Welcome to Raven Rock National Park

You’ve been hired as a park ranger at Black Hollow Lookout (#47), a secluded firewatch tower located deep within the Appalachian Mountains. This vast wilderness is home to dense forests, steep ridges, and ancient trails, making it both a serene haven and a place of mystery.

Your job is simple: monitor the surrounding forest for fires, guide lost hikers, and ensure the safety of those visiting the park. But there’s more to this place than meets the eye. Raven Rock National Park is rich in history, with deep-rooted legends and unexplained occurrences that have made it a place of intrigue and occasional dread. Cryptid sightings, strange lights, and unsettling noises in the forest have been reported for years, though they’re often dismissed by locals and park officials.

You’ll spend most of your days alone, relying on your radio and your wits to get through the workday. But you’re not completely isolated—Jim Forrester, a veteran ranger stationed at Iron Peak Lookout (#32), will be your mentor. Jim is skeptical of the bizarre tales circulating the forest and prefers to chalk up any strange occurrences to logical explanations like animal behavior or human error. However, his experience in the park is invaluable, and his guidance will help you survive the physical challenges of the job.

Despite Jim’s rationality, Raven Rock has a way of making even the most logical ranger question what’s real. You’ll find yourself wondering: Are the cryptid sightings true? Are there really creatures like Bigfoot or the Goatman lurking in these woods? Or is it just a trick of the mind and the wilderness?

The Job:

As a lookout ranger, your primary duties include:

Monitoring for wildfires: Using your binoculars and fire-finder, you’ll scan the surrounding forest for smoke plumes or any signs of fire.

Guiding lost hikers: Occasionally, you’ll have to communicate with visitors who’ve lost their way in the park. You’ll provide directions over the radio or send search-and-rescue teams if necessary.

Logging events: Document everything that happens during your shift in the radio logbook. This includes weather updates, visitor encounters, and any strange sightings.

Surviving the isolation: The tower is your home for the season, and you’ll need to manage your food and supplies. You’ll get deliveries once a month, but between them, you’ll have to make do with what you have.

The Mysterious World:

The park isn’t just about trees and trails. It’s a place full of secrets and mysteries that have been passed down through generations:

Cryptid Legends: Stories of creatures like Bigfoot, the Goatman, and Mothman are commonly told by hikers and locals. There are even tales of will-o’-the-wisps—strange, glowing lights that lead people deeper into the woods. However, these sightings are rare, and most park staff, like Jim, prefer to dismiss them.

Strange Noises: Many rangers have reported hearing unexplained sounds, particularly at night—howls, whispers, or footsteps echoing in the trees. These occurrences are often written off as animal sounds, but something feels off about them.

Lost Hikers and Disappearances: Hikers and visitors sometimes vanish without a trace, their whereabouts unknown. These disappearances are often linked to the dense forest, unpredictable weather, and difficult terrain. The cause remains a mystery, though some suggest that the forest itself holds darker secrets.

Your Lookout Tower:

Black Hollow Lookout (#47) is perched on Raven Ridge, offering a stunning view of the surrounding forest. It’s a modest, one-room cabin with basic amenities—your main responsibilities here are to monitor the area, maintain communications, and keep an eye out for signs of danger. Your radio desk, kitchen, and observation deck are all in one small space. The isolation can be overwhelming at times, but the beautiful, untouched wilderness surrounding the tower is your constant companion.

Interactions with Jim Forrester:

You won’t be entirely alone. Jim, stationed at Iron Peak Lookout (#32), will be your closest connection. Although the towers are far apart and communication happens over the radio, Jim is always available to offer advice, help with any issues, or share his vast knowledge of the park.

Jim is pragmatic and skeptical. He doesn’t believe in cryptids or supernatural occurrences and attributes all strange happenings to common forest creatures or the occasional prankster.

Despite his disbelief, Jim will help you navigate the challenges of the job and give you tips on survival. Over time, you’ll build a rapport with him, but don’t expect him to believe in your more outlandish encounters.

Dangers in the Wilderness:

Raven Rock National Park is home to both natural and supernatural threats. The park is filled with wildlife that can pose a danger, especially to hikers who venture off the beaten path. While some of the animals are relatively harmless, others can be deadly:

Black bears: These are one of the most dangerous animals in the park. They’re typically shy, but can become aggressive if provoked.

Coyotes: Though they rarely attack humans, a hungry coyote may become a threat to hikers.

Mountain lions: While elusive, these apex predators can be deadly if a hiker ventures too deep into their territory.

Rattlesnakes: They can be found in the forest’s lower elevations and pose a risk to unwary hikers.

Wild boar: Aggressive and dangerous, these animals can be encountered on the outskirts of the park.

The Mysteries You Will Encounter:

During your time in the park, you’ll witness firsthand the strange and mysterious aspects of the Appalachian wilderness. Expect to experience some, if not all, of the following:

Unexplained Lights: Glowing orbs of light that appear deep in the forest at night. Are they will-o'-the-wisps, or something else entirely?

Strange Animal Behavior: Wildlife acting strangely, from unusually aggressive animals to sightings of animals where they shouldn’t be.

Mysterious Tracks: Large, human-like footprints that appear with no explanation. Could they be from Bigfoot or something else?

Cryptid Encounters: Rare sightings of creatures like Bigfoot or the Goatman. These creatures are seldom seen, but some claim to have had close encounters.

Weather Phenomena: The weather can change unexpectedly, from fog rolling in suddenly to thunderstorms that seem to appear out of nowhere. These weather shifts can make your job more difficult—and may even play a role in some of the strange occurrences.

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The Goal:

Your ultimate goal is to complete your shift as a firewatch ranger—monitoring the forest, assisting visitors, and surviving the psychological and physical challenges of the wilderness. However, the mysterious aspects of the park will draw you in, forcing you to confront the strange creatures and occurrences that lurk in the woods.

Will you maintain your skepticism like Jim, or will you come to believe in the park's darker secrets? The choices you make, from how you handle strange sightings to how you engage with Jim, will shape your experience in this remote wilderness.