The Nine Hells

Plane of Demons
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The plane of Hell, fire and pain, A Realm where the wicked reside. Upon this realm lay nine lords, Nine Prisoners', Nine Deities that rule over the Nine Cities of Hell. Their word is commandment despite the wicked nature of the beings that reside here, it is still a realm of law.

Propergander for generations has painted the Nine Hells as a realm of utter punishment. A Realm of pure evil, That all mortals of the material plane should fear and anything related to it. However the truth of the matter is both reassuring and horrifying at the same time. Being a realm of law the Nine Hells are far more organised and culturalized than most are lead to believe, Now its still a far cry from the pompous capital cities in Felwind but a realm containing so many mortal souls there was always bound to be some familiar structure taking place.

Each of the nine Cities operates to the will of the Arch-Devil that controls it so each City has different cultures surrounding it. And each Arch-Devil acts on their own will, none answer to each other and none are responsible for another's actions.
In the plane of the Hells, Might is right. The strongest, most powerful and influential devils rule over those lesser. Those in power within the Cities of Hell know that tyrannical rule is not the answer here, True powerful devils know when to extend a hand to help, know when to make an example and know when to yank the leash of their underlings are becoming complacent.
Power and Influence demand respect within the Hells. A Devil will often seem a friend, just one of their many tricks to make you drop your guard, But show your power and suddenly a Devil shows its respect, Especially if that power was gained through malicious ways.

Souls of the wicked, souls of the dammed, souls sold or souls earned tend to find the Nine Hells as their afterlife destination. Weak souls arrive here as slugs, nothing more that prey to be snapped up by Arch-Devils, Pit Fiends or Night-Hags. Used as fuel or currency or even brought in as slaves.
But the Hells have laws and all abide by them, Souls starting from nothing can work their way up in power and status if they are willing to warp their morals and use others for their own benefit including their superiors.
The Cunning and wicked thrive in this realm, Those willing to twist their words into sweet nothings, Sell their morality to the highest bidder and offer themselves as objects of desire. But it is always wise to abide by the lawful realm. Tempering your malice and having respect for some other Devils can be a ticket to greater status among overlords rather than fighting everyone you meet.

The Sins of mortals hold great power in this realm, Embracing these can get you far.
Understanding the power of a contract is key to your status within this realm.

Mortals call it the Nine Layers of Hell, residents of the hells can see where mortals get their layered naming from but it's more accurate for residents to call them the Nine Cities of Hell

Each layer or city of the Nine Hells hold their own courts that judge and rule over any who pass through their domain.

The Blood War
“You wonder why this realm is stained red? from the stone to the dirt to the sky and Hell-spawn that reside here? Well it was the Blood War my friend. Blood enough to drown the mortal plane…thrice over.”

While the realms were still young, The Blood War raged. The Chaos from Pandemonium rose like the rising tide, a sickness with no conscious, threatening to envelope everything before it had even had a chance to begin.

Two would stand that still remain today, Zariel and Asmodeus. a contract was formed. the first Contract enacted by an Arch-Devil. Calling upon the Domains of the Pantheon, United against an enemy that held no love, no moral, no empathy. An Alliance between Celestia and Hell, On that contract it was stated that such an alliance would never happen again.
Pouring forth from the crucible, Souls were forged and supplied to fight in the Blood War, to fight against the unrelenting monstrosities of the Abyss. Zariel and her armies on the front lines for the fate of existence that had yet to even experience its first decade.

That War waged on longer than any war to be. It would have gone on forever if an act of desperation had not put an end to it.

Rankings within various infernal dealings are below but the titles of Lord/Lady & Knight can be issued by the first three ranks of each for special roles or to denote a devil or person of high standing but not official rank within the courts, armies, or royalty.

All devils have two names: one they’re commonly known by, and another secret true name. Every devil zealously safeguards the latter, as their true name can be spoken aloud to aid in summoning the fiend or to strip them of their power.

The first layer, ruled by Zariel.

Zariel and her forces were the leading force behind the invasion of Mor-Thir in the Ashlem War, their rifts being forced closed ended the war and declared as a failed invasion.

The second layer, ruled by Dispater

Lady Dazran, Knight of Dis

The third layer, ruled by Mammon

The fourth layer, ruled by Belial and Fierna

The fifth layer, ruled by Levistus

The sixth layer, ruled by Glasya

The seventh layer, ruled by Baalzebul

The eighth layer, ruled by Mephistopheles

The ninth layer, ruled by Asmodeus