Category: Permadeath Runs

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – The Final Days

In today’s entry of my Dredge permadeath run, I dredge up mysterious junk, mistake a deadly Angler for a friendly boat, earn my second Madness Strike, and finally sink myself by sailing straight into rocks. A fitting end for the S.S. Bad Decisions.

Missed the previous entry? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Six

Day 7 in Dredge: The Key to My Demise

Well, it’s been a while since I last braved these haunted waters, but after reacquainting myself with what needed doing, I set out to sea. I found my first spot to dredge the depths—and promptly learned I am terrible at it. I’m so used to fishing and avoiding the holes that trying to aim for them scrambled my poor sailor brain. After some flailing, I eventually nailed it and dredged up… a roll of paper. Followed by another one. I briefly wondered if I could flog them to the Trader as antique toilet paper.

Onwards I went, and at my next dredging spot, success! I fished up a key. The Collector wants this, so off I went, aiming for what I thought was Blackstone Isle. I saw a red X on my map and figured that had to be the place.

Dear reader, I was sorely mistaken.

Instead of heading south, I went north, homing in on that red X like a determined—but geographically challenged—pigeon. As I pondered my navigation skills, night fell. And boy, did it fall hard. It got so dark that when I spotted another ship’s lights, I felt a flicker of excitement; finally, another vessel! Except… it wasn’t a friendly ship. It was the glowing lure of what I assume was a giant Angler fish. It rammed me, leaving me with two points of hull damage. Lovely. I also earned my second Madness Strike for my troubles.

Eventually, I docked, only to discover I wasn’t at Blackstone Isle at all—I’d landed at Steel Point. I decided that was enough excitement for one day and called it a night.

Day 8 (aka The Final Voyage)

Normally, this is where I’d sign off, but I decided to roll right into what turned out to be my final day. What brought about my watery end, you ask? My own steering.

I undocked, ready to head for Greater Marrow, only to immediately slam into some rocks. That final scrape took out the last of my hull integrity, and my ship went down. Madness didn’t get me. A sea monster didn’t get me. My own driving did me in.

Really didn’t think I’d end the run due to my driving. Guess I’ll stick to Mario Kart

RIP, S.S. Bad Decisions. You will not be missed.

Lesson learned: In Dredge, the real horror isn’t what lurks beneath the waves—it’s what happens when I’m behind the wheel. Stay tuned; maybe next time I’ll master basic navigation… or at least buy a map that doesn’t betray me.

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This Week: One Ends, One Begins

Just a quick reminder that Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival wraps up this week. One last day of eldritch fishing, creeping madness, and questionable boat choices.

But the tide doesn’t settle for long — SnowRunner: The Permagear Diaries kicks off this Friday. Less sea, more sludge. And probably just as many bad decisions.

Stick around. The chaos continues.

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Here’s What You Missed at Survivor Incognito

Another week, another set of chaotic survival tales. If you blinked, here’s what went live on the blog:

  • Tuesday: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Six
  • Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles – Day Eight
  • Thursday: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat – Day Eleven
  • Friday: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Final Entry

One story wraps up, others carry on. Thanks for tagging along—more survival chaos ahead next week.

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No New Dino Disaster Today — But Here’s One You May Have Missed

I was planning to post a brand-new Day One Diary for ARK today… but life, as it tends to do, had other plans. Between work, chores, and trying not to get stomped myself, there just wasn’t time to spawn, craft, and get eaten properly.

So instead, here’s a look back at one of my previous ARK Day One disasters — complete with early optimism and inevitable doom, along with some others:
👉 [Day One Diaries | Survival Game Playthroughs & First-Day Survival Challenges]

New entries are still coming soon. SnowRunner kicks off on Friday, and more chaos is always just around the corner.

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Eulogy: The Backyard Wins This Round!

She never asked for this.
She never wanted to be shrunk down and tossed into a backyard where everything — ants, mites, bees, spiders, the wind — wanted her dead.
She just wanted to craft a lean-to, maybe roast some gnat meat, and figure out why the grass was taller than a skyscraper.

But she was brave.
She fixed lasers. She investigated an oak tree that promptly exploded.
She learned to fear the sounds of tiny feet in the grass.
She fought valiantly with spears, fists, and panic as her most reliable tools.

In the end, it was the bugs that got her. As they always do.
Not the spiders, no — that would’ve at least made sense.
No, her end came via something smaller. Meaner. Possibly several somethings.
The logs are unclear. The screaming was not.

She will be remembered for her resilience, her questionable armor choices, and her ability to stay alive just long enough for things to get interesting.

Rest in pieces, Backyard Explorer.
You were small, but your chaos was mighty.

Read their tale here: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath

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The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Four

Day 4 of my Grounded permadeath run ends in tangled webs and tragedy. I go on a grub hunt, dodge danger, and fall victim to a tag team of Crab Weavers in a very sticky situation.

