The Silver Sunset Ranch
A Euthanatos Chantry in the Northern California by Night
series
by Corey Alambar
There is a stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1), between
Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, that has a mistique about it, a strange,
almost forboding feeling. It also has a reputation as one of the
deadliest stretches of highway in California. Nestled off to the side
of the road, off one of the gentler curves, lies a small farmstead with
some communal housing. This is the Silver Sunset Ranch.
Description
The Silver Sunset Ranch is an experimental hospice, a home for the
terminally ill. Those people who wish to die with dignity, away from
the debilitating atmosphere of modern hospitals, can find a place here.
They will live out the last days, moths, or even years of their lives
feeling somewhat useful, accomplishing things they never could have
while in a hospital.
The Ranch itself is not very large, only about 250 acres along a gently
sloping hillside between two of the hills that form the San Francisco
Ridge. A small stream runs down from the upper hills to the ocean,
running under a small bridge and falling the last 50 feet over a cliff
to the ocean below. There are a few horses, some cattle, greenhouses,
and an extensive garden and plowed fields. There are always people
out, tending the animals, repairing the road or the buildings, working
in the garden, or just out for a stroll along the stream. There is
also a large pool behind the main building, where sometimes the
patients here will go swimming.
History
The Silver Sunset Ranch has been around for over 75 years, back before
the explosion of population in the Bay Area forced property values
through the roof. Originally owned by a wealthy investor from
Manhattan who wanted to settle down and live the quiet, neo-Frontier
life, on his death he donated it to a small, non-profit group that
helped him in his final months, the Guardians of Dignity.
Upon his death, the Guardians of Dignity (actually a Euthanatos cabal
drawn to the great potential of the Bay Area) moved to establish the
Silver Sunset Ranch, and set it up as a home for the elderly and the
terminally ill. They have housed some famous figures in their last
hours, and also tend to some locals who are terminally ill but wish to
stay in their own homes.
The Silver Sunset Ranch has met with no interference from the outside
world, many of whom think the work here a little macabre, but very
humane nonetheless. They survive on donations and their modest fee, as
well as the work of the patients on the grounds. They have recently
been awarded several honors from the state of California, the
government of the United States, and humane groups from around the
world.
How It Works
The magi use the Silver Sunset Ranch for three purposes. First and
foremost, it is an effective cover for them from the prying eyes of the
Technocracy. Who would suspect a group of mostly older do-gooders were
actually dangerous magicians out to subvert the paradigm? Secondly,
given its location near a rather highly-travelled and dangerous chunk
of road, it lets them selectively "remove" individuals who happen to
come by, with a very limited addition of Entropy. The number of
accidents here has not increased or decreased much since the Guardians
moved in, though those that have died often are more deserving of the
Good Death than others.
Third, and maybe the most important in the eyes of the Ascension War,
this place allows the Euthanatos magi to find those who truly
understand the cycle, and the way of things. Those for whom the time
has come, they help achieve the Good Death without pain and without
suffering a death of the spirit, letting them walk proudly into the
shadows of Death. For those that do still have potential, however, the
magi can often give them a reason to keep on living, and to make the
changes they need to in their lives to do the things they still are
able to do. Three best-selling novels have been written by patients at
the Silver Sunset Ranch, and two more are becoming actors and
activists. And those that really understand the ways of Death and the
world are taken to the edge of Death, where, should they Awaken, they
are returned to the world as new Euthanatos magi (with the added bonus
of being declared legally dead.)
Thus the Silver Sunset Ranch is a very valuable tool to all the
Traditions in the Ascension War, particularly the Euthanatos, who are
attempting to combat the image that they ar "bloodthirsty killers" with
no sense of remorse.
Node and Horizon Realm
The Silver Sunset Ranch is set on a Node of relatively little power,
though it radiates a sense of peace and tranquility that is commented
upon by all those who visit. The limited power of this Node means
there is no real Horizon Realm associated with this Chantry, though
they have been storing the Tass (in the form of dried flowers from the
gardens) for times of emergency.
Relations with Other Magi
The Chantry of the Gold Coast is aware of the presence of the Silver
Sunset Ranch and what it really is. While they do not actively assist
the Ranch, they do not work against it, either, seeing them as casual
allies in their more aggressive battle against the Technocracy.
The Scarlet Mansion, however, has no idea that these magi even exist,
and this is considered by most of the Guardians of DIgnity to be a good
thing, as they have occasionally had to work against the drug trade
practiced by their Cultist neighbors, and even once had to deliver the
Good Death to one of the higher members of that Chantry. If their
presence were to be discovered, there would be a major altercation
indeed.
Magi
There are currently only four magi at the Silver Sunset Ranch, though
there are several potential Initiates among the current patients.
These magi are as follows:
Dr. Stephen Andrews
Dr. Andrews is a well known psychiatrist, who has specialized in the
role of self-esteem and happiness in the processes of healing and
dying. He has written several works on how to deal with terminal
illness, both for the il land for their families, and is considered an
expert on the subject. He is also a Master of Entropy and an Adept of
Life, using this ability to mold an already deceased individual into
the likeness of one of their new Initiates, therefore helping them hide
from the Technocracy. He will not use his magics to heal the illnesses
that have stricken his patients, unless they would present more
possibilities without their illness and would learn nothing from the
experience. Now in his late 50s, Dr. Andrews is beginning to reach the
twilight of his career, and has considered stepping down from
administering the Silver Sunset Ranch, handing it over to his
assistant, Janine.
Dr. Janine Mathau
Dr. Mathau is Dr. Andrews' protege, and has shown some brilliant
insight into the process of grief among the terminally ill. Also
rather well published, she is seen as a rising star in her profession
and heir to Dr. Andrews in almost everything. In truth, she cares for
Dr. Andrews very dearly, and fears the day when she will be asked to
give him the Good Death, though she deals with this trial every day.
In her mid-30s, she has a long and fruitful career ahead of her.
Robert Schimmel
As head groundskeeper, he is often called on to teach the new patients
something about the tending of the animals and the plants around the
Ranch. A very down to earth individual, he teaches people various
crafts to help them pass the time constructively while they await their
coming Death. He is very friendly, and very amiable, with a good eye
for what people would like to learn the most in the waning years of
their lives (Mind 3). No one knows how old he is, though he looks to
be about 40.
Kathy Davenport
Both of Kathy's parents were patients at the Ranch, having gotten AIDS
when they were in a car accident while Kathy was only 6. Kathy was
virtually raised by the staff at the Ranch, and they quickly realized
her potential. Taking her by the cliffs one day, they Awakened her,
and she quickly learned what they had to teach. Seen as a haunted
young woman, she is 19, but looks in her upper twenties, and beautiful
in an ethereal sort of way. She most often is the one responsible for
"tending" to the worst parts of Highway 1, and will spend four or five
nights a week on an outcrop, near the shore, under the light of the
moon.