Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Eight

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Seven

You Can’t Just Plant Cabbages & Hope For The Best

The day began innocently enough: me, a farmer. I planted crops. I surveyed my new property. I even admired the way the fence sort of stood up straight if you squinted.

Then came the harsh truth: someone needs to run the place. A steward, apparently. I considered Janessa. But I’ve seen what happens when I leave her behind — bandits get braver, and I get deader. So the plantation gets to manage itself for now. I’ve got adventuring to do.

Rorikstead Road Trip & Unwanted Job Offers

headed west toward Rorikstead, thinking I might find a decent recruit or just a quiet village to loot — I mean, explore.

That’s when the courier found me. Another letter. This time from the Jarl of Falkreath, who has apparently heard great things about me. Which is wild, considering I’ve never been to Falkreath. Either he’s got spies, or the Skyrim rumor mill is on fire.

The jarl wants to make me his thane. Which I’m sure is perfectly normal and not part of some elaborate trap.

Also in Rorikstead: the Alik’r warriors from Whiterun were waiting to follow up on the Redguard woman situation. They asked me to lure her to the stables. Classic bait job. I agreed because gold.

Quest Cleanup, Sneaky Illnesses & Ambush Season

I polished off the “While the Cat’s Away” questline and handed some newly found armor to Janessa, who continues to be my personal vault and bodyguard.

Then I realized I had ataxia, which explained why I suddenly couldn’t pick locks to save my life. One quick sip of a cure disease potion, and we were back in business. No need for a healer when you carry your pharmacy.

On the road again, things took a turn. First East Empire guards ambushed me. Then bandits showed up, probably thinking I was weak from the first fight. Joke’s on them — I was just angry.

I took a torch off one of the guards. Light is life out here. Especially when you’re a lizard.

Broken Fang Cave: Mistakes Were Made

For reasons even I don’t understand, I went into Broken Fang Cave. It looked vampire-y, smelled vampire-y, and yes — it was vampire-y.

Two of them. One was a master vampire, which seems overkill when the total staff is two. I barely made it out alive, with Janessa doing most of the heavy lifting. I now hate caves even more than I did yesterday.

Also: I lost my horse. Twice. I parked it near the cave, then it vanished. Reappeared later. Skyrim horses operate on pocket dimensions. I refuse to believe otherwise.

Whiterun Wrap-Up & Moral Ambiguity

Back in Whiterun, I sold off excess loot and completed the Redguard woman questline. Yes, I lured someone into a trap. No, I don’t feel great about it. Yes, I took the 500 gold. We all have bills to pay.

That should’ve been the end of the day. It wasn’t

A Red Horse, A New Bond, & Horse Armor

On my way out of town again — this time for Ustengrav and the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller — I got distracted. Again. By a red horse. A wild one.

Naturally, I tamed it. Took it back to Whiterun. Named it Loki, because it’s clearly a chaos beast in horse form. Gave it armor. Declared it mine.

Silent Moons Camp: I Finally Stealth Archer Properly

I made one last attempt to head toward Ustengrav, but Silent Moons Camp was too close to ignore. And finally — finally — I had a stealth archer moment worth writing about. I took down bandits without being spotted. Just arrows in the dark and confused grunts. Beautiful.

Found good loot. Gave it to Janessa. Called it a night.

What Actually Got Done Today

• Planted some vegetables

• Discovered I own a farm I don’t want to manage

• Was scouted for a thaneship I didn’t apply for

• Got ambushed — repeatedly

• Became a vampire hunter (reluctantly)

• Caught a chaos horse named Loki

• Lived the stealth archer dream

• Delayed the Greybeards. Again.

For more information, please check out The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Survival Hub

19th Jun 2025 2

A New Challenger Approaches – Welcome to Green Hell

It’s time to trade backyards for the Amazon.

I’m heading into Green Hell, the survival game where nature doesn’t just want you dead—it wants you paranoid, dehydrated, and wondering if that rash is the least of your problems.

