Hauntaurskald
LIBRA03 - No. 2
Geography
The third highest plane of the Otherside and the last of the Upper Houses, Hauntaurskald, is a nightmarish realm locked in an endless parade of pain, suffering, war, and turmoil. To most, the Hauntaurskald is the closest plane of the Otherside to the Christian interpretation of Hell. While it has many varied districts with architecture that mimics that of the Flipside's cities, there is an equal amount of uninhabitable regions comprised of fire and brimstone. Occasionally materials such as demonic brimstone will find their way into the Flipside via cross-dimensional contamination. These rare materials are often sought after by occultists and eccentrics for their presumed magical qualities.
The Hauntaurskald is most likely the largest plane in the Otherside, and it contains at least nine possible sub-regions. While many of these sub-regions remain largely unknown, the more prominent regions are towards the center of the Hauntaurskald, known as the Vile City. Though, the plane overall is very barren, hot, and chaotic. One could think of it as one long stretching war trench burrowed deep within an active volcano. The Vile City at the center of the plane consists of many towering modern skyscrapers adorned in blazing neon signage. The Vile City is the most inhabitable locale out of the entire plane, though I wouldn't want to stay there myself. Just outside the city is the Warfield known as Pandemonium. Its miles of trenches, traps, and tragedy are part of Satan's unending wargames to find and mold the strongest Demons in the Otherside.
The demons who call the Hauntaurskald their home live in the Vile City or die an unending death in Pandemonium. A few demons might survive in the chaotic outer regions of the Hauntaurskald, though they are/were considered either enemy of Satan or cowards. Demons of the Hauntaurskald are expected to fight their way through Pandemonium to reach the Vile City, where they are then offered a contract by Satan. If they reject this contract, they are thrown back out to the farthest reaches of the Hauntaurskald. Cryptids, on the other hand, are rare in the Hauntaurskald. Not many Cryptids can survive the harsh hellish landscape. Those that do survive are often quickly hunted for food or sport by the Demons.
Surprisingly, the Hauntaurskald might be the plane most inhabited by humans. Satan made contracts with not only Demons but a select few humans who craved his tremendous and terrible power. These humans are sometimes offered refuge in the Vile City, where they can study under their Demon superiors. However, from all accounts, it is not a pleasant or easy life. Yet, because of the sizable human presence, there are many ways one can sneak into and survive in the Vile City. Still, the risk of being caught and killed is substantial.
History
Long ago, in what many demons consider "prehistory," the Hauntaurskald was one-half of the mighty plane known as the Skald. The Skald, which once occupied the lands untouched by sin, was split in half by the simulacrum of the Hauntaurskald, Satan, in an attempt to find the Gates of Hell. Though Satan's attempt to find the Gates of Hell to free his father, the Devil proved unsuccessful. Splitting the Skald gave him free rein over the upper half of the now divided plane.
After splitting the Skald in half and stealing his share from his elder brother Beelzebub, Satan began tainting the land with sin. Slowly the beauty of the Skald faded and was replaced by the Hauntaurskald's signature hellish appearance. Satan then continued to mine the Skald's crust for materials to build his mighty city. Though Satan tried to remove all that was natural from his half of the Skald, legend has it some regions continue to fight back against their new oppressor. The Hauntaurwilds are rumored to lie somewhere towards the edge of Satan's plane; He does not even dare to tread there.
During the Soul Accord between the Princes, Satan was promised the Earth's most vile and wretched souls. Murderers, thieves, and scoundrels are the only souls to naturally find themselves in the Hauntaurskald upon their death. Again, in many ways, this could mirror the Christian ideal of Hell. However, the Bible makes no mention of Hell-bound souls vying for Satan's approval and power.
Inhabitants & Rulers
The ruler of the Hauntaurskald is also its simulacrum, Satan, the Demon Prince of Wrath. During his recent absence the Hauntaurskald changed hands between Mammon, the Demon Prince of Greed, and the first Elder, Cain. Though ultimately the Hauntaurskald was once again ruled by Satan following his return in 2021.
The Hauntaurskald is home to the unique brand of Demons known as Boogiemen. Boogiemen, of course, are Satan's most trusted Demons. This includes the likes of Mrs. Aka, Mrs. Weekend, Mrs. Barrens, Mrs. Midnight, and Miss. Ojai. The plane is also home to some High Demons in Satan's good graces, such as Mrs. Pleasant. The Hauntaurskald is known for its challenging customers, and they could be considered our usual customers along with Amaymonian and Esterskaldian customers.