Post by Reeve Savage on Jan 5, 2015 6:04:01 GMT
In the Anteinferno forest, there is a deep and tangledvalley. If one tries to climb the hill to reach the light (as Dante attempted at first when he saw his beloved Beatrice and tried to follow her after she reassured him that the misery he felt could not reach her, she could withstand the fires there and disappeared back into Paradiso), one encounters three beasts – a leopard (Flauros) , a lion (Marbas), and a she-wolf (Marchosias). When Dante Aligheiri traversed here, he met with Virgil in the tangled mess of trees. He would have been lost otherwise, for he could not see the forest for the trees. Unless one knows the way, one needs a guide through this labyrinth or else they are lost. The she-wolf on the hill kills all who approach her. So as Dante, all other travelers must take a different path –through the levels of Hell. Only then can they reach Jehovah’s city (Heaven). The gates that open to invite them read:
Per me si va ne la cittàdolente,
per me si va nel’etterno dolore,
per me si va tra laperduta gente.
Giustizia mosse ilmio alto fattore:
fecemi la divinapodestate,
la somma sapienza e‘l primo amore.
Dinanzi a me nonfuor cose create
se non etterne, eio etterno duro.
Lasciate ognesperanza, voi ch’entrate
“Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.
Justice the founder of my fabric moved:
To rear me was the task of Powerdivine,
Supremest Wisdom, and primeval Love.
Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
Just beyond the gates, there lies the Anteinferno. This is where those who failed to make a conscious decision of their morality are strewn, for neither Heaven nor Hell accepts them. They chase after a blank banner for all of eternity, forever stung by wasps which make them bleed and cry tears of torment, where writhing worms consume what they secrete. Human souls mingle with the neutral angels in a state of constant confusion, forever being lost with no purpose but to try to avoid the stings and to find whatever that blank banner says. But they can never read it.
Then one is lead to the banks of the Archeron River, whichmarks the actual borders of Hell. Lines of new souls await to cross after they are brought in on the Starship Flying Dutchman. Each is given passage at the price Charon charges to cross, otherwise they are sent to Davy Jones’s Locker at the End of the Universe. This is the agreement they made, and despite how the agreement goes, not all who travel on the Flying Dutchman make it to the shores of the Archeron. The plains here are subject to earthquakes, sudden eruptions of fire, and tumultuous winds.
When one reaches the other side of the bank, before leading further into the pits of torment, there is a path that leads into the lush estate of he who goes by many names. Some call him Juan Diablo, others Don Peccadillo, but most refer to him as Mesistophelese Morgenstern.
Without going into too much detail about the mansion and it's luxurious maze of gardens, rooms, dungeons and passageways, one can't help but notice that beyond it, one finds oneself on the banks of the Lethe (oblivion) before one is back in the Garden of Eden, where this fallen cherub was given rule over. It is as difficult to find as it is to find Avalon, however.
The fork in the road that would bring one to the hedonistic grounds, also splits on into the dark city of Hell. At first, one comes to the peaceful, yet shadowy end called Limbo. Those who were virtuous before the time of Christ or were not baptized reside here. (There was once a Harrowing of Hell, but much like his relationship with his older twin, Michael the Archangel, not much is spoken about it in this city.)
When one passes beyond there, one runs into Minos, the husband of Luxuria Peccadillo. He is the judge of all who must pass into these parts of Hell, and the number of times he encircles his tail around his body signifies which circle the soul is condemned to. In this second circle, the Lustful are damned to swirl about in the torrential winds and forever feel the a monsoon of rain as they are cast about in the dark.
The path goes further, as the rains still crash down. However, here, it consists of filth and excrement, bringing a horrible stench to the air. A three-headed dog named Cerberus keeps watch over this third circle for his mistress, Gula. Her husband is Dr. Raven Sable. The Gluttonous are forced to wallow on the ground, being pelted with vile, freezing slush. One must sate Cerberus by feeding him in order to pass. Also Golgothan demons live here.
Then one comes to a ditch that forms a great ring. Inside this ditch, the greedy and prodigal - those who were not prudent with the goods of fortune - are overseen by Avarita, her husband Hexxus, and the demon, Plutus. Forever, they march onward in semi-circles back and forth until they crash into the other group. After this, they reform in the opposite direction to crash into the opposite group once more. Many screams of torment are heard, as they are pressed on by the infections of insects crawling inside their bodies to possess them to trudge on in this fashion.
Into the marshes that wash off the river Styx, the wrathful forever fight each other and the sullen gurgle below the surface. They are overseen by the boatman, Phlegys. He is the servant of Ira and Bellum. The wrathful are seen covered in mud, biting and striking each other on the banks, as those who muttered in the light of the world now mutter beneath the dark, murky water. A tall tower looms over, like a lighthouse. This is where Ira lives with his wife, Carmine "Red" Zuigiber (he fondly refers to her as Scarlett.)
