Overview
The Burning Hells defy mortal comprehension. They are not prisons or dungeons where demons are confined. Rather, demons are extensions of Hell itself—born from the realm, dependent upon it, perpetually regenerated by its tortured essence. The Hells do not merely contain suffering; they are suffering given form and substance.
Every inch of the Burning Hells pulsates with a malignant consciousness that despises all creation beyond its borders. The very landscape—twisted flesh, burning stone, impossible geometries—is alive with hatred. The Hells actively resist incursion from Heaven and continuously seek weakness in the barriers that separate the realms.
"The Hells are not a place you can understand through reason. They are a concept given form—the manifestation of absolute despair." — Tyrael's Warning to the Horadrim
Origin from Tathamet's Corpse
When Anu and Tathamet destroyed one another in the primordial battle, Tathamet's remains did not disperse or decay in conventional fashion. Instead, the demonic essence coalesced into a realm—the Burning Hells. Every demonic dimension that exists is, in effect, a different aspect or region of Tathamet's continuing existence. The Hells are Tathamet's body; demons are Tathamet's cells.
The Infinite Regeneration
Because the Hells are constructed from Tathamet's essence, they possess regenerative properties that terrify celestial scholars. Demons defeated in battle do not truly die; their essence disperses back into the Hells only to reform and rise again. No matter how many demons are slain, they are endlessly replenished. This endless regeneration makes the demonic threat perpetual and theoretically inexhaustible.
Hierarchical Structure
The Burning Hells are not a unified realm but rather a collection of demonic dimensions, each ruled by one of the Seven Great Evils. These Seven—the Prime Evils and Lesser Evils—command vast legions of demons and engage in perpetual warfare with one another even as they coordinate occasional incursions into Sanctuary.
- Three Prime Evils: Diablo (Terror), Mephisto (Hatred), Baal (Destruction) - command the greatest demonic forces
- Four Lesser Evils: Andariel, Belial, Azmodan, Duriel - control significant demonic legions
- Countless Lesser Demons: From minions to Greater Demons, all subordinate to their respective lords
Demonic Hierarchy
Unlike the relatively stable hierarchy of Heaven, the demonic structure is constantly in flux. Demons vie for power through violence and cunning. The strong dominate the weak through sheer force. This chaotic hierarchy creates both instability within Hell and moments of weakness that Heaven occasionally exploits.
Demons and Demonic Creation
Demons are not recruited or trained—they are generated directly from Hell itself. Each demon emerges fully conscious, instinctively aware of its nature and role, driven by hunger and hatred. Demons do not grow or develop; they are created complete and sent forth to ravage creation.
Demonic Types
- Minions: Basic demons of low intelligence, driven by simple hunger for destruction
- Grotesques: Misshapen creatures combining multiple demonic aspects
- Greater Demons: Intelligent, tactical demons commanding armies of lesser beings
- Unique Demons: Demons of exceptional power and individual will
- Demon Princes: Beings of immense power directly subordinate to the Seven Great Evils
Threat to Sanctuary
The Burning Hells are not isolated. Rifts and portals—both natural and artificially created—allow demons to bleed through into Sanctuary. During times of weakness in the barriers, demonic incursion becomes possible. During times of great evil or when Sanctuary's protections are compromised, full-scale invasion becomes conceivable.
Every incursion into Sanctuary represents a strategic attempt by the Hells to exploit weakness, corrupt the mortal realm, and ultimately drag Sanctuary into chaos. The battle against demonic invasion is eternal; every victory is temporary, every defeat potentially catastrophic.