The Throne War:Multiverse:Hades

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The Underworld is actually a vast complex set of realms, which are found at the end of the Hadean Road. Collectively, these realms are known as the Underworld or the Realms of Hades. At the very deepest point of these realms lies Tartarus—the living realm of gloom and home of Hades, Lord of the Underworld. Although, all of the Underworld is actually underground, the appearance of individual realms varies greatly. The environment of some is clearly cave-like, while there are fields and flowers in other areas, as well as dreamy sunlight and soft moonlight.

The entrance to the Underworld can be reached by walking through the deep, underground cavernous Hadean road to the terrible Shadow-Realms of the Primordial Erebus. It is the shore of the river Acheron, also known as the River of Pain. No one may cross it freely and live, and even the souls of the dead cannot cross it without being destroyed forever. Charon the Ferryman allows those who Hades authorizes into his realms to cross the river on his ferry, but charges a single coin as a toll (the classical Obol coin, but he also accepts other copper, silver, or gold coins). On the near-side of the shore are also found the dead spirits of countless paupers and friendless souls who were sent without a coin, doomed to wander the near-shore for one-hundred years before being allowed to cross.

At the far-side of the river is the monstrous Cerberus, the three-headed hound. He guards the far-shore to make sure that none who might have tricked Charon or otherwise made it this far into the Underworld can pass unbidden. Cerberus equally serves as a guard to make sure no one bound here escapes. By Hades’ decree, the only gods who are allowed unrestricted access both in and out are Persephone, Hecate, Thanatos, Hermes, and Hades himself. All others are stopped here and must declare their reasons for wanting to enter or leave, while disembodied servants confirm that the person has permission to do so.

In general, the Underworld is a very populated place, mainly with the spirits of dead mortals. In addition, the Olympians Hades and Persephone are regularly found here, as are various Primordials—ever-sleeping Hypnos, his sons and his brother Thanatos, the Primordial Lethe, the Titan Mnemosyne, and the Pit of Tartarus itself. The Dream Realm can also be reached physically from the Underworld. Hecate is occasionally here as well, as the Patroness of Witchcraft, friend and counsellor to Persephone, and mistress of the Trivium. Hermes is also an occasional visitor to Hades’ court. Apart from being a place where characters with a connection to any of these deities might regularly travel, it is also one to quest for knowledge, seek information from a deceased spirit, or learn a truth from the realms of dreams. It can also be a place to go when interested in those imprisoned in Tartarus (or if interested in having someone else imprisoned there).

Note that within the borders of the Underworld, Hades’ power has established that any mortal and any child of the gods who has not yet received the boon of immortality, that eats any food or drinks any drink from here can never leave. This rule does not apply to food or drink brought from outside, nor does it affect any character with the Immortality power. ~from Lords of Olympus pg.s 91-92, 93