Baator
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In the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Baator, also known as the Nine Hells, is the Outer plane where the souls of people of Lawful Evil alignment are sent after death, suffering whatever torments are determined by their gods and beliefs. Baator is also home to the devils, fiendish extra-dimensional creatures of pure Lawful Evil; the most populous variety of devils are the baatezu, a race which effectively rules the plane. The devils are in constant conflict with the Chaotic Evil demons. The ultimate rulers of Baator are the Lords of the Nine, also called Arch-Devils; each one rules absolutely over one of the layers.
The layers of Baator are configured as a descending cone, with each layer successively lower than the one before it, as opposed to the Upper Planes of good alignment, where one goes higher to enter deeper into the plane. These layers are, from topmost to bottom:
- Avernus is a vast wasteland over which the iron towers of the Dukes of Hell stand; from these towers the devils send out and respond to summonings and communicate with mortal wizards and cultists via astral projection. Lord Bel rules here, and Tiamat, queen of evil dragons, stands watch over the way to the next layer.
- Dis is the second layer, dominated by the Iron City of Dis, the greatest city in all of Hell, which reaches far into the sky and deep beneath the earth. Archduke Dispater rules here.
- Minauros is composed mostly of bog. The city of Minauros the Stinking sinks here, ruled by the Viscount Mammon.
- Phleghethos is a fiery wasteland filled with active volcanoes and rivers of molten lava. Lady Fierna and Archduke Belial are the lords of this layer.
- Stygia is a murky ocean fed directly by the River Styx. Prince Levistus rules over this layer.
- Malbolge is where the Hag Countess rules.
- Maladomini is a barren landscape scarred by countless forgotten ruins, abandoned mines and gruesome subterranean dungeons. The city of Malagard is the layer's primary settlement. Archduke Baalzebul presides over this layer.
- Cania (or Caina) is an icy waste, ruled by Mephistopheles.
- Nessus is a pit virtually uninhabited even by the devils. Here, King Asmodeus rules over the entire plane, and thus the entire race of devils.
The topography of Baator is broadly derived from the Hell described in Dante's The Divine Comedy, although the arrangement and names of the layers of Baator differ greatly from the circles of Hell described by Dante. The Outer Plane of Mount Celestia is likewise loosely inspired by Dante's depiction of Heaven.
External Links
- Layers of Baator (jpg) (http://www.wrg.ru/img/baator.jpg)
