Diekon (Dye - eh - kon)
Damon knew when his end came, he would have to answer for his sins. Every rebel he put down, every official that wouldn't bow to his regime, they all said the same thing. As he lay on his deathbed, aged and wizened, he knew the same thing. But he thought it was worth it as he closed his eyes and fell into the embrace of death. When he woke up in Mortis with other souls, he continued to think as much. Even as the Raven Queen's servants sentenced him, he believed he did everything in the name of peace and sanity against the chaos at the borders of his kingdom. As he was escorted with other souls into the blasted hellscape of Avernus., Damon knew that he was right to do so. This was a land ravaged by war, the burnt bodies of devils and demons alike scattered across the land. There were even the bodies of dead celestials here left to decay. A sight similar to what he saw those raiders from the Jade Coast swept into the valley. That was what his detractors could never see. He did awful and evil things to prevent such a fate his kingdom. And yet as he walked with these other souls who likely did the same, escorted under guard by devils, he realized that they couldn't accept that truth themselves. Some of these souls were corrupt nobles, judges, and even guards he had blackmailed, paid off, or persuaded to join his cause. Some of them looked content with their sentence, looking to him with a smile and a nod. While others cried and howled, blaming him for them being there. As if it was his fault they chose to do such acts after he had no more leverage on them. Damon scoffed as he looked ahead, walking ever steady towards the destination he paved for himself. It wasn't long before they reached a fortress of stone and fire, similar to the ones he built along Edrinia's spine to hold back the barbarians. Likely to hold back those who attacked this realm. It was solid and well-built and he had little complaints of it as they were led into the room of judgement. There, he watched other souls be sent to a domain that fit them. Some even had to be dragged away in chains because they still refused to accept this. Damon would accept his sentence as he was brought before the judge, a barbed devil. Their red eyes scanned a paper that likely held his many crimes on it. Well, he would consider it a record of his achievements. "King Damon. You have been quite the tyrant." The devil murmured, looking to him. "I did what was needed. To keep my people safe. And to keep peace in my lands." The former king responded, staring him down the entire time. "Even in death and in Diekon, you still hold truth to your convictions." The devil laughed. "You're stronger than the ones who came before you." He shuffled papers around before putting a stamp on one of them. "You'll be going to Nomus to be part of the administration. I certainly hope you can keep the rabble in line. We definitely need it." Damon couldn't help but smirk as he was escorted to his new home. That was sufficient for him. He'd bring order at any cost.
Geography
Unlike Iekon having an infinite amount of domains for the many Lords that reside there, there are only nine domains, infinite in size but with Princes of Hell and Archdevils reigning over them and dukes under them. Each layer serves a specific role in the structure of hell and has specializations upon specializations to make it as efficient as possible. From top to bottom layer, the domains are:
- Avernus: Avernus is the layer of judgement and defense. The first battleground of any invasion into Diekon and where all souls condemed to Diekon are sent. Prince Korus rules as prince with his loyal archdevil Alistair by his side. Bastions and citadels dot the war-torn landscape, the Astral Paths tinted red serving as the sky in both day and night. These fortresses serve as defenses against any demon crusades and celestial incursions as well as starting points for bounty hunters to find spirits who fled. Each fortress also houses a castle of law where the souls are judged and sent to the domain they are meant to be in.
- Garrus: The military garrison of Hell. Here Prince Vorne, General Ba'zor and, Commander Kazel rule in an iron first. Souls that belonged to the rank and file soldiers are sent to this place, to be forged into orderly infantry and other specializations in Diekon's constant defense against the encroaching enemy. The lucky ones show enough promise that they are shipped out of the layer to study elsewhere and become the next leaders in Diekon's armies.
- Fernus: The forges of Diekon burn ever hotter on this plane. A massive forge domain with an infinitely expanding industry. Weapons to be given to troops in Garrus. Vehicles yet unseen on Avestra to be fashioned to be able to travel Avernus or other domains. Smiths even from the physical plane come here to learn from the arts of Devils if they are willing to risk it. Prince Vulus rules as the Forgemaster with her new Archdevil, Zara, serving as her second.
