UNDERWORLD
Locations of the Underworld:
Charon's Ferry
The way most people get into the Underworld, Charon will take you across the river to the Land of the Dead for a prize. Most Ancient Greeks were buried with a coin under their tongue to pay the boatman. If you go, take a golden drachma, because Charon doesn't take American Express.
Walls of Erebos
Erebos is the general name for Hades' realm, and it's walls are designed to keep the dead inside and everyone else out. This is the original Iron Curtain.
Main Gate
Not many people would try to sneak passed Cerebrus, Hades's three-headed guard dog, but these days, Hades has beefed up security even more with ghouls, metal detectors and processing kiosks. Please take compuers out of their bags and remove your shoes and jackets as you go through. For a speedier Afterlife, consider using the EZ Death lane!
River Styx
A dark and powerful river of mysteries, clogged with remnants of broken dreams. A dip in the river would either make you invulnerable (like Achilles) or dead (like everyone else). If you swear on the River Styx, you'd better keep your promise, because The Fates will be watching.
Judgment Pavillion
This is where the fun begins. Three judges from among the famous dead will evaluate your life, sort of like American Idol, except if you are found unworthy, you will have to spend your Afterlife in eternal punishment. A lucky few will go to Elysium. Most will end in up in Asphodel, the ultimate lame consolation prize.
The Fields of Punishment
The Fields of Punishment are fields of complete and brutal torture for souls of people who have done extreme wrongs in their lifetime. It has "miles of barbed wire separating the different torture areas." Some of the torture areas include being burned at the stake, running through cactus patches , being chased by hellhounds, and being forced to listen to opera music.
The Fields of Asphodel
A big field of yellow grass and black poplar trees, where there is nothing to do. This is where most of the dead pass eternity - those who weren't bad enough to warrant Punishment and not good enough for Elysium. The message: Try harder while you're still alive!
Elysium
Elysium is the place of paradise for heroes. Those who die a hero's death live in peace in Elysium. In the middle of the lake, is the Isles of the Blest. The only part of Elysium that can be seen behind its locked gate are several houses from different time periods. The grass ripples in rainbow colors and it is possible for one standing outside the gate to hear laughter and smell barbecue cooking.
Isles of the Blest
The Isles of Blest is reserved for heroes who have chosen to be reborn three times, each time achieving Elysium. It is described as a glittering blue lake with three small islands like a vacation resort in the Bahamas.
Tartarus
Tartarus is the darkest and deepest area of the Underworld. Tartarus is where the gods imprison their enemies, chiefly the Titans. Kronos is known for being held there. When a monster is slain, its essence is sent to Tartarus until they can reform. Tartarus is the lowest region of the world, as far below earth as earth is from heaven. Tartarus is described as a dark, gloomy pit, surrounded by a wall of bronze, and beyond that a three-fold layer of night.
The River Lethe
The River Lethe is the River of Forgetfulness, and it is used on people who try for rebirth. It has pure black water. Even one drop can make people start to forget who they are.
Hades' Palace
Hades' palace is where he lives and operates his command over the Underworld. His gate is engraved with images of death and his throne is made of bones, with a flowery throne next to it for his wife, Persephone. Hades built it to resemble Olympus even though everything is black and bronze and on Olympus, everything is silver and white.
