Into the Depths

I've had a very fruitful, albeit frightful, night. I'm not exactly sure what happened out there, but it was certainly not normal. Not that I should be surprised with everything else I've encountered in these strange lands.

Good news first! My experimentation has worked, and I was able to fashion me some rudimentary tools that allow me to harvest the minerals here. I was worried it wouldn't work, but sure enough the wood pick I fashioned was enough to allow me to collect stone. The stone, after a lot of hard work with a wooden pick, isn't in the greatest condition.

Next to the some ore, I noticed what appears to be iron deposits; however, my wooden pickaxe is not enough to even dent it. Even if I could crack it, I fear it may be too ruined to use at that point.

However, after collecting quite a bit of stone, I had a marvelous idea. Stone pickaxe! It was just so obvious. With that, I was able to collect some iron for future use!

Not sure what I will be able to do with it, but like the seeds, I'm sure I'll find something out! Maybe even some iron tools if I can get a hold of enough!

And then, I found a different ore. A very, very useful ore. Coal!

And my stone pickaxe did its job expertly!

It also paid off double in this case as the removal of the coal revealed even more Iron ore!

The stone wasn't just useful for a new tool; though. I was able to forge some nice steps out of it for my mine shaft to allow easier access to the lower levels. And the coal was useful for making some nice torches to light my way.

I spent so much time collecting stone, coal, and iron. I don't even know what I'm going to use it all for yet; however, it was far lighter than one would imagine. I do think this again has to do with the strange properties of this place.

Regardless, I had completely lost track of time. As I emerged from the mine (I had used the previous "hole in the wall" cave to start my shaft), the moon had begun to rise and the last rays of the sun were sinking below the horizon.

There I was, naked and defenseless under the rising moon and overloaded with various ores. This was where the frightful journey home started. I heard the moans began. The snicker snacker of whatever travels these lands at night.

Then, there it was. At long last I found the source of the moaning. I couldn't make out what it said; however, it did look like it was once human. There was a strange familiarity to it as well.

It wasn't friendly, and it was just like the other odd creature I had encountered during the day: violent. It was coming for me. It clearly wanted me. To eat, to kill. Both? I don't know, and I didn't intend to stick around to find out the answer!

I had to drop a bit of my ore, but I managed to make it back into my outpost. The creature did follow me back, but was unable to get through the door. I was safe, for now at least.

Progress

It's been a bit since I've been able to write, but I've been working quite a bit. It takes a lot of work to survive here alone. But I've been making progress. Thanks to the wood, I was able to create new tools. With those tools I could collect more wood. And, as expected, the seeds from the trees came in handy, but more on that later.

I was able to terraform a small hill side into a base with the batch of tools I made. It's not exactly "home", but it'll do until I can get some spare wood to build something else.

And then the seeds! Oh, boy, let me tell you about them! First of all, the trees! So, there is something strange about this place, that's for sure. I planted the seeds not long after I returned from my foray into the forested area.

It didn't take long at all. In fact, I would say it was only a few nights when I awoke to find a full forest. It was outstanding.

The first batch was a bit unexpected, and didn't exactly pan out. Well, it did pan out, and there was a lot of wood to collect; however, I admit that I didn't really consider the placement. Many of the trees grew together, and it was just a huge mess. I was able to collect a lot of useable wood and even more seeds.

I took a moment to plan out the planting this time, so I think the next batch of trees will be a bit more manageable. Now, what causes the trees to grow so fast is a bit of a mystery still. I have noticed that the day and night cycles here are shorter than what I can remember. Yes, I know, I can remember mundane things like day and night cycles, but not who I am.

However, I still think this mystery is something big. Something that has to do with the bigger picture here, but I just haven't grasped it just yet.

The same is true of the seeds I collected from the long grass. I planted them, and wheat grew in a few days! Though, a few of the critters showed up near my outpost one day.

Turns out they had stomped all over my crop! Luckily, I had more seeds, but I could see this would be a problem. Since I arrived, I have noticed quite a large amount of critters here from cows and pigs to sheep. So, I had to find a way to protect my crop.

My first plan was to take the harvest somewhere else, but I didn't really have the resources. Instead, I built up a secure area for my crops.

Now I've been able to build up quite a bit of wheat supply. I just need to find a way to turn it into something useful! And by useful I mean bread. An easily renewable resource. I've had about enough of sun-baked fish for a life time.

Days and nights going fast along with trees and plants growing overnight are just small portions of the oddness that has been cropping up since I've been here. I've mentioned before, there have been strange sounds at night. There is moaning and moving about that cannot be explained by the normal critters I see during the day.

Then, one morning I ran across something that could have been the cause of at least some of those strange sounds. I'm not completely sure which sound; though, as I didn't get too close. Whatever it was, I have never seen anything like it before. It seemed very intent on getting near me; though, so I stayed far away.

Despite the oddness of this place there is a certain beauty that exists here. The mountains, the plains, the ocean view. It all just a lot to take in. I can only imagine what else is out there.

But there is still a lot of work ahead, and I'm thinking of new steps to take to improve my living standard here. My new home still isn't the most comfortable, but is far better than the hole in the wall cave.

A little string, a bit of wood, and seeds

I'm still living in the cave wall, but I believe I'll have a better home in a short while. I'm also not as hungry anymore, which is a relief. I was traveling around the countryside, and I stumbled upon a giant spider!