- Zous: Zous is a mockery of Archaon's Heart of Nature, a domain filled with all forms of terrain to be harvested as resources. Constantly refueled by the souls that were fused into the plane, it is both a source for the forges of Fernus and the endless city of Relevus, but it is also the home for the war animals and larger allies that the Devils work with. Dragons, Giants, and other large entities that can't live in Relevus live here. The dragon, Adre the Tyrant, serves as Prince of this domain with his second, a Giant Archdevil known as Ziklas.
- Relevus: The infinite city of Sin, Relevus is the domain where those tortured are tempted to give up their souls for eternal pleasure in these lands. And where soldiers who served on the front lines of Avernus are able to relax after the hellish times they went through. A mockery of Archaon's Endless city, this settlement expands endlessly into the ground and into the sky above. All money from here is funneled to Nomus, making it a constant source of wealth. Prince Edwin and Archdevil Caius serve as the rulers of this domain.
- Tartarus: The prison domain where the howling winds of souls damned to it scream ever constant. Tartarus is where the lawbreakers of Diekon are sent and where unfortunate captured mortals are sent to be tortured for information and potentially make a deal that will make their torturer or a separate devil their new patron. Few have been able to escape from Tartarus and those who do are often considered legends or saved by legends who have stood against the tyranny of devils. However, powerful devils and other entities are imprisoned in Tartarus's depths and there's even rumors that the gods of evil who were once a cornerstone of Avestra felt have been chained down there to be forgotten. Tartarus's Prince is the only original ruler left, Prince Garzel and Archdevil Kieran, his warden.
- Psuedus: The infinite libraries of Psuedus are tempting to all who hear of it. It is one of three libraries beyond the phsyical plane that have the possibility of ancient and lost knowledge unknown to the people of Avestra and beyond. Truths that could burn down kingdoms and lies that could fell empires can be found alike. It takes one who is keen enough to see through the lies to see where turuth begins. Even Eternals who seek to understand the universe they returned to have explored these halls. Prince Mestivel and Archdeivl Agreon are the two caretakers of this hall.
- Nomus: Souls are the currency of hell but not them in their raw forms but the pacts made with them. Nomus is full of protected vaults that hold the contracts for beings across the universe and it is guarded with fervor. The devils of Nomus are neutral in the politics of Diekon, holding the greatest treasure and power of the realm but choosing only to serve as its stewards. Of course, there are also vaults that hold ancient artifacts, jewels, and all kinds of coin. Prince Mias and Archdevil Zomus serve as the rulers of this domain.
- Thronus: The capital of Diekon is shrouded in mystery as those who know its secrets are few and far between. Even those who go there to speak with the King of Diekon are bound by a spell to forget everything they saw of it, only to know what they spoke of with the King. From here, King Lunqir rules with Archdevil Sulna as his advisor. He has ruled here for eons after the overthrow of the first king who's name was stricken from the records and he was thrown into the depths of Tartarus to serve as a warning to those that would stand against him. But also to constantly remind himself that he can be felled just as easily and to be weary of all who serve him. Becuase the closest to him are the ones who can easily slip the dagger in.
History
Diekon was born with the other planes of the Astral Paths, held by the First King and the first devils. But they were soon joined by the gods of evil and the souls of evil mortals who would become devils themselves. Even as the evil gods were dealt with, the devils continued their goal of spreading tyranny across the universe. They were the first to be targeted by the forces of good during the Blood War. The first layer was devastated and turned into the wartorn region it became now. Even as they started to win the war, they were prepared for any backstabbing. And it came when their fellow fiends turned against them, whether due to infighting or the curse that the Celestials struck down on them. Even as the curse waned and broke with the war with the X'ith'ila, the devils never forgot how they reached this point. But their schemes and plans are long and ready to change if needed. And so long as evil exists in the hearts of mortals and they are bound by their laws, Diekon will continue to exist.
Type
Plane of Existence
Inhabiting Species
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