day and will scourge their bodies and draw blood to appease, entertain, or earn the forgiveness of their gods. In these cultures, scars are often borne proudly, as they represent piety. Only the more violent Infernals such as Valraath and Kabara tend to ask this of believers.Mortal Sacrifice
Infernals require plenty in order to feel appeased or amused. For some, the sacrifice of their enemies is enough. Others may require more bountiful sacrifices done in a proper ritual ceremony, perhaps even including believers among the slain. For a devotee to die in this way may be a great honor, spilling blood for the Infernals, though it can also be a form of unlimited dishonor, from their perspective, to sully a paladin or cleric of The Celestial Order with a sacrifice to an Infernal. Some of the more spiteful cults of the Infernal Order seek out such holy people of other faiths to sacrifice and appease their gods.Sects
Dark Elves
The Dark Elves have traditionally worshipped the Infernals, especially Celexei, Demithios, Anathexia, and Strife. Tradition dictates that these gods challenge the Dark Elves. Celexei and Demithios challenge the mind and intellect, while Anathexia and Strife test the constitution and might. Their worship has never been one of devotion or adoration, but tradition and resentment. While some fanatical cults around the continent devote their hearts to the gods of flame, the Dark Elves see them as a challenge to overcome. Their worship is transactional in nature. The Dark Elves sacrifice, supplicate, and may adopt a tenet or two; in return, they expect to gain boons, rewards, or at least respite from the crueler aspects of the Infernal in question. If no reward comes or if the god has been weakened, it is fully normal in Dark Elven culture to abandon the Infernal in exchange for another. Historically, there has often been tension in the Empire of Daeruin over the authority of the Emperor of Daeruin and the clergy of the Red Temple.
Night Elves
Comparatively, the Night Elves look upon the Infernals with adoration, love, and utter devotion. Their faith is one of submission and exceptionalism. They believe they are not mere followers but children of the Infernals, special believers marked as the ones to inherit the greatest of their gods' gifts. Night Elven devotion tends to be more zealous than that of other believers. They may gleefully welcome disease to honor Anathexia or speak the cursed name of Valraath when plunging a blade into another. Rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the gods are elaborate and may last days or even weeks, involving flagellation and offerings of mortal sacrifices, sometimes prisoners and slaves, but also Night Elven believers who wish to join the gods, earning them renown.