Preacher Rayos was the first, or perhaps only the loudest, to recognize the rise of the colossus outside Wyllin's Gulch as the first step in the Prophecy of the Drylands God. He proclaimed the story of Kudamat, warning people of the increased dangers of the god's charged essentia. Above all else, he stressed the importance of finding the soul shards and keeping the god from siphoning them. To get the word out, he took his flock from their home in the Left Luck Outpost to Wyllin's Gulch, the unofficial capital of the western line, where he continues to preach, growing more popular with each passing day. He already had enough of a following in his community — and now times are apocalyptic enough that people are eager for a spiritual leader.
Wyllin's Gulch worships no gods but the earning and spending of gold, and it will take more than a violent colossus to get the people of this town to pay attention to an ancient prophecy. In the early days of the Essentia Rush, roughly 40 years ago, the Gulch was established as the first western outpost in the region surrounding Godfell Mountain, just a few miles from a rich vein of essentia. As more and more of the crystals were unearthed, powerful moguls established processing plants to speed up the time between mine and money. Belching factories were built up the sides of the Twin Turtles, two great mesas that bordered the burgeoning town, their massive conveyor lifts hauling tons of essentia to the manufactories that process the crystals into the conductive batteries most folk use to power their homes, weapons, and all manner of magical items.
Today, with its natural fortifications and wealthy elite, Wyllin's Gulch is the gatekeeper for anyone approaching Godfell Mountain on the western train line. As such, the townspeople either work mining and processing essentia or host money traps that appeal to new fools who come to try their hand at prospecting the crystals.
A wide variety of folks inhabit Wyllin's Gulch. The arid plains, breathtaking skies, and the possibility of boundless riches attract all types. Living away from the prying eye of larger law enforcement is another perk — while there are sheriffs in Wyllin's Gulch, they're paid to protect the mines and manufacturing rather than uphold any version of "justice." It's common for outlaw gangs to seek their fortunes by stealing the valuable crystals, while others, who see these mining operations as anathema, destroy the equipment that tears essentia from the ground. But most outlaws find greater success at the smaller essentia outposts than this bastion of dusty fortitude.
The Harlan Family works out of Wyllin's Gulch, and it was here that Kudamat's first recovered shard tore a fissure through the center street — a terrible earthquake, the town believed, not understanding the apocalyptic toll ringing out across the sands.
Source · Drylands History