Collective cognition

Food is central in arc survivor settlements. Arc survivors live to enrich their diets, and in return, their well-nourished brains can collectively achieve new heights of power and sophistication.

This cultural growth is represented by **collective cognition (CC)**. As the settlement reaches higher amounts of CC, they earn rewards.

Survivors acquire collective cognition by defeating a mix of challenging monsters. More challenging monsters proffer greater collective cognition.

#### Gaining CC from Quarry Monsters

Quarry monsters stalking the darkness offer a powerful incentive for hungry arc survivors. Older, tougher monsters are a feast for ravenous arc cells. If they defeat a monster, the victorious survivors return to the settlement with food and the potential for profound change. Victorious survivors gain CC in the Aftermath of the Showdown. Once the Aftermath is resolved, update the Settlement Victories section on the arc settlement record sheet. Next to the name of the defeated quarry, fill an unfilled box under its level. Update the total collective cognition above. If no box remains unfilled for that monster's level, the settlement gains no CC.

* Lv. 1 quarry monsters provide 1 CC the first time they are defeated.
* Lv. 2 quarry monsters provide 2 CC the first 2 times they are defeated.
* Lv. 3+ quarry monsters provide 3 CC the first 3 times they are defeated.

#### Gaining CC from Nemesis Monsters

Menacing forces invading the settlement do not provide the same kinds of enrichment. They contribute to the collective cognition (3 CC) only the first time each level is defeated. Defeating the same level nemesis multiple times generates no additional CC.

#### Legendary Monsters

Legendary monsters are singular existences that are not standard quarry monsters. The settlement gains 3 CC after defeating one.

## Collective Cognition Rewards

When a settlement eats well, its collective cognition increases. This can add new cultural benefits for arc survivors, which are found on CC Reward cards.

### CC Reward Cards

CC Reward cards are gained when the settlement reaches a specific amount of collective cognition.

The back of each CC Reward card has a number indicating the collective cognition needed to gain the card. The front of each card contains the rules for gaining the reward.

#### Quarry Monster CC Rewards

Quarry monster rewards have a collective cognition number corresponding to their node. The node represents the order these quarry monsters appear in the story of your campaign.

Quarry Monster CC Rewards
 2
 3
 4

### Create the CC Rewards Deck

Organize all CC Rewards cards according to the numbers on the backs, from lowest to highest, so that the lowest number is on top of the deck, face down.

Include only the quarry monster reward cards for monsters in your campaign. Examine cards 6, 16, 26 and 36.

For the People of the Dream Keeper campaign, include the Crimson Crocodile, Smog Singers, Phoenix, and King. Set the other monster CC Rewards aside.

#### Unique CC Rewards

There can never be more than one card with the same collective cognition number in the deck. In cases where duplicates remain, choose one.

#### Record CC Rewards

Once your deck is complete, record the name of each CC Reward in the space provided on the arc settlement record sheet in numerical order.

### Gaining CC Rewards

The settlement gains collective cognition rewards during the Check Milestones step of the settlement phase. Compare the collective cognition total to the top card of the CC Rewards deck. The settlement gains any cards with numbers less than or equal to the settlement's collective cognition.

For each CC reward gained, follow the rules listed on the card and update the settlement accordingly. Find the reward listed in the Collective Cognition Rewards section of the arc settlement record sheet; fill in the box next to the reward and archive the CC Reward card.

### Food Innovations

One reward of improving collective cognition is innovations of the preparation and culture of food. The only way to gain these innovations is through achieving higher collective cognition. When they reach the pinnacle of food innovation, **Supreme Cuisine**, they can Endeavor to create meal gear.

#### Butchery and Arc Survivor Weapon Proficiency

Arc survivors cannot select a Weapon Proficiency until they have gained the **Butchery** food innovation. Once earned, they may select a weapon proficiency when they depart for a hunt.

#### Meal Gear

Devouring quarries inspires the survivors to craft marvelous recipes. If the settlement has earned at least 10 CC from consuming a quarry, they may endeavor at **Supreme Cuisine** to craft that monster's meal.

Once a meal is crafted, it can be used by the settlement each lantern year. A survivor may place one meal in their Gear Grid, gaining the monster-inspired effects when they Depart the settlement. A settlement may only have one of each meal gear at any time.