Sunnydale Cemetery

Lore & Background

The existence of Sunnydale Cemetery is tied to the Hellmouth beneath it, as the source indicates that the Hellmouth is a dark power rising in Sunnydale. The cemetery contains the tomb of the Master, an ancient vampire who was killed by Buffy in the season one finale. In the second season, Buffy returns to the cemetery to crush the Master's bones, preventing his resurrection. The grounds are also used by vampires like Spike and Drusilla, who arrive in Sunnydale and use the cemetery as a base of operations. The cemetery's crypts and tombs provide hiding places for supernatural entities, and it is a location where the Slayer patrols regularly. The source does not specify the cemetery's founding or its connection to early settlers, but it is clear that the site is a significant supernatural hotspot due to its proximity to the Hellmouth.

In Their Own Story

The fog rolled off the hills, clinging to the wrought-iron gate like a shroud. Buffy walked slowly among the headstones, her boots crunching on dry gravel that sounded too loud in the silence. She paused near an old mausoleum, sensing the familiar chill of something unnatural hiding within the shadows. The air smelled of damp earth and ancient dust. A rustle came from behind a weeping willow nearby. It wasn't the wind; it was the heavy breathing of a predator that hadn't slept in centuries. She gripped her stake tighter, her eyes scanning the darkness for the glint of fangs or red eyes. This was her job. This was why she lived here. The dead were not resting easy tonight.

Reader's Guide

The grounds feature rows of headstones, a wrought-iron entrance gate, and several mausoleums scattered across the hillside. The layout is deceptively peaceful during daylight hours, offering a quiet space for mourners to visit graves. However, under the cover of darkness, the atmosphere shifts dramatically as supernatural entities emerge from the shadows. Beneath the surface lies the true significance: the crypts connect directly to the Hellmouth's energy source. This subterranean network served as the dwelling place for The Master during his long slumber. Many vampires utilize the fresh graves and old tombs as hiding spots or resting places between hunts. Narratively, this location serves as a primary hunting ground for the Slayer. Key events include the final confrontation with The Master during the Harvest season finale. It remains a constant reminder that danger lies just beneath the soil of Sunnydale High.

Did You Know?

• The Master's tomb is located within the crypts beneath Sunnydale Cemetery, and Buffy crushes his bones there in the second season premiere.
• Spike and Drusilla come to Sunnydale in the second season and use the cemetery as a base for their plans.
• The cemetery is built atop the Hellmouth, making it a focal point for supernatural activity in the series.
• The Anointed One is annoyed when Buffy crushes the Master's bones in the cemetery.
• The cemetery is a primary hunting ground for the Slayer, who patrols there regularly to fight vampires and demons.