Missed the previous day? Find it here:The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath – Day Three

🌅 Morning Optimism and Muddy Water

I wake up ready to dig. A shovel in hand and dreams of juicy grubs in my head, I set off convinced today will be the day I solve my hydration issues.

The game disagrees.

Despite digging around like a hyperactive mole, I can’t find a single grub. My thirst level’s tanking faster than my optimism, so I do the one thing I swore I’d never do again—drink the dirty water.

Let’s just say it quenched the thirst, but also quenched a small part of my soul.

🔎 Exploration… and a Red Flag

With no grubs in sight, I pivot to exploration. Maybe I’ll find a new science pod. Maybe I’ll find some dew. Maybe I’ll finally catch a break.

I find another science pod—score!

I also find a Crab Weaver—less of a score.

I do a tactical retreat (read: panic sprint) and live to fight another moment. Once the coast seems clear, I try heading back in.

🕸️ The End Comes in Eight-Legged Waves

What I don’t realise is that a Crab Weaver Jr. is nearby. It spots me. It’s faster than me. And worse, my weapons might as well be cocktail sticks.

I attempt a second retreat.

That’s when Crab Weaver Sr. shows up again. I get stuck in a web.

I’d love to say I fought bravely. I didn’t. I flailed, screamed, and got tag-teamed into the afterlife by two angry arachnids.

🪦 Farewell to the Backyard For Now

Run ends: Day 4

Cause of death: Crab Weaver Jr. and Sr. – A United Front
Final thoughts: If you’re thirsty, drink dew. If you can’t find dew… maybe just accept your fate.

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📍 Map Added! Controls, Too!

Just a quick update for all fellow sunburnt survivors: I’ve added a couple of useful visuals to the Stranded Deep hub page—
🧭 A screenshot of my starting map (so you know where I washed up)
🎮 And the Nintendo Switch controls I’m using to wrestle with coconuts, crabs, and my own bad decisions

You’ll find both right below the Series Overview section. Whether you’re following along or planning your own island misadventures, I hope it helps!

Back to hunting crabs.
(Out of revenge, not necessity. Mostly.)

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Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Eleven

Loki the MVP, and Ustengrav Gets Sneaky

Day 11 of my Skyrim Survival Mode playthrough on Nintendo Switch. I cure my vampire disease, nearly lose the run to disconnected controls, and finally become the stealth archer I keep pretending to be.

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Skyrim Survival Day Ten

Cured, Not Cursed

After some internal debate, I decided to cure the disease before I fully turned vampire. I’m not ruling out the vampire lifestyle forever, but for now I prefer my Argonian warm-blooded and not photophobic. Maybe next time.

Ustengrav Ambush: Hooves First, Questions Later

Outside Ustengrav, I’m ambushed by three bandits and a necromancer. Could’ve been the end of the run—especially when my Joy-Cons disconnected mid-fight. Nothing like fumbling for a controller while enemies swing for your skull.

Luckily, Loki stepped in. I dismounted and used hit-and-run tactics while my horse quite literally stomped the threat out of them. Between the panic, arrows, and hooves, we made it through.

Depths of Ustengrav: Stealth Archer, Finally

Inside, I finally commit to the stealth archer lifestyle I keep pretending I’ve mastered. Draugr fall one by one to well-placed arrows, never knowing what hit them. This is the dream.

For a brief moment, I wonder if there’s a way to bring Loki into dungeons. Probably not. Still, the mental image of a stealth horse sneaking past Draugr is one I’ll cherish.

The Horn Is… Missing?

Reach the end of Ustengrav, expecting to claim the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Instead, I find a note. Great. Someone’s stolen it and wants a private meeting at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood. Because that’s not suspicious at all.

Back to Morthal

With the dungeon cleared and no horn in sight, I head back to the inn in Morthal to thaw out and call it a day. I’ll deal with mystery notes and secret meetings tomorrow. For now, I’ve earned some warm food and sleep.

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

The Cold Chronicles – Day 8: Blizzard Brain, Coffee Dreams, and the Wolf-Bear Gauntlet

Difficulty: Voyageur
Optional Features: Cougar enabled (because why not add another predator?)

On Day 8 of my The Long Dark Voyageur playthrough, a blizzard delays my journey to Mystery Lake, a wolf ruins my wardrobe, and a bear guards the one safe house I actually needed.

Missed Day 7? Read it here.

The World Says “No”

I woke up in the garage feeling ready. It was finally time to leave Mountain Town. I had supplies, a rifle, semi-repaired clothes, and a general sense of purpose. I opened the door—and immediately closed it again.

A blizzard. Whiteout conditions. Zero visibility. It sounded like the wind was trying to eat the building.

So instead of forging ahead, I read a sewing book for three hours. Not the action-packed survival story I’d hoped to tell, but hey—knowledge is warmth, and warmth is survival.

Loot Cache and a Coffee Blessing

When the blizzard passed, I made use of the break in weather to drop off excess gear in the garage and go hunting for anything I might’ve missed before I left the region. Turned out to be a smart call.

