Hellust

Hellust is a neologism used in fantasy and speculative fiction to describe a transient, infernal-tinged atmospheric event that signals contact with infernal realms. The term is typically employed as a world-building device rather than a scientifically defined phenomenon, helping authors and designers convey sudden danger, otherworldly intrusion, or the presence of hellish forces.

The coinage is generally attributed to English-language speculative fiction and gaming communities, blending "hell" with a gust-like or gust-based implication. The exact origin is informal and diffuse, with multiple early usages appearing in online forums, RPG guides, and fan fiction in the 21st century.

In-universe, a hellust is described as a brief, localized event that raises temperatures, darkens light, and often carries a sulfuric odor and crackling embers. It is typically accompanied by a sudden wind shift or roar and may precede the appearance of portals, rifts, or infernal entities. The phenomenon lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes and can alter terrain, compel evacuation, or unsettle witnesses.

Authors, game designers, and fans use hellust as a plot device to establish threat, atmosphere, or portal entry. Because there is no canonical definition, its specifics vary widely between works, including its duration, effects, and associated visuals.

As a fiction-oriented term, hellust has no scientific basis and is used primarily for narrative effect; readers should consult the context of each work for precise meaning.