The Land of Mists, not to be confused with the Mist Continent, is a Demonic Realm that is separate from, but still connected to our own. Much like Wonderland or Pandemonium, it is a world constructed by a greater power and suited to the tastes and whims of the force which created it.
Unlike such domains which are made as a world, the Land of Mists is still being constructed. Country by country it is assembled, appearing out of the thick banks of fog that surround it. Each land boasts a unique culture, although some share similarities and almost all of them sport a unique language.
Each land boasts a population of mainly humans, but also a number of mamono, each of them who are involved in some way to the ruler of each nation. Each land seems to follow a particular theme, although as the different nations, also known as Domains, interact, one can bleed over to the other.
The Dark Powers
The ones that truly seem to govern when and where new lands form in The Land of Mists are the Dark Powers. Who, or what, they are remains to be a mystery. They hold all the power in the Land of Mists, able to bless priests with magical power or decide if or when outsiders can enter or leave their borders. Most obvious of all in their abilities is their power to create new land, pulling back the curtains of mist to reveal new nations and people. If these lands and people were always there, or are a construct of theirs, no one can say.
The purpose of the Dark Powers, their intention for even creating the Land of Mists, is confusing beyond a certain point. One thing known for sure is that they scour the world, or perhaps many worlds, and seek out individuals of a specific character. These individuals seemed to have suffered tragic romance or lived a gothic love story, but despite the pains they suffered, endured with their belief in love intact and even sought to love another day. Finding these individuals, the Dark Powers swallow them in the mist before creating a new land within their borders and crown them the Dark Lady of that domain. A reward for their adherence to monstrous gothic love.
The Dark Ladies
Each Domain within the Land of Mists is ruled, either openly or secretly, by a Dark Lady. They are always a Mamono, although they do not necessarily start as one, who the Dark Powers choose as worthy for their Dark Gifts.
All of the Dark Ladies have a tragic past, having found love only to have to tragically taken away or bitterly attacked by others. Where most would have closed off their hearts and perhaps turned to bitter or evil ways, the Dark Ladies endure. They endure the pain, the heartache, and find the courage to go forth and love again. For such extreme acts of the constitution, the Dark Powers reward them with a land to govern and subjects to rule over, often spreading their desire for love and their ideals to its corners.
Upon earning their mantles as Dark Ladies, they are given a Dark Gift by the Dark Powers. What this is varies depending on the trial the Dark Lady endured to earn their ladyship. Perhaps if they suffered the murder of a beloved one, that lover is reincarnated or even multiplied. If they were repulsive and shunned, they become beautiful and adored. It is always a supernatural gift, one which the likes are rare back in their homeworlds, but they can use with ease.
The only real limitation the Dark Ladies have is that they are bound to their Domains. They can go anywhere they like within the borders, but not one step further. Any time they would try, the barriers which would keep people in or out rise up on their own and bar their way. So far, no Dark Lady has tried to leave their Domains, but this may be a natural defensive mechanism in case a Dark Lady decides to try and claim more territory for themselves.
Domains
Often seen as countries, Domains reflect the personal will and ideals of their Dark Ladies. In terms of landscape, they reflect familiar territory. For example, if a Dark Lady grew up in wide grasslands with few mountains, the Domain will often share similar characteristics. With this, it is not unusual for Domains with similar climates to border each other, further hiding the piece-by-piece construction of the Land of Mists.
Often the culture and society of the domain reflect both the one the Dark Lady came from, but also their personal beliefs. This is even more apparent if the Dark Lady in question is the government leader in their Domain.
One thing about the Domains is that their Dark Ladies completely control their borders. Should they wish it, the Dark Lady can concentrate and a phenomenon will surround their lands, usually thick and choking mist, and prevent outsiders from entering or people inside from escaping. This is usually done if the Dark Lady is seeking a certain individual, fears an invasion of outside enemies, or other events. The reasons can vary, but until a Dark Lady releases her concentration, the borders shall always remain closed.
When the borders are not closed, the thick mist persists, making it difficult sometimes to tell where one domain ends and another begins. During this time between the domains, sometimes travelers will discover they left one land only to end up in another they were not traveling towards. Sometimes they end up all the way across the land in some faraway domain instead of the next one over. This is another trick of the Dark Powers, moving individuals that catch their interest to their schemes to find another Dark Lady or another chapter in the lives of the one they have already collected.
The People
While one would expect that a demonic realm would be filled with Mamono and their incubi spouses, this is not the case in the Land of Mists. Humans make up the vast majority of the population, although communities of elves, dwarves, and other such races are around. For the most part, the humans remain untouched by Mamono influence.
The Mamono populations of course exist, but they seem to have their own settlements, habitats, or hide within human settlements, and are sparse compared to the human populations. It is believed that rather than simply invade with armies like Mamono under the rule of the Maou are able to do, these Mamono must romance, seduce, and otherwise lure away men to become their husbands. The humans often fear the creatures of the night, believing their fellows are taken away to be devoured. Why such a phobia persists is not known, although it may be the Dark Powers' wish to promote a darker, gothic romance or enhance the taboo thrills of monster love.
