Phobol - The Prison of Fear
Phobol (Foe-bowl) is one of three islands used by the Spiral Order to test one of their most important weapons; fear. This is the island's namesake, a tiny fragment of land between the Ring of Vauz and the reef graveyard to the north. Phobol, like its sisters, is a prison, a maze of oubliettes and senseless corridors into which prisoners are thrown, to be destroyed by fear. The prison is filled with all manner of horrors, some real, some induced by drugs or magic. By studying these prisoners, the Spiral seeks to learn the major roots of mortal fear and exploit them. Most of the prison's inhabitants last a few days at most, or else go mad and become yet another part of the hideous experience. The prison is well-guarded, though largely autonomous, save the occasional visit from Spiral priests seeking to test new theories or unload new prisoners.
Illusionists, necromancers, deranged, canabalistic prisoners, and all manner of horrific phantasms can be found here. There is also a heavy infestation of parasites and a perpetual stench of decay. Anyone trapped within the prison will be driven insane over the course of a few days. The dark magic here prevents people from sleeping, even if they can ignore the ethereal sounds and shambling horrors. Eventually, a combination of terror and insanity take over the prisoner's mind, until suicide or complete mental breakdown occurs. The bodies are left, to be eaten by insects or other prisoners. The maze itself makes little sense, with many dead ends and staircases that lead to nowhere. Sound carries very well here.
Back...