Day 26

There was more to the forest where the Pig King was. I wanted to see what was there for my map, and it was more of an excuse not to go into the swamp. Traveling and exploring is hard in this weather. I have to find something suitable to wear. My heat stone works and all, but it still loses heat and I need to stop and make a fire to reheat it, my firewood supplies are dwindling fast. 

The morning was colder than I expected. As I was exploring the forest behind the Pig King I noticed the ocean. The wind chill was making it colder and it explained a lot. The waves crashing against the cliff was enough to send a chill up my spine. I heard some rustling in the trees, not form the wind though. It was from something inside the tree. I looked around and saw nothing. 

I turn away to continue on with my business when I heard an animal call I never heard before. A bunch of oddly shaped animals came bursting through the trees. I was knocked down. I closed my eyes waiting to be trampled and bitten. None of that happened. When I opened my eyes I saw not a drooling angry monster, but a bunch of penguins. They were just staring at me, worst as if they were making sure I was ok. I stood up and they scurried off into the distance. 

I continued to explore the forest throughout the afternoon and early evening. I was growing very tired so I stopped to catch my breath and warm up a bit. I look around and I see two graves. When I to closer I saw that they were plain tombstones. There wasn't a name or a date of death. I saw a group of flowers nearby so I picked them and made two small grave blankets. I don't know what compelled me to do such an act but I felt obligated. 

As I placed them on the graves I started to tear up. I had a lot of pent up emotion and thought about the last few days and it was coming up now when faced with a gruesome truth. The exact reason I began to cry was somewhat of a mystery. Maybe I still felt guilty about killing those pigs, or maybe it was the thought that no one would put flowers on my grave. 

It was getting dark and I decided to set up camp. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Day 25

While yesterday was rather uneventful and cold, I got a lot done and it was nice not having something trying to kill me for a day. I created what I call a Heat Stone. It holds its heat at a comfortable level for hours. Since I haven't found a good enough material to make a coat out of, this will have to do. I cannot be idle for too long though for I fear winter will take me. Today I plan on heading back to that forest. I want to meet with that big pig. Maybe I can try to trade with him. This journey will be quite dangerous, but I have to take risks and I must make peace with the inhabitants. 

I left as soon as I could I did not want to make it back to camp by the skin of my teeth again. I had no idea how long this meeting could take or if I would come back alive. I pressed on. I made a small travel pack with everything I needed. I find this to be way more efficient than my previous plan. That was load as much stuff as I could carry and hope for the best. Since I figured out what those wormholes were last night I figured I would try it again from this direction. 

When I jumped into the wormhole a second time, I still had that uneasy feeling of being in total darkness. Then that strange gravity change came, when I felt like I was falling up. I was spat out onto the ground; I have to work on my landing. I do not think my ass can take this kind of punishment. I walked toward the forest but I to turn around somehow.

My little detour wasn't terrible. I found something rather peculiar in a small clearing. Before I could leave the trees I stopped, I thought it was a little too quiet. I looked around and the place was outlined with spider webs and spider nests. I had to take care of them first. Luckily the nests were small and there were few spiders. I had the element of surprise so they were no trouble. I walked to the object in the middle of the clearing and it was a box with a crank. When I turned the crank nothing happened. When I thought about it, I felt like some of the things I found were connected. The box thing, this crank thing, and that gold ring are related somehow, I just have to figure it out and make that connection.

I loaded the crank thing in my pack and moved on. I found the road that lead down the middle of the forest so I wouldn't get lost again. When I saw the shadowed figure I felt something approach me from behind. I turn around and there are two pig guards behind me ensuring I do not run away. The signal me forward and I. Approach the big pig. Upon seeing his crown, I can't to the conclusion that he was a king. This would make sense given his size. 

I thought the grass skirt looked familiar on the Pig King. Then I remembered those pigs I killed. They must have been guards for him. My heart started racing. When I was directly in front of him I got down on my knees and bowed. He then started speaking.

"I am the Pig King, and you have trespassed into my territory. What is your purpose for being here?"

"My name is Wilson, and I apologize for trespassing. Trust me, it was never my intention. I do not know how I got here, but I am fighting for my survival. I saw you the other day but I ran. I want to trade with you. I found some odd items you may be interested in."

