Underworld
Oh, hey, I didn't see you there! Welcome and congratulations! You are dead!
Introduction
Being one of the Outer Planes planes, the Underworld remains an enigma for the majority of Kena'an’s mortals. Few truly know what lies beyond the veil, and those who have glimpsed it speak only in riddles. What is certain, however, is that the Underworld- often called The Source by the most educated scholars- is where souls travel once they depart from the mortal realm. Yet, what happens to them upon arrival is shrouded in myth and rumor.
Some believe it is a place of eternal judgment, where the twin goddesses of death- Siona, goddess of death and magic, and Zinxa, goddess of death and undeath- decide the fate of every soul. The realm is divided between the sisters, a delicate balance of life and decay, magic and entropy.
While many souls are judged and either remain within the Underworld or earn their right to a restful afterlife, some rare few manage to return to the mortal plane through powerful magic. These individuals, though, have vague memories of their time in the Source and their cryptic tales fuel endless speculation.
Though its nature is a matter of great debate, one truth remains: the Underworld is a place of transition, and its mysteries are only fully understood by those who never return.
A Realm Divided
As more and more souls arrived in the Underworld, the boundaries of the realm expanded, and soon, the same transformation occurred within the two sisters. Mortals began to worship them as a dual entity, and in time, they were elevated to the status of goddesses. Although death and the afterlife were common to both, a rift soon emerged.
Siona recognized that the souls of mortals were the very source of the Kena'an's magic. Thus, by embracing her role as the Keeper of Souls, she also became the protector of magic itself. Her central teaching emphasizes the vital importance of the cycle of life in sustaining the power that keeps the world alive: magic.
On the other hand, Zinxa perceived magic as a means to gain power. She discovered that by consuming the souls she had vowed to protect, she could enhance her own strength. Her primary teaching revolves around the notion that death is the ultimate conquest; to transcend it is to achieve enlightenment. Thus, she introduced the concept of undeath into the world.
After this schism between the two sisters, the Underworld would never be the same again. Since then, the two sisters have tried countless times to impose their dominion upon the Underworld, but it was all in vain. Bound to the realm itself, they are forced into a shared existence, each determined to carve their own destiny from the remnants of their fractured kinship. Their once-united domain is now split in two, reflecting the very nature of their conflict.
Neutral
Pfff, unknown... What poppycock! Are you mortals so dramatic all the time? Sure, the Source is different than your material realm, but it is not an unknown. After all, the glory of the Keeper and the dread of the Devourer are known to you, are they not?
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A Conflict that Transents Eternity
As the two sisters continue their eternal rivalry, the Underworld remains a shuttered realm. The dance between light and dark, creation and destruction, unfolds in a tapestry that binds and threatens the souls of the departed. The relentless pursuit of dominion fuels their conflict, driving Siona and Zinxa to exert their wills over the souls that traverse their realms, yet each moment is steeped in the weight of consequence.
It is this eternal conflict that shapes the Underworld’s landscape. As the souls pass through the realms of Astralyn and Noxaria, they become unwilling participants in a drama that stretches beyond time, reflecting the age-old struggle for balance between judgment and consumption. The threads of conflict and resolution intertwine, creating a tale that echoes through the corridors of eternity, leaving both the living and the dead to ponder their fates against this relentless, divine struggle.
Oh, the drama! Don't get me wrong, I adore my mistresses, but after countless aeons, you'd think they’d find some common ground. But nooo, they’re still at it, fighting like children and treating souls like toys! Honestly, it's exhausting... What are you laughing at? I'm dead serious! Who do you think cleans up the mess every time? Me! While they're busy with their cosmic tantrums, I’m left to sweep up after them.
The Seats of Power
Astralyn: Domain of Reflection
Siona rules over a part of the Underworld known as Astralyn, a realm where the souls of mortals await the Keeper’s judgment. Here, the landscape is dominated by towering structures made of mirror-like translucent crystals, that reflect the cosmos. The light from distant stars dances upon these crystalline surfaces, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that fills the air with a soft, ethereal glow.
As souls wander through Astralyn, they find themselves gazing into the shimmering crystals, where their memories play out like vivid tapestries. Each reflection offers a glimpse into their mortal lives, allowing them to contemplate their choices and deeds before they meet Siona.
In the heart of Astralyn lies the Bridge of Entropy, the most prominent and central of the ethereal pathways. This grand arch-like structure, woven from stardust, extends high above the Keeper of Souls realm, with both ends vanishing into the void of the sky. It is said that this is the bridge souls walk upon to enter the Underworld, crossing it to arrive in Astralyn for their judgment. After the Goddess has rendered her verdict, the souls traverse this bridge once more, continuing on their journey based on her decree.Legend whispers that the Bridge of Entropy also serves as a gateway for new souls, allowing them to cross into the material world and be born. It is a passage that embodies the cyclical nature of life and death, a vital thread connecting the realms of existence.
Connecting Astralyn to various destinations across the cosmos are numerous other ethereal bridges, woven from strands of light and mist. These pathways shimmer with energy, linking Astralyn with other planes of existence through the Astral Plane.
