The Legend of Riverton

For more than a century, locals have spun tales of the Riverton Cemetery. No one knows the true origins of its cursed existence. Some say it began with the early Spanish settlers. Others claim it was once a tribal burial ground. But what is agreed upon is that Riverton was no ordinary cemetery, for only those found guilty of murder, witchcraft, or other such atrocities were laid to rest there. Many still believe that, for these condemned souls, Riverton served as a gateway to Hell.

The cemetery's ominous nature kept all but the most fool-hearty away. The Riverton Chapel had been deserted and its mortuary gone unvisited for as long as anyone could remember. Those who lived nearest claimed to see bizarre creatures stalking through the surrounding woods. When the occasional adventurer did pass through the Riverton gate, they would return will tales of strange apparitions and dark shadows seen roaming amongst the headstones. Those who made it far enough would come upon a massive tomb with a stone lion perched above it. It is said that within this tomb dwelled an evil that, if disturbed, could arise and awaken the dead of Riverton. Very few have been brazen enough to lay eyes on the Lion's Tomb, and even fewer have returned to speak of it.

Despite its lack of visitors, the cemetery did not go entirely untended. On occasion, a band of monks from the local mission could be seen heading up the road to Riverton. Many thought their tasks involved merely tending the graves and blessing the souls entombed within, but some believe that their true purpose was to combat and contain the myriad of evils buried within the Riverton soil. Locals are said to have heard bizarre chants, rituals and even screams emanating from Riverton on nights when the monks were present.

It was during one such visit that the cemetery met its mysterious fate. Little is known of the events of that fateful night. What is known is that, as the sun set on All Hallow's Eve, the monks were seen entering the Riverton grounds. Throughout the night a barrage of growling, moaning and screaming the likes of which had never heard echoed across the valley. As the sun rose the following morning, a plume of smoke rose above the treetops. When the locals approached, a few smoldering ruins were all that remained of the Riverton Cemetery. The woodwork had burned to the ground and the stonework appeared to have been swallowed whole by the earth. There was but the faintest trace that the cemetery had ever existed at all.

There are few today who still speak of Riverton. The once-vast countryside is now home to many. The narrow country road is now a quaint suburban street. No trace of the old cemetery is visible to the naked eye. However, it is said that on All Hallows Eve, as the fog settles across the valley, a stone lion can me seen piercing the gray mist. Those who approach it will see the cemetery appear before them and will be beckoned by a robed figure to enter the Riverton gate. Those who have fled this apparition claim to have barely escaped with their lives. For those who have accepted the offer, no trace has ever been found. It can only be assumed they have become permanent guests of the Riverton Cemetery.