ARK Explorer Notes
Full transcripts of every explorer note, dossier and journal in ARK: Survival Ascended — from Helena, Rockwell, Mei Yin, Nerva, Diana, HLN-A and more. Open any note to read it in full.
Helena Walker · The Island
I’ve lost count of how many sunrises I’ve seen since I arrived on this island. Hundreds, I’d imagine, yet each one seems more beautiful than the last.…
Helena Walker · The Island
I’d been holding out for a change in weather before studying the wildlife of this island’s peculiar tundra region, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s not…
Helena Walker · The Island
The tribe that calls themselves The Howling Wolves has really made this northern adventure a lot easier. Well, them and Athena. She’s right at home here. I…
Helena Walker · The Island
What a day! There I am, putting the finishing touches on the mammoth dossier, when all of a sudden, a Tyrannosaurus starts attacking the herd. Strewth! A…
Helena Walker · The Island
Well, I've combed through more carnivore droppings, than I care to calculate, and I can't say they provided many answers. All the predators in this region…
Helena Walker · The Island
Helena, you're a dipstick. Going through my notes, I've realised that there are more predators than prey across this entire island by almost double. That's…
Helena Walker · The Island
I never thought this island was normal, exactly. I mean, there are giant obelisks floating in the sky, for Pete's sake. Not to mention that cave I found,…
Helena Walker · The Island
I really need to visit Rockwell more. It's so energizing to be around someone of his experience that still has so much excitement for his work, and talking to…
Helena Walker · The Island
On Rockwell's recommendation, I've headed south to start an in depth study of the Island's marine life with the help of a tribe called the Painted Sharks.…
Helena Walker · The Island
The Painted Sharks have treated me like I'm the bloody queen since I showed them Rockwell's letter of recommendation. I don't think I've eaten better in my…
Helena Walker · The Island
Still no anwsers as to why the Megalodons are so territorial, but I was privy to something even more extraordinary: Megalodon Mating Behavior! No one's ever…
Helena Walker · The Island
So, in addition to all of the oddities I found with wild megalodons, here's the real cherry on top: Taming them is a piece of piss. A bit of training and…
Helena Walker · The Island
Well, this seals it. Just when I thought I'd made some sense of the notes I took while visiting the Painted Sharks, I spotted the nail in the proverbial…
Helena Walker · The Island
Not too long ago, I thought this place was a far off utopia where I could study all the world's lost wonders. Now that I'm certain it's not natural at all, I…
Helena Walker · The Island
Of all the abnormalities that I've observed, the tamed Megalodons stick out to me. It was almost like they were stray dogs who were resocialized, as though…
Helena Walker · The Island
I suppose it was a bit naive of me to think that someone with the monicker of "Beast Queen" would roll out the red carpet. I guess I got used to all the…
Helena Walker · The Island
There's nothing special about the diet of these tamed creatures when compared to their wild counterparts. Part of that is the Beast Queen's doing, as she…
Helena Walker · The Island
The most interesting thing that I've observed about Mei-Ying's animals has been what they don't do - they never fight. Among creatures that have been…
Helena Walker · The Island
After going over my notes from Mei-Yin's camp, I've concluded that the animals on this island are not only used to humans, but used to captivity. Even with…
Helena Walker · The Island
This is the smoking gun. It has to be. I simply can't be convinced that this place is natural after finding an island populated entirely by carnivores. Even…
Helena Walker · The Island
As I expected, Rockwell couldn't deny my theory, but I can't say that I have his endorsement either. He didn't seem terribly engrossed in the subject,…
Helena Walker · The Island
Though I've been received by the Iron Brotherhood, they didn't seem very pleased to see me, especially when I mentioned Rockwell. That's a first. Add that to…
Helena Walker · The Island
I keep glancing at the artifact. I understand why the Iron Brotherhood's leader didn't want it. Since it has no apparent use, all it does is remind him of the…
Helena Walker · The Island
Unbelievable! The artifacts perfectly fits one of the slots in the platform's pedestal. How did I not notice that right away? I really am a dipstick. So if…
Helena Walker · The Island
Well, the Howling Wolves are quickly tracking down the artifacts, but after hearing about what happened to the Iron Brotherhood, that's as far as they'll go.…
Helena Walker · The Island
Now, I know you don't get a nickname like "Beast Queen" without being one tough lady, but when I saw that giant ape, I still thought we were buggered.…
