#worldstate lore

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 5

General

Overview: Eerily, dark woods filled with eyes make up the 5th layer of Hell

Level Lord: Nybbas

Geography

Landscape: Dense trees block out sight of the caves open mouth, the strange trunks long and gnarled, encasing the whole area. The ground is soft, sporting many unique plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else. The river runs through slowly, the fires dim as if it’s always dusk.

Climate: The air is thick here, warm but full of raw magical energy

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Magus

Appearance: Many Magus spend their whole lives in the woods, their appearances altered by the strange magics within. They can appear large or small, with any variety of unique traits naturally embedded within them. They tend to have orange eyes.

Clothing: Clothes vary among Magus, but typically are layered in cloaks with pouches and bags for gathering items. Loose, flowing materials are often used to create whimsical wraps that hang from their unique bodies.

Architecture

Building Style: Homes here are built from old brick and stone, often overgrown with the vines of dangerous plants. They’re secluded, and often seen standing alone. Very few communities exist in these areas above ground, but larger groups have private structures dug under the ground.

Notable Structures: 

The Castle: A remnant of ages past, this is one of the old castles from royalty long gone. Rumor states it used to be home to an old prince, but it now houses the level lord, Nybbas

The Library: Near the castle resides the royal library, sorted and tended to by Nybbas and her many magus assistants. Within lies a disjointed collection of texts, many histories lost during Lucius' rise to power.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Magus demons are intelligent and ornery by nature, with a need to learn and cause problems; be it for themselves or for others. They love to be on earth and have many names up there, from goblins to fairies to sprites. They're considered mid level demons and are typically the kind to cause small problems with humans as opposed to the contract pacts that others make. When one does make a contract, it's up to the individual and their goals. They're extremely curious in nature and are not immediately drawn to causing misery and mischief, such as Insania demons. In fact, human people used to try and coax Magus in the past into their homes to help with smaller tasks. But they become easily slighted and can turn on someone quickly if they feel they've been wronged in any way.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Despite being seen as mid level demons, most others tend to leave these groups alone. They can be fine one on one, but often a cluster of Magus will rally around a central Insania demon and follow their lead of chaos.

Unique Elements

The Crematori: Covered in ash and armed with sharp eyes, the Magus often employ many of the kingdom's Crematori; the collectors of the dead. These foreboding members of society can be seen wandering the edges of the waters, listening to them to find where they need to go next.

The mother of the witches: Rumor has it when Prince Sabathiel began to influence his followers to study magic and connect with humans, one follower in particular stood out. Maerothis was fascinated by the magics of hell, and by the women of earth who wanted them. She’s claimed to have given the witches of earth their powers, yet many question this as she was also one of Lucius royal advisors. No one knows how old she truly is, and it’s believed she is still out in those woods to this day.

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 2

General

Overview: The grey and foggy 2nd layer of Hell

Level Lord: Belial

Geography

Landscape: Everything here is stiff, colorless, and industrial. Tall, sharp buildings expand high into the caves above, with no signs of stopping. The fires burn low, smothered by a constant, thick fog.

Climate: Disturbingly cold, despite the heat of the river

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Indulgentia

Appearance: The demons have natural skin tones, but tend to have lighter colored hair, such as blond, red, and white. They have yellow eyes and will occasionally develop secondary features such as small horns and claws.

Clothing: Business suits and ties make up the professional and formal attire seen most often

Architecture

Building Style: Metals and smooth stone make up the frames of the towering buildings, sharp edges on every side broken apart only by the reflection of the many dark glass windows.

Notable Structures: 

Belials lab: For any unlucky enough to come across it, there lies within the second level the large and dangerous laboratory owned and operated by the level lord Belial. He houses many dangerous animals here, and performs experiments beyond any sense of morality, all in his never ending pursuit of knowledge.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: These demons are highly intelligent and foster a culture focused on drive and success. They’re highly manipulative, and live to get whatever they want, and as much of it as possible. Normal humans aren’t able to summon these demons, but many choose to spend a lot of time on the surface anyway. 

