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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Feb 2012 : 23:52:33
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Heya, all. I just got inspired lately by escape movies. I love the elaborate plans that need to be devised to bust a prison. These types of stories can be great to start a shortlength campaign.
Are there Alcatraz-like, notorious prison dungeons in the Realms? The only one I can think of is Spellhold from BG2, which was a pretty awesome mainquestline location, but that's not canon as far as I could tell.
Does anyone know a good dungeonmap for a high security prison that is supposed to hold powerful spellcasters? I was wondering what type of defences you evil Realms DM's have devised to make the escape type campaigns sections more awesome.
Also, how cruel is life in the dungeons of Baldurs Gate, Waterdeep or Arabel? How often are the prisoners fed typically? Are they thightly chained allmost all day? Could a powerful crimelord surrounded in the dungeon by his own underlings live quite well and operate some of his practises outside of prison if the guards are compromised or compensated enough?
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My campaign sketches
Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 00:26:42
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| There is the Hole of Yhaunn in Sembia. It's basically a collection of dank nasty subterranean shafts and caverns, once a mining pit, now a Dead Magic zone. It was featured somewhat prominently in Shadowbred. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Icelander
Master of Realmslore
1864 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 01:20:09
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There is also a fair bit of information about the penal system of Ravens Bluff in The City of Ravens Bluff.
Ill-Water is the Alcatraz-like notorious prison dungeon on an island outside the city.
As it happens, the group of PCs in my campaign plan to walk in there next session and spring a prisoner. |
Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!
Forgotten Realms fans, please sign a petition to re-release the FR Interactive Atlas
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Edited by - Icelander on 03 Feb 2012 01:20:57 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 01:48:01
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That undead factory (run by Xingax) featured in The Haunted Lands also functioned as a prison. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Nicolai Withander
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1093 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 15:52:43
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This got me thinking...
What about Spellhold, the place in BGII??? |
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Kilvan
Senior Scribe
Canada
894 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 16:10:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Nicolai Withander
This got me thinking...
What about Spellhold, the place in BGII???
The OP pointed this one out already.
I can only think of the mental asylum in Waterdeep (Mystra's Embrace or something), not really a prison but still filled with maniacs who lost their mind to magic. I'd guess many of them were evil, but certainly not all of them. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 21:07:40
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I created the prison-city of Fanlaag, in the North-Eastern Wastes - you can see it HERE. It sits on an island in the middle of the Arundi River, and was built by Raumathar (on top of the ruins of even more ancient, mostly-subterranean structure).
It basically had the multiple tasks of being a safe locale for magical experimentation, a prison for 'things' too powerful (or too dangerous) to house in a normal dungeon, and an outpost on the eastern border of the empire (against Li Shou-Lung). An entire Raumathar Korôpta (legion) was stationed there during its operation, as both guards and military defense.
It is nothing more then a haunted ruin now (by the looks of things something very large and angry smashed its way out of the place). The last known visitor to this site was Mestrel Hawkmantle (A Harper), who has not been seen or heard from since (this last part is detailed on pg.18 of Code of the Harpers).
So yeah, Homebrew, but based upon a few tidbits of canon.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 03 Feb 2012 21:10:05 |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 21:13:27
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| Markus' post reminds me there's also the prison-city of Wheloon in Cormyr. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
Edited by - Jeremy Grenemyer on 04 Feb 2012 06:46:24 |
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Wolfhound75
Learned Scribe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 22:50:12
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Take a look in the Drizzt's books when Wulfgar got 'busted' in Luskan. There are some good descriptions of prison life there as well as how they're treated at "The Carnival". Of course it culminates with his buddy securing his release but the descriptions are good none-the-less and may give you some ideas.
I've always liked the "Rescue said NPC who has information critical to your mission before he gets his head chopped off by the local fancy pants" approach. And it even makes them think twice if it happens to be the same person that sent them on given quest who's holding the NPC and he's particularly uncooperative in granting that individual a stay of execution. All kinds of ways to spring him with all kinds of possible fun!
Good Hunting! |
"Firepower - if it's not working, you're not using enough." ~ Military Proverb
"If at first you do succeed, you must've rolled a natural 20!" |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2012 : 23:24:00
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You mean like Brenden Fraser's character in The Mummy. 
I think they used it with Jack Sparrow as well (the only pirate who spends more time locked-up then he does captaining a vessel... or getting booty). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Nicolai Withander
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1093 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 01:18:44
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Wow... I totally missed that.
Cant help then! |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 01:25:32
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| Elaine Cunningham's Twisted Webs begins with a description of the dungeons of Skullport, which are particularly terrifying since they are merely another block of rooms inside the third level of Undermountain. |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 04:48:29
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There's also Manzesine prison.
