Field Note 001 - Rumors

Date: 11 September

The accounts come from people who appear to have no connection with one another, yet the details are remarkably consistent.

None claim to have actually seen the creature.

Most describe only an odd feeling of being watched.

No confirmed sightings exist.

Tomorrow, I'll go and have a look.

Field note 002 - Footprints

Date: 12th September

Location: Whare Flat

Conditions: overcast, damp

The road through Whare Flat winds gently into the hills before giving way to a small remnant of native bush. According to the reports, this is where the sightings—or rather, the absence of sightings—seem to center.

It was early morning when I left, with the day brightening a little as I got further into the bush. Bellbirds, tūī and fantails seemed to follow me along the track, making it difficult to imagine that anything larger than a kererū could remain hidden here for long.

At the edge of the boggy track, I found what appeared to be some small footprints. They were unlike any bird prints I recognized, although they were probably left by some small forest creature I simply couldn't identify.

I’m feeling watched.

Field Note 003 - Rustling

Date: 13th September

I followed the stream further up, ducking beneath moss-covered logs and weaving through ferns still dripping from the night's rain.

Some distance ahead, I heard a rustling in the undergrowth. My first thought was that it was a bird, although whatever made the sound seemed considerably larger.

By the time I reached the spot, there was nothing to be seen.

Only the last few fronds were still gently swaying, as though something had passed through them moments before.

I waited for several minutes, listening.

Nothing.

Field Note 004 - Rose Quartz

Date: 14th September

Specimens collected: A piece of Rose Quartz

I returned to the same spot today. There was a nagging feeling that I'd overlooked something, so I continued further upstream from where I'd heard the rustling yesterday.

The going became increasingly difficult. The stream narrowed into a steep little gorge, and every step meant negotiating mud, slippery rocks and tangled roots.

As I crossed the stream, something caught the light.

Nestled in the curve of a tree root was a small piece of rose quartz.

I picked it up for a closer look, it was clean and shiny. As far as I'm aware, rose quartz doesn't occur naturally in this area.

There is, of course, a perfectly reasonable explanation. Someone may have carried it in and dropped it.

Still...

Old stories often mention dragons collecting crystals.

I slipped the quartz into my pocket for safekeeping and continued on, trying not to let my imagination get ahead of the evidence.

Field Note 005 - The tree

Date: 16 September

A massive tree lay across it, the trunk so wide that climbing over it would have been difficult, and going around meant pushing through thick undergrowth. It is hard to imagine what kind of force could bring down something that has stood here for decades.

I cannot recall any storms passing through the area recently. The forest itself seems strangely undisturbed. Smaller trees nearby are still standing, and there is little sign of widespread damage. It raises an uncomfortable question. Was this simply chance... or has something prevented me from travelling any further?

I spent several minutes examining the fallen trunk, expecting to find some explanation. Rot at the base. Lightning damage. Fresh splintering. Signs of disease.

Nothing.

The roots remain firm. The wood appears healthy. No obvious cause presents itself.

I have made a note of the location and will return. There is a feeling I cannot quite shake that this tree has fallen at exactly the right place.