Sunburnt & Sinking โ€“ A Stranded Deep Survival Diary: Day Three

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Day 3

Difficulty: Normal
Optional Features: Permadeath enabled (naturally)

“Hydration success, culinary failure, and the return of a long-lost knife.”

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Warm morning sun, light breeze, suspiciously perfect for false optimism
  • Loot: Cloth (from mystery container), water still, refined knife (found in sand), shattered coconut dreams
  • Mood: Parched โ†’ euphoric โ†’ regretful โ†’ betrayed

Water Still Victory

I woke with a tongue like sandpaper and the hydration levels of a sun-bleached raisin. Todayโ€™s mission was clear: build a water still. The problem? I had no cloth โ€” or at least, thatโ€™s what I believed.

While digging through my supplies, I remembered the sealed storage container Iโ€™d been dragging around like some clueless beach hoarder. Inside, lying there like a treasure in a castawayโ€™s dream, was one glorious piece of cloth. Just enough for what I needed.

Moments later, I had all the parts gathered, and the still was built โ€” my first real piece of survival infrastructure. It stood proudly in the sand, a guarantee that thirst would no longer be my most urgent problem. I almost gave it a name.

Floating Cloth and Coconut Regrets

Of course, before the still came together, my cloth had to put on a show. When I dropped it on the ground, it stood upright like it was trying to defy gravity โ€” or audition for a magic act. Strange, yes, but soon incorporated into my new pride and joy.

With water secured, I turned my attention to food. Variety was key โ€” crabs and coconuts had kept me alive so far, but they werenโ€™t exactly a balanced diet. I set my sights on fish, convinced a fire spit would be my ticket to grilled seafood glory.

But first, a quick survival PSA: never eat too many coconuts. The consequences areโ€ฆ unpleasant. Iโ€™ll spare you the details, but letโ€™s just say my digestive system filed an official complaint and threatened industrial action.

Island Limits & A Knifeโ€™s Return

My island had been generous, but the easy loot was running out. If I wanted to thrive โ€” or even just eat something different โ€” Iโ€™d have to explore further afield. I wasnโ€™t ready for that kind of commitment, but survival doesnโ€™t really take โ€œmaybe laterโ€ as an answer.

While gathering materials for the journey, I spotted something glinting in the sand. It was my refined knife โ€” the same one Iโ€™d apparently dropped days ago, possibly while fleeing a crab with attitude issues. I picked it up and welcomed it back into my inventory like an old friend whoโ€™d just wandered back from the pub.

I also discovered I could make a wooden farming plot. Long-term food production sounded fantasticโ€ฆ until I realised I didnโ€™t have a hoe. That idea went straight onto my โ€œfuture ambitionsโ€ list, somewhere between โ€œbuild a smokerโ€ and โ€œstop capsizing my raft.โ€

The Fire Spit Betrayal

Finally, the fire spit was built, my visions of sizzling fish nearly within reach. I placed my catch over the fire andโ€ฆ nothing. Turns out the fire spit is not the universal cooking solution I hoped for. Apparently, fish require a more advanced setup โ€” a smoker, or perhaps a deal with the culinary gods.

So the day ended with me sipping fresh water and eating yet more crab, while the dream of grilled fish drifted out to sea like an unanchored raft. Still, progress had been made: hydration secured, knife recovered, lesson learned.

Tomorrow, Iโ€™ll brave the sea and head for another island. If I find my way back here, great. If notโ€ฆ well, coconuts probably taste the same everywhere.

Continue the Journey

Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 (You Are Here) |
Final Day

Sunburnt & Sinking โ€“ A Stranded Deep Survival Diary: Day Two

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Day 2

Difficulty: Normal
Optional Features: Permadeath enabled (naturally)

“Water is scarce, knives keep breaking, and coconuts betray me.”

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Sunny with a calm breeze, deceptively inviting for a day of mistakes
  • Loot: Two refined knives (both broken), crude knife, potato crop, yucca fruit, several speared fish
  • Mood: Parched โ†’ resourceful โ†’ frustrated โ†’ plotting escape

Death by Dehydration and Knife-Based Regret

Day 2 started the way all my survival days seem to โ€” fighting to stay alive with fewer resources than the average beach picnic. Water was the clear priority, so I cracked open a few coconuts to keep my hydration meter from flatlining. Just as I started to feel less like a dried-out husk and more like an actual human beingโ€ฆ snap. My refined knife broke in my hand.

One second I had my most valuable tool, the next it was reduced to the kind of scrap metal youโ€™d find washed up on a stormy shore. With it gone, my ability to gather resources properly took a nosedive, and I was back to square one.

Knife? Check. Brain? Debatable.

Thankfully, making a crude knife was easy enough. Unfortunately, I forgot that I could use that knife to craft another refined one. It was like having the solution in my pocket but refusing to read the instructions. In my defence, dehydration may have been quietly sabotaging my brain function.

