The Nine Hells

Overview

The Nine Hells, also known as Baator, is a realm of eternal torment, tyranny, and infernal power. It is a plane of existence defined by its rigid hierarchy and relentless order, ruled by the Archdevils who govern each of its nine layers. The Nine Hells serve as the ultimate bastion of Lawful Evil, where cruelty and domination are exalted, and betrayal is only acceptable when it strengthens the hierarchy.
Each of the nine layers is distinct in its geography, atmosphere, and purpose, though they are unified under the absolute authority of the Queen of Hell, who resides in the deepest layer, Nessus. The plane is infamous for its corruption of mortals, particularly through infernal pacts, and its role as the eternal battlefield of the Blood War, a cosmic conflict with the demons of the Abyss.

Structure and Hierarchy

The Nine Hells is a stratified plane, with each layer existing as a separate dominion under the control of an Archdevil. These Archdevils hold nearly absolute power within their respective domains but are still subordinate to the Queen of Hell, who rules from the deepest layer, Nessus. The hierarchy is rigid and unforgiving, reflecting the Lawful Evil nature of the plane.

• The first layer, Avernus, acts as the gateway to the Nine Hells, serving as both a battlefield and a defensive perimeter.
• Each subsequent layer becomes progressively more inhospitable, culminating in the final, deepest layer, Nessus, where the Queen of Hell resides.

Movement between the layers is tightly controlled, and intrusions are often met with hostility. Mortals who traverse the Nine Hells risk enslavement, torment, or worse, as even the most minor devils delight in exerting their dominance.

Inhabitants

The Nine Hells are populated by a wide array of infernal beings, each bound by the plane's strict hierarchy:

• Devils: The primary inhabitants, ranging from lowly imps to powerful pit fiends. Devils serve their superiors and enforce the laws of the Nine Hells.
• Souls of the Damned: Mortal souls condemned to the Nine Hells are transformed into lesser devils or subjected to eternal torment, fueling the plane's power.
• Archdevils: The rulers of the Nine Hells, each governing one layer. They include figures such as Zariel, Dispater, and Mephistopheles.

The Blood War

The Nine Hells are one side of the Blood War, an eternal conflict between devils and demons. This war pits the rigid order of the Nine Hells against the chaotic destruction of the Abyss. Avernus, the first layer, serves as the primary battleground for this conflict, with devils striving to prevent the chaos of the Abyss from spilling into other planes.

Infernal Pacts

Mortals often interact with the Nine Hells through infernal pacts, agreements made with devils in exchange for power, wealth, or influence. These pacts come at a steep price, often the mortal's soul, and are meticulously crafted to exploit loopholes and maximize the benefit to the devil making the deal.

Cosmic Role

The Nine Hells exist as a necessary evil in the cosmic balance. While its inhabitants are feared and despised, the devils play a critical role in containing the chaotic threat of the Abyss and maintaining order in the multiverse. This duality makes the Nine Hells a paradoxical plane, embodying both ultimate evil and a form of cosmic necessity.

Layers of the Nine Hells

The Nine Hells are divided into nine distinct layers, each with its unique characteristics and ruler:

1. Avernus - Gateway and battlefield, ruled by Zariel.
2. Dis - City of iron and intrigue, ruled by Dispater.
3. Minauros - Swamp of decay, ruled by Mammon.
4. Phlegethos - Volcanic wasteland, ruled by Fierna and Belial.
5. Stygia - Frozen ocean, ruled by Levistus.
6. Malbolge - Craggy terrain, ruled by Glasya.
7. Maladomini - Ruined cities, ruled by Baalzebul.
8. Cania - Frozen wasteland, ruled by Mephistopheles.
9. Nessus - The deepest layer, home to the Queen of Hell.

Type

Dimensional plane

Location under

The Lower Planes