Category: Rules of Survival

🎉 We Hit 1,000 Views! – A Survivor’s First Milestone

Estimated time to read: Slightly less time than it takes to get eaten by a wolf in Voyageur mode.

Somehow, somewhere, in between falling through the ice in The Long Dark, and getting flattened by a doedicurus in ARK—I hit 1,000 views on this blog.

One. Thousand. Views.

I don’t know which one of you read the Subnautica Maps page more than once, but I appreciate you. Whether you’re here for map guides, day one disasters, or just to feel better about your own survival skills—you made this happen.

So to celebrate:

I’m still alive (in at least one save file).

The permadeath chaos continues.

More games are coming (seriously, there’s a Subnautica diary on the horizon and I may be foolishly eyeing Blast Corps as a permadeath challenge—because why not add demolition trucks to my stress levels?).


To everyone who’s clicked, read, liked, or even accidentally stumbled here while Googling “how to not die in Mystery Lake”—thank you. The chaos is portable, but so is the community we’re building here.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has clicked on my little corner of chaos on the Internet.

Here’s to the next 1,000 views—and maybe even surviving past Day Five next time.

Stay warm. Stay weird. Stay Incognito.
– Survivor Incognito

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Day One Diaries Return Tuesday – This Time, It’s Stranded Deep

Just a quick heads-up: a new Day One Diary drops this Tuesday, and we’re heading somewhere sunny… and deadly. That’s right — it’s time for Stranded Deep.

The Day One warm-up lands this week. The official permadeath run starts next week.

Get ready for sunburns, sharks, and me trying to build a raft that doesn’t immediately flip over.

Want to get caught up? Check out the hub page for Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary.

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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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Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Five

The search for one stubborn fish continues. Instead, I find a mutant flounder, a handkerchief inside a fish, and a shady stranger with a business proposition. Also, I upgrade my boat’s engine, because speed might save my life.

Missed the previous day? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four

The Elusive Fish and the Flounder of Nightmares

I began Day 5, once again hoping to finally catch this Black Grouper that seems more myth than fish at this point. With desperate optimism, I set out, casting my line into the nearest fishing spot. The sea, as always, had other plans.

First bite?
A Cyclopean Flounder.

It stared back at me with its single eye and enough teeth to make a dentist weep. Not the fish I was after, but a catch nonetheless.

I kept fishing, still determined. A Gulf Flounder followed, then a Stingray, and finally a lone Cod. Still no sign of the Grouper. As if the ocean wanted to taunt me further, I spotted another message bobbing in the waves.

Another Message, Another Mystery

I fished up the bottle and stashed the message, adding one more note to my growing collection of cryptic correspondence. Given how last night played out, I didn’t want to risk another late return. I steered back toward Greater Marrow and docked at 6:24 PM — safely ahead of nightfall this time.

The Handkerchief Surprise

The Fishmonger, completely unfazed by the mutant flounder, carved it open with all the care of a man slicing a ham sandwich. Inside?
A delicately patterned handkerchief.

Because of course there’s a handkerchief inside the cyclopean mutant.

He handed it over without a second thought. Not sure why I need a bloodstained fish hanky, but I suspect someone on Lesser Marrow might know. Before I could make inquiries, however, my day took a turn.

The Stranger on the Dock

As I sat in my boat, a man appeared at the dock. He didn’t step closer, just stood watching.

He knew I had spoken with the Fishmonger.

Creepy.

He offered to examine the handkerchief… but only if I met him at Blackstone Isle. South of Greater Marrow. He mentioned a “business proposition.” That always ends well.

Speed Upgrade: Because Running May Soon Be Required

Before ending the day, I stopped by the Shipwright. She handed me a book titled “Correct Engine Operation.” Subtle.

I also installed an Improved Outboard Engine, moving my old engine into storage. If I’m about to get involved in someone’s “business proposition,” having more speed felt like a solid investment.

With that done, I called it a night — and will decide tomorrow if a trip to Blackstone Isle is brave or just plain stupid.

