Vela Baatoria
Vela Baatoria (ancellan celestial for Looking at Baator, or Going to the Hells) is the first part of Ishtaran writer Rasmus's 1st-century epic poem Vela Mundani (Looking at the Worlds). It is followed by Vela Elementa (Looking at the Elements) and Vela Celestia (Looking at the Heavens). Vela Baatoria describes Rasmus' journey through The Hells, guided by the fallen angel Zariel. In the poem, The Hells are depicted as nine concentric circles of torment located within the planet Baator on the other side of The Veil within The Underworld; it is the "realm ... of those who have rejected spiritual values by yielding to bestial appetites or violence, or by perverting their mortal intellect to fraud or malice against their fellows".
As an allegory, the Vela Mundani represents the journey of the soul toward the Gods, with Vela Baatoria describing the recognition and rejection of sin.
Plot Synopsis
Canto I: Prelude - The Three Beasts
The poem begins on the night of Vistday on Mystris 24, 1 AR, shortly before dawn. The narrator, Rasmus himself, is thirty-five years old, and thus "midway in the journey of our life". The poet finds himself lost in a dark wood (selva oscura), astray from the "straight way" (diritta via, also translatable as "right way") of salvation. He sets out to climb directly up a small mountain, but his way is blocked by three beasts he cannot evade: a lonza (usually rendered as "basilisk"), a leone (Manticore), and a lupa (she-wolf). The three beasts, are thought to symbolize the three kinds of sin that bring the unrepentant soul into one of the three major divisions of The Hells. According to some scholars, these are incontinence or lack of restraint (the she-wolf violence or rage (the manticore and fraud and malice (the basilisk other scholars assign the basilisk to incontinence and the she-wolf to fraud/malice. It is now dawn of Oonisday, with the sun rising. The beasts drive him back despairing into the darkness of error, a "lower place" (basso loco]) where the sun is silent (l sol tace). However, Rasmus is rescued by a figure who announces that she was once a mighty warrior of Halcyon: it is the fallen angel Zariel, once a commander in the celestial army on Ora and now an Archdevil in The Hells, because of her overpowering hatred for Demons.
Canto II: Prelude - The Three Goddesses
On the evening of Oonisday, Rasmus hesitates as he follows Zariel; Zariel explains that she has been sent by Selene, the Goddess of Love and Compassion. Selene had been moved to aid Rasmus by the Goddess Ishtar (symbolic of Divine Guidance) and Mystra (symbolic of illuminating Grace). The three goddesses all appear in the heavenly scene recounted by Zariel. The two of them then begin their journey to The Underworld.
Canto III: Prelude - Vestibule of the Hells
Rasmus passes through the gate of The Hells, which bears an inscription ending with the phrase "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate", most frequently translated as "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." Rasmus and his guide hear the anguished screams of the Uncommitted. These are the souls of people who in life took no sides; the opportunists who were for neither good nor evil, but instead caused great evil through inaction. Mixed with them are outcasts who took no side in the Rebellion of Demons in the Reshaping Year of Blood. These souls are forever unclassified and unclaimed by both the gods and fiends; they are neither in Hell nor out of it, but reside on the shores of the Styx. Naked and futile, they race around through the mist in eternal pursuit of unknown goals while relentlessly chased by swarms of wasps and hornets, who continually sting them.
After passing through the vestibule, Rasmus and Zariel reach the ferry that will take them across The River Styx and to Hell proper. The ferry is piloted by Charon, who does not want to let Rasmus enter, for he is a living being. Zariel forces Charon to take him by declaring, "Vuolsi così colà dove si puote / ciò che si vuole" ("It is so willed there where is power to do / That which is willed"), referring to the fact that Rasmus is on his journey on divine grounds, and what can be done must be done to accommodate his quest. The passage across the Styx, however, is undescribed, since Rasmus faints and does not awaken until they reach the other side.
