you could also give minetown a common enemy.
have a massive evil castle controlled by evil NPCs.
this would allow minetown to have a-bit of a backstory, nothing will be able to enter the castle as it will be swarming with bad guys, perhaps further down the line we could have quests in which you have to secretly enter the castle to collect an item.
e.g. Once upon a time in the realm of MineTown two princes argued over the control of their realm, one of the brothers, <name>, clouded by anger called upon the dark lord ISRAPHEL to help him become king, ISRAPHEL agreed with one condition, he would never again walk in daylight. <name> reluctantly agreed, and with it dawned his curse. as his mighty army spawned from the darkness, minetown fell into chaos, fractions divided the world of its once peaceful colony, and the remaining brother fled from his royalty, leaving <name> as king.
now, when the moon rises, he unleashes his army of monsters to wreak havoc across MineTown. you are no hero, all you can do... is survive.
something like that, i'm no writer.