Read our deep dive on the 99 Nights in the Forest Story and the real-life story that inspired the game! Learn more about how the Deer monster behaves with our other 99 Nights in the Forest guide.
99 Nights in the Forest Story
When you first load up 99 Nights in the Forest, the window that appears states that the game is based on a true story, though some details have had to be changed. Following that, drawings depict the story of four children going missing in a forest where a supernatural Deer has been spotted. You have a total of 99 days to solve the mystery and find the children.
The Real Story
While it is not confirmed, players have noticed similarities between the game and the case of the Colombia plane crash. This horrific ordeal involved a plane that crashed into the Amazon rainforest, and only four children survived.
They had to fend for themselves for a total of 40 days before they were found and brought to safety. In 99 Nights in the Forest, you need to find four missing children in the forest.
Additionally, once they had been saved, one of the children (Lesly) drew a picture of a dog with crayons. As mentioned earlier in this guide, there are drawings made from crayons on the floor by the missing children in 99 Nights in the Forest.
The game certainly takes liberties with the story and changes a lot, but maybe players believe the Colombia plane crash is the base inspiration.
What is the Deer?
The Deer is possibly based on the concept of a Wendigo, especially with its appearance. Wendigos are also known to be nocturnal creatures who stalk their prey and are vicious entities that walk on two legs, just like the Deer in the game.
As per the folklore of the Wendigo, they are believed to be created from greed and hunger. If you remember, the Deer in 99 Nights in the Forest has a Hungry form.
It’s common knowledge that deer are afraid of light, hence why you can stun the Deer in 99 Nights in the Forest with a flashlight. Think of the saying ‘like a deer caught in headlights‘!
Cults and Missing Children
From the wooden notice board, you can see that four children are missing. Well, there’s a theory that the Cultists are kidnapping these children to use them as sacrifices, as well as wolves and bears. They’re a cult, after all! To add to the folklore of Wendigos, some believe they are formed by the sin of cannibalism. Maybe the cultists are cannibals?
Tamed bears and wolves help to keep the children captive, whilst the Cultists worship the Deer monster (they also wear deer antlers on their heads). Perhaps the Deer is trying to stop you from finding out? That would explain why it hangs around every night, especially if you step out of your base.
For example, when you find the missing children, they are sitting in a room with crayon drawings of the Deer.
Science Experiments
There’s also the theory that the forest itself was used as some sort of scientific experiment, or at least one was taking place within the forest. One of the pages you can find whilst exploring hints at a lab that ‘may have some answers’. Could this lab be responsible for the Deer’s creation?
