So this post came across my dash a lil while ago started by @normal-horoscopes so naturally I started thinking on it. I started jotting down notes and ideas in my grimore and even made a quick sketch on an index card trying to process all this information. (Forgive mobile formatting this might be a long post)
First is how cities could be built upon such a weirdly shaped hole in the ground. Slopes would be enemy here, but I figured Hell is probably quite large which makes steep slopes not everywhere. More manageable slopes and ledges would be great for building structures on. Steep slopes could be used as buildings and structures can be carved into the hellside, but I can’t see it being avoided unless necessary. While writing I saw images of stairways and ramps carved into the hellside as a means of getting from place to place. I thought of the sides and ground being like a really red earthy clay, kinda tying into Normal’s idea of blood and soul infused ground and plants. These slopes could also explain the capture of these bodies of water like substance. Whether it be like a underground resivoire of water or a stream coming in from somewhere, it’d have plenty of places to collect. (Side note, at least one of these bodies is probably used as a hot springs and you can’t change my mind on that)
Also note how a top-down view gives the impression of multiple circles of demonic cities. It ties into the circles of hell idea pretty well.
Next came the prompted question of the purpose of the Counts and Marquises that were mentioned. I figure the dividening up of land is more for political management purposes, like states or provinces. Just easier to narrow down areas for mantence and simplicity’s sake. As for the Marquises, their lands are the top of that bell as it that’s where Hell ends. I figure the territory outside of that boundary might house other entities both in the physical and metaphysical plane Hell borders. This would give the Marquis an additional duty of knowing and managing who comes in and out and all that jazz.
As for the demonic cities present, I couldn’t tell you what the architecture would look like. I would assume it would be mostly made out of clay and stone like materials. The cities would literally be on and in the hellside, and I can see it be lit up by fire and maybe a magma like substance. I can assume and say in good confidence that these cities likely are probably by some sort of road or tunnel for ease of going around. Despite me thinking the hellside wouldn’t be great for carving out for large buildings, it’d probably be great for manageable tunnels and caverns to get around.
These cities are most for the residents of Hell. Demons staying and making home there, but I also subscribe to the theory that sinners are prisoners in Hell. It’s likely that they’re not closed to the larger living areas of town, but put elsewhere. They’re tortured by demons who are comfortable doing that but also give space for the demons that are simply there to chill for a bit without the whole damnation thing going on. Hell is also a home for these demons so I don’t think everywhere is going to be the screams of the damned scenario.
Finally, the biodiversity proposed. Ngl it stumped me for a bit. I never considered much biodiversity in hell, I just considered it a hot pit in the ground with the occasional fire and magma, making it too dim for most plants. But then I realize that on Earth there’s a plethora of plant life adapted to certain tough areas so it’s likely true for metaphysical areas as well. Plus, Normal mentioned the concept of them being based in/fueled by blood and souls which is a viable asset to fuel this odd life. So I looked into the real life plants in harsh environments to find parallels that I could use in Hell.
The soil it’s built on has traces of the damned souls, withering away from their torture. Leafy plants are by the top of Hell, collecting energy of whatever light and other energies are dappling in through the top. Shade loving plants under that fuel off the blood in the land and only need the minimal light provided by the hellfire and glowing cracks of demon magic in the walls. Large plants grow around the water like bodies. Mushroom like fungus grow out of the sides, nourishing off the damned souls and demonic energies building in the area. Perhaps some grow huge and demons can built on top of them. In short, biodiversity seems more plausible now that I’ve thought about it some more. Definitely makes me think of Hell in a new light, ought to draw it sometime.
Anyway, that’s my thoughts and studies on Hell. Seems cool.