* Restricted: Denizens of Hell only
Hell is the great pit that lies at the bottom of the great bowl of the Underworld. It is the great fortress of the Gods of Hell, and is so vast that it constitutes a Land in its own right. The gradient of the Pit of Hell is a uniform 1 in 2 (or 22.5 degrees).
Hell is divided into nine concentric Circles. The Ninth and innermost Circle is the Sun Pit. By Day CAERULAS rests here, and it is bright (illuminating the whole of the Underworld) and hot as a furnace. By night it is black and fire-strewn. Around the Sun Pit lies the Eighth or Inner Circle, the abode of the Gods of Hell. Due to its proximity to the Sun Pit, most building here is underground, but the Gods of Hell have built some impressive (and fire-resistant) structures to adorn the surface entrances to Their Highest Temples. Next out is the Seventh Circle, the abode of Demigods, and beyond that is the Sixth Circle, the abode of Devils. Each Circle (other than the Eight and Ninth) is separated from the others by concentric walls.
Hell is also divided into eight Sectors. This is largely a security measure, though different Alignments and Factions have established presences in separate Sectors of each Circle. The Ninth Sector comprises the Eighth and Nine Circles. The remaining eight Sectors are also known as the eight Octants, being segments of each of the First to Seventh Circles divided by the points of the compass as follows:
Each of the above eight Sectors is entered from the Ninth by a Postern Gate in the Perimeter Rampart of the Eighth Circle, from each of which a straight Road, named after its compass point (e.g. the NNE Road) runs out to the corresponding Outer Gate in the Outer Wall of the First Circle (parts of which are constituted by the surrounding ring of the Mountains of Hell.). Outside the Seventh Circle the Octants are divided by radial walls.
The other major geographical feature of Hell is its great Rivers. These flow from the Mountains of Hell down the Pit into the Sun Pit, where they evaporate in clouds of steam that help shroud Hell in mists to prevent Farsighting it. They are dammed in a number of places to provide water, power and homes for aquatic Evil Beings. The four greatest of the Rivers of Hell are the Styx, Lethe, Phlegethon and Acheron.
Beneath Hell lie the Dungeons of Mount Anar. The Gravity Change-over Point lies at the very bottom of the Pit, at The Gates of Hell themselves, where the Shaft enters Hell. It is progressively deeper beneath the floor of the Pit as the latter climbs above its lowest point. There are a number of entrances into the Dungeons from Hell, some well-known, some secret. These (along with the Outer Gates) are also commonly known as Gates of Hell. Some of the most well-known of these in the Inner Circles are the Gorl Dungeon Gateway (at the Easternmost point of the Perimeter Rampart, leading out into the Seventh Circle), the Falls Dungeon Gateway (on the ESE Road in the Seventh Circle) and the ZORAY Dungeon Gateway (in the dam of a tributary of the Acheron, where the Radial Wall between the ESE and SSE Octants begins).
Hell is also defended by a complex weave of Teleport Barriers.
Go to map of the Eighth and Ninth (Innermost) Circles of Hell
Go to map of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Circles of Hell
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