When I finally pieced it together, I felt like the islandโ€™s least stylish blacksmith, reforging my refined knife like it was a lost relic. Feeling smug, I checked the crafting menu for new possibilities. A fire pit? Doable and quick. A water still? Perfect โ€” except it needed cloth. And cloth, as far as I could tell, was rarer on this island than polite seagulls.

My Kingdom for a Rag

The water still became my new obsession. If I could build one, Iโ€™d solve my hydration issues for good. But without cloth, it was a dream just out of reach. I decided to prepare the other materials in advance, so all Iโ€™d need to do was slot the fabric into place once I found it.

In the process, I managed to break my second refined knife of the day. The culprit? The islandโ€™s one unyielding yucca tree, which I kept attacking like it was hiding a secret stash of loot. If anything, it only seemed to grow more smug about my failures. On the bright side, my scavenging turned up a potato crop and a yucca fruit โ€” the makings of a future farm if I could ever get beyond the โ€œnot dying of thirstโ€ stage of survival.

Spearfishing for Sadness

Needing a morale boost, I took to the ocean with a crude spear, ready to prove I could at least feed myself. The fish were easy enough to catch โ€” a few quick jabs and they were mine. I strutted back to shore with my haul, already picturing a beachside fish roast.

That fantasy crumbled faster than my knives when I discovered my fire pit wasnโ€™t suitable for cooking fish. Apparently, I needed something more advanced โ€” a smoker, a spit, or possibly a degree in tropical culinary arts. The fish went into storage, and my dreams went up in smoke without ever lighting the fire.

As the sun set, I stared out toward the horizon. Tomorrow, Iโ€™d choose an island and head for it. Either it would have cloth, or Iโ€™d be stuck crafting a distress flag out of coconut husks, stubborn yucca bark, and pure spite.

Continue the Journey

Day 1 |
Day 2 (You Are Here) |
Day 3 |
Final Day

Sunburnt & Sinking โ€“ A Stranded Deep Survival Diary: Day One

Sunburnt & Sinking: A Stranded Deep Survival Diary โ€“ Day 1

Difficulty: Normal
Optional Features: Permadeath enabled (naturally)

“Crash-landed on an island, I fight crabs, climb trees, and light my first fire. Survival starts with chaos, coconuts, and questionable plants.”

Weather / Loot / Mood

  • Weather: Calm seas, light breeze, deceptively peaceful for a day of disaster
  • Loot: Raft, crude knife, refined knife, coconuts, crab meat, basic shelter
  • Mood: Shocked โ†’ determined โ†’ mildly suspicious of the local wildlife

Would You Kindly Not Crash the Plane?

One moment, I was minding my own business on a plane. The next, someone must have read a note that said โ€œwould you kindlyโ€ฆโ€ and down we went. If you know, you know. Coincidence? I think not.

Seconds later, I was dragging myself into a life raft, paddling (drifting?) toward the nearest island like a discount version of Tom Hanks in *Cast Away*. The ocean was calm, the sun was shining, and I had no idea that half the local wildlife would soon want me dead.

First Rule of Raft Club: Donโ€™t Let It Float Away

I hit the shore and immediately dragged the raft up onto the sand. Iโ€™ve played enough survival games to know that if you donโ€™t secure your transport, the game will absolutely make it vanish the second you turn your back. Raft secured, I went into scavenger mode, grabbing sticks, rocks, and whatever else looked remotely useful.

Not everything on this island was friendly. A particularly aggressive bush took a swipe at me as I got too close. I backed off, wounded in both pride and possibly my spleen. Clearly, the flora here had opinions about trespassers.

Knife to Meet You, Crabs

With my gathered resources, I crafted my first knife. Then I upgraded it to a refined knife, because the first one felt about as dangerous as a butter spreader. Time to test it out on something edible.

The game suggested crouching to hunt crabs. This, in practice, only made it easier for them to lunge at me. One particularly large crab came at me with the kind of aggression usually reserved for boss fights. Between this and the thorny bush, I was starting to wonder if the island had a โ€œkill the newcomerโ€ policy.

Still, I won the skirmish, and with crab meat in hand, it was time to cook. The war, however, was far from over.

Fire Good. Cooking Skill Better.

I built a campfire near the raft and fed it with sticks. Fire is life in survival games, and here was no exception. Apparently, just standing near it while food cooked would boost my Cooking skill โ€” which meant I was now becoming a chef by proximity.

While the crab sizzled, I spotted a palm tree loaded with coconuts. In true castaway fashion, I scaled it like it owed me money, hacked down my prize, and enjoyed my first proper drink. Hydration secured. Hunger in progress.

The crab revenge counter was still open, but for now, I was alive and marginally full.

