Hell

The concept of an afterlife in many cultures includes the idea of a hell, or a place where the eternal soul is punished for misdeeds in their living days.

Hell is a non-place. It was not created with a purpose in mind, but rather it reflected the spirit of the first person to occupy it. Lucifer Morningstar, the Dawnbringer, the Left Hand of God, was the original rebel. His rebellion against Heaven was struck down and Lucifer fled that place. He found a dimension that was infinite and empty, bleak and cold and alone. He filled that dimension with his shame and anger and injustice, and it grew to reflect his spirit.

Many cultures have the concept of a punisher, or an 'adversary'. There have been many entities who claim that role, such as Chthon, an ancient First God. Another one, a dark New God named Mephisto, claims his own dimension and styles himself as Satan to bargain power and lure the cruel and the wicked to him. But those are creatures of the universe, and Hell truly exists outside our universe entirely.

Hell is a place that would be otherwise empty, save for it becoming a reflection of Lucifer's pain and penance. As other entities found Hell and occupied the land, it began reflecting their visions and personality as well. Some were members of the failed resistance led by Lucifer-- Asmodel, Abaddon, and Azazel, angels of light and grace turned to hate and malice. From their bloody wounds sprouted up Hellions, creatures that bickered and fought for power and position. A caste system rose up quickly, creating a hierarchy with knights, nobility, lords, and areas of responsibility. Wherever a city dwells, a Hell Lord rules over an infernal echo of that realm. As a city descends into chaos and depravity, the Hell Lord's power grows. Petitioners-- mortals who choose to embrace Hell's cruelty-- form the lowest of ranks, alongside the demonic slaves and monsters that grow like wild fungii out of the blasted dirt.

Parts of hell burn hot, and others are cold and sorrowful as ice slicking over a headstone. Some prefer Hell as a place where might *does* make right. Others hide there to avoid punishment, or even because they believe they are worthy of it. The only real power in hell is in subjugation, and the mightiest of the Lords of Hell rule their individual kingdoms and fight constantly for the souls that arrive in that land.

No one is actually ever sent to 'hell'. But spirits and entities that are unbound by physical tethers find themselves drawn to it, to a place that perfectly reflects their basest desires and opinions. Someone greedy in life might find himself drawn to his city's infernal echo; someone given to sadism might be drawn to a Hell Lord who rules over the cruel. Hell is ultimately a home for narcissists, and narcissists invariably see themselves as better than anyone else. It is a rare person who can surmount their own ego and recognize that they are punishing themselves because they are unable to let go of their own ego.