Some scholars argue that because the lands are created, the human populations are fixed or risk tapering off, even if the Mamono populations are just as small or even smaller, it is only a matter of time before humans are bred out of existence by the hormonal, husband-hunting Mamono. While this may be true in other lands outside the mist, it is not so in the Land of Mists. The natural birth rates of Mamono are low due to their succubus natures devouring spiritual energy and male seed, keeping their own populations low save for rare exceptions. As for human populations, there are always more humans appearing from the mist, unable to leave and being forced to join the settlements, ensuring there is always new blood and more humans being born or relocating to or across the Land of Mists.
Despite what some may think, living in the Land of Mists is not a romantic adventure. With the gothic romance or horror depending on who you ask, there is always a shadow over the land. For all humans talk of righteousness and piety in their churches, many people give in to dark desires and exploit everyone around them in hopes of power and advancement. Banditry, evil wizards, would-be tyrants. There is no shortage of evil folk in the Land of Mists which leads many of the people to be dour and wary of everyone. Truly, the worst ‘monsters’ which populate the lands can be humans themselves and Mamono being a much smaller but potent force of pleasure and lascivious love. It all plays into the land’s ‘theme’ of gothic romance/horror that the Dark Powers enjoy.
Religion
Various deities are worshiped in the Land of Mists. Some Domains brought the worship of their gods with them while others adopted a new one where there was no religion before. Still, The Order does have a foothold in The Land of Mists, although not a tie which the Chief God can use.
An Order Hero named Ezra found herself in the Land of Mists. Seeing people who were in fear of monsters and thought themselves constantly hunted by them, Ezra sought to protect them and rallied the forces of good, and fought back the creatures of the night. On what would be the apex of the Crusade of Ezra, the Order Hero fought with a Lilim and both were thrown into the mists and disappeared.
After this event, Ezra was named a saint and a formal religion was made surrounding the Maiden of the Mists. Worship of her spread across the Land of Mists. While a benevolent figure, various interpretations of her lessons and teachings have made for different sects, either seeking to simply ward off mamono, or slay them wherever they are found. Again, why the Dark Powers allow it is confusing, but perhaps it is another layer of drama for their ideal of gothic love.
The Lilim
One daughter of the Maou is known to wander the Land of Mists, although if she rules or not is up to debate.
Her name is Lunastella, the twentieth daughter of the Maou. She appears as sinfully figured as any lilim, although her fashion tastes lean towards gothic renaissance fashion, albeit with low bodices, large hats to seductively hide her features, and flares skirts when she's feeling ladylike, or more simple but no less seductive foxhunting outfits when she's feeling adventurous. She likewise sports the white hair, black horns, and the white wings of her species.
Lunastella has been in the Land of Mists since the first landmass appeared. Often she can be found with a tome in hand and an enchanted quill, writing the stories of the Dark Ladies or other notable individuals all through the Land of Mists. Some whisper she's a voyeur, enjoying watching the love lives of these individuals and writing erotic stories about them. The story portions are in fact true and she is a bestselling author in her mother's kingdoms.
Some say Lunastella is the true identity of the Dark Powers, controlling the Land of Mists like her sister does Wonderland. Another theory is that she is the main agent of the Dark Powers, working in their interests. Others say she saw a similar land and conferred with the entities there before creating her own. Some claim she is the Dark Lady of the Land of Mists itself, master of it all and the most powerful harlot there. If any of them are true, she is not saying.
Unlike many of her siblings, Lunastella is happily married. She was the one who lured Ezra into the mist and slowly seduced her through their interactions despite the crusade. Finally, Lunastella pulled Ezra through the mist where they had their battle. It supposedly went for hours and Ezra fell into Lunastella's arms, transformed into a Succubus, and the two coupled nonstop for days. The two now travel together, often eyeing the tales of the Dark Ladies and making their mark in each Domain they travel to.
Enter the Mists...
The Core
The Core is the largest landmass in the Land of Mists. The name is far from poetic, but it is apt. It could actually be called the only true continent it can boast. Here is where much of the main sources of culture and civilization can be found. The Church of Ezra, among other organizations, have their headquarters here, pursuing their agendas.
Lamordia, Land of Flesh Golems: https://monstergirlencyclopedia.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000051546
Clusters
Clusters are the general term given to smaller landmasses that have two or more Domains, but no less than three clusters together. The lands usually have common geography and qualities, allowing them to fit together.
The Verdurous Lands
The Verdurous Lands are a cluster of Domains that are almost an entirely untamed wilderness. To the north is the choked seas of Saragoss which swallows ships and steals unwary sailors. The south holds the Wildlands, ruled by beasts. The only bastion of civilization is in Sri Raji, surrounded by tropical jungles.
Saragoss, Land of Mersharks:
https://monstergirlencyclopedia.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000051664