You and a few other newbies decide to hop on a wagon meandering through the wilds, the real desert right outside town limits. As the ride goes on, you begin to realize that – if all works how it’s supposed to – this will be the extent of your world now.
Sitting across from y’all, off in the corner by herself sits a standoffish blonde woman. She overhears the other newcomers excitedly babbling about the town and scoffs.
"If I were y’all, I wouldn’t get my hopes up," she finally speaks.
You and the others turn towards her surprised.
"You’ll be lucky if you make it past 6 months. This life is harder than it looks, and the sacrifice looms larger than it seems. Half the people you know now will be gone come winter, only the strong willed make it here."
One of the other newcomers asks, "What's your name?"
"Caroline," the woman exhales, "But I wouldn’t bother learnin’ it."
The rest of the wagon rides persists in silence until you are returned to the town square.