Chapter Text
November 2nd, 201X; Log Entry 198, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 2:49 PM. Temp is 16°F Windspeed 10 mph
Conditions are cloudy, scattered snow showers. Fire Danger level is Low.
Winter is in full swing now. Have not noticed any signs of any remaining campers, hikers, etc. since prior to last entry's report on snow. Confirmed with Ranger 19 'Forest' and Ranger 15 'Mountain' that no others have passed through in their zones. Any foot traffic at this point through the region is assumed to be local civilians of Snowdin (approx 46 miles due East Tower 7) or residents of Hometown (approx. 75 miles SE Tower 7), unless otherwise reported.
Signs of possible poaching were found yesterday. Traps set approx. 50 yards off main hiking path which continued down to the river. Suspect more to be found in the coming days. All traps were triggered but remained in place as requested by main office. Unsure if multiple individuals are involved or if this is a solo instance. Will continue investigation tomorrow and include findings in log entry 199 next week. Determined to find the source regardless and shut down any and all possible instances of illegal hunting.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
November 9th, 201X; Log Entry 199, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 3:27 PM. Temp is 12°F Windspeed 6 mph
Conditions are partly-cloudy. Fire Danger level is Low.
Results of poaching investigation were shared to main office following confrontation that occurred after prior log entry. Will repeat and summarize here for ease of future reading.
After several days of tracking and marking trap locations, encountered group of individuals who claimed ownership of traps. Four in total, but suspect there were multiple others based on the volume found. Unsure on total possible individuals involved in operation. Regardless, group claimed they were unaware area was prohibited for hunting and could not provide proof of local citizenship. Calmly asked them to remove all traps and to leave the region as soon as feasibly possible. Offending parties obliged.
Based on logos printed on equipment and clothing, suspect them to be a part of the organization who attempted similar in Ranger 19’s region last spring. Have not heard any reports from others along the main highway about signs of them, but haven't spotted any indications they are still in the surrounding area either. Committed to ensuring no future incidents occur. Believe they will remain deterred however based on current wildlife activity.
Indications of some unknown event have been observed in wildlife. Ranging from prey and predators both, (rabbits, deer, foxes, owls, bears, moose, etc.). All wildlife has begun to display abnormal behavior. Less fear observed in encounters, many times having to be intentionally startled to flee or react.
In some cases, unusually aggressive behavior has been present. No physical encounters have occurred, and no harm has been caused on either side. Foaming at the mouth, disorientation, confusion, and previously mentioned aggression indicate possible rabies outbreak, but no signs of outbreak are present in other nearby regions. Start of disease within Tower 7's region alone is unlikely due to sudden rapid onset. Further, for the outbreak to spread to nearly all species within the region seemingly overnight is alarming.
Will continue to monitor and update in next log entry. As suggested by main office, will wait to engage or neutralize any possible infected until true determination can be made.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
November 16th, 201X; Log Entry 200, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 1:19 PM. Temp is 5°F Windspeed is 14 mph
Conditions are snowy, visibility is reduced. Fire Danger is Low.
Something is concerningly wrong with the wildlife. During usual route clearance today dealt with several encounters from predator and prey animals both. Encounters ended without action taken, but lost and confused as to what is occurring. The foam, which was previously thought to be white (typical with rabies infection) is not foam at all. Animals appear to be leaking black, syrupy substance from mouths and eyes in some instances. Unsure as to what substance is. Did not come into direct contact with substance to reduce possible infection risk.
Aggression levels are high, but when engaged normally, expected fear response returns. Uncertain as to what could be the cause. As opposed to beliefs in previous reports, not all wildlife appear to be infected. Interestingly, infected animals appear to still be interacting with uninfected members of the same species. No hostile behavior has been observed in these cases. Aggression appears to only occur in the case of human (monster?) interaction.
Will resolve to determine what may be cause of outbreak and report further in next entry.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
November 16th, 201X; Log 200: Addendum, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 11:35 PM. Temp is -2 F Windspeed is 3 mph
Conditions are, partly cloudy. Fire Danger Level is Low.
Entry has been edited for additional observation recording. Visibility of the Aurora Borealis has become... muddled. For lack of better wording. There is a dimness to the usual natural phenomenon that lacks explanation. Large, dark pockets of clouds have appeared, blocking out sections of the night sky. But more concerningly is their origin appears to be from the ground. Investigation has determined sources are not potential wildfire outbreaks, nor do current conditions indicate such a possibility.
The lights itself lack the luster typically observed, as if a sheen of shadow has been washed over them. After speaking with both Mountain and Forest, event appears to be localized to Tower 7's region only. Lights of Snowdin (approx. 46 miles due East) are visible at this time, though not as bright as expected.
Will reach out to main office in morning with full report. Will continue to observe for next several hours and document any changes should they occur.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
November 23rd, 201X; Log 201, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 2:37 PM. Temp is 6°F. Windspeed is 11 mph.
Conditions are cloudy. Fire Danger Level is Low.
