Erent Caves

The Erent Caves are a network of deep caverns and tunnels that extend under the northen slopes of Yillan Ridge that were some of the first to be fully explored and mapped by settlers in the region. The caves are comprised of limestone tunnels and caverns that extend for miles with the furthest chamber has been marked at over thirteen miles from the 'main' entrance with some tunnels connecting several chambers together in a spider-web design. It is easy for the unfamiliar or mapless to become lost forever in these dark spaces. The air itself is damp, filled with the scent of mould, moss & decay from the trickles of ground water seeping through the porous rock.
Several of the tunnels have been extended through mining operations to tap into the rich seams of silver and copper ore that can be found in the southern extent of the network, though these attempts were abandoned in 924 after the discovery of ancient structures that predate the landing of Lord Caster Dale.

Ecosystem

Due to its size the network has several small ecosystems unique to its tunnels often split into two regions for ease of catagorisation by scholars.
The northern tunnels consist of caverns rich in fungi and mosses that cling to the damp walls and small pools of mineral water. Tall stalactites climb towards the lofty ceilings that crawl with spiders, insects and bats. Here you can find a collection of submerged pathways that team with blind fish and amphibians. It has been documented that some of these creatures are capable of hunting prey as large as humans with minimal difficulty, one such specimen of salamander measured over thirty feet in length. The flora here are known for providing potent toxins and miracle cures, with some coming from the same plant.
The southern tunnels are drier by comparison but still contains wet surfaces and pools of water. This part of the network is where miners first explored because of the gemstones and ore veins that were easily accessible. One tunnel network was extended in an effort to mine the silver and copper veins that presented here, but it was sealed in 924.

Localized Phenomena

When the tunnels were first explored it was reported that miners often heard the voices of people singing in the dark, leading to myths and superstitions about ghosts or primordial spirits haunting the stone. These myths proved true when in 924 a mineshaft broke into an ancient structure of carved stone where a voice was heard wailing as the pickaxe broke through. Since this date the southern region of the network has seen an influx of undead spirits and elementals roaming. 
It has been documented that when there is volcanic activity elsewhere in Beru the tunnels here become hotter and drier, with wind rushing through as if the stone itself is breathing. When Mount Ruin erupted for the first time the deepest tunnels filled with magma, destroying an outpost established in 982 along with the workers. 
During a lunar eclipse on the 19th of Kythorn in 1271 workers within the network reported seeing the sky despite being miles beneath the ground. This has led dozens of scholars to research the region in hopes of unlocking its secrets.

History

After the discovery of a structure beneath the mountains in 924 much study has gone into the region over the last half-century for clues as to its builders.
In Uktar of 1000 a hidden network was unearthed that extended deep under the mountains towards luminous chambers of glowing crystal unlike anything ever seen. These crystals were mined and experimented on in hopes of discovering something similar to Loomstone but yeilded disappointing results as they proved useless by comparison to the wonder stone.
Following the abondonment of these deep caverns by the mining companies scholars were finally able to study the new maze, discovering artwork in a chamber of geometric shapes and patterns, impressionistic interpretations of figures worshipping a great creature of stone and fire.
In the White Summer the cave system was buried under deep snows for the duration and into the autumn of 1275. Only four of the hundreds of workers trapped survived, with all of them deemed insane and locked away in prison after the thawing.

Type

Cave System

Location under

Yillan Ridge