Layer Guardian

Layer Guardians, also known as Judges of the Damned, are figures who protect the borders between the Layers of Hell. Originally, these were all Hell-born Devils, and while some still are, the positions started to be used as punishment for particularly heinous souls who had been damned to Hell. The role of these guardians is not to prevent travel between layers, but instead to prevent unwanted travel, judging the souls who wish to pass through (and the living Devils or, Gods forbid, surface dwellers who would dare to go from one layer to another).   This position is considered to be new in Hell, as there are still a considerable amount of Devils around who were there before there existed any Layer Guardians, and some of the originals are still around as well.  

The Official Guardians

Each layer has its official guardian, who is the main judge at the border between layers. They are responsible for judging those who visit them and deciding whether to let them pass, and though they have different methods, they all share the same job. For the Devils, this is just a job, while for the souls, it includes forms of torture and punishment for their lives before Hell.   There are also minor guardians protecting other areas of interest of Satanael and the Presidents. These are often former official guardians who were demoted or other souls of interest who are not considered as worthy of the position as the Layer Guardian themselves.  

Guardian of the Surface-Firland Border

 

Hell Customs

The organization of Hell Customs, which monitors travel between the surface and Hell, are in charge of the border between Firland, the first layer, and Totania. Rather than a singular guardian, Hell Customs employs residents of Firland and Manhottan to guard the entrance of Hell and vet anyone who wants to enter and leave.   They are not necessarily a terrifying force like other Layer Guardians, as they are mostly just a group that sorts through official documentation, looks over identification, signs paperwork, and forces people to wait in long lines under hot lights. Due to this, they have the tagline:

Waiting is Torture!

And are considered one of the most effective torturers in all of the layers. One must not underestimate them, for they are still powerful and ruthless when not wrapped up in the bureaucracy that gives them so much authority.   They judge souls via their documentation, as any soul damned to Hell is given identification that features all sins committed, all virtues attributed to them, and anything else relevant for Hell Customs officers to know. A stamp from these officers is then what can show the next Layer Guardian what to do with a soul, and travelers who don't have that documentation (outsiders from the surface) are dealt with by Hell Customs agents.  

Guardian of the Firland-Manhottan Border

 

Ephialtes

The original guardian of the first true border in Hell, Ephialtes is among the most famous Devils of legend, for all travelers who enter Hell, as well as all souls who are sent to Hell, meet the Devil of Nightmares.   He is in charge of travel for all souls and travelers in Firland, for he can transport people anywhere he desires as long as he can touch them. While they are being transported, the individual he touches is flooded with nightmares often involving past memories, and Ephialtes himself is given access to every memory they have.   Ephialtes can be discovered in legends from all of history dealing with katabasis and the forces of Satanael, though his loyalty is questionable. Is he loyal to Satanael, or is his allegiance more aligned with the Presidents of Firland or Manhottan, Mortala and Zagan? Few ever get the chance to ask even that, as he wastes little time before sending those who meet him to their fate elsewhere in Hell.  

Guardian of the Manhottan-Lava Marsh Border

 

King Dulthran

The former Dwarven King of Koningwald, Dulthran was the leader of the Dwarven forces in the Kwarvian War. He was infamous not only for his inhumane tactics during the war, but also for betraying his family before the war and killing his own daughter in order to set sail. Betraying the core domain of his God, Hadur, resulted in Dulthran becoming a pariah in every Heavenly Realm, and the Gods alligned with Hadur pressured Satanael to inflict a terrible punishment on him.   Satanael exploited this, punishing Dulthran by chaining him under a body of water, guarding the way to and from the Lava Marsh via Manhottan. Left in a state of constant drowning, Dulthran can only judge someone if they attack him, leading to increased pain for the King. If one does not attack him, there is no way through, and only when the attack is registered by Dulthran, and he recognizes the attacker as someone worthy to pass, does the border open and allow people through.  

Satrin Myathuluc

Originally the replacement for Knell, Satrin was one of the weakest mages in history, his lack of magical skill leading to the decline of Waire. He was a traitor during the Draco-Elvish War, and paid for his allegiance to Tobor Tuldad, dying mysteriously in his own village.   Satrin has since gained immense power in Hell, trying to make up for his failure, and has become the guardian of President Zagan's home, the Fractured City Tower. His punishment is being forced to remain by the side of Tobor Tuldad, the very man responsible for his cursed fate. The two are tied together by fate, and if something happens to one, the other is dragged along.  

Knell

The former guardian of Manhottan, Knell was said to control bugs, with many believing him to actually be a native resident of the Lava Marsh. He has since given up his position, running a library in Manhottan and guarding the knowledge within.  