On the far banks of the river, are the gates to the City of Dis. The wild sounds echo from inside the borders.
Outside the gates, lays a solid wasteland between the river Styx and the Fortified City of Dis (known to many of the demons, devils and other impish nay-do-wellers as the Red Light District, and to those who have been sent to be tormented as the lower pits of Hell.) This is Oddland. Furies and Gorgons reside in this wasteland. Also Phoenix Morgenstern has decided to reside where the water and plants are scarce or starving along with her maniacal goons. This also happens to be where Mesis' current frienemy dwells, Tiberius Kilmore.
The gates of the fortified city are guarded by fallen angels like bouncers. The wall itself is thick enough to house The Hell Hole nightclub (proprietors are Pepito and Herald Morgenstern) and The Waffle Hell (an eternally open, hole in the wall diner.) If one cannot convince the bouncers that they may pass - be it to the circles of their damnation, or to visit - the gates are slammed in one's face. Inside the Hell Hole, catacombs lead into the sex dungeons and back up into the manor.
Just inside the city, past the surrounding stronghold, now one is in the Sixth Circle where the Heretics are sent. Many tombs and mausoleums ignited fiercely in hot flames are found here.
The stench that comes from further inside the city becomes overpowering. One must travel a ravine of fallen rock where minotaurs are known to traverse. This leads one to the Phlegython, a river of boiling blood that flows into the Seventh Circle. Here centaurs guard the river and shoot arrows at those boiling in its depths so they may not rise out of it. These were those who were violent to others. If one continues down this path of broken stone, make note that it is treacherous to walk on. One might want to ask one of the centaurs (perhaps Nessus or Chiron) for help. They are the servants of Rahab and King Asmodeus.
On the opposite banks of the Phlegython, a forest of gnarly trees and bushes (souls of the suicidal and squanderers who have become such) is seen. This is the Sui Cadere. Harpies reside in these trees and torture the souls by dismembering them, causing the trees to actually bleed and cry out in pain. Then it on to a scorching desert where flakes of fire drift down slowly but ceaselessly. Blasphemers must lie in the dunes of perpetually hot sand so that they may be burned from below just as above. There is a statue of an old man that sits underneath a mountain that flows tears through its cracks to form all the rivers of Hell from this source. The trickling stream flows red and if one splashes through it to the other side, one sees that those who were violent against nature forever walk a path under the rain of fire. Quite a few are charred beyond recognition by the flames.
Now we come upon the Abyss, surrounded by the Cliffs of Insanity. Down in the murky waters of the ravine below, Geryon lives. His cattle feed upon the grass that grows around the banks here where nobody else can venture. Also, in this abyss is Abaddon (aka Apollyon, represent! XD) and his swarm of locusts. Beyond his ravine is the Malebolge. It is defined by a great wall surrounding it like Jericho, with ten ridges (or "evil pouches") that sift to the center circle. The first ridge has the panderers and the seducers jumping from ridge to ridge being whipped by various demons. The second ridge has the flatterers stuck in a ditch of excrement, crying mournfully. The third ridge is for those who bought or sold ecclesiastical posts and they thrust head first into pits flailing as flames lap endlessly at their feet. The fourth ridge is for the astrologers, diviners and magicians who now have to trudge eternally as if walking a dirge. Their necks are twisted so that their tears of pain fall upon their buttocks. The fifth ridge is an astounding darkness filled with a great pit of boiling tar. Here the Malabranche (evil clawed demons) thrust barterers who come up for air back underneath with their prongs. Malacoda (the leader of the Malabranche) could either be helpful or try to send you down the wrong passage. The bridge to the next ridge fell in an earthquake that happened millenia before. There is a slope into the sixth pouch where the hypocrites wear lead-lined garments. On this slope, tusked demons (such as Ciriatto) are known to harangue those who pass. The alternate route to the seventh ridge must be navigated along treacherous rocks. There within, thieves are chased by serpents who bite their naked flesh as they burst into flame. From such flames, their ashes reincarnate them to the pit of serpents again. Fraudulent counsellors int he eighth ridge and sowers of scandal and schism are pierced by demon swords as they walk by in the ninth ridge. Falsifiers are in the tenth ridge, which is separated into four zones: one, alchemists huddle in heaps and sprawl on the ground while scabs cover them from head to toe as they scratch them incessantly. In the next one, falsifiers of others tear at each other with their teeth, the falsifiers of coins are racked with thirst and mingle with the Liars in petty arguments.
