Dis is the Second Layer of The Ten Hells, a realm of torture and torment ruled by scheming devils and broken into ten separate layers. Most of the layer is taken up by the Iron City of Dis, the Hell's largest city and one of the largest cities in all the realms.
About
Dis is a city of iron designed to make you suffer with sharp-edged streets, towering foundries, and districts built like industrial fortresses. The heat never really fades; it rolls off the metal walls and rises from vents that run day and night, scorching the skin and boiling the flesh of the damned. The streets below are choked with movement as devils of all ranks jostling for space among soul-haulers, branded prisoners, screaming petitioners, and infernal constructs belching smoke. The roads are narrow and boiling, paved with groaning metal plates that hiss and buckle under the constant traffic as the creatures who walk upon them are suffocated in endless dense crowds. Carts piled with chained souls clatter down cramped alleys, while winged enforcers and infernal overseers making sure no action goes unseen. The Iron Tower dominates the skyline, a massive, jagged spire that seems to always be visible no matter where you are in Dis. Its peak pierces the sky of Dis which if forever embroiled in crackling storms.
There is no silence here, only the endless cacophony of law enforced at volume: barked orders, legal incantations, the snap of chains, the hiss of quills on skin-bound scrolls. The city reeks of sweat and ash and desperation. Devils fight for space, elbowing through red-lit corridors too narrow for the city’s ambition, as others cry in pain out as new additions to the city are built atop their very bones. And for those that look out across the city from high towers only see the city continue past towards the horizon. To the north the city is ringed with mountains where mortal slaves mine constantly to supply iron for the continuing construction of the city. Over the centuries, parts of Dis have begun to reflect the shape and designs of some cities in the Material Realm, though made of iron and twisted beyond compare.
Dis serves as the largest creating and exporter of weapons throughout the realms, with countless foundries dedicated to supplying tools for the Blood War and from selling arms to buyers all across the realms from Efreeti warlords in the Plane of Fire to undead tyrants in the Shadowfell. This has made Dis a hub for more then just devils as many fiends from across the lower planes congregate in Dis in search of infernal opportunities and to indulge their sinful temptations.
But don't be fooled. Dis doesn’t welcome you.
It absorbs you, files you, forgets you.
History
After the realm that used to be DIs was conquered and subsumed into the growing Hells, it was initially ruled by Asmodeus who initiated the construction of the Iron City. But as the hells expanded, Asmodeus moved to new layers and gave stewardship to the archdevil Dispater, who expedited the creation of the Iron City.
Notable Places
The Iron Tower of Dis
The Iron Tower of Dis is the throne from which the city's ruler, Dispater, resides. It is magically enchanted so that so matter where in the city you are, you can see the tower and the shadow it casts upon you. Dispater lords over his city from the tower's many spires and balconies as no one in his city can escape his sight. Here he hold council with his powerful archdevil advisors to keep order within his city and to scheme up new ways to expand his power. The tower is one of the most well defended places in all of the Hells, with powerful devils and constructs guarding every corner and magical wards ready to sunder any potential intruders. Over his long years of presiding over Dis, Dispater has become paranoid, embroiled in his own secrets and the very madness and torment he built into his city. Because of this, the Iron Lord rarely ever leaves his tower.
The Iron Mines
Outside of Dis are vast mountains filled with infernal horrors and large veins of Iron waiting to be mined. here damned souls are forced to slave away at the behest of devilish taskmasters mining endlessly for iron which is then carted into the Iron City.
The Gates of Dis
The Gates of Dis serve as the entryway between the mountains outside the city and the Iron City itself. It is also where travelers arriving from the first layer of the Hells, Duumal, arrive at when they enter the layer. Thousands pass through the gates everyday and the gateway is overseen by a legion of Erinyes and a massive Iron Medusa.
Ironfell Prison
Ironfell is a maximum security prison that holds some of the most prominent prisoners in all the Hells from mortals, to rogue archdevils, demons, and even a few angels. Run by the cruel Chain Devil Zuul, Ironfell is a place few ever visit and return from alive.
The Garden of Pleasures
The Garden of Pleasures stands in stark contrast to the dark greys of Dis' cast iron towers. Made of brilliant colorful stained glass, the garden of Pleasures is a safe haven from the tortuous streets of Dis and allows those who enter to endlessly indulge themselves in food, drink, gambling, and love of all kinds. Though the garden will always exact its price on its customers. To enter into is oasis-like halls is free, but to leave you must be able to pay an exit fee, else you will be trapped within forever. The Garden is controlled and run by the alluring noble Efreeti Dalia Embervale, a wish granting genie who has been bound to Dis by the Iron Lord himself.