Guardian of the Lava Marsh-Hel Border

 

Bud the Hollow

One of the most feared Orcish warriors in history, Bud the Hollow was Chief of All Clans for the Orcish Grand Clan that carried out the Beastman Genocide, and is responsible for the eradication of the Glirens from Totania. One of the worst people to ever live, Bud the Hollow was actually fought over by different Layer Presidents, with almost every one of them wanting him as their Layer Guardian.   Ultimately, Satanael left the decision up to Bud the Hollow himself. Bud immediately denied offers for Firland, Manhottan, and Crookston, as the environment of cities and interiors was something he had no desire to force himself into. He then discarded Piscarius, as he couldn't swim and feared the water, and Artic was too cold for him. It was between Laveyorn, Hel, and the Lava Marsh, and while he did like the idea of hunting Glirens in Laveyorn (where many in Hell were sent), Satanael did have to intervene, as this was meant to be a punishment in some way.   Bud the Hollow's punishment is that he remains infected with the disease that killed him, which was given to him by the fourth Grand Wizard, Wiscys Nicandir. This disease, carried by rats that follow him around, brings him constant pain, which increases every time he moves, and only resets down to a lower threshold when he dies. His soul, then, is unable to die, as any time he is killed it simply returns him to a neutral, painful state. He has, however, gained control of the rats with his Area Devil Ability and can spread the plague with it, though it is only temporary when transmitted from him.   He judges people with a duel. If they can defeat him in combat, they are allowed to pass through; otherwise, they are trapped in the Lava Marsh.  

Elnahil Shirno

For a few hundred years, after his death in -737 and before Bud the Hollow died in -420, Bud's position was held by Elnahil Shirno, an Elven mage responsible for a different disease: the Waire Plague. Shirno actually was originally sent to the Realm of the Moon when he died, but Satanael stole him from Selene (who he has a rather active feud with), claiming that Shirno was not a faithful follower of hers and therefore did not belong among the rest in Heaven.   Shirno detested his position, and it is said his torment was mostly that he had to suffer the indignity of living in the dirty swamps and conversing with people he may consider to be below him (as he had been close to the royal Nerifir family of Camor in life, and considered many things to be owed to him, causing him to start the Draco-Elvish War).   Shirno's Area Devil Ability has remained something of a mystery, though his judgement is believed to be a purely visual one. He decides whether someone can pass when he first sees them, and if he denies them, they must find a way to prove themselves to him.   This was not satisfactory for Satanael, and since Bud the Hollow was a bigger name, Shirno was replaced. Since Bud's appointment, Shirno has guarded another region of the Lava Marshes, though no one is exactly certain where.  

Poetry

The guardian of the floating castle in the Lava Marsh where the President resides, Poetry is said to be a somewhat eclectic and eccentric individual who just likes to have people listen to his work. He happily accepted the easier, cushier job in the castle when Shirno and Bud were appointed, as it's less intense and he is able to write poetry from the comfort of the castle.   His ability is somehow related to his poetry, at least that's the assumption, and he lets people pass depending on how they react to his work. It isn't necessarily if they like it, but rather if they can honestly critique it and respond truthfully, he is said to allow them to pass. He is likely the most humane of all Layer Guardians.  

Guardian of the Hel-Piscarius Border

 

Kimaris

The same could not be said for Kimaris, the Centaur who guards the border of Hel and Piscarius. There are not many records of what Kimaris did, as he was likely from a period between when Ancient Ishada and the Helft Empire controlled the plains of northwestern Elone.   Whatever the case, Kimaris is defined by his strict adherence to laws (which is strange for a man who likely lived in a nomadic, wild society of early Centaurs, leading some to believe that there may have been a Centaur civilization in the lands around modern-day Nerodil and Otshaw before the land was conquered again by Goblins and, later, Geltic Humans).   Kimaris fiercely respects Hell's laws and does what he can to uphold them with his immense strength and powerful ability. With it, he is able to see the darkness in one's soul and any crimes they have ever committed. With that, if he can provide a good enough argument for someone belonging in Hell, they cannot move in his presence.   He allows few to pass through Hel to Piscarius (virtuous souls who he thinks should be allowed out), also guarding a prison at the center of the layer where those who break the laws of Hell are sent, primarily outsiders from the surface who he then protects from President Mortala.  

Furies

Multiple furies are said to have once been the Layer Guardian of Hel, though their names are unknown, and if any are still around is heavily debated. Only Kimaris is known for certain.  

