Stygia: The Frozen Realm of Betrayal

(Also known as The Sea of Eternal Ice)

Stygia is a lawful evil plane that embodies the themes of betrayal, eternal punishment, and icy desolation, where frozen isolation mirrors the treachery that defines the souls within. This realm is a place of icy chaos beneath rigid infernal order, filled with vast, frozen oceans, towering glaciers, and hidden dangers beneath the surface. The very environment is a reflection of the eternal coldness of hellish law, freezing both physically and emotionally. The plane pulses with a sense of eternal dread and betrayal, and those who dwell here find themselves drawn into its unending cycles of torment, manipulation, and treachery.

TRAITS

Stygia exhibits the following planar traits:

• Morphic: Stygia is divinely morphic and responds to the will of its rulers, particularly Levistus, Set, and powerful devils. The ice and waters shift at their command, though its natural state remains hostile and frozen.
• Gravity: Gravity is normal, but the terrain—vast stretches of slippery ice—makes movement hazardous. Many areas are accessible only by icebreaker ships or magical means.
• Time: Time flows normally, though the cold and darkness can distort perception, making eternity feel even longer for the damned.
• Size: The plane is infinite in its icy expanse, with oceans stretching endlessly into the horizon. Its surface is dotted with frozen islands, icebergs, and towering glaciers.
• Structure: Stygia is lasting but ever-shifting. Ice flows break, reform, and are reshaped by magic and the forces of nature, though the layer itself remains eternal.
• Essence: Stygia’s essence is tainted, cold, and oppressive. The very air seems to sap warmth and hope from its inhabitants, and prolonged exposure to the environment leads to emotional numbness and despair.
• Alignment: Lawful evil—the plane enforces a rigid, cruel hierarchy, where power is held by those willing to betray and manipulate others. The plane subtly warps visitors, making them colder, more ruthless, and less empathetic.
• Magic: Magic is warped by Stygia’s nature. Fire and warmth-based spells are weakened, while cold and ice magic is enhanced. Spells that manipulate emotions or control others are also stronger, reflecting the manipulative nature of the realm.

DIVINITIES

Stygia is primarily ruled by Levistus, the treacherous lord trapped in an enormous iceberg. Though Levistus is frozen, his mind and will are still sharp, commanding an army of loyal devils who execute his orders. Levistus was once banished for betraying Asmodeus, but now, even in his imprisonment, he schemes constantly, using subtle manipulation and diplomacy to maintain his influence.

Another major force in Stygia is Set, the ancient serpent god of deserts and chaos. His realm, Ankhwugaht, is a barren desert within the frozen wasteland, a testament to his desire to bend the plane to his will. Set seeks to transform parts of Stygia into a reflection of his own power, and his influence over his minions and creatures is vast, spreading through both fear and dark promises. There is an ongoing tension between Levistus and Set, as both vie for control of the plane, though Set’s ambitions might extend beyond Stygia.

OUTSIDERS

The denizens of Stygia are numerous and powerful, reflecting the treachery and cruelty that permeate the plane. Among them are:

• Amnizu: These cruel devils serve as Admirals of Stygia’s navy, particularly in the Blood War. They are responsible for defending the River Styx, manipulating its flows, and using it as a weapon against intruders or enemies. Their sharp minds and cunning make them excellent strategists, though their ruthlessness makes them feared by even their allies.
• Osyluths (Bone Devils): Osyluths serve as enforcers and overseers, ensuring that Levistus’ and Set’s will is carried out. They patrol the icy cities and seas, acting as both spies and executioners. Their loyalty is bound by fear, and they delight in the suffering of others.
• Cornugons (Horned Devils): The warriors of Stygia, Cornugons lead battles and patrols across the plane. They are fierce, powerful, and capable of devastating foes with their brute strength and cruel intelligence.
• Scyllans: These monstrous fiends dwell in the freezing depths of Stygia’s oceans. Resembling gigantic, serpentine beasts, they guard the waterways and hunt those foolish enough to sail without protection. They serve both Levistus and Set, though their true allegiance may shift depending on who offers the most power.
• Stygian Dragons: These ancient, serpentine dragons are immune to the effects of the River Styx and thrive in the frozen waters. They are cunning and dangerous, often serving as agents of both Levistus and Set, though they are known to pursue their own interests. Their breath weapon is a freezing mist that saps memory and willpower.

