Gehenna

Gehenna is a plane of harsh judgment and ruthless balance. It exists on the fringe between law and evil, a realm where the rules are absolute but compassion is absent. Positioned between the lawful tyranny of the Nine Hells and the chaotic malice of the Abyss, Gehenna is a plane of enforced order driven by selfish ends. It is not a realm of wanton destruction, but neither is it a place where justice is tempered with mercy. Here, power is the only virtue that matters, and survival is proof of worth.   The terrain of Gehenna is bleak and unforgiving. The plane is composed of massive volcanic mountains that rise endlessly into the dark. There is no true level ground. Everything is a slope, a crumbling cliff, or an unstable ledge. Gravity pulls toward the steep sides of each volcanic cone rather than straight down, which makes travel exhausting and dangerous. Rivers of lava cut through the darkness, shedding a dull red glow that reveals jagged stone, deep crevasses, and windswept ash fields. No light shines naturally in Gehenna beyond the glow of molten rock and the occasional burst of volcanic fire.   There are four layers to the plane, each one colder and darker than the one above it. Each layer has its own regions and hazards, but all share the same vertical terrain and sense of desolation. The deeper one goes, the fewer the signs of life, yet the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes. Even silence is weighty in Gehenna, pressing against the mind like a vice. Few stay long by choice, and fewer still return unchanged.   Gehenna is inhabited by creatures that understand and exploit its nature. Many are fiends of a calculating sort, bound by contract or ambition. Yugoloths are especially common, often using Gehenna as a base for their mercenary operations throughout the multiverse. Unlike the devils of Baator, these beings have no loyalty to hierarchy. Unlike the demons of the Abyss, they have no interest in chaos for its own sake. Their code is transactional. Power is for sale, and everything has a price.   Temples, fortresses, and vaults exist on Gehenna’s slopes, clinging to the edges of the volcanic mountains. These structures are rarely large or ostentatious, as practicality is the law of the plane. The strong build only what they can hold, and the weak are quickly displaced. There is no central authority or native rule. Each stronghold is sovereign until it is conquered or abandoned. Despite this, many planar travelers come to Gehenna seeking pacts, knowledge, or secure locations to hide that which must not be found.   Gehenna’s connection to the broader cosmology lies in its role as a proving ground. It is not the home of eternal punishment, nor is it a paradise for any soul. It is a crucible. Those who endure it are changed. Those who master it are feared. It is not evil by nature, but it is utterly indifferent to the needs of the weak. Those who seek order without compassion or ambition without limits often find themselves drawn to Gehenna, whether they intend to or not.