Dragonbone Mines

The Dragonbone mines are a number of caves, caverns and mines in the Scurpakis Mountains which have been a source of dragon bone for Dracoforma artisans across the world.   Although they are called mines, it is more apt to call this place an ancient dragon graveyard. The mines are renowned for their rare deposits of dragonbone which in truth are just the skeletal remains of dragons. This can range from recently deceased dragons to ancient dragons that have been buried beneath the earth through centuries and eons of tectonic activity and landslides. The mining process is fraught with danger, not only from the unstable caverns and treacherous pathways but also from the territorial dragons that live within the mountains. Some species can be protective of the bones of their ancestors and are known to attack miners. Some are even destroy entire mines (with the miners still inside at times). Still, many miners find the risks far outweigh the rewards, as high quality dragonbone can be sold for incredible amounts of gold.   Different mining methods are used depending on the depth and location of the dragonbone deposits. Shallow mines, closer to the surface, are generally safer but yield smaller or less valuable dragonbone pieces. Deep mines delve into the heart of the mountains, where larger, more ancient dragon remains are often found. Besides dragonbone, these mines occasionally unearth other valuable materials and remnants of ancient dragon hoards, such as gems and precious metals which can be as valuable as the dragonbone itself. However, these types of mines are riskier due to deeper caverns and more complex tunnel systems which can become easily infested with other creatures that live below the surface of the earth.