The_Umbra
NOTICE! This is a sub-setting description alt for use in the Avenging_Church setting for the Balis character and others.
Last Updated 02/22/2015.
To start things off easiest, the Umbra is the title given to Balis' version of Hell, though it did not begin as such. Originally, the Umbra was a personal plane of existence that Balis once retained as her home dimension prior to her violation of Celestial Court law. Untold legions of demonic warriors and servants catered to her every whim in this domain, serving her dark wishes as she'd terrorize worlds and other pantheons in her sly tricks and conspiracies as a member of the Forces of Darkness. However, that all changed as she was punished by the Celestial Court for her crime and forcibly reborn under a new alignment.
In the 18 years it took her to develop from infant to adulthood under the care of mortal parents, her domain had been usurped by a vile traitor named Dur'Shrik, a demon filled with greed. It has been his actions that allowed for a swift conquering of Balis' forces within her own domain that led to her eventual downfall. And it was his life that Balis sought to claim first after her rebirth.
In the fable of 'How Balis Got Her Wings', it is told that she snuck into her old realm and confronted Dur'Shrik, Demon Lord of the Umbra. The battle was short and terrifying, as in her rage she did not kill Dur'Shrik but rather consumed and absorbed him for an eternal punishment within herself. It is this act that many believe began her on a dark redeaming path towards her former alignment though this is impossible to prove.
After the reclaimation of her former realm, she immediately sought out to augment it to her newer needs and intents. It is through this change that the Umbra went from her play room reality to a literal Hell for all souls.
Which should bring more stress upon that last point. ALL souls. The Umbra does not function as simply the place to damn souls, but also to cater to the blessed as well. It is done through a separation of perceptions depending on which soul one happens to be. For those that are blessed? They see nothing but bliss and perfection, the most delightful and happy circumstances that a being tould ever imagine. They never experience a negative thought or are ever troubled with the plights of mortality and existence. The Umbra itself appears as a flawless world that lacks violence, hatred, and sin. Which is an entirely separate vision from those that are of the damned... If your soul happens to be one of these dismal sinners, the realm appears as a grim and desolate landscape. Endless rocky crags and mountains of grey background, fog, and thunderstorms. ( Not the fire and brimstone you were likely expecting! ) As far as the eye can see, the Demonic Legion ( unseen by the blessed souls ) are busy with beating and punishing those condemned to eternity of punishment. The echoing cries of millions of the dead heard perpetually through the endless day. Just the sight and sounds alone can drive a person mad and rife with depression, but to actually experience it as one of the damned is an infinite torment and agony.
It is this realm that Balis started her concept for an Avenging Church, where she would encourage her demons to split into new groups. The legions for war and combat, those to dish out punishment upon the damned, and a new designation of the Reformed Demons. Her hordes would elicit her will in a surprising delight, many gracious to have their former Dark Mother returned. She can be an omnipotent, malevolent force to do as she sees fit so long as it pertains strictly to within the Umbra. She respects her followers and they are treated well and return her grace with worship, admiration, and unwavering obedience. Even those that had aligned with Dur'Shrik seemingly admit to having no issue with Balis. Demons prefer to be led, even if they begrudgingly admit to such things.
As a method to help run her domain in her absence, Balis created the position of Hell Warden that grants the same nigh-omnipotence as she carries while within the Umbra. With such a potent being in place, she is left able to tend to otherworldly matters ( and engage in frequent downtime ) while knowing her realm is in trusted and powerful hands.
It is with this return to her realm that Balis could enact her ulterior motives, a plan to branch out into Earth with her religion and presumably into many other worlds as well. No one knows what her future plans could entail, though many that knew of her evil past tend to keep a close eye of suspicion upon her.
Demonic Classes:
Bound by a code to behave wholly different to their past inclinations upon risk of becoming not unlike the damned souls tormented in Hell to their outright destruction by being absorbed into Balis herself. The code of conduct is as follows:
1. A Reformed Demon must keep its word of honor.
2. A Reformed Demon must not be caught in a lie.
3. A Reformed Demon must never attack first.
4. A Reformed Demon must never maim or kill a helpless foe.
5. A Reformed Demon must never harm an innocent.
Any violation causes an immediate severance of the pact made with Balis, and they are erupted in Hell Flame that consumes them into the earth to be taken directly to the Umbra. They are bound and left prostate before Balis of the Hell Warden, subject to their decision of punishment. Balis has NEVER allowed lenience.
Hell Warden - A nigh-omnipotent position granted by Balis and only for the specific limitations of the Umbra. None of the cosmic, endless power allowed to the current Hell Warden is allowed outside of Balis' domain. The moment one leaves the Umbra, they are left to their original talents, powers, and abilities. Upon immediate return they are entitled to the limitless scope of their imagination to bring ruin upon the damned souls, demons, and even visitors to the domain. ( Something Balis tries to discourage. Even other deities are at the mercy of the Hell Warden when in the Umbra! )