Providing Diyu-Shadowfell with Ravenloftian Domains of Dread
by Marc SaindonWhile I expect Ochalea's Shadowfell counterpart (a retcon) to be more stable and sedate than other "underworlds" of Mystara because Ochaleans spend more time honoring their ancestors (this rememberance "fuels" the ghosts with hope and positivity), the world of the dead should still be a dangerous place, and ravenloftian (lesser) Domains of Dread are a possibility.
One source of inspiration could be the various hells of Diyu:
"The eighteen hells vary from narrative to narrative but some commonly mentioned tortures include: being steamed; being fried in oil cauldrons; being sawed into half; being run over by vehicles; being pounded in a mortar and pestle; being ground in a mill; being crushed by boulders; being made to shed blood by climbing trees or mountains of knives; having sharp objects driven into their bodies; having hooks pierced into their bodies and being hung upside down; drowning in a pool of filthy blood; being left naked in the freezing cold; being set aflame or cast into infernos; being tied naked to a bronze cylinder with a fire lit at its base; being forced to consume boiling liquids; tongue ripping; eye gouging; teeth extraction; heart digging; disembowelment; skinning; being trampled, gored, mauled, eaten, stung, bitten, pecked, etc., by animals."
Diyu: Eighteen levels of Hell
The DM would have to homebrew a bit, so the Hell of Tongue Ripping could resemble a butchers' market, with people (embodied ghosts) with bloodied, tongueless mouths, oxhead and horsehead demons as butchers and merchants. Countless tongues would hang suspended in the shops and stalls, some in vinegar jars, etc. The realm would attract Liars, so that spoony Bard who usually sweet talks his way around every problem would find himself mutilated by the butchers, and then go mute (more honest companions would not be attacked by the butchers). escape from the realm would be impossible until the Bard finds his tongue, purchases it back (with "Hell Money" which embodied ghosts can grant for good deeds and services) and places his own tongue back into his mouth (which spontaneously heals). The realm would release the Bard once he understands the value of Truth for its own sake, with the mists placing back the party where they were, as if moments only passed while they were in a small hell maybe for several weeks. DMs can custom various "twilight zone" episodes based on each of the numerous Diyu hells. So the Fighter who is mean to animals (kicking cats is bad karma) could find himself in an endless forest where he is constantly attacked by the fauna.
Death isn't a possible exit:
"They cannot "die" from the torture because when the ordeal is over, their bodies will be restored to their original states for the torture to be repeated."
(Image from: https://www.deviantart.com/sylviayeh/art/Chinese-underworld-207944594)