PETITIONERS

Souls that find themselves in Stygia are often those who betrayed, manipulated, or abandoned their comrades or responsibilities in life. The petitioners here are frozen within the ice itself, trapped in a state of eternal coldness and isolation. These souls are not merely frozen in body, but their minds and emotions are numbed as well, leaving them in a state of endless regret and despair. Unlike other layers of Hell, where torture is active, the suffering here is more passive, but no less agonizing—the very environment drains the soul of any hope or warmth.

INFUSIONS

Attuning to Stygia can result in several chilling boons, reflecting the plane’s icy and treacherous nature:

• Basic Infusion: Grants cold resistance and the ability to sense nearby sources of warmth, even through barriers.
• Improved Infusion: Bestows the power to manipulate ice, freezing water or creating small ice barriers and structures at will.
• Greater Infusion: Allows the user to freeze enemies on contact, sapping their physical and emotional strength, and causing them to lose memories or experience numbness similar to the effects of the River Styx.

DENIZENS

The inhabitants of Stygia are shaped by its treacherous nature. Powerful entities like Levistus, frozen but ever-plotting, and Set, the dark god of serpents and deserts, hold sway over vast portions of the plane. Each ruler’s goals often conflict, as Levistus desires to escape his icy prison and regain full control of the plane, while Set seeks to expand his influence, transforming parts of Stygia into his own desert dominion. Their motives are ambitious and ruthless, with their followers and agents constantly maneuvering for advantage.

Other notable denizens include Amon, a wolf-headed duke who serves both Levistus and Geryon. Amon is a power broker, playing both sides of the conflict for his own gain, and is rumored to be loyal to no one but himself.

SPECIFIC LOCATIONS

Tantlin, the City of Ice

Tantlin is the largest and most notorious settlement in Stygia, sprawling across a massive ice floe that drifts in the frozen seas. Its dark spires and iron-clad structures rise from the jagged ice, casting long shadows over the treacherous streets below. The city’s main feature is its vast harbor, a strategic port where the River Styx flows through, allowing infernal ships to travel between layers of Hell. Despite its strategic importance, Tantlin is a lawless city where gangs of devils and fiendish pirates compete for dominance.
The city’s most notable features include:

• The Frozen Docks: The harbor is filled with icebreaker ships, which allow devils to navigate the icy waters. It is constantly patrolled by amnizu devils, who tax and regulate traffic along the Styx.
• Ironheart Palace: This structure serves as the seat of Tantlin’s ruler, the powerful pit fiend Argossian, though his control over the city is tenuous. The palace is a fortress of dark ice and iron, surrounded by a moat of freezing water.
• Flesh Market: One of the largest slave markets in Hell, where mortal souls and captured fiends are sold to the highest bidder. The market is run by gelugons (ice devils) who impose brutal order over the transactions.

Levistus’ Iceberg

Levistus, the Lord of Stygia, remains frozen within a colossal iceberg that floats ominously through the plane’s largest frozen sea. This iceberg is a towering, blackened mass of ice that has become a dark pilgrimage site for devils, fiends, and even some mortals seeking to bargain with Levistus.

• The Hall of Whispering Frost: This hall lies deep within the iceberg, a maze of caverns where Levistus’ most trusted minions gather to receive his commands. The ice seems to whisper with the words of the imprisoned lord, and those who enter are often driven mad by the overwhelming psychic pressure.
• The Shattered Spire: Atop the iceberg is a broken spire of ice and black iron, a symbol of Levistus’ fall from grace. Despite being frozen, Levistus’ influence is still felt, and many devils visit the spire to pledge their loyalty or beg for his favor.

