Hell in Dungeon Fantasy

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Steven Marsh

When trying to figure out the locale of Hell, don't forget the wisdom of the sage B'linda Carlisle, whose landmark treatise on the subject asserted that Heaven is a place on Earth.

So, does this mean "Our Lips Are Sealed" is about trying to protect a Satanic conspiracy?

[Phil Masters]

Somewhat counter-anticipated by Kit Marlowe, natch.

Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think'st thou that I, who saw the face of God and tasted the eternal joy of heaven, am not tormented with ten thousand hells in being deprived of everlasting bliss?

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Phil Masters

Somewhat counter-anticipated by Kit Marlowe, natch.

Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think'st thou that I, who saw the face of God and tasted the eternal joy of heaven, am not tormented with ten thousand hells in being deprived of everlasting bliss?

The, "YOINK! Ha, ha, ha." definition of hell.
I've thought of that as the real reason eternal life can suck. You've seen heaven and know exactly what you're missing.

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Rune

In the old norse religion you went to Valhalla (sort of the heavens) when you died in battle, and Hel (dark, dank, cold place where you were punished) if you died without a weapon in your hand; being good or bad had nothing to do with it.

Actually reward and punishment meaning of good and bad does enter into. It's just the judgment of what the qualifiers are is different. A Brave death is simplified out look of a brave life, as if you don't live like that you risk a bad death.


In my Shielded-Lands campaigns souls go to planes that resonate with their natures spending the time in such compatible planes strengthens the soul till it's read to be reborn back into the world.

[robkelk]

Originally Posted by Edman

The In Nomine version of Hell could work, otherwise?

The wicked mortals gain power in their earthly life... and a chance at true, lasting power in Hell when they die.

Well, that's what In Nomine demons tell humans... but demons lie.

[b-dog]

In one way you could say that demons were the gods creation. They were created to torment those wicked beings who did not follow the laws of the gods. So in one way they are doing the will of the gods even while they are supposed to oppose the gods.

Or maybe there could be servants of the gods that live in Hell to perform tortures on the souls of the wicked and demons are something altogether different. Maybe demons have escaped from their tortures and are now in a deeper part of Hell trying to build an army to get revenge on the gods.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by b-dog

In one way you could say that demons were the gods creation. They were created to torment those wicked beings who did not follow the laws of the gods. So in one way they are doing the will of the gods even while they are supposed to oppose the gods.

Or maybe there could be servants of the gods that live in Hell to perform tortures on the souls of the wicked and demons are something altogether different. Maybe demons have escaped from their tortures and are now in a deeper part of Hell trying to build an army to get revenge on the gods.

Demons are just "prosecutors" that began to enjoy their job too much.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

Actually reward and punishment meaning of good and bad does enter into. It's just the judgment of what the qualifiers are is different. A Brave death is simplified out look of a brave life, as if you don't live like that you risk a bad death.


In my Shielded-Lands campaigns souls go to planes that resonate with their natures spending the time in such compatible planes strengthens the soul till it's read to be reborn back into the world.

Such reincarnation sounds almost as depressing as non existence. If anything it would make me want eternal life even more.

But yeah, good and evil are cultural subjective terms. I've always thought that if there were a god, then he better be ready for one eons long argument from me when I get there. :)

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by b-dog

In one way you could say that demons were the gods creation. They were created to torment those wicked beings who did not follow the laws of the gods. So in one way they are doing the will of the gods even while they are supposed to oppose the gods.
.

<shrug> I'm content with the "some of the gods are just plain evil" approach. Or at least, prepared to extract power from the torment of victimized souls.

[Ed the Coastie]

I think that it's all really going to boil down to your own concept of Hell and how (and/or if) you want to portray it.

In most of my own games, true Hell is an immeasurably vast expanse of empty plain just dimly-lit enough for you to know that it is dimly lit. There is nothing to see or do, you don't feel the need to eat or sleep, and you never encounter anyone else. It is an eternity of sheer boredom.

Those creatures known as "devils", "demons" and various good or evil "gods" what-not do not actually come from Heaven or Hell. Rather, they hail from various alternate planes of existence, many of which have been given names that are customarily associated with various concepts of their respective domains.