This new run is coming soon to the blog, taking its place in the rotation with all the usual Survivor Incognito flair: overly ambitious decisions, chaotic jungle flailing, and a main character who probably should’ve stayed home.

So if you’ve ever wanted to see how fast someone can go from “I’ve got this” to “I think the trees are whispering,” you’re in for a treat.

Stay tuned. The jungle waits.

If you want to see how my first day in the jungle went, please check out Day 1 Diary – Green Hell – Poisoned by Nature, Humbled by Bananas

18th Jun 2025 0

Customloper Diaries Day Two: Blizzards, Boots, and Baseball Cap Confusion

Customloper Diaries – Day 2: Blizzards, Boots, and Baseball Cap Confusion

Weather: Blizzard with a side of regret

Loot Highlight: Mariner’s Pea Coat, Maple Syrup, Three Matches

Mood: Optimistic, then crushed by cooking requirements

Missed the start of this adventure? Read Day 1 here.

Blizzard-Hopping in Milton

I start the day in Grey Mother’s house, do some quick inventory management, and drop 2.5 litres of water—hydration is important, but weight limits are brutal. I also find a third cooking pot beside the fireplace, which I immediately move to the kitchen like the house-proud survivalist I am.

Outside? Blizzard. Naturally.

First stop: the post office. It gives me nothing but disappointment, but the car loot makes up for it—three matches from four vehicles is an impressive haul in a whiteout.

I hop from building to building, clothes getting wetter, warmth draining faster than my optimism. Still, I find a pair of work boots—a welcome upgrade from my starter footwear.

Weather Clears, Map Expands

Eventually, the blizzard dies down. I whip out some charcoal and start sketching like a freezing Bob Ross, mapping out more of Milton.

The improved visibility leads to some solid loot:

Rabbit meat in a freezer
A glorious Mariner’s Pea Coat (cue dramatic coat-swirling montage)

Loot, Syrup & Sadness

In another house, I pick up a can opener and a cozy pair of wool long johns. Back at Grey Mother’s, I drop off my spoils—deer and rabbit meat, sticks, and reclaimed wood. My outdoor meat stash is growing nicely.

With some time left in the day, I loot another house and find maple syrup. I get stupidly excited. Lily’s Pancakes are within reach! Or so I think…

Turns out I need Cooking Level 4 and acorn grounds. Who knew pancakes were an advanced skill? The disappointment is real.

Also found: another chunk of deer meat in the freezer. I’ll take it.

Peak Chaos: The Baseball Cap Incident

I end the day attempting to harvest a baseball cap for cloth. Instead, I drop it. Then I drop it again. Then I drop it somewhere else. Apparently, I’ve been out in the cold too long.

Back at base, I drop the last of my meat stash outside, harvest some clothes, fill up on food and drink, and wrap up Day 2. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll make it to that memento cache.

Continue the Journey

18th Jun 2025 3

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

Debt cleared, upgrades unlocked, and still no Black Grouper in sight. Day 3 of my Dredge permadeath run brings ship upgrades, mysterious messages in bottles, and the creeping fog of midnight.

Missed the previous day? Read it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two

The Package Delivery, Finally

After two days of stumbling around like I had no idea where I was going (because I didn’t), I finally discovered that my map exists. You know, the thing that tells you where stuff is? Turns out that helps.

With my newfound cartographic skills, I double-checked that Little Marrow hadn’t mysteriously drifted off into the abyss overnight. Satisfied, I set sail and arrived at 8:14 AM.

The dockworker greeted me like a man who’d been waiting a while for this delivery. He took the package (still no idea what was in it — apparently it was “fresh,” which feels mildly concerning) and handed over $25. That nearly covered my hull repair bill from last night’s adventures, so I’ll take the win.

He also handed me a book on sustainable fishing — whether that’s foreshadowing or just helpful remains to be seen. Oh, and I got the usual “stop by for a chat” offer. I might actually take him up on that. Maybe he’ll tell me what was in that package.

Trinkets & Treasures

While I was in the area, I stopped by the Trader on Little Marrow. He seems keen to buy any “special trinkets” I find lying around the sea. Given the kinds of things washing up out here, I’m not sure if that’s entrepreneurial or deeply suspicious.

