The Underblaze

The Underblaze, also known as The Nine Hells, or The Underworld, is a Plane of Existence, situated parallel to The Mortal Plane. It is an evil place, home to Demons, Devils and other monstrous beings. The Underblaze was fit with nine separate levels, each one, deeper and more terrible than the last. The inhabitants of The Underblaze were organized and commanded by The Dead Three, fallen members of The Eres. Always were the inhabitants of hell looking for ways to ascend to the mortal plane, to walk upon Naneth, bringing misery and strife to those that live above.
Another aspect of The Underblaze was that it provided a home to the mortal souls of the truly evil of Naneth. Kelemvor would shepherd these souls to the edge of The Void, delivering them here for their eternal punishment. These souls often became members of The Dead Three's growing legions.

Geography

Each level of The Underblaze was different from the last, and usually mirrored the disposition of it's specific ruler, whether it be a member of The Dead Three, or an incredibly powerful demon. Rocky plains of fire and blood, toxic and choking swamps or wastelands of snow and ice are examples of the landscapes one would encounter as they descend the levels.

Avernus

The first layer of the Underblaze was named Avernus. It is the most common layer visited by mortals from Naneth, as it was not too difficult to reach with the help of a portal or dark magic. Some believe Avernus is reachable by traveling deep enough within Naneth, through the great pits of Zahovaar. Most believe that Avernus was the level of The Underblaze that Tiamat herself was bound to.
Avernus was a vast wasteland of rocky terrain, rotted vegetation, fiery volcanoes and rivers of lava. The sky was always grey, full of choking smoke, and glowed red, due to the random explosions of fireballs, always present as balls of gas floating within the sky. It was here that the River Styx began; a river of blood, fire, and muck. From Avernus, it flowed deeper into the layers of The Underblaze.

Dis

The second layer of The Underblaze is described as a vast, unending desert of fire and rock. Black and stagnant rivers ran along it's landscape, though it provided no relief to those traveling the deathly lands. The landscape was flat and barren, with little to no vegetation present in it's ashy sand. Dis was home to the Iron City, a vast settlement for the tortured souls that arrived from Naneth and the mortal plane. The walls of this city glowed hot, as if always heated by the fire of The Underbalze.

Minauros

The third level of The Underblaze, and the first to be personally ruled by a member of The Dead Three, Myrkul. The landscape of Minauros was dominated by huge toxic swamps of death and decay. Oily water seeped through these areas, giving life to truly horrible beasts of Myrkul's own design. Even the demons and devils of The Underblaze feared this place, and what would become of them if they ever ventured too far into the bogs.
Within his layer of hell, Myrkul practiced dark rituals of necromancy, providing power to those that could convene with him even from the mortal plane. He gave rise to a horde of deadly magic users, here and within The Quaan Cult.

Phlegethos

The forth level of hell was named Phlegethos and was the hottest and most fiery of the layers. Here the black lands rolled with ashy hills and dotted the landscape with terrible peaks of flame. Volcano's constantly erupted here, adding rivers of liquid flame to the landscape. Even the air, full of gases and black smoke seemed to be flammable. The fortress of Abriymoch stood here, with it's walls of obsidian and and crystal. Within it's walls was the only livable area in this layer of The Underblaze.

Stygia

The fifth level of The Underblaze and the greatest contrast against the other levels. For Stygia was a vast land of snow and ice. Surrounding the frigid plateau of ice was a bottomless ocean. This was perhaps one of the most desolate layers of The Underblaze, with little to no activity present among the icebergs and waves of the ocean, apart from the presence of powerful Elementals of water and ice. The River Styx continued thorough this layer, cutting through the ice towards the next level of The Underblaze.

Malbolge

The River Styx, continuing it's crawl through Stygia, would eventually open into Malbolge, another massive ocean, this time of lava and fire. Large bricks of stone dotted the endless horizon of liquid flame, some forming together to create large enough areas for massive cities of demons and devils. For it was here, on the sixth level of hell, that Bhaal made his domain.
In the floating city of Ossiea did Bhaal make his seat of power, ruling over demons of trickery and falsehoods. Here, The Lord of Murder collected the souls of traitors, or those who had killed innocents in life. He added these souls to his legion of evil, preparing them to one day ascend.

Maladomini

The seventh layer of The Underblaze was described as a huge maze of ruin, hopeless and full of terror. Ruins of huge ancient cities of unknown origin resided here, creating endless passages through the land, endlessly twisting and turning. Some say these cities were to be the seat of Bane's rule within the Underblaze, but they were abandoned before completion, as he descended even lower into the underworld. Here the skies are polluted with toxic vapors and swarms of biting flies, truly a blight within The Underblaze.

Cania

Cania was the eighth level of the Underblaze, and was known to be the coldest and most desolate. It was an endless land of ice mountains and deep snow valleys. This area was devoid of almost all life. Temperatures here would freeze most creatures within minutes, making the icy waters of Stygia look tropical by comparison. Cania's landscape was known to be ever shifting, active as massive glaciers drifted onward.

Nessus

Nessus, the ninth and final level of The Underblaze, as well as the seat of power for Bane; The Black Hand and Overlord of Hell. This layer was set within a giant cavern of obsidian and rock. Cities of evil were built into it's hundreds of large stalactites, hanging from the vast and endless ceiling of rock. The greatest of these was Malsheem; the Citadel of The Underblaze and seat of Bane.
It is said that millions of demons make their homes within the passages of Malsheem, all of them awaiting Bane's orders to create chaos and finally ascend to the moral plane. From here Bane awaits his chance to return to Naneth, an opportunity to destroy the mortal plane, along with with his former companions, The Eres.

Inhabitants

The main inhabitants of The Underblaze were the legions upon legions of Devils and Demons. It was here they lived, vying their time before being summoned to Naneth, by Warlocks or Necromancers. All of them served The Dead Three first and foremost, and would often make fools of those that had summoned them to the mortal plane, usually killing them and capturing their souls.
Races like Tieflings began life as demons of The Underblaze, with most ascending to Naneth to form great houses within The Quaan Empire and beyond. Though, most that survived the ordeal of ascending to Naneth from The Underblaze have their memories lost, perhaps a trauma of the journey.
Beyond the scores of demons, monsters of unimaginable hatred also lurk within the fiery confines of The Underblaze. Creatures such as Hell Hounds, Nightmares, Imps and Hags; particularly Night Hags.

Classification Plane of Existence
Other Names The Nine Hells, The Underworld
Inhabitants Demons, Devils, Imps, Hags, Tortured Souls and many more
Lord/Leader Bane; Overlord of The Underblaze

Outline of The Underblaze, as understood by The Quaan Empire.