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The Obsidian Panopticon

April 29, 2021

The top level of the three-tiered Obsidian Panopticon prison.

A bird's eye view of all three levels of the Obsidian Panopticon.

The valley that holds the Obsidian Panopticon is a frozen, desolate wasteland.

In the coldest region of Mistrendur (the continent at the heart of Shroud of the Avatar's Episode 2 content), the evil Obsidian elves have built an inescapable prison for high value prisoners. For this prison, Keith avoided the stereotypes of underground dungeon, island fortress, and sky-high tower. Instead, he hung the prison in the air with giant chains that were anchored to the walls of the valley in which is sat. The Obsidian Panopticon has two additional tiers below the top level, each of which is hung by additional chains attached to the tier above it. The prison never touches the ground and is only accessible by a locked elevator system in its center.

Most of the enemies are on the ground level, protecting the valley and direct access to the Panopticon's elevator. Several guards safeguard the keys required to access to the elevator, as well as the cell keys are required to open any prison door. Even those players who are able to obtain the keys will realize their victory is short lived, as the keys are fragile and often break upon even a single use.

Most prisoners are weaker than the guards, but a few have freshly arrived and will fight anyone and everyone in an attempt to escape. Those who have tried to escape find a quick death before they reach the ground below the prison. A daring few have climbed past the damaging spikes onto the top parapet to climb along the massive chains holding up the Panopticon, only to find a large barrier halfway up the chain that blocks all travel. If a prisoner were to beat all the odds and escape the valley, they'll find the snowy tundra includes many dangerous predators as well as a deadly cold that runs along the perimeter of the entire region.

On the edge of the valley is an NPC that hides behind a rock. He offers a meager reward to players foolish enough to brave the Obsidian Panopticon, asking them to trade messages with a prisoner in one of the cells. If the player completes this quest, they can return each day for a daily version.

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