Imagine a medieval realm in which a king detains power and there is a war, a great war versus tremendouos beasts. Everything is allowed and so the ruler can use the criminals as slaves and imprison them into a colony-mine where they should gather magical ore resources.
Now you're in a jail and you do not know anything but the fact you must survive. Explore the land, cook, learn how to become a warrior or definitely approach magic: no one is a free friend, quid pro quo is the main rule. At the beginning nothing is easy as in the real world but after some hours in the medieval fantasy realm you'll be able to master each movement and skill. Forget about free travel: you may visit only some quarter and the access to the others will be acheieved only with experience. The desire for freedom is arising but who and what is that Sleeper whom everybody is talking about?