Forum for Emergency Response

[histories]

Who: Come one, come all. All are invited.
What: The Forum for Emergency Response itself takes place!
When: Day 127, from 7pm up to 12am
Where: Draupnir Theatre
Rating: PG for topics discussed

[After much planning and coordination on Keine's, as well as her relevant helpers' part, the Emergency Response Forum was now to begin!

A clear board set up on the stage in the Draupnir Theatre today very clearly displays the main topics that they were to discuss this night, together with plenty of space for any ideas expressed to be written down. Parchment was sprawled over a single table where Keine herself was seated at, where she was ready to serve as the one to open up discussions, as well as a scribe for the entire meeting -- though in the meanwhile she has also set up her bracelet to record the entire forum's proceedings as well, for the rest of the city's benefit.

Once the Theatre had filled up substantially, be it with Traveler or Local, Keine would get up from her seat and declare the following:]

Thank you all for coming today! As was mentioned before, we are all here today to discuss about potential issues that would come up as far as Emergency Response is concerned. Now then, let's just cut to the chase and move right onto the most voted topic - Defense - to discuss about for now, shall we?

[There are also refreshments on the side, for any that might feel peckish, especially since it's about this time of night - just a small assortment of finger foods, mostly Nordic in origin, as well as a selection of various teas and other caffeine-free drinks.]

(( ooc: plenty of lateness on my part once again! Sorry about this! Log should be on a mingling basis, so feel free to tag around without me! Keine will largely be observing these exchanges here and logging them down, so it could do without her entirely as well if so wished-- though she could interject in at one point or another!

**edit: Alternatively, seeing as this log was poorly timed on my part, we could have another plotting ooc post set up, just to vaguely list down the details mentioned for each subject -- this could be things they try would try to practise during the Darkness Event itself when it struck, so there's that. Naturally, after the event is over there would likely be another such forum, as a bit of an 'After Action Review', as the military people would put it. Feel free to direct any thoughts for this to the last ooc post over here. Just start a new thread below! ))

Comments

[bloodypocket]

[Eyes had helped to set up the necessary equipment once Keine had arrived, and though he sat among the others he wasn't necessarily going to always be talking; he was just as interested in seeing who would come as he was by the topics at hand, if not more so. Though once Keine speaks he makes the decision to make some of the first questions.]

That would depend on your definition and opinion of 'defense.' How far do you want this concept to extend to the populace?

[histories]

Personally, defense against outside influence and attacks is merely one factor within a bigger picture - without unity among our numbers, this by itself would be difficult to achieve. If it was possible, I would attempt to not only recruit Travelers, but also the locals.

After all, there would likely be some among them that would want to do what they can to protect their home, no?

Naturally, this should only be done on a volunteer basis - it simply would be too much to demand it of our hosts, and each other.

[bloodypocket]

It would, but another thing to consider would be recruitment of the Travellers. While the natives may be more compliant if it meant protecting their home, we have all witnessed before that the Travellers themselves would not take to kindly to organized efforts if they believe that those who are part of them are allowed more authority than others.

Volunteers or not, there may be those on the outside who would still look at it in a unfavourable light.

[histories]

Well, yes -- A leadership of some kind would naturally be established within such an organized effort eventually. But know that in such groups, such leadership would only firmly establish itself once the members of the group have grown to work well with one another, and trust each other as such. Ideally, this means that authority would be established by, and within the group itself.

And objection to such groups would also only be natural - After all, anyone would be disquieted by the fact that an armed force was marching within their vicinity, with the ability to claim the lives of others readily.

[bloodypocket]

That is another issue we must discuss – we are all very aware that people here come and go, and while having some semblance of a leader position would be beneficial, ultimately the leader could be returned to his or her world, and thus the group is once again left in the same position it was before.

And in all honesty, we are all already armed with the powers we were bestowed upon by the gods. Open weaponry may not even be necessary.

[histories]

Yes, which is why the group should typically elect a second-in-command within its ranks as well. But worrying about such an uncertain thing isn't going to help out current situation whatsoever.

But what of those that do not have combat-capable powers? Healers and Damage Drainers, for example -- Should they not be equipped with the necessary skills to at least defend themselves when the situation demands it?