The Pig King looked at me, sniffed the air and he got a very angry look on his face. My heart started racing. He spoke again.

"You smell like my people, why is that?"

I started shaking. There was a lump in my throat. Would he know if I was lying? Sweat was beading down my forehead. I opened my mouth.

"I am truly sorry to give you this news. I killed three of your men. I was adorned with their blood and I am haunted by the actions I took. The attacked me first and I had to defend myself. If you wish to punish me, you deserve every right. "

Tears were rolling down my cheeks. I looked at the ground in shame. I prepared for death. I heard weapons being drawn. I held my breath embracing my fare. Suddenly I hear the pig king shout.

"STOP! I feel as though this man is genuine and he acted in self-defense. We must forgive this man."

I opened my eyes and I see two spears pointed at me, inches away from my face. I let out a sigh of relief and thanked the Pig King. I began crying unable to control myself. I had my life, but I was shown mercy. I will never forgive myself, but someone did. These are experiences I will never forget. 

I stood up, bowed, and began to walk away. The Pig King called me back. 

"Wilson, you said you had items to trade."

"Yes I almost forgot. What are you willing to part with for these?"

I showed him what I had, and he took everything. In return I got a small pile of gold nuggets. 

"I sense you are a smart man Wilson. I am sure you can find a use for these." 

I thanked the Pig King and took my leave back towards camp. It started to get dark. I took the route through the wormhole and soon I was in front of a fire.



I walked away with my life intact. I have a warm fire, and cooking food. Today was a good day. A small weight has been lifted from my shoulders. On my way back to camp a thought crossed my mind. That thought, was exploration of the Swamp area I found. I have to see what it holds for me, and it is something I am not looking forward to. I have to take things one at a time. I need to focus on the task at hand, survive winter. Well, the food is good, I am heading to bed. 

Day 24

I wake up and much to my dismay snow was outside. I am freezing. I cannot remember the last time I was this cold. My muscles are tense, my bones are like ice cubes, and I can barely move my fingers. I have to stay in the camp, hopefully I can adjust to the new temperature. However, I have to remain productive. 

I started a fire so I can keep warm periodically through the day. I knew I had enough resources. That seems like the one thing I did right, was gather firewood. My first order of business was to reassess my situation. I needed to go through my items and see what I had so I knew what I was going to need to last through all of winter.

I was surprised with what I found, I almost forgot about how I collected some of the more unique items. While they didn't seem to have a direct use, I wanted to keep them around just in case. I came to an odd conclusion when going through my resources. I couldn't quite finish my thoughts, so the alchemy engine was the first thing that came to mind.

My idea was this. Rocks can hold heat without melting depending on the temperature. Wile they tend to lose the heat fast, I can try to make something that allows them to hold that heat for longer than a few minutes. Hopefully it will hold the heat for hours. The alchemy engine is a mysterious machine, I was sure it could alter the materials enough to get what I needed done. 

I let the machine do its thing and after some trial and error, I got something rather peculiar. It was a rock that was slightly blue with some lines on it. I put it near the fire being that is the only way I can heat things up. Nothing immediately happened. I found myself staring at it. I. Was waiting too hard, if that makes any sense. I took my mind off of it. I decided to continue working with my items, rationing out my food and materials. Soon, I forgot about the stone.

I made new armor, the previous one was ragged and barely holding together. I also made weapons that were more durable. These were things that I needed to get done. Sure they were rather boring, but I felt focused and that feeling was comforting. Soon darkness fell.

The fire was dying out so I tended to it, then I noticed something that made me gleam with joy. The rock that I had paced near the fire was glowing a bright red. I was cautious to touch it but I did anyway. It wasn't hot at all. It was rather warm. Despite the color that resembled something very hot, it was easy to touch. A normal rock would have been scalding hot and losing heat as soon as I got it away from the fire. The machine worked, and I made something to keep me warm. I was ecstatic. I made more and placed then in my tent when they were heated.

While today was rather mellow I know what I must do. I must. Go see the Pig King to hopefully get some information from him and maybe even some goods. I have to make peace with the inhabitants. 