Guardian of the Piscarius-Taltal Border

 

Lerten D Wimbo

The Pirate Prince, Lerten D Wimbo, was a free-spirited Korvian who took to the sea and gathered a great treasure by looting settlements on every coast. He is difficult to catch in Piscarius, as he sails the River Styx freely and may not even be in Hell most of the time, instead traveling the different Heavenly Realms.   He is ultimately not a very good Layer Guardian, but few others can hope to steer themselves for eternity in Piscarius, and so Satanael keeps him around. His abilities and criteria for judgement are completely unknown.  

Guardian of the Taltal-Artic Border

 

Tesla Stronglung

A Minotaur member of the United Holy Front, Stronglung was originally an enemy leading a coalition of the Nameless God's followers. He was converted to Amukk's side, but betrayed him and fought the Holy Front in Heaven. He was killed, but his soul returned to the same Heaven, as Amukk inherited the Nameless God's throne.   Of course, the United Holy Front didn't take kindly to the soul of a traitor remaining with them, but Amukk refused to kill him twice and wipe out the existence of a man who was just trying to help his own God. And so, in a gesture of good faith to reach out to Satanael and get on his good side, Amukk gave him Tesla Stronglung.   Tesla is said to lead a contingent of Giants living in the Taltal mountains, who were cast down from Heaven as well, and some believe he's plotting one day to retake Heaven or rebel against the Gods who betrayed the Nameless God. If that's true or not, it doesn't matter, because he's currently trapped as the Layer Guardian, his legs crushed every day by a new boulder that rolls down the mountain onto him. He judges people with his smoke, which can read the soul, and lets very few pass into the Artic layer.  

Guardian of the Artic-Laveyorn Border

 

Remnant of History

A Felid leader and Time Mage who usurped power in the Grand Crowning, Remnant of History was one of the greatest monsters of the early Age of Justice, drifting around and latching onto whatever movement he viewed as beneficial to creating his "perfect timeline." He was killed in a battle with Shatt Gunn, betrayed by time itself.   Since his death, Remnant has remained the Layer Guardian of Artic, testing his abilities to control and manipulate time while working alongside the President of the Artic in a plan to, most likely, betray Satanael. He is unforgiving to most who try to pass, but if he sees a chance that they might pose a threat to the God of Devils (or they can break through his time manipulation), he allows them through.  

Guardian of the Laveyorn-Crookston Border

 

The Beast of Funk

The Beast of Funk is said to be a terrifying creature, once a Devil who was stranded in a part of the Laveyorn maze with no chance of survival. It founded a town there, after cannibalizing everyone around it to stay alive, and still resides there to this day, demanding more sacrifices and feasts of flesh. This became a hub of cannibalism, feared in every realm, with the name "Funk" (perhaps once the Beast's true name) synonymous with terror, fear, and brutal violence.   It has, in the years since it built its home, the thousands (perhaps millions) of Devils it has eaten have turned it from a normal Devil into an amalgamation of all its victims. It is a massive, inhuman, unfeeling monster that only hungers for more flesh, roaming the maze and eating any whose path it crosses. Its form is constantly changing, pulsing and squealing, almost begging to die, though it may not be able to die anymore. It may not even be alive at all.   Not formally a Layer Guardian, the Beast is considered one because it has eaten anyone else who held the position in Laveyorn, and is the true arbiter of survival in the layer. The way to pass its judgement is to avoid ever meeting the Beast. If one finds themselves in the Funky town, there is no hope of survival or escape.  

Guardian of the Crookston-Surface Border

 

Sigge

An Oni who was raised by Giant royalty, Sigge betrayed his foster family in an attempt to liberate the Oni people, killing his brother and attempting a coup to lead the Giant Kingdom and improve the rights of his people. He was killed because the Oni of the Kingdom were convinced by Sigge's brother that the Oni usurper was seeking to harm them, defeated by the very people he tried to save.   His ability is likely tied to his third eye and other innate Oni traits, as he is considered by some to be the quintessential Oni (since most views of Oni are quite negative). He longs to see the other Oni in Hell, but is forbidden, instead left as the guardian of Satanael's tower in Crookston, Hell's Horn. He sits at the front desk, acting almost like a secretary for the God of Hell.  

Cousin Larry

The former Layer Guardian of Crookston, and the founder of the Cousin Dynasty that has ruled the economy of Hell, Larry was considered the strongest Layer Guardian before he was replaced by Sigge. While this gave him more time to expand his family's economic empire, he was then killed by his son Profit, and can no longer be found guarding anything, let alone the tower of Satanael.   There are other guardians within the layers, protecting important places for Satanael and the Presidents. It is said that Elnahil Shirno patrols the forests of the Lava Marsh to prevent unwanted guests. Poetry, the original guardian of the Lava Marsh, still protects the castle.