A LONG AND COMPREHENSIVE PREP VIDEO

[dr_riley]

[The video opens typically, with a close-up of Drake leaning over the screen with his arm extended over it, as many self-recorded videos tend to do. Once satisfied that he's broadcasting, he steps back and the room around home comes into view. He's still in his green fatigues - thinks it makes him look authoritative - and has his name patch on for the benefit of anyone who doesn't know him and tunes a little late. The room is plain and unremarkable, but there are crates and piles of equipment behind him.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Doctor Drake Riley, and this broadcast is for those Apprentices who've signed up to join the search parties being organized in order to find... [He closes his eyes for a moment with a little sigh, unhappy about having to say such a ridiculous name out loud and with a straight face.] ...Dreamfinder.

First things first. I'd like to reiterate that I cannot recommend this errand to the inexperienced. This will be a test in wilderness survival and endurance. The environments are dangerous and unpredictable and there won't be anyone but your team to help you quickly if things go sideways. That said, I'm aware that each team will have what passes for a medic. You'll also want to decide on team leaders. When things get hairy, you'll want someone to look to for direction. That isn't to say you shouldn't work together as equal members of a team - only that you won't want everyone yelling different directions in the heat of an emergency. A good team leader will consider everyone's input, but will have the final say.

As for equipment, I'm afraid I was unable to acquire everything I wanted for your packs, so I beg of you, please be careful, take the time to really consider this mission, and use your supplies wisely and sparingly. Oh, and if I mention a thing that isn't provided, write it down so that you can find it for yourself, because some very important things are not included.

All right. Onto equipment. I have a backpack for everyone. Comes in two parts. [He holds the frame up for display.] Heavier than I'd hoped for, but the external frame should allow some air flow and help reduce back pain. Your storage will be a canvas bag that's been waterproofed. Each team will have two tents, crowded, I know, not my decision. Make sure you have larger members of the group carrying them. Canteens for everyone, children get the smaller ones. Mesa, you'll have sunglasses and sunscreen. Jungle and Bayou, you'll have fishing kits. [He holds a little tin up to the screen and opens it, revealing two hooks and a spool of line.] I tried to get you some ponchos, but I guess this place doesn't have rain or something.

Torches - or flashlights, for you Americans - are nearly useless. [He holds up one of the tiny keychain penlights.] Medical kits are equally insufficient, so for God's sake, don't twist an ankle. [mutter] Which you wouldn't have to worry about if I'd been able to get sturdy boots... All I have for you is gauze, tape, and antiseptic. And I've got some rope, tissues, and glow sticks. Apparently, you'll have to provide your own toiletries. Don't go crazy; soap and toothpaste ought to be enough. If you have lightweight, shelf stable food, like dehydrated meals and small, high protein snacks, bring enough of those for two or three days. [He holds up one of his own powerbars in one hand and an MRE in the other as an example.] Something like these.

[Lastly, he displays a few of the glow sticks, glasses, and bracelets.] The glow sticks are not toys. I mean, I suppose, technically, these ones are, but don't go snapping them for fun. These are for testing the depth of a place when a torch can't reach that far - like down a hole or in a cave or cavern you're unsure of. You could also use them to mark cleared, safe areas, or to attract the attention of other team members. Their use is up to you, but try not to waste them.

As for communication, I couldn't get radios, so you'll have to use your mirrors. I've been told that they can be used like radios, though, in that you can tune multiple devices to one channel. So do that. I want every group to decide on their own channels for communicating amongst themselves, and I want all groups to have a channel dedicated only to communicating with someone here, like Lydia or Mr. Crackshell - wait, I think they're both going... I don't know, someone here, like myself, who can organize a rescue party if one of the groups is in distress. Does that make sense? I'm not sure that makes sense. Okay, for example, Jungle stays on channel 13, so that if someone's been separated and is getting eaten by a snake, they can call for help and only the other Jungle members can see it and respond, see? You don't want chatter from the rest of the network. If the whole team is in trouble, broadcast it on, I don't know, channel 4, to which someone here will be listening. Let your leadership decide on what channel to isolate to and stick to it. Lydia, or Mr. Crackshell, you decide on what channel the teams should use if they need outside help and make sure they know what it is.

Next up, packing! I am not going to be packing your bags. But I'll put one together here in this broadcast so you get an idea of how to do it. [He maneuvers the mirror to focus on the floor and kneels in front of one of the canvas bags and a lot of equipment that's been laid out around it. The first thing he picks up is a rolled up tarp.] Heavy, less used things go in first. If you have a cook kit or extra socks, which I wanted to give you but can't, they go on the bottom. Camp stove, also on the bottom. Also not provided. Food and rope, going in. Glow sticks. Try to pack so that heavier things are nearer your back. Rain gear, which - again - you'll have to bring for yourself, goes on top. Strap your tent to the top, like so- [He puts the tent underneath the top flap and cinches it tight.] I wasn't provided sleeping bags or mats, but if you have them, the mat should be at the bottom of your bag, and your sleeping bag can strap to the bottom using a Canadian jam. [He pulls the loose end of his rope back and forth, tightening it around the bag every time.]

As for what a Canadian jam is, [gets up close to the mirror with a length of rope for a brief demo] it's essentially two slipknots. You need a stopper knot at the end, and you can just make a little overhand knot like this, or, preferably, use a slipknot you can pull out easily. This loop here is a bight. Now make the same knot - a simple overhand with a bight - but make that bight much bigger. That's what you can tie around things, and just like you can pull a slipknot out by pulling the tail until the bight comes through, you can pull on this loose end and the loop gets smaller. You can cinch it very tight, very easily. Loosen it by pulling on the stopper knot.