[bloodypocket]

There are other means of being able to defend oneself without having to resort to carrying weapons. In fact, it is preferable. There have been offers of teaching how to fight, especially for those who have no experience whatsoever, various times over the network. Why not take advantage of those opportunities offered should we ever create this task force?

[histories]

And yet, considering what we have faced so far, would it not be fair to decide that it is a difficult task to do unarmed? Would it not be preferable to at least try to arm some of them with basic combat skills, such as archery and swordplay? Knowing how to bear a shield correctly could be useful as well, should it come to that.

And of course. Those opportunities offered would definitely be helpful towards such a cause - perhaps some coordination for that might be good, too.

[bloodypocket]

Then what you are suggesting is not a defense force, but rather a militia composed of the everyday man to be led by those who do have experience with such matters? Going along such a route could eventually lead down to that, and in the end we will be lead either by those who hold all the might, or those who believe they have just causes but are unaware of the fact that they are leading peoples of different mindsets who would eventually begrudge them.

[histories]

That is incorrect, Mister Rutherford. [because calling him merely 'Eyes' seems weird] I do not believe that merely arming members of the defense force with basic skills for self-defense would make it a militia. Certainly, there would need to be a degree of trust in the trained individuals that they would not use their newly-attained skills for their own material or egoistical benefits, but regardless possessing a means to defend oneself would be important in such a troubled time such as this, would it not?

[bloodypocket]

It would, but again you run into the issue of what constitutes trust among various individuals. For all that we debate, we could have better outcomes out of a mere luck of the draw from those who initially expressed interest. But as with every situation, the only means we may see results and what should be corrected is to simply place the situation out there.

[histories]

Precisely. There will definitely be a trial-and-error phase required for the implementation of any systems, especially in a place such as this where the unknowns are numerous. Let us set up a base system of sorts, let it run for a bit, and see what we can do to improve upon it.

[bloodypocket]

Though before that, we need to consider the methods that will be used to attract prospective members. Presentation can mean everything, and be what determines the success and failure of various efforts. I'm certain that you have already been made aware of that before, haven't you?

[histories]

Of course. Advertising has been the predominant form of attracting all sorts of attention, be it for recruitment purposes or as a sales pitch. It should not be too difficult to come up with a post to ask for interested parties to volunteer to take part in a force such as this, for example. We could work on a poster to be produced in larger numbers, as well.

[bloodypocket]

Your last suggestion may be the better route for the time being. While this forum has been advertised and open to all, it would be best to attempt to place some distance between the forum and any single individual it may be related to. Make it clear what was discussed today, and refrain from attaching any personal opinions to it as much as possible. Even with those who have naturally risen to the ranks of well-known, there would still be a percentage against it given the situation we are in.

[histories]

Fair points, fair points. Is there someone you might have in mind, who could prepare the poster? I'm afraid I am not very familiar with doing such things.

[bloodypocket]

There are many capable in both the Freyr and Freya households, given guidelines they would undoubtedly come up with something that could be used.

[histories]

Ah, yes. That does sound like a good idea. As for the guidelines... [Hm, figuring those out might be a bit on the difficult side of things.]

[bloodypocket]

[Eyes will simply wait for whatever suggestions Keine may offer, wanting to hear more of her own personal input before he gave his own.]

[histories]

I suppose it would be appropriate to first speak of the reason for needing such a volunteer team, as well as the most basic of requirements for any volunteer.

[bloodypocket]

It would be best to do so, after all we do not intend to keep what is shared between us a secret, do we?

[histories]

Of course. Now... what else?

[bloodypocket]

That would depend on what else you feel has to be addressed by the forum at large. Such topics could be if we were found short on supply, or if suddenly the Travellers and the natives would find themselves unable to leave the city. There are many situations out there to be cautious of if one pauses to think of them.

[histories]

[ she was kind of hoping for Eyes' input, since she doesn't want this to be something pushed forth solely by herself. ]

Of course. I would include the main points discussed here, such as the emergency measures to be taken - in fact, recruitment should be only one of the slightly less important points listed in the posters. After all, the most important thing to do now is to inform others of the things to do in cases of emergency, and the people to seek out for help should they need it.