I found a few food items, a fishing book for future lakeside relaxation, and a couple precious packets of coffee—liquid courage for the road ahead. I also stumbled on a note tucked inside one of the buildings. It mentioned someone heading for Mystery Lake in search of shelter. That was the nudge I needed. If someone else thought it was a good spot to survive, it was good enough for me.

Destination: Mystery Lake. All I had to do was make it there alive.

A Wolf, a Cabin, and a Bear

I started my journey out of Coastal Highway with cautious optimism. I knew the route wouldn’t be easy, but I wasn’t expecting the game to throw both a wolf and a bear at me before I hit the transition zone.

The wolf spotted me and started trailing from behind. I lit my only torch, hoping to ward it off. The flame sputtered and died immediately. Classic.

I sprinted toward a nearby cabin, figuring I could slam the door behind me and catch my breath. That plan fell apart the second I saw the bear casually loitering near the entrance. Just vibing. Just existing. In my exact path.

I did a full 180 and ran like my life depended on it—because it did.

Firearms and Failure

The wolf was still chasing me. Desperate, I turned, pulled out my rifle, aimed, and missed completely. Either the cold got to me or I was too panicked to aim. Probably both.

The wolf lunged and took me down. I fought it off, but not before it shredded one of my best hats and ripped into some of my gear. More repairs. More cloth. More silent rage.

Back to the Garage

Wounded, frustrated, and very much not at Mystery Lake, I limped back to the garage like a defeated scavenger. I spent the rest of the evening repairing what I could, drinking some of that hard-earned coffee, and trying not to think about the bear still blocking the one safe house that could’ve saved me.

On the bright side, I survived. Barely. Day 9 will be my next attempt to leave this place behind—for real this time.

Unless it blizzards again. Or the bear moves in permanently.

Continue the journey:
Day 7 |
Day 9
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Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Six

A mysterious mansion, a weird engine, and an eyeball fish that failed to impress. Day 6 of the Dredge permadeath run brings new quests, strange artefacts, and a Collector with a taste for cursed objects.

Missed the previous day? You can find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival Day Five

A Photographer, a Mansion, and the Case of the Unsold Fish

The day starts before I’ve even had a chance to stretch my sea legs. The Mayor greets me with a new concern—apparently a photographer passed through recently, heading south. I’m told I should find her and say hello. Social obligations while I’m fishing for my life? Fine. I’ll add it to the to-do list… just beneath “don’t go mad at sea.”

I set off from Greater Marrow and head south, making landfall on the first island that looks like it might have plumbing. It turns out to be Blackstone Isle, which sounds charming in the “haunted Victorian manor” kind of way. I arrive at 8:55 AM.

I check the mansion—naturally, it’s locked. I poke around the nearby workshop instead, only to find a Sign of Ruin and something called an arterial engine, which I assume isn’t medically approved. I also learn a harsh lesson: I forgot to sell yesterday’s catch. Either that or the game saved before I did. Either way, I’m hauling stinky fish back to town.

Selling Fish and Summoning Fishy Deals

I dock at Greater Marrow around 12:49 PM and go through the usual unloading dance with the Fishmonger. Then I chat with the Mysterious Figure again, who—surprise—sends me back to Blackstone Isle.

Naturally, I fish on the way. Because of course I do. This time I reel in an all-seeing cod, which sounds cool until I try to impress the Fishmonger with it later and he gives me a book instead of admiration. Apparently, cod with eyeballs where they shouldn’t be are so last season.

At 16:12 PM, I dock at Blackstone Isle again. This time, the mansion is open and I meet The Collector, who is absolutely not sinister at all. I hand over the handkerchief I fished out of a monster, and he offers to upgrade my ship to allow dredging—basically seabed looting. Sounds good!

He gives me a cursed scavenger hunt: find a ring, necklace, watch, music box, and key. Why do I feel like I’m helping someone complete a haunted wedding registry?

Grouper Disappointment and DIY Moving Services

I attempt once again to find the elusive Black Grouper on the return journey. I fail again. The Grouper and I are clearly not fated to meet.

Back in Greater Marrow at 22:55 PM, I get flagged down by multiple NPCs who seem to think I don’t have enough to do:

The Lighthouse Keeper shares a shipwreck location.

The Builder wants to move and gives me a shopping list:

● 2x Lumber

● 2x Scrap

● Deliver to Steel Point

I finish my last few conversations, sell the disappointing fish, and finally rest—making sure to save and quit properly this time so I don’t repeat the rotting-fish incident.

Daily Summary

Date: Day 6
Events:

Spoke to the Mayor about the missing Photographer

Visited Blackstone Isle and found the Sign of Ruin

Forgot to sell fish from Day 5

Met The Collector and received dredge equipment

Fished an all-seeing cod (not as exciting as it sounds)

Got quests from the Lighthouse Keeper and the Builder

Still haven’t caught a Black Grouper

Slept peacefully after a long, confusing day

Want to know more about what this is and what rules I need to follow? Please read the Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival hub page

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