The Howling Mines

Just a few hours south of Zannie's Ford's mining encampment lays another, long abandoned, cave system known only as the Howling Mines. Once a vast network of mine-shafts and natural caves rich with ore, the caverns are now long abandoned. After the cave-in of the spring of 3608, rumors spread that the cave was now haunted by the lost souls of miners who would weep and howl every night just before dawn. Some claim that the haunting dates back to before the miners, and swear that spirits inhabited the caves before a pick ever touched stone. All agree that the wailing comes from deep within the mine. These rumors abound from the survivors of the collapse, claiming they were right near the source when the mine-shafts began to shake and cave in.
Because of the collapse a watch has been posted at the mouth of the cave to prevent people from venturing inside. The watch stander stays within a cabin near the cave for several months. Those who stand this watch swear by the rumors and refuse to stand near the mouth of the cave, preferring a small "watch tower" placed a goodly distance from its entrance. The watch standers sometimes return with rumors of their own. Visions of lost loved ones or voices crying out for aid.
Elders claim these tails are derived from the trauma of loosing comrades and sleepless nights. Would-be thrill seekers have gone to the cave many times, a few even claim to have ventured within, but they all return with more rumor and myth surrounding the cave and its supposed specters. Once a man from outside the town even ventured to the cave claiming to be hunting dragons. The man disheveled and let down returned to the town and has yet to leave, complaining all day at the Gilded Down and drinking away a seemingly unending fortune.

Type

Cave System