The Arrival Camp is the deceptive gateway to the Senna community. Situated in a dense clearing southeast of Senna Lake, it serves as the mandatory processing point for anyone transitioning from the wild, unmapped jungles of Bush Island to the "civilization" of the Fire Island settlement.
While the Iron Guard are known for their ruthless efficiency and cold demeanor at the Makeshift Prison, those stationed at the Arrival Camp are given a different set of orders by Lucas Priestley. Here, the hostility is buried beneath a veneer of "Good Samaritan" hospitality.
Upon arrival, survivors are greeted with:
Warmth and Sustenance: A hot meal from the central pot and a dry place to sleep.
The Narrative: The guard on duty acts as the first missionary, painting a picture of a thriving, peaceful community led by a benevolent saint.
The Trap: This kindness is a psychological tactic designed to disarm newcomers, making them more compliant when they are eventually introduced to the "Fire God" and the community's darker requirements.
Management of the camp is a rotating duty among Henrik Van der Meer’s (The Iron Guard) men.
The Futility of the Post: Because new arrivals are rare—sometimes years apart—the assignment is often viewed as a "quiet rotation." However, Henrik insists on its consistency. It keeps the men disciplined and ensures that the settlement is never surprised by "unfit" outsiders.
Boredom and Duty: 90% of the time, the guard spends their days maintaining the structures, sharpening tools, and staring at the treeline. This isolation often leads to the guards talking to themselves or becoming overly obsessed with the "perfection" of the camp’s layout.
The camp’s position is a calculated choice by Lucas Priestley.
The Filter: It sits far enough from the Lake that the "unpleasantries" of the community—the smell of the Butcher's Shack or the chants of a sacrifice—cannot be heard.
The Choke Point: There is only one well-trodden path leading from this camp to the village. By the time a survivor reaches the Lake, the Iron Guard has already assessed their physical strength, their mental state, and their potential for "faith."
The presence of "Old World" comforts—like the salvaged life raft and suitcases—is intentional. It suggests to the newcomer that they are among people who have successfully tamed the island while holding onto their humanity. It is the "Beautiful Lie" tied in a tight-knit bow, ensuring that by the time the survivor realizes they are in a cult, they have already eaten the Shepherd’s bread.