Deadwood
The Deadwood is the home of Hades himself, no one truly knows how large it is, a forest of twisted, gnarled, petrified grey trees. Their naked long dead branches contorted as if in agony. Ancient legend states that the trees are the enemies of Hades petrified into eternal torment and in the darkness and shadows beneath the canopy of dead tree limbs one can imagine faces staring from knot-holes and lumps in the bark.
The ground these trees rise from is dark, dusty grey soil and above the sky above is a boiling void of black clouds, it never rains but the sky is never clear. The eeriest aspect of the realm by far is the total silence, no sound permeats the forest, all is still and the air itself seems to carry even the quietest sound for miles. The only source of light here is those a traveller brings with them or the phosphorescent fungi that seems to thrive, despite the soil being dead and the trees themselves offering no sustenance these hardy fungi stand in clumps, deadly to the touch but radiating the palest of illumination.
The first being one will meet when entering the Deadwood is Cerberus, the hound of Hades will not permit anyone entrance until they have passed him. Beings of light or with auras of great life will be turned away. As will anyone who brings living matter such as plants or lanterns that are deemed too bright only those who show the utmost respect to the dead and can solve Cerberus' riddle will be granted passage through the woods. As one traverses the woods they will catch glimpses of the Ghosts, ephemeral, insubstantial beings of shimmering white/grey light. Most cling to the form they held in life, drifting listlessly through the air. Gathering as they do around visitors in the vain hope that they will stop and talk with them, to help them fullfill their last wish in exchange for knowledge or power.
If one can safely find the centre of the forest, Tracking Roll Moderate Difficulty they will find the throne of Hades and the Black Cauldron. The dark lord of Death rules his realm from this place. Sitting beneath the only patch of clear sky in the realm of death. A single bright white stare shines in the air above but down below Lord Hades sits, judging those who come before his throne, the newly dead who have walked one of the myriad paths or rode the Doomtrain to stand before his throne and move on. Hades' decision is said to be based on several factors, your beliefs in life, the afterlife you believe in and the sort of life you have led. An example would be one who believes in reincarnation would be sent to the realm of Phoenix. A moogle soul would be granted passage to Lord Mog's hall or someone whose life has truly been exemplary might be offered the silver path to Alexander and the realm of Saints.
Spirits of the Deadwood
Hades
Lord of the Dead, the final judgement. Master of the Abyss and all it's regions. His word is law in this realm and on all matters concerning death. All those who have departed mortal life must pass before his throne and be judged.
For Details See Hades
Cerberus
The fabled three-headed dog of Hades. Shepherd of the dead and border guardian of the Deadwood, it is his duty to ruond up those who would try to flee their final judgement. It is said on dark nights he roves the world searching for the undead and lost souls and guiding them back to the Deadwood.
For Details See Cerberus
Ghost
Some people when they die refuse to face Hades' throne until all their worldly troubles are laid to rest. Hades permits these ghosts to roam the deadwood and as long as they do not try to leave the borders of the wood he tolerates them. If they are lucky and are able to approach a visiting mortal and petition them for aid they are able to move on to their final judgement at peace with themselves.
For Details See Ghosts
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