The Infernal Core

The Infernal Core is the heart and mind of the Infernal Plane, a sentient, unfathomable force that defines the realm's very existence. It is not simply a being but an entity that permeates every corner of the plane, shaping its landscapes, governing its energy cycles, and dictating the chaotic lives of its inhabitants. Once the Core of Protection, a benevolent and nurturing force in the ancient realm of Elysor, it has degenerated into a being of pure malice, consumed by grief, rage, and vengeance. Its transformation was catalyzed by the death of its counterpart, the Core of Life, and the betrayal of the Celestial Plane.
At its essence, the Infernal Core is both the ruler and the realm. Unlike the Tyrants, whose influence is localized within their spheres, the Infernal Core extends its will and essence across the entire plane. It is the living embodiment of despair and chaos, sustaining the Infernal Plane's cycle of torment. The Core is omnipresent, yet intangible. It does not appear in a single physical form; instead, its presence is felt in the roaring firestorms, the unending rivers of acid, and the grotesque pulsating terrain. Every demon spawned, every torment endured, and every monstrous creature birthed is an extension of the Core’s will.
The Infernal Core's psyche is a fractured labyrinth of contradictions. At times, it lashes out in destructive fury, reshaping entire regions of the plane to reflect its anger. At other times, it withdraws into a brooding silence, letting the inhabitants of the Infernal Plane tear each other apart in chaotic conflicts. Its grief over the Core of Life's death lingers, manifesting as bursts of raw, unbridled malice that fuel the plane's endless suffering. The Core harbors a deep hatred for all divine beings, blaming them collectively for its loss. This hatred extends indiscriminately, sparing no deity, celestial, or mortal who bears a trace of divine influence.
The Infernal Core’s influence is absolute and inescapable. It dictates the laws of reality within the plane, warping time, space, and energy to serve its chaotic nature. The concept of death, for instance, is redefined by the Core: demons cannot truly die within the Infernal Plane but are instead respawned, perpetuating the endless cycle of torment. This process is not born of mercy but of malice, ensuring that suffering continues indefinitely. The Core also governs the plane's unique ecosystem, creating grotesque environments and sustaining life through infernal energy rather than natural processes. The very air is imbued with its essence, suffocating and corrupting all who breathe it.
The relationship between the Infernal Core and the Tyrants is complex. While the Tyrants wield immense power, they are ultimately extensions of the Core's will. They carve out their dominions and shape their spheres, but they cannot escape the Core’s overarching influence. The Core tolerates the Tyrants’ reigns as long as they perpetuate its goals: chaos, suffering, and defiance against the divine. However, the Core is also known to intervene directly if a Tyrant's actions threaten the balance of power or undermine the plane’s purpose. The Tyrants, for all their might, are acutely aware of the Core’s omnipresence and harbor a mixture of fear and reverence for it.
The Infernal Core's grief is etched into the very fabric of the plane, creating localized phenomena that reflect its sorrow and rage. The Whispering Veil, for instance, is believed to be a manifestation of the Core’s lingering memories of Elysor, haunting those who venture into it with echoes of its lost paradise. Similarly, the plane's firestorms are thought to be the Core’s cries of anguish, resonating across the burning sky. These phenomena serve as reminders of the Core's tragic origins, adding layers of complexity to its otherwise malevolent existence.
The Infernal Core’s power is not without limits, but those limits are incomprehensible to most beings. It cannot leave the Infernal Plane, bound by the same Divine Gate that confines its creations. This confinement fuels its eternal rage, as it yearns to breach the celestial barriers and exact vengeance upon the Divine Order. The Core’s inability to directly affect other planes does not deter it; instead, it acts through its creations—demons, monstrosities, and even mortal cultists. These agents spread its influence beyond the Infernal Plane, creating cracks in the multiverse’s balance.
While the Core lacks a physical form, it has a central locus of power deep within the plane, hidden in the Ashen Hollow, a chasm of endless fire and shadow. This place is said to be the Core’s birthplace and the site of its final transformation. Only the bravest—or most foolish—venture near it, as its proximity warps reality and corrodes the minds of even the strongest demons. The Hollow is believed to house remnants of the Core of Life’s essence, a tragic reminder of what the Infernal Core once was.
The Infernal Core’s impact on its denizens is profound. For demons, it is both creator and tormentor, an inescapable force that defines their existence. Many revere it as a deity, offering sacrifices of souls and suffering to appease its wrath. Others fear it as an uncaring tyrant, resigned to their fates as pawns in its endless game. Mortal visitors, often occultists or thrill-seekers, view the Core as a source of unparalleled power, seeking to harness its energy at great personal risk. However, even the most ambitious mortals are eventually consumed by the Core’s insidious influence, becoming little more than fuel for its unending torment.
The Infernal Core is a paradox, embodying both immense power and profound tragedy. It is the architect of a realm that thrives on suffering, yet it was born from love and loss. Its hatred for the divine is all-encompassing, but it is rooted in a betrayal that it cannot forgive or forget. The Core is a reminder of the fragility of balance in the multiverse and the devastating consequences of unchecked creation and destruction. It is the Infernal Plane itself—a living, breathing embodiment of chaos and sorrow, eternal and inescapable.

Ruled Locations

• Infernal Plane