[ Underworld ]
This is only what I remember of my old home, but rest assured that I forget nothing.
The Underworld is a colorless, breathless place, a mere shadow of the world Above (that is -- the world I now preside in.) There are those who will manage to escape us in their purity and naivete alone, and will dwell in happiness for the rest of their existance in Elysium -- and those are the Immortals. Those who are not so lucky must go through the trial of life again -- through me -- or else are confined to eternal torment here.
Between the world of the living and of the dead, of course, lies the great rivers and dread streams: my siblings and cousins. Oceanus winds around the world itself and comes to the Underworld as a subterreanean river. blahblahblah layout and map
My Father, Hades, rules over the land with his bride, my mother, Persephone. Only the bravest and stupidest of the living dared to visit us -- for even if they could get past Cerberus, Styx, and Acheron, he had several... ah... 'officials' to help him run things smoothly and to keep the living from interfering too much: Charon, Thanatos, and Hypnos were only a few among them. Those who are not careful may find that they are never able to escape this place; even if they do, their sanity is rarely ensured.
[ Rivers ]
Styx is the River of Hate. His waters are sworn by as unbreakable oaths. Drinking him most nearly means certain death to most mortals.
Acheron is the River of Woe. He is the one most commonly crossed when travelling to the underworld as a shade.
Cocytus is the River of Ice. I am not sure if he or she has returned to a mortal guise like my brothers Styx and Acheron.
Phlegethon is the River of Fire. I have not yet seen him either.
Memnosyne is the River of Ominscience, my twin sister; I have not yet met her either.
"Any more for Lethe, Blazes, Perdition, or the Dogs? Come along now, any more for a nice restful trip to Eternity? No more worries, no more cares, makes a lovely break!" [Charon in Aristophanes, The Frogs 210]
