Banecastle

Banecastle is an island in the Commons. It is most famous for housing the maximum-security Banecastle Gaol, a prison built from an old Orcish castle, as well as being the site of the Battle of Banecastle, which ended the Age of Piracy.

History
Banecastle was once Castle Bane, as the name implies. It was home to the Family Bane, an Orcish noble family who had their castle built near the summit of a mountain. This decision saved them from the Cascade, since the waters did not swallow their stronghold. However, Castle Bane was repeated sacked by marauders, and the Family Bane dispersed from their family home out across Cleocadia.

The castle was occupied by marauders until it was discoverd by Ulthir. They laid waste to the marauders and transformed the castle into their own stronghold, from which they based their operations. As the fortress of a powerful wizard, the castle was protected with many powerful wards and traps.

The Coalition's military campaign against Ulthir ended at Castle Bane - now called Banecastle. In a huge military assault, the Coaliton's flagship, the CS Fathom, pushed past the Armada, beginning an assault on the castle. Griselda Raleigh, Haster Dommel, Null Phi and Vlinderman went after Ulthir, and succeeded in killing him.

Status as a Prison
Following the Battle of Banecastle, Banecastle was taken by the Coalition and repurposed into a prison. The wards once used to protect Ulthir are now used to keep prisoners inside, making it particularly suitable for magically-inclined criminals. In its 75-year history, no one has escaped Banecastle Gaol.