The Hunt for the Elusive Black Grouper

With business handled, I headed back out and activated my newly acquired fishing book, because reading on the job is apparently acceptable when you’re on a boat. At 11:53 AM, I pulled up a respectable haul of 5 cod. Not bad.

I then went searching for another fishing spot, hoping to finally locate a Black Grouper for the Fishmonger’s special order. Along the way, I spotted something floating — a message in a bottle. Curiosity overruled caution, as usual.

Inside was… well, let’s just say people out here write very dramatic love letters. But nothing that helps me find a Black Grouper.

I fished up 3 blue mackerel instead, then headed back to Greater Marrow to sell my catch. Docked safely at 4:35 PM.

Debt-Free and Dry Dock Dreams

After offloading my haul at the Fishmonger, the Mayor popped up like a bad jump scare. Good news though:

The Dry Dock is now open for business.

The Fishmonger’s facilities have been improved.

And most importantly: my debt is officially cleared.

Feels good not to owe anyone anything — though in this town, I’m sure they’ll find new ways to get my money.

I went to check out the Dry Dock, where the Shipwright explained I can now upgrade my vessel — provided I bring her the required materials. These materials are mostly found at shipwrecks, which sounds safe and completely unproblematic.

One Last Attempt Before Madness (Literally)

With the day slipping away, I made one last push to find this cursed Black Grouper. Night fell. Still no luck.

Since I was out, I decided to install a cracked bulb upgrade at the Shipwright, which somehow brought the time to 9:50 PM.

And because I enjoy dancing with doom, I made one final sweep after midnight. The fog rolled in right on cue. At that point, my sense of self-preservation kicked in and I hightailed it back to Greater Marrow to live another day.

Daily Summary

Fish Caught: 5 Cod, 3 Blue Mackerel
Debt Remaining: None (Debt cleared)
Madness Strikes: Still just one
Damage Taken: None
Suspicious Package Count: One (Delivered)
Upgrades Unlocked: Dry Dock operational, Shipwright expansion, Fishmonger improvements
Notable Finds: Message in a bottle (Read)

If you’d like to know more, please check out: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival

For information on the rules, please check out: Dark Waters: Dredge Permadeath Rules & Survival Guide

17th Jun 2025 2

How I Handle Permadeath (and Still Sleep at Night)

Also: A Sunburnt & Sinking Tease You Didn’t Know You Needed

Permadeath. The challenge. The chaos. The deeply personal betrayal when a lovingly named character walks off a cliff because you misjudged a ledge.

This post is part ruleset, part philosophy, and part gentle teaser — because yes, one of my current runs has already ended. And no, you won’t find out how for at least two months.

I play ahead — sometimes way ahead — because it gives me time to write, screenshot, cry, and recover before you all read about it. So yes, I already know how some of my stories end. That doesn’t mean I’m any more emotionally prepared.

My Permadeath Rules (Across the Blog)

🛑 One life. Always.
If the game lets me die permanently, I do. No save-scumming. No reloads. If I glitch through the map, we roll with it.

🧤 Difficulty is flexible.
I don’t always play on the hardest difficulty — because surviving should be intense but still fun. I tailor it per series: Customloper for The Long Dark, Apprentice for Skyrim, standard settings in Stranded Deep.

🪦 Once they die, they go to The Graveyard.
Every character gets an obituary. Sometimes dramatic, sometimes… deeply stupid. Either way, the blog remembers them.

🎣 Runs are usually played a month or two ahead.
So if something goes wrong? You’ll find out… eventually.

🌴 Coming Soon(ish): Sunburnt & Sinking

Yes, Stranded Deep is on the way. Yes, the series is called Sunburnt & Sinking.

Stay tuned. It’s equal parts sunstroke and sharks.

🧭 Want to Know More?

If you’re wondering why I don’t always crank the difficulty to maximum chaos, there’s a reason for that — and it’s not just because I like my limbs frostbite-free.

