[Riverfall Location] Coalinga Gem Mines

[Charon]

Coalinga Gem Mines Located near the top tier of Riverfall, the Coalinga Gem Mines are a relatively well kept secret. From the first tier buildings and the land surrounding Riverfall, it is difficult to discern exactly where the mines are located. The tall grass common to the Cyphrus region reach toward the city and completely blanket the land. There are a few dark green tents not far in the distance but those unfamiliar with Riverfall geography would simply assume they are dwellings or some other private property. Traveling nearer to the tents reveals several large pits dug out of the ground where coals and wood are piled high but hidden by the tall grass. These are used to fuel large fires periodically ignited to assist in the final stages of mining the precious minerals found in the area. These stones are roasted by these large fires for almost two entire days in an effort to soften them to the point where large hammers can split them open, hopefully revealing the precious and colorful gems these miners risk their lives searching for after washing the dirt away. At the Coalinga site, scattered amidst the tents and fire pits, are several shallow excavations forming long veins along the surface of the ground. These pits and crevices are where miners use chisels and hammers to meticulously comb the exposed ground looking for possible loose gems or stones that may contain these rare minerals within them. It is difficult to mine on the surface, but when gems are discovered, they are usually flawlessly beautiful though small in size. Aside from the surface mining, the more difficult to reach gems lie underneath the surface. There are only a few openings where mines tunnel below the ground and these tunnels are sealed with metal and wooden gates when not in use to prevent children and other animals from finding themselves in peril. Once unsealed, the mouths of these mines provide entrance into some of the most dangerous places found under Mizahar. In the early stages of exploring the mines, the tunnels are large enough for most people to walk through and are even a couple bodies wide. The walls of these tunnels are almost completely smooth from being formed and worked on by so many tools. There are even torches built into the walls here which, when lit, provide an eerie hellish atmosphere of dancing shadows and fire. After twisting and turning and descending at a relatively manageable rate, the tunnel will eventually come to an abrupt end. When the tunnels do stop, there are typically one or two holes in the lower walls or even in the floor where shafts will open up. From this point forward, the descent is incredibly steep and often requires ropes or careful footing to proceed. It is rare for these more vertical paths to be large enough for more than one person at a time to traverse, but some ledges and natural floors develop in certain areas providing a spot to rest if nothing else. The shafts at this point are so steep in an effort to expose more of the walls to the mineral rich sections where a higher accumulation of gems are possible to be found. It is thought that these sections are actually veins where lava spewed toward the surface and carried these minerals up with it. Consequently, if the shafts are vertical more gems should be produced from the rocks excavated here. The mining is such a slow process due to the fact that miners need to carry their own light and means to move the rocks they break away back up to the fire pits on the surface. Lanterns have burned out, tools have been dropped and never found or broken while being used, food and water has run out and some miners have simply never returned. These risks and more, along with the character traits of the Akalak, have resulted in the Coalinga Gem Mines being very conservatively explored and operated in. Though physically strong enough to mine here, most Akalak feel the risk of losing one of their race to such a greedy undertaking is not beneficial to the success the blue warriors deeply pursue. Because of this, often the Akalak will contract to other races to do the mining for Riverfall with the understanding that the miners take all the risk. Miners are treated with respect and are provided a comfortable stay while in Riverfall and these amenities typically make up for the many risks. Rumor has it that deep within the mines, far, far below the Suvan Sea floor, large cavernous pits open up where massive gems of varying colors are exposed from the walls. It is said that those few who have ever seen these unimaginably beautiful landscapes find their peril either while attempting to return to the surface or never have the energy or desire to return. The secrets of the Coalinga Gem Mines are said to be kept by very few elder Akalak within Riverfall as the contents residing so far below ground should only be known by few. If that sort of knowledge reached the wrong ears in multitudes, the face of Riverfall would change as the population would soar with people from every corner of Mizahar converging on the sea-front city in search of what lies beneath the Akalak home. And although showing off their city does not bother the inhabitants, the characters attracted by that sort of wealth and power are not those the Akalak want to live within their city or die within their mines.