The Underworld
The Underworld is named not because it is the land of the dead, for that is The Midnight. No, it is believed that the Underworld is located most frequently below the Overworld, and is the fiery pit beneath the world. The Realm of Elemental Fire, as it is also known, is a deadly place, home plane to both the wily Devils, and the fearsome Demons, who are forever at war with each other. Their battles pockmark the rocky plains of the Underworld, creating massive craters and huge spires as the landscape is forever shifting due to The Blood War.
Few species are native here, other than the devils and the demons. Minotaurs are one of the few, and are by far the most civilized. For living in a forever hellscape, they're practically friendly. Their massive city, Skophos, is a maze hewn out of the rock, protecting the underground entrances from both demons and devils. Their ferocity does the rest, and few outsiders make it into Skophos proper.
Tieflings are also technically native to one part of the underworld or another, as all of their bloodlines come from the powerful Archdevils eventually. Their hellish magic is drawn from this realm, and all Tieflings feel strangely at home here when they first arrive. For most, this feeling fades quickly, but some cannot ignore the draw of home, and a few all Tiefling settlements can be found across the rocky shores of the Underworld.
Finally, the Fire Genasi can be found here, often in one of their floating cities, in the center of an ocean of lava. There, they coexist with fire elementals, efreet, fire giants, and even some devils and demons.
While The Demon Lords would protest the idea, Asmodeus is the ruler of the Underworld. While the war shifts back and forth, at the moment the devils hold the advantage, and their lord rules over all. He is the god of devils, and the personification of tyranny, granting him great power. For the most part, Asmodeus sits on his throne in Nessus, absorbing souls that his minions earn. Occasionally, he wanders the plane, even leading an army or two. Even more occasionally, he will deal with a mortal himself, offering enormous power, for a price, of course.
Few species are native here, other than the devils and the demons. Minotaurs are one of the few, and are by far the most civilized. For living in a forever hellscape, they're practically friendly. Their massive city, Skophos, is a maze hewn out of the rock, protecting the underground entrances from both demons and devils. Their ferocity does the rest, and few outsiders make it into Skophos proper.
Tieflings are also technically native to one part of the underworld or another, as all of their bloodlines come from the powerful Archdevils eventually. Their hellish magic is drawn from this realm, and all Tieflings feel strangely at home here when they first arrive. For most, this feeling fades quickly, but some cannot ignore the draw of home, and a few all Tiefling settlements can be found across the rocky shores of the Underworld.
Finally, the Fire Genasi can be found here, often in one of their floating cities, in the center of an ocean of lava. There, they coexist with fire elementals, efreet, fire giants, and even some devils and demons.
While The Demon Lords would protest the idea, Asmodeus is the ruler of the Underworld. While the war shifts back and forth, at the moment the devils hold the advantage, and their lord rules over all. He is the god of devils, and the personification of tyranny, granting him great power. For the most part, Asmodeus sits on his throne in Nessus, absorbing souls that his minions earn. Occasionally, he wanders the plane, even leading an army or two. Even more occasionally, he will deal with a mortal himself, offering enormous power, for a price, of course.
Geography
The Underworld is a horrid place for most denizens of other realms to live. Lava, rather than water, runs through the realm in rivers, and fills its edges with lakes and even oceans. As such, the actual surface is barren and dead for the most part, made of a cracked red rock.
The one habitable place in the Underworld for mortal creatures is Phoberos, and even then just barely. Water is found deep within the rocky canyons, hidden within the maze of Skophos, which has become more geography than settlement in its sprawl and complexity.
A number of powerful beings call the Underworld home, and they cause the small amounts of variance in the plane. The home of Levistus the archdevil, for example, is a frozen wasteland, while Orcus, the demon lord, has a realm that is black and dead. However none of these places are truly "hospitable" even if they may seem so at first glance. Most of the beings are powerful devils or demons, and they are at best hostile to mortals.
The one habitable place in the Underworld for mortal creatures is Phoberos, and even then just barely. Water is found deep within the rocky canyons, hidden within the maze of Skophos, which has become more geography than settlement in its sprawl and complexity.
A number of powerful beings call the Underworld home, and they cause the small amounts of variance in the plane. The home of Levistus the archdevil, for example, is a frozen wasteland, while Orcus, the demon lord, has a realm that is black and dead. However none of these places are truly "hospitable" even if they may seem so at first glance. Most of the beings are powerful devils or demons, and they are at best hostile to mortals.
Climate
There are no seasons, no change in the Underworld. It is simply hot, dry, and dead at all times in nearly all places. At times, there are periods of acid rain, which can be deadly not just due to the acid. Massive storms can whip up deadly winds strong enough to create tides of lava, or to knock unwary travelers off of cliffs.
Alternative Name(s)
The Realm of Elemental Fire
Type
Plane of Existence
Location under
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