The Iron Tower
The Empire’s Prison
Military Fortress and Maximum-Security Prison
Settlement Summary
- Population: 12,000 (8,000 incarcerated prisoners, 4,000 military personnel)
- Government: Governed by the Imperial Warden of The Iron Tower, reporting directly to the Emperor and the Imperial Council
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Languages: Common, Dwarven, Halfling, Elven
- Notable Locations: The Tower Keep, The Black Cells, The Execution Yard, The Forge of Chains, The Southern Wall
Notable Features
- The Tower Keep: The central structure of The Iron Tower, this imposing black-stone fortress rises above the surrounding walls. It houses the warden’s quarters, administrative offices, and high-security vaults for dangerous artefacts confiscated from prisoners.
- The Black Cells: Located deep beneath the keep, these magically reinforced cells are used to contain the most dangerous and powerful prisoners, including mages and political dissidents.
- The Execution Yard: A grim courtyard used for public executions, typically reserved for high-profile traitors or criminals. It serves as a deterrent and reminder of imperial justice.
- The Forge of Chains: A workshop dedicated to crafting enchanted manacles, reinforced cell bars, and other tools used to secure prisoners. It is operated by skilled dwarven and human smiths.
- The Southern Wall: A massive defensive wall equipped with ballistae, trebuchets, and magical wards. It overlooks the thin bridges leading back into Southreach, ensuring no escape routes exist.
Special Qualities
- Maximum Security: The Iron Tower is designed to be impenetrable, both to prevent escapes and to deter outside attempts at rescue or rebellion.
- Magical Defenses: Many cells and corridors are warded against magic, preventing teleportation, spellcasting, or other forms of arcane escape.
- Isolated Location: Positioned on and island off the end of a peninsula overlooking the Bay of Kyne, surrounded by jagged cliffs and sea rock, only one road leads in and out of the fortress, across a heavily guarded and dangerously narrow bridge.
Defenses
- Military Garrison: The fortress is manned by 4,000 elite soldiers trained to deal with both conventional threats and dangerous prisoners.
- Fortifications: Reinforced stone walls, watchtowers, and a heavily guarded main gate ensure the fortress’s security.
- Magical Containment: Enchanted wards and anti-magic fields are employed throughout the prison to suppress spellcasters and magical creatures.
Notable NPCs
- Warden Karvel Drakemantle: A stern and uncompromising dwarven warden, Karvel is a master tactician with decades of experience running high-security prisons. He views The Iron Tower as a necessary evil.
- Captain Elyra Thornshade: A human officer who oversees the garrison, Elyra is known for her efficiency and no-nonsense approach to discipline among both soldiers and prisoners.
- Inquisitor Taryn Blackthorn: A shadowy half-elf interrogator tasked with extracting information from high-profile prisoners. Taryn’s methods are feared even among the guards.
- Master Smith Halrik Ironsoul: A dwarven smith who runs The Forge of Chains, Halrik is a perfectionist who ensures all tools of containment are flawless.
- Prisoner Ryn Volshar: A charismatic and cunning human thief who has become a leader among the prisoners, often orchestrating schemes to smuggle contraband within the prison.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Prisoner Uprisings: Though rare, the sheer number of dangerous prisoners housed at The Iron Tower makes uprisings a constant threat.
- Contraband Smuggling: Despite strict measures, some guards are bribed into smuggling items for prisoners, creating internal corruption.
- Assassination Attempts: The high-profile nature of many inmates attracts outside agents seeking to silence or rescue them.
- Escape Attempts: Even with all its defenses, The Iron Tower occasionally faces daring escape attempts, particularly from powerful mages or well-organised criminal networks.
The Black Cells
"Where the Most Dangerous Linger"
The Black Cells are reserved for prisoners too dangerous to house in ordinary cells. These include sorcerers, shapeshifters, and individuals tied to the Abyss. The cells are sealed with runes and monitored constantly.
The Warden’s Ledger
"The Secrets of The Iron Tower"
A massive ledger in Warden Drakemantle’s office contains records of every prisoner ever held at The Iron Tower. The ledger is magically protected, as it contains details of political prisoners and sensitive information that could destabilise the empire.
Execution Day
"A Grim Spectacle"
Once a month, The Iron Tower holds public executions in the Execution Yard. These events are attended by officials from across the empire as a show of strength and justice. These events are looked down upon by the Emperor, but King Eadwin insists they are an important show of resolve and strength, and they haven't been stopped.
The Forgotten Wing
"A Place Best Left Alone"
An older section of The Iron Tower, now sealed off, was abandoned decades ago due to unexplained phenomena. Some believe the spirits of prisoners who died unjustly haunt its halls.
Rumour: It is believed that the warden sends particularly bothersome inmates into the forgotten wing when solitary confinement doesn't work as it should. Inmates report some individuals returning from solitary completely changed, with haunted looks in their eyes.