Helena Walker · The Island
So, these are the conquerors that I heard about way back when. Not a great first impression. Mei-Yin and I weren't quite mates, but watching her creatures get…
Helena Walker · The Island
This Nerva bloke's FIGJAM incarnate. He seems to think that he's Jupiter's gift to the Island or some rubbish like that. I think his ego was actually tangible…
Helena Walker · The Island
When Nerva and his band return from the cave, they'll decide my fate, so this may be my final chance to reflect. I may as well take advantage of it. I realize…
Helena Walker · The Island
Well, I'm not dead, and as it turns out, neither was Mei-Yin. In fact, it was her who freed me, and insisted we follow Nerva through the portal in the cave. A…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I had to pick the desert. Why the hell did I pick the desert? Well, I suppose "pick" is a rather strong word for it. I’m still not entirely certain just how I…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
My hunting skills are seriously out of practice. Not that I was ever spectacular, but I feel like I’d graduated from smashing bugs with a rock at some point.…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I’m on a roll. By sheer coincidence, I stumbled into another group of survivors today, and they didn’t try to kill me or anything. If I didn’t know how…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
If I’d ended up in this place instead of on that island, I’d have never imagined the ecosystem was natural. Not for two seconds. Take these morellatops:…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Today, I caught a glimpse of what the caravaners call the "Endless Dunes". The desolate sea of sand that apparently surrounds the livable portion of the…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
As absurd as the Death Worms are, I see their purpose. They are a natural barrier. If this whole place is a space station posing as a real ecosystem, then it…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Time to go over the facts. Like the island, this desert is a space station posing as a natural environment. It is inhabited by a large population of…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I long for the days when I thought a tyrannosaurus frolicking through the snow was the height of absurdity. Compared to yesterday, that seems commonplace. As…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I remember now, the dragon had a rider. Rather, the wyvern did. Two legs means its a wyvern. Strewth, listen to me, fighting to survive and still finding time…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Well, I found a new best mate. The little fuzzball isn't exactly what I meant, but I'll take her. I've dubbed her species Renopila Amplexus. They're small,…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I may have been wrong about Renopila not having a practical use. Earlier today, my furry new companion started bouncing around so excitedly that I couldn't…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Thank goodness that I decided to find some high ground two days ago, or I'd have never spotted this settlement. That's twice now that I've stumbled into my…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
In some ways, surviving on my own was less work. At least then I wasn't conscripted into manual labor. Ugh, my whole body feels sore! I bet I wouldn't have to…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
While my mind still can't recall the last time I fired a gun, my muscle memory is much better. According to my would be instructor, I wasn't a complete…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I may have to put my freshly polished marksmanship skills to the test sooner than I thought. A hunting party spotted a swarm of giant mantises heading in our…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
My hopes that the Mantises would ignore the village were unfounded, and I think we were all wondering if this morning's sunrise would be our last. Despite all…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Just who or what Wali al Aswad is depends on who you ask. Some of the villagers have attached a religious connotation to the figure, believing it to be some…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I'm definitely more prepared for this desert than before, and better equipped. With my morellatops offering a large, mobile supply of water and Radar looking…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
