Reddale Iron Mines
Geography
The Reddale Iron Mines can be found 3 days' ride north of the city of Sanctuary amongst the foothills of the Reddale Mountains. In centuries past, the mines produced some of the finest iron known to civilization. It is said that the steel made from this iron was inevitably of unsurpassed quality, and any magic spell, any magic artifact would always be stronger if made with this iron as a component.
The Northern Iron Mines were the foundation of early Sanctuary's wealth, as the city served as a distribution point for ships to come to buy the iron and Steel, and great foundries existed all along the northern end of the city. But two hundred years ago, the Mines went quiet. Some say the mines simply, finally, ran out of the legendary iron. Others say a massive disaster struck the Mines, that due to unchecked greed on the part of the Owning Families led to safety mechanisms being ignored. Still others say a curse was placed on the Mines by a coalition of other steelmakers who were jealous of the competition. Today, most people shun the Mines, for they have become dark and noisome places. It is said they are patrolled by the spirits of all those who died forgotten in the mines. It is also said that there are still magical mining machines originally created to help dig and process ore roaming the area, and that now without masters to guide them they have become wild, and destructive to any who pass near. But to the brave and careful adventurer, wealth can still be found there: the ruins of the summer homes of the Owning Families remain mouldering amongst the ruined mines. And there may still be at least some of the magic iron itself, which is sought by artificers worldwide for their devices, and wizards for their spell components.
The Northern Iron Mines were the foundation of early Sanctuary's wealth, as the city served as a distribution point for ships to come to buy the iron and Steel, and great foundries existed all along the northern end of the city. But two hundred years ago, the Mines went quiet. Some say the mines simply, finally, ran out of the legendary iron. Others say a massive disaster struck the Mines, that due to unchecked greed on the part of the Owning Families led to safety mechanisms being ignored. Still others say a curse was placed on the Mines by a coalition of other steelmakers who were jealous of the competition. Today, most people shun the Mines, for they have become dark and noisome places. It is said they are patrolled by the spirits of all those who died forgotten in the mines. It is also said that there are still magical mining machines originally created to help dig and process ore roaming the area, and that now without masters to guide them they have become wild, and destructive to any who pass near. But to the brave and careful adventurer, wealth can still be found there: the ruins of the summer homes of the Owning Families remain mouldering amongst the ruined mines. And there may still be at least some of the magic iron itself, which is sought by artificers worldwide for their devices, and wizards for their spell components.
Ecosystem
During the time of the mines, the woodlands in the area were virtually wiped out to make bracing for mines, and to construct the massive barracks and other dwellings there. In the two hundred years since mining stopped, the forests have returned. They are dark and forbidding, and those who wander into them have told conflicting stories of strange beasts wandering within. But the old Mine Highway is still there, and runs through the woods, all the way to the Mines -- as if some ancient power or other preserves it.
Localized Phenomena
"Yer goin' to the Mines!? Be wary, lad. Those who die in the Mines of Reddale doan stay dead."
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