Location: Silver mine 70 miles north of Seregon, on the west bank of the Lula River.

Description:

The Silverspring Mine is a sprawling, rustic mining complex carved into the hillside. The fort-like structure, built from heavy timber and reinforced with iron, stands resolutely at the base of a steep hill, where the mouth of the mine leads deep into the earth. A complex system of mine carts and rails—repurposed from the One Road’s old tracks—runs directly from the mine entrance into the hillside, allowing miners to transport silver and other valuable ores to the surface. The mine is powered by a large water wheel, which crushes ore and assists in the sorting process, with the constant sound of turning gears and rushing water filling the air.

Though primarily a mining operation, Silverspring Mine also functions as a riverside waystation for travelers moving north along the Lula River. Its dock is modest but capable of accommodating boats and ships for quick loading and unloading of goods, including ore. There are no luxuries here—travelers eat and sleep among the miners in a communal space, with simple sleeping pallets laid out around the rustic kitchen where a single daily meal is prepared for all. The atmosphere is rough and utilitarian, a reflection of the harder, more dangerous life as one moves further away from Seregon.

Current Threat: The Zombie Lord Qhaxagral

The mine’s workers and travelers are not the only ones who frequent the Silverspring Mine. Recently, the region has come under siege by a terrifying threat—a zombie lord named Qhaxagral. Once a powerful necromancer in life, Qhaxagral has risen as a lord of the undead, commanding an army of zombies to terrorize the area and the surrounding hills. His growing forces now include ogre zombies, hobgoblin zombies, and even the feared beholder zombie, a nightmarish monstrosity he raised from the ruins of an old battlefield.

Qhaxagral's base of operations is an ancient dwarven temple to Crom, located in the hills nearby. The temple, long abandoned by dwarves, has been repurposed by Qhaxagral and his undead horde. From this stronghold, he has launched raids on Silverspring Mine, aiming to either drive out the miners or force them into submission to provide his growing army with fresh corpses.

Despite their strength, the miners have been struggling to hold back the zombie attacks. The beholder zombie in particular poses an immense threat, and Qhaxagral’s necrotic magic is making it more difficult to defend the mine with each passing day. The workers are on edge, constantly on watch for the next attack from the hills.

Key Features of the Silverspring Mine

• The Mining Complex:
  The mine itself is a large wooden fort, heavily reinforced to protect against both wild animals and zombie incursions. The rail system allows carts to carry ore from deep within the mine straight to the sorting and crushing facility powered by the water wheel. Constant mining operations make it a hub of activity day and night, but it is also a place where danger is never far away.

• The Dock:
  A small but functional dock on the Lula River allows boats to load silver ore and other goods for transport south to Seregon. It also serves as a riverside stopover for travelers heading north. The dock is guarded, but the defenses are minimal compared to the mine itself, making it a vulnerable point in the face of the zombie lord’s forces.

• Communal Sleeping Area and Kitchen:
  In contrast to the relative luxury of southern waystations, Silverspring Mine offers only rustic accommodations. Travelers share sleeping pallets in a large, open space with the miners, with little more than thin blankets and rough cots for comfort. A simple daily meal is prepared in the communal kitchen, usually consisting of stew, bread, and river-caught fish. There is no tavern here, but rum and other cheap drinks are sold to weary workers and travelers alike.

  
  

Life at Silverspring Mine

The miners at Silverspring are hardened, tough individuals who have grown accustomed to the dangers of the north. They work long hours in the mine, always with one ear out for the sound of a zombie raid from the hills. While the defenses around the mine are strong, morale has been steadily declining as Qhaxagral’s forces grow bolder.

Travelers who stop at Silverspring often find themselves drawn into the fight, either helping to reinforce the walls or standing watch during the night. The daily life here is grueling, with most people focused on survival rather than comfort. Rumors of mercenary groups or adventurers being hired to track down Qhaxagral circulate among the workers, but so far, no one has succeeded in ending the zombie lord’s threat.

The Silverspring Mine may be rich with silver, but it is also at the center of a battle for survival. As Qhaxagral’s power grows, so does the desperation of those living and working there. The workers can only hold out for so long before their defenses—and their spirits—are broken.