Infernus, commonly referred to as the Plane of Fire or simply Hell, exists as the cosmological prison for the souls of the damned and the sovereign domain of the Arch-Devil overlords. It is a plane defined by perpetual torment, strict hierarchy, and the unending pursuit of mortal corruption.
Infernus functions fundamentally as a massive penal institution where suffering is the primary commodity. The plane is under the absolute, tyrannical control of the Arch-Devils, powerful entities who govern its hierarchies and marshal its demonic population. The Arch-Devils are organized entities, focused not merely on random destruction, but on the systematic expansion of their influence into the material realms, primarily by exploiting the inherent flaws and desires of mortals.
The central horror of Infernus is the fate of the damned. The demons that infest this plane are not spontaneously generated fiends, but the twisted and agonizing manifestations of former human souls. Upon entering the plane, the intense, ruling desire, emotion, or sin of the mortal's life is magnified, refined, and ultimately weaponized, transforming the soul into a living embodiment of that transgression.
For example, a soul consumed by rage might become a Wrath Demon, a soul lost to gluttony becomes a Gluttony Demon, and one defined by intense suffering might become an Agony Demon. The Arch-Devils play a key role in orchestrating and refining this transmutation, ensuring these new demonic entities—while distinct and terrifying—remain firmly under their control and serve as the backbone of their infernal armies.
The Devils of Infernus operate under a core strategic directive: the ceaseless acquisition of mortal souls. Recognizing that new recruits are the foundation of their power, they actively seek to forge pacts and agreements with mortals across the realms, including Arcadia. These "devil's bargains" offer mortals great power, wealth, or favor in exchange for the ultimate price: their immortal soul, which guarantees their transformation into a demonic soldier upon death. Through this corrupt economy of desire, the devils ensure the continuous growth of their ranks and the expansion of their dark influence across the multiverse.