It took weeks of searching, but I finally caught a glimpse of Wali al Aswad. I knew I was getting close when I found a series of fulgurite formations this…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Of course Wali lives on a bloody mountain. Of course they do. I saw their wyverns land at the summit yesterday, and they haven't left. This has to be their…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I don't know what kind of reception I expected when I reached the summit, but laughter wasn't one of them. Yet that was exactly what I heard when I finally…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
It turns out that I didn't find Wali al Aswad. She found me. While the portal I used to get here opened with little fanfare on my end, apparently the other…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I really missed flying. There's no replicating the feeling, and no replacement for seeing a sunrise amongst the clouds. Wali probably started these wyvern…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Now that Wali has deemed by wyvern riding skills acceptable, she's finally agreed to show me around the region. From what I can gather, Wali has been here for…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I'm grateful that Wali allows me time to study the local wildlife, but I suspect she only does so out of amusement. She always says something like, "Why do…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I can't believe it! Wali spotted someone wandering in the desert the other day, and it turned out to be none other than Edmund Rockwell! I just about burst…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Wali has been much quieter since we found Rockwell. I guess she's just letting us catch up. However, she did say something interesting when we were recounting…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
I don't think Rockwell's been sleeping much. I awoke last night to find him studying a strange piece of metal by firelight. I guess some tribe gave it to him…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
The transporter that can take us back to the "control center" station is in the ruins of another city, south of the mountains. Wali believes that it was…
Helena Walker · Scorched Earth
Having seen us through the ruins and safely to the platform, Wali has taken her leave. After doing so much for me, I was sad to see her go, but at least I got…
Helena Walker · Aberration
Bloody hell, this place is weird. Don't get me wrong, it's fascinating too. Such an abundance of underground flora is completely unheard of, and because so…
Helena Walker · Aberration
"You can't surprise me anymore, life," I said. "After wyverns, golems and giant sand worms, I'm ready for anything." "What about flying…
Helena Walker · Aberration
While I can't say I'm enamored with this station's wildlife, I'm certainly grateful for its abundance of natural resources, particularly water. The…
Helena Walker · Aberration
There's no mistaking it. That was a giant, armored mole rat. Thankfully it wasn't aggressive, so I was able to get a good look at it. Its appearance made me…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The FSBMMs returned, and I was right - I didn't have the firepower to fight them. Luckily someone else did. It was incredible! I've never seen a human move…
Helena Walker · Aberration
What's the saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder? On the Island, I wasn't sure where I stood with Mei Yin, but now we've been catching up like best…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The journey to the village was a bit tricky. Since Rockwell and I lack the high-tech armor the others wear, they had to help us along with rope ladders and…
Helena Walker · Aberration
I have to convince them to stop! There's no way the station will allow this. "This place would never allow anyone to master it." If it weren't for Raia's…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The tribe's leadership was surprisingly receptive to my ideas, but still a bit skeptical. Apparently they've already fiddled with one of the obelisks, and…
Helena Walker · Aberration
My time in the desert may have given me some skill with firearms and helped me get fit - despite failing to give me washboard abs much to my chagrin - but I'm…
Helena Walker · Aberration
Mei Yin and I set out yesterday, alongside a bespectacled computer expert named Santiago. He'll be the one to actually examine the obelisk. He claims that he…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The structure of this space station must be vastly different from the others to allow for these massive caverns. Is that uncommon, or do many of the stations…
Helena Walker · Aberration
They weren't exaggerating when they said the surface was dangerous. Direct exposure to sunlight during the day will quickly burn a human to a crisp, even in…
Helena Walker · Aberration
Santiago's still going over his readings from last night, but even without them, it seems clear that the obelisk was behaving oddly. It was pulsing wildly and…
Helena Walker · Aberration