Citadel Coldsteel

Once the stronghold of Geryon, the deposed lord of Stygia, Citadel Coldsteel is a massive fortress of blackened iron and freezing stone. It stands as a dark reminder of Geryon’s former power. Though he no longer rules Stygia, Geryon still occupies the citadel, brooding over his fall and plotting his return to power. The fortress is now a base for his loyal minotaur followers and other fiends who still believe in his cause.

• The Labyrinthine Hallways: The citadel’s interior is a twisting maze of corridors and dead ends, designed to confuse and trap intruders. Only Geryon’s most trusted lieutenants can navigate it safely, while enemies are often left to wander until they are caught by one of the many fiendish guardians.
• The Tower of Silent Vigil: A tall, central tower in the citadel where Geryon broods and watches over the plane. From here, he can see far across the icy expanse, keeping an eye on his enemies and waiting for the moment to strike.

Ankhwugaht, Realm of Set

Ankhwugaht is a bizarre anomaly in the frozen landscape of Stygia—a scorching desert realm of black sand and crumbling pyramids. This pocket dimension within Stygia is ruled by Set, the ancient serpent god of the desert. It is a place of extreme heat in a land otherwise dominated by freezing cold, where the sky is perpetually dark and oppressive.

• The Black Pyramid: The seat of Set’s power, this massive, crumbling pyramid rises from the desert like a blackened fang. Inside, Set’s most loyal priests and servants conduct dark rituals, calling upon the power of the desert god to spread his influence.
• The Shifting Sands: The desert sands of Ankhwugaht are constantly moving, forming dunes that obscure hidden temples and sunken cities. These sands are home to serpentine creatures, and the ground is known to shift suddenly, swallowing travelers whole.
• The River of Serpents: Hidden beneath the sands, this dark river of black water winds through Set’s realm. It is said to be a place of pilgrimage for Set’s followers, though it is also filled with dangers—venomous serpents and jackal-headed demons guard its shores.

The Sea of Sorrow

The largest frozen ocean in Stygia, the Sea of Sorrow stretches for untold miles, filled with floating icebergs and sunken ruins. The sea is constantly plagued by ice storms, making it nearly impossible to navigate without magical protection. Beneath its freezing waters lurk monstrous creatures such as scyllans, krakens, and Stygian dragons.

• The Frozen Graveyard: A vast expanse of shattered ships and debris, where the wrecks of infernal ships from centuries of war and failed expeditions lie. The graveyard is haunted by the souls of sailors and devils, cursed to wander the ice in torment.
• The Maelstrom of Memories: A deadly whirlpool in the center of the Sea of Sorrow, where the waters of the River Styx converge with the icy ocean. Those who enter the maelstrom are not only torn apart physically but also lose their memories to the waters of the Styx. It is said that some of the most powerful secrets in Hell lie at the bottom of this whirlpool, guarded by forgotten souls.
• The Glacial Palace of Saraksha: Deep within the Sea of Sorrow lies a hidden palace made entirely of enchanted ice. It is the home of Saraksha, a powerful Stygian dragon who serves as one of Levistus’ most dangerous lieutenants. The palace is a place of dark magic and hoarded knowledge, where Saraksha plots with the ice-bound souls that come into her domain.

The Frozen Dunes of Akarroth

An unusual feature in Stygia, the Frozen Dunes of Akarroth are a desert of ice and snow, where the landscape resembles a typical desert of sand dunes—only frozen solid. The winds howl endlessly, and the temperature here is so cold that even fiends struggle to survive. This desolate region is known for its natural beauty, though it is deadly to most creatures.

• The Crystalline Tomb: Hidden beneath the frozen dunes is a vast underground chamber filled with crystalline structures and frozen bodies. It is said that this tomb holds the remains of an ancient devil lord who defied Levistus, though none who enter have returned to confirm the tale.
• The White Oasis: A mirage-like oasis in the middle of the dunes, where the ice seems to shimmer and melt into pools of water. The White Oasis is a dangerous illusion, luring travelers to their doom with the promise of warmth and safety. Those who drink from its waters find themselves frozen in place, becoming part of the icy landscape.

