Vault of Screams

Geography

The Vault of Screams is a massive underground tunnel network that was constructed beneath the towering mountains that border the Cove of the Vanquished. It extends from deep beneath the mountains to the icy valley where the cove resides. The tunnel system was created through years of cooperative effort between the dwarves and gnomes, and it includes intricate rail systems designed for quick travel through the dangerous and treacherous mountain paths.

Ecosystem

While initially intended as a stable and efficient underground passage, the collapse of the Abericlase transformed the tunnel into a twisted, dangerous network. Dark energy now warps the Vault of Screams, bringing unnatural creatures and eerie phenomena to life. Ethereal echoes can be heard through the tunnel, remnants of the screams from the tragic event. The creatures that caused the disaster are still present, lurking in the shadows.

Localized Phenomena

The Eternal Screams: When near the vault’s entrance, the ghostly sounds of the workers’ final moments can still be heard, amplified by the strange magic that lingers in the tunnels. These echoes are so powerful that they were once heard all the way back to Bammery Falls and Inedel during the incident.
Rail of the Dead: The once-operational rail system is now an ominous remnant. When magic surges through the vault, the old railcars seem to move on their own, whispering with phantom voices. Those brave enough to ride them say that they feel the presence of the lost workers.
Living Shadows: The unknown creatures that decimated the workers are still in the Vault of Screams. These creatures take the form of dark, writhing shadows, capable of silently hunting anyone who enters.

Climate

The air within the vault is damp and frigid, even colder than the surface due to its proximity to the frozen north. A light frost often coats the stone walls of the tunnel, and the darkness within is unnaturally deep, with even the strongest lights barely illuminating the way forward.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Frostroot Vines: Cold-resistant vines that grow along the walls of the vault. These vines have sharp, frozen thorns and are said to have medicinal properties if properly harvested.

Fauna:

• Shadewalkers: Shadowy creatures believed to have emerged from the magical collapse. They are nearly invisible in darkness and stalk those who traverse the vault.
• Tunnel Prowlers: Large, reptilian beasts that burrow through the vault’s rocky terrain, often attracted by sounds of movement. Their scales are nearly impervious to normal weapons.
• Wailing Wisps: Small, floating orbs of light that emit faint screams. While harmless on their own, they are often a harbinger of greater danger, leading explorers into ambushes.

History

The tunnel, originally called the Great Meridian Passage, was constructed by dwarves and gnomes from Prul and Inedel to bypass the harsh mountains surrounding the cove. The rail system was installed to facilitate rapid and safe passage to the Cove of the Vanquished, allowing for easier exploration and resource transportation.
The tunnel took decades to complete, and celebrations were held when the last section was connected to the valley leading to the cove. However, when the second Abericlase went dark, the tunnel became a death trap. Creatures from deep within the earth, perhaps awakened or empowered by the collapse, surged through the vault, slaughtering the workers.
The horrifying screams of the dying echoed all the way to Bammery Falls and Inedel, and the tunnel was renamed the Vault of Screams in their memory. Since that day, few have dared to enter the vault, as the dark magic and deadly creatures within continue to claim any who try to pass.

"The Vault was meant to unite us with the future, but all it left was the echo of our past—screams that never end, and shadows that should never be seen." —Unknown survivor of the Vault's collapse