Finally got around to finishing the map of the Demon Realm.
Basically all my demon OCs live inside a slumbering monster that is trapped inside a pocket dimension. Some of the stomach acids are still active but hey it’s rent free!
For reference the demon realm has gone through 6 ‘eras’ in its history.
1st Era: The Era of Torrent: A mysterious time where giant fish-like titans lived inside the pocket dimension. Geologic evidence suggests that the realm was once entirely filled with water, but at some point the water dried up and only bones remain.
2nd Era: The Era of Ghost: No evidence remains of the first denizens to inhabit the demon realm. Besides the massive web of metallic support structures far below in the maelstrom, they appear to have completely vanished. Around this time The One Mother found her way through the portals, possibly devouring the original denizens. Although some hypothesize she might actually be the only surviving denizen, ascending to a higher form of existence. No historical record exists of this era so the original denizens are commonly referred to as ‘Ghosts’. Expeditions into the maelstrom only find empty structures and little else.
3rd Era: The Era of Blood: The first demons that were birthed from The One Mother were powerful and cruel. The seven strongest demons formed a council to rule over the weaker demons. Many of the ancient ruins found in the realm were built by the council of seven, and they periodically launched invasions into the human world, stealing resources, magical items and simply to devour human souls. One of the council members had a child with a human, who later rose up to lead a rebellion. The council of seven were killed and their bodies were cast into the maelstrom.
4th Era: The Era of Peace: With no masters, the demons entered an era of peace and prosperity. They sealed off most of the portals to the human realm, but allowed humans to visit if they wished. Instead of feeding off souls, demons now fed off human emotions. Which kept them alive while no longer harming the humans they fed off of. This allowed for a peaceful and symbiotic relationship moving forward. This era lasted for centuries, and rumors of a paradise run by kind-hearted demons spread to the human world, increasing traffic and the influence of the demons.
5th Era: The Era of Greed: The demons peaceful existence was shattered when a powerful and evil entity was born. Fueled by human greed, an avatar of excess was summoned, The Master. He quickly subdued the strongest demons, stealing parts of their souls and trapping the entire civilization inside. The portals to the human world now only worked one way, becoming a trap. The Master returned to the old way, draining humans to their very soul, and enslaved the demons to help him lure in even more victims. Wealthy humans from earth were allowed to come and go, using this dimension as their personal playground. The Master was growing more powerful and soon he would be able to invade the human world and spread his poison to all life in the universe.
6th Era: The Era of Feathers: Much to everyone’s surprise, a single person appeared who was fully immune to The Master’s powers, and they were able to return the stolen souls back to the demons. The same demon who overthrew the council of seven, slew The Master and slaughtered the evil humans exploiting her homeland. Finally able to strengthen their magic, and gain access to modern human technology, a new Era had begun for the demons, and they have been free and peaceful ever since.
The Remnant Mining Colony:
A small outpost left over from the one and only human expedition into the demon realm during the 3rd era. After opening a portal, they tried to harvest the magical crystals in the roof of the cave ceiling and were quickly driven out and the mining colony was repurposed.
The Amative Gardens:
Vast fields of grain used to grow food for the demons. The floating rocks here are fertile and very close to the glowing crystals above, making them perfect for farming. Lower ranking demons often live and work here.
The Shadow Limbs Panopticon:
Atop the largest stalactite, the Shadow Limbs keep peace and order in the demon realm. This is also one of the few places where portals to the human realm can be freely opened by select demons.
The Grand Dais:
Home of the Galateans, the Grand Dais is a sanctuary of art and excess. The greatest artists, chefs, musicians and dancers live here, often putting on lavish shows for human visitors. It is a place to create and appreciate beauty.
The Ward of the Filth Eaters:
Home of the Filth Eaters, the land is dotted with spas, bath-houses and meditation temples. The demons here are a tight nit community that work together to relieve stress from the humans who visit them, feeding off the negative emotions they release. A place of tranquility and rejuvenation, the very air itself is cool and calm.
The Rusted Steps:
A loose collection of floating rocks that connect the upper steppe to the Drowning Sands. A small number of demons live on the underside of the steppe or in the various floating rocks that make up the path.
