Cultures of the Hellrush

The Salt Lake Valley is on the brink of a technological revolution. For the longest time the city and the surrounding area were no more advanced than any other frontier town. Oil lamps, basic farming, the most advanced thing they have would be the weapons they have to defend their land with. Slowly, the area is starting to advance with the arrival of industry. Tycoons and moguls flock to the potential riches of The Hellmouth, as does the Government. Those up high in either position or wealth live the luxurious life of the 19th century, but almost all the other settlers have to make do with whatever they brought with them. Advanced mining gear and home goods cost money, something that prospectors and other settlers are in short supply of. The religious fanatics look down on it, claiming these newfangled inventions are the work of the devil much like the hole not too far from where they live. Mining and exploring The Hellmouth is a treacherous task because of the lack of adequate machines. Explorers must brave the tunnels with nothing more than ropes, ladders, and climbing pitons to get themselves in and out. Even the few comforts they have such as clocks or compasses are unreliable in the tunnels, some power distorting the ways in which they work.
The area is heavily militarized. The original settlers braved the harsh wilderness to carve out a new home. They came armed to fend off threats of both nature and man. With The Hellmouth promising a surplus of wealth, the federal eyes have shifted over to this corner of Utah. A U.S. Army base has been established just outside the city to act as the new financial assett’s guardian. The fort is some 2000 soldiers strong, a significant force in place the keep the money greased wheels moving as smooth as possible. These soldiers are present in and around the city at all times, though not to keep the peace but to protect federal interests. At least one can be spotted on the streets or in any bar around the city. They tend to stay within the borders of the fort or city, rarely venturing out to the actual openings of The Hellmouth.
In response, some of the more zealous groups have begun to militarize as well. Some of the stricter Christian groups have become violent in guarding other entrances to The Hellmouth, declaring no living soul will be allowed to pass their guard. Scuffles between them, soldiers, and a band of prospectors trying to find a new way into the caves are known to happen. More chilling though, are the religious and mostly Satanic cults that have formed around the entrances. Roving bands of cultists live in the mountains along either side of the valley, preying on the wayward settler who strayed too far looking for riches of their own. Likewise, it’s believed that the cults recruit ordinary people, seducing with promises of power or riches. Everyone in the cities can feel the simmering heat of religious passion in the air, and no one can ignore it.
With the zealots and soldiers and the slow churn of industry, there has come an increase in the arts: paintings, sculpture, theatre, music, games—all have been trickling into the Salt Lake Valley, to the degree where they are highly integrated into society proper. Every group has their own songs, ranging from bawdy saloon-choruses to righteous hymns to strange chanted incantations. As people shift and move throughout the valley, they bring their art with them: there are stories of soldiers singing hymns, cults chanting show-tunes, and prospectors humming infernal melodies.