The circle at the center at first seems to be towers of mist, but turns out to be giants such as Nimrod and Antaeaus. This Giant's Well leads down to where the Phlegython freezes into the Cocytus. This flows out into a frozen lake. We have reached the Ninth Circle of Hell where the traitors go. The four rings are separated: Caina, Antenora, Ptolemea, and Judecca. We then come to the mighty mountain of Dis. The cave which is called the Devil's Navel leads to Purgatory.
Per me si va ne la cittàdolente,
per me si va nel’etterno dolore,
per me si va tra laperduta gente.
Giustizia mosse ilmio alto fattore:
fecemi la divinapodestate,
la somma sapienza e‘l primo amore.
Dinanzi a me nonfuor cose create
se non etterne, eio etterno duro.
Lasciate ognesperanza, voi ch’entrate
“Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.
Justice the founder of my fabric moved:
To rear me was the task of Powerdivine,
Supremest Wisdom, and primeval Love.
Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
Just beyond the gates, there lies the Anteinferno. This is where those who failed to make a conscious decision of their morality are strewn, for neither Heaven nor Hell accepts them. They chase after a blank banner for all of eternity, forever stung by wasps which make them bleed and cry tears of torment, where writhing worms consume what they secrete. Human souls mingle with the neutral angels in a state of constant confusion, forever being lost with no purpose but to try to avoid the stings and to find whatever that blank banner says. But they can never read it.
Then one is lead to the banks of the Archeron River, whichmarks the actual borders of Hell. Lines of new souls await to cross after they are brought in on the Starship Flying Dutchman. Each is given passage at the price Charon charges to cross, otherwise they are sent to Davy Jones’s Locker at the End of the Universe. This is the agreement they made, and despite how the agreement goes, not all who travel on the Flying Dutchman make it to the shores of the Archeron. The plains here are subject to earthquakes, sudden eruptions of fire, and tumultuous winds.
When one reaches the other side of the bank, before leading further into the pits of torment, there is a path that leads into the lush estate of he who goes by many names. Some call him Juan Diablo, others Don Peccadillo, but most refer to him as Mesistophelese Morgenstern.
Without going into too much detail about the mansion and it's luxurious maze of gardens, rooms, dungeons and passageways, one can't help but notice that beyond it, one finds oneself on the banks of the Lethe (oblivion) before one is back in the Garden of Eden, where this fallen cherub was given rule over. It is as difficult to find as it is to find Avalon, however.
The fork in the road that would bring one to the hedonistic grounds, also splits on into the dark city of Hell. At first, one comes to the peaceful, yet shadowy end called Limbo. Those who were virtuous before the time of Christ or were not baptized reside here. (There was once a Harrowing of Hell, but much like his relationship with his older twin, Michael the Archangel, not much is spoken about it in this city.)
When one passes beyond there, one runs into Minos, the husband of Luxuria Peccadillo. He is the judge of all who must pass into these parts of Hell, and the number of times he encircles his tail around his body signifies which circle the soul is condemned to. In this second circle, the Lustful are damned to swirl about in the torrential winds and forever feel the a monsoon of rain as they are cast about in the dark.
The path goes further, as the rains still crash down. However, here, it consists of filth and excrement, bringing a horrible stench to the air. A three-headed dog named Cerberus keeps watch over this third circle for his mistress, Gula. Her husband is Dr. Raven Sable. The Gluttonous are forced to wallow on the ground, being pelted with vile, freezing slush. One must sate Cerberus by feeding him in order to pass. Also Golgothan demons live here.
Then one comes to a ditch that forms a great ring. Inside this ditch, the greedy and prodigal - those who were not prudent with the goods of fortune - are overseen by Avarita, her husband Hexxus, and the demon, Plutus. Forever, they march onward in semi-circles back and forth until they crash into the other group. After this, they reform in the opposite direction to crash into the opposite group once more. Many screams of torment are heard, as they are pressed on by the infections of insects crawling inside their bodies to possess them to trudge on in this fashion.
Into the marshes that wash off the river Styx, the wrathful forever fight each other and the sullen gurgle below the surface. They are overseen by the boatman, Phlegys. He is the servant of Ira and Bellum. The wrathful are seen covered in mud, biting and striking each other on the banks, as those who muttered in the light of the world now mutter beneath the dark, murky water. A tall tower looms over, like a lighthouse. This is where Ira lives with his wife, Carmine "Red" Zuigiber (he fondly refers to her as Scarlett.)
On the far banks of the river, are the gates to the City of Dis. The wild sounds echo from inside the borders.
