Back to the mine again. I was determined to find at least some iron, and if I’m honest, this style of mining has become a good way of clearing my head. It’s repetitive, predictable, and for the most part nothing unexpected happens. Naturally that means I find more copper than I know what to do with. I’ve accepted at this point that copper is everywhere, but at least it means I can keep making tools and replacing armour without worrying too much about running out.

Eventually the mine gives me what I was actually looking for. Iron. Not much, only five blocks, but I’ll take what I can get. That’s enough for a better weapon and a shield, which feels like a real upgrade. I normally go straight for a sword, but while deciding what to craft I noticed the axe actually does more damage, so I decide to go with that instead. The problem is I need wood, which means going back to the house, and of course it’s night time and raining when I finally leave the mine.

I take the chance anyway and run straight across Copyright Bridge back to the house. No incidents this time, which almost feels suspicious. I spend the night inside and wait for morning.

When the sun comes up, I watch a few monsters burn away in the daylight, but some of them have armour and seem completely unaffected. I spot a creeper nearby and for a moment I consider testing the new axe on it, but a skeleton quickly convinces me that my armour isn’t good enough for that kind of experiment. I retreat back inside and decide I might need to expand the fence, add more light, or both. Things are getting a little too close to the house at night for my liking.

I head out to tend the farm and almost immediately the creeper makes another attempt at ending the run. This time it only destroys part of the fence, but it’s still enough to be annoying. I replant the wheat, grab some wood, and start repairing the damage. Past me had already made spare fence pieces, which feels like a rare moment of good planning.

While I’m fixing things, I notice a spider sitting on the roof of the house. During the day it isn’t aggressive, so I decide to leave it alone. I’m not a fan of spiders in games or in real life, but this one isn’t causing trouble, so it can stay where it is.

Not long after that, a Wandering Trader shows up with two llamas and decides my house is apparently a good place to live. I’m not sure what they expect from me, but I’m not building anyone a spare room. For now they can stand outside and do whatever wandering traders do.

With the base repaired, I decide the next goal is finding the village again. I know it exists, I just don’t know exactly which direction I went before. I remember heading right last time and getting nowhere useful, so this time I go left instead, keeping roughly the same path but changing the direction slightly.

After a short walk, I spot something in the distance that looks familiar. As I get closer, I realise it is the village. Somehow the villagers seem to be handling the monsters better than I am, or they’re very good at rebuilding after creepers visit. I don’t know much about villagers yet, or what their different outfits mean, but just finding the place again feels like a win.

I make sure I know the way back before doing anything else. The last thing I want is to lose the village again after finally finding it. This time the return trip goes smoothly, and before long I’m back at the house with no problems at all.

The Wandering Trader is still there, which makes me wonder if they’re planning to stay permanently. As far as I know they don’t get squatters’ rights unless they move inside, so for now I leave them alone.

I think about going out again to see what else is nearby, but night is coming and I don’t feel like testing my luck. There’s still plenty to do at the base anyway. I want to expand the farm, start growing cocoa beans properly, and make the fence a bit larger so things stop getting quite so close at night.

Finding the village again was enough progress for one day. I head to bed and call it there.

Continue the Journey

Previous Log |
Next Log

Stranded Hub