The Pen is a classic prison server that is trying to bring back the older prison vibe before everything turned into super OP stuff. You start simple with leather and iron and you have to work your way up by crafting your own gear.
Diamond gear matters a lot here because you cannot upgrade it into netherite. That makes good tools and armor feel way more valuable and worth grinding for.
The rank path goes from A to H and each rank opens a new mine with different ores. There is also Parolee and Citizen so you can leave the prison and explore the free world and get shards for prestige.
Money is not just one boring method. You can make cash through mining and custom fishing and there is a mob arena that opens at the first prestige.
You can rent cells and plots to build whatever you want like farms storage or just something cool to show off. There are illegal items too like special crops plus weapons chainmail armor and potions. Guards can confiscate them or you might get PvP or sent to solitary.
Staff are part of the roleplay with Guards and Wardens keeping order. The server also listens to player suggestions and tries to build a close community.