Day 23

Yesterday was a rough day for me. I didn’t get any sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I saw what I did. I will never forgive myself for what I did. Nothing deserves that kind of brutality. While I continue to beat myself up about what I did, I have to continue to prepare for winter. My To-Do list is as follows.

• Find food
• Explore West
• Devise a way to stay warm while exploring

Food is definitely a top priority. I ran out of rations last night.

I was becoming sluggish. Winter was definitely showing this morning. I could not top shivering. I didn’t see any snow so I assumed I would have more time to prepare before the harshest part of winter shows up. To keep things realistic, it will show up when I don’t want it to. I need to craft myself a coat. I can’t be walking around in the snow and cold without one. My beard has grown to be quite the blanket, but that only does so much. I ran out of food rations, but I knew I had food back at my main camp. It ran across my mind that a lot of that food may be spoiled. Regardless, that was something I needed to get around to.

I found a rather thick forest of evergreen trees slightly north of the desert area I found the abandoned camp in. It was really ominous but inviting. The forest was very dense, there was a road going down the middle of it though. Curiosity struck me again and my justification was that I may find food down this area. This world I am in, it seems to take advantage of my scientific nature to discover new things.

The woods felt like they were watching me as I was passing through. The strong wind was making the trees move and the noises from them moving somehow made it seem quieter. I felt uneasy, but I could not stop walking forward. I had to know what this area held for me.

I started to hear noises. Not from the trees but from something of someone else. I slowed my pace once I saw a huge silhouette. It was daunting with how big this thing looked. I thought it was a mountain but I noticed movements of what appeared to be a head. I hid behind a tree to hopefully see what was going on but also not be seen.

After a few minutes of observing I saw the head turn, and an arm raise up. It was pointing right at me. I saw the hand, but it wasn’t a hand, it was a hoof! This massive thing was a pig! Then I realized it was pointing at me. I saw two figures approach me but before they could fully see me I bolted. I looked to the sky and noticed the darkness approaching me. Fast.

I heard more footsteps. I look behind me and those figures were gone, but I saw those red eyes chasing me. The monster that only came out at night, my heart skipped a beat. I picked up my pace hoping to outrun it. I was running faster than I ever had, but it was gaining on me. All of a sudden, I stopped. My subconscious was oddly aware of my surroundings and it stopped me right before one of those living holes.

I had no choice. I had to take a leap of faith, literally. The monster was gaining on me and I leapt into the hole. It was dark, and I was unsure of where I was going. I wanted to at least hit the bottom of this hole soon so I wouldn’t die. Then, my direction shifted. I started “falling up” and I saw the opening again. I shot out of the hole. After rubbing my hurt backside I looked around. There was still some light out and I saw where I was. I was just due south of my camp. I finally caught a break. I ran as fast as I could to my camp.

Rummaging through my chests I found stuff I could light my fire pit with. I sparked the flint and the roaring fire started.

That pig was massive, but I want to go back and make contact soon. I want to be more prepared in terms of fighting readiness and weather readiness. My fire is roaring, and I just found some meat. So that smells delicious right now. After I eat, I am going to get some rest in my tent. Something cold just fell on my hand, it looked like water. Great, it just started snowing. 

Day 22

When I was recalling the events of what I saw yesterday at the empty camp to had to stop writing. My hands were trembling and I just couldn’t continue on. Discovering this camp has put a real damper on my emotions and thoughts about this dreaded place. However, I must talk about what I saw. Or else I will not get over it. I hope. When I turned the corner of the camp, I saw nothing but a few items. There was no one in the camp. I looked further into the camp, there was a chest. I rummaged through it, hoping to find something that indicated someone else was here. Maybe they were chronicling their survival like I am. I found some basic tools and material, even some food. Sadly, I didn’t find a journal. I looked in the opposite corner of the camp and I saw bones. I didn’t know what they were, much too big for being human. Maybe they were from the Beefalos outside.

I was getting ready to leave, but my legs stopped moving and I dropped to my knees. I started crying. Not from pain, but from my shattered hope. I wanted someone to be here. Hell, part of me wanted them to be injured so I can feel useful and I could patch them up. I wanted anything or anyone to be here. All I found was crippling disappointment and anger. I am tired of this place.