Tuck any loose cords or rope away, tie your canteen to the outside of your bag for easy access. Other things you'll want easy access to are your torches, fire kits, and med kits, and others should know where your med kit is if they need to help you. Not everyone will get a knife, so you'll have to share. [He holds up the knife, unsheaths it and turns it around for viewers to look at, then resheaths it and ties it to the side of the bag.] You can tie it to the bag, put it inside on top, or keep it on your person, but make sure you can get it quickly if you need it.

[He finally heaves a great sigh and rests his hands on his knees, looking right into the mirror.] I really wanted a lot more for you. This isn't nearly sufficient, even for an experienced hiker or reconnaissance team. I mean, there's not even a bloody water filter or fire starter. I strongly encourage all teams to communicate with each other and provide each other any missing equipment they can scrounge up. If you have a tarp? Bring it. Two? Please let someone borrow it. Matches, firesteel, water tablets, etcetera, please, please share. Actually, here's a list of what I wanted for you, but couldn't get:

[He shuffles a few worn and crumpled looking sheets of paper and reads off of them.]
Water filter or tablets.
Fire starting kits, or waterproof matches, firesteel, lighters, a piece of flint, someone who can-can....magic it into existence, whatever you need to start a fire. Important: If you can't find something to purify water, boil it. But not in your canteen, you'll need to use a cup or something. Which brings me to...
Mess kits, camp stoves, and fuel.
Bug spray and ponchos for the wet environments.
Goggles and respirators for Progress, in case of poisonous fumes or gases.
Meals ready-to-eat and ration bars or small snacks.
Actual tor- ...flashlights. And extra bulbs and batteries for them.
Whistles.
Gloves.
Extra socks and sturdy boots.
Sleeping bags and mats.
Field medication, such as painkillers, antibiotics, fever reducers. All you need is someone contracting scarlet fever.
Binoculars.
Soap and toothpaste.
Flares. Optional.

You can come and pick up your supplies, such as they are, at the Mission board. I'll be there from 9am to noon tomorrow, and if you miss me, stop by the Emporium because I'm not lugging this into my living space. I encourage everyone to come and communicate with each other in person about what extra essentials they might have and be willing to share.

That's it, mates. Best of luck. You're going to need it. [He gets up, reaches forward, and the video ends.]

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

It's okay. I have ... a lot of friends who aren't exactly diplomatic, either. Like I said: I think you'll do some amazing things with practice! I'm glad you're not afraid to work for it, too. That's really important here. If you ever need help or just want to bounce ideas off someone, you can give me a call. ... What class are you? I probably know at least one or two people who could help you learn, too.

[dr_riley]

[He rolls his eyes dramatically.] Class. And then does a number of things that look as though he's stalling: he puts his elbows on the table and covers his mouth. runs both hands through his hair. looks off to the side with a frown. leans back with folded arms. rubs his eyes like he's got a headache. etc. Finally, looking more than a little put out and rubbing a hand over his mouth, he mutters, barely audible and hardly intelligible]


......fairy.

[strangeandunusual]

[it's his mannerisms and fidgeting that make her fight back a giggle more than his response itself. thankfully she's gotten pretty good at not laughing at things outright.]

My friend Fenton, he's a fairy. He's gotten really good at wish magic. Did you see the giant photo album in the lobby? He made that once! Only, at the time it was just a blank book. If I remember right, he was trying for an instruction manual, but since he didn't actually know the instructions, it showed up with nothing inside. And his magic has saved my life a few times. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

[dr_riley]

Yes, the talking duck.. [He almost rolls his eyes, but settles for looking briefly at the ceiling in exasperation] That's all well and good, love, but I refuse to be called a fairy. It's very rude, and I won't have it. About that book, though...do you mean he created that specific book, and it hasn't gone anywhere? Or he created a copy of it?

[strangeandunusual]

Why --

[and then she remembered what the offensive connotation of fairy was, and blushed] Ohhh. Yeah, no, um ... no one means it that way here. But maybe you could say 'sprite' instead?

And yeah, he made that specific book. Almost a year ago, actually. Wow, time flies.

[she can't help it--]

Even when you're not a fairy.

[dr_riley]

[Drake's face scrunches up in a scowl and it's a wonder Lydia can't feel sharp pierce from the look he's harpooning her with]

Ha-haaa, ha ha, you're ever so clever. How about I'm just myself. [he leans back with crossed arms and his look softens from an outright glower to a frown of contemplation]

So what I'm getting it that there is a way to keep things from disappearing.

[strangeandunusual]

Yeah, there is. I don't really know what the trick is. He might, though!

[she's not bothered by that frown at all. if he's thinking about how to use his power then a part of him truly does want to help, and that's good enough for her. she figures he's just overwhelmed and needs some time]

[dr_riley]

[arms still half crossed, he brings one hand up to his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose]

'Course he does.

[he lets out a loud, exasperated sigh, uncrosses his arms, and straightens, but it doesn't make him look much less cranky]

Suppose I'll see him when everyone comes to pick up all the presents I inadvertently bought them, [here, he grumbles something that's probably an insult, because it sounded like he said 'blithering,' or maybe 'idiot,' but it's quite hard to tell]

RIGHT, well. Suppose I'll see you there, too.

[there's a pause and some small, fidgety movements with his fingers as he glances away awkwardly. then he abruptly leans forward and mutters very fast] Don't forget the orange slices. [and snap! shuts his mirror]

......huh.