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: These high level demons are tricky and despised by their fellow demons. Most everyone knows there is no trust for an Indegentia, for they’re willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want, no matter who or what the cost may be

Unique Elements

The unending smog: This layer is coated in a heavy fog so thick it can choke one unprepared to breathe it in.  This smog clings to your skin and confuses you, often leaving many to wander the grounds between the buildings in a dark haze

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 3

General

Overview: The disturbingly cute and beautiful 3rd level of Hell

Level Lord: Abbadon

Geography

Landscape: Bright, lush green grass flows gently through warm fields dotted with beautiful patches of flowers. The light from the fires is strong, but eased by a hze above that almost mimics the view of an earthly sky

Climate: Perfectly warm at all times, with a gentle breeze

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Insania

Appearance: The Insania demons have natural skin tones, but their hair is often bright and unusual in color. Their eyes take on any shade color, and it's common to see them with small horns and thin tails. Occasionally, some have small wings as well.

Clothing: Clothes are casual and respectable, mimicking the styles of humanity that build a clear and respectable silhouette. Styles of the late 19th century draw heavy appeal to many Insania, but there is no cultural necessity for it and as such, anything can be found worn by a member of this level.

Architecture

Building Style: The houses here are quaint and rustic, with many cabins and small towns.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Insania live for one thing; to cause the most fun they can for themselves, all at the expense of someone else. They’re cunning, playful, and completely untrustworthy. Insania love their own families, and tend to create very interactive communities full of social activities and personal customs. Insania are so open to family, they tend to even take on other abandoned Insania children, even if they aren’t of blood relation.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Insania demons are considered a high level class, and are an extreme danger to the others. They’re highly mistrusted, and frequently the source of problems among other demons. Many of these demons willing head to the surface, often with a small group of Magus at their side. Their insatiable needs to pull pranks and cause chaos drenches every interaction of theirs; and their lack of understanding on where to draw the line creates a very dangerous game indeed.

Unique Elements

The landscape: This level appears vastly different from any other place in Hell. Part of it is real, but most of it is upheld by a collective use of illusion magic among several powerful members. Most notably, this is helped by their level lord, Abbadon.

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 4

General

Overview: Never ending hills bloodied by war drench the 4th layer of Hell

Level Lord: Berith

Geography

Landscape: Trees have been felled and the land torn by war, grass barely growing among dirt filled battlegrounds that dot the hills. Dust constantly hangs in the air among the metal smell of blood.

Climate: Hot and unforgiving

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Irae

Appearance: Typically large in body frame, Irae can have any natural skin tone or hair color. Their eyes sport a strong Red, the sight of which frighten even the strongest of demons.

Clothing: Red and grey armor coats the soldiers of this level, their under clothes simple and plain. 

Architecture

Building Style: Stone made forts and towers fill the lands, with the largest barracks near the level lord's keep.

Notable Structures: 

The Keep: The Level Lord Berith runs the wars with a formidable hand and constant control. He trains soldiers within his barracks, and many have homes in a small cluster around the keep.

The Battlefields: The Wars are a never ending trial in Hell, a place for Irae to work out their intense emotions and find a sense of purpose. While the wars are never meant to have an ending, they exist and are fought with intense passion and honor.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Irae demons believe in the natural order of the hierarchy and need to serve and protect. They fight with valor in the name of the royal family, and are fiercely protective by nature. Despite this belief however, the feelings are not often shared towards each other. Irae tend to have little respect for one another, and families are not common. Children born under Irae parents are expected to become great warriors; or die trying.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Despite their raw power and natural abilities regarding strength and stamina, Irae are viewed as unintelligent and thus only a mid level demon class. Their lack of respect towards non royalty only earns them more scorn, as the feeling is mutual. Many other demons find Irae, while physically strong, to be mentally weak and unworthy of respect.

Unique Elements

Mortal Souls: Many of the souls that end up in Hell are ferried to this level to be collected by the soldiers and fitted for war. There they are held and trained to be forced to enter the fields and fight to their death, time and time again.

