A Wretched Party of Scum and Villainy

Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound echoes around in the dark cells. A sputtering torch on one end of the long hall sheds a pitiful light, vainly trying to banish the shadows all around. The air was heavy and thick in the lower sections of the prison. It stank with the filth of the prisoners locked down below, most asleep or resigned to their fates and sitting quietly in their cells. No one ever escaped. Not even in death. The Well of Lost Souls was renown for its impeccable reputation of holding its prisoners. The Order were keen to uphold that reputation at all costs.

The silence of the hall was broken by the sudden creaking followed by a boom as a heavy iron door was opened at the far end of the all. Heavy boots clanked accompanied by a scrapping noise. The other prisoners glanced up from their dark corners, their interest piqued at the idea of their new cellmate. However, it was not just one new prisoner, but several more, each hauled off into cells and deposited roughly. Cell doors slammed shut, keys turned and loudly clicked as bolts locked.

Silence reigned once more, the new additions still subdued from whatever punishments the guards had doled out before dragging them down there. Though after some time some chatter began as the new prisoners came to and began to learn of their fate. Some took it well, others did not, attempting to break the cell doors.

“Finally.” Commander Nicoletta sighed as she slumped into her chair. Her office overlooked the large courtyard that was the center of the massive prison-fortress. The room was sparsely decorated aside from a large wooden desk, several chairs, and a stand for armor. She was talk and muscular, with “Those new bastards were a handful and I swear to Iomadae if any of them resisted again I would have had their heads!”

The man standing across from her just nodded mutely. He was staring out the massive window at the activity below. Prisoners being allowed some time out in the open sky loitered about while guards patrolled the everywhere. Unlike the commander he had a slender build and a bookish appearance about him.

“Indeed,” he said at last. “They seemed to be quite the handful. Oh, before I forget: A letter for you, my lady.”

Nicoletta reached out and took the letter, pouring over it quickly. As she read the blood drained from her face. She looked up at the man who just raised an eyebrow quizzically. She read the letter aloud and as she read the man’s face also grew pale. They discussed for a moment about the news, both adamant in their points. After a while the woman relented and gave the order for it to be done.

“Iomadae forgive us for this.” She took a long breath and waited for a moment. “Ready the prisoners for battle.”

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Welcome to the Kingdom of Grendia, near the bottom of the world. While it lacks noteworthy materials, it has access to the great river trade routes into Cetlicca, boosting its little economy. However, Grendia’s greatest income asset is the Well of Lost Souls, a massive prison-fortress owned by the Order of the Well.

Geographical Information:

• South of Cetlicca: The Kingdom of Grendia, on the island of Grendia off the southern coats of the mainland. Being situated close to the frozen wastelands of the Far South, Grendia has found business in a niche market: Holding infamous criminals. On the tiny island off of its coast the Order of the Well. The Order protects the great fortress of the Well of Lost Souls, a prison for criminals from the mainland that are considered too dangerous to hold up there. Isolated from the rest of the world, the denizens of the Well find their lives closely monitored and any resistance met with brutal punishment.
  
• Tenwood: The capital of the kingdom, Tenwood is a bustling city-port that trades directly with the great city of Cetlicca, sending many ships with precious stones and other materials up the river to the giant city. Home to the Royal Palace and the major courts, the king rarely ventures from its mighty walls, preferring to delegate the management of the towns to his nobles.
  
• Ronar: The furthest city from the capital, Ronar lies south of the two ruined cities of old and across the Blue Mountains. Isolated from the rest of the kingdom, Ronar is home to many criminal organizations that use it as a base of operations when things on the mainland get too hot. Also there are rumors of different cults gaining power within its walls.
  Luswood: One of the main farmland cities, Luswood serves as a Grendia's breadbasket. The city has become known for its delicacy in the strange fish that reside off of its coast.
  
• Qrester: Currently dealing with a dragon issue (the reason for one of the ruined cities in the north), Qrester is the main port to the Well and serves as a staging area for the Well's recruits and supplies that come in from Tenmond.
  
• Fomrast: As part of the supply chain from Tenwood to the Well, Fomrast is the second largest city on the island with focus on mining and forestry.
  Moon Temple: A massive temple built to worship the Moon Goddess, it fell into disarray after a dragon took up residence on the nearby mountain. There are rumors that some worshipers still live at the temple but no one has been in some time.
  
• Strodon: A small village near Ronar and Luswood, its population handles most of the farming for Luswood.
  
• Esehull: A fishing village along the main road to Jeoburn and Fomrast. Serves as a secondary port to Grendia and usually the best location for illegal operations.
  
• Jeoburn: Between two forests and along the mountains, Jeoburn works on forestry. Life tends to be short and miserable due to the high monster population. 
• Adrok: Along the road from Qrester to Luswood, Ardok is a small village in the forest that serves as a resting point for caravans between the two major towns. 
• Northwatch: The main garrison, situated on the opposite side of the island to better protect from incursions from the mainland and also to prevent escapees from heading into the north. 

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You are a prisoner of the Order of Well in the Well of Lost Souls. Your crimes against either the Kingdom of Grendia or anywhere in the world have resulted in you being handed over to the order for safe keeping under their watchful eye and inescapable fortress. However, now you are being dragged from your cell.

This is a one-shot! So this will only be one (maybe 2!) sessions in length so it’s an easy time to jump in and try an idea. We will be playing at Level 11 with no restrictions to race or class!

Please post below with a confirmation with your interest in joining, your preferred timezone/availability, and the class/race you are planning to play!