The Nine Hells
Zariel proceeds to guide Rasmus through the nine Hells. The text explains that the Devils of the Nine Hells are bound to obey the laws of their superiors, but they rebel within their individual castes. Most undertake any plot, no matter how foul, to advance themselves. At the very top of the hierarchy is Asmodeus, who has yet to be bested. If he were to be vanquished, the victor would rule the plane in turn. Such is the law of the Nine Hells.
Avernus
Rasmus wakes up to find that he has crossed the Styx, and Zariel leads him to the first layer of hell, Avernus, where Zariel herself rules and resides. Each Canto of the poem now shifts to describing a single level of hell and the ruler of each layer as well as stopping to meet various characters along the way.
Zariel Explains that Hell has nine layers. The first eight are each ruled by Archdevils that answer to Asmodeus, the Archduke of Nessus, the ninth layer. To reach the deepest layer of the Nine Hells, one must descend through all eight of the layers above it, in order. The most expeditious means of doing so is The River Styx, which plunges ever deeper as it flows from one layer to the next. However, Rasmus and Zariel proceed to tour The Hells on foot.
Avernus, the first layer, is a fiery crucible of ceaseless war orchestrated by Zariel and her general, the cunning Bel. Here are the frontlines of the eternal conflict between Demons and Devils, known as The Blood War. From the relative safety of a nearby plateau, the travelers witness a brutal training skirmish between a regiment of Devils and the damned souls in eternal torment. Zariel explains to Rasmus, that even Devils and all of their brutality have their purpose. In beating back the demonic hordes, the Devils form the bulwark for the rest of the universe, even protecting the Heavens themselves from the armies of chaos that would tear them apart.
Dis
As they descend further into Baator, they reach Dis, the second layer, a realm of relentless industry and hierarchy ruled with an iron fist by Dispater. Here in the heart of the Iron City of Dis, they witness the vast machinery of war as it produces horrible machines Rasmus finds difficult to look upon. They reach an impassable river of fire leading from the war factories and encounter a group of chain Devils torturing the damned in a pit of tar. Zariel secures safe-conduct from their leader, named Malacoda ("Evil Tail"). He informs them that the bridge across the river has collapsed (as a result of the destruction that shook The Hells during the conflict between Ishtar and Tharizdun at the onset of the Betrayal War) but that there is another path further on. He sends a squad of chain Devils led by one called Barbariccia to escort them safely.
Almost as soon as they are out of earshot of Malacoda, Barbariccia offers to defect to Zariel, saying he is the most loyal of all Devils even while trying to betray his current master. Zariel declines and so Barbariccia offers his services to Rasmus as well calling him “The Big Boss” and attempting to wash his feet with his tongue. Rasmus declines politely and the other Devils begin to laugh at Barbariccia until he starts whipping them with his chains. The Devils provide some much-needed satirical black comedy – in the last line of Canto XXI, the sign for their march is provided by a fart: "and he had made a trumpet of his ass".
Minauros
The travelers cross the lava and move on to Minauros, the third layer. It is an endless bog that reeks of greed and corruption dotted with stone edifices where the scheming Mammon rules. In the eponymous city of Minauros Mammon attempts to strike a bargain with Rasmus, offering him wealth and power in The Substantial in exchange for his soul, but Rasmus declines, angering Mammon. It is only through the intervention of Zariel that he is placated. She says “Quest'anima poetica è venduta alla musa / il prezzo di una vita angosciosa ancora dovuta” (“This poetic soul is sold to the muse / the price of an anguished life still owed”). Scholars disagree on the meaning of this verse, some believe it refers to the unwritten works Rasmus had yet to write, which at this time may have included The Aerini, but certainly included the sequels to this work, Vela Elementa, and Vela Celestia, others have posited it is in reference to his divine purpose as a witness on this journey as sent by Selene, Ishtar, and Mystra.
Phlegethos
The infernal journey then plunges into the scorching flames of Phlegethos, where the fiery temptress Fierna reigns alongside her father Belial who administrates the Infernal Court in Phlegethos. Fierna seems smitten with Rasmus and inquires of their journey’s purpose, to which Rasmus says “The symbol of Love so loved as to send me to Hell” in reference to his Divine mandate from the Goddess Selene, to which Fierna replied:
“Love, which in gentlest hearts will soonest bloom
has sent a lover to me with passion for his purpose.