The River Styx

The River Styx flows through Stygia’s icy oceans and marshes, serving as a vital route for travel between the layers of Hell. The Styx’s waters cause memory loss and madness in those who touch them, and its banks are home to dangerous creatures that prey on travelers.

• The Black Ferry: A ghostly ferry operated by Charon, a psychopomp who ferries souls and goods along the Styx. Charon is neutral in Hell’s politics, and for the right price, he will transport even the most dangerous cargo through Stygia’s frozen waters.
• The Weeping Marshes: Along the banks of the Styx lie vast, frozen marshlands, where the ice is thin and treacherous. These marshes are haunted by the souls of those who drowned in the Styx, their cries of despair echoing through the ice. The marshes are also home to osyluths and cornugons who hunt for souls that escape the river’s grasp.
• The Sunken Temple of Styxis: A submerged temple beneath the Styx, dedicated to an ancient, forgotten deity. The temple is said to hold ancient relics of power, though only the bravest and most foolhardy attempt to retrieve them, as the temple is guarded by aboleth and other water-dwelling fiends.

FINAL OVERVIEW

Stygia is a plane of frozen despair, eternal betrayal, and ruthless ambition, where the cold is both physical and emotional. Its dangerous landscapes reflect the treachery of its denizens, from the ice-locked cities to the desolate seas filled with monstrous creatures. Those who venture into Stygia find themselves changed by its harsh environment, their emotions numbed and their loyalties tested. Only the most cunning and ruthless can thrive in this land of eternal ice, where even the strongest devils are forced to play the long game of manipulation and betrayal.

Stygia, the fifth layer is a freezing layer of cold and ice dominated by a murky ocean fed directly by the River Styx.

The surface of the ice is covered with chilly marshes. The dark sky is constantly filled with lightning storms, and the ice may be lit by weird cold flames. Tantlin, the City of Ice, is built on a huge ice floe with a large harbor to the river Styx, and is ruled over by  a huge pit fiend. The lack of any kind of law enforcement leads itself to gangs controlling much of the city.

Leviathan rules over this layer, frozen in a giant iceberg floating in the harbor as punishment for betraying Asmodeus. For many centuries, his realm was given over to the fiend Geryon. Geryon was recently deposed, and Leviathan was reinstated, though he remains in his iceberg.

Godly realms on this layer include Ankhwugaht, realm of Set.

Baatezu of this layer include amnizu, osyluths, and cornugons. In the water are giant octopuses, sharks, squids, whales, sahuagins, and scyllans.

Some also still serve Geryon, who lives now in his Citadel Coldsteel. There he broods with his minotaur worshippers and thinks of vengeance, but mostly he still does the bidding of the Dark Lord of Nessus, who holds the key to his restoration. Doing his bidding is the wolf-headed duke Amon, though some claim that Amon is not as loyal as he seems, and serves Levistus in certain matters as well.

Ankhwugat is the realm of Set. Set is the dark master of the desert, lord of serpents, jackals, assassins, and creatures of the wild. Though dark waters flow underneath his realm, its surface is hot and dry as the sands of Pelion, and those familiar with the realm of Nephythys there will see Ankhwugat as a twisted reflection of that one. When Set and Nephythys divorced, Set went to Stygia to forget his pain. Perhaps once all Stygia was like Ankhwugat, and perhaps, if Set has his way, it will be again.

Some claim that Set is mad and wishes to transform the layer or even turn his realm into a new outer plane set between Hell and Acheron. Others say he only wishes to reunite with his estranged wife Nephythys, and that the mad ones are the baatezu who try to earn his favor. The common chant says that Set and Leviathan are headed toward a showdown. The will of a Lord of the Nine is supposed to be absolute in his layer, but Set has the good will of Ra and Leviathan is imprisoned in ice.