Check out my full page:
👉 Why I Play On Easier Difficulties

And if you’re curious about the rules behind each of my survival runs, from Customloper to Backyard Trials:
👉 Rules of Survival – According To Me

Because every survival story has its own set of ground rules — even the weird ones involving crows and deer that somehow win the fight.

16th Jun 2025 1

Here’s What’s Coming This Week – June 16 to 22

From fishing mishaps to Skyrim sniping and a custom cold-weather panic run, here’s what’s planned this week on Survivor Incognito.

The Week Ahead

The schedule is packed — except for Monday, which is still being negotiated with the universe. But the rest of the week? Solid chaos incoming:

❓ Monday – ???
Let’s call it… a mystery. Maybe a new Survivor’s Short? Maybe I finally win a wolf fight? Maybe I stare at a snow shelter and question my life choices. Stay tuned.

🌊 Tuesday – Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three
Debt cleared, upgrades unlocked, and still no idea what’s lurking beneath the boat. Let’s fish. Let’s panic.

❄ Wednesday – Customloper Diaries Day 2: Blizzards, Boots, and Baseball Cap Confusion
Day 2 of my Customloper survival in The Long Dark. Mild weather? Never heard of her.

🗡 Thursday – Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival – Day Eight
Skyrim continues. The Argonian’s sneak streak lives on, unless someone spots him — in which case, panic magic it is.

🪓 Friday – The Backyard Trials: Grounded Day One – Honey, I Lost Myself in the Backyard
It’s tiny, it’s deadly, and I’ve already lost my bearings. Welcome to Grounded permadeath.

More Survival Incoming

There’s more to come, including mystery Mondays, drowned diaries, and maybe a few unexpected wolves. Stick around — the chaos is scheduled.

15th Jun 2025 0

Here’s What You Missed This Week – Survival Recap

From rabbits with better reflexes than me to undead sniper ambushes, here’s the full recap of what went live this week on Survivor Incognito.

The Week in Review

Another week, another round of chaos, permadeath, and poor life choices in the name of survival. Let’s take a look at what went live:

🐇 Monday: Survivor’s Shorts – The Rabbit Which Got Up and Left
Yes, I stunned a rabbit. No, I didn’t catch it. Yes, it got up, looked me dead in the eyes, and walked away like it had somewhere better to be.

Survivor’s Shorts: The Rabbit Got Up and Left Like I Wasn’t Even Worth It

🌊 Tuesday: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two
The paranoia sets in. Fish with extra eyes, fog with extra vibes, and a to-do list that mostly reads “don’t die.” Just another day on the water.

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Two

❄ Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles – Day Six
It’s cold. It’s bleak. There are wolves. So naturally, I went exploring. Because that’s never gone wrong before.

The Cold Chronicles Day Six: A Voyageur’s Tale of The Long Dark

🗡 Thursday: Skyrim Survival – Day Seven
Sneak, snipe, and regret. The Argonian continues the journey through frost, bandits, and the occasional vampire attack.

Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Seven

🧟 Friday: Day One Diary – Zombie Army Trilogy
The zombies were waiting. The rifle jammed (emotionally, not mechanically). Welcome to permadeath mode, where the first day might also be the last.

Survivor Incognito: Zombie Army Trilogy – Day One Diary

Stay Frosty (and maybe carry a torch)

More survival tales are just around the corner. Thanks for reading, and remember — if something looks too quiet, it’s probably a wolf.

14th Jun 2025 0

It’s Friday the 13th – Zombie Army Trilogy Day One Diary Is Now Live

What better day to fight Nazi zombies than Friday the 13th?

The first entry in my Zombie Army Trilogy experience is now live on the blog. I step into the boots of Hermann Wolf, load into “The Berlin Horror,” and quickly learn that ammo is limited, aim is important, and zombies don’t like staying dead.

Expect:

● Occult seals

● Suicidal zombies

● A lot of shotgun usage

● And the slow decline of my confidence in Marksman difficulty

All of that — and more — in Zombie Army Trilogy: Day One Diary.
Read it now… if you dare.

