certain developments have inspired me to brainstorm the characteristics of the second circle , from environment to culture to history && beyond . consider this a work in progress , && an invitation for constructive criticism or further ideas .
it's hard to define exactly how the layers of Earth work . the easiest way to explain it is to imagine something similar to norse mythology as illustrated in God of War , where multiple realms exist beside each other , but do not overlap or converge , && may themselves have different rules on physics or reality . for earth , there are three realms : heaven , earth , && hell . hell has several circles within itself , each separated to house souls for their manor of sin && divide hell's armies by skill or disposition ( the lustful && thirsty hail from lust , the raucous && destructive reside in wrath ) .
it is easier to consider the various circles more as countries or continents than as layers -- though there is a certain separation of dimension when one travels between them . in a way , it is like different stories of a building , if each story were in its own little pocket of space . each layer is defined by its own culture, climate , && people , && one does not witness other circles by simply looking up or looking down . it is because of this arrangement that the deeper one goes , the colder && darker it becomes . hell does have a sky && a sun , of sorts , but unlike that on the surface or in the heavens , the sun does not offer as much light . it is enough to boost life , but not enough to grant hope . the light was brought by lucifer in his descent , && so in homage to this great fallen angel , && in reference to the color of the sky , the residents of hell refer to it as the morning star . it does not move from its faint peak over the horizon , so its light is constant , && necessary . with no moon && no stars above , if the star ever set , all of hell would be thrown into pitch black darkness .
with lust positioned as the second circle , the land is bathed in a great deal of this constant morning sun . the air is warm , the rain is refreshing . one could describe lust as borderline tropical , sultry in summer && sporting a mild chill in winter , with regions turning dry or cold as one ventures further from the capital . as a result , lust boasts a rich agriculture at its heart , further complimented by seeds reaped from the pockets of the damned . native inhabitants are hospitable by nature && are rich in exchange with the souls sent here for eternal torture . various humans have clawed their way out of their punishment && mingled with the native population . cultures && language && clothes && crops have all been adopted from these surface-dwellers , making lust incredibly rich in food && tradition . the greatest influences have come from egypt , the persian empire , greece , && india , reflected heaviest in lust's architecture && uniform . the capital city && the royal palace take inspiration from the great empires of ancient egypt && greece . this is mostly because , following asmodeus' destruction of a third of the circle , the people hoped they could appease && abate his ire by modeling new homes after the human cultures he had grown so fond of .
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