Well, it was not nice creature. After a small battle, I stood victorious, albeit, a little worse for the wear. Though, it did drop a bit webbing. It was damaged, but I felt it could be used for something more. So, I waited till nightfall and slunk out a bit.

I didn't have to go far before I ran into another giant spider, and luckily avoided any other beasts in the darkness. Another bout, in which I did quite better, and I managed to gather some usable string!

For my plan to work out, I need a bit of wood. Unfortunately, there were no trees by my cave, so I had venture forth and go deeper inland. It seems I've landed in a plans area. On my trek, I noticed a lot of tall grass, so I scavenged a bit and found some seeds. I'm not sure how useful they will come, but it may be worth something to plant them.

In the distance I could see trees, so I traveled further and managed to get to a heavily forested area. I managed to collect some wood and even seeds from the tree as well. I figure I might as well try to plant some near my little foothold when I get a chance. It can't hurt.

Finally, when I returned to my cave, I was able to fashion me a fishing rod with some wood and the string I collected earlier. A little trek down to the waterside, and I had fish for supper!

Now that I have a renewable resource, a full belly, and some materials to make other tools; I have more of a plan on who to survive here. I do have a lot of work ahead of me, but at least now I have some kind of control.

This may sound odd and I still honestly have no clue who I am or how I got to the place, but this place is starting to feel a bit familiar. Like I've been here longer than I remember or I've seen it before.

Maybe this where I'm from, and I just injured myself and forgot. Maybe I've been stranded here for a while. I'm not sure, but I aim to find out more. And now I'm ready to take on the world. All I need was a bit of wood!

A Hole in the Wall

I managed to find a cave last night.

It wasn't the nicest place to sleep, but the best I could find on short notice since the sun was setting quite quickly. I think I may have to hold up in it for a bit, since there isn't much else around this country side. So, I thank whatever gods rule this place for letting me find this cozy little hole.

With a little effort I was able to build up a nice wall of dirt to block up the entrance for the night; though, it left me with little light.

But, it was far better to feel secure. As I was afraid, there was something to be afraid of when the sun went down. I have no clue what was out there, but I could hear them moving about. Quite a bit of moaning. I didn't peek out nor was I brave enough to venture out without something to protect me.

Luckily, the night didn't last long. I'm honestly not sure what this place is, but it's not like any other place I've been. Day and night cycles seem to move a lot faster.

After the sun did come back up, I remembered how hungry I was, and set out to find something to eat. I did comp across a few creatures after a bit of searching; however, didn't attempt to capture them just yet as I have no means to cook anything I could get from them. Though, if I don't find anything else soon, I may consider some raw meat.

The first I encountered was a cow. Then, a pig crossed my path. Finally, there was sheep. None of the animals seemed to be afraid of me, and each went on their merry way. So, I feel they would make easy game if worst came to worst, but I'm going to continue my hunt of something a bit easier prepare first.

Awakening

If you're reading this, then you've found my journal. I would introduce myself; however, I do not know who I am. Yes, I know that sounds a bit silly; however, it is the truth.

I just awoke a few hours ago on a hillside overlooking a vast blue sea, or at least what appears to be a sea. I could see land far in the distance.

Like my name or who I am, I have no clue where I am. I sat on this hillside, staring out at the ocean for hours. I can remember things and places I know I've seen or been, but just not who I am. I don't even have a clue of how I got to this place.

I decided it would be best to search my surroundings, and see if I could find someone who knew who I was or at least where I was. Upon scanning the area more, I noted the land stretched farther than I could see.

I set out in search of help, but the land seemed deserted. I saw no one after miles of walking. Then, in the distance, there looked to be a house or structure of some sort. I couldn't tell at first, so I continued my trek toward it.

Upon reaching my destination, my heart sank. It was indeed a house; however, long abandoned it seemed, as well as partially destroyed. There may have been a fire, but I'm not sure. Surely, something devastating occurred there at some point in time due to the extent of the damage.

I entered the hovel not expecting much in the way of human life, and I was not surprised. The place was barren of any type of life and almost anything else. I did find this tome that I'm currently writing in. My suspicion of fire must have been correct; though, as the cover and many of pages in this book were burnt. It does seem like someone was using it as a journal before me, but those pages that remain are far too damaged to read.

The inside of the house wasn't much better than the outside. There was damage all over the structure, so much that I'm not sure how it still stands. Besides the book, I found a few other useful implements inside. Without them, I wouldn't be able to document this journal!

And now I sit outside the shack, writing down my thoughts here in case something happens to me, so that if anyone is looking for me they'll know. But I haven't a clue if there is or not, or even what to do from here. I'm pretty hungry, though.

I also don't think this ruin will make a good shelter, and I don't know what the night will bring. So, I have to find food and place to stay before the sun sets on my new little world.

Editor's Note

The following blog is a work in progress of transcribing an old tome found in my Grandfather's attic while we were cleaning up his house after he passed away. No one has any clue from where the book originated, or the location of the author at the time.

Most of the people who have read through the book believe it to be a purely fictional account based on the fantastical tales of the author as well as the interesting pictures within.

Regardless, it is an interesting tale that I feel should be shared with the world. I'll do my best to get it all down!