I found an odd looking waypoint. There were some pigs circling it, like they were on watch. They appeared to be wearing some kind of clothing, possibly symbolizing a tribe they belonged to. I wanted to meet them, hoping to establish some kind of friendly connection. Out of nowhere they shouted, “SAVE THE KING!” And they started charging at me. I stood my ground despite being outnumbered three to one. Despite how quickly they ran towards me, their actual fighting skills felt sluggish. So I was able to predict their movements and react with ease.

A pig worked its way into a blind spot of mine and threw a haymaker that knocked me to the ground. Another one followed up to stomp on me. I rolled out of the way and picked up a spear. In one motion I thrust my spear under the head of the pig. It went completely through and the stone spearhead was sticking out the top. Blood ran down my hand and I let the dead pig fall back. There were two left and almost unphased by their comrade falling. I broke off the spear that was stuck in the pig and used it to club down the next pig. I battered this animal to the ground. I beat it so bad the handle I had was no more than a pile of splinters.

I heard the final pig close in on me from behind. I spun around and threw a punch landing square on its nose. It stumbled and I walked closer and kicked it to the ground. I moved around its large body to the head, I lifted my foot, and plunged it into the skull of this defenseless pig. The blow made my leg and foot numb due to how much force I used. The sound of crunching bones and rupturing blood vessels filled my ears and red blood covered my entire leg. I moved my foot and a spurt of blood shot up and hit me on the face. I was angry, almost bloodthirsty. I felt like I was on fire and nothing could put me out.

When I stepped back to see what I had done, I snapped out of my rage and truly realized what happened. Tears started to well up in my eyes and there was a knot in my throat. My stomach started doing flips until I vomited. I couldn’t believe what I had just done. As I am writing this, I still can’t and the very thought makes me sick. “Was this murder?” I thought to myself. I know they were pigs, but they were shaped to resemble humans. I even began to question my judgment. I doubted even being attacked and I just blacked out and went on a rampage. I will never know, because I am alone. The caved in remnants of the curb stomped pig, the impaled pig with its eye wide open, and the swollen pig with a bruised up face and broken bones, these are the closest things to people I have come in contact with, and I murdered them.

I wandered away from the aftermath of my fight, I began to feel colder. The wind may have been making me cold due to being covered in blood, or that it was my subconscious telling me that I did a horrible thing. My heart felt frozen, I could barely move. In the distance I saw something shimmering in the sun. I felt compelled to find out what it was. It was a rather large gold ring. I picked it up and put it over my shoulder. It was too unique to leave behind.

The events that transpired today are something I will never forget. I am tired, but when I close my eyes I see the images of what I had done. The stench of blood is still on me because I couldn’t find any water to wash it off. I found bits of bone embedded into my shoe. I don’t want to become a monster. I don’t want to be a violent survivor in this world, but it may prove to be no choice.

The fire is crackling and the warmth feels nice. I looked to the sky and something cold lands on my forehead. I am going to lay inside my tent. Hopefully I can fall asleep. 

Day 21

I woke on the 21^st day to find a heavy chill weighing over me. It was the morning, but this was no morning chill. I felt as though winter was approaching. I hadn’t been near my Wintometer for some time so I wasn’t keeping an eye on it. I walked away from my burnt campfire and took in the landscape. That is when I noticed something rather peculiar; the animals seem to have changed. Before, I saw only crows and red birds. Now, I only witnessed blue birds flying around. Even the area around me had this blue like color to it. Like the place is signifying that it is getting colder. I am nowhere near prepared for this; I have to get to work.

I wanted to collect a surplus of firewood so I wouldn’t run out so quickly. If I wanted to survive winter, I needed to make sure I had the means to stay warm. I had to stay productive at the same time. My stock of food was dangerously low. While I wasn’t feeling hungry, I was going to need it through winter. I was in a Savannah like area and the rabbits were still out for some reason. I didn’t have the bait or the means to catch them, so I looked like an idiot running after something I was never going to catch. I stopped to gather my breath, and that is when I heard an unfamiliar noise.

I wasn’t scared, curiosity took over and I followed the deep mooing sounds to a clearing. I saw large silhouettes in the distance. They were daunting to look at, but I couldn’t stop my feet from moving closer. What I saw, was a supposedly docile creature. It was a four legged buffalo cow thing with shaggy fur. It was built to last through winter with its herd.

