19.

Life on the inside hasn't been kind to this one. Lurks in dark corners. Doesn't speak much. Whimpering often gives away his position.

18.

One of the Skull Brothers. You've heard of them and their outlaw gang, even though you grew up three whole towns away. He is confident that his brothers will come to bust him out. Seriously though, where did he get that armor? They even let you have armor in this prison?

17.

One of the grounds and maintenance crew. He is hard-working and a little too ambitious for his own good. His facial hair is clear indication that he could easily be persuaded to engage in some activities of dubious legality.

16.

I mean, most trolls are big; but this guy must have like...a gland thing...or something. He's in jail for making a series of mistakes that began with cigarettes.

15.

Toothless former mayor. In jail for many, many illegal and immoral things done both in and out of office. He's probably your closest ally in here.

14.

Prison guard. Has a very good sense of smell. Has two kids and one on the way. He also owns a pet rabbit.

13.

This pale, hairless fellow assures you that not all prisoners are required to wear these "hideous green monkeysuits" as you put it; that prison uniforms won't be implemented for another hundred years or so; and that prisoners may wear whatever they like. He watches everything and can tell you much about the facility.

12.

The local magistrate. His towering sense of self-importance makes him a willing target of even the most blatant flattery. Something about your case seems to have upset him. I'm sure his poor butler will be bearing the brunt of his ill mood later this evening.

11.

These are exactly the sort of barely sentient thugs you would expect to be selected as your nation's official peacekeepers. No, don't ask whether or not that one is a girl. Trust me, that sort of thing never goes as well as you would expect. Perhaps they know something about that guy with the thing.

10.

Hey, you need any fancy city stuff? This complete set of fine glass cupholders? Exotic dried fruits? A stylish fanny pack? I'm pretty sure that this old guy will be able to sell you some or all of those things. He comes through these parts every Autumn, peddling his shoddy wares and spinning fantastic tales of the grand cities beyond the wastes.

9.

Claims to be some sort of official government agent and requests that you submit to a search of your person. Clearly he's lying. Where is his official purple velvet uniform? Why was he hiding there in the shadows anyway? Playing to your strengths, you feign ignorance.

8.

Don't touch that! No! No! Don't put it in your mouth! Ugh! Opening and then carrying around some random letter whose contents you can't even read is just the sort of plot device you want to avoid here. That symbol there at the bottom does look strangely familiar though--one of those "echoes from your forgotten past" thingies.

7.

Only the most dim-witted of humans are accepted by the usually hostile water-sprites. This young man is prepared to visit them in a nearby pond. But something is amiss.

6.

An official messenger rushes past wearing what could be the worst hair piece you've ever seen. Not a good omen for the beginning of a journey. Such things have dark import as you know all too well. (Dark imports have to pass through a special branch of customs. This process usually takes an additional 4-6 business days.)

5.

The oldest and wisest man in your village. He could be the oldest man in the whole world for all you know. In his rare moments of lucidity, he buttons up his shirt and gives very good advice.

4.

Your best friend. Drowning his sorrows in some sort of canned vegetable from the looks of things. It would seem that one of the unnamed citizens was dear to him. He advises you not to go on a quest because "It sounds lame." Don't believe him. It doesn't sound lame. And besides, he's balding.

3.

Local militia leader. Seeks the hand of your girlfriend for political reasons. Her father, the mayor, favors the match. She herself favors the match. Come to think of it, maybe the two of you were just friends.

2.

A great dirty man. He may be a giant. With your limited experience it's difficult to be certain of anything . Anyway, this is the guy who is ransacking your village, killing a few unnamed citizens, and stealing the love of your young life. To think, that little green guy knew it all along and did nothing. What a jerk.

1.

A little man who, as you can see, is dressed all in green. He greets you as you return from the market and warns you of the impending disaster. Then he cleverly disappears.