The Hum in the Hollow: The Discovery of "Blue Coal"
The deep mines of Appalachia have always been home to secrets, but usually, those secrets stay buried under layers of shale and the even deeper - the restless dead. Not this time. In the abandoned mines near Firebase N.V.O. Hunter scouting parties have found abandoned half-mined veins of a new shimmering substance. Those hunters that survived the mine have returned with more than just scars, they’ve brought back something that shouldn’t exist.
They call it Blue Coal.
The Black Tide Discovery
While scouting an abandoned mine shaft, the Hunters reported a strange phenomenon. Deep within the vein, the darkness wasn’t absolute. A faint, rhythmic cerulean pulse emanated from the walls,thin layers of dimly glowing dust lay over abandoned equipment, and even deeper small azure nuggets of the substance among evidence of a large excavation of the material now having now gone missing.
Initial reports from the field claim that simply being near the raw ore causes “a faint static in the back of the skull” and prolonged exposure leading to headaches and dizziness. Seasoned Hunters returned to the surface with samples feeling exhausted and coughing blue smeary phlegm for hours.
The Wells Society
These reports were immediately rushed to contacts in The Wells Society for rigorous testing. Known for their obsessive pursuit of post-Fall phenomena, especially ones that could be harnessed for development, the Society’s scholars set out to the N.V.O. and have been working around the clock to set up a research facility.
The initial Scholars of the society arrived to find evidence of large excavatory activity in a comparatively small minehead, likely belonging to the missing locals. Evidence of heavier equipment and large hauls of this intriguing blue coal were everywhere but none of it has remained to be studied. Was it taken and fled with? Hidden somewhere nearby? More questions needing answers.
Geological teams are forming to descend into the mines and are looking to begin new dig sites of their own, hoping to find fresh samples to unearth and study and understand. Early work of shovel to earth has revealed tiny fragments and strange fossils of the N.V.O.’s ancient and strange past.
Their preliminary findings are as promising as they are... unsettling.
Energy Density: After processing as normal coal and ignited the energy output is higher than standard fuel. Burning hotter and longer though emitting a thick and foul smoke byproduct.
The Cost: The Society has issued a stern warning: Unrefined Blue Coal may cause "Respiratory collapse" in Strains. And after unfortunate repeated exposure it seems those with psionic mutations are at much higher risk.
Anomalous Critter response: The effects of Blue Coal on local fauna appear to be species specific. Some seem to flee from the presence of the substance as though escaping from a predator while others seem drawn to the glow as though tracking prey.
Regional Efficacy: Blue Coal samples transported more than a few miles outside the N.V.O. area become inert lumps of dense coal with no more than a faint blue tint. Such was the state of the initial samples sent to the society, leading to fascinating questions about what exactly in that weird dirt and shale is making it so strange.
"It isn't just a fuel source. It’s a battery. But like any battery, if it leaks, the acid is going to burn everything it touches." — Keeper Hollis, The Wells Society
What This Means for the Characters
The discovery of Blue Coal is now sending ripples through the local area. Is this a new era of power for the Appalachian wastes, or have the Black Tide Hunters accidentally cracked open a door that was meant to stay shut?
As the Wells Society continues their study, they are looking for "contracted specialists" to help with further extraction, specimen collection, and live testing.
Gear up, survivors. The mines are calling, and this time, the shadows are glowing blue.
What this means for You - The Players
This event will feature several items of value that will be represented by physical props such as Blue coal, Momentos of The Kin (Stay tuned), Fallen BTH “Tags” and many others as well. These physical props will be able to be collected off Raiders, from inside the mines, via physical archaeology, and via autopsy (more information about this when we talk about The Ossuary getting to the N.V.O.)
These items will be used to overcome story challenges, sell/turn in for rewards, power local zones of mechanics, and puzzle challenges, and many other interactions. Our printer farm and props department are in full production to bring you a high quality tactile and immersive event.
That’s all for this Lore Drop. See you next week, Survivors.
Remember Tickets are on sale now https://www.dystopiarising-pa.com/tickets