The Blisterworks
The Blisterworks is a vast series of factories and workshops that specializes in making infernal war machines and infernal constructs. It is run by the infernal engineer Belphagor and is notable for producing both Iron Maidens and Iron Devils. Due to Belphagor being prohibited by Dispater from making an infernal deals, most of the Blisterwork's workers are either constructs or devils who serve Dispater directly.
The Mirage Teashop
The Mirage Teashop on the surface appears to be a quant little teashop that actually serves as one of the many entrances to the sanctum of the Witch Grandmother Theresa. Her sanctum appears to be a cozy cottage that exists simultaneously across many different planes. here visitors can share a nice cup of tea while sharing stories and purchasing powerful magic.
Mammart
Mammart is the Archduke Mammon's chain of magical trade goods stores with branches all across the Hells. With multiple locations within the Iron City, here you can purchases anything from mundane objects to magical wonderous relics, but all for exorbitantly high prices.
Notable Inhabitants
Dispater
For untold centuries Dispater was the tyrannical ruler of Dis and holding control of it with an iron fist. Dispater and his advisors oversaw the city's constant expansion and the flow of weapons to the Blood War and planes beyond.
Biffant
Biffant is a rotund archdevil with dull red skin, long red robes, sea blue eyes and short black horns. They are the Provost of Dispater and manage the daily affairs of the Iron Tower of Dis.
Boil
After the Demogorgon managed to attack Dis, Asmodeus saw fit to punish Dispater for allowing such an attack to occur. For five hundred years Dispater, the Lord of Iron, was forced to be proceeded by Boil the Lord of Irons. Boil is a small yellowed eyed three feet tall impish devil whose hands can emit hot steam, perfect for removing wrinkles from clothes.
Balgoor
Balgoor the Iron Duke is the son of Dispater and leader of the city guard. He is a large ogre like devil with stone-like skin, a rhinoceros horn protruding from his forehead, and a large cyclopean orange eye. Balgoor serves as Dispater's eye and ears outside the tower and executes his father's will both in Dis and beyond.
Iron Maidens
Iron Maidens serve as the primary peacekeepers in Dis. these fiends have had their skin remove and their scalps replaced by a large headdress made of iron and nails. Their chests can pen like a beartrap that can shot out chains to capture and pull creatures into their chests where their bodies are broken down in a fiery furnace until only their soul remains. They possess the ability to command the streets of Dis, turning streets into dead-ends and shifting around buildings as they see fit. They are commonly armed with large electrified man-catchers along with chained Hell Hounds.
Belphagor
Belphagor is a genius infernal inventor who has had a long and storied history in Dis. Long ago they were a Pit Fiend serving in the Court of Dispater within the Iron Tower. But after assisting another devil's coup attempt against Dispater, Belphagor was demoted into a lesser devil as punishment. Many years later, Belphagor would attempt another coup, only to be caught and punished again. He was tortured for one hundred years within Ironfell Prison and was stripped of his ability to make infernal pacts. The only reason Dispater didn't kill Belphagor was for Belphagor's usefulness as Dispater's engineer.
Belphagor manages the Blisterworks, a massive foundry in Dis that creates infernal weapons and constructs. He looks like a large, hairy, grey, batlike devil with hunched posture, large wings, and a face that resembles the fusion of a bat, a wolf, and an old man. Even though Belphagor had failed twice before, he continued to dream of a day he could rule Dis.
Dalia Embervale
Dalia Embervale is a noble efreeti genie from the Plane of Fire. Long ago she was tricked by Dispater into in a way that bound her to him until he made three wishes. But after Dispater made two, he chose to withhold his third and final wish, trapping Dalia Embervale in her bottle in Dis. Over time, Dalia found a way to change the size of her bottle and allow other creatures inside. Transforming her bottle to be the size of a building, Dalia created the Garden of Pleasures, a den of indulgence, delicacy, and sin.
Zuul
Zuul is a Chain Devil and the Warden of Ironfell Prison, keeping the prisoners in order with his vast network of chains. Is is one of Dispater's most loyal servants and was trusted with guardianship of the Last Wish by the Iron Lord himself. Zuul delights in torturing prisoners and breaking their spirits,
Notable Events
The First Emergence (181-246 BR)
During the First Infernal Emergence when devils breached into the continent of Pteris from the first layer of the Hells, the weapon dealers of Dis supplied these devils with infernal war machines and advanced infernal firearms.
Demogorgon Incursion (600s PR)
Sometime during the 600s PR the Demon Lord known as the Demogorgon and his demon forces were able to breach through Duumal and into Dis. It took three days for the forces of Dis to expel the Demogorgon.
