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

8th Jul 2025 1

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

1st Jul 2025 1

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival – Day One

Where Am I, What Is That Fog, and Why Is My Compass Blinking at Me?

Day 1 of my Dredge permadeath playthrough. I crash a boat, inherit another, fish like a pro, and nearly get lost forever in Lesser Marrow. Welcome to Greater Marrow—the creepiest fishing job I’ve ever had.

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For more information on this, please check out: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival Hub

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Welcome to Greater Marrow: Where the Fish Are Plentiful and the Fog Eats Souls

The game opens with a cutscene: I’m peacefully boating along when heavy fog rolls in like an uninvited guest. Then—crash! Rocks. Camera pans to a lighthouse, which apparently decided to take the night off.

Inside the boat before the crash, I notice a crumpled job advert: “Angler Wanted.” I see now it meant sacrificial angler.

—

I wake up on a soggy dock at 6:00am on a Monday morning, having apparently faceplanted here the night before. The Mayor of Greater Marrow is there to greet me with all the cheer of someone who just hired a corpse to do a job.

He casually asks if I “didn’t see the lighthouse.” I choose not to answer, partly because I’m still drying out, and partly because I very clearly didn’t. My boat? Completely ruined. But the Mayor had the locals haul my stuff into an old spare vessel. How quaint.

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My First Fishing Trip and Immediate Cartographic Failure

The Mayor warns me to be back before sundown. Apparently fog does weird things after dark. Comforting.

I hop in the backup boat and head out. The controls are straightforward and intuitive. Time passes while fishing, sailing, or basically doing anything—so multitasking is not encouraged.

—

By 3:17pm, I’ve reeled in seven blue mackerel and three cod. I’m feeling confident. A little too confident. I decide I have time for just one more fish.

Spoiler: I didn’t.

—

After grabbing another mackerel, I turn back… only to realise I’ve docked at Lesser Marrow, not Greater. Oops. I am, in fact, an idiot. A kind soul points me back to the lighthouse. By the time I get home, it’s 8:43pm and there’s a disturbing eye icon blinking next to my compass.

Is that… panic? Hallucination? Ancient evil? Who knows!

—

Debt, Deals, and the Definitely-Not-Suspicious Fishmonger

Back at Greater Marrow, the Mayor is somehow still waiting for me like an overbearing boss. He says I can pay off the loan on the boat by selling fish, with “a small percentage” going toward town improvements. Sounds a bit pyramid-scheme-y, but I nod along.

Inside the Fishmonger’s shop, he greets me with surprise: “New fisherman, already?” I ask about the last one. He doesn’t answer. Just says it takes a “certain type of person” to last out here. You mean one with night vision and zero self-preservation instincts?

I sell my fish, earning enough to reduce my $50 debt to $31.58. That’s decent for a day of being lost at sea.

The Mayor intercepts me again and hands over a research part, which I can use to upgrade my ship.

Upgrades, Nightfall, and Regrets

I pop into the Shipwright’s to check out the gear. After some very internal debating, I buy the Simple Skimmer Rod for catching shallow-water fish. It takes two in-game hours to install, meaning I walk out at 10:46pm.

I use the research part to unlock the Improved Outboard Engine, because clearly I need all the speed I can get after today’s performance.

I return to the dock, mentally exhausted, financially lighter, and very aware that this is only day one.

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End of Day Summary

Fish Caught: 8 blue mackerel, 3 cod
Debt Remaining: $31:58
Creepy Things Spotted: One blinking eye
Times I Got Lost: Let’s just call it “multiple”
Regrets: Also multiple

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⚠️ Madness Strike #1: Fogblind and Foolish

Let’s be honest—I didn’t mean to return after dark. But between misreading the map, mistaking Lesser Marrow for home, and ignoring the increasingly twitchy compass eye, it happened. The fog rolled in, and I rolled with it.

The rules are clear: return after sundown, and the mind pays the price.
So here it is—my first Madness Strike.

Sanity: Fractured

Confidence: Shaken

Navigational Skills: Still questionable

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What’s Next?

Day Two promises more fishing, more fog, and probably more confusion. Will I finally learn to navigate using the lighthouse? Will the eye by the compass blink twice? Will I discover what happened to the last fisherman?

📖 Read Day 2 – A Special Order and a Return Before Madness
(Spoiler: I didn’t earn another Madness Strike. Barely.)

3rd Jun 2025 2