Daily Summary

  • Fish Caught: 1 Cyclopean Flounder, 1 Gulf Flounder, 1 Stingray, 1 Cod
  • Madness Strikes: Still just one
  • Damage Taken: None
  • New Item Obtained: Delicately Patterned Handkerchief
  • Business Propositions Recieved: 1 (Blackstone Isle invitation)

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

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Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Four

Fishing frustrations, elusive groupers, a shiny new rod upgrade, and a very foggy late-night encounter with a suspicious rock. Day 4 of the Dredge permadeath run tests both my patience and my sanity.

Missed day three? Find it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

The Great Grouper Hunt (That Wasn’t)

The morning plan was simple: head out early, catch fish, finally land that mysterious Black Grouper, and pretend I’m not on the verge of bankruptcy. But the sea, as always, had other plans.

I head straight out and find several fishing spots—most of which give me the “you need better equipment” message. Apparently, my starter rod wasn’t cutting it. Still, I manage to pull up 7 blue mackerel and a lone grey eel. Not exactly the haul I was hoping for, but at least the cooler wasn’t empty.

Somewhere along the way, my studies in Sustainable Fishing pay off: book finished, and now I have a 10% chance of not reducing fish stocks every time I catch something with a rod. You’d think that would make me feel better about the environment. It mostly makes me feel better about my wallet.

By 4:36 PM, I pull back into Greater Marrow, snagging one last mackerel on the way in. Still no sign of a Grouper, though I’m starting to question whether they’re actually real or just a fishmonger fever dream.

After selling my haul, I decide it’s time for some serious gear. I visit the Shipwright, sell off my old Simple Skimmer, and upgrade to a shiny new Weighted Line. The installation takes 3 hours, which means by the time I’m ready to head out again, it’s already 7:39 PM.

Unionised Fish and Fog – And Maybe Rocks?

Determined (or possibly just stubborn), I head back out into the night. With my new line, surely the elusive Grouper will finally show itself.

Spoiler: it does not.

Between 7:39 PM and 2:20 AM, I catch absolutely nothing. It’s like the fish all formed a union and declared tonight a strike. The only thing I catch is frustration.

With the fog rolling in thick, visibility drops to near zero. I briefly spot some shiny things off in the distance—potential treasure, or more likely, a quick route to a Madness Strike. I wisely decide not to push my luck.

And then there was the rock.
At one point, something comes into view near the edge of my light. It had that familiar red tinge that usually means my panicked brain is starting to see things that aren’t there. But as I moved closer and got it fully under the light, the red vanished and it looked completely normal.

So was it real?
Probably.
Maybe.
Hopefully.

For the sake of my Madness Strike counter, I’m calling it real. But let’s just say the boat was very carefully steered around it, just in case.

I pull into dock and call it a night. Day 4 closes with no Grouper, a slightly better rod, one near-debate with my own sanity, and a growing suspicion that the fish are mocking me.

Daily Summary

  • Fish Caught: 7 Blue Mackerel, 1 Grey Eel
  • Madness Strikes: Still just one
  • Damage Taken: None (rock judged real – no collision)

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

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

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🧭 Weekly Recap – Survive, Sleep, Repeat

Catch up on the latest survival stories from Survivor Incognito, including permadeath tips, The Long Dark’s Customloper progress, Skyrim Survival struggles, and our chaotic first steps in Grounded. Your weekly roundup of cozy chaos and portable panic is here!

Monday:

💀 How I Handle Permadeath (And Still Sleep at Night)
I laid out my personal rules for permadeath, how I cope when a character dies a stupid death (usually of my own doing), and why it somehow keeps me coming back for more. Survival tip: Sleep helps. So does sarcasm.

Read it here: How I Handle Permadeath (and Still Sleep at Night)

Tuesday

📜 Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three
We went further out to sea, saw things we probably shouldn’t have, and learned that fish aren’t the only things lurking in the dark. Spoiler: sanity is overrated.

Read it here: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day Three

Wednesday

🏔 Customloper – Day Two
Mountain Town continues to be less “cosy alpine retreat” and more “conveniently located death trap.” At least we are still in one piece. Mostly.

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

Thursday

🗡 Skyrim Survival – Day Eight
Frostbite, bandits, and the general annoyance of being overencumbered after picking up one too many cabbages. Classic Skyrim survival energy.

