PORTA INFERNI
“THE HELL GATE”At the docks of every port city, there are areas where the living tend to stay away from. The living are deterred by an eerie, dark fog surrounding a particularly small boat hewn from the wood of a yew tree. No one is aboard the small craft to steer, but if one finds his or herself situated in the boat, they will be ferried directly to Death’s door. The boat rows out to the ocean of its own accord when suddenly the ocean will drop into an endless abyss. The rush is enough to send any hardened soldier into a head spin, but instead of falling out of the boat, they find themselves at the beginning of a long stretch of darkness illuminated by dark red brimstone, acting as the sun for their path.
They are met with an inky river full of candles on either side of the boat. If they try to escape, the dead swimming in the depths of the river will reach up and attempt to drown them. It is best, a warning, to stay within the boat until it reaches its destination.
DOLOR FLUVIUM
“THE RIVER OF GRIEF”The landscape is dimly lit by the brimstone sun, enough so that one can notice the lines of yew trees off to each side. The stages of grief hit hard as one nears them. As the yew trees fade into what appears to be a field of yellow carnations, the feelings of denial become overwhelming. One knows not what they are failing, but the failure fills their entire being. The yellow then fades into petunias of many colors, and anger boils the blood coursing through the traveler’s body, causing it to become more difficult to stay in the boat. Finally, a sense of calm washes over the boat as the petunias fade into a field of pink camellia. The calm recedes and is replaced with sheer want and desire - the occupant of the boat does not know what he wants, but only that he wants it bad enough where it is ripping him apart from the inside out.
Finally, a large gate of burning brimstone emblazoned with the Ouroboros and Nightshade symbol of the Goddess Dalanesca, Reaper of Souls, also known as the Siren, looms into view. The scenery has once again changed, and the river is now surrounded by fields of dying plants. There is no acceptance as depression fills the soul of anyone who reaches this point.
Upon passing through the gate, one will find his or herself within one of the Nine Circles - the trials of the underworld, more commonly referred to as Inferos, set forth by Dalanesca to test those coming to seek an audience with her - but more importantly, to trap the souls of the damned.
CIRCULOS INFEROS
“THE CIRCLES OF HELL”Within Luxuria Mortiferum, the realm of the Underworld, there exist nine circles - trials set forth by the Goddess of Death and Desire. Within these nine circles, the souls of the damned are tormented for all eternity in the manner in which they lived their mortal lives. Passing through the Reaper’s gates, one will be transported to the circle which most mirrors their darkest sins - if one can defeat the guardian of their given circle, they will then be able to travel to what could be referred to as the tenth, unofficial circle - Mortuus Cordis - the Dead Heart, home to Dalanesca. Please click
here for a more detailed description of each of the circles.
MORTUUS CORDIS
“The Dead Heart”After passing through the trial in which Luxuria Mortiferum decides one belongs, one will find his or herself standing on the road to Mortuus Cordis. A strange red sun gleams down, casting a crimson glow on the bricks of silver that line the path. The courtyard surrounding the palace is lined with the same plants that line the Dolor Fluvium.
The outer walls of the palace are crafted from bricks of ruby, onyx, and silver. It is a large, gothic style manner with elegant designs adorning every column. Upon entering through the large ornate doors, one will find his or herself in a large hall, lined with different sculptures of questionable happenings. Some depict acts of violence, while other depict rather interesting physical acts.
One of Dalanesca’s many servants will greet those who arrive - either one of the Mutum, with their mouths sewn shut or tongues ripped out; or the Amantium, men and women who exude pure sexuality and lust while attending to those visiting the palace. Those servants will immediately escort any who arrive to the Siren’s throne room, where she will grant them an audience unless otherwise instructed.
The Reaper’s throne room is styled much in the fashion of the rest of the palace, the throne ornately carved out of onyx and ruby. The arms of the throne are lined with what look to be human arm and leg bones, while the base includes carvings of similar physical acts to those depicted in the entrance hall.
There are various other areas in the palace, such as the library and the Reaper’s bedchamber… but few are so lucky to visit those areas. The soul-stream which connects Luxuria Mortiferum and the Awakening Gardens can be found in a few places throughout the palace. Rumor has it that there are rooms in Mortuus Cordis that can grant your ever carnal desire and wish… for a price.
PARADISO VENENUM
“The Garden of Poison”Double doors made from stained glass in shades of red and silver makeup the entrance to Paradiso Venenum. This is one of the most beautiful places in all of Luxuria Mortiferum. The walkways are lined in silver bricks with stepping stones crafted from unbreakable rubies. The garden itself takes the shape of a large octagon. Large apple trees, yew trees, and juniper trees are all throughout the garden in various colors - though one would be cautioned not to sample the apples, for they are as poisonous as everything else.
Onyx bricks line each and every garden, producing a boundary from the path to the innards of each. Bushes of chokecherries, hydrangea, daphne, clematis, and bittersweet are found in all places around the gardens. They are arranged in beautiful arrays. Various other plants like foxglove, calla lily, nightshade, belladonna, sweetpea, buttercups, and other various poisonous plants are all throughout the garden as well in beautiful colored arrangements.
A fountain stands in the center of the garden, but, instead of water the fountain is full of a red substance. This is the purest form of poison. The fountain is made of silver and heliotrope. The top part of the fountain is carved into a form of deadly nightshade and angel trumpets where the poison gushes out into the open silver pool below. This is where Dalanesca dips most of her weapons for an easy assassination.
The ceiling of the garden is a dome, reflecting the moons and stars at night and the blood red sn during the day, and is used as the main light source of the garden. Along the garden path there are long benches of onyx and red apatite, if one can really find comfort sitting in a room full of plants that can and will kill you.
