Three Princes of Hölle

Sünde, in medieval art, is cast out of Hell.

The Three Princes of Hell (Drei Fürsten der Hölle in german) are Angels who originate and hold prestigious titles in the Underworld's hierarchy in TECT Mythology. Hell, the Underworld, and Hölle (Hölle the realm and not the Angel) are all known names for the realm ruled by the Angel of the Underworld, Hölle. While souls and most demons lack ranks or special classes, powerful or influential residents like the Three Princes have been given various titles according to mythological historians; historically, this realm is believed to be ruled in a fashion resembling a kingdom, so titles and ranks given to powerful residents isn't uncommon. The three Angels earned, or achieved depending on opinion, their title through incredible feats of strength, power, and leadership. In most text and stories detailing the Underworld, the Three Princes of Hölle are feared for being the most powerful demons (Bösepenst or deity) in TECT Mythology, not counting Hölle. One text describes the individual power that any one Prince holds as "Unholy strength capable of leveling entire mountain ranges, violently shaking the Underworld with little effort. Divinity so vile and powerful, demons flock under their wing naturally out of fear." Fear of the three deities extends to residents of the Underworld, creatures inhabiting the surface, and even Angels who control the sky. Other names the Three Princes are known by are the Princes of Darkness, Three Warlords of Hell, Hölle's Guardian Three, and the Three Demon Kings.

The three princes are, from most ancient to youngest, Tod, the Commoner personification of Death, Pestilence, and Psychopomp; Schatten, the Commoner Angel of Shadows, Hell's highest ranking Archangel (1st Erzengel, the TECT Myth equivalent to a Seraphim Angel in Abrahamic religions), and the Godly Guardian Gatekeeper of Hell; and Sünde, the Angel of Deceit, Trickery, and bringer of Divine Justice - Sünde is also the 2nd Erzengel, infamous for his banishment from Hell. Apart from their high positions in the hierarchy, the three princes are known for their unholy shadowy glow (opposite to bright heavenly light seen from angels in Abrahamic religions) and possessing two horns; horns in TECT Myth demonology symbolize the power, prestige, rank, and influence of demons. The fewer the horns the stronger the demon's power. The Three Princes are typically depicted with two horns while Hölle himself has one; conflicting texts/ancient art, however, depict Hölle with having two or sometimes no horns. For comparison, it is noteworthy to mention demons have been known to typically posses between "twelve and thirty horns" while most historians claim the number of horns possible on a demon is limitless - the strongest demons are known for having five or less horns.

Other Religions

The Three Princes of Hell have been related to other world religions since the rise of other major religions. But the most relevance is between the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism). Chrisitan demonology is especially related to TECT Mythology's demonology, and in this case, have influence with the Three Princes. The Three Princes are commonly likened to Christian demonology's Seven Princes - most cannot agree on who the remaining four members would be, however. Individually, all deities have Christian influences, such as Schatten, who is commonly equated to Leviathan from the Old Testament. Tod is the Commoner version of the Grim Reaper and is linked to Mephistopheles, a devil in German folklore. Sünde is likened to many religious figures like Loki, but most believe Sünde to personify the seven deadly sins.