Read it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat Day Eight

Friday:

🏡 Grounded – Day One
Honey, I Shrunk the Panic. First day in the backyard brought bugs, dehydration, and a steep learning curve. That aphid had it coming.

Read it here: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Day One – Honey, I Lost Myself in the Backyard

Coming next week:

🧊 More Long Dark, more Dark Waters, more Skyrim, and a deeper dive into the backyard horrors of Grounded. If we’re lucky, there may even be fireflies. If not, probably just death by thirst.

I’ll also hopefully have the Day One Diary for Don’t Starve up. And will explain the the rules for Snowrunner Survival. But these are both hopefully as I’m currently under the weather at the time of this going up. Thank goodness for being able to schedule posts though.

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The Backyard Trials: Grounded Day One – Honey, I Lost Myself in the Backyard

Day One of my Grounded permadeath run. I wake up microscopic, clueless, and desperate for clean water. Let the backyard chaos begin.

The Day I Became Smaller Than an Ant (Not by Choice)

I wake up. I don’t know where I am, how I got here, or why everything around me is suddenly the size of skyscrapers. I’m not ant-sized. I’m smaller than an ant. That’s never a great start to the day. But if panic has taught me anything, it’s that panic can wait. First, I need to get my bearings.

Pebblets. Lots of pebblets. I grab a handful because even tiny rocks feel better than empty hands. As I cautiously scout my surroundings, I stumble across a strange science station. Naturally, I press every button that doesn’t scream “self-destruct.” Turns out, I can analyze items here. Good news.

—

Science and Sharp Objects

I analyze the pebblets and some plant fibers I’ve picked up. That unlocks some basic blueprints. More importantly, I can now craft an axe. Primitive, sure, but it’s better than yelling at bugs and hoping they go away.

Water quickly becomes a concern. I sip some nasty puddle water because desperate times, but I know I can’t rely on swamp juice forever. Clean water will need to become a priority.

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The Big Machine and Mysterious Tapes

While wandering, I discover a massive machine, along with a tape left behind by someone who sounds a little too excited about being tiny. I hit the giant power button (as you do). Only two lasers fire properly. One’s blocked. Clearly, there’s a puzzle here, but it’s not my priority while I still have a growling stomach.

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First Blood: The Weevil Incident

Food is now problem number one. Aphids sprint away from me like they’ve seen this horror movie before, so I craft a spear to even the odds. After confirming that yes, I can throw it, a weevil helpfully volunteers to be my first meal. The spear works. The weevil doesn’t.

A short time later, I find an aphid who wasn’t paying attention and deal with it too. I then stumble upon a patch of mushrooms. Crisis temporarily averted.

—

Lean-To and Level Ups

The game suggests building a lean-to. For once, I listen. A few quick chops and gathers later, I’ve got my shelter set up right next to the science station. I analyze my newly acquired bug remains, unlock more blueprints, and watch my brainpower level go up. Apparently scanning stuff makes you smarter.

As night falls, I set my respawn point (which, let’s be honest, I probably won’t need in permadeath) and call it the end of Day One.

Survived the first day. No spiders yet. That counts as a win.

—

Current Status: Alive

Location: Science Station Lean-To

Major Achievements: Crafted axe and spear, discovered giant machine, avoided spider-related trauma.

Biggest Threat: The growing suspicion that things will only get worse.


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Stay tuned for Day Two of The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath.

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If you want more information on what this is, please check out: The Backyard Trials: Grounded Permadeath

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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.

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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

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👉 The Backyard Trials Has Officially Begun: Grounded Permadeath Arrives!

The backyard is officially open for business — and survival!

I’m excited to announce that both The Backyard Trials hub page and the full Grounded Rules of Survival are now live on Survivor Incognito.

In this permadeath run through Grounded, I’ll be taking on the full backyard, one day at a time, where every ant, spider, and angry bug can bring the entire run crashing down. One life. No second chances.

✅ You can now check out:

The Backyard Trials Hub: [The Backyard Trails]

Grounded Rules of Survival: [Grounded Rules of Survival]


The first day of the run will be launching soon — and from there, we’ll see just how far I can make it before something inevitably goes horribly wrong.

As always: survival is optional. Panic is guaranteed.


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