It was a foggy autumn morning in the early 1900s when the great Sells Brothers Circus train rolled into Ronceverte, West Virginia. The townsfolk gathered in anticipation, expecting a grand parade of exotic animals and spectacular performances. But fate had other plans.
As the train approached Big Bend Tunnel, an eerie hush fell over the valley. Inside the tunnel, thick coal smoke filled the air, suffocating hundreds of the circus’s prized monkeys. The heartbroken circus workers buried the unfortunate creatures on a quiet hill, giving birth to the legend of Ronceverte’s Monkey Cemetery. Over the years, strange happenings surrounded the burial site—whispers in the wind, rustling leaves when no breeze was present, and mysterious tracks that locals could never quite explain.
What the people of Ronceverte didn’t know was that deep within the Greenbrier forest, a hidden force watched over them—the gnomes. Known only in whispers and fairy tales, the gnomes had lived in the forests for centuries, quietly guarding their own secrets and treasures. When the tragic events unfolded, the gnomes couldn’t save the monkeys, but they vowed to protect their resting place, ensuring that no harm would come to their spirits.
Legend has it that on moonlit nights, the gnomes emerge from their woodland homes, tidying the cemetery, placing tiny wreaths made of wildflowers, and whispering old lullabies to the departed souls. But there’s more to their watchful presence—rumors suggest that the gnomes aren’t just guarding the monkey graves; they’re protecting something much older, a treasure hidden long before the first circus ever arrived.
Clues have been left for those who dare to seek it—odd carvings in the trees, peculiar patterns of stones by the riverbanks, and faint traces of ancient rune-like markings hidden within the cemetery itself. Some say the gnomes have laid a trail for those clever enough to follow, leading to an even greater mystery waiting to be unraveled in the depths of the Greenbrier Valley.
So, adventurers, take heed: the gnomes of Ronceverte are always watching, and their secrets are waiting to be discovered. Perhaps the next great treasure hunt is just around the corner… if you know where to look.