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 7

General

Overview: The wet and exhausting 7th layer of Hell

Level Lord: Nycore

Geography

Landscape: The river has sunken into the crust of this layer, dragging the sodden rock down into it in various places. This creates steaming, swampy pits that are difficult to traverse for those unfamiliar with the area. The fires are constantly raging low, giving a feeling it’s always night on this level.

Climate: The heat reacts with the vast amounts of water on this level creating a muggy and unbearable experience. 

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Desiderium

Appearance: Desiderium have normal human appearing skin tone, with any color possible for their hair. They all have blue eyes, the shade of which can vary. It is common, but not always, for them to sport small wings.

Clothing: Everyday clothing tends to be lightweight and breathable fabrics with minimalist and revealing cuts to allow airflow. Loose wraps, halters, and off the shoulder tops are commonly paired with shorts, skirts, or sarongs. Bags for carrying personal items are frequent accessories. There’s often the use of bright colors to combat the darkness of this particular level, along with mesh as an overlay between private homes and public spaces. Jewelry and piercings are common among Desiderium, and it's rare for one to have none at all. Club activity tends to encourage more sensuality alongside the practicality of the low cut clothing. Open backs, plunging necklines, and gauzy, transparent materials highlight the body. Knee high waterproof boots are both enticing, and useful for navigating the wet terrain.

Architecture

Building Style: Large, brightly lit buildings are clustered close together where the land is driest. They’re covered with lights of all sorts of colors, to make up for the lack of fire on this level. The appearance could be compared to that of a bustling city such as Vegas in the evening.

Notable Structures: 

The Clubs: Remnants of the pleasure dens of the old days. Rumor has it, Zaphiel, one of the original followers of Asmogar and the advisor of the late king Lucius, is secretly in charge of the running of these clubs. 

The Hut: most of the members of this level are well aware of a hut further out from the safety of the city. It’s decrepit and half sinking into the muck itself; and it's the home of the level lord Nycore.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Desiderium are well known for engaging in activities for the pure pursuit of bodily pleasure. Sleeping, drinking, partying, and sex are all common pastimes for many on this level. As such in mind, the place is built in an idea to encourage and enhance these behaviors. Many Desiderium tend to head to the surface, and enjoy engaging in human deals. They’re one of the easiest demons to summon.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Desiderium are considered a mid level demon class. They have more powers than those below them, but many other demons look down upon their chosen lifestyles. Despite that, their level is often visited by other demons who seek out fun anyway. 

Unique Elements

Mortal Souls: Occasionally souls end up trapped on this level. They find themselves stuck in the swampy marshes around, always hearing the sounds of joy and pleasure just out of reach as they endlessly struggle to find their way beyond the haze that drowns them

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 8

General

Overview: The simple and heavily populated 8th layer of Hell

Level Lord: Charon

Geography

Landscape: The land here is less developed. Vast, diverse dirt happens to be good for growing food, and farmland has sprung up in response.

Climate: Warm, but varied

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Ignotus demons

Appearance: Because Ignotus are mixed race demons who have been abandoned by their parent, they can have any variety of appearance

Clothing: The Ignotus wear things that are practical, and often worn down. Cloths meant for the field and work in general are often seen, and on occasion a nicer dress or pair of slacks may be put on.

Architecture

Building Style: Homes are simple and practical. They’re mostly wooden thatches and hutches, large homes with intentions of housing multiple families are common. Many structures intended for farm use are seen among the vast expanses of field. 

Notable Structures: 

The Orphanages: Many higher class demons who do not want their children will often dump them on this level. The Ignotus took it upon themselves to collect the orphans and house them, giving them a fighting chance in life.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Ignotus have a harder time finding a place in hell and frequently travel to the surface, usually in pursuit of their other parents origins or to develop a stronger sense of self. Those who remain often become farmers and continue to tend the land around them.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Not all mixed race demons live on this level, only abandoned ones. A high population of half humans live here, and they’re very weak compared to other demons in hell. There is a tendency to look down upon the members of this level by higher demons.

