The Infernal Order

A pantheon of gods that preside over evil and chaos, fighting to gain power and using mortals to do so. The Infernal Order is illegal to worship throughout most of Sol, though some cults, communities, and even whole cultures are an exception to this. In the calamitous war that nearly ripped the fabric of reality apart, the infernals attempted to destroy creation and supplant the divines as masters of reality, being repelled by the celestials and their champions.
The infernals expect many of the same things as their celestial counterparts such as worship and devotion, though mostly without virtue and with a harsh emphasis on sacrifice and submission. They offer mortals a taste of power for their service and often deliver, albeit usually in a way that betrays the implied terms of their bargains. Mortals show their devotion to the infernals by building altars, shrines, and hidden temples to the deities where their worship is illegal and functioning temples where legal.
Valraath, the god of destruction, slaughter, and malice
Heronis, the god of pleasure, debauchery, and hedonism
Celexei, the god of black magic, summoning, and necromancy
Demithios, the god of insanity, madness, and terror
Chrynios, the god of messages and trickery
Shaegunda, the god of forbidden knowledge, fate, and dreams
Kabara, the father of vampirism
Savaris, the mother of lycanthropy
Misanthei, the goddess of despair and misfortune
Mephia, the goddess of hidden truth
Nyx, the goddess of secret murder
Anathexia, the goddess of plague, pestilence, and deviancy
Strife, the goddess of plots, conspiracy, and ambition
Daphyxo, the goddess of deception, thieves, and reversal of fortune

Tenets of Faith

Eternal Conflict

Due to the chaotic nature of the infernals, they expect their followers to make war upon any outsider forever. This can take the form of armed conflict, destabilization, or oppression. For infernal worshippers, long lasting peace, coexistence, or harmony is not considered virtuous or desirable.

Worship

Those who worship the infernal gods appease and honor them through various forms of worship. As in most religions and cults, prayer and living by the ordinances set out by the gods is the immediate form of devotion, though some deities demand more taxing forms of faith.

Mortal Sacrifice

Most infernal gods accept or even expect the sacrifice of living mortals. Typically, any mortal will do, though some gods, such as paladins and priests, may prefer holy sacrifice. Often done in an elaborate ceremony, a sacrificial ritual will be performed using a ceremonial blade blessed by the infernal clergy. The faithful often use the blood from the gift by rubbing it on their face or consuming it. Typically, the body is burned afterward.

Self-Flagellation

Spilling blood for the gods in battle and sacrifices is considered virtuous. Though there is a third way to appease the gods by blood, drawing it from oneself through cutting and whipping. This is not something every deity of the order demands. Rather, it is reserved for the most violent, cruel, or sadistic gods.

Sects

Dark Elves

The Dark Elves' worship of the infernals is centered on overcoming challenges and proving their strength. They see the infernals as powerful entities to be reckoned with, representing trials and tribulations that test the resilience and intellect of the Dark Elves. Their worship is driven by a sense of duty and obligation rather than love or adoration. They perform rituals and sacrifices not out of reverence but to gain favor and demonstrate their worthiness. The Dark Elves view their relationship with the infernals as transactional, seeking to harness the power granted by the infernals to further their own goals and ambitions.

Night Elves

On the other hand, the Night Elves of the Underdark have a genuine love and zealous devotion for the infernals, despite their inherently evil nature. They perceive the infernals as benevolent deities, interpreting their destructive and corruptive aspects as necessary for growth and change. The Night Elves see themselves as agents of the Infernals' divine will, embracing the dark elements of their faith. They willingly submit to the infernals' demands, viewing it as an expression of their trust and loyalty. Their worship involves elaborate rituals, fervent prayers, and extravagant sacrifices, all done in the name of embracing the infernal powers bestowed upon them. They believe that through their devotion and service, they uphold a greater purpose and bring about a twisted form of divine goodness.

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Divines

• Celexei
• Chrynios
• Mephia
• Savaris
• Shaegunda
• Strife
• Valraath