A gift I would not scorn to tear unshriven to thy doom.
Love, which permits no loved one not to love,
takes me so strongly with delight in thee
that we may be one in Hell, as they are above.
Love led you unto my open arms, here in the depths of Hell,
but I dare not embrace thee though thou seem fair
for the Love that loves thee is a love loved too well.”
Stygia
The sojourn continues onward to frozen Stygia, the fifth layer, which brings with it a bone-chilling cold that numbs the soul, and Rasmus, as he did at the end of Canto III describes his swoon: "I fainted as if I had met my death. / And then I fell as a dead body falls". And so Zariel lifted him up and carried him across the frozen wastes and they did not encounter a single soul, nor did they meet Levistus, imprisoned in his icy fortress, who plots his impotent revenge.
Malbolge
They continue on, and begin to climb the endless slope of Malbolge, the sixth layer, where the scheming Archdevil Glasya, the daughter of Asmodeus holds sway over her labyrinth. Here Rasmus begged for a rest and the travelers spent a bitter night in a crumbling fortress. The next morning Glasya appeared before them and declared Zariel and Rasmus to be welcome guests and granted them passage through the labyrinth unmolested. Of note, Rasmus described her as “cold beauty, passing fair / in darkened realm a dark Lady / stern and proud but with some care”
Maladomini
Maladomini, the seventh realm, introduced grotesque and macabre sights under the madman Baalzebul's watchful eye. Baalzebul confronts Rasmus cursing him in infernal for daring to enter his realm, but Zariel once again defends him. The passage reads:
"Pape Asmode, Pape Asmode, God of Gods!"
Thus Baalzebul with his clucking voice began;
And that benignant warrior, who all things knew,
Said, to encourage me: "Let not thy fear
Harm thee; for any power that he may have
Shall not prevent thy going down this crag."
Then she turned round unto that bloated lip,
And said: "Be silent, thou accursed fly;
Consume within thyself with thine own rage.
Not causeless is this journey to the pit;
Thus is it willed on high, where Ishtar wrought
Vengeance upon the proud shadow."
Even as the sails inflated by the wind
Involved together fall when snaps the mast,
So fell the cruel monster to the earth.
The “proud shadow” in this passage refers to Tharizdun who Ishtar smited during The Moonfall event. This is meant clearly to be a threat to Baalzebul who receives it as such, understanding that Rasmus was not to be harassed on his journey unless one would evoke the vengeance of Ishtar.
Cania
Next the pair visits Cania, the eighth layer, which stretches across a desolate wasteland of eternal winter, where solitude and despair reign supreme under the watchful eye of the pitiless Mephistopheles. Here the pair pick up The River Styx again as on it’s banks is the only respite from the harsh ice storms ravaging this layer.
The Poet and his Guardian begin to hear the waterfall that plunges over the Great Cliff into the ninth and final layer, Nessus. When they arrive, Rasmus looks over the edge into The Pit below. It seems bottomless and after some distance vision fails and all seems black to Rasmus as he looks down into the emptiness. At the top of the falls, at Zariel’s order, Rasmus removes a cord from about his waist and Zariel drops it over the edge; as if in answer, a huge, distorted shape swims up through the filthy air.
The creature is unnamed in the poem, though it is mentioned to be a Duke of Cania and Captain of Mephistopheles’ guard. After some negotiation wherein this unnamed devil makes it clear that he hates mortals and desires nothing more than Rasmus’ death, Zariel finally convinces him to let Rasmus ride on his back and carry him into the pit and down to Nessus. In exchange Rasmus agrees to not include his name in his book so that no mortals will know of him and he won’t be summoned to The Substantial.
Over the ensuing centuries theories have abounded as to the identity of this creature. The current academic consensus is that the creature must be Hutijin, a relatively obscure figure, known only to the most learned infernal scholars. He has no cults of his own, and his servants are few in number. It is, however, well known amongst those who have heard of him, that Hutijin hates mortals. When summoned from The Hells, he repays the instigator with an agonizing death.