Signs of a potential new predator in the area are clear at this point in time. Carcasses of wildlife have been found throughout Tower 7's region. Predator appears to be large, but hunting pattern is confusing. Small and large animals both have been found dead, partially mauled. Animals found include other predator species, including foxes, hawks, and a singular bear. Carcasses appear... abnormal with mauling patterns.
All dead carcasses appear to have been infected members of mystery virus reported in previous log entries. Bodies appear semi-drained of black syrup substance but other bodily fluids (ie blood) remain. Unsure of the feasibility of such an occurrence. Based on the markings in and on the carcasses, predator has large, sharp teeth. Size is indeterminate beyond basic assumption of big. Parts of carcasses appear smashed or crushed, indicating some form of blunt trauma of indeterminate cause.
Tracks are unrecognizable, believed to be due to recent snowfall and because pattern is seemingly indicative of two-legged animal, but no indication said animal is a bird or bird-like. No known birds match any other descriptives either. Indicating possible bipedal mammal of unknown origin.
Puddles of shimmering liquid, (determined from further investigation to be some kind of oil), can be found near or around area of any carcasses found. Unsure of origin of the oil or what it signifies in regards to what is causing recent phenomena.
Predator animal is still in the area. Feelings of being watched have happened throughout patrol rounds and investigation of carcasses. Marks in trees, jagged, unknown origin, and disturbed brush have also been found. No encounter has occurred at this point.
Aurora grows dimmer with each passing night. Lights of Snowdin are completely non-visible during night. More and more billowing 'towers' of blackness are appearing, origin is still unknown. Reports have been made to main office but further action has been advised against. Connections have been touchy at best, including with main office, Ranger 15 'Mountain', and Ranger 19 'Forest' as of the past several days. Belief that radio tower on edge of Tower 7's region border has been damaged. Will attempt a trip out that direction tomorrow. As long as weather holds should be a day trip, will bring supplies for overnight trip as a precaution. Will report in next log entry success of radio tower evaluation trip.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
November 30th, 201X; Log entry 202, Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 12:15 PM. Temp is -10°F Windspeed is 15 mph
Conditions are incredibly snowy, blizzard-like, visibility is low. Fire Danger Level is Low.
Trip to radio tower was cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions. It has been snowing nearly non-stop for the past week. Connection with main office, Mountain or Forest has been essentially cut. Tower 7 has lost electricity multiple times due to snow buildup. Attempts to leave beyond clearing snow have been deemed unnecessary until after weather has subsided.
Uncertain on status of previously described unknown predator. Uncertain on status of infected wildlife. Uncertain on status of Aurora and night visibility. But it's dark. It is incredibly dark. I'm... scared nervous. Next log entry will describe updates on all previous concerns if possible.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.
December 7th, 201X; Log entry 203 Ranger 39 'FT'
Time is 3:23 PM Temp is 8°F Windspeed is 5 mph
Conditions are cloudy. Fire Danger Level is Low.
All indications of previous infected wildlife have significantly reduced. No fresh carcasses have been located at this time. Signs unknown predator is still in the area are low, but still present. Threat at this time to human or monster alike has been determined to be low.
Night visibility has improved slightly, but not significant enough for concern to be reduced. Contact with main office, Mountain, and Forest has been unsuccessful. Radio tower will need to be visited, evaluated, and possibly repaired as soon as possible. Intent is to head that direction early tomorrow afternoon.
Nothing further to report. Log complete
December 9th, 201X; Log 2023: Addendum Ranger 'FT'
Time 2:13 am. -5?? Windspeed 7 mph
Conditions unknown. Fire Danger Level is unknown.
Trip unsuccessful. Snowmobile broke down little over halfway and took multiple hours to repair. Decided to head back once complete because I was losing daylight. Less than an hour left. Spent most of the trip in the dark. Another mechanical failure occurred on way back. Stopped again.
As I was fixing it, heard something in the woods. Looked around, saw nothing. Figured it was an animal. Worked as quick as possible. Snowmobile started working again and quickly hopped on.
Prepared to leave and realized something moved in the headlights. Looked up and I saw it.
It's big. Huge. Over 10 feet tall, and still bigger. Was blinded by something on it, reflective. It moved fast. Into the shadows. I don't know what it was. I don't know what that was.
Couldn't move. Waited. Gun was still strapped to the back. Stupid, stupid.
It didn't move. I could barely make it out, but it didn't move from where it stood in the treeline on the edge of the clearing. It just stared at me.
It almost has a person-like appearance. But something would have been clearly wrong if it was.
I don't know how long we stayed like that.
It only left when there was another noise, in the forest behind it. It let out this sound, I don't even know how to describe it.
Warped, loud, a screech mixed almost with white noise?? I don't understand.
It was gone in a blink. Off hunting whatever poor creature it'd locked on to. I didn't stick around to find out if it would change its mind.
Made it back to Tower 7. Precautions have been taken on the off chance it followed but seems unlikely. I have been restless all night long. Sleep is unlikely.
I am scared.
The Aurora is gone. The stars are gone. The moon along with them. There is nothing but darkness outside. I can only hope for morning to come. I am scared.
Nothing further to report. Log complete.