I didn’t know how to approach these creatures, but I had to name them. It feels odd, even writing this, but I want to call them Beefalos. It was getting dark so I curried around looking for a nice place to set up camp for the night.

As I moved around the herd of Beefalos I saw a wooden wall. Upon further inspection, this was a camp of sorts. It was manmade, it had to be. “But, how could that be? Could there really be someone else here?” I thought to myself. I had to find the entrance. My feet just took off at blinding speed.

I had to remain positive, “this place had to have been made with human hands” I said. Adrenaline was running through my body, it was carrying me all the way to the entrance of this camp. After a couple minutes of running I came to the entrance. I froze. What was once adrenaline was now fear. It went straight to my stomach and it was like a swallowed a lead ingot. What was once excitement was now anxiety.

I took my first step, and the crunching of the dead grass was so loud it hurt my ears.

The entrance spiraled in and it felt like it lasted forever, the anticipation was debilitating. I was growing colder and colder. I could see nothing, no light from a fire, no chatter of people, not even the sounds of the Beefalos. I peek around a corner to see what was inside the camp. I saw nothing.

Day 19/20

I found another shrine with the pig heads surrounding it and the broken slab in the middle. Like before, I felt the need to fix this shrine. I really hope these do not come back to bite me in the ass later. Their presence is very creepy. I continued going south walking along the shoreline as usual. I began to hear noises again, similar to when the hounds attacked me near my camp. I began to wander aimlessly and fall out of my current state of mind. I feel as though my sanity is starting to dwindle away. During this time I was seeing hallucinations. When I try to recall what they looked like I see more than two legs and random shapes. It is rather peculiar to say the least.

I am broken out of my trance with an abrupt blunt hit to my chest. I try to get up but I am being held down. The sounds I had heard earlier were hounds. These ones were more organized. The one pinning me down was staring at me, right into my eyes. I felt cold and terrified. I had to break eye contact and see if I was close to a weapon. I see my spear lying next to me. I broke an arm free and grabbed it. At the last second I pull it in front of me and the hound bites down. My spear’s wooden handle was preventing it from biting me. I hear another growl and a second hound appears.

I head-butt the hound on top of me and daze it. The second hound began to sprint after me. I ball up a fist and let this hound have it. A right hook directly to the nose. I heard crunching, but unsure if it was my hand or the hound’s nose. The hound I head-butted was getting up. I dropped my spear and ran after it. I jumped on its back and put my hands in its mouth. I pry open the jaws and in one quick motion I yank its head, snapping the neck. It fell lifeless to the ground. I had a moment to catch my breath but I didn’t have long. The hound I punched was gone. I hear a loud bark and it dashed past me. I was knocked to the ground. It was slowly approaching me. I take a quick breath and get up.
I picked up my spear and threw it at the charging hound. I landed a direct hit, square in its right eye. It started losing momentum and fell to the ground. I was feeling particularly good at this moment. I narrowly escaped death yet again to these beasts.



I spent the rest of the day getting my bearings to figure out just where I was. All the excitement made me lose my sense of direction.


Day 20

The morning of the 20^th day has come and I reflected on just how far I have come. The area I woke up in was rather barren. There was not much to see. It felt like a desert. I noticed a nest with one of those oddly colored eggs. I flashed back to when I fought the mother of this egg. The tall bird was large but quick and ruthless. I looked around, and I didn’t notice the bird anywhere. I picked up the egg and I made the mistake of turning my back on the nest. I heard heavy footsteps creep behind me and I saw the tall shadow rise above me. I don’t bother looking back and I run away, as fast I could. This bird wasted no time in chasing me and was gaining fast. I had to think quickly. I decided to climb a nearby tree hoping it was stupid enough to lose interest by losing sight of me.

Sure enough, when I got into the leaves, it couldn’t find me. I was about eye level with this beast. I readied my spear, and took advantage of the ignorance it had of my location. I line up my shot, and leap from the tree. The sun was beaming down on my back and I saw my shadow cover this bird and it squawked in surprise and fear. I plummeted toward the bird and thrust my spear into its very large eye. I used the body to break my fall