Bootleg Trains

bootleg trains are the civillian response to the restrictions around the Elven Network Trade Route. The Trade network is a series of eleaborate tunnels that run underneath Gand andd through its many mountainous ranges, it was adapted by kith from the remains of the The Elven Undercityto have train tracks. Presently it is highly guarded with the ruling powers trying to restrict who can enter. This is said to be to duassade people from entering the undercity and potentially contracting sickness but is also a way of maintaining power structures. There are a limited number of groups and organisations who are ordained to run trains along the tracks, almong them are members from the Brotherhood of Tarn, The Royal Guard, Certain members of nobility, businesses ordained by both the king and the trade guild and those specifically invited by King Arvid himself.   Because the network is so useful to the people of Gand it has not stopped them from using the network even under the threat of fines and persecution. Some choose to walk the length of the tunnels guided by only the tracks but others have created their own trains from salvaged metal, these are caled bootleg trains. Bootleg trains tend to be ramshackled together from stray materials or from decommisioned vehicles. In order to run a bootleg train a crystalline engine is needed which requires power crystals, a hard to find power source for a common person, alternatively hand crank trains have been constructed but these are inefficient. The crystalline engine works in conjunction with a steam engine that powers the wheels.   To operate a bootleg train at least two people are required; one to steer and one to refil the water needed for the steam. Although more people are preferable to replenish the power crystals, work lights and deploy sand bags if needed. Because there is limited lighting within the trains most are equipt with either a rune-powered or hand-powered light that illuminates just ahead of the train.    Although bootleg trains are rare they are becoming more common, with people smuggling contraband, resources, runes or even offering trips to others. One such example is Vassidy Whitlow who runs the Barrel Scrapers and has two bootleg trains.