From the descriptions of the Pursuits related to Madera:
The appearance of the Raiders in Madera has always been suspicious. It is often rumored that Varus Soleptor may know more about why they’re here than he claims.
Prior to the Arkfall, Madera was suburbia. All of that is long lost to terraforming, but hope of another community remains with the farmers and ranchers who now strive to call it home.
Madera is the heart of the community of Paradise, but that would not be possible without the steady hand of Lawkeeper Jon Cooper.
The Arkfall and the subsequent terraforming infused the whole Bay Area, Madera especially, with rich deposits of gulanite and other minerals.
”All the new resources in this terraformed landscape have evryone jumping on the hope and prosperity bandwagon. Unfortunately or many, death and despair are hitching a ride.”
— Lawkeeper Jon Cooper
Rural Madera is a settled territory in the Bay Area where hop and prosperity reign. However, it has recently been overrun by new world bandits called Raiders.