LOCATIONS
☞ The Coal Mine
Highland boasted of a thriving coal mine business until a freak explosion tragically killed dozens of workers, thus putting the operation to an indefinite halt. The coal mine now stands abandoned and is the center of many town legends. Those who live near it swear that they hear strange noises coming from it at night, as though the souls of those who had passed on still linger and work at the mine.
☞ The Mayor’s House
Where the Mayor’s House is exactly located is a mystery, but many believe that it is nestled among the cluster of houses in the town center. It would be unassuming in appearance and largely uninhabited due to the mayor’s busy schedule, proving difficult to find if one does not know what they are looking for.
☞ The Saloon
The Saloon looks relatively new from the outside--its newly painted white sign still clearly visible and unblemished--but the inside tells a different story. While the place is spacious, it is dim due to a lack of windows, and it shows signs of age in the scratches on its furniture and tainted walls. After all, it is a place that’s notorious for its drunken scuffles, although such incidents have been fewer as of late.
To entice more customers, the saloon offers a variety of food for a ridiculously cheap price. Cold cuts, beans, celery, rye bread, smoked herring, and a heaping helping of salted snacks to provoke the thirst. In return, customers are expected to patronize the bar sufficiently to pay for all favors. This all rested on the honor system, however, which meant some less honorable folks may be predisposed to abuse it.
☞ The West Inn
There are strange rumors going around regarding the West Inn. Former patrons recall hearing the screams of a woman at night. Some say the place is haunted. Others say that it’s the owner’s missing wife, being beaten and held hostage, if not already murdered.
The rumors have been bad for business, and the West Inn is on the brink of closing down.
☞ The Post Office
Strangely enough, the carcass of a dead horse lies in front of the Post Office, as though placed there deliberately to serve as a warning. Next to it is an abandoned carriage that still hasn’t been cleared away.
Despite all this, the Post Office seems to still be in business, though lately there has been a notable lack of carriages stopping by to collect or distribute mail.
☞ The Weapons Store
“We’re closed for business today. Come back again tomorrow,” is what the owner would say should one attempt to enter the store’s premises. And yet, no matter what day it is or the circumstances, the owner would say the same thing repeatedly like a broken record. There is no reason why the store should be closed for business, or at least there doesn’t appear to be one.
☞ Sheriff Offices and Jail House
Rate of crime has lowered considerably in Highland as of late. After all, the jail house is always empty, what with the usual ruffians going missing. The Sheriff Offices are running out of things to do.
This is great news for Highland indeed! The town has become a peaceful and quiet place over the years. One might even say it’s become too peaceful.
☞ The General Goods Store
Located next to the post office, the General Goods store once used to be bustling with activity. Apart from offering merchandise, it also offered a place for people to socialize and conduct business.
Nowadays, much like the rest of the town, the place is usually devoid of people apart from the owner himself. What once boasted a wide array of goods now just held the barest necessities: certain kinds of food, for instance, and some medicine.
The store, much like everywhere else, is dirt-tracked due to the unpaved road outside. It is also notoriously infested with rodents.
☞ The Mayor’s Office
This is where the mayor’s official business is conducted. Citizens can come here for concerns and questions. All sale of land and permits are applied for here as well.