View source for Seven Cities of Hell

{{Infobox manifold
| title         = Seven Cities of Hell
|aliases=Hell|language=|dialect=Anjal|native-ancestries=[[Devil]]}}The last plane of law, the '''Seven Cities of Hell''' was among the lowest of the lower planes. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|10, 11}}

A realm of [[Devil|devils]] proud of their civilization, the Seven Cities were each ruled by an [[Archdevil|archduke]] who schemes to ascend to the Throne of Hell. Living in a world of bureaucratic law, the devil denizens of Hell have little interest in other planes. Life is so much more interesting down here. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|10, 11}} 

The seven dukes of hell conspired together once, agreeing to create the [[Order of Desolation]], also known as the Illriggers. An order created with the purpose of serving Hell first and their patron archdevil second {{Cite book/illrigger}}. Doing so was meant to extend their power into the [[Timescape]], and to defend the Seven Cities from the demon hordes below.{{Cite web/dsjuly2024|10, 11}}

== Bureaucracy ==
Workers of hell's civil service, or, as it was better known "the trade", spend their days hoping or scheming for promotion{{Cite web/dsjuly2024|15, 16}}. Draconian chains of command placed each devil in service to a higher authority - typically a more powerful devil. 

While lawful, they were always looking for another way up the ladder, being able to twist every rule and take advantage of any loophole in order to gain power {{Cite book/fm|64}}. A quick path up was through the Exchange.

=== Exchange ===
Mortals in the Mundane World who performed the right rituals could summon a devil (who signed up for the service ahead of time), who bargained with the supplicant on behalf of their [[archdevil]].  Archdevils could grant temporary worldly power in exchange for a supplicant's soul, with the summoned devil acting as a broker.{{Cite web/dsjuly2024|15, 16}}

== Seven Cities ==

=== [[Gehennom]], City of Darkness ===
Ruled by [[Belial]]. Origin of the [[Wheel of Gehennom]]. {{Cite book/illrigger}}

=== [[Sheol]], City of Death ===
Ruled by [[Moloch]]. Origin of the [[Chariot of Sheol]]. {{Fact}}

=== [[Kasyrgan]], City of Pain ===
Ruled by [[Baal]]. Origin of the [[Wall of Kasyrgan]]. {{Fact}}

=== [[Styx]], City of Lies ===
Ruled by [[Moloch]]. Origin of the [[River of Styx]]. {{Cite book/illrigger}}

=== [[Acheron]], City of Fear ===
Ruled by [[Asmodeus]]. Origin of the [[Chain of Acheron]]. {{Cite book/illrigger}}

=== [[Dis]], City of War ===
Ruled by [[Dispater]]. Origin of the [[Tower of Dis]]. {{Cite book/illrigger}}

=== [[Naraka]], City of Blood ===
Ruled by [[Astaroth]]. Origin of the [[Gate of Naraka]]. {{Cite book/illrigger}}

* [[Temple of Vitality]] {{Cite book/illrigger|25}}

=== Other Places ===

==== Eighth City Advocacy Services (ECAS) ====
A demiplane within the Seven Cities of Hell. A place of business where devils offered contractual, legal, and advocacy services to desperate creatures in need of deal. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

Here ruled and dwelt [[Lazivos|Infernal Chancellor Lazivos]]. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

[[Lazivos]] had many contacts and deals with solicitors, banks and other businesses across the [[Timescape]]. These then had a private consulting room with a silver-framed painting of a handsome human (Lazivos depicted as if he were a human). If one of their client needed the very best service, a simple ritual can be performed to turn the painting into a portal. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

There were also many entrances that could be found all over the Seven Cities of Hell. Simply opening a door lead to the foyer. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

ECAS's part which was open to any creature was called the '''Office'''. But it also contained a secret, concealed part, the '''Agency''' which functioned as Lazivo's headquarters and extensive intelligence gathering and "reputation management" operations. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

This demiplane had interwoven into it magic which soul-minded pieces of information from the creature's mind and transmitted them to the archivists in the '''Vault of Leverage'''. {{Cite book/wel|193-207}}

== People ==
The native ancestry to the Seven Cities of Hell are [[Devil|devils]]. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|15, 16}}

=== People from the Seven Cities of Hell ===

* [[Lazivos|Infernal Chancellor Lazivos]]{{Cite book/fm|64}}
* [[Riyalkin]]{{Cite web/dsjuly2024|15, 16}}
* [[Dazran|Lady Dazran]]{{Cite book/illrigger}}
* Arzarach, merchant {{Cite book/illrigger|39}}

== Anjal ==
The dominant language in the Seven Cities of Hell. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|88}}

It is also known as the Language of contracts. contract law isn't written purely in Anjal, but a lot of legal jargon in any contract, as well as some of the language of trial courts, feature many Anjal words. The Seven Cities' bureaucratic nature and its inhabitants' attention for detail made their language popular among lawyers. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|88}}

Anjal is also related to the [[Hobgoblin]] language, in which most lore about [[Zodiakol]], the Bloodmetal, is written. {{Cite web/dsjuly2024|88}}

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Manifolds]]