From: "Corwyn J. Alambar" The Harvest Rot Hive Dark Hunting in the Bay Area California grew on the strengths of its minimg and agriculture, and many cities in California still survive by virtue of surrounding agriculture. But fertilizers, exploitation of migrant workers, and the despair caused by fickle weather and even more fickle markets have driven many communities against themselves, and the Wyrm coils in their hearts, festering in the turmoil. Location At the south end of what is considered the Bay Area lies the cities of Gilroy and Watsonville, connected by a winding, treacherous mountain road through the Santa Cruz Mountains. With the exception of Mt. Madonna State Park, this area is almost entirely agricultural, and most of the population is oriented towards raising, processing, or shipping produce. This area also includes a belt of farmland on the east side of the Santa Cruz mountains, extending south almost to the outskirts of Monterey, and south from Gilroy to the city of Salinas. The area seems often parched and dry, with the wild vegetation being mostly scrubland trees and a sea of brownish grasses that green only three months out of the year. Sometimes the thick fogs that are the hallmark of the Bay Area roll down the Coyote Valley from San Jose to blanket Gilroy and Salinas in a thick, shroudlike cloud that dulls sound and makes even travelling 101, the main road through the region, treacherous. History This area was settled by farmers who followed on the heels of the missionaries that established missions in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and San Jose, and 101 through this region marks the old El Camino Real, the King's Road that travelled between the missions of California. As such, this area saw settlement long before many of the surrounding areas, given its easy access from the San Francisco Bay. It was a common technique in those times for the surperstitious, mundane members of the Church to give areas that seemed tainted by the Devil the names of prominent holy figures. In this case, Mt. Madonna is a classic example. THere have been several disappearances over the last two to three hundred years in this region, and even before, amongst the native tribes of the region. In constrast to the fresh newness and living energies that suffuse the northern end of the Monterey Bay region (housing Santa Cruz), this area often imparts a foreboding, oppressive mood upon those who visit and travel through the region. This region, however, prospered during the 1940s until around 1980, fueled by the technological boom of the Bay Area, and the post-WWII demand for housing and food. An entire generation grew up in this period, convinced that the prosperity would last forever, and the superstitons of their parents were considered out of place in modern times. THe great drought that swept across California in the 1980s, however, changed all that. As production of certain key foodstocks shifted to the less arid regions of the central United States, this area slipped into a major economic slump. The drought ended in the late 1980s, but the damage had been done, knocking the local economy to its knees and driving many away. ONly those too poor to leave or too tied to the region stayed. THe economic recovery that followed the rains was cut to a startling, violent end. The Loma Prieta earthquake, which causes millions of dollars damage to the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, was centered in the mountains between the Santa Cruz region and the Coyote Valley. Of the communities of the region, Santa Cruz and Gilroy suffered the most damage in proportion to their capacity to handle it. To a desperate people recently given hope, this earthquake was a sign that God must hate them. Even after 6 years, Gilroy has not recovered, and many of the people who live there clutch at any sign that their fortunes may be turning for the better. The Perfect Opportunity The region has long been influenced by a rather potent node, resonating with the energies of Despair. This has not gone unnoticed by the forces of the Wyrm, however, and when the region began to grow in importance, a small group of Black Spiral Dancers came to the caern site, in Mt. Madonna State Park, and claimed it as their own. With them came a strengthening of the Node's power. Discontent grew, and with hopelessness came a sense of violence. Only the growing prosperity of the region kept the Black Spirals in check, though there were reports of mutilations of sheep and a plague of coyotes that destroyed fences and killed livestock. So when the drought struck, the golden opportunity had come. Meshing with the growing state of despair amongst the populace, it was a simple matter for the Black Spiral Dancers of the region to unleash some minor Banes and deepen the effects. The Caern The Pit of Despair lies on the western slopes of Mt. Madonna, near Highway 153 where it crosses the Santa Cruz mountains. Odd, thick mists tend to cling to the woods in this area well into daybreak, and those travelling at night are advised to take this road very slowly. The center of the Caern is a withered old tree that dates back thousands of years. From its branches fall twisted, poisonous needles that can force those who imbibe their juices to fall into a catatonic depression, tortured by dark visions of the victim's worst fears. Every year, in the New Moon closes to Samhain, a great Rite is held here where specially selected Black Spiral Dancers imbibe this toxin and dream the dark dreams of the Wyrm. The Bawn extends out to include much of the area of the park, and some of the surrounding property as well. Within this region, "coyote" attacks are common, and unusually vicious. Attempts to deal with this problem have thus far been unsuccessful, for obvious reasons. Community Relations Through some kind of odd supernatural effect, the caern's energies impact anyone who comes through the area, but becomes only a dull memory once leaving its direct influence. Many Awakened magi and Garou have travelled along this highway, and felt the growing sense of unease, yet think nothing of the odd paranoia they felt, dismissing it as just "odd." To those that live in proximity to this effect, however, the consequences can be dire. Those that stay for a long period of time tend to become listless, depressed, consumed by an apathy that extends to most regions of their lives. The houses tend to be relatively unkempt, with scraggly weeds growing in what would normally be a yard, and peeling paint. Others, however, become consumed with anger, a natural response to a deep, overriding depression. More common in the young, this effect causes a boundless, unreasoning rage in those it affects, causing them to be aggressive, angry, and quick-tempered. The amount of gang activity in the region is quite high, and the number of violent crimes and murders has risen steadilly for the last 15 years. Sometimes, the growing emotional malaise gets too much to bear, and the victim snaps. This often results in a suicide, a murder/suicide, or the "disgruntled postal worker" syndrome, where an individual goes on an apparently senseless shooting spree, often targeting shopping centers, workplaces, or public gatherings. A Final Note I have been through these areas, and I want to make perfectly clear that this description of the region is as a game scenario only, and is not meant to denigrate, slander, or otherwise put down the region or any of its inhabitants. It is not my intent to upset anyone. Remember, it's only a game.