Shelter from the Darkness

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, I remembered one important fact: in Stranded Deep, you need a shelter to save the game. I went hunting for materials, avoiding the aggressive bush and giving any large crabs a suspicious side-eye.

One stubborn yucca plant refused to yield anything useful, so I abandoned it for a more cooperative one. A few resource-gathering trips later, I had what I needed. The shelter went up just as darkness settled over the island. I saved, collapsed into sleep, and mentally ticked off the tutorial as โ€œcomplete.โ€

Tomorrow, the real work would begin: more tools, better food, and figuring out exactly how many plants on this island were actively trying to kill me. Bring it on, Stranded Deep.

Continue the Journey

Day 1 (You Are Here) |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
Final Day

This Week on Survivor Incognito โ€“ Sinking In and Saying Goodbye

Itโ€™s a big week ahead on Survivor Incognito โ€” weโ€™re kicking off a brand new permadeath run, and also saying farewell to one of our longest-surviving characters.

  • ๐ŸŒŠ Stranded Deep: Sunburnt & Sinking officially begins this week. Expect sharks, dehydration, raft regrets, and poor life choices from Day One.
  • ๐Ÿ Skyrim: The Eulogy will also be posted โ€” a proper farewell to my Argonian survivor who gave it everything (except warmth, shelter, and a working torch).

Itโ€™s one of those weeks where we start something new and say goodbye to something old โ€” which, letโ€™s face it, is the rhythm of survival gaming.

Stick around. Itโ€™s going to be eventful.

Here’s What You Missed This Week

Itโ€™s been a big week at Survivor Incognito: a new diary began, another series ended, and a milestone snuck up on us. Hereโ€™s the full breakdown:

  • Tuesday: Stranded Deep โ€“ Day One Diary (official permadeath run starts next week!)
  • Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles โ€“ Day Nine
  • Thursday: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat โ€“ Final Entry (eulogy coming next week)
  • Friday: SnowRunner โ€“ Day Two, where I somehow end up on top of a mountainโ€ฆ with no plan for getting down.

We also launched the Subnautica Maps page this week, with a Subnautica: Below Zero map hub in the works too.

And lastly โ€” a huge thank you: the blog passed 1,000 views this week! Iโ€™m currently plotting something fun as a proper thank-you to everyone whoโ€™s been reading, lurking, or laughing at my survival misfortunes.

More survival chaos (and a few heartfelt eulogies) coming next week.

Day One Diaries Return Tuesday โ€“ This Time, Itโ€™s Stranded Deep

Just a quick heads-up: a new Day One Diary drops this Tuesday, and weโ€™re heading somewhere sunny… and deadly. Thatโ€™s right โ€” itโ€™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 doesnโ€™t immediately flip over.

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

Here’s What You Missed – Week of July 15th

Another week, another batch of survival stories wrapped in chaos and questionable decisions. Here’s what went down on Survivor Incognito this week:

  • Tuesday: Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival โ€“ Final Entry
  • Wednesday: The Cold Chronicles (Customloper) โ€“ Day Four
  • Thursday: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat โ€“ Day Twelve
  • Friday: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries โ€“ Day One

Thatโ€™s one series wrapped, one launched, and two still going strong.

Also, a quick thank you โ€” last week the blog saw nearly 200 views. Whether you read one post or all of them, I appreciate you surviving alongside me (or at least watching me not survive).

On another note, the next few weeks are going to be busy for me. But I’ll do my best to keep the chaos here going

More mayhem next week.

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 doesnโ€™t settle for long โ€” SnowRunner: The Permagear Diaries kicks off this Friday. Less sea, more sludge. And probably just as many bad decisions.

Stick around. The chaos continues.

Here’s What You Missed at Survivor Incognito

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

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

One story wraps up, others carry on. Thanks for tagging alongโ€”more survival chaos ahead next week.

Dark Waters: A Dredge Survival โ€“ 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 Iโ€™ve even had a chance to stretch my sea legs. The Mayor greets me with a new concernโ€”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. Iโ€™ll add it to the to-do listโ€ฆ just beneath โ€œdonโ€™t go mad at sea.โ€

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 โ€œhaunted Victorian manorโ€ kind of way. I arrive at 8:55 AM.

I check the mansionโ€”naturally, itโ€™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 isnโ€™t medically approved. I also learn a harsh lesson: I forgot to sell yesterdayโ€™s catch. Either that or the game saved before I did. Either way, Iโ€™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, whoโ€”surpriseโ€”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 shouldnโ€™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 dredgingโ€”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 Iโ€™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 donโ€™t have enough to do:

The Lighthouse Keeper shares a shipwreck location.

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

โ— 2x Lumber

โ— 2x Scrap

โ— Deliver to Steel Point

I finish my last few conversations, sell the disappointing fish, and finally restโ€”making sure to save and quit properly this time so I donโ€™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 havenโ€™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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