The Drowning Sands:
A vast and cold desert directly above The One Mother’s maw. It is hypothesized that the dirt and sand was once collected and spat out by The One Mother a long time ago, suspended in midair by the unusual gravity of the upper steppe. No vegetation grows here, since the light of the crystals is often blocked by the floating land above.
The Sin Market:
A city build along the gapping maw of The One Mother, the Sin Market is the main hub of demon civilization. Most demons live here, as do most of the other species who come to visit. Demons take up various trades and barter for luxury items with their visitors. Almost anything can be bought and sold in the Sin Market. You can buy and sell memories, years from your lifespan, bottled emotions and abstract concepts baked into food. Some emerge from the Sin Market as entirely different people, for better or worse.
The Chiffon Church:
Home of the Chiffon Clerics, these demons dabble in necromancy and make deals with the guardians of the afterlife. By bartering for the souls of humans who died unfulfilled, they can be given a second chance to find happiness and self worth before moving on. While the massive district has a dark reputation, those who enter within often find themselves reluctant to leave.
The Diesel District:
A small district built into the side of The One Mother, all of the technology built and used by the demons is researched here. The demons who work here have refused the spotlight in order to serve the greater good. Much of the unseen dirty work is accomplished here, running water and power all across the realm.
Sanctuary (Reclaimed)
Built during the 4th Era, the VIP human guests often lived here. Built on a small outcropping, Sanctuary was modeled after modern human architecture and had modern human comforts. Billionaires, Celebrities and Politicians could freely come and go, and stay here during their debauchery. After Era 5, it was reclaimed and turned into a new housing district. Some houses were preserved as historical landmarks for future generations to never allow the greedy to take hold of this realm.
The Augur College:
An isolated compound that serves as the home for demon Augurs. Within the ancient halls, Augurs could learn the history of demon-kind and master infernal magics. Initially abandoned during the 5th Era, it has re-opened it’s door to offer demons a full education once again.
The Descent:
A vertical shaft down the gullet of The One Mother, demons have built ramshackle homes along the walls all the way down. During the 5th Era, demons who could not provide were banished here until their fates were decided. Once a dreary slum, the Descent is being demolished in favor of brand new housing for the exiled demons.
The Gutter of Drudges:
Once the home of the Deceptive Drudges, this is the lowest populated section of The One Mother. Originally a work area for construction and repair, the Gutter was transformed during the 5th Era to be a playground for the evil human VIPs. the lowest ranking demons, known as Drudges, were sent here to be abused, tortured and ultimately devoured. The greatest evils committed by The Master and his human VIP’s were committed here. Luckily, after the revolution, all Drudges were rescued, and the Gutter was transformed into a lavish second city that rivaled the Sin Market. Healing takes time, but the Gutter is no longer a place of suffering and misery.
The Brood Polyps.
Along the stomach of The One Mother are giant pulsating sacs of flesh. Inside these polyps, demons emerge from the walls and slowly gain their sentience. When they complete their larval stage, they begin the long climb out of the polyps and join demon society.
The Master’s Temple (Abandoned)
Built of refuse and broken electronics, The Masters temple was a monument to greed and violence. Essentially one giant super computer, the temple contained all of The Masters horrible experiments and flesh golems. After the death of The Master, it was left to rot, and hopefully one day it will collapse and tumble into the Maelstrom, to be erased from demon history once and for all.
The Maelstrom and the Ancient Structures:
Beneath The One Mother, is a never ending storm that devours all that enters it. Within the blistering winds are a tangled web of metallic structures and railways. These super structures are the only proof of 1st Era denizens and many remain unexplored to this day.
Ruins of the Council Chambers:
After their defeat, the once opulent chambers of the demon council were cast into the maelstrom where is was originally thought lost. Years later, the ruins were uncovered atop a small outcropping along with the bones of the ancient titan fish. It served as a temporary headquarters for the 5th Era rebellion and has since become a historical landmark and home to adventurous demons.
That’s all for the massive lore dump, happy new year ya’ll.
snowghoul
titsay
jbbartram-illu
blakekathryn
ellievsbear