Nessus
Finally, their journey reaches Nessus, the darkest and deepest layer, where the archduke of deception and manipulation, Asmodeus himself, resides in “sinister splendor” within his great citadel Malsheem. The creature drops Rasmus to the ground unceremoniously and flies away. The pair enter Malsheem and the culmination of Rasmus' arduous journey through the Nine Hells brings him face to face with the sinister presence of Asmodeus.
Rasmus, now understands that he is here to bear witness and reveal his observations to the Mortal World. And so after initial pleasantries he begins interrogating Asmodeus.
"O Asmodeus, keeper of the damned, in this infernal crowd,
Pray, tell me, in your dominion of deceit and vice,
Do secrets hold the keys to power in this realm of twilight's shroud?"
Asmodeus, replied with chilling poise, and no word astray,
"Rasmus of Ishtara, seeker of truths in darkness' embrace,
Power lies in Power, mayhaps that is secrets hid away."
"In The Hells, the price is high, and bargains often sold.
But heed me well, for truth is masked in enigmatic guise,
That knowledge, like a serpent's kiss, may leave the spirit cold."
Rasmus bore the truths of Hell, in verse, he would enshrine,
A tale of darkness, power, and the secrets that define,
The Inferno's depths, where Devils tread, and mortals intertwine.
Conclusion
With that Zariel leads Rasmus deeper into the chasm below Malsheem until the path narrows so much that he must crawl. Then looking back he realizes he is alone. Pressing onward he eventually notices he is no longer crawling downward but is climbing upward despite not having changed direction. After an indeterminate time, the poet emerges from a hole in the earth beneath a night sky studded in stars.
Alternate Interpretation
Though scholars have debated for centuries whether or not Rasmus actually went on these epic journeys he describes in Vela Mundani, or if he witnessed the things he claims to have in Kisun Ora - A Tale of Reshaping, many believe the stories to be true, or at least based in fact. Many of the details including the overall descriptions of The Hells and their denizens have since been proven accurate through infernal summoning or wayward adventuring parties. So if one accepts that Rasmus did indeed take a guided tour of The Hells then the question becomes why?The diagetic reason is "to bear witness and enshrine the secrets of Hell in verse", but detractors argue that is no reason at all, and some have gone on to say there is no reason the three goddesses described in the text would do such a thing as send a mortal to write a travel log of the Nine Hells.
An alternative theory has arisen in the last few centuries that perhaps Selene, Ishtar, and Mystra had nothing to do with any of this and the journey was in service of a secret party. This theory posits that Asmodeus actually had the most to gain from a widespread and respected work of literature being written and distributed in The Substantial that would spread knowledge of his dominion and its importance in the multiverse both as a bulwark against the invading demon hordes and the machinery for the just punishment of sinners. This theory is called The Secret Patron Theory or The Vela Deceit.
Proponents of the theory point to the charitable tone of the text when discussing the atrocities depicted within, the cryptic message about secrets being power that Asmodeus gives to Rasmus at the end, and most strikingly, the selection of Zariel the fallen angel to be Rasmus' guide and protector. Why wouldn't one of the three goddesses send one of their own Celestials or even a principality to perform the task? At the time it's said to have taken place Zariel had already been banished to hell for her warmongering, she seems like a strange choice from the perspective of the three goddesses. However, from the perspective of Asmodeus she makes perfect sense. Zariel is one of his chief allies, her sworn purpose is to defeat the forces of chaos and she, perhaps more than any other being, truly believes that without the armies of hell to protect them the worlds would be overrun by demonic hordes.
Furthermore, proponents also point to the disparity in detail between the three Velas. Baatoria being longer and more detailed than the others. The literary device is different as well, in Vela Baatoria, Rasmus physically takes the journey to The Hells, but in Vela Elementa he claims to have dreamt the experience, and in Vela Celestia he is said to have been given a divine vision of the trip.
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