Hello dear members,
I'm so excited to share this with you! This photoshoot is one of my dearest memories, and it was so fun to create a story to compliment it! Way back in 2019, Alex and I went on a trip to Morocco with my family, and rode camels into the Sahara desert. We spent the night at a Berber camp, drumming around a fire and eating delicious food. Alex and I got up early the next morning, and took these photos while watching the sun rise on the desert horizon. It was one of the most magical experiences of my life... And the photos were incredible!! So when I posted each one, I included a little snippet of a "story" about the character. I've never shared the whole story at once before, so I thought I'd share it here, along with both the unedited and edited photos. I hope you enjoy!
Stay warm,
Marin
Raven's Story
"I am Raven. I am recording my expedition in this journal, in hopes that, even if I fail, my observations will be able to serve the last of humanity so that we may find a way to survive this wasteland. It is the year 3056. There is no more water and what little green we have left is dwindling. Long gone are the forests and lakes of legend. My people, and those across the planet, are struggling to survive. We missed our chance to save our planet: now we just have to adapt. It is my objective to find and observe the remaining nomadic tribes living among the sands of the Sahara, in hopes that they can teach us their ancient traditions and ways. These people are our only hope. May Oðin guide me."
Day 3 of the Recon Expedition.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"I have crossed the Bering Strait into the Southern lands. I have met many travelers along the way, going the opposite direction. They all tell me to turn back, that there is no hope for me that way. The beautiful Mediterranean climate is no more, as the desert expands. The vast ocean of sand has already started to claim most of this country, and not many are equipped to survive the harsh conditions it brings. It's only a matter of time until it expands up into the Northern lands. Still, though, I hold out hope that the stories are true about these nomadic desert tribes, and now I have a name to aid my search: Berber. I pray that they will have the answers I seek."
Day 8 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"As I explore this vast expanse of sand, I can't help but be struck by the beauty of it all. The stark landscape brings to mind the merciless power of Mother Nature, and the deep complexity of its flourishing ecosystem is inspiring. At first glance, one is tempted to assume that the desert is a wasteland, devoid of life. However, upon further inspection, I've discovered small rodents who burrow in the sand, and large hump-backed beasts whose two-towed feet seem to mold themselves to the sand with every step. They comfort me with the knowledge that even though my beautiful Northern climate is declining, life persists and adapts in the most unlikely of places."
Day 12 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"I'm not sure how much longer I can survive out here. I've been traveling for weeks and have just now have reached the post that marks the border of this vast desert just 50 years ago. I still have many markers to pass until I reach the nomadic colonies of the Berber people, but the true 'inner circle', the original desert, is uninhabitable even for them. My grandmother tells me stories of how the sands have grown exponentially since our planet reached the Global Critical Temperature of legend. My village elders still preach that, if we pray to the gods, our planet will stabilize... I'm not so sure anymore."
Day 39 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"My last water reserve is empty and the sun and heat is starting to take its toll on my body. But after weeks of my long arduous journey, I've finally stumbled onto an inkling of hope. In the morning light, just over a dune, I discovered a recently abandoned Berber campsite. I can't be too far behind, and I know that if I track them through the night I can catch up. I know that the guidance of the gods is with me."
Day 64 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"Through the blazing heat and my parched thirst, I persisted. I tracked them through the night, just on the verge of my peoples' salvation. My water and food gone, all I had was the strength given to me by the Old Gods and the will to survive. Just as the sun was rising on the desert horizon, I collapsed, my vision fading as I overlooked the colorful Berber tents at the base of the dune. I awoke to the smell of mint tea and the sound of quiet voices. I couldn't understand their language, but their kind faces and hospitality were clear. I had found hope on our dying Earth."
Day 66 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
"The next few days were a blur. I laid in the sick tent, waking only to sip tea and water and mumble incomprehensible words of thanks to my saviors. They spread soothing herbal pastes on my burnt and parched skin, and fed me medicine that reminded me of warm spiced drinks. When I finally regained my health well enough to speak, I quickly set my mind to finding a way to communicate. Through trial and error, we realized that we both knew bits and pieces of a dying language called 'French', and could fill in the gaps with illustration. I drew for them the tall forests of Northern legend, and the complete destruction that our climate has undergone throughout the past millennia. They drew for me the danger that they've faced with the growing temperatures and their geographic isolation with the expanding desert. They shed tears for our people, and I for them."
Day 71 of the Recon Expedition. Year 3056.
Recorded by Raven Scout of the Free People.
