Shadow Prison

If you are sent to the Shadow Prison, you will never again be graced by the light of day or night.

— Unknown, but popular

Overview

The place where the Kingdom of Helia sends its most disruptive members of society. It is one of the only buildings in the entirety of the Radiant City of Sol that doesn't try to emit or even reflect light. The prison is a shadowy presence in an otherwise golden city. The building is shaped after a truncated cone with little to no decoration to speak of. It lies within the fifth ring on the west side of the city.
It is difficult to separate fact from fiction concerning this prison. The only thing known for certain is that those who go to this prison meet fates unknown to the outside world. Guards keep people from entering or even catching sight of the building's interior.

History

No one can seem to remember when the prison was built. There are even gaps in Helian chronicles around the time when the prison began to be mentioned. It may not have been a prison when first built, but then the mystery is why it became a prison. The origins of this building present fertile ground for debate.
Regardless of its true origins, the prison quickly developed a reputation for holding Helia's worst criminals. Over time, those sent to the prison increasingly became political rivals who challenged Helia's increasingly aggressive expansionary policy. The fear of going to the Shadow Prison played a part in quelling dissent enough for Helia to begin waging war against their neighbors.

The Portal Rumor

Perhaps the most popular rumor about the Shadow Prison is that it is really surrounding a portal to some other realm. Some say that the portal leads to a realm of fire. Others believe it leads to a realm of ice. The point being, the reason no one escapes from this prison is that they are given a one way trip to a land they can never return from. Of course, such a portal could present a danger to the city of Sol, which could explain why so many guards are needed. Kingdom officials have consistently denied the existence of this portal.

Alternative Names

Place of Settings

Type

Prison

Parent Location

Radiant City of Sol

Note(s) from the Archivists:

This prison seems like overkill for dealing with criminals and other dangerous elements to the kingdom. Is there something else going on? - Archivist Edward