Camp Smoothie: Disappearance Investigation Discussion

[Chip? No.]

Doing some research into the feathers (that I own).
Meadowlark: Friendship and loyalty, and their call was believed to be good luck.
Magpie: They have a lot of different meanings - generally meant to symbolise duality. Can be good luck and prosperity, or deception and fraud.
Pheasant: Looked through a few meanings, the most interesting to me being that they're symbolic of clairvoyance and clairaudience - their sense of their surroundings keeps them safe from dangers lurking.
Bluebird: A good omen for luck, generally.
Bluejay: Another symbol of awareness, as well as trickery...
Cardinal: A bit more of a disquieting meaning, representing loved ones who have passed away - though they are seen as messengers who deliver words of love. Another omen of good luck.
There were a few bird of prey feathers, too.

Lots of mentions of deception, and being aware. Tying this into my theory about Cirrus and Seraphine being 'guided away' by something - (previously spoke about the rock formations we get, that are used to show the path on hiking trails) - it's starting to look more like they've been 'deceived' instead of 'taken'. Especially with nothing looking wrong at Cirrus' campsite.

In terms of feathers I got the eagle feather it represents wisdom, strength, and courage. is seen in some mythology as a messenger

The hawk feather meaning is a symbol of spiritual awareness and the ability to see clearly. Some cultures seen as good luck. Celts viewed the hawk as a messenger from the spirit world.
If you cross one it's said you should prepare for the unexpected. This could mean good fortune or something more ominous

Oriole
Orioles are often associated magic and hidden mysteries. Orioles also have a reputation for being very secretive, and they are often seen as symbols of hidden knowledge

Another few about hidden knowledge and awareness, then... Interesting.

[Meridork]

"I just know I saw something fishy out there last night! It's obvious that these disappearances are the work of cryptids! There can be no other explanation"

I heard camp ranger Mason say something odd earlier? I wonder if Mason could help at all in the future with trying to uncover this mystery?

came here to say this!! the text on the adopt on their page also hints to the fact they're frustrated they don't have anything stranger to show us atm. mason seems convinced that odd stuff's out there in the forest, maybe when team berry's done diving we can snoop around this weirdo's ranger station. half expecting them to have a fake jackalope in there or something!--but are they convinced enough in cryptids to maybe *fake* a disappearance?? O_O

[Squecca]

I’m kinda disappointed that those of us in the vanilla cabin are moping around instead of going out or brainstorming like everyone else lol

[Poserpanda]

On an unrelayed note, how does a deer perform sign language?

its like the episode of adventure time when the deer takes off the hooves like gloves and has hands underneath!

as someone who has known and spoke in ASL and BSL (british sign language) for half a decade, i would love imagine the deer just clacking its hooves together.


but more related,, i hope Ranger Mason pulls out their cryptozoology background and we get some really cool cryptids

Nononono. I hated that scene so much!
But the hoof clattering does fit better.

It figures that Ranger Mason didn't get [taken away/lead away] by the cryptids. It would be ironic if they end up not being able to help if they get taken tomorrow.

[Chip? No.]

I’m kinda disappointed that those of us in the vanilla cabin are moping around instead of going out or brainstorming like everyone else lol

Creamsicle cabin hardly did any investigation at all LOL. We went to the 'crime scene' and then just ended up chatting with people instead haha

[Falco]

I don’t trust worm dealer lion fr /nsrs

[Highland]

I don’t trust worm dealer lion fr /nsrs

i agree. moose, is sus

[felixforma]

IDK Why, but this reminds me of a book I read, called "Scat", by Carl Hiaasen. It's about how a biology teacher Mrs. Bunny went missing from the school. But *spoiler alert* she actually went into the forest to save endangered animals. So looking on the bright side, maybe it's not cryptids kidnapping people or wanting revenge on the camp. What if Cirrus and Seraphine are helping the cryptids, but they don't want us to know since the cryptids are secretive?
So they aren't deceived - WE ARE?

Scat was an excellent idea, and I think it would be cool if we get to help the cryptids.

I'm actually super convinced that this is the case! I know this user (quote later below) mentioned deception and being aware, but my suspicion is that the cryptids are friendly, but afraid of the camp.

Plus, Penny doesn't seem to be that worried about the things in the woods.
Penny:

"My favorite thing about living in the forest is all the friends I get to make! They saw my bracelets and want some of their own." and "Give me one of those bracelets, and I'll see if I can get one of my forest friends to guide you on your travels."

Doing some research into the feathers (that I own).
-snip-

Lots of mentions of deception, and being aware. Tying this into my theory about Cirrus and Seraphine being 'guided away' by something - (previously spoke about the rock formations we get, that are used to show the path on hiking trails) - it's starting to look more like they've been 'deceived' instead of 'taken'. Especially with nothing looking wrong at Cirrus' campsite.

I think it's possible Cirrus and Seraphine weren't deceived, but their campsites look untouched because they did indeed go willingly? It's possible that they just went further away than expected and weren't able to get back quickly.

Avian and Totoro at HQ do say that

"we can 100% guarantee there is no wifi, ethernet, or cell service allowed on camp grounds!"

So there definitely isn't a way for the counselors to communicate with each other.

But actually, I started thinking about witch stones and fairy rings... Could the cryptids live in an alternate dimension or something that overlaps with ours? I know we had a Fae event in 2019 so I doubt it's recurring, but maybe it's hard to get back to our dimension if you get lost on the way back?

I just find Penny's dialogue kind of weird.

"I really don't feel like singing today, but sometimes, when people are lost, hearing others looking for them can really help!"

It sounds more like guiding someone who is lost in a fog instead of shouting someone's name as you're trying to find them??

That could explain why Andrea is so worried and calls it "bad news" instead of just thinking they're delayed on the way home (assuming Andrea knows about the cryptids).

[dibabeebees]

I think another option for the watchtower creature is the Freso Nightwalker! It was on one of the March 2021 horses if that helps :] Often detected with red eyes with a white body and little legs

[felixforma]

OR, even wilder thought.... we ARE being deceived and the creatures in the lake are the ones to be worried about??

Like another user reported, Lunu at the lake says

"Getting distracted is often the most dangerous thing. Don't worry, though, as long as you follow the rules Lake Tess is quite safe!"

Plus, Ranger Mason says

"I just know I saw something fishy out there last night!"

Are the cryptids in the woods just a .... red herring?? (ba-dum tsssh, what a bad fish pun)

Edit: Circling back to

okay i might be fully off base but the trash mention makes me think there will be something about the lakefront?

Seconded - plus it may be overthinking it, but I think bananas are technically berries taxonomically? And Berry cabin is searching at the lake 🤔

And

"Thanks to your volunteerism helping Moose, he allows you to pack a full lunch in the Mess Hall and take it out into the forest with you, though he reminds you not to leave any trash or food scraps–even banana peels–behind."

Maybe the lake folk are annoyed about all the trash?? The camp has clearly been big on Leave No Trace, but since we've been fishing up trash items, maybe there's still a lot of stuff in the lake that's been bothering the marine cryptids!!