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 10

General

Overview: The vast outer layer of Hell

Level Lord: Samael

Geography

Landscape: Large, expansive areas of dirt and sand have hot winds that constantly blow. There are no living plants and every direction one looks reveals sharp edges of the rocky walls that extends beyond where the eye can see.

Climate: Harsh and arid, with scorching days and windy nights

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Nihili demons

Appearance: They are desaturated and colorless in nature with ashy and grey skin tones. Their darker hair colors also have only those dark black, brown, and grey shades. Their eyes have white eye pupils only and they have no extra features such as horns or wings.

Clothing: It’s common for the Nihili to wear older cloth that’s torn on most edges, layered up over their bodies in flowing bundles. The cloth often has a dusty shade that mimics the sand, reds and oranges littered in between the layers. Heavy boots and wraps protect their feet and skin from the blistering sand, and masks protect the face. In private homes, the layers can be lessened to a more comfortable amount, and shoes are not typically worn 

Architecture

Building Style: Nihili live in homes carved into the recesses of Hells walls, the structures secure out of the winds. They’re often layered like the wells of a bee nest, going up higher and higher in the specific groves Nihili have chosen to claim for themselves. It’s easy to miss which cracks in the walls lead to Nihili homes, and which lead nowhere at all. Nothing can be built on the sand itself.

Notable Structures: 

The gates of Hell: This massive door opens only when a reaper brings forth mortal souls. There’s a painting of Lucifers tears along the wood, the image old and flaking away. The base of the door is covered in scratches and claw marks by those desperate to leave.

The River of Fire: The river is the life blood of Hell and runs through every level, yet it begins here. The docks for it are worn down and half buried in the surrounding sand. No ships come out here unless for nefarious reasons.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Nihili tend to not leave the confines of Hell and do their best to just survive. Days are spent in their homes, wary of all outsiders. Those who are more desperate will attempt to seek out work for higher class demons.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Nihili are highly disrespected and are frequently ignored or forced to take up servant work for higher class demons.

Unique Elements

Mortal Souls: Mortal souls that enter the Nihili level are supposed to be picked up by the boatsman, but sometimes they panic and try to run. One can often see these souls out there, trapped, and forever trudging through the burning sands.

[kikuwaters]

Ten Levels Lore

Level 1

General

Overview: The inner most layer of Hell

Level Lord: The King

Geography

Landscape: Cliffs form vast edges where water from the river pours in, filling the center of Hell in a deep boiling sea

Climate: Very hot, and vaguely humid

Inhabitants

Demographics: The Superbia

Appearance: Natural skin tones and hair colors, but violet eyes. They tend not to have extra features, going so far as to use magic to hide the development of anything such as horns.

Clothing: Beautiful and elegant clothes define the superbia, each piece custom made and exquisite. Delicate fabrics wrap their bodies in ways that refine and enhance themselves, each piece an act of art and declaration of importance. Gold and jewels line their limbs in intricate jewelry, creating unforgettable displays of power and vanity.

Architecture

Building Style: Fancy mansions and grand estates fill the cliffs, with courtyards and parks fit for nobility themselves.

Notable Structures: 

The Royal Castle: Located directly in the middle of the sea of fire is the royal castle, the massive structure jutting up from the fire below that chars the rocks at the base. Ships must travel to the bottom, and many spiraling stairs can lead lesser demons towards the top.

Culture

Traditions and Customs: Superbia demons believe they are the best around, and wish to prove that, mostly to each other. Fancy parties and intricate galas are held often, the homes and streets of this level all pieces of a grander game every Superbian is born into. Each breath a demon of this stature takes is carefully practiced and done so with the understanding they must maintain it.

Conflict and Challenges

Current Issues: Even though they are truly the most powerful of high demons, other demons despise their attitudes and do not trust their abilities to manipulate. Tensions rise when the bridges to the castle are destroyed, denying even the Superbians access to the royal castle during the final years of the Golden Princes reign. They took this as a huge insult, and lesser demons viewed it as a sign they’re not as important as they claim to be. Superbians then struggled to maintain their social status of importance, while lacking any royal support to do so among the lower castes.