The Canyon lands
Overview
Mexico has some of the deepest and complex canyon systems in the world. One of the most remote, yet well-known structures is the vast Copper Canyons which spans five times larger than Arizona’s own Grand Canyon. These ancient subtropical canyons reach depths of more than a mile deep in some places. The rim sits at an altitude of 8,200 ft (2,500 m) and is full of rocky outcrops and sheer drop-offs, making them appear almost mountain-like in perspective. The rocks in the area range anywhere from a dull yellow to rich copper orange, giving the place it's name. The small villages settled within the are extremely remote with small populations of indigenous people, many of whom are still isolated from the civilized world. This breathtaking place has become popular with tourists from all over the world that hike year round through the dangerous ravines. Though many people come to visit, they are unaware that beyond the massive valleys there is a terrifying operation taking place.
Where it’s located
Because of its isolated location, the Copper Canyons (particularly the Sinforosa subsection) has become the main settlement of an underground Internment Facility created in order to rebuild the Werewolf population by means of force. It lies away from the prying eyes of the public, hunter society, and other monster populations. Its discreetly tucked away into deep cave labyrinths so that no one can interfere. It is practically undetectable and inaccessible to most creatures and no vehicles can scale the tall rocky cliffs to the cave entrance. Even by air, it remains unseen. Massive caverns are scattered throughout the canyon walls, some natural and man-made thanks to old abandoned mining shafts. These tunnels have been carved out further by the werewolves into a complex prison containing many large cells meant to hold human victims and newly turned werewolves. These cells are made of rock and sealed with solid steel doors that are nearly impossible to breach, even for werewolves.
Who runs it
For nearly five hundred years, Valkos from across the world have made attempts at reviving the werewolf population that hand undergone severe persecution because of it. They had been pressed to the point of extinction several times and those that did survive had no choice but to go into hiding once more. There are only fifteen known living Valko alive today, and have been placed under protections of the Hunter Society. Six of the fifteen Valko currently reside in North America, one of them going by the name Vincent Woolsey.
​
The Valko have been restricted to no longer being able to turn humans into werewolves and the species is expected to die with the last Valko. Though they are protected, the hunters no longer wished to deal with the repercussions of Modern Werewolves. This did not settle well with Vincent due unforeseen circumstances in his life, he realized that the werewolves could not afford to lose the battle of existing. Not with so many other sinister creatures still on the loose and terrorizing humanity. His next move was to retaliate, and for the first time in history, create the first successful Werewolf Factory. It couldn't be done alone and Vincent teamed up with Enoch, the leader of the Mexican Hunter Branch to ensure that his project would not be interfered with.
How it works
Everything about the Internment Facility is handled with precise care from the victims chosen, contained, transformed, and then eventually distributed; there is no room for error. Werewolf guards line every exit, their fierce presence expelling any intentions of escape from the prisoners. They also handle keeping out those who would expose the operation. The humans picked are usually between the ages of 20 to 35, with some clue that they come from European decent. These tend to be the demographic who are able to survive the bite and transform successfully. Red Heads are a priority target because of the hair color's direct link to Lycidas bloodlines. Rarely tourists or villagers are targeted, instead they are brought from places across the United States, targeting people who have no families or ties to other people who would report them missing. These people are either forcefully taken or lured away by werewolves in their human form.
The Human cells are kept separately from those who have already received the bite from Vincent. They are held, two people per cell, until it is time for the “second phase.” The second phase is ultimately being bitten and infected by Vincent. After receiving the bite, the human is immediately separated and given their own cell in solitary confinement. There, they are to complete the werewolf transformation or… die. The chances of the human dying at this point are very high as turning is a drawn out and stressful process. The werewolves that are stable are removed from the cells and given duties to perform along side and "experienced" werewolf. These duties can range anywhere from being guards, medics, decoys, etc and so on. Those that show the initial signs of going feral will be destroyed after one day if Vincent determines them unfit to work. Each month, the Internment Facility is visited by members of the Mexican Hunter Branch to look at the new werewolves and see if there is any potential to participate in the Fighting Rings or serve as a hunter partner. Those that remain with Vincent will continue helping him.