By Benjamin Acosta

Sometimes, the best laid plans of Heaven backfire unexpectedly. One of the most major examples of this can be found in the Far Marches, in the domain known as "Hell". In their ongoing war against Hades, one tactic implemented by the Host was to literally demonize the Exiles, trying to make humans hate and fear them by portraying them as the most base and evil beings. The Exiles, of course, tried to fight these efforts, and the Host themselves tried to step in and stop what they started when it was discovered the hate and fear they had generated in the humans was actually feeding the Exiles Essence. After a century or two, they managed the to more or less succeed, suppressing the knowledge of the Exiles as named demons for the most part.

But one thing the Host failed to take into account is the imaginative nature of the human race, and the tendency to take a compelling idea and run with it. Which is why even though the Exiles were no longer known as demons (or known at all), students of the occult kept on in their studies of demonology, and cataloged a number of evil and vile creatures and species of demon, all of which did not exist. At least, not until they formed in the Marches. You see, with ethereals being spawned from divine religions, the enemies of divine religion could also be spawned. From the fears, hatred, and study of evil spawned by the Host's efforts, "Hell" and its denizens were born.

Located somewhere in the Far Marches, the structure of "Hell" conforms completely to that described in Dante's Inferno. His evocative portrayal of the infernal realm had a major impact on the imaginings of men, thus giving "Hell" it's form. It's denizens conform to the classic tales and archetypes of demons, and the classifications of demonologists, with powers and affinities corresponding to the type of evil they are supposed to spread. Ruling over all demons is Satan, the Prince of Darkness, who is said by many to be the arch-nemesis of Lucifer, Archangel of Light.

The "demons", of course, have bought into their supposed origins, and actually believe they had fallen from Heaven. Dedicated to the cause of EVIL, they work to corrupt men in order to drag them into the pit, using temptation and deals to damn them. Surprisingly, their tactics actually net them a number of souls.

You see, souls who meet neither their Destiny nor their Fate can sometimes go to the Marches. This is usually seen amongst the followers of various Ethereal Gods. So, it stands to reason, if one who has neither met their Destiny or Fate believed strongly that they would go to "Hell" when they died, their strong belief would bring them there. And thus, "Hell" is full of Satanists, people who "sold their souls," and those who just know they deserve to be there. There they stay, chained in shackles of their own guilt, while demons discretely roam all of creation, seeking to spread evil, and thus gain in power.