In the heart of Astralyn stands Siona’s tower, a majestic structure that radiates an aura of tranquility and magical power. It is here that she awaits the arrival of the souls, ready to impart her judgment and guide them to what lies beyond. Astralyn embodies the delicate balance of magic and mortality, a place where every spirit is given the opportunity to reflect, learn, and ultimately, be judged.
Astralyn... such a quaint little place. I mean, who wouldn’t revel in the opportunity to spend an eternity gazing upon all the mistakes they made since before they learned to walk? I always say that the Keeper, in all her benevolent spirit, has a wicked sense of humor!
And don’t get me started on that Bridge of Entropy! All the crying and whining when you arrive, and then the incessant screams of the new souls... Always so noisy up there! But hey, look on the bright side! At least the views around here are to die for! Literally, in your case.
Noxaria: Domain of Damnation
Noxaria is the realm of the Devourer of souls. It stands in stark contrast to Astralyn, shrouded in an ever-present atmosphere of dread. Located in the lower depths of the Underworld, it reeks of death and decay. Black stone covers the landscape from horizon to horizon. Pits of acid bubble ominously, where countless souls burn to fuel the insatiable appetite of the Goddess. Towering spires of the same dark stone stretch high into the sky, piercing the thick, swirling storms of dark energy that constantly roil overhead. These storms crackle with unnatural lightning, casting eerie shadows that dance menacingly across the ground.
As souls wander through Noxaria, they are haunted by the echoes of whispers that fill the air- fragments of memories from those who have been devoured.
The landscape is alive with the presence of nightmarish creatures. Shadow beasts lurk in the depths, preying on lost souls, while wraiths and other undead entities act as enforcers of Zinxa's will.
Certain areas within Noxaria are known to inflict visions of despair upon souls that linger too long. These twisted images draw forth their past failures and nightmares of their inevitable fate, manifesting as haunting illusions or phantoms that torment them as they reflect their deepest fears. Among the spires, a viscous, dark substance, resembling tears, weeps continuously. It is said this blackened waters are the lost memories of the souls that ventured in Noxaria since Zinxa claimed it as her kingdom, but this is just a rumor.
In the distance, a part of the Bridge of Entropy can be seen, where Zinxa’s most trusted undead minions wait to seize any souls crossing its path, whether arriving or departing. This bridge serves as a grim reminder of the constant struggle for dominance in the Underworld.
Noxaria! If you thought Astralyn had its quirks, wait until you set foot in this lovely haunt! Those acid pits? Absolutely charming! Who doesn’t enjoy the soothing sound of souls sizzling? It's like a spa day for the unfortunate!
Hey, do you want to hear something funny? You didn't heard it from me but Zinxa isn’t as dreadful as everyone makes her out to be. She actually has a soft spot for the pure of heart. Can you believe it? She’ll never snatch a soul like that and they are the strongest that exist!
Oh, come on! Don't flatter yourself... You might have some goodness in you, but you know better than I do that it's not enough to take you off the menu!
Native Fauna
Except for the Phychopomps there are other native creatures each of which prefer to roam either Astralyn or Noxaria. Some of these are:
Guiding Moths
These large, moth-like creatures dwell in Astralyn. Their wings are made of shimmering, translucent material, and they are usually seen around the Bridge of Entropy. They like to follow the souls that walk the bridge and they ofter offer to guide the newly judged souls to their final resting places.
Netherwolves
These ghostly predators roam Noxaria’s wastelands. Their eyes burn with an eerie green light and their jaws drip saliva that resembles the acid of the pits that are scattered around. They hunt lost souls and feed on the weaker ones while dragging the rest back to Zinxa’s domain. They are feared even by her minions for their relentless hunger.
Stardust Cats
These ethereal felines roam the crystal fields of Astralyn. Their furs glow faintly with astral light, and their presence is said to bring comfort to wandering souls. Most of them are white, but some might have orange or brown furs. Probably the rarest fur color for a Stardust Cat is black. It is said that only one ever existed. They often appear to those who are nearing the end of their journey through Astralyn, guiding them to Siona’s tower. Legends say that they feed on the remnants of a soul’s doubt and fear, cleansing them before they meet the goddess.
Harbinger Ravens
These ominous, black-feathered birds circle the dark spires of Noxaria. These birds are said to feast on the remnants of devoured souls and often act as Zinxa’s spies. Their voices is believed to carry whispers of despair, and they are known to swarm around those souls Zinxa finds worthy of consumption, heralding their doom. They serve as both scavengers and overseers, watching for any souls who stray too close to the edges of Noxaria.
Come on, smile a little! If you strip away all the drama, the divine conflict, and, okay, I’ll concede, that pesky feeling of being utterly meaningless in the face of this cosmic joke- Underworld is a fun place to be! Think about it! Ghostly games, shinny bridges, eternal riddles, and, let’s not forget, the constant surge of adrenaline. Surely that is invigorating even to a soul! So, let’s not overthink it. After all, it’s just death. How bad can it be?
All written content is original, drawn from myth, memory, and madness.
All images are generated via Midjourney using custom prompts by the author, unless otherwise stated.
What a lovely journey you've taken us through this fascinating place! (and Boo's an adorable menace ^^)
Thank you CooG! I'm glad you liked it :D And Boo is totally here to stay. It's going to be your guide in more articles about afterlife and the Underworld!
Come visit my world of Kena'an for tales of fantasy and magic!
Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.