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Hellmouth

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⤷ Note: This article is about the location. For other uses, see Hellmouth.

Hellmouth was a type of portal between Earth and the next dimension.[1] Its surrounding area was a hot spot for supernatural activity,[2] emitting mystical energy[3] that affected the local population[4] and attracted supernatural creatures[5][6] even when the portal was closed.[7]

Origins[]

Hellmouths were created when a Deeper Well or Wellspring was used to cut a path to another dimension, allowing its magic to flow through.[8]

Etymology[]

The name "Hellmouth" came from the term "Boca del Infierno," used by Spanish settlers in Sunnydale,[1] which translated to "Mouth of Hell."[9]

Influence[]

Distortions of the laws of physics were made possible by the Hellmouth's influence. These included Billy Palmer's nightmares manifesting into reality[10] and Marcie Ross becoming invisible after being ignored by her peers.[3] The Hellmouth also attracted notable supernatural creatures, such as the Master, the She-Mantis,[2] Moloch,[11] Machida,[12] Ovu Mobani,[13] and Balthazar.[14] In addition, a Suvolte demon traveled to Sunnydale with the intent of breeding.[15]

According to Willow Rosenberg, the Hellmouth was responsible for the many churches in Sunnydale, as it caused people to "pray harder."[16] Spike brought a severely weakened Drusilla there, hoping its energy would restore her to full strength.[17] The Hellmouth was also blamed for the hysteria in Sunnydale following the First Evil's uprising, causing most of the locals to flee and the police to resort to vigilante actions.[18]

Opening a Hellmouth posed apocalyptic threats predicted by portents and allowed demons to cross over to Earth. Among these were a tentacled beast[4][19] and the Turok-Han.[20][21]

Known locations[]

Sunnydale[]

Sunnydale destroyed after the battle in the Hellmouth.

Sunnydale destroyed after the battle in the Hellmouth.

The Sunnydale Hellmouth was located beneath the library of the original Sunnydale High School[4] and later under the principal's office following the building's reconstruction.[22] The gateway to the Hellmouth, known as the Seal of Danzalthar, was located in the school's basement.[23] Slayer Buffy Summers noted that it often reached apocalyptic proportions around May each year.[24]

There were attempts to open the Hellmouth by the Master in 1997,[4] the Sisterhood of Jhe in 1999,[19] and a Sacrifice of Three performed by three Vahrall demons in 2000.[25] It was effectively opened by the First Evil in 2002,[20] Lissa in 2003,[21] and later that year by Buffy, Faith Lehane, and a group of Potential Slayers.[26]

Spike used a magical amulet to destroy the First Evil's horde of Turok-Han, sacrificing himself in the process. This caused the Hellmouth to collapse, swallowing the entire town of Sunnydale. As of spring 2003, the Hellmouth remained permanently closed and inactive.[26]

Cleveland[]

After the Sunnydale Hellmouth was destroyed, Rupert Giles noted that the city of Cleveland also had one.[26] For some time, it was guarded by a Slayer Organization squad led by Robin Wood, with assistance from Faith.[27]

In an alternative reality, Buffy was sent to Cleveland instead of Sunnydale.[28]

Easter Island[]

During the end of magic, the courtesan demon Morgan used a shard of the destroyed Seed of Wonder[29] to perform a ritual and open the Hellmouth located on Easter Island, Chile. However, her attempt was interrupted by Spike, who was subsequently attacked by the island's Moai guardians.[30]

Behind the scenes[]

  • The non-canon novel Dark Congress reveals the existence of a Hellmouth in Providence, Rhode Island, while the dubious canon novel Slayer features the creation and closing of a small Hellmouth in Dublin, Ireland.
  • The non-canon miniseries Spike: The Devil You Know has the vampire Tansy Fry opening an artificial miniature Hellmouth beneath Los Angeles, but it is destroyed.

Appearances[]

Canonical[]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel

Other[]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels
Crossover novels
  • Heat (Only mentioned)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics
Angel comics
Spike comics
Video games


References[]

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