🧟‍♂️
🔗 Day One Diary – Zombie Army Trilogy

Grounded: The Backyard Trials starts next week

13th Jun 2025 0

Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Seven

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Six

Where Am I and What’s a Spellbook?

I set out from Ivarstead with big plans: make it back to Whiterun, restock, maybe actually figure out what I’m doing. Instead, I quickly discovered that I had absolutely no idea where I was going.

Rather than rely on my highly suspect sense of direction, I remembered I’d picked up a spellbook for Clairvoyance at some point. I read it, learned the spell, and just like that, I could now cast Skyrim’s version of GPS. A glowing blue trail lit the way toward my next objective—assuming I had enough magicka to keep it active, which I didn’t, but the principle was there.

A Lonely Cabin, a Note, and a Rabbit Named Thistle

While following the vague trail of clairvoyance (and mild panic), I came across an abandoned alchemist’s shack in the woods. Inside was the usual—alchemy gear, some scattered ingredients—and a rabbit. The note next to the rabbit revealed its name: Thistle. The game then offered me the option to feed Thistle a carrot, which I did.

Now I have a rabbit.
No dramatic bonding scene, no magical contract. Just: “You fed me, I guess we’re friends now.”

I decided to leave Thistle at the cabin for now. They’re safer there than following me through wolf-infested terrain, and I’m not quite ready to explain rabbit-related injuries to guards.

Wolves, Hunters, and the Temptation of Horse Theft

Continuing toward Whiterun, I encountered the usual:

A few wolves, which I dispatched with mild irritation.

A hunter on horseback who offered to trade. I was tempted to take the horse, but noticed they only had 10 gold to their name. Figured they needed it more than me.

Took the high road. The game didn’t reward me for it. Standard Skyrim.

Back to Riverwood and a Missing Torch

I passed through Riverwood and unloaded some gear. Remember the torch I accidentally sold to the Riverwood Trader earlier? Gone. Apparently, it was in high demand. Either that or it spontaneously combusted.

Sold some junk, didn’t freeze to death, counted that as a win.

Thieves and Stable Investments

Just outside Whiterun, a thief jumped me. Bad call on their part. I’m increasingly well-armed and increasingly done with nonsense. They dropped a few coins and a reminder that Skyrim has no shortage of opportunists.

At the Whiterun stables, I finally bought a horse. Cost me a chunk of gold, but now I’m mobile. Then I saw I could buy armor for the horse and, well, I’m not made of stone. Gold well spent. The horse now looks like it could take on a sabre cat solo.

Meet Jenassa: Professional Help for Hire

Instead of chasing down the Companions again, I walked into the Drunken Huntsman and hired Jenassa, a Dunmer mercenary with a very straightforward business model: pay her and she’ll stab things. I like her.

She joined up, and we set off toward Rorikstead, where I figured we could find some peace and maybe not be attacked by anything for five minutes.

Haunted Houses and Unexpected Assassins

On the way, we found a run-down plantation with a ghost standing out front. Naturally, the ghost was hostile—because nothing in Skyrim is just there for atmosphere. I dealt with it and went inside, triggering the Unquiet Dead quest.

That’s when an assassin ambushed me inside the house. Because of course they did.

Turns out the Dark Brotherhood wants me dead. Not sure what I did. Maybe I fed a rabbit that was on their hit list. Either way, they failed. I looted a contract from the assassin’s corpse confirming someone wants me very much gone.

After dealing with the ghost problem, I was handed the keys to the plantation. I now own a haunted house with no furnishings, no heat, and no privacy—but it’s mine.

Day’s End: Horse, Home, Henchwoman, and Homicide

So to recap:

Learned to use Clairvoyance to avoid constant map-checking

Adopted a rabbit

Resisted temptation to steal

Bought a horse and upgraded it

Hired Jenassa as backup

Survived an assassination attempt

Acquired real estate via murder and ghosts

Not exactly restful, but it’s progress.

For more information on this, please check out: The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Survival Hub

12th Jun 2025 2