The Underworld

Though the lands of the dead are as vast as they are dim, they are commonly divided into two separate demesnes;
Barathrum is the lightless land of the dead where the newly dead and the soon to be born throng in unliving processions of innocent souls. Here, the departed linger for as long as they choose to resist the call of death, and it is from here they can yet still be brought back to life.
In the pit of Tartaron, Animus dwells in peace among the departed and the unborn who, if it is their wish, enter Its form, and embrace oblivion. Until this time, they rest in comfort and sanctuary, having forgotten the details of their lives, but not the weight that it has left upon them.
In the Underworld, Animus is the undisputed ruler.

Geography

Barathrum, the Gate of Life, a milk-white pool of soft light and mist, marking every soul that passed through it with a gleaming white mask of featureless porcelain. Though the mortal spirit emerges wearing it, they are able to remove it to recall details of their lives, but are not able to pass back in the other direction. Souls that continue to wear the mask begin to disconnect from their previous lives, and may find their travel through the underworld easier than those that choose to remember.
Acheron, the Hollow City, where the unaccepting and mournful wait. Inhabited by spirits that go about the day to day tasks of life that they are so obsessed with, rising from empty chambers, going about trivial rituals of washing, eating, working, and returning to an empty chamber to sit and remember what life used to be like, unwilling to accept their ultimate end.
Phlegethon the Road of Immolation, where those that embrace another Divine go if the angelic Avernales accept the prayers of supplicants. As they walk down the road, they burn to ash, leaving much of themselves to be drawn deeper into the realm of Animus while the soul rises like smoke and is drawn as by wind to the realms of their chosen Divine.
Kokytos, the City of Sorrow, where those filled with regret and sorrow wait, ever-weeping, overflowing with despair, loss and grief, unable to let go of what was and never shall be. Rivers drown the submerged stone streets, the salt of grief crystallises at the bases of the spires that rise from them, and endless shuddering sobs create an echoing din as mortal souls cling desperately to all they will forever be denied, refusing to move on.
Lethe the Road of the Forgotten, where those that accept death go when the toil of Acheron and the sorrows of Kokytos trouble them no longer, when the flame of Phlegethon is denied. No unmasked thing can walk the road of Lethe, lest they risk the wrath of the third city of the underworld that surrounds the final destination of any soul to dwell in the land of the unliving.
Styx the City Unmasked, where the Eidolons reside, surrounds the Gate of Death at the end of Lethe, where the Manes keep vigil for the souls of the dead ready to finally meet with Animus once more, where Lares stand guard against those that would do harm to the souls of Barathrum and Tartaron, and where the ready Lemures wait to claim the souls of blasphemers who seek to tear convalescing souls from their rest. Souls may tarry in the city of Styx and join the ranks of the Eidolons if they so desire, casting off their masks and embracing the shroud of shadow that marks them as agents of Animus.
Tartaron, the Gate of Death, is a pitch-black pool of shadow and smoke, shrouding every soul that passes through it with a sexless umbral robe that conceals their body entirely, leaving only the pale white mask exposed. Spirits that pass through it are unable to return, and are detached from their emotions, though they have a clear grasp of the factual details of their lives in full clarity.
Daimonais, the White Palace, is the home of Daimons, mortal spirits that spend their afterlives dwelling in the palace of Animus, having embraced and made peace with their deaths, and their place beyond the land of the living. They dwell in meditation and solitude, walking the halls, reading the libraries, observing the treasures and offering prayers to Animus, who dwells beneath.
The Deepest Pit lies in the heart of Daimonais, where Animus rests upon Its sunken throne. When a Daimon wishes to embrace annihilation, they present themselves to the Silent One, who embraces them in turn. They are absorbed into Its shroud, and become one with It, and all who came before them.

The Underworld is the name given to the realm of Animus, and it is the source of Regal souls as well as their final resting place.

Alternative Name(s)

The Land of the Dead

Type

Dimensional plane