Journey to the Weird West: A 5th Level Adventure for 5th Edition

In the mid 1800's, gold was discovered in the hills of the California territory. It caused an influx of folks from all across the world. Fortune seekers came from as far as South America seeking riches in the hills of the western United States, though many of those who made the trip either didn't survive to reach the promised land, or they arrived to find the dream all but gone and snatched up by others. One such early settler to the region was Heywood C. Dutton. A shrewd businessman, Heywood bought up as much land as he could, often using underhanded tactics to secure plots that otherwise weren't up for sale. He established the town of Heywood, California in 1850, and for a time it flourished. Slowly though, the gold began to run dry. Many folks left the area and the town's future looked grim. 

A decade and change passed, and the town barely held on. What little gold came in was hoarded and controlled by Dutton and his cronies. Those who lived in town were constantly under his thumb. In 1869, nearly fifteen years after the gold rush had ended, the townsfolk noticed something peculiar: Dutton started bringing in mining equipment once again. Soon after, the ground in and around Heywood began to shake periodically, as if rocked by explosions of some kind. One day, a massive earthquake tore through the town, ruptures in the ground appearing everywhere. Nearly every building crumbled to the ground. When the dust settled, countless lie dead and even more lay injured. It was then that the survivors learned the cause of it: Dutton has started mining under the town. Using drills, picks, and powerful explosives, Dutton had begun mining the very ground beneath the town where the old miners had never thought to prospect. In his endeavors, he located a massive vein of untouched gold, a true "Mother Lode". Unfortunately, his greed and extensive use of dynamite had triggered the very earthquake that destroyed the town that carried his name.

Now, the survivors of Heywood are gathering their things and setting off for somewhere new. Dutton, is preparing to load the massive haul of gold onto a train bound for New York City and the brokers therein. As far as he's concerned, he's won the day. What he doesn't know, however, is that an eclectic group of heroes are on a stagecoach bound for Heywood at this very moment. When they arrive, they'll see the destruction for themselves, speak with the few townsfolk who remain, and learn of the treasure being loaded up for transport. Should they feel so inclined, they might work together to bring down Dutton, grab some gold for themselves, and reimburse the townsfolk for years of living as servants to a cruel landlord.