Sept of Gaia's Sorrows

The region of Southern California (at one time) had a seemingly limitless abundance of places for the Garou to draw power from. That has changed drastically over the past few decades. With the fall, or destruction of all the Septs in Los Angeles and Tijuana, only San Diego has any real places of power left. The only two Septs left are both located in San Diego County, and are the main bases of operations for the warriors of Gaia.

There are also a few scattered Cairns about, but these have become jealously hoarded by the tribes who lay claim to them. In fact the only known Caern in Los Angeles is controlled exclusively by the Glass Walkers, and while they allow free travel to any Garou in the area, any who intend to use the moon bridge must go through a rigorous application and background check process. Garou who use the facilities may also suddenly find themselves stranded in Los Angeles for the night, as the Glass Walkers will seal down access immediately due to any perceived threat the caern may face.

Most Garou simply choose to forsake the difficulties and stay in San Diego. After all it is the front line of the war, and as such most warriors feel their place is where they can have the greatest impact.

The Sept of Gaia's Sorrows

This is the oldest and strongest Sept in the region. Long a sacred stronghold to the Uktena, in recent years they have begun to allow other tribes to use the grounds, although they continue to maintain control.

Even though the Sept's location on the Capitan Grande Reservation affords it some protection, parts of the territory was lost in an attempt to destroy the Sept area by the building of the reservoir. The sept has weathered many attempts to destroy it by agents of the Wyrm and still has persevered, and the constant barrage of threats has only made the Sept stronger and more determined. It remains to this day the Garou's main place of power.

The Sept is located in a narrow ravine just north of Alpine and east of the Capitan Grande Reservoir, on the grounds of the Capitan Grande Reservation. It gets it's name from a distinct feature of the geography where the two branches of a small spring have carved their way through the rock and cause two small waterfalls that lead to a small creek bed on the ravine floor. The effect is that it seems as though the cliff walls themselves are crying.

The heart of the sept is located into a natural cavern that receded into the rock face and leads to a small underground lake. The lake water is a natural hot spring that is clear and pristine, and kept fresh through the slight current that flows through it, and off through the bedrock. In the center of the lake there is a small island that has been built up over time to be the main area for rituals in the Sept. this is also where the heart of the Caern is located.

During moots and rituals only Sept officers and Those leading the Rites are allowed onto the island, and all others must wade in the warm pleasant waters of the lake. This does not sit well with many who come here but despite the howls of protest guests are left with no other choice if they wish to participate.

Caern: Located on the center island in the middle of the underground lake.
Level: 5
Gauntlet: 2(3 at low tide)
Type: Repentance/Cleansing
Tribal Structure: Though the Sept is controlled by the Uktena, all tribes are welcome.
Totem: Spring

This totem has been known by many names over many years, and has had four names here alone. Like water it is ever changing in its subtleties but constant in structure. The totem is a place of contemplation and reflection for the Garou and all who enter the sept are expected to spend time reflecting on their lives in the large underground lake.

This most often happens by simply looking at your reflection in the lake water and asking a specific question about your life. It is said that it is best to keep the questions simple as the waters not only thrive off the questions but also feed off of answers. Many believe that the totem will not rest until you have an answer to your question and will hound the asker until that answer has come.

Spending the day in the hot spring also cleanses those who carry the blood of the Garou, and many of Gaia's warriors prize this place for that simple fact alone. They see the spring as being pure and true to the mother and take this as a sign of hope that pure land are left in this modern world.