We shared our findings with the village by radio. Santiago's analysis confirmed what I suspected - the obelisks are highly unstable. They could be days away…
Helena Walker · Aberration
I can't believe it! We actually made it! We're inside the station! There's a platform here that Santiago was able to lock onto. Perhaps it was used while the…
Helena Walker · Aberration
As we made our way deeper into the station, we passed through a massive chamber. It was so vast that I couldn't see the bottom of it from the bridge we were…
Helena Walker · Aberration
Ever since I saw those strange holograms in the Island's control center, I'd considered this possibility in the back of mind, but I wasn't prepared to…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The human specimen room was hard on everyone, but I think it was the worst for Mei Yin. She's gone completely silent, trudging behind Santiago acting like an…
Helena Walker · Aberration
We finally found it! This has to be the obelisk's control room. Fortunately, the consoles here were similar to the ones in the control center that I've used…
Helena Walker · Aberration
Right as Santiago finished hijacking the obelisk, the station unleashed a horde of creatures in self-defense, so we blasted the controls and ran like hell.…
Helena Walker · Aberration
You'd think I'd be more enthused. We saved the village, I confirmed the true nature of these space stations and when the gateway project is complete, we could…
Helena Walker · Aberration
We contacted the village to tell them we succeeded. They were a lot more excited than we were. It was quite raucous actually - cheering, applause, and all…
Helena Walker · Aberration
We got another call from the village, but this one wasn't celebratory. In fact, best we can tell, it was a distress call. Santiago couldn't quite clear up the…
Helena Walker · Aberration
I'd feared we would be too late, but I never expected the village to suffer such complete devastation. There were bodies and debris everywhere. I nearly…
Helena Walker · Aberration
I can't let Mei Yin go after Rockwell alone. It's my fault that he was here. He's my responsibility! So why am I huddled here, writing down my thoughts as…
Helena Walker · Aberration
I caught up with Mei Yin and Rockwell among the flowing rivers of magma in the deepest pits of the caverns, where they were already in the midst of battle. By…
Helena Walker · Aberration
To Sir Edmund Rockwell, Know that I choose to remember you not as the monster you were in your final moments, nor as the secretive, obsessive man you became…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The effects of the monster's rampage still linger. Mei Yin hasn't said a word since we returned. She just stares at that starship necklace, turning it over in…
Helena Walker · Aberration
The gateway is set to be complete tomorrow, so last night, I packed up my things and prepared to say my farewells. Santiago protested, but ultimately…
Helena Walker · Extinction
It's been a while since my last entry, hasn't it? Between all that happened with Rockwell back on the station and the shock of arriving planetside, I've been…
Helena Walker · Extinction
It's hard to believe that this is actually Earth, but the proof Santiago provided is undeniable. The lack of night is disconcerting though, unless you really…
Helena Walker · Extinction
These machines Santiago's building are brilliant! Somehow he's simplified the controls so that even a weirdo biologist like me can move these big blokes as if…
Helena Walker · Extinction
I had a talk with Santiago today. A real one I mean, not the sarcastic banter that's his preferred method of communication. I was pretty surprised, I didn't…
Helena Walker · Extinction
Why does it always feel like everyone's making sacrifices for me? Rockwell, Mei-Yin, Raia, Diana and now Santiago. Just before we could finish powering on the…
Helena Walker · Extinction
With Camp Omega compromised, we've decided to head for the wastes. There's not many of us left, and there's only three mechs remaining - piloted by Mei-Yin,…
Helena Walker · Extinction
The mutated creatures in this wasteland can be as vicious as they are grotesque, but so far we've been able to fend them off in the mechs. There've been a few…
Helena Walker · Extinction
It's funny how the one subject that managed to put Mei-Yin at ease still had to do with fighting. After a fashion, anyway. I'd said that I wanted to talk…
Helena Walker · Extinction
I'm still amazed we actually tried that, and more incredibly, it actually worked! When Mei-Yin said she wanted to try the Mei I Hel-p You maneuver, I thought…
Helena Walker · Extinction
I know it's likely that my memories are implants, but they're so clear that I still think of them as mine. They still shape me. Maybe it's just denial, but I…
Explorer-note transcripts are reproduced from ARK: Survival Ascended for reference. For where each note is physically found, see the map coordinates.