It's not famous, but it's uber-dangerous and run by Mind Flayers.
The prison is detailed in Dungeon Magazine. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 05:09:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer
There's also Manzesine prison.
It's not famous, but it's uber-dangerous and run by Mind Flayers.
The prison is detailed in Dungeon Magazine.
"Spiral Of Manzessine" [DUNGEON #94] is an awesome adventure module. It's one of the few pre-crafted adventures I've run wholesale and without any personal campaign-related tweaks.
Great choice!
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Kilvan
Senior Scribe
Canada
894 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 13:45:28
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The next quest of my campaign will be breaking someone out of a jail called the Jangling Hiter, set in the 3rd layer of Hell. This jail is actually a city made entirely of chains ran by Kytons. It is detailed in the Tales from the infinite staircase adventure (TSR 2632).
It is also one of those less hostile areas in hell, where mortals can actually go there to form alliances with fiends. I still wouldn't recommend a paladin in shining armor to go down there, but subtle PCs won't necessarily be attacked on sight. By Baator's standards, it is a very friendly place. |
Edited by - Kilvan on 04 Feb 2012 14:00:50 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 15:50:05
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How about that prison in Cormyr where Galaeron was taken? Isn't that famous? Or just a random, ordinary one? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2012 : 16:16:53
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| The Cloister of St. Ramedar on the Starspire Peninsula not far from Zazesspur in Tethyr is a 'famous' prison in an old dwarven hold. With a draconic guardian in the lower section, a single difficult pass through a monster heavy area on the surface and plenty of Ilmateri monks as guardians, it could be good setting for an Alcatraz style escape. |
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 03:39:42
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I like the suggestions thus far alot. I hadn't thought of that hole of Yhaun, yet I read that series. A very clever one at that. It being situated in a dead magic zone makes it a good place for a "historical" prison dungeon.
The maximum security prisons in most modern fiction can be a good inspiration for a more magically oriented prison. One with a single tower that uses clairvoyance spells to observe several other towercomplexes filled with wall of force-fences to ward of certain sections and control movement within and without the whole prison. I don't know how I feel about using alignment magics used to permanently influence the prisoners or disallow entrences. An area covered in a magiczone that can call up a holy word effect whenever needed can effectively control a large group of evil and neutral prisoners.
I also found it hard to stop druids from escaping. One method I think could work is forcing a druid to wear metal armor so his powers are shut off. Maybe enhance Bands of Bilarro to behave like magic-supressing bindings aswell. |
My campaign sketches
Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 04:03:17
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| Wouldn't the demiplane of Grodd be considered a prison? |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 04:14:52
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| Well, you can get in and out of Grodd. The demi-demi-plane where Nalavarra's cohorts are stuck...that's a prison. ;) |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 07:14:59
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It's been awhile.
What about the interdimensional prison that Elf (Forgot his name) from Evermeet was locked up in. |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Kilvan
Senior Scribe
Canada
894 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 12:53:59
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| If being stuck on a plane = prison, then the realms of Ravenloft are the best prisons of all. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 13:21:19
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The Sharnwall is a prison that's specifically designed (by the sharn, no less) to contain the phaerimm. And that held for many years until a meddling archwizard and an elven Tomb Guard breached it.
The Shadow Maze that Melegaunt created to trap the phaerimm was also a prison (which required a password). |
Every beginning has an end. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 14:19:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind
Are there Alcatraz-like, notorious prison dungeons in the Realms? The only one I can think of is Spellhold from BG2, which was a pretty awesome mainquestline location, but that's not canon as far as I could tell.
The canon equivalent is actually Arlathan, an island in the Nelanther, which [as of Volo's Guide to Baldur's Gate II], is described as "the Reformatory for the Magically Afflicted." The one mage who spoke to Volo about the place, bitterly referred to it as the "Prison for all afflicted with magic who do not grovel before the Council, but who may be too useful to be destroyed out of hand." |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Jakk
Great Reader
Canada
2165 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2012 : 18:25:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
Wouldn't the demiplane of Grodd be considered a prison?
Actually, this inspires another question, somewhat off-topic; mods, feel free to move to a new scroll, but this should be a quick, Q&A thing:
What happened to Grodd during the Spellplague? (Assuming that canon lore exists on the subject; if not, it's a shame.)  |
Playing in the Realms since the Old Grey Box (1987)... and *still* having fun with material published before 2008, despite the NDA'd lore.
If it's comparable in power with non-magical abilities, it's not magic. |
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Famous Prisons in the Realms
