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Lore Suggestions - Perdition - 06-17-2020
Well, I asked about this on the discord some while back, but I had ideas on how to expand upon parts of the lore. In this case, it would be the lore around hell and demons in particular. This isn't meant to serve as a means to add any of this to the game in the form of actual mechanics, but if it looks good I was hoping it could become 'canon'
Without further adieu...
HELL
Hell is a harsh and unforgiving realm where demonkind are born and contained. In current days, demons are naught more than a myth--at best they are a product of a long forgotten time. These spawn of the abyss are very real, however, and even in the mortal realm traces of their existence can be found in scarce amounts, though realistically, no one would be able to identify those traces even if they came across them given the absence of demonkind from the realm of man for so long.
Hell itself is fractured in the form of seven different circles, each one of them ruled by a demon of notable power known as an archdemon and named after the sin this archdemon embodies. These circles are also ordered, starting at Hell's peak and descending to its utmost depths...
CIRCLE I: SLOTH
The first circle of hell is known as the Circle of Sloth, and it is ruled by a demon known as Abaddon. The Circle of Sloth is the most loosely ruled and thus chaotic of the circles of hell given its archdemon is, unsurprisingly, too busy lazing about or outright slumbering to interfere with what goes on in his own land. None within dare strike at Abaddon, though. Despite his lackadaisical nature his power is that befitting of an archdemon. Those demons ambitious enough to pursue claiming the Circle of Sloth as their own quickly find themselves slain by Abaddon's own hand.
Because of the constant strife within the Circle of Sloth, it holds a rugged and beaten terrain from demons ever at the other's necks. What civilizations and villages were built within the Circle of Sloth are quickly reduced to rubble or ruin. Of all the circles, it perhaps depicts the traditional image of 'hell' to mortals the closest.
CIRCLE II: LUST
The second circle of hell is the Circle of Lust, ruled by Asmodeus--a coy and deceptive woman with more than enough power to wield if she cannot manipulate those she has something to gain from. If one were to enter this circle from the Circle of Sloth they might just experience culture shock. The Circle of Lust has actual towns and cities with Succubi and the less common Incubi occupying high ranking and leadership-type positions to keep things running. In fact, violence is--while tolerated--somewhat frowned upon in the Circle of Lust. Asmodeus considers herself the most reasonable of the archdemons and prefers to maintain that image down to her own domain. For that reason, the Circle of Lust is also by far the most civilized of the circles. Those who disobey and disrupt the order Asmodeus meticulously crafts are quickly reigned in and forced to submit... one way or another.
CIRCLE III: ENVY
Diving even deeper into hell comes the Circle of Envy which lies in the clutches of the insectoid demon Beelzebub. Unlike the other circles of hell, Beelzebub's circle contains grass and water, and even has rivers and forests--albeit somewhat small and scattered throughout the circle infrequently. True to his name, Beelzebub envies the landscape and other marvels of the mortal realm. Thus, he commanded Corpse Hands through portals into the mortal realm to slowly, but surely gather things from its terrain that hell otherwise lacked. The archdemon's mages then used the procured materials and resources to replicate biomes unable to ordinarily exist in hell. Because of the arduous process in which these things are amassed, however, they are still a rare sight within the Circle of Envy.
CIRCLE IV: GLUTTONY
Beneath the Circle of Envy is the Circle of Gluttony which is by far the most desolate part of hell. Demonkind is abundant within its own realm, of course, but the Circle of Gluttony is something else entirely...
Its denizens live in fear of Belphegor, the archdemon that rules it. Belphegor regularly goes hunting for the demons within his realm, seeking to devour them to sate a hunger incapable of being sated. The Circle of Gluttony's demons have taken to underground networks and tunnels to find refuge from Belphegor's appetite. Others hide within the ruins of long abandoned structures and villages hoping to hide in plain sight. Because of these conditions, the Circle of Gluttony is also the circle one is most likely to encounter an archdemon in the flesh... and Belphegor's hunger is certainly not limited to his own kind.
CIRCLE V: GREED
If one escapes the maws of the gluttonous Belphegor and descends even further below they would find themselves in the Circle of Greed. Its archdemon, Mammon, is a shrewd woman that calls herself "The Queen" and all those residing in the circle know well enough to abide by that title. Unsurprisingly, the Circle of Greed is the wealthiest of the circles. Murai and gold are casually littered about not just its towns and cities but even its wastelands and deserts. Powerful trinkets, weapons and artifacts can also be found within the Circle of Greed and demons here, rather than fighting, trade goods to try and obtain what appeals to them. Those with the most silver of tongues and the best eyes for business are the ones who thrive in this circle.
Those demons most down on their luck and without wealth to call their own seek to solve this by fishing.
Yes, fishing.
But it's not done the way you or I would do it. Rather, these demons gather Corpse Hands and blindly send them through portals to try and snag a lucky valuable from the mortal realm. Similar to the Circle of Lust, violence isn't outlawed by any means, but it is frowned upon--even moreso than in the Circle of Lust itself. In fact, those who seek riches and fortune by profitting off the robbery and misfortune of others are oftentimes found by freelance merceries and the goods are taken back from them and returned to the original owner...
With the owner, of course, now owing the mercenaries a cut of the goods.