The Plain of Infinite Portals

The Plain of Infinite Portals, also known as Pazunia, is the first layer of the Abyss and acts as a crossroads between countless deeper layers of this chaotic and malevolent plane. It is a barren, desolate wasteland, constantly scorched by the heat of a blazing red sun. Winds whip across the surface, carrying the stench of sulfur and the metallic tang of iron, adding to the hostile environment of the layer.

Terrain and Features

The defining feature of Pazunia is its vast expanse of black pits that riddle the landscape. These are not mere holes in the ground but act as portals to deeper layers of the Abyss. Some of these pits function as two-way gateways, allowing travel both into and out of the Abyss, while others are treacherously one-way, trapping anyone who ventures into them. The most infamous of these pits is the Grand Abyss, a seemingly endless chasm that spirals down into even more terrifying depths, and is sometimes considered a layer of the Abyss in its own right.

Cutting through this harsh landscape is the infamous River Styx, which meanders through the Abyss, connecting Pazunia to neighboring planes such as Pandemonium and Hades. The Styx serves as a crucial highway for travelers and adventurers seeking passage between the planes, but its waters are also filled with danger, as contact with the river causes memories to be wiped away.

Denizens and Rulership

The aerial domains of Pazunia are controlled by Pazuzu, the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms, an ancient obyrith demon who holds sway over the skies of this layer. His influence pervades the layer, and his servants, avian demons and lesser obyriths, patrol the airspace. While Pazuzu rules the skies, the ground is dominated by other powerful figures. Scattered across the wasteland are iron fortresses, each claimed by various demon lords and powerful figures who vie for control.

One of these demon lords is Aldinach, the Lady of Change, who resides in her own domain within the layer. She is a mercurial figure whose shifting powers reflect the chaotic nature of the Abyss itself. Another notable figure is Baltazo, a retired general of the Blood War. His fortress stands as a testament to his brutal past, though now he rules a smaller domain.

While these powerful beings carve out territories on the Plain, the surface is also home to endless hordes of manes, the lowest form of demon. These pitiful creatures were once mortal souls condemned to the Abyss, now reduced to twisted, wretched forms. They are constantly hunted, either by stronger demons seeking sustenance or by the molydei, demonic enforcers who patrol the layer, ensuring that the chaos remains unchecked and any stragglers or interlopers are dispatched.

Portals and Commerce

Despite its hostile nature, Pazunia is a hub for trade and travel in the Abyss. The countless portals scattered across the landscape attract both mortal and outsider merchants, who brave the dangers of the layer in search of profit or access to the deeper realms. These merchants, hailing from across the planes, barter with goods as varied as the souls of mortals, rare magical items, and even dark knowledge. Their presence adds a strange element of life and activity to the otherwise desolate land, though they always remain wary of the ever-present dangers that stalk the plains.

The portals in Pazunia are key to the layer's significance. They connect to an endless array of destinations within the Abyss, each leading to realms ruled by other demon lords, dark sanctuaries, or even to forgotten and forsaken planes. However, not all portals are consistent in their behavior. Some lead travelers to unexpected destinations, while others collapse or reappear elsewhere with no warning.

The overarching theme of the Plain of Infinite Portals is one of chaos and entrapment. It is a crossroads where opportunity and peril are tightly intertwined. Travelers must constantly be on guard, as they are never sure whether a portal will lead them to treasure, a new realm, or to their doom. The sense of disorientation is heightened by the layer's featureless expanse of wasteland, which offers no natural landmarks or reliable guides, leaving visitors at the mercy of the shifting whims of the Abyss itself.

Pazunia stands as the gateway to the Abyss's deeper horrors, and its treacherous nature ensures that only the strong, cunning, or extraordinarily lucky survive. Here, the fate of most is either to be consumed by the hungering demons or to fall into one of the many pits, plunging into the greater madness.