Outside the gates, lays a solid wasteland between the river Styx and the Fortified City of Dis (known to many of the demons, devils and other impish nay-do-wellers as the Red Light District, and to those who have been sent to be tormented as the lower pits of Hell.) This is Oddland. Furies and Gorgons reside in this wasteland. Also Phoenix Morgenstern has decided to reside where the water and plants are scarce or starving along with her maniacal goons. This also happens to be where Mesis' current frienemy dwells, Tiberius Kilmore.
The gates of the fortified city are guarded by fallen angels like bouncers. The wall itself is thick enough to house The Hell Hole nightclub (proprietors are Pepito and Herald Morgenstern) and The Waffle Hell (an eternally open, hole in the wall diner.) If one cannot convince the bouncers that they may pass - be it to the circles of their damnation, or to visit - the gates are slammed in one's face. Inside the Hell Hole, catacombs lead into the sex dungeons and back up into the manor.
Just inside the city, past the surrounding stronghold, now one is in the Sixth Circle where the Heretics are sent. Many tombs and mausoleums ignited fiercely in hot flames are found here.
The stench that comes from further inside the city becomes overpowering. One must travel a ravine of fallen rock where minotaurs are known to traverse. This leads one to the Phlegython, a river of boiling blood that flows into the Seventh Circle. Here centaurs guard the river and shoot arrows at those boiling in its depths so they may not rise out of it. These were those who were violent to others. If one continues down this path of broken stone, make note that it is treacherous to walk on. One might want to ask one of the centaurs (perhaps Nessus or Chiron) for help. They are the servants of Rahab and King Asmodeus.
On the opposite banks of the Phlegython, a forest of gnarly trees and bushes (souls of the suicidal and squanderers who have become such) is seen. This is the Sui Cadere. Harpies reside in these trees and torture the souls by dismembering them, causing the trees to actually bleed and cry out in pain. Then it on to a scorching desert where flakes of fire drift down slowly but ceaselessly. Blasphemers must lie in the dunes of perpetually hot sand so that they may be burned from below just as above. There is a statue of an old man that sits underneath a mountain that flows tears through its cracks to form all the rivers of Hell from this source. The trickling stream flows red and if one splashes through it to the other side, one sees that those who were violent against nature forever walk a path under the rain of fire. Quite a few are charred beyond recognition by the flames.
Now we come upon the Abyss, surrounded by the Cliffs of Insanity. Down in the murky waters of the ravine below, Geryon lives. His cattle feed upon the grass that grows around the banks here where nobody else can venture. Also, in this abyss is Abaddon (aka Apollyon, represent! XD) and his swarm of locusts. Beyond his ravine is the Malebolge. It is defined by a great wall surrounding it like Jericho, with ten ridges (or "evil pouches") that sift to the center circle. The first ridge has the panderers and the seducers jumping from ridge to ridge being whipped by various demons. The second ridge has the flatterers stuck in a ditch of excrement, crying mournfully. The third ridge is for those who bought or sold ecclesiastical posts and they thrust head first into pits flailing as flames lap endlessly at their feet. The fourth ridge is for the astrologers, diviners and magicians who now have to trudge eternally as if walking a dirge. Their necks are twisted so that their tears of pain fall upon their buttocks. The fifth ridge is an astounding darkness filled with a great pit of boiling tar. Here the Malabranche (evil clawed demons) thrust barterers who come up for air back underneath with their prongs. Malacoda (the leader of the Malabranche) could either be helpful or try to send you down the wrong passage. The bridge to the next ridge fell in an earthquake that happened millenia before. There is a slope into the sixth pouch where the hypocrites wear lead-lined garments. On this slope, tusked demons (such as Ciriatto) are known to harangue those who pass. The alternate route to the seventh ridge must be navigated along treacherous rocks. There within, thieves are chased by serpents who bite their naked flesh as they burst into flame. From such flames, their ashes reincarnate them to the pit of serpents again. Fraudulent counsellors int he eighth ridge and sowers of scandal and schism are pierced by demon swords as they walk by in the ninth ridge. Falsifiers are in the tenth ridge, which is separated into four zones: one, alchemists huddle in heaps and sprawl on the ground while scabs cover them from head to toe as they scratch them incessantly. In the next one, falsifiers of others tear at each other with their teeth, the falsifiers of coins are racked with thirst and mingle with the Liars in petty arguments.
The circle at the center at first seems to be towers of mist, but turns out to be giants such as Nimrod and Antaeaus. This Giant's Well leads down to where the Phlegython freezes into the Cocytus. This flows out into a frozen lake. We have reached the Ninth Circle of Hell where the traitors go. The four rings are separated: Caina, Antenora, Ptolemea, and Judecca. We then come to the mighty mountain of Dis. The cave which is called the Devil's Navel leads to Purgatory.
